Expandable Reservoir IV Pressure Buffer for Bolus Spikes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intravenous (IV) therapy systems face challenges with pressure spikes during fluid bolus administration, leading to potential damage of IV sets, increased physical exertion for caregivers, and inefficiencies in fluid delivery, which can result in leaks and exposure to harmful substances.
Innovation Solution
A pressure spike absorbing device is introduced, comprising a housing, an expandable reservoir, and a cap, which absorbs and manages pressure spikes by accommodating increased fluid volume, reducing resistance during injection, and allowing for consistent fluid delivery, thereby preventing damage to IV sets and reducing caregiver strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a bolus is administered through IV tubing, then rapid medication delivery is achieved, but pressure spikes occur that can damage the IV set
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a compliant chamber within the IV set that acts as a pressure buffer before the pressure spike can damage the system. This chamber expands to accommodate the bolus volume, cushioning the pressure wave and preventing damage to the IV set while still allowing rapid medication delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The compliant chamber serves as an intermediary element between the syringe/injection source and the rest of the IV tubing. It mediates the pressure transmission by absorbing the pressure spike temporarily and then gradually releasing it, protecting the IV set from direct pressure exposure.
2Productivity
If microbore tubing is used in the IV set, then fluid flow control is improved, but resistance to injection increases requiring greater caregiver force
Solution Approach 1:
The IV set is segmented into different functional zones: a microbore section for precise flow control and a compliant chamber section for pressure absorption. This segmentation allows the microbore tubing to maintain flow control while the compliant chamber compensates for the high injection resistance by providing a expandable volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the IV set by incorporating a compliant chamber that can dynamically alter its volume. During bolus administration, the chamber expands to reduce resistance, and during normal infusion, it maintains a compact state, thus adapting the system's flow characteristics to different operational modes.
3Measurement precision
If a syringe is used to administer a bolus, then precise dosing is achieved, but significant physical exertion is required from the caregiver
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant chamber acts as a mechanical intermediary that reduces the force transmission from the syringe plunger to the IV tubing. By providing a compliant, expandable volume, it allows the caregiver to administer precise doses with reduced physical effort, as the chamber absorbs the pressure rather than transmitting it directly to the rigid tubing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively mitigates pressure spikes, preventing IV set damage, reduces the physical effort required for caregivers, and ensures a predictable and safe delivery of fluids, enhancing the reliability and safety of IV therapy.
Implementation Method 1
an expandable reservoir (104) positioned within the cavity
Implementation Method 2
the pressure causes the expandable reservoir to expand and the inner volume therein to increase
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for coupling to a fluid delivery system and for receiving a fluid into the apparatus; a portion of the apparatus permitting a change in shape or size to accommodate the fluid volume or pressure received therein. The apparatus including a housing with a cavity, an expandable reservoir with an opening and a passage, and a cap; the expandable reservoir positioned within the cavity and coupled to a fluid source. The expandable reservoir includes an unrestrained orientation when a fluid volume or pressure therein is below a threshold, and an expanded orientation, when the fluid volume or pressure therein is above the threshold; the expandable reservoir moving toward the expanded orientation to accommodate a fluid volume or pressure received through an opening, and the expandable reservoir moving toward the unrestrained orientation to direct a fluid volume or pressure through an opening.