Self-Priming IV Set Bubble Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IV sets require time-consuming and attention-intensive processes to remove air bubbles, which can lead to contamination and increased risk of air embolism, especially in pediatric applications, due to turbulent flow and inefficient debubbling methods.
Innovation Solution
A self-priming IV set with a drip chamber incorporating a bubble isolation device, an end plug with hydrophobic air vent, and a zero dead space access port to ensure laminar fluid flow and prevent air entrapment, utilizing a hydrophilic filter or absorbent structure to direct bubbles away from the outlet and a concave surface to partition the chamber, thereby preventing air from entering the patient's bloodstream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional priming methods are used to remove air bubbles from IV sets, then air bubbles can be removed from the tubing, but the process is time-consuming and requires continuous attention
Solution Approach 1:
The IV set is pre-designed with a bubble isolation device and laminar flow tube configuration that automatically prevents air bubble formation during the priming process. The bubble isolation device is positioned to isolate bubbles before they can enter the tubing, and the laminar flow design is built-in from manufacturing, eliminating the need for manual debubbling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The IV set performs self-priming through its inherent laminar flow design and bubble isolation mechanism. When the clamp is opened, liquid flows through the tube in a laminar pattern that naturally prevents bubble entrapment, and the bubble isolation device automatically captures any bubbles that form, requiring no operator intervention for bubble removal.
2Reliability
If traditional priming methods are used to remove air bubbles, then air bubbles can be removed from the tubing, but contamination risk increases due to touching sterile ends
Solution Approach 1:
The sterile barrier and bubble isolation device are integrated into the IV set before sterilization and packaging. The bubble isolation device is positioned to capture bubbles before they can reach the sterile field, and the sterile barrier protects the sterile end from contamination during the entire priming process, eliminating the need for operators to touch sterile components.
3Productivity
If high flow rates are used during priming to quickly fill the IV set, then priming time is reduced, but air bubbles are more likely to be trapped in the tubing
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is designed with specific dimensional parameters (inner diameter, wall thickness) and surface characteristics that promote laminar flow at a wide range of flow rates. The bubble isolation device is positioned and sized to effectively isolate bubbles regardless of flow rate, allowing the operator to prime the IV set quickly by opening the clamp fully without risking bubble entrapment.
Solution Approach 2:
The laminar flow design and bubble isolation device are built into the IV set before use, creating a system that automatically maintains laminar flow conditions and isolates bubbles even at high flow rates. This preliminary design configuration eliminates the need to carefully control flow rate during priming.
4Productivity
If the drip chamber is squeezed to draw liquid into the chamber during priming, then the chamber fills quickly, but air bubbles are generated at the liquid surface
Solution Approach 1:
The bubble isolation device is positioned within the drip chamber to extract and isolate air bubbles at their point of generation (the liquid surface). As liquid is drawn into the chamber and bubbles form at the surface, the bubble isolation device captures them before they can enter the tubing, allowing rapid chamber filling without bubble generation problems.
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 IV set effectively prevents air bubbles from entering the patient's bloodstream during administration, reducing the risk of air embolism and contamination, while maintaining efficient fluid flow rates, thus improving patient safety and reducing attention required for priming.
Implementation Method 1
The air vent may include a hydrophobic material, which allows air to exit the IV set while preventing liquid from exiting.
Implementation Method 2
The end plug and the air vent acts as a flow restrictor to the exiting air, so that when a liquid is moving through the tube, the velocity of the liquid flow is controlled such that the flow is generally laminar.
Implementation Method 3
a bubble isolation device disposed within the drip chamber that prevents air bubbles from exiting the chamber outlet
Implementation Method 4
The bubble isolation device may include a concave surface that is disposed within the drip chamber so that the liquid entering the drip chamber through the chamber inlet is directed toward the concave surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A bubble free, self-priming IV set for use in the administration of liquids that includes a drip chamber comprising a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, a bubble isolation device disposed within the drip chamber that prevents air bubbles from exiting the chamber outlet, a tube having an inlet end coupled to the chamber outlet of the drip chamber and an outlet end, and an end plug that includes an air vent. The end plug may be coupled to the outlet end of the tube and is a flow restrictor so that when a liquid is moving through the tube, the velocity of the liquid flow is controlled such that the front of the liquid does not trap bubbles in the tube.