IV Venting Assembly Buoyant Ball Air Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing air bubbles from intravenous tubing are inefficient and often ineffective, posing a risk of air embolisms, especially in vulnerable patients, as they rely on rudimentary techniques like tapping or flicking the tubing.
Innovation Solution
An air extraction device with a chamber, fluid inlet, fluid outlet, and a buoyant ball that seals off a branch tube to allow air bubbles to escape while preventing fluid flow, ensuring air is removed without interrupting fluid delivery to the patient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air bubbles are removed by tapping or flicking intravenous tubing, then air bubbles can be moved back up the IV tubing away from the patient, but the method is rudimentary and often not entirely successful
Solution Approach 1:
The IV tubing system is segmented into multiple functional zones: an air venting path with a valve for air removal, a fluid passage for fluid delivery, and a chamber for air-fluid separation. This segmentation allows air and fluid to be handled separately through different pathways, improving air bubble removal reliability while maintaining simple operation through dedicated air and fluid channels.
Solution Approach 2:
A valve mechanism serves as an intermediary component that selectively opens or closes the air venting path. The valve mediates between air bubble removal and fluid delivery functions, allowing air to escape through the venting path while preventing fluid leakage, thereby improving reliability without complicating the overall operation.
2Reliability
If a venting path is provided for air bubbles to escape, then air can be removed from the fluid flow, but fluid must not pass through the venting path
Solution Approach 1:
The air venting function is extracted as a separate pathway from the fluid delivery system. The venting path is dedicated solely to air removal with a valve mechanism that isolates it from the fluid passage. This extraction allows air bubbles to be removed effectively while preventing fluid from entering the venting path, achieving reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the tubing system are assigned different qualities: the venting path has properties optimized for air flow (open valve), while the fluid passage maintains properties for fluid delivery (closed valve). This local differentiation ensures that each pathway performs its specific function effectively, improving air removal reliability while maintaining simple fluid delivery.
3Productivity
If air bubbles are not removed, then fluid delivery can continue uninterrupted, but air embolisms can be introduced into the patient
Solution Approach 1:
Air bubbles are removed preliminarily through the venting path before the fluid reaches the patient. The valve mechanism is positioned to vent air bubbles that accumulate in the tubing system proactively, preventing them from reaching the patient. This preliminary air removal action maintains fluid delivery continuity while eliminating air embolism risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism provides feedback control for air bubble removal. When air bubbles accumulate in the venting path, the valve opens to vent them, then closes to resume fluid delivery. This feedback mechanism ensures continuous fluid delivery while periodically removing air bubbles, maintaining productivity and preventing harmful effects.
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
Effectively removes air bubbles from intravenous tubing, reducing the risk of air embolisms and ensuring safe fluid delivery by separating air from the fluid flow and directing it to a reservoir, thus enhancing the safety of intravenous fluid infusion.
Implementation Method 1
the ball is buoyant relative to the fluid. In response to the ball rising in the chamber and sealing off the branch tube from the chamber
Implementation Method 2
a branch tube extending from the top portion of the chamber, where the branch tube receives air from the fluid in the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a method and apparatus for venting of intravenous tubing to remove air bubbles, and more particularly, to a venting valve that allows air bubbles to escape along a venting path while not permitting fluid passage through the venting path. An example air extraction device may include: a chamber; a fluid inlet to convey fluid from intravenous tubing into the chamber; a fluid outlet to convey fluid from the chamber to intravenous tubing for supplying to a patient; a top portion of the chamber; a branch tube extending from the top portion of the chamber, where the branch tube receives air from the fluid in the chamber; and a ball received within the chamber, where the ball is configured to rise with an influx of fluid to the chamber from the fluid inlet and to seal off the branch tube from the chamber in response to the fluid level rising to the top portion of the chamber.