Locking Slide Clamp for Secure IV Tubing Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional IV set clamps can be inadvertently or intentionally adjusted by unauthorized personnel, altering the flow rate of medical fluids and potentially harming patients.
Innovation Solution
A locking slide clamp with a flexible uniform body and a coupling mechanism that locks the IV tube in place, preventing unintended adjustments by incorporating a coupling mechanism that covers the aperture's release point when engaged, ensuring secure fluid flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional IV set clamp is used to restrict fluid flow, then the flow rate can be controlled by pinching the tubing, but the clamp can be inadvertently or intentionally moved by unauthorized personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates a sliding mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the clamp position along the tubing. The sliding member can move between a first position (unlocked) and a second position (locked), enabling the system to transition from a static to a dynamic state based on operational needs while maintaining security when locked.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling mechanism serves as an intermediary between the sliding member and the clamp body. This coupling mechanism includes a coupling member that engages with a corresponding feature on the clamp body to prevent unintended movement, while still allowing authorized adjustment when the sliding member is in the correct position.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent unauthorized clamp movement, then security against unintended flow rate changes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the existing clamp structure rather than being a separate independent system. The coupling mechanism is integrated into the clamp body, and the sliding member combines the functions of positioning and locking control. This merging approach provides enhanced security while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the position of the sliding member. When the sliding member is in the first position, the coupling member is released and can be easily positioned. When the sliding member moves to the second position, the coupling member automatically engages with the clamp body to lock the clamp, providing self-service locking without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems.
3Ease of operation
If the clamp is designed to be easily adjustable by medical practitioners, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of unauthorized or inadvertent adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp provides dynamic control over its own locking state through the sliding member mechanism. Medical practitioners can easily adjust the clamp by sliding the sliding member to the first position, which releases the coupling member and allows free adjustment. When locking is required, the sliding member is moved to the second position, which automatically engages the coupling mechanism to prevent unauthorized changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism provides tactile feedback to indicate whether the clamp is in a locked or unlocked state. The engagement state of the coupling member with the clamp body can be sensed through the sliding member, providing feedback to the user about the current state of the clamp and helping prevent unauthorized adjustment while maintaining ease of authorized operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp is provided. The clamp includes a flexible uniform body. The flexible uniform body includes an aperture configured to allow a tubing to pass through the flexible uniform body. The aperture is configured to allow unrestricted flow of a fluid within the tubing when the tubing is at a first position of the aperture and restrict the flow of the fluid within the tubing when the tubing is at a second position of the aperture. The flexible uniform body includes an engageable coupling mechanism disposed at a first portion of the flexible uniform body. The coupling mechanism is configured to, when engaged, cover at least a portion of a release point of the aperture such that the tubing is locked in place within a pinch point of the aperture.