Locking Tube Clip for Repositionable Breathing Circuit Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical circuits, particularly breathing circuits, face challenges in efficiently positioning and supporting corrugated breathing tubes to prevent weight transfer to patients or equipment, while also resisting movement along the tube length.
Innovation Solution
A component with a body engageable with external surface recesses of medical tubes, featuring a pair of jaws that can grip items, allowing the component to be movable along the tube in one orientation and resistant to movement in another, thereby facilitating secure positioning and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the component is designed to be movable along the tube for easy repositioning, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of positioning is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The component employs a dynamic positioning mechanism where the body can be moved along the tube length by manipulating the jaws. The jaws transition between engaged and disengaged states with the corrugations, allowing the component to be repositioned when needed while maintaining stable positioning when engaged. This dynamic state change enables both ease of repositioning and positioning reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugations on the tube surface serve as an intermediary mechanism between the component and the tube. The jaws engage with these corrugations to provide both gripping force for repositioning and mechanical interlocking for stable positioning. The corrugations act as intermediate engagement points that facilitate controlled movement while ensuring reliable fixation.
2Reliability
If the component uses engagement features for secure positioning, then reliability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The component utilizes the existing corrugated structure of the tube as part of its positioning mechanism. The jaws are designed to engage with the pre-existing corrugations, eliminating the need for additional positioning features or complex locking mechanisms. The tube's own structure serves the dual purpose of structural support and positioning engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugations on the tube serve multiple functions: they provide structural reinforcement to the tube, enable the component to grip and position securely, and facilitate easy repositioning when needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated positioning features, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If the component is designed to resist movement for secure fixation, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The component employs a dynamic positioning mechanism where the body can be moved along the tube length by manipulating the jaws. The jaws transition between engaged and disengaged states with the corrugations, allowing the component to be repositioned when needed while maintaining stable positioning when engaged. This dynamic state change enables both ease of repositioning and positioning reliability.
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 component effectively supports medical tubes, reducing weight transfer to patients and equipment, while allowing for easy repositioning and secure fixation, thus enhancing the efficiency and comfort of medical treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The internal surface of the body comprises: at least one first projection engageable with a corresponding first recess of a respective tube, and at least one second projection engageable with the same or another recess, of the same respective tube
Implementation Method 2
a pair of jaws extending from the body for gripping an item
Data Source
AI summary
A component useable with one or more tube comprises a body engageable with one or more external surface recesses of the one or more tubes. The component has a pair of jaws extending from the body for gripping an item. The component is configured, such that, in use, in a first orientation of the body relative to the respective tube(s) recesses, the component is movable along a length of the tube(s); and, in a second orientation of the body relative to the respective tube(s) recesses, the component is resistive to movement along a length of the tube(s).