Magnetic Spherical Valve for Contrast Medium Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contrast medium injection systems face challenges in easily removing air bubbles from drug solutions, require expensive pressure-resistant tubes, and cannot measure blood pressure or maintain contrast medium cleanliness during power outages.

Innovation Solution

A contrast medium injection system with a magnetic spherical body that moves within a cylindrical space to open and block fluid flow paths, using a magnet and infrared sensor for control, allowing for easy bubble removal and maintaining flow path integrity without manual tube squeezing, and includes a mechanism to keep the system operational and clean during power outages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If flow paths are blocked by squeezing the tubes with a clamp member, then the flow path switching is achieved, but expensive pressure-resistant tubes with woven fiber are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow path switchingVSAvoidtube cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical squeezing action with a magnetic field-based opening and blocking unit. A spherical magnetic body moves within a cylindrical space in response to magnetic field changes, opening or blocking the flow path without mechanical contact or tube deformation. This eliminates the need for expensive pressure-resistant tubes while achieving reliable flow path switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the control system and the flow path switching mechanism. The magnetic field acts as a non-contact mediator that moves the spherical magnetic body to control flow paths, replacing direct mechanical manipulation and enabling the use of simpler, less expensive tubing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If tubes are squeezed to block flow paths, then flow path switching is achieved, but air bubble removal becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow path switchingVSAvoidair bubble removal operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic opening and blocking unit enables smooth, controlled flow path transitions without the turbulence and pressure fluctuations caused by mechanical squeezing. This creates more stable fluid flow that facilitates easier air bubble removal through standard procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of energy

If external power supply is disconnected during injection, then power saving is achieved, but blood pressure measurement stops and contrast medium becomes contaminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidblood pressure measurement continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The opening and blocking unit is designed to maintain flow path blocking without power supply, preventing backflow of body fluids into the contrast medium syringe before power is restored. This preliminary protective action ensures contrast medium cleanliness and allows blood pressure measurement to resume immediately when power is restored.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a passive magnetic mechanism that requires no power to maintain its blocking function, effectively creating a power-independent safety mechanism that protects the system during power outages without requiring expensive backup power systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Enables easy air bubble removal, uses inexpensive tubing, and ensures continuous blood pressure measurement and contrast medium cleanliness, even during power outages, improving the reliability and efficiency of the injection process.

Implementation Method 1

a spherical body that is movable between a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the generally cylindrical space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS20230347042A1Contrast medium injection device and injection line kit

Publication Date: 2023.11.02 DVX INC

AI summary

Provided is a contrast medium injection system that enables easy removal of air bubbles in a drug solution in a flow path, use of inexpensive tubes and measurement of blood pressure in external power outage.The contrast medium injection system includes at least one fluid injection flow path and an opening and blocking unit provided in the fluid injection flow path. The opening and blocking unit includes a generally cylindrical space and a spherical body disposed to be movable between a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the generally cylindrical space. The spherical body blocks the fluid injection flow path when the spherical body is in close contact with the first end portion. The fluid injection flow path is opened when a state in which the spherical body is in close contact with the first end portion is released.