Medical Fluid Filter Liquid Trap Chamber Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid filtration systems in medical environments, particularly during minimally invasive surgical procedures, face challenges in effectively managing high-pressure surgical sites and preventing the contamination of surgical staff by surgical smoke and fluids, with existing solutions failing to efficiently separate liquids from gases and maintain filter media dryness.
Innovation Solution
A fluid filtration system comprising a filter body with a liquid trap chamber, adjustable flow selector, and filter media configured to filter surgical smoke, utilizing inertial or centrifugal forces to separate liquids, and incorporating a moisture indicator and antimicrobial filter media to maintain effectiveness during prolonged use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a liquid trap chamber is positioned at the bottom of the filter body, then liquid collection is improved, but the filter media may become wet and contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the filtration path into separate zones: a liquid trap chamber for liquid collection and a filtration chamber for gas filtration. The liquid trap is positioned at the bottom while the filter media is positioned above it, creating spatial segmentation that prevents liquid from reaching the filter media while maintaining effective liquid separation.
Solution Approach 2:
A hydrophobic filter media is used as an intermediary element that allows gas to pass through while blocking liquid. This mediator protects the filtration system from moisture contamination while maintaining gas flow, solving the contradiction between liquid collection and filter media protection.
2Productivity
If the liquid trap outlet is positioned at the bottom center, then liquid drainage is improved, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid trap chamber combines multiple functions into a single component: liquid collection, liquid drainage control, and protection of the filter media. By integrating these functions, the system achieves efficient liquid removal without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid trap outlet is positioned at the bottom center of the liquid trap chamber, creating a gravity-driven drainage path that works effectively regardless of the filter body's orientation. This positioning ensures consistent liquid removal efficiency while maintaining simple system architecture.
3Reliability
If the filter media is exposed to surgical smoke, then filtration function is achieved, but the filter media becomes contaminated and less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes liquid from the gas stream before it reaches the filter media. By separating the liquid phase through the liquid trap chamber, only gas passes through the filter media, preventing liquid contamination and extending filter media service life while maintaining filtration effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of hydrophobic filter media changes the physical parameter of the filter medium to be liquid-repelling. This parameter change allows the filter media to maintain its gas filtration function while automatically rejecting liquid contaminants, thereby extending operational duration without performance degradation.
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 system effectively separates liquids from gases, prevents contamination by surgical smoke, and prolongs filter media life by preventing moisture exposure, allowing for continuous use during surgical procedures with improved usability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The system may be configured and arranged to use an inertial force caused by a circular flow path to separate liquid from the fluid
Implementation Method 2
The system may be configured and arranged to use an inertial force caused by a circular flow path to separate liquid from the fluid
Implementation Method 3
a filter media (143) configured and arranged to filter surgical smoke
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A medical fluid filter system is provided comprising a housing having: a liquid trap chamber having a volume; a filter media chamber; a filter media arranged within the filter media chamber; the liquid trap chamber having a liquid trap outlet port in fluid communication with the filter media chamber; the liquid trap outlet port configured and arranged within the liquid trap chamber to inhibit flow of liquid from the liquid trap chamber to the filter media chamber and configured and arranged to allow gas to flow from the liquid trap chamber to the filter media chamber; a filter system inlet passing through the housing for intake of fluid originating from a surgical site; and a filter system outlet passing through the housing for fluid exhaust.