Tube-Integrated Membrane Valve for Infusion Free-Flow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feeding and infusion sets lack precise control mechanisms to prevent excessive fluid flow due to emergencies or dislodgement, posing safety risks for patients.
Innovation Solution
An anti-free-flow valve integrated with a tube, featuring a membrane that transitions between closed and open states in response to mechanical manipulation or pressure changes, preventing excessive fluid flow without interfering with regulating devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If clamps or valves are opened to the fullest extent to avoid interference with regulating devices, then the regulating device can control flow through tubing, but free-flow condition may develop if the regulating device is not properly connected or dislodged, causing excessive fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed to automatically close and block fluid flow when the regulating device becomes disconnected or malfunctioning, preventing the harmful free-flow condition before it can cause patient harm. This preliminary protective action occurs without requiring additional monitoring systems or complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve acts as an intermediary safety device between the fluid source and the patient, providing a fail-safe mechanism that independently monitors and controls flow based on pressure changes caused by disconnection or malfunction of the regulating device.
2Reliability
If a complex control mechanism is added to prevent free-flow, then patient safety is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve utilizes the natural pressure changes that occur when the regulating device becomes disconnected to automatically trigger closure. The system serves itself by using the malfunction condition's own physical effects (pressure drop) to activate the protective mechanism, eliminating the need for external sensors, power sources, or complex control circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve responds to changes in fluid pressure parameters caused by disconnection or malfunction, automatically transitioning from an open to closed state based on these parameter changes. This simple parameter-based control avoids complex electronic or mechanical control systems while maintaining high reliability.
3Reliability
If a valve mechanism is integrated into the tube, then free-flow prevention is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is merged with the tube structure itself, integrating the flow control function directly into the existing tube component. This combining of functions reduces the total number of separate parts and assembly steps, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the free-flow prevention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve utilizes flexible membrane or thin film structures that can be easily formed and integrated into the tube during manufacturing. These flexible components provide the necessary sealing and flow control functions with simple geometric shapes that are amenable to standard manufacturing processes.
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
Enhances safety and accuracy of fluid delivery by preventing free-flow conditions, simplifies manufacturing, reduces complexity, and lowers costs through a simplified design.
Implementation Method 1
responsive to compression or expansion of the tube proximate to the membrane
Implementation Method 2
The membrane defines a slit therethrough that is configured to transition from a closed state that restricts fluid flow to an open state that permits fluid flow through the slit responsive to compression or expansion of the tube
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An anti-free-flow valve includes a tube and a membrane. The tube extends from a first end of the tube to a second end of the tube. The tube defines a hollow cavity. The membrane is attached to an interior surface of the tube and extends across the hollow cavity to obstruct fluid flow through the hollow cavity. The membrane is spaced apart from the first and second ends of the tube. The membrane defines a slit therethrough that is configured to transition from a closed state that restricts fluid flow to an open state that permits fluid flow through the slit responsive to compression or expansion of the tube proximate to the membrane.