Micro Bleed Hole Connector Preventing Limb Tourniquet Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic medical devices can experience tourniquet-like effects due to persistent inflation when air tubes become occluded, leading to impaired blood flow and increased risk of thrombi formation, as existing solutions either increase manufacturing complexity or cost.
Innovation Solution
A micro bleed hole connector that allows safe deflation of pneumatic compression devices by providing a small passageway for air to escape from the compression garment when the air tube is occluded or the pump fails, using a standard connector design that is easy to manufacture and integrate with existing medical-grade tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a micro bleed hole is added to the connector, then safety against tourniquet effect is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a micro bleed hole (porosity) in its wall structure, allowing controlled air leakage to prevent dangerous pressure buildup. This transforms the solid connector wall into a partially porous structure that maintains structural integrity while enabling safety venting function.
2Ease of operation
If tube flexibility is increased by adding plasticizers, then ease of operation is improved, but compressibility increases leading to occlusion risk
Solution Approach 1:
The micro bleed hole is pre-installed in the connector before the tube is connected to the patient. This preliminary safety feature ensures that even if the tube becomes compressed or occluded during operation, air can escape through the pre-positioned bleed hole in the connector, preventing tourniquet effect.
3Reliability
If thicker tube wall is used to prevent occlusion, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The micro bleed hole acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the air supply system and the patient. Instead of relying solely on thicker tube walls to prevent occlusion, the bleed hole provides a backup escape route for air pressure, mediating the safety function at the connector level rather than requiring changes to the tube structure.
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 safe deflation of pneumatic compression devices, preventing tourniquet-like effects and maintaining therapeutic compression, while being cost-efficient and easy to use, without compromising inflation pressure or flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
A micro bleed hole connector for use in intermittent pneumatic compression devices includes a connector body with a lumen configured to connect an air tube to an inflatable compression garment on a patient and a micro bleed hole in the connector body that allows air to escape from the compression garment
Data Source
AI summary
A micro bleed hole connector for use in intermittent pneumatic compression devices includes a body made of a material that is sturdy, durable and compression resistant. The bleed hole connector resembles industry-standard air tube connectors, and has a micro bleed hose connecting its hollow lumen to the outside, ambient air. In use, the connector is inserted between the air input tube of an intermittent pneumatic compression device and an air supply tube, which is connected to an air pump. The air pump inflates and deflates the intermittent pneumatic compression device, which is placed on a patient's limb. In the event deflation of the compression device is retarded by air pump failure or air supply tube occlusion, the micro bleed hole dissipates air sufficiently to prevent injury to the patient's limb. Air dissipation through the bleed hole during normal operation is minimal and does not impact therapeutic application.