Multi-lumen Tube with Functional Fluid for Kinking Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In extracorporeal blood treatment, such as dialysis, multi-lumen tubes are prone to kinking, which can endanger patients and complicate therapy, especially during plasma exchange where internal heating devices are not available, leading to increased complexity and weight in dialysis machines.
Innovation Solution
A multi-lumen tube design with an outer group of lumens filled with a functional fluid and an actuator to modulate pressure, preventing kinking without affecting the fluid being transported, and incorporating an internal heating system for temperature control, reducing the need for external heating devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an external heating unit is added to the dialysis machine for plasma exchange therapy, then the blood can be heated to prevent hypothermia, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged into the multi-lumen tube structure itself. The outer lumens are configured to receive heating fluid, creating an integrated heating system within the tube rather than requiring a separate external heating unit. This combines the transport and heating functions into a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer lumens of the multi-lumen tube serve multiple functions: they can transport additional fluids and simultaneously function as heating channels by receiving hot fluid from the dialysate heater. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated external heating equipment.
2Loss of substance
If the wall thickness of inner lumens is reduced to save material, then material costs decrease, but the tube becomes more prone to kinking
Solution Approach 1:
The inner lumens are nested within the structure formed by the outer lumens. The outer lumens act as a protective structural framework that prevents kinking of the inner lumens, allowing the inner lumens to have reduced wall thickness while maintaining overall tube reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer lumens serve as an intermediary structural element that protects the inner lumens from external forces that could cause kinking. The outer lumens absorb mechanical stress and prevent it from reaching the thinner-walled inner lumens.
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 solution effectively prevents kinking and provides efficient temperature control, reducing the weight and complexity of dialysis machines, enhancing patient safety and operational efficiency by using internal pumps and heating elements.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure of the functional fluid in at least one lumen of the second group is increased, which counteracts the kinking
Implementation Method 2
For example, the device could incorporate an integrated heating circuit to temper the patient blood and/or a substitute and/or a dialysate transported in the first group
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device comprising a multi-lumen tube. The tube has a first group and a second group of lumen, and the lumens of the second group are arranged about the lumen(s) of the first group. The lumen(s) of the first group are used to transport a first fluid, and the lumens of the second group are filled with at least one functional fluid. The device additionally comprises at least one actuator which is connected to at least one of the second lumens and is designed such that at least one property of the functional fluid can be changed by means of the actuator.