Multi-Lumen Tube Wave-Joint Resin Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical multi-lumen tubes face issues with breakage or kinking due to insufficient joint strength and rigidity gaps at the joint parts, especially in complex body routes like blood vessels.
Innovation Solution
The medical multi-lumen tube is designed with an outer layer composed of regions with different resin properties, where the resin from one region enters the other, forming a wave pattern at the joint parts. This configuration increases the joint area and strength, while gradually transitioning the flexural rigidity to prevent rigidity gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If resins with different properties are joined in the outer layer to form multi-lumen tube, then functional versatility is improved, but joint strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming protrusions on the outer surface of one resin and corresponding grooves on the inner surface of another resin before joining. These structural features are prepared in advance to ensure strong mechanical interlocking when the resins are joined, preventing breakage at joint parts while maintaining the multi-lumen structure with different resin properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple resins with different properties (e.g., fluororesin and polyolefin) in the outer layer. Each resin provides specific functional characteristics, and their combination through protrusion-groove joining creates a multi-lumen tube that leverages the advantages of each material while maintaining structural integrity at the joints.
2Adaptability or versatility
If resins with different properties are joined in the outer layer, then functional versatility is improved, but rigidity uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically placing different resin materials in specific regions of the outer layer based on functional requirements. Each resin region is optimized for its specific function (e.g., flexibility, chemical resistance), and the protrusion-groove joining ensures that these locally optimized regions are securely connected without creating rigidity gaps, maintaining overall structural stability.
3Strength
If joint area is increased to improve joint strength, then manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the joining interface into discrete protrusions and grooves rather than attempting to join large continuous surfaces. This segmentation increases the effective joint area through multiple contact points while simplifying the manufacturing process, as the protrusions and grooves can be formed using standard molding techniques and aligned more easily than large surface areas.
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 enhanced joint strength and gradual transition of flexural rigidity effectively suppress the occurrence of kinking and breakage, improving the tube's durability and performance in navigating complex body structures.
Implementation Method 1
In the joint part between the first region and the second region, the resin of one of the regions enters the other region, so as to form a wave pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A medical multi-lumen tube includes a plurality of inner layer tubes and an outer layer tube covering the plurality of inner layer tubes. The outer layer tube has a first region and a second region placed in the axial direction of the outer layer tube and formed of resins having properties different from each other, and the resin of one of the regions enters the other region, so as to form a wave pattern in a joint part between the first region and the second region.