Particle-Filtered Fluid Interconnection for Bulk Contrast Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of bulk packages of contrast fluid in medical dispensing systems increases the risk of glass or rubber particles and grown crystals being injected into patients due to wear of moving parts and prolonged exposure, posing serious health risks.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dispensing system with a particle filter located downstream the filling chambers to block unwanted particles and crystals, integrated with one-way valves to prevent their injection into patients, and embedded to minimize misconnection risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If bulk packaging of contrast fluid is used to reduce waste, then the quantity of substance is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to increased wear in moving parts and crystal formation
Solution Approach 1:
A particle filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the bulk contrast fluid reservoir and the injection chamber. This filter intercepts and removes particles generated by wear in moving parts and crystals that form in the bulk fluid, preventing them from reaching the patient while allowing the bulk packaging system to continue operating efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The particle filter extracts harmful particles and crystals from the contrast fluid stream. By removing these contaminants before injection, the system maintains the benefits of bulk packaging while eliminating the reliability issues associated with particle contamination
2Loss of substance
If reusable interconnection sets are used for multiple patients, then the loss of substance is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to wear in moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The particle filter serves as a mediator between the reusable interconnection set and the patient. It captures particles generated by wear in the moving parts of the reusable components, allowing the interconnection set to be reused across multiple patients without transferring wear particles to subsequent patients
Solution Approach 2:
The particle filter is designed to be replaced periodically while the main interconnection set can be reused. Particles are discarded in the filter medium, which is replaced when saturated, while the valuable interconnection components are recovered and reused for multiple patients
3Productivity
If bulk packaging is opened for longer periods, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to crystal growth in the fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The particle filter acts as a mediator that intercepts crystals forming in the bulk contrast fluid during extended storage periods. This allows the system to maintain high productivity with bulk packaging opened for longer periods while the filter continuously removes crystals before they can be injected into patients
Solution Approach 2:
The particle filter performs preliminary removal of crystals from the contrast fluid before the fluid reaches the injection chamber. By addressing crystal formation in advance, the system can safely operate with bulk packaging opened for extended periods without compromising patient safety
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 significantly reduces the risk of injecting harmful particles into patients, enhancing safety while reducing costs by reusability and minimizing the need for manual handling.
Implementation Method 1
a first particle filter (13) for preventing particles of a size larger than a predetermined first size from being injected into the patient
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid dispensing system 3 for dispensing one or more fluids from one or more reservoirs 2 to a patient, the fluid dispensing system comprising a particle filter 13 for preventing particles of a size larger than a predetermined size from being injected into the patient. The invention also relates to a reusable interconnection set 1 comprising a particle filter 13 for use in such a fluid dispensing system 3. The invention also relates to the use of such a fluid dispensing system 3 or reusable interconnection set 1 for dispensing a fluid or contrast fluid to a patient.