Passive Variable Flow Resistor for Pressure-Independent Fluid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid transfer systems, particularly in healthcare settings, face challenges in accurately controlling fluid flow rates independently of pressure changes, leading to inaccuracies and safety issues with existing infusion technologies.
Innovation Solution
A passive variable flow resistor device with a fluid chamber, restrictor, and moveable element that adjusts resistance based on pressure differences to maintain a consistent flow rate, eliminating the need for active pressure sources and feedback loops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If passive flow resistors (manual or fixed valves, orifice plates) are used to control flow, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of flow rate deteriorates because accuracy depends on maintaining constant pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the flow resistor variable rather than fixed. The resistance element can adjust its position or configuration in response to pressure changes, allowing the device to maintain accurate flow rate control across varying pressure conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by enabling both simplicity and accuracy simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resistance parameter dynamically based on pressure conditions. By adjusting the resistance value in response to pressure variations, the system maintains constant flow rate accuracy without requiring complex active control systems. This parameter change approach allows the passive device to adapt to different operating conditions while preserving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If a large reservoir of fluid with stored potential energy is used to maintain constant pressure, then the flow rate accuracy is improved, but the volume of fluid required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a large reservoir to maintain constant pressure, the patent changes the resistance parameter dynamically. This allows the system to maintain accurate flow rate control with much smaller fluid volumes by adapting the resistance to pressure variations rather than attempting to stabilize pressure through large fluid storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the pressure stabilization function from the fluid reservoir itself and transfers it to the flow resistor mechanism. By removing the dependency on large fluid volumes for pressure maintenance, the system achieves both flow rate accuracy and reduced fluid quantity requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If passive variable resistors are designed to be independent of pressure source and fluid reservoir, then the adaptability of the device is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring pressure differences increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that translates pressure differences into measurable or controllable parameters. This intermediary element facilitates the detection and measurement of pressure differences in the independent passive variable resistor design, resolving the contradiction between device independence and measurement difficulty.
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 ensures a consistent fluid flow rate regardless of input pressure changes, enhancing safety and accuracy in fluid delivery, reducing the reliance on expensive electronic pumps, and allowing for broader application in healthcare settings.
Implementation Method 1
a moveable element (120) designed to move along a reduced cross-sectional area (104a) to define a fluid flow channel (104b) between the reduced cross-sectional area and the moveable element
Data Source
AI summary
The systems and methods of the present disclosure provides an independent passive variable resistor that can be interposed between a fluid reservoir at an inlet pressure and receptacle at an outlet pressure. The resistor can adjust resistance to the pressure difference from the input to the output so that the flow rate through it is a constant rate. The resistor can include a moveable element and a biasing mechanism located in a chamber to create a flow channel. Each side of the moveable element is exposed to the inlet and outlet pressures and moves within the flow channel to modify the resistance of the flow through the chamber in response to the pressures. The balance of these forces determines the position moveable element, which interacts with the fluid channel to determine the flow resistance through variable resistor. The biasing mechanism can provide the necessary pressure to establish equilibrium flow rate.