Peristaltic Pump Body Drainage Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drainage methods for excess body fluid from a patient's body cavity are either time-consuming and require manual effort, or they provide constant suction that is not suitable for gentle, slow fluid movement, and existing equipment is bulky, limited in size, and poses contamination risks.

Innovation Solution

A peristaltic pump device with a regulation and control mechanism, combined with a pre-chamber and collection bag system that includes sensors for measuring fluid volume and detecting air leakage, and an optical sensor for erythrocyte volume concentration, allowing for controlled and efficient drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If hand pumping is used to achieve peristaltic movement, then gentle and controlled fluid drainage is possible, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and requires constant manual attendance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual control of fluid movementVSAvoidtime required for drainage procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The peristaltic pump device is designed to automatically perform the pumping action without requiring manual operation. The device self-regulates the fluid movement through its mechanical peristaltic mechanism, eliminating the need for constant hand pumping while maintaining the gentle, controlled drainage characteristic. The pump continues to operate autonomously, providing consistent peristaltic motion to move fluid from the body cavity to the collection bag.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If plastic vacuum suction bottles are used, then drainage can be performed without manual effort, but the suction is constant rather than peristaltic and the equipment is bulky with storage and shipping difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic drainage operationVSAvoidsize of drainage equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage system is divided into separate functional components: a compact peristaltic pump mechanism, a pre-chamber for fluid intake, and a collection bag for fluid storage. This segmentation allows the pump to be small and portable while the collection bag can be appropriately sized. The modular design enables easy storage and shipping without the bulkiness of integrated vacuum bottles, while maintaining automatic operation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If wall suction is used, then drainage can be performed automatically, but the suction force is greater than safe levels and the equipment is not readily available in all clinical settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic fluid removal rateVSAvoidexcessive suction force on patient tissue
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The peristaltic pump provides dynamic, variable suction force through its mechanical squeezing action on the tubing. Unlike constant wall suction, the peristaltic mechanism creates pulsating, controlled negative pressure that can be adjusted to safe levels. The pump's rotational motion produces periodic compression and relaxation of the tubing, allowing gentle yet effective fluid removal without the excessive continuous force of wall suction. This dynamic control protects patient tissue while maintaining productive drainage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If pre-assembled vacuumed bottles are used, then drainage can start immediately, but the pre-set vacuum pressure is inadequate and the bottles are limited in size requiring frequent changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmediate drainage initiationVSAvoidsuction pressure strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The peristaltic pump allows dynamic adjustment of suction pressure parameters during operation. Unlike fixed pre-assembled vacuum bottles with inadequate pre-set pressure, the pump can vary its pumping speed, compression force, and rotational frequency to generate appropriate suction pressure strength. This parameter control enables the system to adapt to different drainage needs and maintain effective suction throughout the procedure without requiring frequent bottle changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 consistent and controlled peristaltic suction, reducing manual effort and minimizing contamination risks, while providing accurate fluid volume measurement and air leakage detection, and allowing for continuous operation with battery power management.

Implementation Method 1

the movement of fluid from the body must be performed in a gentle, slow and steady manner. Such gentle, slow and steady manner can be designated 'peristalsis'

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPeristalsis: Peristalsis

Implementation Method 2

The chamber includes a first portion and a second portion. The diaphragm is contained in the chamber and changes position based on a pressure difference between the first portion and the second portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference detection: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

The diaphragm is contained in the chamber and changes position based on a pressure difference between the first portion and the second portion. The position is sensed and fed to a controller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-induced displacement: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3474916B1Body drainage apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 THORAGEN AB
  • EP3474916B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP3474916B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3474916B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A body drainage system for draining fluid from a body cavity of a patient, the body cavity being provided with an access port, whereinthe system comprises: -a peristaltic pump mechanism (2), -a housing (1) for housing at least a portion of the peristaltic pump mechanism, -a flexible tube (3) configured to be connected at an access port end to the patient access port, and at a collection unit end to a collection unit (7), -a pre-chamber connected to the flexible tube arranged to receive fluid via the flexible tube, -a processor, wherein the pre-chamber is provided with a pressure sensor and the processor is configured to receive pressure signal from the pressure sensor to be able to detect air leakage and/or to calculate the amount of air leakage. Fig.