Peristaltic Pump Release Means for Generic Tube Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current peristaltic pumps for hysteroscopy require expensive and disposable silicone tubes, leading to high operational costs due to the need for specific catheter systems and frequent sterilization, which increases the overall cost of medical interventions.
Innovation Solution
A peristaltic pump design featuring a casing with release means that allows the use of generic, lower-cost disposable tubes, including polyethylene, polypropylene, or PVC, and incorporates pressure detection means external to the fluid tube to maintain sterilization and control fluid pressure without direct contact, reducing costs and improving hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are integrated into the catheter system with direct fluid contact, then fluid pressure and flow rate can be controlled, but the cost increases due to proprietary catheter systems and frequent disposable tube replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into separate functional modules: the pump unit with integrated sensors remains sterile and reusable, while the flexible tube becomes a separate disposable component. This segmentation allows the expensive sensor-integrated pump to be decoupled from the consumable tube, reducing operational costs while maintaining control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible tube acts as an intermediary component that transmits fluid between the pump and patient without requiring integrated sensors. The tube can be easily replaced without affecting the pump unit, allowing generic low-cost tubes to be used while the pump maintains its sensing and control capabilities through external or non-contact means.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If disposable silicone tubes are used for each intervention, then hygiene requirements are met, but operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adopts disposable flexible tubes made from inexpensive materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or PVC instead of expensive silicone tubes. These generic tubes can be easily discarded after single use, meeting hygiene requirements while significantly reducing the cost of consumables compared to proprietary silicone tube systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump unit is designed to be compatible with universal, generic flexible tubes rather than proprietary silicone tubes. This universality allows the use of low-cost disposable tubes from various manufacturers while maintaining full functionality of the pump system, thereby reducing operational expenses without compromising hygiene through the disposable nature of the tubes.
3Ease of manufacture
If generic lower-cost disposable tubes are used, then operational costs decrease, but the pump system requires release means to properly secure and control the tube
Solution Approach 1:
The release means incorporate dynamic elements such as movable clamps or adjustable securing mechanisms that can easily transition between locked and released states. This dynamic design allows generic flexible tubes to be quickly secured and released without complex procedures, adding minimal complexity while enabling cost reduction through the use of inexpensive disposable tubes.
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 enables the use of lower-cost disposable tubes, reduces operational expenses by allowing generic tube systems, and maintains effective fluid control and sterilization, minimizing the need for frequent tube replacements and reducing the overall cost of medical interventions.
Implementation Method 1
a peristaltic pump configured with a casing (1) that houses drive means for acting on a rotor provided with a head that supports a plurality of pressure rollers (4) distributed radially around the rotor, said pressure rollers being intended to make contact with pressure with a flexible tube (2) for the passage of a fluid
Implementation Method 2
the casing includes release means for releasing the flexible tube, having an arrangement such that in a closed condition of the release means, such release means are configured to keep the flexible tube (2) in the housing in an immovable manner
Implementation Method 3
pressure detection means external to the fluid tube to maintain sterilization and control fluid pressure without direct contact
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a peristaltic pump for medical tests, such as hysteroscopy, comprising a casing (1) that houses drive means for acting on a rotor provided with a head (3) that supports a plurality of pressure rollers (4) radially distributed around the rotor, said pressure rollers being intended to make contact with pressure with a flexible tube for the passage of a fluid, the casing having a housing configured for accommodating the flexible tube (2). The casing includes release means for releasing the flexible tube (2), these release means having an arrangement such that in a closed condition of the release means, such release means are configured to keep the flexible tube (2) in the housing in an immovable manner and the pressure rollers (4) in contact under pressure with the flexible tube (2).