Disposable Pneumatic Lavage Nozzle with Constriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical lavage systems driven by compressed air have complex structures and high manufacturing costs due to precise components, while battery-powered systems are limited by battery life, and there is a need for a cost-effective, resource-efficient, and easily constructible medical spray device.
Innovation Solution
A medical spray device with a compressed gas supply line, a liquid supply line, a discharge tube with a constriction forming a nozzle, and an operable rotary valve element, made from inexpensive materials like thermoplastic, which generates a chaotic gas-liquid spray jet for effective cleaning without requiring complex or expensive components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pneumatic motor with high precision components is used to achieve high pulse rates, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by designing a lavage system where the entire handle assembly including the pneumatic motor is intended for single use. This eliminates the need for expensive, high-precision reusable components while achieving the required pulse rates through simpler manufacturing processes. The disposable nature allows use of less precise components that would be unacceptable in reusable systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the pneumatic motor from its traditional housing in a reusable handle and integrates it directly into a disposable plastic handle. This extraction allows the motor to be manufactured with lower precision requirements since it no longer needs to be housed in a durable, reprocessible metal or robust plastic handle designed for multiple sterilization cycles.
2Duration of action of moving object
If compressed air systems are used to eliminate battery limitations, then the duration of use is improved, but the connection to stationary compressed air supply is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by connecting the disposable handle to a stationary compressed air supply through a flexible hose. The compressed air drives the pneumatic motor to generate the required pulse rates. This approach provides unlimited operational duration compared to battery systems while maintaining mobility through the flexible connection, allowing the device to be moved around the operating area as needed.
3Reliability
If expensive reusable handles with robust bearing systems are used, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by manufacturing the entire handle assembly from inexpensive plastics intended for single use. This eliminates the need for expensive metal components, robust bearing systems, and complex sterilization processes required for reusable handles. The low cost allows the handle to be discarded after one use rather than reprocessed and sterilized for repeated use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters from durable metals and reprocessible plastics to inexpensive, single-use plastics. This parameter change in material selection and durability requirements allows for significantly reduced manufacturing costs while maintaining sufficient reliability for the intended single-use application.
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 device achieves a constant and effective cleaning with a simpler design, reducing manufacturing costs and allowing for disposable units, while eliminating the need for stationary compressed air supplies, ensuring efficient and prolonged use without battery limitations.
Implementation Method 1
a constriction of the cross-sectional area is provided in the discharge tube and an inlet is arranged in the region of the constriction through which the liquid flows into the gas stream from the pressurized gas supply line
Implementation Method 2
a constriction of the cross-sectional area is provided in the discharge tube... through which the liquid flows into the gas stream
Implementation Method 3
discharge tube with an open end for spraying fine droplets or a spray mist of a liquid-gas mixture
Data Source
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AI summary
The device has pressurized gas supply line (4) for guiding gas flow. A liquid feed line (32) supplies liquid. A dispensing tube (24) is provided with open tube end to spray fine droplets or spray liquid-gas mixture. A controllable valve element (6) is arranged in the pressure gas supply line. The constriction (26) of cross-sectional area is provided in dispensing tube. The opening (30) is arranged in region of constriction, through which liquid in gas flow is opened from pressurized gas supply line. The nozzle is formed in constriction in dispensing tube. An independent claim is included for medical spray device kit.