Pneumatic Manifold Valve Access Without Airway Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical fluid delivery machines, particularly those using pneumatic pumping systems, face challenges in maintaining particulate-free air passageways and ensuring easy access for maintenance and replacement of pneumatic valves, which can lead to premature system failure and increased operational complexity.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a pneumatic manifold with a removable faceplate and clamping brackets that compress o-rings to seal pneumatic valves, preventing particulate entry and allowing for quick and easy replacement of valves without moving the manifold, along with a separate electronics cage for improved serviceability and reduced noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If pneumatic valves are integrated into the manifold body, then the system structure is compact, but maintenance and replacement of valves require moving the entire manifold

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidvalve replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic valve assembly is segmented from the manifold body through the use of removable brackets. The brackets can be detached to provide access to the pneumatic valves without requiring removal of the entire manifold assembly, thus maintaining structural compactness while enabling easy maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Access to the pneumatic valves is provided through a different spatial dimension by incorporating a removable access panel or door on the exterior of the housing. This allows technicians to reach valves through the front or side of the device without manipulating the manifold mounting structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If threaded connections are used to attach pneumatic valves to the manifold, then the connection is secure, but particulates can enter the air passageway during attachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidparticulate contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A seal member is pre-installed in a sealing position that blocks the air passageway before the threaded connection is made. This preliminary sealing action prevents particulates generated during threading from entering the pneumatic system, while still allowing secure attachment of the valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A seal member acts as an intermediary element between the threaded connection interface and the air passageway. It provides a barrier that isolates the threading operation from the clean pneumatic environment, allowing secure mechanical connection without contaminating the air supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the manifold is made as a single integrated unit, then manufacturing is simpler, but serviceability and noise isolation are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanifold productionVSAvoidcomponent serviceability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The manifold system is divided into separate functional modules: the manifold body, the pneumatic valve assemblies with brackets, and the electronics cage. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using optimized processes while maintaining overall system integration through standardized mounting interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electronics are extracted into a separate cage structure that can be independently accessed and serviced. This separation allows technicians to work on electronic components without disturbing the pneumatic manifold, improving overall serviceability while maintaining a compact integrated appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This solution ensures reliable operation by maintaining particulate-free air pathways, facilitating easy maintenance, and enhancing the serviceability of medical fluid delivery machines, thereby reducing downtime and operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

a clamping bracket to clamp the pneumatic valve to the pneumatic manifold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

compressing the gasket to seal the pneumatic valve to the manifold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS20250084840A1Medical fluid therapy machine including readily accessible pneumatic manifold and valves therefore

Publication Date: 2025.03.13 VANTIVE HEALTH GMBH

AI summary

A medical fluid delivery machine includes a medical fluid pump, at least one of a positive air pressure source or a negative air pressure source for supplying positive or negative pressure air, a pneumatic manifold including an air passageway, a pneumatic valve, and a gasket. The pneumatic valve includes a pneumatic port having a mating threaded portion and a smooth portion.