Precision Roller Clamp Groove for Fine Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current roller clamps for IV sets provide limited flow rate control, are sensitive to small movements causing large flow rate changes, suffer from flow rate drifting due to stress relaxation, require high forces for operation, and lack clear visual indicators for full occlusion.
Innovation Solution
A precision roller clamp assembly with a housing and roller wheel design that includes non-linear guide grooves and varying groove geometry to provide precise flow control, minimize flow rate changes over time, reduce operational force, and ensure clear visual indication of full occlusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the roller clamp body constrains the tubing over a short distance to provide quick flow rate adjustments, then the response speed is improved, but the manufacturing precision and flow control precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove is designed with a non-linear curvature profile that dynamically adjusts the relationship between roller wheel position and tubing compression. The curved path allows the roller to travel a longer distance while maintaining consistent engagement with the tubing, providing both rapid initial response and precise fine-tuning capability throughout the adjustment range.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide groove employs a curved, non-linear path instead of a straight line. This curvature optimizes the mechanical advantage throughout the roller's travel, ensuring that the force applied by the roller is efficiently transmitted to compress the tubing. The specific arc profile allows for smooth transitions between different flow rates while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Measurement precision
If the roller wheel travels a longer distance to provide fine flow rate adjustments, then the flow control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove is designed as an integrated curved feature within the roller clamp body, segmented into functional zones along its length. The upper portion provides coarse adjustments for rapid flow changes, while the lower portion enables fine-tuning. This segmentation of functional zones within a single continuous groove maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving precise flow control.
3Reliability
If the roller clamp applies high compression force to stop flow completely, then the flow stoppage reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove's curvature dynamically adjusts the mechanical advantage throughout the roller's travel. As the roller approaches the fully occluded position, the groove geometry provides increasing mechanical leverage, allowing complete flow stoppage to be achieved with minimal additional force. This dynamic mechanical advantage ensures reliable occlusion while maintaining ease of operation throughout the adjustment range.
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 quick and fine adjustments within clinically relevant flow rates, stabilizes flow rates, reduces operational force, and ensures accurate flow stoppage with visual confirmation, addressing the limitations of traditional roller clamps.
Implementation Method 1
The squeezing action of the tubing between the roller clamp body and wheel causes the inner diameter of the tubing to decrease as the wheel travels down the length of the roller clamp body
Implementation Method 2
The roller clamp assembly also limits the force required to move the roller wheel down the body of the roller clamp
Data Source
AI summary
A precision roller clamp assembly for adjusting the fluid flow rate in a tube of an infusion set is provided. The roller clamp assembly includes a housing to receive the tube and a roller wheel moveably engaged with the housing. The housing includes a tube groove disposed in a guide wall, the tube groove dimensions configured to provide a precise fluid flow adjustment over a majority of the travel path of the roller wheel. A method of operating a precision roller clamp assembly is also provided.