Pressure-Driven Flow Control Valve for Shear-Sensitive Fluids
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for collecting or dispensing fluids, particularly biological liquids and shear-sensitive fluids, face challenges in maintaining a safe flow rate, which can lead to compromised fluid quality, misdiagnosis, and other adverse outcomes due to incompatibility with intravenous catheters and vacuum containers.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-driven flow rate control valve with a septum that changes configuration based on fluid pressure thresholds, allowing for controlled flow through primary and secondary fluid paths, preventing undesirable flow rates and ensuring fluid quality by adjusting aperture width and path obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vacuum pressure is increased to reduce fill time, then productivity is improved, but the fluid flow rate exceeds the safe threshold causing damage to sensitive fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The valve changes the flow rate parameter dynamically by adjusting the septum position in response to pressure changes. When vacuum pressure exceeds the threshold, the septum automatically moves to reduce the aperture width, thereby changing the flow rate parameter to maintain it within safe limits while still allowing efficient fluid collection
Solution Approach 2:
The valve operates autonomously without external control mechanisms. The septum self-regulates the flow rate by responding directly to pressure changes within the system, eliminating the need for external sensors, actuators, or control systems while maintaining safe flow rates
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual syringe control is used to reduce vacuum pressure, then fluid damage is prevented, but fill time is unnecessarily prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The valve autonomously manages flow rate control without requiring manual intervention. The septum automatically adjusts to pressure changes, eliminating the need for clinician intervention while preventing fluid damage, thus combining the safety of manual control with the efficiency of automated systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the flow rate parameter based on real-time pressure conditions. By changing the aperture width through septum movement in response to pressure threshold exceedance, the system optimizes both protection against fluid damage and maintenance of efficient fill times
3Ease of operation
If vacuum container is used with intravenous catheter, then ease of operation is improved, but device compatibility is poor due to excessive flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The valve modifies the flow rate parameter automatically when connected to intravenous catheters. By detecting pressure threshold exceedance and adjusting the septum position to reduce aperture width, the system adapts the vacuum container's operation to be compatible with smaller catheter bore sizes while maintaining ease of automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The valve enables the vacuum container system to function universally with different intravenous catheter sizes. The automatic flow rate adjustment mechanism allows the same vacuum container to be compatible with various catheter bore sizes by dynamically adapting the flow rate to match the specific catheter being used
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 valve effectively maintains a desired flow rate, preventing damage to sensitive fluids and ensuring efficient collection or dispensing, thereby enhancing the quality and safety of fluid transfer processes.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure-driven flow rate control valve with a septum that changes configuration based on fluid pressure thresholds
Implementation Method 2
Pressure-driven flow rate control valves... control valves comprising various components configured to maintain a desired flow rate
Data Source
AI summary
A storage container having a base storage compartment configured to receive a divider by which the storage compartment is divided into two or more sub-compartments, wherein divider includes a tool configured to provide a secondary utility or function unrelated to dividing the storage compartment.