Pressure Control Sheet for Leak-Safe Infusion Fluidic Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical infusion systems, such as those using air bladders for fluid control, pose risks to patient safety due to potential fluid leakage and require complex manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A pressure control sheet system replaces air bladders, utilizing a deformable and resilient material secured to a housing to form independent chambers, allowing controlled fluid pressure changes for distinct fluidic signals, reducing the risk of leakage and simplifying manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air bladders are used for fluid control, then fluid pressure control is achieved, but patient safety is compromised due to potential fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional air bladders with a pressure control sheet made of flexible material that forms sealed chambers. This thin film structure eliminates the leakage issues associated with air bladders while maintaining the ability to control fluid pressure through defined chambers that contain pressure medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure control sheet is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use. This eliminates the risk of repeated use degradation that could lead to leakage, ensuring patient safety while reducing the need for complex durability testing and maintenance protocols.
2Reliability
If air bladders are used for fluid control, then pressure control is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure control sheet is divided into multiple independent sealed chambers, each capable of controlling fluid pressure in different lines. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing where each chamber can be independently formed and tested, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining reliable fluid control.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of a thin flexible pressure control sheet replaces complex air bladder assemblies. The sheet can be manufactured using simpler forming processes and sealed using standard techniques, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective pressure control functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pressure control sheet with multiple chambers is used, then independent fluid control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure control sheet with multiple independent chambers serves multiple functions: it controls fluid pressure in different lines simultaneously, provides independent control for contrast media and saline, and maintains patient safety through sealed construction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each fluid line.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pressure control chambers are integrated into a single pressure control sheet structure rather than using separate components. This merging reduces the overall number of parts, simplifies assembly, and decreases device complexity while maintaining independent control capability for multiple fluid lines.
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 pressure control sheet system enhances patient safety by preventing fluid leakage and offers a simpler, cheaper manufacturing process while maintaining reliable fluid control.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure control sheet is formed from a deformable and resilient material and is secured to and forms a seal with the housing such that the housing and the pressure control sheet together define a first and a second chamber. The pressure control sheet is arranged so that the fluid pressure within the chamber can be changed upon input from a user.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a control device for providing a fluidic signal to a medical infusion apparatus, the device comprising a housing and a pressure control sheet, wherein the pressure control sheet is formed from a deformable and resilient material, and the pressure control sheet is secured to and forms a seal with the housing such that the housing and the pressure control sheet together define a first chamber and an independent second chamber, wherein the pressure control sheet is arranged so that the fluid pressure within each chamber can be changed upon input from a user. The control device further comprises a first fluid conduit member in fluid-flow communication with the first chamber and a second fluid conduit member in fluid-flow communication with the second chamber, wherein, in use, inputs from a user change the fluid pressure within the chambers which causes movement of fluid through the fluid conduit members to provide fluidic signals.