Purge Device Sealing Element for Medical Fluid Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical treatment fluid delivery systems face challenges in purging fluid flow conduits without stopping patient treatment or risking loss of medicinal solutions, particularly due to the need for stopcocks that can mix different drug solutions.
Innovation Solution
A purge device with a closure element that can be rotated to seal the distal end of a fluid flow conduit, allowing purging without affecting other conduits, and featuring a fluid discharge opening that vents the purged fluid without mixing it with other solutions, using a connection element with radially extending fluid flow channels and a non-return valve for fluid recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stopcock is used to purge a delivery line, then purging can be performed, but other delivery lines are shut off or purged causing loss of medication solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the purging function into separate sealing elements for each fluid flow conduit. Each sealing element can independently seal its associated conduit, allowing purging of one conduit without affecting others. This segmentation eliminates the need for a common stopcock that would affect all conduits simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element acts as an intermediary between the fluid source and the purging operation. By positioning the sealing element at the distal end of each conduit and using it to selectively seal individual conduits, the system enables targeted purging without requiring a central control mechanism that would impact all conduits.
2Ease of operation
If a stopcock is used to purge delivery lines, then purging can be performed, but there is a risk of mixing different medication solutions
Solution Approach 1:
Each fluid flow conduit is equipped with its own sealing element, creating independent sealed compartments. This physical segmentation prevents different medication solutions from mixing during purging operations, as each solution is contained within its own sealed conduit system.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is localized to each individual conduit rather than being centralized. Each sealing element provides localized sealing quality specific to its associated conduit, ensuring that purging operations in one location do not compromise the integrity or separation of solutions in other locations.
3Ease of operation
If a stopcock is used to control fluid flow, then purging can be performed, but the system structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed to perform multiple functions: it seals the distal end of the conduit during purging, allows selective opening for different conduits, and integrates with the existing fluid delivery system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components like traditional stopcocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is configured to be manually operated directly at the conduit end, allowing the user to perform purging operations without needing complex external control mechanisms. The simple rotational or sliding motion of the sealing element provides self-contained control for each conduit.
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 the purging of fluid flow conduits without stopping patient treatment and minimizes the risk of losing medicinal solutions, ensuring precise control and separation of fluid administration.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing portion closes the distal end of the fluid flow channel connected to the fluid flow channel to be purged
Implementation Method 2
a non-return valve for fluid recovery
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
This purge device comprises a connection element (3) comprising a plurality of fluid flow channels (12) which each comprise a proximal end (12.1), intended to be connected fluidically to a respective fluid flow conduit (5) of a flow tube (4), and a distal end (12.2) opposite the respective proximal end (12.1), and a plurality of fluid flow openings (15) which are each connected fluidically to a respective fluid flow channel (12); a closure element (16) comprising a fluid evacuation opening (19) and a closure part (21), the closure element (16) being mounted movably with respect to the connection element (3) and being configured to occupy a plurality of closure positions, in each of which the closure part (21) closes the distal end (12.2) of a fluid flow channel (12) and the fluid evacuation opening (19) is connected fluidically to the fluid flow opening (15) associated with the fluid flow channel (12), of which the distal end is closed by the closure part (21); and a connection nozzle (22) intended to be connected to a catheter.