Reciprocating Wire Sheath for Enteral Feeding Tube Clogs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for clearing clogs in enteral feeding tubes are inefficient, often requiring extensive time and may not effectively remove viscous materials like coagulated blood, leading to frequent tube replacements and patient discomfort, especially in patients with long-term feeding tubes.
Innovation Solution
A device with a controller and a flexible clearing member that uses repetitive motion, such as reciprocating or rotating, to break up clogs within the tube, equipped with a sheath and wire tip that can navigate curved paths and clear blockages from the inner walls of feeding tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional flushing methods are used to clear clogs in feeding tubes, then the procedure is simple, but it takes extensive time and is ineffective against viscous materials like coagulated blood
Solution Approach 1:
The clearing member is designed to perform reciprocating motion (back and forth movement) within the feeding tube, dynamically engaging with the clog to break it apart. This dynamic action significantly improves clearing speed and effectiveness against viscous materials compared to static flushing methods, while the device structure remains relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The clearing member executes periodic reciprocating motions to systematically work through the clog. This repeated cyclic action allows progressive breakdown of viscous materials like coagulated blood, achieving effective clearing in a fraction of the time required by traditional continuous flushing methods.
2Reliability
If traditional clearing methods are used, then the device structure is simple, but they fail to effectively remove viscous materials such as coagulated blood
Solution Approach 1:
The reciprocating motion of the clearing member creates dynamic shearing forces that effectively fragment and remove viscous materials like coagulated blood. This dynamic mechanical action dramatically improves reliability of clog removal while reducing the time required compared to passive flushing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The rapid reciprocating motion of the clearing member generates mechanical vibrations and shearing forces that disrupt and break apart viscous clogs. This vibrational mechanical action effectively removes coagulated blood and other stubborn materials in a matter of seconds, eliminating the time loss associated with traditional clearing methods.
3Reliability
If feeding tubes are replaced frequently due to clogging, then patient comfort is maintained, but it increases patient discomfort and requires frequent interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables preliminary clearing of clogs in the feeding tube before they cause complete blockage or require tube replacement. By performing maintenance clearing operations, the tube functionality is maintained and patient discomfort is prevented, eliminating the need for frequent tube replacements and associated interventions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the clearing member uses rigid structure, then it can effectively break up clogs, but it cannot navigate curved paths in the tube
Solution Approach 1:
The clearing member incorporates a flexible shaft that allows it to bend and navigate curved paths within the feeding tube while maintaining its structural integrity. This flexibility enables the tip to reach clogs in various positions along the tube, including curved sections, while the reciprocating motion at the tip ensures effective clog breaking capability is preserved.
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 device quickly and effectively clears clogs, reducing the need for frequent tube replacements and minimizing patient discomfort by efficiently removing debris and preventing reclogging, while being suitable for both straight and curved tube sections.
Implementation Method 1
The wire and sheath tip may be of a rigid material and as they move with respect to one another, they create shearing forces that break up the occlusion
Implementation Method 2
a controller that remains outside of the living being, and wherein the controller comprises an actuator or motor for generating repetitive motion
Data Source
AI summary
An occlusion clearing device for a patient has a housing with a motor(s) that generates repetitive motion, which is reciprocating, rotational or both. A clearing stem including a sheath that has a lumen, wherein aspiration is conducted through the sheath lumen. A wire is located in the sheath lumen and receives repetitive motion from the controller. The sheath terminates in a sheath end having at least one sheath opening. The wire terminates in a wire tip, which may be flat, helical, or tubular. The wire tip is positioned within the sheath end, in proximity to the sheath opening(s), and movement of the wire tip and/or sheath end relative to each other creates shearing forces that break up an adjacent occlusion.