Rotary Flow-Regulating Assembly for Disposable Dialysis Cassettes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated peritoneal dialysis systems face challenges in ensuring precise control of fluid flow through tubing while maintaining cost-effectiveness for disposable medical devices.
Innovation Solution
A disposable medical flow-regulating assembly with rotary flow-directing units and a peristaltic pump mechanism, utilizing a rotational insert member to control fluid flow pathways, and a controller to regulate the angular positions of these units for precise fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a linear actuator is used to clamp tubing through openings in the cassette case, then flow control can be achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the flow control function from a complex linear actuator mechanism and relocates it to a simpler rotary valve assembly. The rotary valve with its indexed positions provides the necessary flow control (open/close/neutral) without requiring the complex linear motion and clamping mechanism of the prior art actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a linear actuator that moves back and forth to clamp and release tubing, the invention inverts the approach by using a rotary valve that rotates to different angular positions to control flow. This rotational motion is simpler to implement and manufacture than the linear clamping mechanism.
2Reliability
If a linear actuator with clamping mechanism is used for flow control, then flow regulation is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention designs the flow control assembly as a disposable component that can be manufactured at low cost using simple rotary valve technology rather than expensive linear actuator mechanisms. The simplified design with rotary insert members and basic valve body allows for cost-effective manufacturing suitable for single-use medical applications.
3Reliability
If multiple tubing lines are controlled through separate linear actuators, then precise flow control is achieved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary valve assembly serves multiple functions: it controls flow to multiple different tubing lines (inflow, outflow, waste, etc.) through a single integrated mechanism. By rotating the valve to different angular positions, a single rotary actuator can direct fluid flow to various destinations, replacing what would otherwise require multiple separate linear actuators.
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 system provides reliable and cost-effective fluid flow control, reducing complexity and ensuring accurate fluid pathway management in peritoneal dialysis systems, while being suitable for disposable use.
Implementation Method 1
a peristaltic pump mechanism, utilizing a rotational insert member to control fluid flow pathways
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable medical flow-regulating assembly includes flow-directing units, with multiple fluid-flow lines entering each of the flow-directing units. The flow-directing units are interconnected by a fluid-flow line that extends between them. Each of the flow-directing units includes a rotational insert member that regulates which of multiple flow passages through the flow-directing unit is open and which are closed, based on the angular position of the insert member.