Segmented Extrusion Head for Multilumen Medical Tube Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing multilumen medical tubes are inefficient in reducing material usage and waste generation, and lack quick repair and cleaning capabilities, affecting ecological impact and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An extrusion head with a monolithic sleeve and a mandrel featuring external and internal threads, circumferentially arranged holes for needles, and an air supply channel, allowing for the production of tubes with reduced weight and air voids, facilitating easier repair and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional extrusion methods are used to produce multilumen medical tubes, then production efficiency is maintained, but material consumption and waste generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel is divided into two separable parts: a first part with external threads and needle holes, and a second part with internal threads. This segmentation allows the needles to be removed and the mandrel to be cleaned efficiently, while maintaining continuous production capability. The segmented design enables material to flow through all channels including needle passages, reducing waste and improving ecological sustainability.
2Ease of repair
If a monolithic mandrel is used for extrusion, then structural integrity is maintained, but repair and cleaning become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel is segmented into two parts connected by threading. The first part contains needle holes and can be detached from the second part for cleaning and repair. This segmentation maintains structural integrity during operation while enabling easy maintenance by allowing access to internal channels and needle mounting areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded connection acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two mandrel parts. It provides a secure, reusable connection during extrusion while allowing quick disassembly for maintenance. The threading system enables the mandrel to transition between a unified strong structure and a disassembled maintainable structure.
3Ease of repair
If needles are fixed in the mandrel for air channel formation, then air void creation is effective, but cleaning and repair are complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel is segmented so that the first part containing needle holes can be separated from the second part. Needles are mounted in the first part and can be removed when that part is detached. This segmentation enables complete cleaning of air channels and needle passages while maintaining precise air channel formation during extrusion through proper needle positioning.
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 solution reduces material consumption and waste, provides lighter tubes for improved comfort and reduced carbon footprint, while enabling efficient repair and cleaning, thus enhancing ecological and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
inside the first part of the mandrel an air supply channel is located
Implementation Method 2
said plastic is extruded through the gap formed between the monolithic sleeve and the mandrel
Implementation Method 3
guided through the cooling bath with coolant
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an extrusion head for the continuous extrusion of a multilumen medical tube, consisting of a monolithic sleeve and a mandrel embedded therein, characterised in that the mandrel consists of a first part (4a) and a second part (4b), where the first part (4a) of the mandrel is provided with an external thread and with fitter openings arranged circumferentially, in which the needles (5) are fixed, inside the first part (4a) of the mandrel an air supply channel is located, at the end of which there is a threaded hole for screwing in a fastening screw (6) immobilising the needles (5), the second part (4b) of the mandrel is provided with an internal thread matching the external thread of the first part (4a) of the mandrel. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a multilumen medical tube, characterised in that the head according to invention is mounted to the extruder, then a plastic is loaded into an extruder, mixed and pushed through the extruder screw while it is heated, then said plastic is extruded through the gap formed between the monolithic sleeve (3) and the mandrel assuming the shape of said gap, then the formed tube is successively pulled through the extruder, guided through the cooling bath with coolant and cut to a pre-set length. The invention also relates to a multilumen disposable medical tube with reduced weight, characterised by a diameter of 1.3 to 12 mm