Segmented Medical Suction Device with Flexible Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical suctioning devices lack flexibility and comfort during use, leading to user discomfort and potential inefficiencies in air flow and fluid transfer, especially during meconium suctioning.
Innovation Solution
A multi-part, molded plastic suctioning device with longitudinally extending body portions of varying diameters, featuring a laterally flexible design, an annular stop ring for maintaining constant air inlet passage, and a tapered tip for efficient fluid transfer, made from translucent plastic material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the suctioning device is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then structural stability is improved, but flexibility and comfort during use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The suctioning device is divided into multiple body portions (first, second, and third body portions) with different outer diameters and flexibility characteristics. The first body portion is laterally flexible to accommodate user hand forces, the second body portion is thickened to resist flexing and maintain bore diameter, and the third body portion is elongated and flexible to follow anatomical contours. This segmentation allows each part to have optimized mechanical properties for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the device have different flexibility characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The first body portion near the connection point is flexible to accommodate handling forces, the second body portion at the air inlet is rigid to maintain bore diameter, and the third body portion at the tip is flexible to navigate anatomical structures. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between overall structural stability and localized flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If the device is made laterally flexible to accommodate user forces, then ease of operation is improved, but air flow consistency deteriorates due to bore narrowing
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into flexible and rigid zones. The first and third body portions are laterally flexible to accommodate user forces and anatomical contours, while the second body portion is specifically designed with increased wall thickness to resist lateral flexing and maintain constant bore diameter, ensuring consistent air flow through the device during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes selective flexibility through controlled wall thickness variations. The thinner-walled first and third body portions flex laterally to accommodate forces, while the thick-walled second body portion maintains structural integrity and constant bore diameter, allowing the device to be both flexible where needed and rigid where air flow consistency is critical.
3Ease of operation
If the stop ring is made flexible to allow device compression, then ease of operation is improved, but bore diameter stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stop ring is designed with localized rigidity at the critical air inlet region while allowing flexibility in other areas of the device. The thickened second body portion with the stop ring maintains constant bore diameter to ensure manufacturing precision and air flow consistency, while the thinner first and third body portions remain flexible for ease of operation and anatomical adaptation.
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 provides enhanced comfort and efficiency by accommodating user and infant forces, minimizing discomfort and maintaining consistent air flow and fluid transfer efficiency through controlled lateral flexing and resistance to narrowing at the air inlet.
Implementation Method 1
a single, molded plastic unit which is laterally flexible along its longitudinal length... The plastic material of the device may be relatively soft, and sidewardly flexible to greatest extent at said third body portion
Implementation Method 2
the stop ring acting to resist narrowing of a bore formed by the body second tubular portion, for maintaining constant air controlled inlet passage bore diameter at said proximate air inlet, in response to body flexing
Implementation Method 3
medical suctioning or aspiration devices... efficient fluid transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-purpose, one integral piece, medical suctioning device, comprising, in combination first, second and third longitudinally extending tubular body portions of successively different outer diameters, and defining a single, molded plastic unit which is laterally flexible along its longitudinal length, the first body portion forming annular barbs outwardly presented to receive connection to plastic tubing, the second body portion defining a cylinder of relatively greater outer diameter or diameters, there being an annular stop ring integral with the cylinder and presented toward such barbs to define a stop surface against which plastic tubing seats endwise, the third body portion being elongated, and tapering away from the second body portion to terminate at a laterally flexible, forward tubular tip, there being a finger controlled air inlet defined by a sideward protrusion integral with said second body portion.