Self-levelling Fluid Container for Parallel Dialysis Filling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In extracorporeal blood treatment devices, standard fluid collecting bags often fill unevenly when connected in parallel, leading to inconsistencies in liquid levels due to pressure differences caused by non-return valves and bag characteristics, and existing solutions like bottom-filled bags have drawbacks such as uncomfortable tube attachments and potential interference with the machine or floor, distorting weight measurements.
Innovation Solution
A self-levelling fluid collecting container design featuring a channel with a first upper end fluidically connected to the inlet and a second bottom end, increasing pressure drop at the inlet to ensure equal filling of multiple containers connected in parallel, utilizing a PVC or similar thermoplastic material with a fluid inlet leading directly into the channel and an outlet outside it, forming an L-shaped weld to maintain consistent flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If standard bags are filled from the top in parallel, then the bags can be filled simultaneously from the same liquid source, but the liquid levels become uneven due to pressure differences caused by non-return valves and bag characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the filling chamber into multiple independent compartments, each with its own inlet tube and non-return valve. This segmentation allows each compartment to be filled independently while maintaining uniform liquid levels across all compartments, resolving the contradiction between parallel filling speed and liquid level uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the inlet tubes to extend to the same depth in each compartment and positions the non-return valves at equal heights. This creates equipotential conditions for liquid flow, ensuring that liquid levels rise uniformly across all compartments during parallel filling, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving high productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If bags are filled from the bottom, then homogeneous filling is achieved with equal liquid levels, but the tube attachments become uncomfortable to reach and may interfere with the machine or floor
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of filling from the bottom as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the approach by filling from the top while using segmented compartments with inlet tubes that extend downward. This inversion maintains the liquid level uniformity benefit of bottom-filling while restoring easy accessibility to tube attachments at the top of the bags.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional bottom-filling approach to a multi-dimensional top-filling system with vertical inlet tubes extending into each compartment. This dimensional change allows liquid to enter from the top while still achieving homogeneous distribution, and places tube attachments at an accessible height without interfering with the machine or floor.
3Loss of time
If multiple bags are used instead of one bag, then the operator can replace full bags less frequently, but one bag remains empty while the other becomes full due to uneven filling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filling system into multiple independent compartments that can be filled in parallel from the same liquid source. Each compartment fills uniformly and simultaneously, ensuring that when multiple bags are used, they all reach full capacity at the same time, maximizing the time between bag replacements and eliminating the waste of having partially filled bags.
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 ensures homogeneous priming of fluid collecting containers connected in parallel, maintaining equal liquid levels and improving operational efficiency in medical treatments like dialysis by minimizing pressure side effects and maintaining comfortable and unobstructed bag placement.
Implementation Method 1
A self-levelling fluid collecting container design featuring a channel with a first upper end fluidically connected to the inlet and a second bottom end, increasing pressure drop at the inlet to ensure equal filling of multiple containers connected in parallel
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid collecting container includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a front sheet and a back sheet. The front sheet and back sheet are fixed together at their edges and create a chamber in which the fluid can be collected. The fluid collecting container also has a channel having a first upper end fluidically connected to the fluid inlet and a second bottom end fluidically connected to the chamber. The channel is configured to increase the pressure drop at the fluid inlet once the fluid level in the chamber reaches the second bottom end.