Shunt Valve With Visible Flow Indicator for Blood Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shunting devices for blood flow between anatomical sites risk unnoticed slowdowns or stops, and there is a need for mechanisms to temporarily control blood flow rates during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A shunt apparatus with a flow-indication chamber containing moveable objects visible through a transparent wall, a valve to regulate flow, and a tube constrictor to manage blood flow rates, ensuring visibility and control of blood flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a shunt is used to redirect blood flow between blood vessels, then blood flow is established between anatomical sites, but the flow rate cannot be controlled and may slow down or stop unnoticed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a flow indicator that provides visual feedback about blood flow status and rate. This allows operators to monitor flow in real-time and adjust control elements accordingly, preventing unnoticed flow cessation and enabling active flow rate management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces movable control elements that can be adjusted to dynamically change the flow rate through the shunt. This transforms the static shunt into a dynamic system where flow can be regulated in real-time based on operational needs.
2Ease of operation
If a valve mechanism is added to control blood flow, then flow regulation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flow control and indication features only at specific locations within the shunt where they are most needed, rather than making the entire device complex. The flow indicator is positioned to monitor critical flow sections, and control elements are localized to provide regulation where required.
3Loss of information
If a flow indicator is incorporated, then flow monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual indicators that change appearance or provide visual feedback based on flow status. This allows operators to quickly assess flow conditions without complex instrumentation, maintaining simplicity while improving information availability.
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
Enables real-time monitoring of blood flow and controlled regulation, reducing the risk of unnoticed flow cessation and allowing precise management of blood flow rates during medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a spring coupled to the pushable element and to an inner wall of the flow-indication chamber, and configured to inhibit the pushable element from covering the port in an absence of any pushing force applied to the pushable element
Implementation Method 2
one or more moveable objects disposed within the flow-indication chamber and configured to move in response to a flowing of the blood from the entry port to the exit port
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for shunting blood includes a flow-indication chamber shaped to define an entry port and an exit port, one or more moveable objects disposed within the flow-indication chamber and configured to move in response to a flowing of the blood from the entry port to the exit port, at least a portion of a wall of the flow-indication chamber being transparent so as to expose the moveable objects to sight, a pushable element passing through a wall of the flow-indication chamber and configured to cover a port selected from the group consisting of: the entry port and the exit port, upon being pushed into the flow-indication chamber, and a spring coupled to the pushable element and to an inner wall of the flow-indication chamber, and configured to inhibit the pushable element from covering the port in an absence of any pushing force applied to the pushable element.