Single Pump Catheter Flushing System with Differential Line Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter flushing systems are complex and costly due to the need for two separate pumps to manage fluid supply and discharge, requiring intricate coordination and design to achieve the desired fluid ratio.
Innovation Solution
A single pump system with a smaller discharge line diameter than the supply line, utilizing a peristaltic pump mechanism to create a throttle point, allowing approximately ⅔ of the flushing fluid to remain in the body and ⅓ to be discharged, eliminating the need for a second pump and simplifying the design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two separate pumps are used for supply and discharge lines, then fluid conveyance control is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate pumps into a single pump that serves both the supply line and discharge line. The pump has a first pump section connected to the supply line and a second pump section connected to the discharge line, both driven by a common drive mechanism. This merging reduces device complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to control fluid conveyance in both lines through the single integrated pump system.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pump is designed to perform multiple functions: it conveys flushing fluid through the supply line to the catheter and simultaneously conveys flushing fluid through the discharge line from the catheter. The pump sections are configured with different diameters to achieve different flow rates, allowing one pump to replace what would traditionally require two separate pumps with different capabilities.
2Manufacturing precision
If two separate pumps are used for supply and discharge lines, then fluid ratio control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump sections are designed with different local qualities - specifically, different diameters. The first pump section has a larger diameter than the second pump section, creating different flow characteristics in each section. This local differentiation allows the single pump to deliver different flow rates to the supply and discharge lines, achieving precise fluid ratio control without requiring two separate pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes physical parameters of the pump sections - specifically the diameter - to achieve different flow rates. By making the first pump section diameter larger than the second pump section diameter, the system achieves different conveyance capacities in each line while using a single pump, thereby controlling the fluid ratio without increasing manufacturing cost.
3Device complexity
If a single pump is used for both supply and discharge, then device complexity is reduced, but fluid ratio control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses parameter changes - specifically different diameters for the first and second pump sections - to inherently control the fluid ratio. The larger diameter of the first pump section naturally delivers more fluid to the supply line, while the smaller diameter of the second pump section delivers less fluid through the discharge line. This passive parameter-based control simplifies operation while maintaining precise fluid ratio control.
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
This configuration allows for efficient and cost-effective fluid management, ensuring effective catheter flushing with reduced complexity and operational costs, while maintaining the required fluid ratio and preventing blood entry into the catheter.
Implementation Method 1
the pump may be designed as a linear peristaltic pump. It is conceivable for the pump to have a camshaft having a number of cams, each cam being coupled in motion to a finger. Each finger cooperates with the supply line and the discharge line in order to convey fluid. In particular, the fingers sequentially compress the supply line and the discharge line to generate a fluid flow.
Data Source
AI summary
A flushing system for a catheter, in particular for a catheter of a catheter pump, comprising a supply line having a pump section, a discharge line having a pump section and a pump, wherein the diameter of the pump section of the discharge line is smaller than the diameter of the pump section of the supply conduit, the pump interacts with the pump section of the supply line for supplying flushing fluid to the catheter, and the pump interacts with the pump section of the discharge line for discharging flushing fluid from the catheter.