Suction Canister Lid With Ball Float Valve And Replaceable Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical suction and aspiration devices lack effective isolation of suctioned fluids from the vacuum source, risking fluid entry into the pump and operator exposure.
Innovation Solution
A lid assembly with a ball float valve and replaceable filter cartridge that constricts fluid flow when wet, preventing fluid entry into the vacuum source by blocking the inlet when the canister is full, utilizing a combination of a hollow cylindrical structure, slots, and absorbent valve to ensure fluid containment within the canister.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple canister design is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but fluid isolation from the vacuum source is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The canister is divided into separate functional components: a reusable canister body and a replaceable filter cartridge. The filter cartridge contains the filtering mechanism and can be independently replaced when contaminated, while the canister body remains. This segmentation allows the simple, cost-effective canister design to maintain reliable fluid isolation through the replaceable filter component.
Solution Approach 2:
A filter cartridge acts as an intermediary component between the canister interior and the vacuum source connection. This intermediary element provides the necessary filtering and isolation functions, protecting the vacuum source from fluids while allowing the canister itself to remain a simple, easy-to-manufacture container.
2Reliability
If a filter system is added to isolate fluids, then fluid isolation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering system is segmented into a modular filter cartridge that can be independently installed and removed. This segmentation reduces overall device complexity by allowing the filter to be a separate, standardized component rather than an integrated complex system, while still providing reliable fluid isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter cartridge is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component that is discarded after use and replaced with a fresh one. This approach simplifies the overall device design by eliminating the need for complex cleaning mechanisms or maintenance systems, while ensuring continuous reliable fluid isolation through fresh filters.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the canister is made transparent for monitoring, then fluid level detection is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The canister incorporates visual indicators such as color-coded markings or transparent sections with graduated measurements that change appearance based on fluid level. This allows effective fluid level detection without requiring the entire canister to be made from expensive transparent materials, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving detectability.
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
Effectively isolates suctioned fluids from the vacuum source, preventing fluid entry into the pump and minimizing operator exposure, while allowing for easy cleaning and reuse of the canister and lid components.
Implementation Method 1
A lid assembly for a suction canister comprises: a lid body, having a lip defined therein for engagement with a canister; a hollow cylindrical structure, having a top portion extending above a top surface of the lid and a bottom portion extending below a bottom surface of the lid, such that the bottom portion of the cylindrical structure will contact fluid collected in a canister to which it is attached when the canister is nearly full
Implementation Method 2
An absorbent valve which constricts the flow of air and fluids when wet, is disposed within the filter cartridge to prevent fluid flow through the vacuum source
Data Source
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AI summary
A canister assembly for use with a medical suction or aspiration device having a ball float assembly defined in the lid. The lid accepts a replaceable filter cartridge containing a filter element. The ball float engages the replaceable filter cartridge when the canister is near full. This invention relates in general to canisters. More specifically, the invention is directed to canisters for use with a medical suction or aspirator device for the collection of fluids during medical procedures.