Suction Regulator Four Modes Operation Clog Clearing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intermittent suction regulators lack a mode to apply full vacuum from the hospital's suction line to the patient's line, which is necessary for clearing clogs, and they do not meet all clinical needs for standardization in medical fluid aspiration systems.

Innovation Solution

A suction regulator with four modes of operation: isolating the vacuum, providing continuous regulated suction, intermittent regulated suction, and continuous full suction, with a control mechanism and detent mechanism to prevent accidental switching to the full suction mode, ensuring safe and adjustable suction levels for various clinical applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a suction regulator provides only regulated suction modes (continuous and intermittent), then patient safety is ensured through controlled suction levels, but the ability to clear clogs is compromised due to inability to apply full vacuum

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclog clearing capabilityVSAvoidsuction level adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The suction regulator is segmented into four distinct operational modes: OFF, continuous regulated suction, intermittent regulated suction, and full suction. This segmentation allows the device to provide both patient-safe regulated suction and full vacuum for clog clearing, resolving the contradiction by dividing the operational spectrum into discrete, controllable segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The regulator incorporates a dynamic control mechanism that allows switching between different suction modes. The control member can be positioned to provide continuous regulated suction, intermittent regulated suction, or full suction, enabling the system to adapt to different clinical needs including clog clearing while maintaining patient safety through controlled operation modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a suction regulator allows switching between multiple modes of operation, then versatility is improved, but the risk of accidental switching to full suction mode increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode of operation flexibilityVSAvoidaccidental full suction application

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control mechanism incorporates a preliminary protective action by requiring deliberate manipulation to access the full suction mode. The control member geometry and detent mechanism are designed so that the full suction position is not accidentally reachable, preventing harmful effects while maintaining versatility through intentional mode switching when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The detent mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by creating mechanical stops at safe suction levels (continuous and intermittent modes). These detents act as protective barriers that prevent accidental transition to full suction mode, cushioning against potential harm while allowing intentional transition when clinically indicated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If a suction regulator uses mechanical controls to reduce high vacuum levels, then patient safety is improved through regulated suction, but contamination risk increases due to fluid retention in mechanical components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient safety through suction regulationVSAvoidfluid retention and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The regulator design extracts the essential control function from complex mechanical components that retain fluid. By using a control mechanism with a control member that directs airflow without creating fluid retention zones, the device maintains suction regulation capability while eliminating the contamination source associated with traditional mechanical controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control mechanism acts as an intermediary that regulates suction through airflow control rather than direct mechanical interaction with patient fluids. This intermediary approach maintains the beneficial suction regulation while preventing the harmful fluid retention in mechanical components, as the control elements work with air flow paths separate from patient fluid paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9415174B2Suction regulator having four modes of operation

Publication Date: 2016.08.16 BOEHRINGER TECHNOLOGIES LP

AI summary

A suction regulator arranged to be coupled to a source of partial vacuum and a patient circuit and which is operative in four modes is disclosed. A first mode isolates the source of partial vacuum from the patient. A second mode provides continuous regulated suction to the patient. A third mode provides intermittent regulated suction to the patient. The fourth mode provides unregulated full suction to the patient. The regulator includes a movable control knob for establishing the first, second, third and fourth modes and a detent mechanism holding the control knob in the position to select the desired mode. An interlock is also provided to prevent the control knob from being accidentally moved to the position establishing the unregulated full suction mode.