Swirling Flow Mixing Device for Drug Solutions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug solution mixing methods, such as the T-shaped joint, often result in incomplete mixing of contrast agents and saline due to differences in specific gravity and viscosity, leading to uneven injection concentrations and image quality issues during medical imaging procedures.
Innovation Solution
A mixing device with a swirling flow generating chamber and a narrowing chamber is used to create a swirling flow, where the contrast agent and saline are introduced in specific directions to collide and mix efficiently, ensuring thorough three-dimensional mixing before injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a T-shaped joint is used to join two drug solutions, then the injection process is simple, but the mixing of drug solutions with different specific gravity and viscosity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar mixing in a T-shaped joint to three-dimensional swirling flow mixing. The second drug solution is introduced tangentially to generate rotational motion, creating a vortex that mixes solutions in three dimensions, significantly improving mixing uniformity while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fluid dynamics principles by introducing the second drug solution tangentially to generate hydraulic swirling flow. The flow patterns and vortex formation are controlled through proper inlet positioning and flow rate management, achieving effective mixing without mechanical components
2Manufacturing precision
If contrast agent and saline are mixed in advance, then mixing can be achieved, but the operation must be performed independently for each imaging and contamination may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares the mixing system in advance by positioning the dual inlet openings and establishing the swirling flow pattern, but the actual mixing occurs automatically during each injection process. This eliminates the need for separate manual mixing operations while maintaining consistent mixing quality across multiple imaging procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing device performs self-mixing through the inherent swirling flow generated by the tangential introduction of the second drug solution. The system automatically mixes the solutions during the injection process itself, eliminating the need for separate mixing operations and reducing contamination risk
3Productivity
If small amounts of contrast agent and saline are injected, then injection time is short, but sufficient mixing time is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs three-dimensional swirling flow to dramatically accelerate the mixing process. The rotational motion creates intense mixing action that achieves complete homogenization in a fraction of the time required for conventional mixing, making it suitable for rapid injection of small volumes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic swirling flow that adapts to the injection rate. The tangential inlet design ensures that the vortex strength and mixing intensity automatically adjust to match the flow rates of the two drug solutions, maintaining effective mixing whether the injection volume is large or small
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 approach enables even and efficient mixing of drug solutions at desired concentrations, preventing unevenness in medical images and allowing for reliable injection of small amounts, thereby improving image clarity and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a swirling flow generating chamber (2) adapted for generating a swirling flow; a second inflow opening (15) adapted for introducing a second drug solution into the swirling flow generating chamber (2) so as to generate a swirling flow of the second drug solution
Implementation Method 2
a narrowing chamber (3) which is interposed between the swirling flow generating chamber (2) and the outflow opening (16) and has a space continuously narrowed toward the outflow opening (16)
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a mixing device, a mixing tube, a drug solution injecting system, and a drug solution mixing method capable of evenly and efficiently mixing a plurality of kinds of drug solutions. The mixing device according to the present invention includes: a swirling flow generating chamber; a first inflow opening for introducing a first drug solution into the swirling flow generating chamber in a direction parallel to a central axis of the swirling flow; a second inflow opening for introducing a second drug solution into the swirling flow generating chamber so as to generate a swirling flow of the second drug solution having a specific gravity lower than that of the first drug solution; an outflow opening for discharging a mixed drug solution; and a narrowing chamber which is interposed between the swirling flow generating chamber and the outflow opening and has a space continuously narrowed toward the outflow opening.