Syringe Microbubble Generator Aerator Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating agitated saline for echocardiography have variability in bubble quality, safety concerns, and require trained personnel, leading to inconsistent diagnostic results and reduced productivity in echocardiography labs.
Innovation Solution
A microbubble generator device comprising a syringe, a converging nozzle, and an aerator, which produces uniform microbubbles by forcing a body-compatible fluid through a coaxially aligned system with tapered ports and vents, allowing for precise control of bubble size and generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional agitated saline methods are used, then bubble generation can be achieved, but bubble quality varies and requires trained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls bubble size by precisely designing and varying physical parameters of the aerator components, specifically the throat diameter, vent hole diameter, and body diameter. By changing these dimensional parameters, consistent microbubbles of desired sizes (e.g., 10-100 micrometers) are produced without requiring operator skill or adjustment, thus improving manufacturing precision while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The aerator device is designed to automatically generate uniform microbubbles through its fixed geometric structure. The coaxial arrangement of the throat, vent hole, and body creates a self-regulating flow pattern where gas and liquid automatically mix to produce consistent bubble sizes without human intervention or training, resolving the contradiction between precision and ease of operation
2Reliability
If manual bubble generation methods are used, then procedure can be performed, but diagnostic results are inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The aerator is divided into distinct functional segments: a coaxial throat for liquid flow, a vent hole for gas introduction, and a body for bubble formation and release. This segmentation of functions into separate geometric elements ensures that each component contributes reliably to the overall bubble generation process, producing consistent diagnostic-quality microbubbles while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The aerator design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it meters gas flow through the vent hole, constrains liquid flow through the throat, mixes gas and liquid in controlled proportions, and releases uniform microbubbles. This multi-functionality within a single geometric structure improves diagnostic reliability without requiring multiple complex devices or components
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional saline agitation is used, then bubble production is achieved, but safety concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The aerator produces microbubbles within a specific size range (10-100 micrometers) by controlling the throat and vent hole dimensions. This parameter control ensures bubbles are small enough to be safe for intravenous injection while large enough to provide adequate echogenicity, thereby improving patient safety without reducing laboratory productivity through repeated procedures
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
The device generates consistently sized microbubbles with minimal training, enhancing patient safety and diagnostic accuracy in echocardiography procedures by providing a reliable and efficient method for bubble production.
Implementation Method 1
the housing... form a circumferential gas pocket between the interior surface and the exterior body of each of the plurality of aerator components
Implementation Method 2
a tapered outlet port at its outlet end, which tapered outlet end may be defined by an outlet diameter that is less than a body diameter corresponding to the exterior body, and a taper near the outlet end
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a syringe having a barrel and a syringe tip; an aerator having (i) a generally cylindrical exterior body; (ii) an inlet end; (iii) an outlet end; (iv) a tapered outlet port at its outlet end; and (v) an interior cavity comprising (A) an input port section, (B) a converging section, (C) a throat section, (D) a diverging section, (E) an outlet section, (F) a first vent that fluidly couples at least one of the throat section or the diverging section to an area outside and adjacent to the exterior body, and (G) a second vent that fluidly couples the outlet section to the area; and a housing that (x) circumferentially surrounds an end of the barrel and the aerator, (z) has an interior surface, (aa) forms a circumferential gas pocket between the interior surface and the exterior body, and (bb) has a housing discharge tip.