Three-Position Pinch Valve for Surgical Pump Tube Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical pump systems with two-position pinch valves face challenges during setup and teardown, requiring frequent toggling to load and unload tubes, which complicates the initial setup and removal of tubes from the system.
Innovation Solution
A pump system with a pinch valve mechanism that has three distinct positions or orientations, allowing for easy loading and unloading of tubes without the need for toggling, utilizing a power actuator to selectively pinch closed either the first or second tube, or neither, with a solenoid assembly and motor-driven mechanisms to manage tube alignment and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a two-position pinch valve is used, then the valve structure is simple, but frequent toggling is required for tube loading and unloading which complicates setup and teardown
Solution Approach 1:
The pinch valve is designed with three distinct positions (first position to pinch first tube, second position to pinch second tube, and third position to release both) instead of the conventional two positions. This dynamic configuration allows the valve to transition between different states, enabling automatic tube loading and unloading without frequent manual toggling, thus improving ease of operation while managing device complexity through a systematic multi-position design
2Productivity
If manual intervention is required for tube loading and unloading, then the valve mechanism is simple, but operational complexity increases and workflow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The three-position pinch valve enables the system to perform tube loading and unloading operations automatically based on the valve position transitions. The valve mechanism itself facilitates the tube management process without requiring continuous manual intervention, allowing the system to serve itself during setup and teardown operations, thereby improving productivity and reducing manual effort
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
Facilitates efficient setup and teardown by allowing tubes to be loaded and unloaded without manual intervention, reducing operational complexity and improving workflow during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The power actuator includes a solenoid assembly coupled to the sliding shaft. The sliding shaft is movable by the solenoid assembly along the longitudinal central axis to: a first translational position to move the at least one pinch member to the first arrangement, a second translational position to move the at least one pinch member to the second arrangement, and a third translational position to move the at least one pinch member to the third arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
Pump systems with pinch valves for surgical procedures. At least some of the example embodiments are pump systems including a stationary housing defining a front face. A tube support extends outwardly from the front face for aligning and supporting a first tube and a second tube. At least one pinch member is movable relative to the tube support by a power actuator operably coupled to the at least one pinch member and configured to have three orientations that define: a first arrangement of the pinch member relative to the tube support configured to pinch closed the first tube, a second arrangement of the at least one pinch member relative to the tube support configured to pinch closed the second tube, and a third arrangement of the at least one pinch member relative to the tube support configured to pinch closed neither the first tube nor the second tube.