Tube Clamp with Multi-Sensor Feedback for Extracorporeal Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube clamps for extracorporeal circulators face challenges in accurately blocking blood tubes due to human error or mechanical issues, leading to potential patient danger from bubbles or backflow, and existing solutions that provide a separate bubble discharge route increase apparatus size and thrombi formation risks, particularly in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A tube clamp with a body portion, lid portion, and plunger that blocks the tube based on three conditions (tube mounting, lid closure, and plunger movement), equipped with sensing means to detect these states and notification systems to alert users of incorrect or incomplete blocking, ensuring proper operation and preventing unnecessary blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate bubble discharge route is provided, then bubbles can be discharged via a separate route, but the apparatus size increases and installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bubble discharge function with the existing blood circuit components by utilizing the blood filter's separate route structure. The tube clamp blocks the main blood flow path while bubbles are discharged through the filter's integrated separate route, merging two functions (blood filtration and bubble discharge) into a single component system without increasing overall apparatus size
Solution Approach 2:
The blood filter is designed to serve multiple functions: filtering blood and providing a separate discharge route for bubbles. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated bubble discharge components, reducing apparatus complexity while maintaining reliable bubble discharge capability
2Reliability
If a separate bubble discharge route is provided, then bubbles can be discharged via a separate route, but thrombi formation is highly likely to occur
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the bubble discharge route within the blood filter structure rather than creating a separate system, the patent ensures that the discharge path is optimized for bubble removal without creating stagnant zones that would promote thrombi formation. The combined design maintains continuous blood flow through the filter while allowing bubbles to escape
3Device complexity
If a tube clamp is used to block the tube, then the apparatus size is reduced, but human error or improper operation may cause erroneous blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensing means that detect the tube clamp's operational state and provide feedback to the control unit. The sensing means verify whether the tube is properly mounted, the lid is closed, and the plunger has moved to the blocking position, allowing the system to confirm successful blocking or alert operators to potential errors
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing means perform preliminary detection of the tube clamp's preparation state before actual blocking occurs. By checking whether the tube is mounted and the lid is closed before the plunger activates, the system prevents erroneous blocking and ensures proper setup
4Reliability
If sensing means are added to detect clamp states, then blocking accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing means are integrated into the tube clamp structure itself, allowing the clamp to self-monitor its own operational state. The sensors detect whether the tube is mounted, lid is closed, and plunger has moved, enabling the system to self-verify proper operation without requiring external monitoring equipment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4(A)~4(B)
AI summary
[Task] To provide a tube clamp for an extracorporeal circulator in which a user can properly recognize various abnormal situations of the tube clamp, and an extracorporeal circulator. [Solution Means] A tube clamp for an extracorporeal circulator includes a lid sensor 80; a tube sensor 70; and a plunger sensor 90. In a case where any one of detection of the closure of a lid portion via the lid sensor 80, detection of the mounting of a tube via the tube sensor 70, and detection of the movement of a plunger via the plunger sensor 90 is not obtained despite the fact that there is an instruction for blocking a tube 12, it is determined that the blocking is abnormal. In a case where three states including the closed state, the mounting state, and the movement state are detected despite the fact that there is no instruction for blocking the tube 12, it is determined that the tube 12 is erroneously blocked. Such abnormal situations are notified to a user via notification means (for example, an alarm).