Valved Connector for Drainage Tube Loop Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid accumulation in dependent loops of drainage systems leads to inaccurate measurements, patient discomfort, and increased risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) due to reflux and pressure issues during fluid drainage, and current methods for clearing these loops are either ineffective or require skilled clinician intervention.
Innovation Solution
A valved connector with a sliding valve mechanism and positive air pressure inlet that occludes fluid communication between the distal and proximal portions of the drainage lumen, allowing for controlled clearance of dependent loops without introducing pressure into the patient, using a biasing member to ensure the valve returns to its initial position after air pressure is ceased.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If active drainage systems introduce positive air flow to clear dependent loops, then fluid drainage is improved, but pressure within the patient bladder increases causing reflux and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is segmented into two separate lumens: a fluid drainage lumen for urine flow and a gas inlet lumen for air pressure application. This segmentation allows independent control of fluid and gas pathways, enabling air to be introduced distally to clear loops without allowing pressurized air to reflux into the bladder through the fluid lumen.
Solution Approach 2:
A valve mechanism acts as an intermediary between the gas source and the drainage system. The valve selectively opens the gas inlet lumen to introduce air pressure distally for loop clearance, then closes to prevent pressure transmission to the bladder, mediating the interaction between air flow and fluid drainage to eliminate harmful pressure effects.
2Reliability
If clinicians manually manipulate tubing to clear dependent loops, then fluid drainage can be maintained, but clinician intervention time and potential for error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service loop clearance through automated positive air pressure application. The valve automatically responds to pressure differentials caused by loop formation, introducing air pressure distally to clear loops without requiring clinician manipulation, thereby maintaining reliable drainage function while eliminating time loss to manual intervention.
3Measurement precision
If dependent loops are not cleared, then fluid accumulation occurs leading to inaccurate measurements and infection risk, but clearing mechanisms may cause pressure reflux
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the drainage system into separate fluid and gas lumens, the invention enables accurate fluid measurement to be maintained while clearing loops through the gas lumen. The segmentation ensures that air pressure applied for loop clearance cannot contaminate or pressurize the fluid pathway, eliminating the trade-off between measurement accuracy and infection risk.
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
Effectively prevents reflux and clears dependent loops without causing discomfort or infection, reducing the risk of CAUTI and eliminating the need for manual clinician intervention in the drainage process, ensuring accurate fluid measurement and patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
a valve slidably engaged with a valve housing along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position wherein, the valve in the first position provides fluid communication between the distal portion and the proximal portion of the drainage lumen
Implementation Method 2
Active drainage systems have been developed that introduce a positive air flow to a distal end of the drainage tube to urge fluid through the system to the collection container
Implementation Method 3
the connector further includes a biasing member configured to bias the valve towards the first position
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a connector for a fluid drainage system for fluidly coupling a catheter to a drainage tube. The connector includes a body defining a drainage lumen extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal portion to a proximal portion. The connector also includes a positive air pressure inlet and a valve slidably engaged with a valve housing along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position. The valve in the first position provides fluid communication between the distal portion and the proximal portion of the drainage lumen, and the valve in the second position occludes fluid communication between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the drainage lumen. Pressurized air provided at the inlet can transition the valve to the second position and clear any dependent loops within the drainage lumen.