Venturi Tip Enriched Medical Suspension Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing enriched medical suspensions for sclerotherapy, such as using polidocanol, are complex and require impellers and fans, which are not necessary for effective delivery, and there is a need for a simpler, more efficient apparatus to create and dispense these suspensions for treating varicose veins.

Innovation Solution

A portable apparatus utilizing the Venturi effect to create an enriched medical suspension by combining pressurized medical fluid with a sclerosant solution, eliminating the need for impellers and fans, and using a dual lumen catheter and Venturi-agitating tip assembly to mix and deliver the suspension effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If impellers and fans are used to create enriched medical suspension, then mixing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the impeller and fan components from the medical suspension delivery device, extracting the mixing function from the mechanical mixing system. Instead of using rotating blades to mix the sclerosant solution with tumescent fluid, the invention uses a Venturi effect-based flow mixing mechanism that eliminates complex mechanical mixing parts while achieving effective mixing through fluid dynamics principles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs hydraulic principles through the Venturi effect to achieve mixing without mechanical components. The Venturi tube creates a pressure differential that draws the sclerosant solution and tumescent fluid together, using fluid pressure and flow dynamics to mix the components effectively. This hydraulic approach replaces the need for mechanical impellers and fans, simplifying the device while maintaining mixing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If pressurized medical fluid is used to create enriched suspension, then delivery effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter assembly serves multiple functions: it delivers the enriched medical suspension, creates the Venturi effect for mixing, and controls the flow of pressurized fluid. By integrating these functions into a single multi-functional device, the patent reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining effective delivery of the sclerosant solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses the patient's own body as the source of tumescent fluid, eliminating the need for external fluid storage and delivery systems. The body's natural fluid provides the tumescent medium that mixes with the sclerosant solution through the Venturi effect, simplifying the device architecture by removing the need for complex external fluid management systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If simple catheter structure is used, then ease of operation is improved, but mixing capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidmixing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the Venturi effect, a hydraulic phenomenon, to achieve effective mixing without complex mechanical mixing structures. The Venturi tube creates a pressure differential that automatically draws and mixes the sclerosant solution with tumescent fluid as they flow through the constriction. This hydraulic mixing mechanism provides effective mixing capability while maintaining a simple catheter structure that is easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the flow parameters of the medical fluids by creating a pressure differential through the Venturi effect. By controlling the pressure and flow rate of the pressurized fluid, the system achieves effective mixing of the sclerosant solution with tumescent fluid. This parameter-based mixing approach provides sufficient mixing capability without requiring complex mechanical mixing structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 apparatus simplifies the production and delivery of enriched medical suspensions, reducing patient discomfort and procedural complexity, while ensuring effective treatment of varicose veins without the need for tumescent anesthesia.

Implementation Method 1

The Venturi-agitating tip assembly includes a novel arrangement by which pressurized sclerosant or other chemical medical solution enters a second end of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly through a fluid inlet. The resultant pressure produced within the Venturi-agitating tip assembly draws a medical solution of sclerosant or other chemical medical solution into the interior of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly through a second inlet.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

The portable apparatus of the present invention utilizes a source of pressurized medical fluid, to produce the desired pressure and flow for the effective creation of an enriched medical suspension.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11690988B2Apparatus and method for producing an enriched medical suspension
Publication Date: 2023.07.04 LEVY FRANK
  • US11690988B2 patent drawing
  • US11690988B2 patent drawing
  • US11690988B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A medical fluid suspension generating apparatus for performing medical procedures includes a Venturi-agitating tip assembly composed of a multi-channel arrangement at a proximal first end thereof and a tip at a distal second end thereof. The apparatus also includes a compressed medical fluid unit fluidly connected to the multi-channel arrangement at a proximal first end of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly and a medical solution fluidly connected to the multi-channel arrangement at a proximal first end of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly. Pressurized sclerosant or other chemical medical solution, from the compressed medical fluid unit, and the medical solution of sclerosant or other chemical medical solution are combined within the Venturi-agitating tip assembly in a manner generating an enriched medical suspension that is ultimately dispensed from the suspension delivery apparatus to spray or wash the inner wall of a lumen.