Worm-Gear IV Flow Regulator for Drift-Free High-Rate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller clamps for IV applications suffer from instability at high flow rates, leading to inaccurate fluid delivery due to wheel drift, and require preassembly and disposal with the IV set, limiting their reusability and adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A stable flow regulator assembly featuring a worm gear and worm wheel mechanism that provides structural stability, allowing for precise control of fluid flow without variation, and can be easily attached or detached from IV tubing, enabling reusability across different IV sets and tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a typical roller clamp is used to control fluid flow, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but the wheel drifts away from its set position over time at high flow rates, causing inaccurate fluid delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator is divided into separate functional components: a body, a wheel, and a rack. The wheel rotates independently while the rack translates linearly to control the tube. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the others, preventing wheel drift while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack acts as an intermediary between the wheel and the tube. Instead of the wheel directly contacting and controlling the tube (which causes drift), the wheel rotates the rack through gear engagement, and the rack then moves to occlude or open the tube. This intermediary mechanism eliminates direct wheel-tube contact while maintaining precise control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a roller clamp is preassembled with the IV set, then the assembly is complete and ready to use, but the clamp must be disposed of with the IV set, limiting reusability
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator body is designed with universal features including apertures that accommodate different tube configurations and connection interfaces that can attach to various IV set types. This universality allows a single regulator to be reused across multiple IV sets and tube types, eliminating the need for disposable preassembled units.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator transitions from a static preassembled component to a dynamic, detachable device. The connection mechanisms allow the regulator to be easily attached and detached from different IV sets during use, providing adaptability while maintaining ease of assembly through simple connection interfaces.
3Ease of operation
If the roller clamp is tightened to occlude the tube, then fluid flow is controlled, but the clamp cannot be easily adjusted or detached for reuse with different IV sets
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism uses dynamic motion: rotating the wheel causes linear translation of the rack through gear engagement, which then moves to occlude or open the tube. This dynamic mechanism provides smooth, incremental flow adjustment while maintaining the ability to easily detach and reattach the regulator to different IV sets.
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 stable flow regulator assembly maintains consistent fluid delivery over time, allows for adjustable flow rates, and can be reused, addressing the issues of instability and disposability in traditional roller clamps.
Implementation Method 1
a worm gear comprising a gear thread and configured to be rotationally positioned through the first and second gear mount along the axis; and a worm wheel comprising a rotation axis, worm wheel teeth spaced from the rotation axis
Implementation Method 2
Some roller clamps maintain the roller wheel in position based on a transient fit with the roller body, engagement of tubing with the wheel and friction of the wheel with the roller body
Data Source
AI summary
A stable flow regulator assembly includes a body having an aperture that received a tube. The assembly also includes a worm gear that extends through, and is rotationally movable relative to, the body. A worm wheel is rotationally positioned within the body and is pivotably moved within the body by engagement with the worm gear. The worm wheel also includes a slot, configured to align with the aperture, through which a tube may be extended, and as the worm wheel is moved within the body, the slot and the aperture are moved out of and into alignment to compress and release compression upon the tube.