Worm-Wheel IV Flow Regulator for Stable Tube Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller clamps used in intravenous (IV) applications are prone to inaccuracies in fluid delivery due to wheel drift at high flow rates, and they require preassembly with IV tubes, making them difficult to add or reuse in the field.
Innovation Solution
A stable flow regulator assembly featuring a body with aligned apertures, a worm gear, and a worm wheel, which allows for precise control of fluid flow by rotating the worm gear to move the worm wheel and adjust the tube slot relative to the apertures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a typical roller clamp is used to control fluid flow, then the device can be simple in structure 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 roller clamp is divided into separate functional components: a body with aperture, a wheel with compression element, and a positioning mechanism with gear thread and gear mount. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall reliability and reducing positional drift.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism including the gear thread and gear mount is pre-configured to maintain the wheel at its set position before fluid flow begins. This preliminary positioning action prevents drift from occurring during high flow rates, ensuring accurate fluid delivery from the start.
2Ease of operation
If a roller clamp is preassembled with IV tubes during manufacturing, then the assembly is complete and ready for use, but the clamp cannot be easily added or reused in the field
Solution Approach 1:
The roller clamp body with aperture and the positioning mechanism are designed as universal components that can accommodate different IV tube sizes and types. The clamp can be added to various IV sets in the field and reused multiple times, providing both ease of operation and adaptability.
3Reliability
If the roller clamp is tightened to completely close the tubing, then fluid flow can be fully restricted, but the wheel position becomes unstable and drifts when rolling upward to open flow
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning mechanism with gear thread and gear mount provides continuous feedback to maintain the wheel at its adjusted position. When the wheel is rolled upward to open flow, the positioning mechanism ensures it remains stable at the new position, preventing drift and maintaining both reliability and ease of operation.
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 provides consistent and accurate fluid delivery, can be easily added or removed from IV tubes as needed, and is reusable with different IV sets or tubes, addressing the limitations of 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
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.