Patent for Integrated Safety and Motion Control Testing Device
Time to Read: 3m 43s
The Z-axis CamTrac
With over 30 years of experience in high precision leak testing, the engineers at Zaxis have spent a lot of time working with medical manufacturing companies. In the medical manufacturing field keeping parts clean and sterile is vital. This need inspired our engineers to create the CamTrac. The CamTrac system was developed to remove the caps from a new catheter set, perform a Pressure Decay and Occlusion test, then replace the caps all in one device. This removed any potential human error or contamination during the removal and replacement of the catheter caps.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention relates to testing devices. In particular, some implementations of the present invention relate to a testing device that is configured to remove a cap from a sample product (such as an IV line), test the sample product for leaks or for another characteristic, and to then replace the cap on the device. While the testing device can include any suitable component that allows it to function as described, in some implementations, it includes a safety shield which acts as an anti-pinch guard, and which also includes one or more motion control cam tracks that are configured to control movement of one or more testing modules encased within the shield. Accordingly, in some such implementations, the safety shield is able to perform multiple functions, acting both as a safety apparatus and as a linear motion control apparatus.
Some implementations of the present invention provide a testing device having a base to which is mounted a sample adapter. The sample adapter is configured to receive a sample product or device for testing. The testing device further includes a mounting member which is coupled to a first and second actuator (e.g., hydraulic cylinder), wherein the second actuator (e.g., hydraulic cylinder) is further coupled to the base. The mounting member further includes a plurality of testing modules which are configured to contact the sample product and perform one or more testing functions as part of a testing procedure. Further still, the mounting member includes one or more cam followers.
The testing device further includes a safety shield having one or more motion control cam tracks comprising a groove or channel formed on an inner surface. The motion control cam tracks are configured to compatibly receive the one or more cam followers of the mounting member. The motion control cam tracks limit or control the movement of the mounting member through the interior space of the safety shield. In some instances, the first or second actuator (e.g., hydraulic cylinder) further include one or more cam followers which are configured to ride within an additional motion control cam track provided on an inner surface of the safety shield. Thus, the present invention provides a safety shield having an integrated, bi-directional system of motion control cam tracks to provide precise, repeatable, and safe movement of a mounting member as part of a sample product testing device.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.
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Background of the Invention
The present invention relates to testing devices. In particular, some implementations of the present invention relate to a testing device that is configured to remove a cap from a sample product or device (such as an IV line), test the sample product for leaks or for another characteristic, and to then replace the cap on the device. While the testing device can include any suitable component that allows it to function as described, in some implementations, it includes a safety shield which acts as an anti-pinch guard, and which also includes one or more motion control cam tracks that are configured to control movement of one or more testing modules encased within the shield. Accordingly, in some such implementations, the safety shield is able to perform multiple functions, acting both as a safety apparatus and as a linear motion control apparatus.
