Ventri

What it does

Ventri is a device attached to the IV tubing that continuously monitors fluid flow during infusion and immediately blocks any backflow, effectively addressing the problem of blood reflux.

Your inspiration

Through conversations with frontline medical staff, we learned that while immediate response to blood backflow is fairly straightforward, leaving backflow untreated significantly increases risk and complicates treatment. Many patients fall asleep during IV infusions, leading to prolonged unnoticed backflow. This highlighted the critical need for swift intervention. To address this, during a discussion at a café, we drew inspiration from the simple act of pinching a straw, which stops fluid from flowing in or out. We adapted this concept into a blood backflow prevention mechanism suited for medical settings.

How it works

The initial prototype uses an ultrasonic sensor paired with an actuator. Positioned beneath the drip chamber, the sensor quickly detects flow direction, classifying fluid moving from the infusion pack toward the patient’s arm as normal. When flow reverses, the system flags it as abnormal and signals the actuator. Once activated, the actuator drives a bottom-mounted circular valve against the IV tubing. This valve compresses the tube gently—without causing damage—to halt fluid movement and prevent pressure increases that lead to blood backflow. After flow returns to normal, the actuator retracts and the valve resets, allowing infusion to continue uninterrupted.

Design process

Blood backflow was observed in clinical settings, and interviews with four nurses confirmed that it is as a significant issue affecting patient safety and healthcare work environments. Based on this data, key design features were defined, including fluid flow detection, sensor placement near the drip chamber, and a detachable battery. The goal was to create an IV attached device that proactively addresses blood backflow. The main goal was to ensure backflow was never left unchecked. We researched ways to detect fluid flow changes instantly within the tubing without infection risk and apply pressure to stop flow when needed. The prototype uses an ultrasonic sensor near the drip chamber to monitor flow. When backflow is detected, an actuator gently pushes a circular valve against the tubing to block it without damage. Testing showed the prototype reacted only after backflow began, with detection and blockage as separate steps. The next prototype uses rollers that continuously compress tubing to push fluid forward, thereby preventing backflow proactively. This combines infusion and blockage, simplifying the process and improving overall reliability.

How it is different

Ventri addresses the often overlooked but frequent problem of blood backflow in nursing settings. Unlike infusion pumps, which are expensive, complex devices designed for precise fluid control in limited environments and can increase staff operational burden, Ventri focuses solely on preventing blood backflow. It eliminates non-essential components and offers a simple design. Ventri attaches directly to existing IV tubing, enabling seamless integration into workflows and reducing costs in real clinical environments. Patients benefit from reduced anxiety and infection risk, while nurses experience less hassle from follow-up interventions. By tackling this neglected issue with a straightforward yet effective solution, Ventri aims to make a practical and meaningful improvement in healthcare settings.

Future plans

The initial prototype used an ultrasonic sensor to detect blood backflow and an actuator to block it. However, this method cannot tackle backflow proactively and separates detection and blockage into two steps, making the process more complex. To solve this, we drew inspiration from peristaltic pumps that mimic natural muscle contractions. These pumps gently compress IV tubing with rollers, pushing fluid forward and preventing backflow while combining infusion and blockage into one streamlined step. We are now developing an improved prototype based on this concept and plan to verify its safety and effectiveness through clinical testing.

Awards

Ventri won Silver Prizes at the 2024 Spark Design Award and IBDA for its originality. It was also showcased at CES 2025 Eureka Park, gaining recognition for its design and attracting interest from industry experts. Following this, Ventri received investment offers, confirming its feasibility and market potential.