Adjustable Seal Aperture for Leak-Free Variable Shaft Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices face challenges in accommodating elongate shafts of varying diameters without leakage through a common seal, particularly when transitioning between small and large devices like guidewires and catheters or dilators.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable seal featuring an inner chuck body with threaded rods and an outer chuck ring that rotates to adjust the size of the aperture, using elastomeric sealing members that move closer or farther apart to accommodate different diameters, facilitated by a threaded engagement mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size seal is used, then the seal structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate elongate shafts of varying diameters without leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The seal incorporates adjustable sealing members that can dynamically change their radial position and spacing to accommodate different shaft diameters. The sealing members are mounted on adjustable mechanisms that allow them to move closer together or farther apart, transforming the seal from a static structure to a dynamic one that adapts to varying device sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is designed with multiple adjustable sealing members that can be positioned at different radial distances from the central axis, enabling a single seal structure to universally accommodate various shaft diameters. This multi-functional design allows the same seal to work with different sized medical devices without requiring multiple specialized seals.
2Reliability
If multiple fixed seals are used for different diameters, then each seal is optimized for its specific size, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple sealing functions into a single integrated seal structure. Instead of using separate fixed seals for different diameters, the adjustable seal combines multiple sealing members within one structure, allowing it to perform the sealing function for various shaft sizes through adjustment rather than through multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal achieves different sealing configurations by changing the radial position and spacing parameters of the sealing members. By adjusting these geometric parameters, the same physical seal structure can provide reliable sealing for different shaft diameters, eliminating the need for multiple fixed seals with different geometric parameters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable mechanism is added to accommodate varying diameters, then adaptability improves, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable seal incorporates mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment of sealing member positions. These mechanisms enable the sealing members to move radially and change spacing in response to different shaft diameters, providing the necessary adaptability while maintaining operational simplicity through intuitive adjustment procedures.
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
Enables secure passage of medical devices with varying diameters through a single seal without fluid leakage, providing versatility and adaptability in medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
An inner chuck ring includes a threaded surface adapted to threadedly engage with the plurality of threaded rods, the inner chuck ring secured to the outer chuck ring such that rotation of the outer chuck ring causes the inner chuck ring to rotate relative to the plurality of threaded rods
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of elastomeric sealing members, with one of the plurality of elastomeric sealing member secured to each of the plurality of threaded rods, such that the elastomeric sealing members together define a variable dimension aperture that changes size as the plurality of threaded rods translate relative to the inner chuck ring
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device is adapted to seal around elongate shafts of varying diameter therethrough. The medical device includes a plurality of elastomeric sealing members together defining a variable dimension aperture, a chuck body, and a chuck ring that is rotatably secured relative to the chuck body. The medical device is adapted such that rotating the chuck ring in a first direction causes the plurality of elastomeric sealing members to move closer together, thereby reducing a size of the variable dimension aperture, and rotating the chuck ring in a second direction causes the plurality of elastomeric sealing members to move farther apart, thereby increasing a size of the variable dimension aperture.