Biopsy Valve Diaphragm Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biopsy valves for endoscopes fail to maintain effective sealing and pressure equalization during surgical procedures, leading to insufflation loss and fluid leakage, which compromises visualization and working space within the body cavity.
Innovation Solution
A biopsy valve with a hollow tubular body and a flexible diaphragm that separates into proximal and distal chambers, featuring a sealable instrument opening and orifices for fluid communication, ensuring sealed access to the endoscope instrument channel and equalizing pressure between chambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a biopsy valve is used to seal the instrument channel inlet port, then sealed access is provided, but pressure equalization between chambers fails leading to insufflation loss
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into a proximal chamber and a distal chamber separated by a flexible diaphragm. This segmentation allows independent pressure management in each chamber while maintaining overall sealing effectiveness. The diaphragm creates distinct pressure zones that can be equalized through controlled pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
A pressure equalization pathway with a valve mechanism serves as an intermediary between the proximal and distal chambers. This intermediary component allows controlled fluid communication to equalize pressure when needed, while maintaining separation and sealing when the valve is closed, thus preventing insufflation loss.
2Reliability
If the flexible diaphragm separates the hollow into chambers, then pressure equalization is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalization valve is integrated directly into the diaphragm structure, merging the sealing function and pressure regulation function into a single component. This integration reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining pressure equalization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible diaphragm serves multiple functions: it acts as a seal between chambers, provides a mounting surface for the pressure equalization valve, and enables pressure transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby simplifying the device structure.
3Reliability
If the instrument opening seals against the surgical instrument, then sealed access is maintained, but fluid communication between chambers is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalization pathway is extracted as a separate, dedicated channel independent of the instrument opening. This separate pathway allows fluid communication between chambers to occur through a different route than the instrument access path, enabling both sealing and fluid communication to coexist without interference.
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 valve provides reliable sealed access to the endoscope instrument channel, maintaining pressure and preventing fluid leakage, thereby enhancing visualization and working space during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible diaphragm having an instrument opening extending therethrough is positioned within the hollow to separate the hollow into a proximal chamber and a distal chamber that communicate through the instrument opening
Implementation Method 2
At least one orifice connects the proximal chamber to the distal chamber. When at least one of the surgical instruments accesses the inlet port of the endoscope instrument channel through the valve, and the surgical instruments seals with the instrument seal opening, the at least one orifice provides fluid communication between said proximal and distal chambers
Data Source
AI summary
A valve apparatus device provides surgical instruments with sealable access to an inlet port of an endoscope instrument channel. The valve has a hollow body with a distal end that releasably attaches to the inlet port, and a flexible diaphragm seal dividing the body into a proximal chamber and a distal chamber. An instrument opening extends through the diaphragm seal for the passage of instruments therethrough, and connects the chambers together. The diaphragm seal is configured to seal with a surgical instrument inserted into the instrument opening. At least one fluid transfer member is provided to fluidly interconnect the proximal chamber to the distal chamber when the surgical instrument is sealed within the instrument opening.