Integrated Bronchial One-Way Valve Structure for Lower-Cost Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current one-way valves for bronchus in clinical use are complex to manufacture, costly, and have low yield, limiting their accessibility and effectiveness in treating chronic respiratory diseases like COPD and bronchopleural fistula.
Innovation Solution
A one-way valve for bronchus with an integrated support and air-permeable structure made of polymer material, featuring a threaded or pleated limiting portion and integrated limiting protrusions, which simplifies production and enhances fitting to the bronchus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nickel-titanium alloy skeleton with coating material is used to achieve radial support force, then the one-way valve function is realized, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support structure and air-permeable portion into a single integrated component made of polymer material. The support portion includes an integrated air permeable portion with one-way valve structure, eliminating the need for separate nickel-titanium alloy skeleton and coating material layers. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the one-way valve function through the designed geometry of the air permeable portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal alloy (nickel-titanium) to polymer material, and changes the structural parameter from multi-layer composite to integrated single-piece structure. This parameter change fundamentally simplifies the manufacturing process and increases yield while maintaining the functional requirements for radial support and one-way ventilation.
2Strength
If a nickel-titanium alloy skeleton with coating material is used, then radial support force is achieved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion and air-permeable portion are merged into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly steps. This integration reduces production cost by reducing material waste, simplifying manufacturing processes, and eliminating the need for expensive nickel-titanium alloy while maintaining adequate radial support force through the polymer material's inherent properties and geometric design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive nickel-titanium alloy with cost-effective polymer material. The integrated design allows for efficient use of material, and the polymer material provides sufficient mechanical strength and radial support force at a fraction of the cost of metal alloys, making the one-way valve more accessible for clinical use.
3Reliability
If a nickel-titanium alloy skeleton with coating material is used, then one-way valve function is achieved, but manufacturing yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated structure of support portion and air-permeable portion eliminates the complexity of assembling multiple components. The single-piece construction reduces manufacturing steps, minimizes potential failure points during assembly, and increases overall manufacturing yield while maintaining the one-way valve function through the integrated geometric design.
Solution Approach 2:
The change from multi-component metal alloy construction to single-piece polymer integration fundamentally improves manufacturing yield. The simplified process reduces material waste, decreases production time, and eliminates assembly-related defects, resulting in higher production efficiency and better yield while maintaining functional reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A one-way valve for a bronchus, comprising: a support portion, the outer wall of the support portion being used for abutting against the inner wall of a bronchus; and an air-permeable portion provided in the support portion and connected to the inner wall of the support portion. The support portion and the air-permeable portion are of an integrated structure. The technical solution in the prior art of a combination of a nickel-titanium alloy framework and a coating material can be replaced with the present invention, such that the production cost of the one-way valve for a bronchus can be reduced; moreover, the yield of one-way valves for a bronchus can be increased, and the popularization and use of the one-way valves for a bronchus can be facilitated.