Catheter Valve Automatic Opening via Offset Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter valves often require manual operation to open after connecting a urine bag, leading to potential incorrect operation and increased effort, which can result in inadequate drainage and hygienic issues due to forgotten or accidental valve openings.
Innovation Solution
A catheter valve design where the valve body is offset in cross-section, allowing the connecting piece to automatically push it into an open position when inserted, eliminating the need for additional hand movement and reducing the risk of operation errors, with a conformable liner for various urine bag connections and a projection that ensures axial guidance and flow channel integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is required to open the valve after connecting a urine bag, then the valve can be controlled, but the effort and risk of operation errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is pre-loaded by a spring in the closed position. When the connecting piece is inserted into the outlet opening, the valve body is automatically pushed into the open position by the connecting piece abutting against the projection, eliminating the need for manual operation and preventing forgotten valve opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs the valve opening action automatically through the connection process itself. The connecting piece serves dual purposes: establishing fluid connection and actuating the valve body to open position, making the system self-operating without requiring separate manual intervention.
2Extent of automation
If the valve body is offset in cross-section, then automatic opening is enabled, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed with an asymmetric cross-sectional offset relative to the outlet opening. This asymmetric geometry ensures that when the connecting piece is inserted, it naturally pushes the valve body into the open position. The offset amount is carefully designed to be sufficient for automatic opening but small enough to maintain manufacturing feasibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a conformable liner is used for various urine bag connections, then adaptability increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A conformable liner is provided in the outlet opening to enable sealing with connecting pieces of different shapes and sizes. The liner is made of elastic material that can deform to match various connector geometries, allowing the valve to work with different urine bags without requiring additional adapter pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The conformable liner enables the outlet opening to universally accept various types of connecting pieces from different urine bags. This single design feature provides multi-functionality, eliminating the need for multiple specialized connectors or adapter pieces for different bag types.
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 catheter valve is automatically opened upon connecting a urine bag, minimizing operational effort and reducing the risk of errors, ensuring continuous drainage while maintaining hygiene by eliminating the need for additional adapter pieces and manual operation steps.
Implementation Method 1
resiliently preloaded in the closing direction by means of a spring force
Implementation Method 2
the connecting piece inserted into the outlet opening abuts against the projection in places and thereby the valve body can be pushed back away from the valve seat into an open position
Data Source
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AI summary
Catheter valve comprising a housing (12) with an inlet (14) for connection to a drainage catheter, an outlet (16) for connection to a collection vessel, and a valve seat (30) cooperating with a valve body (28) that is spring-loaded in the closing direction and can be locked in the open position by a handle (58), comprises an outlet opening designed for insertion of a collection vessel connector in a sealed connection position in which the valve body is forced back from the valve seat in an open position.