Catheter Valve Body Slit Structure for Higher Drug Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional duckbill valves in catheter assemblies require a separate component for opening, leading to reduced flow rates of drug solutions.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly with a valve body featuring a distal end slit and a side slit that continuously extends from the distal end slit, allowing the main body to deform easily under pressure, eliminating the need for a separate opening component and enhancing flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional duckbill valve structure is used, then the valve body closes automatically to prevent blood backflow, but the flow rate of drug solution is reduced due to the structure requiring pressure-based opening
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into multiple functional zones with different slit configurations. The distal end slit provides primary opening while side slits provide auxiliary opening paths, allowing the valve to open more easily and maintain higher flow rates while still preventing blood backflow when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the valve body have different slit characteristics. The distal end slit is positioned to respond to distal pressure (blood pressure) for closing, while side slits are positioned to respond to proximal pressure (drug solution pressure) for opening, creating localized functional differentiation that resolves the contradiction between reliable closing and easy opening.
2Ease of operation
If a separate opening component is used, then the valve body can be opened easily, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed to open and close automatically based on pressure differentials from the drug solution and blood pressure, respectively. The multi-slit structure enables the valve to self-regulate without requiring external opening components, maintaining ease of operation while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents blood backflow when closed, opens easily when drug solution pressure is applied, and does so without requiring separate opening components. The multi-slit configuration provides universal functionality for both closing and opening operations.
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 design enables easy deformation of the valve body for increased flow rates without a separate opening component, improving the function as a check valve by allowing drug solutions to flow while preventing blood backflow.
Implementation Method 1
when blood flows into the catheter hub through the catheter, a blood pressure in a proximal direction is applied to the valve body to deform the same
Implementation Method 2
the main body is provided with not only the distal end slit but also the side slit continuously extending from the distal end slit, so that the main body is easily deformed when the pressure is applied to the main body
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter assembly is provided with a catheter, a catheter hub, and a valve body (medical valve) provided in the catheter hub. The valve body includes a hollow main body provided with a distal end surface and a fixing portion for fixing the valve body to the catheter hub. At least a part of an outer peripheral surface and at least a part of an inner peripheral surface of the main body are inclined with respect to a central axis of the valve body. The main body of the valve body includes a distal end slit provided on the distal end surface and a side slit provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body and continuously extending from the distal end slit.