Catheter Valve Longitudinal Stem Segmentation for Rapid Balloon Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheter valves restrict air and fluid flow during inflation and deflation of inflatable balloons during catheterization, necessitating an improved structural configuration for rapid and efficient balloon inflation and deflation.
Innovation Solution
A catheter valve design featuring an inlet nozzle at the front end, an outlet nozzle at the rear end, and a longitudinal stem encapsulated within the valve's middle section, with a rib division and O-ring seal, along with a resilient means like a spring for compressibility, facilitating rapid inflation and deflation by minimizing air resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional catheter valve structure is used, then the valve can maintain balloon inflation, but air and fluid flow is restricted during inflation and deflation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into distinct functional sections: an inlet nozzle for rapid fluid entry, a longitudinal stem with rib divisions for structural support and flow guidance, an O-ring seal section for leakage prevention, and an outlet nozzle for controlled discharge. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function, enabling rapid inflation and deflation while maintaining sealing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve incorporates a resilient means (spring) that provides dynamic response to pressure changes. The spring allows the valve to rapidly adjust between inflated and deflated states by dynamically responding to pressure differentials, enabling fast inflation and deflation cycles without compromising control or causing air flow restriction.
2Productivity
If the valve structure is simplified for rapid inflation, then inflation speed improves, but sealing reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
An O-ring seal is introduced as an intermediary sealing element that contacts the longitudinal stem. This O-ring provides reliable sealing between the stem and the valve body, preventing leakage during rapid inflation and deflation operations. The resilient means (spring) acts as another intermediary that maintains consistent contact pressure between sealing surfaces, ensuring sealing reliability even during high-speed operations.
3Strength
If a longitudinal stem with rib division is used, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal stem is divided into sections by ribs, creating a segmented structure that provides structural integrity while managing complexity. The ribs act as reinforcing elements that distribute stress and prevent deformation during rapid pressure changes, while the segmented design allows for modular manufacturing and assembly, offsetting the increased structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The longitudinal stem serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, guides fluid flow from inlet to outlet, houses the O-ring seal, and works with the resilient means to enable rapid inflation/deflation. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single component, the overall device complexity is reduced despite the ribbed structure.
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 enables rapid and efficient inflation and deflation of the inflatable balloon at the distal end of the catheter with reduced air flow restriction, enhancing the catheterization process.
Implementation Method 1
an O-ring is inserted into the front end of the stem enabling the O-ring to be seated in a groove and compressed during assembly between the front end and the rear end of the valve creating a seal at a top interface of the rib
Implementation Method 2
a resilient means is inserted into the rear end of the stem
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a catheter valve for use with a catheter. The catheter valve comprises an inlet nozzle at a front end of the valve and an outlet nozzle at a rear end of the valve. The valve comprises a longitudinal stem encapsulated within a middle section of the valve which extends in between the front end and the rear end of the valve. The longitudinal stem is divided into a front end and a rear end by a rib and an O-ring is inserted into the front end of the stem; and a resilient means is inserted into the rear end of the stem; the front end of the longitudinal stem further comprises sectional longitudinal grooves which cuts across the longitudinal and cylindrical stem extending from a head end of the front end of the stem up till the rib of the stem and the head end is curved inwardly in between each sectional longitudinal groove; and the rear end of the longitudinal stem further comprises sectional longitudinal grooves which cuts across the longitudinal and cylindrical stem in a triangular form extending from a head end of the rear end of the stem up till a bottom interface of the rib.