Catheter Vent Assembly for Air Removal During Priming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter systems face challenges in efficiently removing air bubbles during priming and verifying proper placement, which can lead to potential embolisms and patient injury.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system with a vent assembly featuring a male luer adapter and distal component with differently directed threads, along with protrusions and channels, allows for easy assembly and disassembly, and includes a valve that opens upon movement, facilitating air removal through a needleless connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vent assembly is integrated into the catheter system, then air removal capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent assembly is integrated into the catheter system by combining the vent valve, vent cap, and male luer adapter into a unified structure that attaches to the needleless connector. This merging approach provides air removal capability while maintaining a compact, integrated design rather than adding separate independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent assembly serves multiple functions: it provides air removal during priming, maintains a sterile barrier through the vent cap, and allows for secure attachment to the needleless connector. The male luer adapter enables universal compatibility with standard Luer fittings while the integrated design allows a single component to fulfill multiple roles in the catheter system.
2Ease of operation
If threads are added to enable easy assembly and disassembly, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent assembly is divided into separable components with threaded interfaces: the vent cap can be removed independently, and the entire vent assembly can be detached from the needleless connector. This segmentation allows easy assembly and disassembly of individual components while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded connections provide dynamic, reversible attachment that allows the vent assembly to be easily assembled and disassembled multiple times. The threads enable controlled engagement and disengagement without permanent attachment, facilitating repeated operation while maintaining structural integrity.
3Reliability
If a valve mechanism is included to open upon movement, then air removal control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent valve is pre-configured to open automatically when the vent cap is removed, eliminating the need for separate manual activation. This preliminary positioning of the valve mechanism ensures that air removal control is achieved through the simple act of cap removal rather than requiring additional complex activation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism is designed to self-activate through the removal action itself. When the vent cap is removed, the valve automatically opens to allow air removal without requiring separate control inputs. This self-service mechanism provides reliable air removal control while minimizing the complexity of additional actuation systems.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
A catheter system may include a needleless connector, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a valve disposed between the distal end of the needleless connector and the proximal end of the needleless connector. The catheter system may include a vent assembly, which may include a proximal component and a distal component. The proximal component may include a male luer adapter, which may include a male luer. The distal component may include a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the needleless connector, and a proximal end coupled to the male luer adapter. In response to movement of the proximal component from a proximal position to a distal position with respect to the distal component, the male luer of the male luer adapter may open the valve to vent air inside the catheter system.