Check Valve Arrangement Prevents Cross-Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical devices struggle to deliver two or more drug agents simultaneously without contaminating each other's reservoirs, especially when the injection needle becomes blocked, leading to potential cross-contamination and compromised therapeutic efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A check valve arrangement with a central cavity and multiple inlet channels, where each inlet channel is mechanically blocked by default and only opens with fluid pressure, preventing reverse flow and contamination, even if the outlet channel becomes obstructed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single outlet channel is used to deliver multiple drug agents, then device complexity is reduced, but cross-contamination between reservoirs occurs when the outlet is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into multiple inlet channels (first inlet channel, second inlet channel) that are physically separated and independently controllable. Each inlet channel has its own blocking element (first blocking element, second blocking element) that can independently open or close that specific channel, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Blocking elements act as intermediaries between the reservoirs and the outlet channel. These blocking elements selectively prevent drug agents from entering the outlet channel unless intended for delivery, thereby mediating between the need for a shared outlet and the need to prevent cross-contamination.
2Speed
If inlet channels are kept open to allow drug flow, then delivery speed is improved, but reverse flow and contamination occur when outlet is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking elements are positioned in advance within the inlet channels, ready to close them before any reverse flow can occur. When the outlet channel becomes obstructed, the blocking elements automatically or proactively close the inlet channels to prevent any reverse flow from the outlet back into the reservoirs, ensuring reliability while maintaining ready-state openness for quick delivery.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple blocking mechanisms are used for each inlet channel, then contamination prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each blocking element serves multiple functions: it blocks the inlet channel when closed, allows unobstructed flow when open, and can be actuated by the same type of mechanism regardless of which inlet channel it controls. This multi-functionality reduces the need for different types of blocking mechanisms for different channels, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining effective contamination prevention.
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
Ensures that only one drug agent flows through the outlet channel at a time, preventing cross-contamination between reservoirs and maintaining the integrity of each medicament during delivery, even if the needle becomes blocked.
Implementation Method 1
opening an inlet channel when fluid pressure is applied from that inlet channel
Implementation Method 2
a blocking assembly arranged for closing each of the at least two inlet channels by default and for opening an inlet channel when fluid pressure is applied from that inlet channel
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is related to an apparatus comprising a valve body comprising at least two inlet channels and at least one outlet channel and forming a central cavity connecting the at least two inlet channels and the at least one outlet channel, wherein the central cavity encloses a blocking assembly arranged for closing each of the at least two inlet channels by default and for opening an inlet channel when fluid pressure is applied from that inlet channel; wherein each of the at least two inlet channels is configured for fluid communication with a respective reservoir of at least two reservoirs. The invention is further related to a medical device for delivering at least two drug agents from at least two separate reservoirs comprising an apparatus of the aforementioned kind.