Pot-Shaped Check Valve Slit Geometry for Low-Leakage Infusion Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional check valves for medical infusion systems face issues with high leakage rates, complex and expensive manufacturing processes, and self-healing materials that are not suitable for reliable long-term use under sterilization conditions.
Innovation Solution
A check valve with a pot-shaped valve body made of elastic material processed by liquid injection moulding, featuring a slit cut with specific dimensions and additives to minimize self-healing, ensuring low leakage rates and robustness while being economically viable for mass production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If elastic materials with self-healing properties are used for the valve body, then the valve can be manufactured simply and economically, but the slit may close again during sterilization and use, compromising reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by selecting elastic materials with specific properties (low self-healing tendency) and controlling the slit dimensions (width and depth ratios) to prevent complete closure. The material is processed by liquid injection moulding to achieve desired elasticity and biocompatibility while minimizing self-healing effects that would compromise valve functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material approaches by combining elastic material properties with specific structural design (slit geometry) and surface treatments. The elastic material is formulated to provide both the necessary flexibility for valve operation and resistance to self-healing, creating a composite functional system that balances manufacturability and reliability.
2Reliability
If the slit in the elastic valve body is made narrower to reduce leakage, then manufacturing precision requirements increase, but leakage rates remain high if the slit is too wide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the slit geometric parameters by establishing specific relationships between slit width, depth, and the elastic material properties. The slit is designed with controlled dimensions that balance leakage prevention with manufacturing feasibility, using the elastic material's recovery properties to maintain seal integrity without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
3Reliability
If conventional disc valves are used with tight tolerance requirements, then leakage is reduced, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid disc valve structures with flexible elastic material constructions. The elastic valve body with controlled slit acts as a flexible sealing element that deforms under pressure to prevent leakage, eliminating the need for complex rigid component assemblies and tight tolerance machining required by conventional disc valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material provides self-sealing functionality through its inherent elasticity and recovery properties. The material naturally returns to its original shape after deformation, maintaining the slit closure without requiring additional sealing mechanisms or complex adjustment systems, thereby simplifying the overall valve structure.
4Device complexity
If duckbill valves are used for simple construction, then manufacturing is easier, but leakage rates are very high and opening pressure is inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the basic duckbill valve concept by changing the geometric parameters of the slit (width, depth, and positioning) and the material properties of the elastic body. These parameter adjustments optimize the balance between structural simplicity and functional performance, achieving low leakage rates while maintaining consistent opening pressure characteristics.
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 solution provides a check valve with low leakage rates, reliable operation over a long life cycle, and simplified manufacturing, making it suitable for medical use and mass production while avoiding the drawbacks of self-healing materials.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic material comprises a material processed by liquid injection moulding
Implementation Method 2
The property that the incised slit closes again at least partially is referred to as 'selfhealing' or 'self-healing' of the material. Partial or complete closure of the slit is understood to mean that the surfaces of the cut reduce in size or entirely disappear because the material on one cut surface bonds with the material on the other cut surface
Implementation Method 3
If pressure is exerted on the gap by fluid flows through the tube, the gap opens. When fluid flows in the opposite direction, the gap should be closed.
Implementation Method 4
Check valves made of elastic and biocompatible materials can have such a suitability
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve includes a pot-shaped valve body. The valve body has a lateral wall, a bottom wall, and an opening opposite the bottom wall. The valve body includes an elastic material. The elastic material is cut along a cut. The elastic material includes a material processed by liquid injection molding.