Closed Stopcock Flow Paths for Flushing Without Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closed stopcocks face limitations in fluid flow rate and effective flushing of internal volumes, leading to potential residual fluid issues that can cause clotting or dosage inaccuracies in medical applications.
Innovation Solution
A stopcock design featuring a housing element with multiple ports and a handle element allowing selective positioning, incorporating dual fluid flow passages and a fluid flow guide that bifurcates to enhance flow rates and facilitate flushing without exposing the system to the atmosphere, thereby preventing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional closed stopcock design is used, then the system remains closed and contamination is prevented, but the fluid flow rate is insufficient and internal volumes cannot be effectively flushed
Solution Approach 1:
The stopcock is divided into multiple functional components: a housing element with multiple ports, a handle element with a shaft portion, and a fluid flow guide. The shaft portion contains multiple bores (first bore, second bore) that create separate fluid flow passages. This segmentation allows different flow paths to be activated independently, enabling both high flow rate operation and effective flushing of internal volumes without compromising the closed system integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid flow guide extends radially towards the inner facing wall of the central bore, creating a three-dimensional flow control structure. The guide comprises an outward facing edge that can selectively engage with the central bore wall to either allow or block flow through the second fluid flow passage. This radial dimensionality enables precise control over flow paths and flushing effectiveness while maintaining the closed system.
2Productivity
If the fluid flow rate is increased to prevent residual fluid issues, then clotting and dosage inaccuracies are prevented, but the risk of contamination increases if the system is opened
Solution Approach 1:
The stopcock design provides multiple functions within a single closed device: it can operate in a high flow rate mode through the first fluid flow passage for rapid fluid transfer, switch to a flushing mode through the second fluid flow passage for clearing internal volumes, and maintain system closure throughout all operations. The handle element's selective positioning enables the user to activate different flow passages as needed, achieving both high productivity and contamination prevention without opening the system.
3Device complexity
If a single fluid flow passage is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to selectively control flow paths and flush internal volumes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The stopcock incorporates dynamic flow path control through the handle element that can be rotated to different positions. The shaft portion of the handle element contains multiple bores that align with different ports depending on the handle's rotational position. This dynamic configuration allows the user to selectively activate different fluid flow passages (first passage through the first bore, second passage through the second bore) based on operational needs, providing versatile flow control without requiring complex valve mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A stopcock, comprising a housing element defining a central bore and at least first, second and third ports; and a handle element which is selectably positionable relative to the housing element; at least one of the housing element and the handle element defining: a first fluid flow passageway communicating between two of the at least first, second and third ports; a second fluid flow passageway communicating between at least two of the at least first, second and third ports, and a fluid flow guide associated with the second fluid flow passageway, the fluid flow guide extending radially towards an inner facing wall of the central bore.