Closed Stopcock Passageways for High Flow and Port Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closed stopcocks face limitations in fluid flow rate and effective flushing of internal volumes, particularly in medical applications, where high flow rates and efficient flushing are crucial for preventing residual fluids from clotting and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A stopcock design featuring a housing element with multiple ports and a handle element that allows for selective positioning, incorporating fluid flow passageways and guides to increase fluid flow rate and enable flushing of internal volumes without flowing entirely through the ports, utilizing elastomeric valves and bifurcating fluid flow guides to manage fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional closed stopcock design is used, then the device structure is simple, but the fluid flow rate is limited and internal volumes cannot be effectively flushed
Solution Approach 1:
The stopcock is divided into multiple functional passageways: a first fluid flow passageway for high-rate fluid transfer and a second fluid flow passageway for flushing internal volumes. This segmentation allows each passageway to be optimized for its specific function, enabling high flow rates while maintaining effective flushing capability without excessive structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The stopcock handle element serves multiple functions: it controls the elastomeric valve for fluid flow regulation and simultaneously directs fluid through different passageways for both high-rate transfer and flushing operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, maintaining relative structural simplicity while achieving enhanced performance
2Reliability
If a conventional stopcock design is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but residual fluids in internal volumes can clot and cause contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The stopcock design incorporates a dedicated second fluid flow passageway that proactively flushes internal volumes before fluid stagnation can occur. This preliminary flushing action prevents clotting and contamination by continuously clearing residual fluids, enhancing reliability without requiring complex post-processing or additional safety systems
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid flow guide acts as an intermediary structure that directs fluid flow to simultaneously achieve high-rate transfer and effective flushing of internal volumes. This intermediary component enables both functions to occur within the existing manufacturing framework, maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving reliability
3Productivity
If the fluid flow passageway allows high flow rate, then productivity increases, but the ability to flush internal volumes effectively is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid flow system is segmented into two distinct passageways: the first passageway is optimized for high flow rate productivity, while the second passageway is optimized for effective flushing of internal volumes. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing both high productivity and reliable flushing to occur simultaneously through different dedicated pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The stopcock merges the high flow rate function and the flushing function into a single integrated device structure. By combining both passageways within one stopcock body and using the handle element to control both functions, the design achieves both high productivity and effective flushing without requiring separate devices, thereby resolving the apparent contradiction between these two requirements
Data Source
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.