Eccentric Pinching Valve for Medical Injection Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical injection systems face inefficiencies in valve operation and flow control, requiring improved mechanisms to simplify and enhance the control of fluid flow in medical imaging procedures.
Innovation Solution
A valve apparatus with a pinching member and spring-loaded anvils is used to control the flow through tubing lines, where the pinching member moves between two positions to block and unblock fluid flow, driven by a rotatable shaft and motor, ensuring efficient fluid management at pressures up to 1200 psi, and utilizing pre-loaded spring members for consistent pinching force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional valve mechanisms are used to control flow through tubing lines, then flow control is achieved, but device complexity and operational efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve apparatus divides the tubing control function into separate sections, with each anvil (first anvil, second anvil) dedicated to controlling a specific tubing line (first tubing line, second tubing line). This segmentation allows independent control of each tubing line without interfering with the other, simplifying the overall control mechanism while maintaining precise flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pinching member is designed to dynamically switch between different positions (first position, second position) to control flow in different tubing lines. The spring-loaded anvils provide dynamic responsiveness by automatically adjusting to pressure changes, enabling the valve to adapt to varying flow conditions without complex control systems.
2Productivity
If a pinching member is moved between positions to control multiple tubing lines, then flow control is improved, but the mechanism requires more components
Solution Approach 1:
The pinching member serves multiple functions by being able to pinch both the first tubing line and the second tubing line at different positions. This single component performs the work of what would traditionally require separate valve mechanisms for each tubing line, improving productivity while adding minimal structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded anvils provide self-service by automatically returning to their initial position when pressure is released, eliminating the need for additional actuators or complex reset mechanisms. The springs self-generate the force needed to maintain tubing contact and enable rapid positioning of the pinching member.
3Reliability
If spring-loaded anvils are used to maintain pinching force, then consistent flow control is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded anvils utilize the elastic properties of spring materials to maintain consistent pinching force across varying pressure conditions. By selecting appropriate spring constants and pre-load forces, the system achieves reliable and consistent tubing pinching without requiring complex active control systems, balancing reliability with manufacturability.
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
This solution provides efficient and reliable control of fluid flow in medical injection systems, ensuring accurate delivery of contrast agents and diluents, reducing operational complexity and improving the efficiency of medical imaging procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a first of the two lines is located between a pinching member of the apparatus and a spring-loaded anvil of the apparatus
Implementation Method 2
a first of the two lines is located between a pinching member of the apparatus and a spring-loaded anvil of the apparatus
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A medical injection system (100) including a valve apparatus (23) including a pinching member (233) and two spring-loaded anvils (271, 272). Two tubing lines (27-F, 27-1) of the injection system are positioned between the pinching member and the anvils, such that when the pinching member is moved into a pinching position adjacent to an anvil by rotation of a shaft (232) to which the member is coupled, the pinching member compresses the corresponding tubing line against the spring-loaded anvil. The pinching member is rotatable about an auxiliary axis, which is eccentric, or offset from a central axis of the shaft. A spring member of each spring-loaded anvil is pre-loaded. In certain applications, the pinching member, when moved into the pinching position, applies a pinching force of greater than approximately 45 pounds, for example, to prevent flow through the tubing line at an injection pressure of up to approximately 1200 psi.