Eccentric Pinching Valve for High-Pressure Medical Injection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical injection systems lack efficient and simplified valve mechanisms to control fluid flow, particularly in high-pressure applications, which can lead to complexity and reduced operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A valve apparatus with a pinching member and spring-loaded anvils is used to control flow through tubing lines, where the pinching member is rotated between positions to block and allow fluid flow, with a motor-driven shaft and eccentric axis for efficient operation, and pre-loaded spring members provide consistent pinching force across varying deflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional valve mechanisms are used to control fluid flow in high-pressure applications, then flow control is achieved, but device complexity increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a pinching member for occluding the tubing, spring-loaded anvils for providing resilient force, and a rotatable shaft for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall structure compared to traditional multi-component valve assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a traditional approach where a valve opens against a closed default state, this invention inverts the logic by using a pinching member that defaults to an open state and actively closes when actuated. The spring-loaded anvils provide the default open position, and the pinching member overrides this when rotation occurs, simplifying the control mechanism.
2Reliability
If complex valve mechanisms are used to ensure reliable flow control, then flow control is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable shaft serves multiple functions: it actuates the pinching member for valve operation, provides mechanical advantage through its length, and can be integrated with drive mechanisms from the injection system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate actuation components, simplifying operation while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded anvils act as intermediaries between the pinching member and the housing, providing resilient force that ensures reliable tubing occlusion without requiring complex positioning mechanisms. The springs mediate the interaction between the actuating force and the tubing, ensuring consistent operation across varying conditions.
3Reliability
If high pinching force is applied to control flow at high pressure, then flow control reliability improves, but tubing line damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded anvils provide beforehand cushioning by delivering a pre-compressed resilient force to the tubing line before the pinching member applies full occlusion force. This cushioning effect distributes the stress and prevents sudden impact forces that could damage the tubing, while still achieving reliable flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring constant and pre-load of the spring-loaded anvils can be adjusted to optimize the pinching force parameters. By changing these parameters, the system achieves sufficient occlusion force for reliable flow control at high injection pressures while maintaining forces below the damage threshold for the tubing material.
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 enables efficient control of fluid flow at pressures up to 1200 psi, reducing operational complexity and ensuring consistent pinching force, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reliability of medical injection systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring-loaded anvil of the apparatus and a second spring-loaded anvil of the apparatus. Subsequently, the pinching member is moved from a first position, at which the pinching member compresses the first tubing line against the first spring-loaded anvil
Implementation Method 2
the pinching member is coupled to a rotatable shaft, for example, driven by a motor that moves the pinching member about a central axis of the shaft between the first and second positions, and through a neutral position therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A valve apparatus for a medical injection system includes a pinching member and at least one spring-loaded anvil. A tubing line of the injection system may be positioned between the pinching member and the anvil, such that when the pinching member is moved into a pinching position adjacent to the anvil, for example, by rotation of a shaft to which the member is coupled, the pinching member compresses the tubing line against the spring-loaded anvil. The pinching member is preferably rotatable about an auxiliary axis, which is eccentric, or offset from a central axis of the shaft. A spring member of the spring-loaded anvil is preferably 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.