Elastic Valve Injection Port for Analysis Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection ports for analysis appliances rely on septums that quickly age due to frequent puncture by automatic sample dispensers, leading to high maintenance and cost inefficiencies in unattended sequential analysis systems.
Innovation Solution
An injection port with an elastic valve element that can be controlled to seal the analysis chamber, using a 3/2-way valve connected to a pressure source with a flow limiter and buffer tank, allowing for pressurized fluid or gas loading to manage access without wear and extend service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a septum is used to provide access to the analysis chamber, then the analysis chamber can be accessed by the cannula, but the septum ages quickly due to frequent puncture and must be replaced frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the aging septum from the system and replaces it with an injection port that has a replaceable membrane seal. The membrane seal can be replaced without replacing the entire injection port housing, eliminating the need for frequent septum replacements while maintaining access functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the sealing element from a punctured septum to an elastic membrane seal that can be inflated. By changing the membrane from a deflated to an inflated state, it creates a gas-tight seal without mechanical puncture, significantly extending service life while maintaining access capability.
2Measurement precision
If the analysis chamber is sealed to prevent ambient air penetration, then measurement accuracy is improved, but access for the cannula becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a dynamic membrane seal that can transition between inflated and deflated states. When deflated, the membrane allows cannula insertion; when inflated, it creates a gas-tight seal. This dynamic state change enables both easy access during insertion and secure sealing during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane seal acts as an intermediary element between the analysis chamber and the external environment. It provides a temporary opening for cannula insertion while maintaining the sealed environment during analysis, mediating between the need for access and the need for sealing.
3Device complexity
If a simple punctured septum is used, then the device complexity is low, but the maintenance cost and time increase due to frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the injection port into a reusable housing and a replaceable membrane seal component. This segmentation allows the membrane seal to be replaced independently without replacing the entire injection port assembly, reducing maintenance time and cost while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection port design enables self-service maintenance where the membrane seal can be replaced by the user without requiring specialized service personnel or complex disassembly procedures. The modular design facilitates easy user replacement, reducing maintenance time and operational costs.
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 elastic valve element ensures long-lasting, wear-free sealing of the analysis chamber access, reducing maintenance and operational costs by eliminating the need for frequent septum replacement.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic valve element that can be opened and closed in a controlled fashion
Implementation Method 2
a pressure source for loading the valve element with a pressurized fluid or gas
Implementation Method 3
between the pressure source and the 3/2-way valve a flow limiter
Implementation Method 4
between the flow limiter and the 3/2-way valve a buffer tank for a pressurized fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an injection port for analysis appliances, said injection port (10), when fitted correctly on an analysis appliance, forming an access line which leads to an analysis chamber of the analysis appliance and through which it is possible to guide the cannula of a sample injector containing a sample to be analysed, characterized in that the injection port comprises at least one elastic valve element (24) which can be opened and closed in a controlled manner and by means of which the access line to the analysis chamber can be sealed off both in the absence of a cannula and also when a cannula is guided through the injection port. The invention further relates to an analysis appliance provided with a corresponding injection port, and to a device for actuating the injection port.