Gas/Water Valve Seal Assembly for Endoscope Backflow Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas/water valves for endoscopes suffer from inefficient sealing mechanisms that can increase the force required to operate and reduce the effectiveness of insufflation, leading to potential backflow issues.
Innovation Solution
A gas/water valve design featuring a shaft with grooves and ridges, a button cap, and a seal assembly comprising a distal and proximal sealing member, where a movable sealing mechanism allows selective control of fluid flow, including a movable sealing mechanism to prevent backflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional sealing mechanism is used in the gas/water valve, then the structure is simple, but the force required to operate the valve increases and backflow prevention effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is divided into two separate sealing members (first sealing member and second sealing member) positioned at different locations. The first sealing member seals the gas flow aperture while the second sealing member seals the vent aperture. This segmentation allows each sealing member to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the overall force required to operate the valve while maintaining effective backflow prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing members are designed to move dynamically with the valve shaft during operation. When the valve is in the first position (insufflation), the first sealing member seals the gas flow aperture. When the valve is in the second position (lens wash), the second sealing member seals the vent aperture. This dynamic sealing approach optimizes sealing effectiveness for each operational phase without requiring excessive operating force.
2Reliability
If a conventional single sealing member is used, then the device complexity is low, but the backflow prevention effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is segmented into multiple sealing members positioned at different locations along the valve shaft. The first sealing member is positioned to seal the gas flow aperture when the valve is in the insufflation position, while the second sealing member seals the vent aperture when the valve is in the lens wash position. This segmentation ensures that each sealing action is optimized for its specific function, thereby improving backflow prevention effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the valve shaft and the apertures. The multiple sealing members work in sequence to prevent backflow during different operational phases. The first sealing member prevents backflow during insufflation by sealing the gas flow aperture, while the second sealing member prevents backflow during lens wash by sealing the vent aperture, ensuring reliable backflow prevention throughout the entire operational cycle.
3Ease of operation
If the proximal sealing member is fixed, then the structure is simpler, but the selective control of fluid flow is less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The proximal sealing member (second sealing member) is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to axially displace along the valve shaft. When the valve is actuated to the lens wash position, the proximal sealing member moves to seal the vent aperture, preventing water from escaping through the vent. This dynamic movement enables selective control of fluid flow paths without requiring additional complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal sealing member is positioned within the valve structure such that it can move along the valve shaft and seal different apertures as needed. The nesting arrangement allows the sealing member to be integrated into the existing valve structure while maintaining the ability to selectively seal different flow paths based on valve position, achieving effective fluid flow control within a compact design.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas/water valve for a medical device, including a shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a bore extending from a first opening to a vent (e.g., a second opening) proximate the proximal end. A seal assembly may be positioned around the shaft. The seal assembly may comprise a distal sealing member including at least one gas flow aperture extending through a thickness thereof and a proximal sealing member. The proximal sealing member may be axially displaceable along the shaft.