Flow Actuated Valve for MRI-Safe Implantable Infusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable infusion devices are not MRI-compatible due to magnetic fields affecting solenoid valves, leading to safety risks and the need to empty the pump reservoir before MRI procedures, causing inconvenience and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flow-actuated valve (FAV) that closes to prevent unrestricted flow during MRI procedures and a release mechanism to reopen the valve after the procedure, ensuring patient safety and avoiding reservoir emptying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If solenoid valves are used in implantable infusion devices, then the device can be controlled electronically to provide programmable drug delivery rate, but the device becomes incompatible with MRI procedures due to magnetic field interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent valve control mechanisms: solenoid valves for normal programmable operation and a flow-actuated valve for MRI safety. The FAV operates independently of electromagnetic fields, segmenting the control functions to resolve the contradiction between automation and MRI compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow-actuated valve acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the solenoid valve system and the MRI environment. It provides a magnetic-field-independent control path that activates during MRI procedures to prevent harmful free flow while allowing the solenoid valves to maintain programmable delivery during normal operation.
2Measurement precision
If solenoid valves are used for metering assembly control, then precise metered delivery can be achieved, but simultaneous opening of inlet and outlet valves may occur during MRI creating safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-actuated valve is designed to preemptively prevent the harmful condition of simultaneous valve opening during MRI. By activating in response to high flow rate conditions, it blocks the fluid path before unsafe metering bypass can occur, counteracting the potential failure mode of the solenoid valve system.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow-actuated valve provides flow rate feedback control during MRI procedures. It monitors the actual flow through the device and automatically adjusts by closing to prevent excessive or uncontrolled flow, compensating for the loss of electronic control reliability in magnetic fields.
3Reliability
If patients must empty pump reservoir before MRI procedures, then patient safety is maintained, but procedural efficiency decreases and additional costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-actuated valve system provides self-service safety protection during MRI procedures. It automatically activates when needed based on flow rate conditions, eliminating the need for manual intervention to empty the reservoir before procedures. The device monitors and protects itself, maintaining safety while allowing continuous operation.
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 solution makes implantable infusion devices MRI-safe, preventing safety risks and eliminating the need to empty the pump reservoir before MRI procedures, thus enhancing patient safety and procedural efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the flow activated valve maintaining an open position allowing infusate to flow through the valve at the first flow rate and closing when the rate of flow of the infusate through the valve exceeds a threshold flow rate
Data Source
AI summary
An “MRI-safe” implantable infusion apparatus and a method that include a flow actuated valve (FAV) that closes to prevent a free flow of an infusate to a patient during an MRI procedure, and a release mechanism that opens the valve so that the apparatus may return to normal operation following the MRI procedure. In this manner, patient safety is improved and an inconvenience of having to empty a pump reservoir before undergoing the MRI procedure may be avoided.