Fluid delivery valve system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid delivery systems for laboratory animals are prone to contamination, require frequent maintenance, and pose ergonomic and safety risks, leading to increased costs and potential harm to animals and researchers due to the use of traditional water bottles and automatic water systems with stainless steel components.
Innovation Solution
A disposable fluid delivery system using injection moldable plastic components, including a fluid delivery valve assembly with a piercing member and spring element, that can be coupled to a fluid bag or automatic water system, minimizing the need for frequent cleaning and repair of traditional systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional water bottles and automatic water systems with stainless steel components are used, then fluid delivery is established, but contamination risks increase and frequent maintenance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable fluid delivery components including valves, bottles, and tubing that are discarded after a single use. This eliminates contamination risks associated with reusable stainless steel systems while reducing maintenance requirements. The disposable nature ensures each component is factory-sterilized and remains uncontaminated throughout its service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from permanent stainless steel components to single-use plastic or alternative material components. This parameter change in material lifecycle and composition enables pre-sterilization at the factory and eliminates the need for repeated cleaning and sterilization cycles, thereby improving contamination resistance while reducing maintenance burden.
2Ease of operation
If traditional automatic water systems are used, then fluid delivery is established, but ergonomic risks and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable components eliminate ergonomic hazards associated with handling, cleaning, and maintaining heavy stainless steel water systems. Researchers avoid repetitive manual labor and exposure to contaminated surfaces, improving safety and reducing ergonomic injuries while maintaining ease of operation through simple replacement procedures.
3Reliability
If traditional water systems requiring frequent cleaning are used, then fluid delivery is established, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable fluid delivery components eliminate the need for energy-intensive cleaning and sterilization cycles. Each component is factory-sterilized using efficient processes, and then used once without requiring additional energy input for maintenance. This dramatically reduces overall energy consumption while ensuring fluid cleanliness throughout the component's service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The components are pre-sterilized and prepared at the factory before use, eliminating the need for on-site cleaning and sterilization processes that consume significant energy. This preliminary action ensures fluid cleanliness is achieved without the ongoing energy expenditure required by traditional reusable systems.
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 system provides a cost-effective, low-maintenance, and safe method for delivering fluids to laboratory animals, reducing contamination risks and ergonomic hazards while minimizing energy consumption and the risk of water leaks.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element disposed within the base fluid channel and a stem member disposed in part within the base fluid channel, wherein a portion of the spring element abuts the stem member to apply a biasing force
Data Source
AI summary
A cage-mounted fluid delivery system for delivering a fluid from a water source, such as a fluid bag or an automatic water system, to animals housed in cages in high density caging systems may comprise a fluid delivery valve assembly, wherein the fluid delivery valve assembly is adapted to be coupled to the water source to facilitate the provision of fluid to animals housed in the cages. The cage-mounted fluid delivery valve assembly may further comprise a valve body and end cap, which may be joined together, that define a fluid channel. The cage-mounted fluid delivery valve assembly may further comprise sealing elements, a spring element, and an interior stem disposed at least in part in the fluid channel to open and close the fluid channel.