Foldable One-Way Valve Prosthesis with Pivoting Leaflets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable valve prostheses face challenges in effectively preventing reverse fluid flow without complex assembly, and there is a need for a design that can maintain a consistent form in both open and closed states for reliable fluid management in various applications.
Innovation Solution
A foldable one-way valve prosthesis with a rigid base and flexible leaflets, where the leaflets are attached along common side edges that can pivot, allowing the valve to transition from an open state allowing fluid flow to a closed state preventing backflow, utilizing folding lines and rib structures for enhanced closure without complicated assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing foldable valve prostheses use complex assembly structures to prevent reverse fluid flow, then the closure effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve prosthesis is divided into multiple leaflets (typically three) that are attached to a rigid base, with each leaflet capable of independent movement. This segmentation allows the valve to achieve effective closure through the coordinated action of multiple simpler components rather than a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces folding lines that extend from the downstream edge toward the upstream edge of each leaflet, creating a third dimension of movement. When the valve closes, the leaflets fold along these lines, allowing the downstream edges to meet at the center and form a compact closed configuration, effectively preventing backflow through dimensional transformation.
2Reliability
If the valve design uses folding lines and pivotable leaflets to achieve compact closed state, then the closure effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The folding lines are integrated directly into the leaflet structure during manufacturing, combining the functions of the leaflet body and the folding mechanism into a single component. This merging eliminates the need for separate folding mechanisms or complex assembly steps, as the folding capability is inherent to the leaflet design itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies that folding lines extend from the downstream edge toward the upstream edge, creating specific geometric parameters that enable the leaflets to fold and meet at the center when closed. By optimizing the position and orientation of these folding lines, the valve achieves reliable closure while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized geometric configurations.
3Reliability
If the valve maintains consistent form in both open and closed states, then the reliability is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upstream edges of the leaflets are designed to maintain alignment and form a consistent circular or annular shape in both open and closed states, while the downstream edges are asymmetric with folding lines that allow them to fold toward the center. This asymmetric design enables the valve to maintain a consistent upstream profile for reliable fluid management while achieving compact closure through downstream edge folding.
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 design ensures effective prevention of reverse fluid flow with a simplified assembly process, maintaining a compact form in the closed state and allowing fluid passage in the open state, suitable for medical and industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
a possibility of pivoting relative to each other about the common side edge when the leaflets are folded along their folding lines causing the short section of the downstream edge to be angled with respect to the long section
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a foldable one-way valve prosthesis has an open state allowing a fluid to pass therethrough, and a closed state, preventing or at least reducing a reverse fluid flow therethrough. Leaflets are attached to each other along their common side edges with a possibility of pivoting relative to each other about the common side edge when the leaflets are folded along their folding lines causing the short section of the downstream edge to be angled with respect to the long section thereof, so as to bring the valve prosthesis into the closed state.