Haemostatic Valve Assembly with Pellet Biasing for Automatic Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Haemostatic valve assemblies in endoluminal treatment devices face a compromise between sealing efficiency and friction, often requiring manual intervention and additional valving to prevent fluid loss, as they struggle to maintain a seal both with and without inserted elements.
Innovation Solution
A haemostatic valve assembly with a flexible valve element and spherical pellets that are biased by resiliency to continuously maintain a sealing configuration, eliminating the need for manual intervention and providing a consistent seal across the entire circumference of the lumen, accommodating various device sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a haemostatic valve assembly provides a seal when no element is inserted, then sealing efficiency is improved, but friction imparted upon inserted devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element is segmented into multiple discrete sealing segments that can independently contact the inserted device. These segments are distributed around the circumference of the lumen, allowing the valve to maintain a seal while accommodating device insertion with reduced friction compared to a continuous sealing surface
Solution Approach 2:
The valve element is designed to be dynamically adjustable between open and closed states. When a device is inserted, the valve element can open to accommodate it, and when no device is present, it automatically closes to provide sealing. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by allowing the valve to adapt its sealing characteristics based on operational conditions
2Ease of operation
If manual opening and closing mechanism is provided, then valve control is improved, but device complexity and procedural steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is designed to automatically open and close in response to the presence or absence of an inserted device, eliminating the need for manual operation. The valve element responds passively to mechanical stimuli from device insertion, providing self-regulating control that reduces both device complexity and procedural steps
3Reliability
If flexible valve element extends across entire space between openings, then sealing efficiency is improved, but friction on inserted devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a continuous flexible valve element, the invention employs multiple discrete sealing segments distributed around the lumen circumference. This segmentation maintains sealing efficiency by ensuring contact at multiple points while reducing overall friction by allowing gaps between segments that facilitate device passage
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 ensures a high sealing efficiency with reduced friction, allowing for automatic operation and effective sealing of bodily fluids during medical procedures without additional valving, enhancing the reliability and ease of use of endoluminal treatment devices.
Implementation Method 1
the pellets providing a biasing force on the valve element in a lumen closing configuration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A haemostatic valve assembly (18) is provided with a housing (24) having first and second ends (26, 28) within each of which there is provided an aperture of opening (30, 32). A flexible valve element (34) is disposed within the housing (24) between the first and second openings (30, 32). A mass of separate pellets (40) is located within the chamber (38) formed between the housing (24) and the valve element (34). The pellets (40) apply pressure to the valve element (34) so as to close the lumen (36) thereof. The pellets (40) are preferably made of a compressible material and such that when an element is inserted through the openings (30, 32) and thus through the valve assembly (18) the pellets (40) compress to allow opening of the lumen (36). The biasing force of the pellets (40) against the valve (34) provide constant sealing pressure to the valve assembly (18) without the need for any intervention by the clinician. The valve assembly is therefore entirely automatic.