Medical Handle Component With Integrated Pressure Relief Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical procedures face challenges in consistently and safely achieving proper pressures for inflating balloons or delivering materials to enclosed cavities without the need for expensive pressure monitoring equipment, risking over-pressurization.

Innovation Solution

A handle component with a self-contained mechanism, including a syringe and pressure relief valve, that allows for controlled inflation or delivery of materials to a preselected pressure, eliminating the need for external inflation sources and monitoring equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If expensive pressure monitoring equipment is used, then pressure control accuracy is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure control accuracyVSAvoiddevice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief valve is integrated directly into the handle component, allowing the system to self-monitor and self-regulate pressure without requiring external monitoring equipment. The valve automatically releases pressure when the preselected threshold is reached, making the system self-sufficient for pressure control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure relief valve acts as an intermediary mechanism between the inflation source and the medical device, mediating pressure control by automatically releasing excess pressure. This intermediary component eliminates the need for complex external monitoring systems while maintaining accurate pressure control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If external inflation sources are used, then inflation capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinflation capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inflation mechanism is merged with the handle component, creating an integrated self-contained system. The syringe, plunger, and pressure relief valve are all incorporated into the handle assembly, eliminating the need for separate external inflation sources and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle component serves multiple functions: it houses the inflation mechanism, controls pressure delivery, and incorporates the pressure relief valve. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require separate external devices, simplifying the overall system while maintaining full inflation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If pressure relief valve is integrated into handle component, then over-pressurization risk is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveover-pressurization preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief valve is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently manufactured and then integrated into the handle assembly. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing of the valve component while keeping the overall manufacturing process manageable through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables safe and accurate inflation of medical devices or filling of cavities at specific pressures, reducing the risk of over-pressurization and eliminating the requirement for costly pressure monitoring equipment.

Implementation Method 1

The handle component also includes a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the mechanism and the enclosed cavity. The pressure relief valve is configured to indicate when delivery of the material to the enclosed cavity reaches a preselected pressure.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure relief valve mechanism: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP3383327A1Handle component providing a pressurized material
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 MEDTRONIC VASCULAR INC

AI summary

A handle component of a medical device is disclosed for delivering a material to an enclosed cavity or space. The handle component includes a self-contained mechanism for holding the material and for providing or releasing the material to the enclosed cavity. The handle component also includes a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the mechanism and the enclosed cavity. The pressure relief valve is configured to indicate when delivery of the material to the enclosed cavity reaches a preselected or set pressure and to thereby assure precise filling of the enclosed cavity with the material.