Hemostasis Valve Spiral Flow Insert Air Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hemostasis valve devices used to access a patient's vascular system often fail to effectively prevent air bubbles from being displaced into the patient's vasculature during priming, leading to potential morbidity or mortality events.
Innovation Solution
The hemostasis valve device incorporates a fluid flow insert with a spiral fluid flow channel that directs flushing fluid to dislodge and remove entrapped air bubbles from the valve device, thereby preventing their introduction into the patient's vascular system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional hemostasis valve device is used during priming, then the device structure is simple, but air bubbles are not effectively removed and may be displaced into the patient's vasculature
Solution Approach 1:
The internal bore of the valve device is segmented into multiple regions: a proximal region, a distal region, and an intermediate region. The spiral flow channel is specifically positioned in the intermediate region to create localized rotational flow that targets air bubble removal without disrupting the overall simple valve structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A spiral flow channel is introduced as an intermediary element within the valve device. This channel acts as a mediator that generates rotational fluid flow to dislodge and remove air bubbles from the distal region, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural simplicity and achieving effective air bubble removal.
2Ease of operation
If flushing fluid is used to prime the valve device, then the valve can be filled with fluid, but entrapped air bubbles may be displaced into the catheter and patient
Solution Approach 1:
A spiral (curved) flow channel is implemented in the intermediate region of the valve device. This curved geometry generates rotational fluid flow when flushing fluid is introduced, creating centrifugal forces that effectively dislodge and remove air bubbles from the distal region, preventing their displacement into the catheter and patient while maintaining ease of priming operation.
3Reliability
If a simple valve structure is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but it cannot effectively prevent air embolism
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral flow channel is localized to the intermediate region of the valve device, affecting only a specific portion of the internal bore. This localized modification enhances air bubble removal capability without requiring complex changes to the entire valve structure, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while improving air embolism prevention.
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 use of a spiral fluid flow channel within the hemostasis valve device effectively dislodges and removes air bubbles during priming, reducing the risk of air embolism and ensuring safer vascular access procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid flow insert with a spiral fluid flow channel that directs flushing fluid to dislodge and remove entrapped air bubbles
Data Source
AI summary
Hemostasis valve devices and methods of use are disclosed. The hemostasis valve devices include a body member, a side-arm, a valve member, and a valve cap. The body member includes a body bore extending therethrough. The body bore includes a proximal bore portion in fluid communication a side-arm bore. In one embodiment, a fluid flow insert is disposed within the body bore in fluid communication with the side-arm bore and the proximal bore portion to direct flushing or priming fluid injected through the fluid flow insert into the proximal bore portion in a circular, spiral, or swirling flow path to remove entrapped air bubbles from the proximal bore portion.