Hemostatic Valve Component With Helical Grooves for Low Insertion Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haemostatic valves face issues with excessive entry force and friction, potentially damaging medical instruments and causing patient injury, while active valves are complex and costly, and passive valves require additional operational steps.
Innovation Solution
A deformable body with helical grooves in a conduit, housed in a tapered valve assembly, allowing variable compression for low insertion forces and enhanced sealing, with optional purse string suture for refined sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive valves use a resilient sealing body deformed by the medical instrument, then a fluid tight seal is achieved, but excessive entry force and friction are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The valve transitions from a static sealing mechanism to a dynamic one where the deformable body automatically adjusts its compression state based on the presence and movement of medical instruments. The body is pre-compressed by the tapered housing to create a seal, and this compression dynamically relaxes as instruments pass through, then re-compresses to maintain sealing between instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression parameter of the deformable body is dynamically changed based on instrument presence. The tapered housing geometry creates varying compression forces along the length of the deformable body, with greater compression at the entry point and reduced compression toward the exit, allowing instruments to pass through with reduced friction while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
2Force
If active valves include mechanisms to relax sealing tightness on entry and exit, then insertion forces are reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system performs the sealing and force-regulation functions automatically through the interaction between the tapered housing and the deformable body. No external actuation mechanisms are required - the system self-regulates the compression force based on the physical presence of instruments, eliminating the need for complex active control mechanisms while maintaining low insertion forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered housing geometry creates a curved, conical compression profile that naturally varies the sealing force along the instrument path. This geometric approach replaces complex mechanical actuation systems with a simple, elegant curved surface that automatically modulates compression forces.
3Reliability
If passive valves maintain tight sealing during multiple exchanges, then sealing reliability is improved, but additional operational steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The valve automatically maintains sealing during multiple instrument exchanges without requiring manual intervention. The deformable body self-regulates its compression state based on instrument presence, eliminating the need for operators to perform additional sealing actions between exchanges.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing action continues uninterrupted during instrument exchanges. The deformable body maintains continuous contact with the housing walls and dynamically adapts its compression state, ensuring unbroken sealing throughout the entire procedure without requiring reset or repositioning actions.
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
Provides reliable sealing with low insertion forces, reducing instrument damage and procedural complexity, suitable for multiple catheter insertions.
Implementation Method 1
the valve assembly housing is adapted to put the deformable body into a compressed state
Implementation Method 2
the deformable material has a shore hardness 'A' of 5 to 20. Such a shore hardness parameter offers a beneficial degree of resilience
Implementation Method 3
the inclination of the helical grooves around the axis of the conduit is such as to lead to closure of voids in the grooves on a longitudinal compression resulting from insertion of the one or more medical instruments
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a valve component for a medical valve assembly (10), the valve component comprising a deformable body (1) for location in a valve assembly housing, the deformable body comprising a conduit for receiving one or more medical instruments there-through, one or more helical grooves (9) being formed on a surface of the conduit, the one or more helical grooves extending into the deformable body from the conduit surface.