Integrated Check Valve Assembly for Saline-Contrast Backflow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
During medical imaging procedures like CT scans, the separation of saline and contrast lines by check valves is not effective, leading to undesired mixing and false positives due to the leakage of contrast into the saline line, resulting in suboptimal imaging results.
Innovation Solution
A dual check valve assembly with diaphragms and guide ribs is designed to prevent mixing by ensuring that saline and contrast fluids are kept separate, using a self-contained housing with inlet and outlet ports that allow fluid flow only when sufficient pressure is applied, and include features like deflecting barriers and protuberances to control fluid flow and prevent backflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate check valves are positioned in saline and contrast lines away from the connection joint, then the device complexity is reduced, but fluid mixing occurs leading to imaging false positives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate check valves and a Y-connector into a single integrated check valve assembly. The housing contains both saline and contrast fluid pathways with各自的 check valves, and the deflecting barrier prevents fluid mixing at the convergence point. This merging eliminates the need for separate valve components while maintaining fluid separation through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflecting barrier acts as an intermediary element between the saline and contrast fluid pathways. It is positioned at the convergence point within the housing to redirect and separate fluid flows, preventing contrast agent from entering the saline line while allowing both fluids to pass through the assembly independently.
2Ease of operation
If check valves are positioned away from the connection joint, then ease of operation is improved, but contrast agent leaks into saline line causing spots on scanned images
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated check valve assembly combines flushing and contrast injection functions in a single unit. The housing design allows saline flush to clear the entire assembly including the connection joint, while the deflecting barrier and check valves prevent contrast leakage during the flush operation, eliminating spots on scanned images.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflecting barrier serves as a mediator that maintains fluid pathway separation during flushing operations. It allows saline to flow through the assembly while blocking any potential backflow or leakage of contrast agent into the saline line, ensuring image quality is not compromised.
3Reliability
If a single integrated check valve assembly is used, then fluid mixing is prevented, but device complexity increases compared to separate valves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (saline flush, contrast injection, fluid separation) into a single check valve assembly housing. While this integration increases complexity compared to separate valves, it eliminates fluid mixing at the connection joint and provides more reliable fluid separation through the integrated deflecting barrier and dual check valve design.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve assembly is designed as a universal component that handles both saline flushing and contrast agent injection through a single housing. The deflecting barrier and dual check valves provide multi-functional fluid management, preventing mixing while allowing independent operation of both fluid pathways.
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 effectively reduces the likelihood of fluid mixing, leading to more accurate imaging results and cost savings by integrating the function of two standard check valves and a Y connector into a single assembly, minimizing areas of restricted flow and back pressure.
Implementation Method 1
At least a portion of the first diaphragm is configured to unseat over the first fluid inlet channel to allow the first fluid to pass from the first fluid inlet channel into the fluid outlet channel
Implementation Method 2
The guide ribs constrain, a least in part, one or both of the first and second diaphragms. The guide ribs are configured to guide fluid flow from the first and second inlet channels toward the fluid outlet channel
Implementation Method 3
A deflecting barrier positioned between openings of the first and second fluid inlet channels
Data Source
AI summary
An infusion set check valve assembly includes a self-contained housing that defines inlet ports and an outlet port. The assembly also includes at least one check valve disposed within the self-contained housing between the outlet channel and at least one of the inlet ports. The at least one check valve is configured to open for a first fluid to flow from a first inlet to a patient line via an outlet channel while a second fluid also flows from a second inlet to the patient line via the outlet channel. The at least one check valve closes to prevent the first fluid from flowing to the patient line via the outlet channel while the second fluid flows to the patient line.