Transanal Irrigation Catheter Valve Assembly for Water-Saving Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transanal irrigation (TAI) systems face issues such as water wastage due to improper valve configurations, difficulty in manipulating controller settings, and the need for repeated catheter insertion, which compromises user independence and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A TAI device with a pump and valve assembly that includes independent check valves for the reservoir, retention balloon, and flushing port, allowing seamless fluid control through a toggle mechanism, eliminating cross-lumen communication and reducing manual effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-lumen tubing system is used to transfer water from reservoir to rectum, then the device complexity is reduced, but water from the deflated balloon cannot return to the reservoir causing water wastage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fluid pathway into separate lumens: one lumen dedicated to water transfer from reservoir to rectum, and another lumen dedicated to balloon inflation/deflation. This segmentation allows independent control of each function and enables the deflated balloon water to return to the reservoir through its dedicated return path, eliminating water wastage while maintaining clear functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary device that coordinates the dual-lumen tubing system. The controller manages the inflation and deflation sequences, ensuring that water from the deflated balloon is directed back to the reservoir through the appropriate lumen configuration, thereby preventing water wastage without requiring direct communication between the balloon and reservoir lumens.
2Device complexity
If rotating knobs are used to select valve configurations in the controller, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static rotating knobs with dynamic push-button switches that can be easily actuated by pressing. This dynamic interface allows users to select different valve configurations (Irrigate, Flush, Deflate) through simple button presses rather than requiring rotational manipulation, significantly improving ease of operation for users with limited dexterity while maintaining clear functional control.
3Device complexity
If a squeeze bulb is used to pump fluids in manual TAI systems, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates as the user must hold and squeeze the bulb simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual squeeze bulb with a self-service pumping mechanism where the user's body weight or simple pressing motion on a larger surface area activates the pump. This eliminates the need to hold and simultaneously squeeze a small bulb, as the pump mechanism converts simple compression force into effective fluid delivery, improving ease of operation while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
4Device complexity
If the catheter must be removed for draining flushed stool and lavage liquid, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity deteriorates due to repeated insertion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the catheter system into separate functional pathways: one pathway for water introduction and another for waste evacuation. This segmentation allows the catheter to remain in place during the entire irrigation and flushing cycle, with waste liquid being diverted through the separate evacuation pathway, eliminating the need for repeated catheter insertion and removal while maintaining clear functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous operation of the irrigation system by keeping the catheter in place throughout multiple flushing cycles. The segmented pathways allow uninterrupted water introduction and simultaneous or sequential waste evacuation, maintaining continuous useful action without the interruption of catheter removal and reinsertion, thereby improving productivity and efficiency.
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
Enhances user independence by simplifying fluid control, minimizing water wastage, and reducing the need for repeated catheter insertion, thereby improving the ease and efficiency of bowel management.
Implementation Method 1
a pump
Implementation Method 2
a reservoir valve in fluid communication with the reservoir and the pump, the reservoir valve being a check valve that has a first flow orientation that allows irrigation fluid to flow only from the reservoir to the pump
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A system for performing irrigation of a body cavity includes a reservoir containing an irrigation liquid, a catheter and a controller. The catheter is configured to be at least partially inserted into the body cavity and has a flushing passage, a drain passage and a retention balloon. A waste drain valve is in fluid communication with the drain passage of the catheter and is movable between a closed configuration, where waste is retained within the drain passage, and an open configuration where waste flows through the drain passage. The controller is in fluid communication with the reservoir and the catheter, and has a pump and a valve assembly. The valve assembly is changeable between configurations where, when the pump is actuated, irrigation liquid is pumped from the reservoir to the retention balloon, from the reservoir to the flushing passage of the catheter and from the retention balloon to the reservoir.