Irrigation/Suction Valve Flow Path Layout to Prevent Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional irrigation/suction medical instruments often become clogged, leading to decreased performance and visibility issues during surgical procedures due to material accumulation in the flow path.
Innovation Solution
A suction/irrigation medical device featuring a valve system with first and second valve plungers and channels, where the second valve plunger has a longer opening than the first, allowing for efficient fluid flow and material removal, and manual or robotic actuation for controlling suction and irrigation functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional irrigation/suction instruments are used, then the device structure is simple, but the instrument becomes clogged leading to decreased performance
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is divided into multiple segments including a suction flow path and an irrigation flow path that are fluidically separated. The suction flow path has a suction port positioned offset from the longitudinal axis, while the irrigation flow path has an irrigation port positioned on the longitudinal axis. This segmentation prevents material accumulation and clogging by separating the flows and reducing interaction between irrigated material and the suction path.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction port is positioned offset from the longitudinal axis of the instrument, creating a three-dimensional flow path configuration rather than a simple linear path. This spatial arrangement allows the suction flow path to be offset from the irrigation flow path, enabling efficient material removal without clogging while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
2Productivity
If the flow path is simplified for easy operation, then ease of operation is improved, but clogging occurs decreasing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into distinct suction and irrigation pathways that are fluidically separated. The suction flow path includes a suction port offset from the longitudinal axis, while the irrigation flow path includes an irrigation port on the longitudinal axis. This segmentation enables efficient material removal by preventing clogging, thereby maintaining high productivity without requiring complex operational procedures.
3Illumination intensity
If a single flow path is used, then device complexity is reduced, but visibility decreases due to material accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into a suction flow path with a suction port offset from the longitudinal axis and an irrigation flow path with an irrigation port on the longitudinal axis. This segmentation prevents material accumulation in the flow path by separating the suction and irrigation flows, thereby maintaining good visibility during surgical procedures without requiring excessive structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A suction/irrigation medical device valve system comprises a first valve plunger configured for insertion into a first valve plunger channel. The first valve plunger has a first latch member disposed at a distal end with a first sealing member and a first valve opening disposed proximally from the first latch member. The system also comprises a second valve plunger configured for insertion into a second valve plunger channel. The second valve plunger includes a second valve opening that is longer than the first valve opening. The system also comprises a valve body having the first and second valve plunger channels. The first and second valve plunger channels are configured to receive the first and second valve plungers, respectively.