Irrigation-Suction Valve Flow Path to Reduce Surgical 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 structure is simple, but the flow path becomes clogged leading to decreased performance
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into multiple channels (first channel for suction, second channel for irrigation) with separate valve plungers controlling each. This segmentation prevents material accumulation from blocking the entire flow path, as each channel can be independently managed, thereby maintaining suction capacity without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Valve plungers act as intermediaries to control fluid flow between different channels and the common flow path. The plungers with openings allow selective opening/closing of channels, preventing clogging by controlling when and how materials move through the system, thus improving reliability without requiring complete structural redesign
2Productivity
If material accumulates in the flow path, then the device structure remains unchanged, but visibility and material removal speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the flow path into separate suction and irrigation channels, the system prevents material accumulation in a single pathway. The segmented design allows irrigation fluid to flow through its dedicated channel without mixing with suctioned material, maintaining clear flow paths and high material removal speed
Solution Approach 2:
The valve plungers with different opening dimensions allow dynamic control of flow parameters. By adjusting plunger positions, the system optimizes flow rates and pressures to prevent material accumulation, thereby maintaining productivity without structural changes
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single valve plunger is used, then the device is simpler to operate, but the control over multiple flow paths is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple valve plungers are designed with similar actuation mechanisms, allowing a single operator to control multiple flow paths using consistent operational techniques. Each plunger controls a specific channel but all can be operated similarly, providing versatile flow path control without significantly increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system merges multiple control functions into a coordinated system where plungers work together to manage both suction and irrigation channels. This combined approach allows comprehensive flow path control while maintaining ease of operation through integrated valve body design and coordinated actuation
Data Source
AI summary
A suction/irrigation medical device comprises a valve body having one or more conduits fluidically coupled thereto and a first channel extending through the valve body. The medical device also comprises a first valve plunger disposed along the first channel and configured to move along an axis to open and close the first channel. The first valve plunger has a first opening to permit a fluid to flow through the first channel. The medical device also comprises a second valve plunger disposed along the first channel and along a second channel to couple the second channel into the first channel when the second valve plunger is in a first position. The second valve plunger has a second opening that has at least one dimension that is greater than a corresponding dimension of the first opening of the first valve plunger.