Medical Connection Device with Self-Sealing Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical connection devices, such as luer connectors, face issues with blood reflux and air ingestion during infusion procedures, which can lead to complications like blood clots and air entering the patient's bloodstream.

Innovation Solution

A medical connection device with a self-sealing valve assembly featuring septum units with slits and flaps that prevent fluid reflux and air ingestion, eliminating the need for external clamps by sealing automatically upon connection and disconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If clamps are attached to the infusion device and infusion line before connection, then blood reflux and air ingestion are prevented, but the device complexity and ease of operation are worsened due to additional components and steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of blood reflux and air ingestionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the clamping function and valve function into a single integrated connector assembly. The connector includes an integrated valve mechanism with movable walls that can close off fluid pathways, eliminating the need for separate clamps on both the infusion device and infusion line. This merging of functions reduces component count while maintaining the reliability of preventing blood reflux and air ingestion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If clamps are used to prevent blood reflux and air ingestion, then safety is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional manual steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of blood reflux and air ingestionVSAvoidoperation steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-sealing valve mechanism that automatically closes to prevent blood reflux and air ingestion without requiring manual intervention. The valve includes movable walls that respond automatically to connection and disconnection events, closing the fluid pathway when the infusion line is disconnected and opening it when connected. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for operators to manually close clamps, reducing operational steps while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a self-sealing valve assembly is integrated into the connector, then the need for external clamps is eliminated, but the device complexity increases due to the valve mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelimination of external clampsVSAvoidvalve assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible movable walls made of elastomeric or polymer materials to create the valve mechanism. These thin, flexible walls can deform and move in response to pressure changes and mechanical actuation, creating the self-sealing function without requiring complex mechanical structures. The flexible membrane approach allows the valve to be integrated into the connector body with minimal additional components, reducing the overall device complexity compared to rigid mechanical valve designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 prevents blood reflux and air ingestion, ensuring safe and secure connections without the need for additional clamps, thereby reducing the risk of complications and improving the reliability of medical infusion procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure activated flow control valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-driven flow control: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the valve is self-sealing and will prevent blood reflux or air ingestion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelf-sealing mechanism:

Data Source

PatentUS9919143B2Medical connection device with valve and method
Publication Date: 2018.03.20 IP CATHETER HLDG CO LTD
  • US9919143B2 patent drawing
  • US9919143B2 patent drawing
  • US9919143B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The assembly is generally tubular and comprises a female connector portion comprising a cannula adapted to receive a male connector, the female connector portion comprising one or more septum units. Each of the septum units comprises slits and flaps. The flaps, when in a closed position, substantially close the cannula. The septum units are positioned adjacent to one another in a “back to back” orientation such that the first septum slits are transverse to the corresponding second septum slits such that the slits of the first septum are supported by flaps of the second septum and slits of the second septum are supported by flaps of the first septum.