Medical Valve Lifter Mechanism for Backflow Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical valves experience undesired fluid backflow and sterility issues due to back pressure when a syringe is withdrawn, causing blood to be drawn into the valve or catheter, which impedes operation and compromises sterility.

Innovation Solution

A medical valve design featuring a housing with a gland member and a lifter member that moves to increase the internal volume as the valve transitions to an open mode, creating a positive pressure to prevent fluid backflow, utilizing a resilient gland and a longitudinally movable cannula with a slit for fluid control and a flexible lifter with living hinges for volume adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a syringe is withdrawn from the valve, then the valve returns to closed mode, but back pressure draws blood proximally into the valve or catheter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidfluid backflow
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The valve applies preliminary anti-action by creating positive distal pressure during the withdrawal process to counteract the back pressure that would otherwise draw blood into the valve. The resilient gland member is pre-configured to expand and push fluid distally when the syringe is removed, preventing blood from being drawn proximally into the valve or catheter before the issue can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by using the withdrawal action itself to generate the desired positive pressure. Instead of applying pressure during injection, the resilient gland member is designed to expand and push fluid distally specifically during syringe withdrawal, converting the withdrawal motion into a protective pressure mechanism that prevents backflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the valve uses a resilient gland member that expands during syringe withdrawal, then positive pressure prevents backflow, but the mechanism adds structural complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackflow preventionVSAvoidvalve mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient gland member performs self-service by automatically expanding and generating positive distal pressure in response to the syringe withdrawal itself, without requiring external control mechanisms. The material's inherent elasticity allows it to store energy during insertion and release it during withdrawal, creating a self-regulating pressure system that prevents backflow through its own mechanical response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs parameter changes by utilizing the resilient gland member's change in physical state (compression to expansion) during the withdrawal process. The gland transitions from a compressed state during syringe insertion to an expanded state during withdrawal, automatically adjusting its volume and pressure output based on the operational phase to prevent backflow without complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 valve effectively eliminates fluid backflow and maintains sterility by producing a positive pressure towards the outlet, preventing fluid from being drawn back into the valve or catheter during syringe withdrawal.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient gland member positioned within the flow channel and expandable under back pressure produced by withdrawing the syringe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

produce a positive, distally directed pressure... preventing fluid from being drawn back into the valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS7887519B2Valve with internal lifter
Publication Date: 2011.02.15 NP MEDICAL INC
  • US7887519B2 patent drawing
  • US7887519B2 patent drawing
  • US7887519B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A medical valve having a close mode and an open mode includes a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior. The valve also has a valve mechanism within the interior. In illustrative embodiments, the valve mechanism has a gland member and a lifter member. The lifter member moves the gland member toward the proximal end of the housing as the valve transitions from the closed mode to the open mode.