Needleless Valve Piston With Continuous Non-Planar Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Needleless connectors in medical devices often have complex surfaces that are difficult to clean, particularly the split septum, which can harbor pathogens and increase the risk of patient infection due to incomplete sanitization.
Innovation Solution
A piston with a continuous, smooth top surface that does not include any broken portions, allowing for easy swabbing and sanitization, and a non-planar configuration that deforms to seal and open fluidly, ensuring pathogens are removed effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a split septum is used on the piston top surface, then fluid flow control is enabled, but the surface becomes difficult to clean and pathogens may remain
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the split septum feature from the piston top surface that caused cleaning difficulties. By extracting this problematic element while maintaining the essential fluid control function through alternative means (the opening in the piston), the design achieves both reliable fluid control and ease of sanitization.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having a continuous surface with a split (which is hard to clean), the invention inverts the approach by having an opening in an otherwise continuous surface. This reversal allows the surface to be mostly smooth and swabbable while still providing the necessary fluid control function through the opening's positioning and deformation characteristics.
2Ease of operation
If a continuous smooth top surface is used on the piston, then sanitization is improved, but fluid flow control may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by having a continuous smooth top surface overall for easy sanitization, while introducing a specific localized feature (the opening) with particular properties that enable fluid control. The opening's location, size, and deformation characteristics provide the necessary fluid control function without compromising the overall smoothness and sanitizability of the piston top surface.
3Reliability
If the piston head is laterally compressed to close the opening, then fluid sealing is achieved, but the structure requires complex compression mechanics
Solution Approach 1:
The piston design enables self-service through its inherent elastic properties. The piston material's elasticity automatically provides the lateral compression force needed to close the opening and achieve fluid sealing when the piston is inserted into the housing, eliminating the need for separate complex compression mechanisms or additional actuating components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes parameter changes in the piston material's elastic properties to achieve the desired function. By selecting materials with appropriate elastic moduli and structural characteristics, the piston automatically adjusts its shape and compression level based on the insertion force and housing constraints, providing reliable sealing without complex mechanical systems.
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 design reduces the risk of patient infection by facilitating complete sanitization of the surface and ensuring reliable fluid flow control in needleless valve systems, maintaining a sealed state when not in use and allowing fluid flow when needed.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic piston is laterally compressed within the housing to close the opening
Implementation Method 2
an open channel is provided in the elastic piston such that when the port is open, fluid may flow from the port through the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A piston for a needleless valve system comprising a head portion configured to be disposed in the needleless valve system and controlling fluid flow through the needleless valve system. The head portion comprising a continuous top surface, and an opening disposed proximate the continuous top surface, wherein the continuous top surface is non-planar when the opening is in an open position.