Overflow-Recess Safety Valve for H2 15O PET Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for preparing and injecting H215O for PET face challenges in ensuring precise dosing and safety, particularly due to the short half-life of 15O and the risk of accidental infusion of radioactive gas, which can lead to fatal venal air embolisms.
Innovation Solution
A safety valve with overflow recesses is introduced to control the flow of H215O, preventing undesired pressurized fluid from entering unintended valve openings and ensuring that overflow fluid is vented safely, thus enhancing patient safety and preventing malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety valve with overflow recesses is introduced to prevent radioactive gas infusion, then patient safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into multiple functional components: a valve body with multiple valve openings, a valve element with flow channels, and overflow recesses positioned between the valve element and valve housing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while collectively providing safety against radioactive gas infusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The overflow recesses act as an intermediary safety mechanism between the pressurized fluid source and the patient connection. They provide a controlled overflow path that prevents uncontrolled gas infusion, serving as a mediator that protects the patient while allowing normal operation.
2Speed
If compressed gas is used to deliver H215O, then injection speed is improved, but risk of accidental gas infusion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow recesses are pre-positioned and pre-configured in the valve structure before operation begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures that if overpressure occurs, the overflow path is already in place and ready to activate immediately, preventing harmful gas infusion before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The overflow recesses provide a safety cushion by creating a controlled release path for excess pressurized fluid. This beforehand preparation of an overflow mechanism cushions against the harmful effects of overpressure, preventing the transmission of excessive pressure to the patient connection.
3Reliability
If manual transfer of radioisotopes is performed, then patient safety is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is designed to automatically control the flow of H215O from production to injection without requiring manual intervention. The valve element automatically responds to pressure conditions and flow requirements, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminate the need for manual transfer operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical transfer process is replaced with an automated valve-controlled fluid delivery system. The valve mechanism substitutes for manual syringe operations, providing both safety and efficiency by automating the critical transfer and injection functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for safe radioisotope preparation and injection of H215O for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). The disclosure also relates to a safety valve for controlling a flow of H215O for use in PET, to a use of said safety valve and to a method for preparing and injecting H215O.