Needleless Connector Pivot Valve for Clean Valve Face Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current needleless connectors often deposit fluid on the valve head when a medical implement is removed, leading to potential fluid separation and entry into the fluid path, causing anxiety and risk of blood stream diseases due to fluid deposition on the valve face.
Innovation Solution
A needleless connector design featuring a housing with a protrusion that allows the valve to pivot away from the syringe face as it is pushed down, incorporating different spring rates for primary and secondary seals and fluid channels to prevent droplet formation, and a collapsible valve that minimizes fluid deposition on the valve face.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional needleless connector valve is used, then the valve can seal the fluid path, but fluid is deposited on the valve face when the medical implement is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed to dynamically change its orientation during operation. When the medical implement is inserted, the valve pivots to face the implement for proper sealing. When the implement is removed, the valve pivots away from the valve face position, preventing fluid from depositing on the face. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between maintaining sealing function and preventing fluid deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a rotational degree of freedom to the valve, allowing it to move from a static position to a dynamic position in a different dimension (angular/rotational dimension). The valve can rotate around a pivot point, changing its spatial orientation relative to the valve face. This dimensional change enables the valve to maintain sealing contact while simultaneously avoiding fluid deposition on the face during removal.
2Productivity
If the valve is pushed down to open position, then fluid can flow through the connector, but fluid may separate from the valve and enter the fluid path
Solution Approach 1:
The valve dynamically adjusts its position and orientation during the opening process. As the valve is pushed down to the open position, it simultaneously pivots away from the valve face. This coordinated dynamic movement ensures that even when the valve is in the open position allowing fluid flow, the valve face remains clear of fluid separation, preventing contamination of the fluid path.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid valve structure is used, then the valve maintains stable sealing, but the valve cannot pivot or tilt away from the face
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is segmented into multiple functional zones: a rigid sealing portion that maintains stable contact with the sealing surface, and a movable pivot portion that can rotate independently. This segmentation allows the sealing function to remain stable while the pivot mechanism provides the necessary movement capability to reposition the valve away from the face during removal or flushing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the valve have different mechanical properties. The sealing contact area is designed with rigid characteristics to maintain stable sealing, while the pivot mechanism and distal portions are designed with greater flexibility and rotational capability. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the valve to simultaneously achieve stable sealing and adaptive movement.
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 effectively prevents fluid entrapment and droplet formation, reducing the risk of fluid deposition on the valve face and associated health risks, while improving flushability and reducing anxiety.
Implementation Method 1
a proximal end of the protrusion is spaced apart from a proximal end of the valve cavity... the first end portion of the valve may engage against the protrusion such that the second end portion of the valve moves in a direction that is transverse relative to the central longitudinal axis
Data Source
AI summary
A needleless connector includes a housing having a central longitudinal axis, a body portion, and a base portion. The body portion includes an inner surface forming an internal cavity, and a first port forming a first fluid passage to the housing cavity. The base portion includes a top end section and a bottom end section. The top end section has a protrusion, and the bottom end portion has a second port forming a second fluid passage to the housing cavity. The needleless connector further includes a valve having a wall with an inner surface forming a valve cavity. The valve is coupled with the housing such that the protrusion is positioned in the valve cavity, and a proximal end of the protrusion is spaced apart from a proximal end of the valve cavity.