Pleural Catheter with Integrated Suction Valve and Non-Return Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pleural puncture catheters require complex manual operation and are prone to air intrusion into the pleural space, leading to complications such as pneumothorax, and are costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A pleural puncture catheter with a branch hose connected to a suction valve that includes a non-return valve to prevent backflow, allowing for easy and safe suctioning of fluids and gases without manual valve switching, featuring a beak or lip valve at the needle inlet to prevent air entry and a manually operable shut-off valve for additional safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional manual valve switching is used for suction, then the suction process can be performed, but the operation becomes complex and error-prone with constant manual switching required
Solution Approach 1:
The suction system uses self-regulating non-return valves that automatically control fluid flow direction without manual intervention. The valves respond to pressure differentials, allowing suction to proceed automatically while preventing backflow, thereby eliminating the need for constant manual valve switching and reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical valve switching system with an automated system using non-return valves that rely on pressure-driven automatic operation. This substitution eliminates the need for manual mechanical manipulation of valves during suction, simplifying the operational process
2Productivity
If conventional catheters without integrated suction are used, then multiple device connections are required, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the catheter and suction system into a single integrated device. The catheter includes an integrated suction port and non-return valves, allowing fluid evacuation to occur through the same device used for fluid accumulation, thereby eliminating the need for separate suction devices and multiple connections
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a fluid accumulation device and a suction device. The integrated design allows the same catheter to perform both fluid collection and evacuation functions, reducing the number of separate devices and connections required
3Reliability
If conventional catheters without non-return valves are used, then the structure is simpler, but air backflow into the pleural space cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The non-return valves are designed to automatically prevent air backflow by responding to pressure differentials. When pressure in the pleural space exceeds atmospheric pressure, the valves automatically close to prevent air intrusion, without requiring external control or complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive non-return valve designs that can be integrated into the catheter. These valves provide reliable air backflow prevention through simple structural designs that may be disposable or single-use, avoiding the need for complex, expensive, reusable valve mechanisms
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 catheter simplifies the suction process, reduces the risk of air intrusion, and is less expensive to produce, allowing for efficient fluid management and medication delivery without the need for multiple device connections, enhancing patient safety and reducing the risk of complications.
Implementation Method 1
a beak or lip valve (6) designed as a puncture valve, which rests sealingly on the circumference of the inserted hollow or Verres needle (18) and, when the needle is pulled out, blocks fluid passage under the pressure differences that usually occur between the body cavity and the outside area in both directions
Implementation Method 2
which, in particular, allows a fluid to flow in the direction of the suction device, but blocks the flow in the opposite direction
Implementation Method 3
with a non-return valve blocking the backflow from the secretion bag
Implementation Method 4
removing fluid from body cavities
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a medical device that is in the form of a catheter (3) for supplying fluid to but in particular removing fluid from body cavities. The catheter head (1) on the proximal end (4) comprises an inlet (5) that is provided with one or more sealing and/or blocking elements (6, 7) and that is used to introduce a hollow or Verres needle (18) into the catheter (3). In the region between the sealing or blocking element(s) and the region of the catheter shaft (2) that is introduced into the body, a branch connection (8) is arranged, said branch connection being connected to a suction pump arrangement (10) via a branch tube (9). Said branch tube (9) leads to a suction valve (11) that enables a fluid to flow in the direction of the suction device, but blocks the flow in the counter direction. The outlet of the suction valve (11) opens into a forked area (12), from which one branch (16) leads to a suction device connection, in particular an injection connection (13) that is embodied, preferably, as a Luer-lock, and the other branch thereof (17) leads to a secretion bag connection (14). A non-return valve (15) that blocks the return flow of the secretion bag is arranged between said branch (17) and the secretion bag connection (14).