Pressure-Responsive Catheter Valve Slits for Drug Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional duckbill valves in catheter assemblies require a separate component for opening, which can reduce the flow rate of drug solutions.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly with a valve body featuring a distal end slit and a side slit that continuously extends from the distal end slit, allowing the main body to deform easily under pressure, eliminating the need for a separate opening component and enhancing flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional duckbill valve structure is used without a separate opening component, then the device complexity is reduced, but the flow rate of the drug solution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into multiple slits (distal end slit and side slits) that can open independently or simultaneously. This segmentation allows the valve to provide multiple flow paths when opened, increasing the overall flow rate while maintaining the simple duckbill valve structure without requiring additional opening components.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the valve body have different structural characteristics - the distal end portion has a slit while the side portions have additional slits. This local differentiation allows blood to be blocked effectively at the distal end while enabling broader flow paths for drug solution injection from multiple directions, thus improving flow rate without increasing overall structural complexity.
2Productivity
If a separate component for opening the valve is used, then the flow rate of the drug solution is increased, but the device complexity and ease of operation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed to open automatically in response to the pressure of the injected drug solution. The multiple slits (distal end slit and side slits) open when the internal pressure exceeds the closing force, eliminating the need for manual opening operations. This self-opening mechanism maintains ease of operation while providing increased flow rate through multiple open pathways.
3Productivity
If the valve body is designed to open easily under pressure, then the flow rate is increased, but the ability to prevent blood backflow may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body exhibits asymmetric behavior under different pressure conditions. When blood pressure acts from the distal end, the distal end slit closes effectively to prevent backflow. When drug solution pressure acts from the proximal end, the combination of distal end slit and side slits opens to allow high flow rate. This asymmetric response to different pressure directions achieves both reliable blood backflow prevention and high drug solution flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve structure is dynamically responsive to pressure direction and magnitude. The multiple slits can be in different states (open or closed) depending on the pressure conditions. Under blood pressure, the slits close to prevent backflow; under drug solution pressure, they open to enable high flow rate injection. This dynamic behavior allows the valve to adapt to different operational requirements without compromising either blood backflow prevention or flow rate.
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 body design increases flow rate by allowing easy deformation under drug solution pressure without a separate opening component, improving the function as a check valve.
Implementation Method 1
when blood flows into the catheter hub through the catheter, a blood pressure in a proximal direction is applied to the valve body to deform the same
Implementation Method 2
a blood pressure in a proximal direction is applied to the valve body to deform the same, so that the valve body is closed
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter assembly is provided with a catheter, a catheter hub, and a valve body (medical valve) provided in the catheter hub. The valve body includes a hollow main body provided with a distal end surface and a fixing portion for fixing the valve body to the catheter hub. At least a part of an outer peripheral surface and at least a part of an inner peripheral surface of the main body are inclined with respect to a central axis of the valve body. The main body of the valve body includes a distal end slit provided on the distal end surface and a side slit provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body and continuously extending from the distal end slit.