Pressure-Responsive IV Valve for Safe Rapid Infusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IV fluid-flow control valves lack automatic pressure responsiveness, often leading to dangerous high pressures during rapid fluid infusion, which can damage veins and IV device components, and require manual adjustment or are complex and unsuitable for gas use.
Innovation Solution
A pressure responsive valve (PRV) with a deformable sensor chamber that automatically adjusts to prevent fluid inflow when pressure exceeds a critical value, using simple plastic components and maintaining normal outflow, constructed for sterilization and biocompatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual pressure is applied to rapidly increase fluid flow rate, then productivity is improved, but pressure rises to dangerous values exceeding safe thresholds
Solution Approach 1:
The valve automatically responds to pressure changes without requiring manual adjustment. The deformable sensor chamber self-actuates the valve element when pressure exceeds the critical threshold, eliminating the need for operator intervention while maintaining safe pressure levels during rapid infusion
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable sensor chamber provides continuous feedback on pressure conditions. When pressure exceeds the critical value, the chamber deforms and triggers valve closure, creating a feedback loop that automatically maintains pressure within safe limits while allowing rapid fluid delivery
2Ease of operation
If conventional valves are used for flow control, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to manual adjustment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The valve performs flow control automatically through the deformable sensor chamber that responds to pressure changes. This eliminates manual adjustment mechanisms while reducing overall device complexity through a simple, self-actuating design with fewer moving parts
3Stress or pressure
If pressure control valve with air sac is used, then pressure control is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to unsuitability for liquid IV use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the key parameter from air-filled sac to fluid-filled deformable sensor chamber. This parameter change enables the valve to function with liquids (IV fluids) while maintaining pressure control capabilities, achieving both pressure regulation and adaptability for medical infusion applications
4Reliability
If valve closes to prevent high pressure, then reliability is improved, but fluid flow is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The valve closes only when pressure reaches the critical threshold, preventing the harmful effect of excessive pressure before it can occur. This preliminary protective action maintains reliability while allowing normal fluid flow during safe pressure conditions, avoiding unnecessary flow restriction
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 PRV ensures safe fluid pressures are maintained without operator intervention, reducing the risk of vein damage and device failure, while allowing for rapid fluid infusion without flow restriction, and is suitable for IV use with small size and low priming volume.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic flexible diaphragm that is disposed in a first convex configuration such that pressure in the fluid exit chamber coacts with the diaphragm to bulge and stretch same under tension
Data Source
AI summary
In one set of embodiments a selected section of tubular stock has its ends welded together to form a pillow-like pressure sensing device with an entry tube and an exit tube each configured to facilitate insertion of the pressure sensing device into the flow path of IV infusate in an IV administration set or system. Fluid pressure in excess of a predetermined amount reconfigures the pressure sensing device from a generally oval configuration to a generally circular configuration to restrict and/or cut off fluid flow into the device while permitting fluid flow from the device to reduce the fluid pressure again reconfiguring the device back to its generally oval configuration and permitting fluid flow into and through the device.In other embodiments a fluid pressure sensing device is formed with a fluid entry chamber and a fluid exit chamber interconnected by a passageway and provided with a piston that reacts to an increase in fluid pressure above a predetermined amount to close off the interconnection between the chambers and fluid flow into the exit chamber. Continued fluid flow from the eit chamber results in a reduction of fluid therein and reopening of the fluid passageway between the chambers.