Pressure-Sensing Bleed-Back Valve With Integrated Transducer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bleed-back control valves, such as the Tuohy-Borst adapter, allow blood or fluid backflow during medical procedures, increasing the risk of exposure to pathogens, and existing pressure measurement devices require additional equipment or procedures that interfere with the primary intervention, limiting real-time pressure sensing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-sensing bleed-back control valve with a main valve body, upstream and downstream seals, a catheter fitting, pressure transducer, saline intake sidearm, and effluent sidearm, allowing for real-time in vivo pressure measurement without locking the Tuohy-Borst fitting, reducing fluid spillage and enabling continuous pressure monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a compression seal is used to stop backflow in a Tuohy-Borst adapter, then bleed-back is prevented, but the fitting must be locked in place which limits ease of operation and does not eliminate fluid spillage
Solution Approach 1:
A balloon-expandable cage structure serves as an intermediary mechanism between the compression seal and the catheter. The cage can be expanded to compress the seal against the catheter to prevent backflow, and then collapsed to release the compression, allowing the catheter to be removed without unlocking the fitting. This intermediary structure enables reliable backflow prevention while maintaining ease of operation.
2Measurement precision
If a pressure transducer is added to measure in vivo pressure, then pressure measurement capability is improved, but the device complexity and procedural cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure transducer is integrated directly into the Tuohy-Borst adapter body, merging the pressure measurement function with the existing backflow prevention device. This eliminates the need for separate pressure measurement equipment and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The Tuohy-Borst adapter is designed to perform multiple functions: backflow prevention through the compression seal and simultaneous pressure measurement through the integrated transducer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized equipment, thereby reducing device complexity and procedural cost.
3Ease of operation
If the Tuohy-Borst fitting is loosened to allow catheter movement, then ease of operation is improved, but backflow control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The cage structure is designed to be dynamically adjustable between expanded and collapsed states. When expanded, it maintains compression on the seal for reliable backflow prevention. When collapsed, it releases the compression to allow catheter movement. This dynamic capability enables the system to switch between backflow prevention and ease of operation modes as needed.
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 solution effectively prevents backflow and allows for continuous, real-time pressure measurement at multiple locations within the body, reducing procedural risks and costs by integrating pressure sensing directly into the catheterization apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the lumen of the main valve body
Implementation Method 2
an upstream main seal disposed in the lumen of the main valve body
Data Source
AI summary
A hemostasis or bleed-back control valve such as a Tuohy-Borst adapter is provided that is capable of sensing pressure in vivo. The valve may include a main valve body having a lumen. An upstream main seal may be disposed in the lumen of the main valve body. A catheter fitting may be disposed at a downstream end of the main valve body. A pressure transducer may be in fluid communication with the lumen of the main valve body. Such devices may be suitable for exploratory or interventional medicine involving catheterization.