Pressurized Valve Assembly for Consistent Hemostatic Agent Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical procedures face challenges in delivering hemostatic agents to remote sites within the body, such as the gastrointestinal tract, due to inconsistent dosing, agent clogging, and the need for multiple actuations, which can hinder effective hemostasis.

Innovation Solution

A device is configured to deliver agents via pressurized fluid, incorporating a catheter with a lumen, an enclosure, and a valve that transitions between configurations to control the flow of the agent, allowing for precise delivery without the need for multiple actuations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mechanical agent delivery systems are used, then agent delivery can be achieved, but multiple actuations are required and dosing consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveagent delivery operationVSAvoiddosing consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the agent from a storage container and directly delivers it through a nozzle, eliminating intermediate storage and transfer mechanisms. This direct delivery approach reduces the number of actuations required and improves dosing consistency by eliminating potential clogging points and intermediate handling steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical actuation systems with a simplified mechanism that uses fluid pressure to drive agent delivery. This substitution reduces the number of mechanical components and actuations needed, thereby improving operational ease and dosing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If mechanical agent delivery systems are used, then agent delivery can be achieved, but agent clogging occurs in delivery device portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveagent delivery operationVSAvoidagent clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the agent directly from storage through a nozzle without intermediate containment structures. This eliminates portions of the delivery device where agent could accumulate and clog, resolving the clogging issue while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system preliminarily pressurizes the agent in the storage container before delivery, ensuring the agent is in a flow-ready state. This preliminary pressurization prevents clogging by maintaining continuous flow through the delivery system without requiring complex mechanical pumping mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If mechanical agent delivery systems are used, then agent delivery can be achieved, but desired delivery rate and dosage cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveagent delivery operationVSAvoiddelivery rate control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical metering and control mechanisms with fluid pressure-based delivery control. By using pressurized gas to drive the agent through a controlled orifice, the system achieves precise delivery rates without complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, improving both operational ease and delivery precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system controls delivery rate by adjusting gas pressure parameters rather than mechanical flow restrictions. This parameter-based control allows for precise adjustment of delivery rate and dosage while maintaining a simple mechanical structure, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and delivery precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If mechanical agent delivery systems are used, then agent delivery can be achieved, but agent cannot reach treatment site deep within GI tract

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveagent delivery operationVSAvoiddelivery reach distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses pressurized gas to propel the agent through the delivery catheter to remote treatment sites. This pneumatic propulsion system provides sufficient force to deliver agent deep within the GI tract while maintaining a simple device structure without complex mechanical pumping or propulsion mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 device enables consistent and efficient delivery of hemostatic agents to target tissues, reducing procedure time and simplifying the process by eliminating the need for additional valves and actuations.

Implementation Method 1

deliver agents via pressurized fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurized fluid flow: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a valve downstream of the enclosure to receive the combination of the pressurized fluid and the agent from the enclosure. The valve may have a first configuration preventing flow of the combination through the lumen and a second configuration permitting flow of the combination through the lumen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectValve flow control: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP4417233B1Medical devices for agent delivery
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC
  • EP4417233B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4417233B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~3B
  • EP4417233B1 patent drawingFigure 6A~7B

AI summary

The invention relates to a valve assembly for a medical agent delivery system or a medical agent delivery device, the valve assembly comprising a valve chamber, an input channel including an input lumen, an output channel including an output lumen, and a rod including a plunger at a distal end of the rod, wherein the valve chamber is cylindrical and includes a cover portion at a proximal end of the valve chamber and a distal opening fluidically connecting the valve chamber with the output channel, wherein the plunger is configured to form a fluid-tight seal with the valve chamber at the distal opening.