Rotary Multi-Drug Valve for Backpriming and Flush Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intravenous therapy systems face challenges in safely and reliably administering multiple drug fluids, particularly due to the risk of drug incompatibility and the need for complex priming and flushing procedures, which can lead to errors and contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A valve design that allows for sequential administration of multiple drug fluids using a single valve position, enabling backpriming, administration, and flushing without mixing incompatible drugs, by utilizing a rotational axis with distinct levels for flushing and drug inlets, and a distribution channel for flushing fluid access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drug fluids are administered using separate IV sets with multiple y-sites or multigang manifolds, then the ability to administer multiple drugs is achieved, but the system complexity and risk of drug incompatibility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed with multiple drug inlet ports (first, second, third, and fourth drug inlet ports) that all connect to a single common outlet port, allowing a single valve to perform the function previously requiring multiple IV sets and manifolds. This multi-functional design enables administration of multiple different drug fluids through one integrated device, reducing system complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple separate fluid pathways into a single integrated valve structure where all drug inlet ports converge to a common outlet. This merging of previously separate IV sets and manifolds into one unified device reduces the number of connection points and potential failure modes, thereby reducing system complexity while preserving the ability to administer multiple drugs sequentially.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple IV sets are interconnected via y-sites or manifolds, then multiple drug fluids can be administered, but the risk of drug incompatibility and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts the potential source of drug incompatibility by eliminating intermediate connection points (y-sites and manifolds) where drugs could mix incompatibly. Each drug inlet port connects directly to the common outlet through dedicated internal passages within the valve, removing the harmful intermediate zones where incompatible drugs might interact.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve acts as a controlled intermediary device that manages the flow from multiple drug inlet ports to the common outlet. The internal structure of the valve serves as a mediator that ensures only one drug fluid path is active at a time, preventing incompatible drugs from mixing while still allowing sequential administration of multiple drugs through the same device.
3Reliability
If complex priming and flushing procedures are used to prevent drug incompatibility, then drug safety is improved, but the ease of operation and risk of human error decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The valve internally segments the fluid pathways for each drug inlet port, creating distinct, isolated channels that prevent mixing. This segmentation is built into the valve structure itself, eliminating the need for complex external priming and flushing procedures. The segmented design maintains drug safety while simplifying operation, as the segmentation is automatic and requires no manual intervention.
4Device complexity
If a single valve with multiple drug inlet ports is used, then the number of connection points is reduced, but ensuring proper fluid flow control becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The valve incorporates local quality features such as check valves or flow directors at each drug inlet port to ensure proper flow control. Each inlet port is designed with specific local characteristics that guide fluid flow in the correct direction, making flow control intuitive and detectable. This localized design approach simplifies the overall fluid management while maintaining precise control over which drug flows through the common outlet.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
A valve for administering a plurality of drug fluids to a patient is disclosed. For each drug fluid, the valve may be rotated into a selected drug position associated with the drug fluid. With the valve being in the selected drug position, a backpriming may be performed of a connector line of a drug container containing the drug fluid. Thereafter, the drug fluid may be administered with the valve being in the same selected drug position. Thereafter, the valve may be flushed, optionally while maintaining the same selected valve position.