Rotatable Valve Assembly for Fluid Sampling Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid sampling devices for respiratory systems often lose internal pressure when the catheter or tube is exposed to room air, or require multiple stopcocks to manage fluid flow, which can lead to sample contamination and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow control apparatus with a rotatable valve assembly and ports that maintains internal pressure by allowing interchangeable alignment of passageways and recesses, enabling controlled fluid aspiration and instillation without exposing the catheter to room air, and includes a cap for secure connection to a specimen container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the catheter or tube is exposed to room air during fluid instillation and aspiration, then the sampling procedure can be performed, but internal pressure is lost and sample contamination may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple stopcocks into a single integrated valve assembly that maintains a closed system. The valve body with multiple ports and internal passages allows fluid instillation and aspiration to be performed through one unified device, eliminating the need to disconnect and expose the catheter to room air, thereby maintaining internal pressure and preventing contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly performs multiple functions including fluid instillation, aspiration, and pressure maintenance through a single device. The configurable valve body can be set to different positions to achieve different functions (instillation mode, aspiration mode, or pressure maintenance mode) without requiring separate apparatuses or exposing the system to the external environment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple stopcocks are used to control fluid flow during instillation and aspiration, then fluid direction can be managed, but the device complexity increases and sample contamination risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple stopcock functions into a single valve assembly with a configurable valve body that can direct fluid flow in multiple directions. The valve body contains internal passages that can be aligned with different ports depending on the desired function, eliminating the need for multiple separate stopcocks while maintaining full fluid control capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple stopcocks are required to accomplish fluid instillation and aspiration, then fluid management is possible, but the sampling procedure becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated valve assembly allows both instillation and aspiration functions to be performed through a single device without requiring sequential manipulation of multiple stopcocks. The configurable valve body can be quickly adjusted between different positions to switch between functions, streamlining the sampling procedure and improving efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid flow control apparatus used in medical fluid sampling. The apparatus includes a valve assembly, first and second ports, and a cap. The valve assembly comprises a body rotatably assembled to a housing and defining a passageway and at least two recesses defined by an interior surface of the housing and the body which is formed separate from the passageway. The ports extend from the housing and are configured for connection to medical devices. The valve assembly is operable to interchangeably align the passageway and the recesses with the ports. Finally, the cap is connected to the housing, and forms an opening for coupling to a specimen container.