Sampling Port With Offset Channels And Self-Flushing Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prior art sampling ports in fluid transfer sets can interfere with blood pressure signals and require substantial manipulation, especially in critical care applications where arterial blood pressure monitoring is necessary, and often utilize stop-cocks that complicate the sampling process.

Innovation Solution

A sampling port design featuring a hub with offset fluid channels and an elastomeric valve member that allows for self-flushing without the need for stop-cocks, ensuring effective fluid flow and minimizing interference with pressure monitoring systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If prior art sampling ports are used, then sampling function is provided, but they interfere with blood pressure signals from the pressure transducer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood pressure signal accuracyVSAvoidinterference with pressure signal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid channel is divided into multiple segments: a first fluid channel for pressure monitoring and a second fluid channel for sampling. This segmentation allows the sampling function to be separated from the pressure monitoring path, eliminating interference while maintaining both functions independently and simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If stop-cocks are used in sampling ports, then sampling capability is provided, but substantial manipulation is required from the medical practitioner

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesampling operation simplicityVSAvoidstop-cock manipulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stop-cock mechanism is completely removed from the sampling port design. Instead, a simple valve member with a valve opening is used that can be opened by pressing a button or pushing the valve member, eliminating the complex stop-cock manipulation while maintaining the sampling function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve operation mechanism is changed from complex stop-cock rotation to simple linear pressing or pushing motion. This parameter change in the operating mechanism simplifies the user interaction while achieving the same valve control function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If sampling ports are included in fluid transfer sets, then sampling function is added, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesampling capabilityVSAvoidfluid transfer set structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sampling port is merged with the hub of the fluid transfer set, integrating the sampling function directly into the existing structure. The hub contains both the first fluid channel for pressure monitoring and the second fluid channel for sampling, combining multiple functions in a single integrated component rather than separate assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design enhances flushing efficiency and maintains unobstructed pressure monitoring, eliminating the need for manual manipulation and stop-cock valves, thereby simplifying the sampling process and ensuring continuous, accurate fluid transfer.

Implementation Method 1

a valve member that normally closes the proximal opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3057650B1Sampling port
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 NP MEDICAL INC
  • EP3057650B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3057650B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3057650B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sampling port includes a hub having a body that forms a hub chamber for containing a fluid. The hub also has a proximal opening to the hub chamber for receiving a medical implement, and the hub chamber has a valve member that normally closes the opening. The valve member has a valve wall forming a valve interior. The sampling port also has a first and second fluid channel formed by the hub body and in fluid communication with the hub chamber. The first and second channels have radial portions and proximally extending portions with proximally extending longitudinal axes. The proximally extending longitudinal axes form a plane therebetween that diverges from the longitudinal axis of the first fluid channel.