Self-Flushing Valve for IV Access Port Air Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Needleless access ports in IV sets often trap air during setup, requiring manual flushing and risking residual medical fluid administration errors, as the internal space is not fully flushed with liquid initially, leading to incomplete delivery of secondary medical fluids and potential overdoses.
Innovation Solution
A self-flushing valve design with a needleless access port that directs fluid flow through the internal space, ensuring all air is displaced by liquid during setup and allowing the entire volume of medical fluid to reach the patient without manual flushing, using a rotatable element and self-sealing membrane to actuate the access port with a Luer fitting, ensuring complete fluid flow and reducing residual fluid risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a needleless access port with internal space is used in an IV set, then the access port can be actuated by a Luer fitting for administering secondary medical fluids, but the internal space traps air during setup and requires manual flushing
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is pre-configured with flow paths that automatically direct primary medical fluid to flush the internal space of the access port during initial setup, eliminating the need for manual flushing operations by caregivers
2Reliability
If manual flushing is performed to clear air from the access port internal space, then air is expelled from the IV set, but additional manipulation increases infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-flushing where the primary medical fluid automatically flows through the access port internal space to clear air, eliminating the need for caregiver manipulation and associated infection risks
3Ease of manufacture
If the access port internal space is not flushed with liquid during setup, then setup is simpler, but residual air remains in the internal space
Solution Approach 1:
The valve design ensures continuous flow of primary medical fluid through the access port internal space during setup, maintaining fluid presence to displace air without interrupting the setup process
4Measurement precision
If a second syringe with flushing fluid is connected to flush the access port, then the entire dose of secondary medical fluid reaches the patient, but the procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access port internal space is pre-flushed with primary medical fluid during initial setup, so when secondary medical fluid is administered later, it flows directly to the patient without requiring additional flushing time
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 eliminates the need for manual flushing, ensuring complete delivery of medical fluids and reducing the risk of overdose by automatically flushing the access port with the primary medical fluid, simplifying caregiver procedures and enhancing patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
self-sealing membrane to actuate the access port with a Luer fitting
Implementation Method 2
directs fluid flow through the internal space, ensuring all air is displaced by liquid during setup
Implementation Method 3
The inlet is selectively coupled to the outlet through the interior space such that fluid entering the inlet entirely flows through the interior space to the outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A valve is disclosed that has a body with an inlet, an outlet, and a needleless access port coupled to the body. The access port has an interior space and is configured to be actuated by a needleless connector. The inlet is selectively coupled to the outlet through the interior space such that fluid entering the inlet entirely flows through the interior space to the outlet.