Self-Repairing Valve Body Coating for Repeated Catheter Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve bodies for sheath introducers and connector members in catheter procedures are prone to damage when multiple types of medical elongated bodies with different specifications are inserted, leading to complications, prolonged procedure times, and increased costs due to the need for replacement.
Innovation Solution
A valve body with a self-repairing material and a coating layer that prevents the gap from closing, allowing easy insertion and maintaining sealing performance even after repeated use, featuring a self-repairing polymer and a silicone-based coating to inhibit re-adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional valve body is used for repeated insertion of medical elongated bodies, then the valve body structure is simple, but the valve body gets damaged leading to loss of sealing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the material composition of the valve body, incorporating a self-repairing polymer (e.g., polyurethane with reversible bonds) that changes the material's structural parameters to enable automatic repair of damaged areas, thereby maintaining sealing performance despite repeated mechanical stress from insertions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining the self-repairing polymer with a coating layer having different mechanical properties (e.g., silicone-based coating). This composite structure allows the bulk material to provide self-repair capability while the coating layer provides enhanced surface durability and reduced adhesion, collectively improving both strength and sealing performance
2Reliability
If the valve body gap closes due to self-repair, then the sealing performance is maintained, but the insertion of medical elongated bodies becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing the coating layer only on specific regions of the valve body surface (e.g., inner surface of the hub or areas adjacent to the gap) rather than uniformly across the entire valve body. This localized coating maintains the gap openness for easy insertion while the uncovered areas provide sealing function through self-repair
Solution Approach 2:
The coating layer acts as an intermediary substance between the medical elongated body and the valve body gap. It prevents direct contact and adhesion between the elongated body and the gap edges, allowing smooth insertion while the underlying self-repairing polymer maintains sealing by repairing any damage to the coating layer itself
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 valve body maintains sealing performance and facilitates smooth insertion of medical elongated bodies by repairing minor damages, reducing procedure time and costs associated with replacements.
Implementation Method 1
The main body portion contains a self-repairing material that allows self-repairing damage formed by contact with the medical elongated body
Implementation Method 2
At least a part of the inner surface of the insertion portion is provided with a coating layer that prevents the gap from being closed by self-repair in a state in which portions of the inner surface of the insertion portion are in contact with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A valve body and a medical instrument provided with the valve body can stably maintain sealing performance for preventing air/blood leakage while maintaining a smooth insertion feeling even when various types of medical devices are repeatedly inserted and removed. The valve body includes a main body portion having oppositely facing first and second surfaces, an outer peripheral surface extending between the first and second surfaces, and an insertion portion having an inner surface defining a gap that allows insertion of a medical device and formed at least on the first surface. The main body portion contains a self-repairing material that allows self-repairing damage resulting from contact with the medical device. At least part of the inner surface of the insertion portion is provided with a coating layer that prevents the gap from being closed by self-repair when portions of the inner surface of the insertion portion contact each other.