Side-Ported Septum Valve for Low-Force Accurate Drug Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valves face challenges in achieving low actuation force while maintaining accuracy in fluid delivery, as they often displace fluid during operation, and O-ring-based seals at the micro/miniature scale exhibit variable force due to molding tolerances, leading to dose accuracy issues.
Innovation Solution
The development of a valve system using a side ported tube pierced through septa, which allows for controlled seal force and maintains fluid displacement, utilizing a septum or septa to create low force, non-displacement valves, enabling precise fluid handling without unintended flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional valves use material intrusion to close fluid path, then valve size can be reduced, but fluid displacement occurs causing dose accuracy issues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the fluid path itself and places it on the valve tube exterior through O-ring seals. The valve tube moves along the fluid path without intruding into it, while O-rings on the tube exterior provide sealing by compressing against the valve body bore, preventing fluid displacement while maintaining small valve size.
Solution Approach 2:
O-ring seals act as intermediaries between the valve tube and valve body, providing the sealing function without requiring the valve tube to intrude into the fluid path. The O-rings transfer the sealing action from direct fluid path intrusion to external compression sealing.
2Volume of moving object
If O-ring based seals are used at micro/miniature scale, then valve size is reduced, but molding tolerances cause variable seal force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different material properties to different parts: the valve tube uses a harder material (durometer 40-70 Shore A) that maintains dimensional stability, while the O-rings use a softer material (durometer 20-40 Shore A) that provides consistent sealing. This local differentiation compensates for molding tolerances in the rigid valve tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the durometer parameter of the O-ring material to be softer than the valve tube, creating a compliant sealing element that can accommodate dimensional variations. The specific durometer range (20-40 Shore A) provides optimal balance between sealing force consistency and low actuation force.
3Volume of moving object
If valve components are made smaller, then device size is reduced, but actuation force becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter (durometer) of the O-rings to be softer, which allows smaller valve components to maintain consistent actuation force. The softer O-rings deform more uniformly under actuation pressure, compensating for the reduced size and maintaining force consistency.
4Ease of operation
If conventional valves are designed for low actuation force, then ease of operation improves, but fluid displacement occurs reducing dosing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the fluid path and places it on the valve tube exterior through O-rings. This allows the valve tube to move freely with low actuation force while the O-rings maintain sealing without displacing fluid, achieving both ease of operation and dose accuracy.
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 system operates with low actuation force and maintains fluid displacement, ensuring accurate dosing and reducing the variability in seal force, suitable for wearable drug delivery devices, by using septa to control seal force instead of O-rings, thus addressing the limitations of traditional O-ring seals at the micro/miniature scale.
Implementation Method 1
The septum may be positioned within the valve body... The tube may be positioned through the valve body and the first septum and the second septum
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are examples of valve systems and methods of operating the respective valve systems. An example valve system may include a valve body, an inlet component, an outlet component and a valve tube. The valve body may include a first void and a second void. The inlet component may be coupled to the first void and the outlet component may be coupled to the second void. The valve tube may include a side port and may be positioned through the valve body and coupled to the first void, the inlet component, the second void, and the outlet component. Other valve system examples may include including a valve body, a first septum, a second septum, a first piston, a second piston and a tube. The disclosed methods describe the interaction of the respective components of the respective valve system example.