Split Valve Assembly for Sterile Material Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional split valves lose sterility when split and re-docked, leading to potential contamination during material transfer in sterile environments, particularly in pharmaceutical and biotech industries, due to exposure of critical surfaces and failure of valve seals, which compromises containment and operator safety.
Innovation Solution
A split valve assembly with complementary valve portions that allow for in situ sterilization or decontamination before docking, featuring a mechanism for cleaning the sealing surface, such as over-rotation of the valve closure member or protuberances, to ensure a secure seal and prevent contamination, maintaining sterility throughout multiple dockings and undockings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the valve is split into two halves for cleaning and sterilization, then the internal surfaces can be accessed for decontamination, but the critical sealing surfaces become exposed to the non-sterile atmosphere and lose sterility
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into two separable halves (first and second valve portions) that can be split apart to allow access to internal surfaces for sterilization and decontamination procedures, while maintaining the ability to reassemble and restore sterility
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly includes cleaning mechanisms (such as cleaning members or刮bers) that perform preliminary cleaning of sealing surfaces before the valve is fully assembled, ensuring that surfaces are prepared for sterilization and preventing contamination during the assembly process
2Reliability
If the valve closure member is rotated to clean the sealing surface, then material residue is removed, but the valve mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is merged with the existing valve closure member, which performs both the primary function of closing the valve and the secondary function of cleaning the sealing surface through its rotation motion, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The valve closure member is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the sealing element that closes the valve and as a cleaning element that removes material residue from the sealing surface through its rotational movement during operation
Data Source
AI summary
Valve assembly (10) comprises two valve portions, an upper and lower valve portion (12,24), each having a valve housing indicated generally at (16,18) which are generally annular and a valve closure member (20,20′) which is pivotally mounted within the housing. The valve closure member (20,20′) is in the form of an annular disc and is provided with spindles (22,22′) by means of which the valve closure member is pivotally mounted within the housing. The valve closure member (20,20′) and the spindles (22,22′) are machined from a single piece of metal.