Subcutaneous Valve Rotor Cam Stress Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subcutaneous valves for therapeutic applications, such as treating hydrocephaly, lack a simple and adjustable mechanism to regulate fluid passage through implanted prostheses or systems, limiting the range of pressures and stresses that can be applied.
Innovation Solution
A subcutaneous valve design featuring a rotor with a cam-forming surface and a resilient return member, such as a spring blade, that allows for independent operation and adjustable stress on the shutter member, enabling precise control of fluid passage without the need for complex rotor components or sliding shutter members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the resilient return member is fixed to the rotor, then the rotor structure can be simplified, but the ability to independently adjust stress on the shutter member is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient return member is segmented into two functional parts: one end is fixed to the valve body while the other end independently contacts the shutter member. This segmentation allows the return member to independently adjust stress on the shutter member without being constrained by rotor complexity, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adjustment capability.
2Force
If the spring blade extends over a large angular sector, then it can provide sufficient stress, but the valve size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring blade is designed with a curved geometry that concentrates its active length over a compact angular sector (e.g., 90° or less). The curved shape allows the blade to generate sufficient stress through its elastic deformation within a small angular range, maintaining force output while minimizing the angular space occupied and thus reducing overall valve size.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shutter member slides relative to the spring blade, then adjustment is possible, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical sliding adjustment mechanism with a cam-forming surface on the rotor that interacts with the resilient return member. As the rotor rotates, the cam surface passively modulates the stress applied by the spring blade to the shutter member, achieving fluid passage regulation without requiring the shutter member to slide relative to the spring blade, thus reducing mechanism complexity.
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
This design allows for a broad range of pressures and stresses to be achieved, enhancing the control over fluid delivery and passage, and simplifies the rotor structure while maintaining precise adjustment capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient return member arranged to hold the shutter member against the inlet orifice so as to regulate the passage of liquid through said inlet orifice
Implementation Method 2
The resilient return member may comprise a spring blade, in particular a curved spring blade, having a free end that comes to bear against the shutter member with predetermined stress
Implementation Method 3
the rotor has a cam-forming surface, and wherein the resilient return member bears against said surface of the rotor by forming a moving contact with said surface
Data Source
AI summary
A subcutaneous valve having a body defining a chamber and including an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice opening out into the chamber, a shutter member suitable for closing the inlet orifice, at least in part, a resilient return member configured to hold the shutter member against the inlet orifice to regulate the passage of liquid through said inlet orifice, and a rotor housed in the chamber having a cam-forming surface, the resilient return member bearing against the cam-forming surface of the rotor by forming a moving contact with this surface.