Medical Suction Handle with Integrated Thumb-Control Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical suction handles often include unnecessary separate components for variable suction control, leading to waste and increased costs, as not all users require this feature.
Innovation Solution
A medical suction handle with a hand-graspable housing and integrated on/off valve and thumb-control port, allowing users to selectively control suction strength without additional components, using a ball valve and L-shaped slot for intuitive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate thumb-port suction control component is included in the suction handle, then variable suction control capability is improved, but device complexity and material waste increase for users who do not require this feature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the on/off valve and variable suction control thumb port into a single integrated valve assembly. The ball valve mechanism incorporates both the main suction pathway control and the variable control pathway within one component, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve assembly serves multiple functions: it provides complete on/off suction control through the main pathway, enables variable suction adjustment through the thumb port, and can be selectively engaged or disengaged. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate thumb-port suction control component is prepackaged with the suction handle, then variable suction control is improved, but manufacturing cost and material waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the on/off valve and thumb port into a single integrated valve assembly, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, stocked, and packaged. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces material costs while maintaining the option for variable suction control.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal design of the integrated valve assembly allows it to provide both on/off control and variable control functionality in a single component, eliminating the need to manufacture and prepackage separate variable control components for all handles, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for suction control, then suction control functionality is improved, but setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple suction control functions into a single integrated valve assembly that can be attached to the suction handle in one action. This eliminates the need to assemble multiple separate components during setup, significantly reducing preparation time while maintaining full suction control functionality.
4Ease of operation
If an integrated valve assembly with selective engagement is used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a ball valve mechanism where a spherical element rotates within the valve assembly to control suction pathways. This spherical design provides intuitive operation through simple rotational motion and ensures reliable sealing through the geometry of the ball and its interaction with valve seats, while maintaining a compact structure.
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
Reduces costs and setup time by eliminating the need for multiple components, providing intuitive and reliable suction control that can be easily switched on and off, while allowing for variable suction adjustment as needed.
Implementation Method 1
An on/off valve disposed at least partially within the primary suction pathway selectively opens the primary suction pathway and occludes the primary suction pathway
Implementation Method 2
A user-engageable pneumatic pathway selectively engaged pneumatically couples the primary suction pathway to the secondary external port
Implementation Method 3
using a ball valve and L-shaped slot for intuitive operation
Data Source
AI summary
A medical personal-services suction handle includes a hand-graspable housing and a primary suction pathway disposed through the hand-graspable housing and having a suction line port at one end and an intake port at an opposing end thereof. An on/off valve disposed at least partially within the primary suction pathway has a user-manipulable interface by which the on/off valve selectively opens the primary suction pathway and occludes the primary suction pathway. A user-engageable pneumatic pathway serves, when selectively engaged, to pneumatically couple the primary suction pathway to a secondary external port in the hand-graspable housing such that suction is applied via the primary suction pathway to both the intake port and the secondary external port. By one approach the secondary external port comprises a thumb-control port.