Suction Irrigation Valve Assemblies with Conical Plunger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical irrigation and aspiration devices lack independent control of irrigation and suction, often activating both simultaneously, provide limited flow control, are opaque, and have awkward tube orientations, making it difficult to achieve precise flow rates and visualize aspirated substances.
Innovation Solution
A medical implement with a handpiece, aligned adjacent valve assemblies, a rocker, and a hub, allowing separate control of suction and irrigation, precise flow control through a conical plunger, and transparent body for visualization, along with a rotatable hub for adjusting tube orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate valves control irrigation and suction with actuators located apart, then the risk of simultaneous activation is reduced, but the manipulation and control become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate irrigation and suction actuators into a single integrated rocker switch mechanism. The rocker switch has distinct zones that can be independently activated - one zone controls irrigation while another controls suction, allowing separate control functions to be merged into a unified actuator structure that reduces manipulation complexity while maintaining prevention of simultaneous activation through mechanical design
2Device complexity
If a linear valve is used for flow control, then the structure is simple, but precise control at low flow rates is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a needle valve mechanism where a conical needle engages with a threaded adjustment mechanism. This allows continuous variation of the flow opening size through precise rotational adjustment, transforming discrete linear positions into continuous flow rate control. The conical geometry provides progressive opening that enables precise control at low flow rates while maintaining structural simplicity
3Ease of manufacture
If the instrument body is opaque, then manufacturing is simpler, but visualization of aspirated substances is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a transparent or translucent section in the instrument body, specifically in the handle or housing near the suction port. This transparent window allows direct visual observation of the aspirated effluent, enabling the practitioner to see blood, debris, or other substances being removed without adding complex electronic visualization systems, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while providing necessary visual information
4Ease of manufacture
If the applicator tube has a fixed curved configuration, then manufacturing is easier, but reaching certain cavity portions becomes awkward
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a flexible or articulating section in the applicator tube that allows the tube to bend and adjust its orientation dynamically during use. This flexible section enables the practitioner to reach difficult-to-access portions of the cavity by manually manipulating the tube's curvature, while the remaining fixed portions maintain manufacturing simplicity. The flexible segment acts as a dynamic element that adapts to different procedural needs
Data Source
AI summary
A suction and irrigation implement includes a handpiece, a pair of aligned adjacent valve assemblies, a rocker and a hub. The body may be transparent to allow visualization of aspirated substances. The valve assemblies include a plunger with a conical core that increases the area of the valve opening with increased depression. The rocker, a pivoting actuator, opens one valve assembly at a time, thereby preventing simultaneous irrigation and suction. A suction and irrigation tube connects to the hub, which may be rotated to adjust the orientation of the tube, while the implement is in use. Detents define specific orientations.