Suction Control Valve With Sliding Member and Locking Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction catheter assemblies face challenges in achieving low cost, efficient operation with minimal risk of blockage and leakage, particularly due to high costs associated with suction control valves.
Innovation Solution
A suction control valve with a slidable valve member, resilient means, and a locking mechanism that includes a rotatable cap to ensure secure sealing and easy operation, featuring a transparent housing for visibility and easy cleaning, and a design that allows for axial sliding motion to minimize kinking risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional suction control valves are used, then flow control function is achieved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into distinct functional components: a body with bores, a separable valve member with sealing means, and a locking mechanism. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual parts while maintaining overall valve reliability through their coordinated assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex traditional valve mechanisms, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple slidable valve member that blocks flow through direct contact with sealing means, controlled by a locking mechanism that switches between locked and unlocked states. This inverted simplicity reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining control reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If simple valve mechanisms are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but risk of blockage and leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member incorporates localized sealing means at the aperture interface, providing enhanced sealing quality precisely where fluid flow control is critical. This local quality enhancement prevents leakage without requiring complex overall valve design, maintaining cost-effectiveness while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed as a disposable component integrated with the catheter assembly, accepting its role as a low-cost, single-use element that prioritizes reliability through simple effective sealing rather than long-term durability, reducing overall system cost while ensuring adequate performance for its intended lifecycle.
3Ease of operation
If valve member is made accessible for operation, then ease of operation improves, but risk of inadvertent actuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism provides dynamic control of the valve member, allowing it to be easily moved between locked and unlocked states by the operator when needed, while automatically maintaining a secure locked position that prevents inadvertent actuation. This dynamic switching capability balances accessibility with protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be engaged or disengaged by preliminary rotational action on the rotatable cap, which then secures or releases the valve member. This preliminary action requires deliberate operator input, preventing accidental activation while maintaining ease of intentional operation.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, low-risk valve assembly that reduces the likelihood of blockages and infections, facilitates easy cleaning, and ensures reliable operation with minimal risk of inadvertent actuation, while being suitable for both single and double lumen catheters.
Implementation Method 1
The valve preferably includes resilient means arranged to urge the valve member to the second position. The resilient means may be a helical spring.
Implementation Method 2
The cylindrical sleeve may have an outwardly-projecting annular flange arranged to make a wiping seal with a bore.
Data Source
AI summary
A suction control valve for a closed system suction catheter has a housing with an inlet bore and an outlet bore inclined at an angle to the inlet bore and opening into the bore via an aperture. A valve member comprises a rod member and a manually actuable plate extending longitudinally in an external channel along the housing between two walls. The rod member supports a resilient sleeve and its forward end is urged, by a spring, to engage a tapered seal within the housing forwardly of the aperture, thereby blocking flow through the valve. The valve is opened by sliding the plate rearwardly so that the valve member moves rearwardly of the aperture. A locking cap can be twisted to prevent movement of the valve member from its closed position.