Transfer Catheter Valve Minimizes UV Disinfection Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sterilization methods for peritoneal dialysis connectors are cumbersome and reliant on UV disinfection alone, which can be ineffective without proper components, leading to a high risk of infection and significant healthcare costs due to noncompliance and limited effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A transfer catheter with a valve and UV-transparent cover that combines flushing with UV sterilization, minimizing the volume to be disinfected, allowing for a smaller UV light applicator and improved patient comfort, and ensuring effective disinfection by reducing the need for extensive UV exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV disinfection is used for sterilization of peritoneal dialysis connectors, then disinfection capability is provided, but the system becomes cumbersome and difficult for users to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable sterile barriers and single-use components that eliminate the need for complex reusable sterilization equipment. The transfer catheter system includes pre-sterilized components that maintain sterility through simple protective barriers rather than requiring cumbersome UV disinfection equipment, making the system easier for patients to operate at home.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sterilization function from complex UV disinfection systems and integrates it into simple disposable components. The sterile barrier technology separates the sterilization requirement from the operational components, allowing patients to use simple connection mechanisms without managing complex disinfection equipment.
2Reliability
If UV disinfection is used without proper components, then complete disinfection cannot be achieved, but adding proper components increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable sterile barriers and single-use transfer catheters that come pre-sterilized and packaged. These disposable components eliminate the need for complex reusable sterilization equipment and multiple connectors, achieving complete disinfection through proper manufacturing and packaging rather than complex device assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer catheter system integrates multiple functions into a single disposable component: it provides sterile barrier protection, maintains fluid flow pathways, and enables connection/disconnection operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sterilization equipment and multiple specialized components.
3Reliability
If rigorous aseptic techniques are required for connection, then sterility is maintained, but the procedure becomes time-consuming requiring 20-30 minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pre-sterilized components and pre-assembled transfer catheters that are ready for immediate use. The sterile barriers are pre-applied and sealed during manufacturing, eliminating the need for time-consuming sterilization procedures at the point of use. Patients can quickly connect pre-sterilized components without performing lengthy aseptic techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable nature of the transfer catheter and sterile barriers allows for quick connection and disposal without complex sterilization routines. Each disposable unit is pre-sterilized and can be rapidly connected to the peritoneal dialysis system, reducing connection time while maintaining sterility through the integrity of the disposable barrier rather than time-consuming procedures.
4Ease of operation
If noncompliance with sterilization procedures occurs, then infection risk increases significantly, but simplifying procedures may compromise sterility
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable transfer catheter and sterile barrier system eliminates the need for complex reusable sterilization procedures that are difficult to perform correctly. The pre-sterilized disposable components maintain sterility through their design and packaging rather than requiring patient compliance with complex procedures, significantly reducing infection risk even with simplified user actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to maintain sterility through its own structure and packaging rather than requiring active patient participation in complex sterilization routines. The sterile barriers self-seal and the disposable components maintain their sterile state through design features, reducing the burden on patients while ensuring sterility is maintained.
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 combination of flushing and UV sterilization provides more effective disinfection than UV alone, reducing the risk of peritonitis and improving patient compliance and comfort, while also reducing the size and power requirements of the UV light applicator.
Implementation Method 1
UV light applicator to place over the connection between the transfer catheter and the solution set catheter. The UV light can then be activated to deliver a desired amount of UV light to the catheters.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are devices and methods related to UV disinfection of a transfer catheter during peritoneal dialysis. The transfer catheter comprises a first and second end, the second end comprising a transfer valve. The transfer valve body comprises an inlet, outlet, and a flush hole. The valve core comprises a notch configured to allow fluid flow between the various flow paths. The valve core and body are positioned off axis with respect to the fluid flow path. The transfer catheter can allow for a small volume kill zone, which can minimize the amount of UV required to disinfect the catheter.