Valve Assembly Torque Limiter Spike Valve Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical valve assemblies are inadequate for use with luer connectors that have spike valves or lack a central spike, as they require compressing resilient members or rigid internal components, which limits their applicability and ease of operation.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with an outer housing and inner housing that allows longitudinal movement, featuring a central boss and a deformable or rigid sealing pin, along with a torque limiter mechanism, enabling secure connection and easy operation with luer connectors, including those with spike valves, by resisting rotational movement until sufficient force is applied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid internal member is used to close the luer tip, then the valve can be operated by simple displacement, but it cannot be used with spike valve connectors since the internal member cannot be displaced by the central spike
Solution Approach 1:
The internal member is changed from rigid to resilient, allowing it to be dynamically displaced by the central spike of spike valve connectors. The resilient member can elastically deform to accommodate the spike while maintaining the valve closing function, thus enabling compatibility with both spike and non-spike connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The material property of the internal member is changed from rigid to resilient, allowing it to undergo elastic deformation. This parameter change enables the member to be displaced by the central spike of spike valve connectors while still maintaining its valve closing capability through elastic recovery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a resilient member is used to open the valve by elastic displacement, then the valve can be used with spike connectors, but it cannot be used with connectors that lack a central spike
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be displaced by the central spike of spike connectors to open the valve, and it can also be compressed by the body of non-spike connectors to achieve the same effect. This universal design allows the valve to work with both types of connectors using the same opening mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member's elastic properties allow it to respond dynamically to different activation methods - whether pushed by a central spike or compressed by the connector body. The member deforms elastically in response to either stimulus, making the valve universally operable while maintaining simple operation across different connector types.
3Reliability
If the valve is designed to connect securely before opening, then sealing is ensured, but the operation becomes more complex requiring compression before opening
Solution Approach 1:
The connection and valve opening actions are merged into a single continuous motion. As the connector is inserted and threaded, the resilient member is progressively compressed and then released in sequence, automatically opening the valve without requiring a separate compression step. This combines secure connection and valve opening into one unified operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member is pre-positioned in a compressed state during connector insertion, and the valve opening action is automatically triggered as a preliminary result of the connection process itself. The threading motion naturally compresses and then releases the resilient member, ensuring the valve is opened before fluid flow begins, without requiring additional user actions.
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 valve assembly ensures secure connection and easy operation with various luer connectors, allowing fluid flow regulation while maintaining a fluid-tight seal, and can be used with both spike and non-spike connectors, enhancing usability in medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member is elastically displaced from a sealing position against a distal end of a tubular passage using the spike protruding from the spike valve
Implementation Method 2
arranged complementary camming elements on the outside surface of the inner housing and on the inside surface of the outer housing
Data Source
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AI summary
A valve assembly including a housing having a base and an outer shell, which forms a proximal cavity and a distal cavity joined by a canal; an inner housing configured for longitudinal movement within the distal cavity; a seal positioned within the distal cavity that together with the longitudinal movement of the inner housing regulates the flow of fluid through the valve assembly; and one or more selected from the group consisting of the base notched with one or more notches and the inner housing having one or more through slots aligned to permit access to the one or more notches, the seal being a reversibly deformable sealing pin, and a torque limiter mechanism configured to resist the longitudinal movement of the inner housing distally until a sufficient radial force is applied.