Valve Stopper Notch for Viscous Injection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical injection devices with multi-chamber designs face challenges in easily injecting viscous pharmaceutical compositions, requiring high force, leading to user strain and potential mixing of solutions before complete injection, with issues of dead volume and complex valve structures contributing to inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A valve stopper with a membrane and lateral wall configuration that includes a concave proximal face, a notch for pressure-activated fluid path creation, and ribs for sealing, allowing easy injection of the second composition while preventing premature mixing and reducing dead volume through a collapsing mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mobile diaphragm with a small diameter opening is used to separate two chambers, then the mixing of two solutions is prevented, but the injection of the second solution becomes difficult due to high force requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible membrane with a notch instead of a rigid diaphragm with a small opening. The membrane can deform under pressure to open the notch for solution passage, while maintaining sealing when closed. This flexible structure reduces the force needed for injection compared to forcing solution through a small rigid opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane transitions from a static closed state to a dynamic open state under pressure. The notch in the membrane allows it to deform and create a fluid path when pressure is applied, enabling easy injection of the second solution while maintaining sealing when not in use.
2Reliability
If a complex valve structure is used to control fluid flow, then mixing of solutions is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the valve function from a separate complex mechanical structure and integrates it directly into the membrane itself. The notch in the membrane serves as both the sealing element and the valve mechanism, eliminating the need for additional valve components and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane performs multiple functions: it separates the two chambers, provides sealing, and acts as a pressure-activated valve. The single component with the notch integrates what would traditionally require separate elements, simplifying the device while maintaining reliability.
3Strength
If a rigid stopper structure is used to separate chambers, then structural strength is maintained, but dead volume increases and collapsing is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid stopper structure with a flexible membrane that can collapse. This membrane maintains sufficient strength for chamber separation and sealing while allowing collapse to reduce dead volume. The lateral wall provides structural support where needed while permitting membrane deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper structure transitions from a static rigid form to a dynamic collapsible membrane. The membrane can deform and collapse under pressure to minimize residual volume, while the lateral wall and sealing surfaces maintain structural integrity during normal 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
Facilitates easier injection of viscous compositions with reduced force requirements, minimizes solution mixing, and decreases dead volume, enhancing user safety and efficiency by optimizing the valve stopper design for sequential composition delivery.
Implementation Method 1
the notch being configured to selectively create a fluid path through the membrane from the proximal face to the distal face depending on the pressure exerted by a composition onto the proximal face of the membrane
Implementation Method 2
the proximal face of the membrane presents a concave shape
Implementation Method 3
the lateral wall comprising a circumferential sealing surface configured to sealingly engage the inner surface of the barrel
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve stopper configured to be positioned inside a barrel of an injection device for injecting a composition through a distal, including: a membrane having a proximal and distal face, the membrane being configured to separate a, distal chamber of the barrel from a proximal chamber; a lateral wall extending from the membrane to define a distal cavity, the lateral wall having a circumferential sealing surface configured to sealingly engage the inner surface of the barrel; where the proximal face presents a concave shape and the membrane includes a notch extending through the membrane between the proximal and distal face, being configured to selectively create a fluid path through the membrane from the proximal face to the distal face depending on the pressure exerted by a composition onto the proximal face of the membrane for transferring fluid only from the second chamber to the first.