Valved Connector Passive Seal Actuation for Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current valved connectors are cumbersome and non-intuitive, often allowing unrestricted fluid flow or requiring complex mechanisms to control fluid passage, limiting their use in various medical procedures and preventing the introduction of guide wires without removing them first.
Innovation Solution
A valved connector with a seal engagement apparatus that allows fluid passage through a lumen, enabling coupling with secondary devices like catheters or needles, and allowing instruments like needles or cannulas to open the valve without additional apparatus, facilitating flexible and intuitive fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stop cock mechanism is used to control fluid passage, then fluid flow control is achieved, but the device becomes cumbersome and complicated to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the stop cock mechanism entirely and replaces it with a passive valve system where the valve member is directly actuated by insertion of a needle or catheter through the valve seat, eliminating the cumbersome handle and linkage mechanism while maintaining fluid flow control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system is designed to be self-actuating through the insertion instrument itself. When a needle or catheter is inserted through the valve seat, it directly pushes the valve member to open the flow path without requiring any additional operating mechanism, making the system self-serving and operationally simple
2Adaptability or versatility
If a luer connector is used to actuate the valve, then fluid passage is controlled, but the device cannot accommodate needles or other instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat is designed with a circular opening that can accommodate multiple types of instruments including needles, catheters, and guide wires. The valve member responds to insertion of any of these instruments in the same manner, making the system universally compatible while maintaining simple operation through direct insertion actuation
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system separates the actuation function (insertion of instrument through valve seat) from the control function (valve member movement). This segmentation allows different instrument types to perform the actuation function while the valve member uniformly performs the control function, achieving both versatility and simplicity
3Ease of operation
If the connector allows unrestricted fluid flow, then ease of operation is improved, but fluid management control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system automatically responds to the presence or absence of an insertion instrument. When no instrument is present, the valve member blocks the flow path. When an instrument is inserted, the valve member is pushed open to allow flow. This self-service mechanism provides reliable control while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates complex control mechanisms and relies on the fundamental presence or absence of an insertion instrument to control fluid flow. This extraction of unnecessary components achieves both unrestricted flow when needed and reliable control when required
4Adaptability or versatility
If a guide wire is positioned within the patient, then access is established, but the connector cannot be threaded over the guide wire
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat's circular opening and the valve member's design allow guide wires to pass through the valve system while maintaining sealing capability. The valve member can be actuated by the guide wire insertion just as it would be by a needle or catheter, making the system universally compatible with different access instruments without increasing procedural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A valved connector configured to control the leakage of bodily fluid from within a patient. The valved connector including a seal positioned within a lumen of the body of the valved connector. The distal end of the valved connector is adapted to permit access to, or coupling of an apparatus. A proximal end is adapted to be threadably coupled to a secondary device. The needless connector valve being configured to be openable by a dilator or post of an apparatus which is connected to the proximal end of the needleless connector. In the event that a luer coupler or other secondary apparatus is not available, a needle, cannula, trocar, or other instrument can be threaded through the main lumen of the valved connector opening the valve and allowing the passage of fluid directly through the needle, trocar, cannula, or other instrument.