Adaptive Check Valve for Specialized Environments

Publication ID: 24-11857761_0004_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Specialized Variations & Niche Solutions

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptive Check Valve for Specialized Environments,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857761_0004_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857761_0004_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,761.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

An innovative check valve designed for high-pressure, cryogenic, high-security, and extreme weather conditions, providing reliable fluid flow and addressing the limitations of traditional check valves.

Background and Problem Solved

Traditional check valves are often limited in their ability to operate in specialized environments, such as high-pressure medical applications, cryogenic storage, high-security facilities, or extreme weather conditions. These limitations can lead to compromised fluid flow, contamination, or even system failure. The present inventive concept addresses these limitations by providing adaptive check valve solutions tailored to specific operational environments.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises a family of check valves designed for specialized applications. The first embodiment features a reinforced valve body and a wiping extension capable of withstanding pressures exceeding 10 bar, making it suitable for high-pressure medical applications. The second embodiment is a method for disaster relief, incorporating a portable medical fluid delivery system with the disclosed check valve to ensure reliable fluid flow in harsh environmental conditions. The third embodiment features a thermally insulated valve body and a wiping extension adapted to operate at temperatures below -100°C, ideal for cryogenic medical fluid storage. The fourth embodiment is a system for medical fluid delivery in high-security environments, comprising the disclosed check valve and a secure enclosure to prevent tampering. The fifth embodiment features a weather-resistant valve body and a wiping extension designed to operate in temperatures exceeding 50°C and humidity above 80%, making it suitable for use in extreme weather conditions.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The inventive concept's novelty lies in its adaptability to specific operational environments, which is achieved through the combination of specialized materials, designs, and configurations. The inventive step is the recognition of the need for adaptive check valve solutions and the provision of a family of embodiments that address these needs.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Other embodiments may include check valves with adjustable pressure ratings, modular designs for easy maintenance, or integrated sensors for real-time monitoring. Variations may also include different materials, such as titanium or ceramic, for enhanced durability or corrosion resistance.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and disaster relief. The target markets include hospitals, medical research facilities, and emergency response organizations. The adaptive check valve solutions can provide a competitive advantage in these markets by offering reliable, efficient, and secure fluid flow management.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61M5/16881
A A61 A61M39/24
B B08 B08B1/005
B B08 B08B1/02
F F16 F16K15/02
F F16 F16K15/023
A A61 A61M2039/246
A A61 A61M2209/10

Field of Art

Medical fluid delivery systems, specifically check valve technologies for intravenous sets and medical fluid control mechanisms, involving expertise in fluid dynamics, medical device engineering, and materials science

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced degree, 3-5 years professional experience, familiar with fluid control technologies, medical device standards, and materials performance under varying environmental conditions

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the source patent's fundamental check valve design provides a flexible framework for environmental adaptation. The PTD's variations represent predictable engineering modifications using known techniques of material selection, thermal engineering, and structural reinforcement. These adaptations would be considered routine problem-solving within the technical domain of medical fluid delivery systems.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Valve body with inlet and outlet portions defining a valve cavity
PTD Variation
Reinforced valve body designed to withstand high-pressure medical applications exceeding 10 bar
Obviousness Reasoning
Material selection and structural reinforcement are standard engineering practices for increasing pressure tolerance, representing a predictable design optimization
Source Patent Element
Valve body and wiping extension capable of relative movement
PTD Variation
Thermally insulated valve body and wiping extension adapted for cryogenic temperatures below -100°C
Obviousness Reasoning
Thermal adaptation through material selection is a known technique for extending operational environments, representing a finite set of predictable engineering solutions
Source Patent Element
Check valve with modular components
PTD Variation
Weather-resistant valve body designed to operate in extreme temperatures and high humidity conditions
Obviousness Reasoning
Environmental performance optimization is a routine design challenge with well-established engineering methodologies for material selection and structural modification
Source Patent Element
Valve cavity in fluid communication with inlet portion
PTD Variation
High-security medical fluid delivery system with secure enclosure preventing tampering
Obviousness Reasoning
Security enhancement through additional structural elements represents a predictable design variation addressing known operational constraints
Source Patent Element
Flexible valve body configuration
PTD Variation
Portable medical fluid delivery system for disaster relief applications
Obviousness Reasoning
Adapting medical device technologies for specialized environments is a standard engineering approach with predictable problem-solving strategies
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857761, the present publication demonstrates that the claimed variations in check valve design represent obvious extensions of prior art through routine engineering modifications. A person having ordinary skill in the art would find the disclosed environmental adaptations predictable and achievable through standard materials science and design optimization techniques, thereby rendering potential patent claims obvious and non-patentable.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,761
TitleCheck valve
Assignee(s)CareFusion 303, Inc.