Enhanced Check Valve with Particulate Removal and Sensing

Publication ID: 24-11857761_0006_PTD

Published: November 07, 2025

Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Check Valve with Particulate Removal and Sensing,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857761_0006_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857761_0006_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 improved check valve design incorporating particulate removal and sensing features to enhance fluid flow safety and efficiency in medical applications.

Background and Problem Solved

The original check valve patent, while effective in preventing backflow, lacks mechanisms to address particulate matter accumulation, which can compromise fluid flow and patient safety. This new inventive concept solves this problem by integrating particulate removal and sensing features, ensuring a safer and more efficient fluid delivery system.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced check valve comprises a valve body defining a valve cavity, which incorporates a filter mesh or spiral-shaped wiping extension to capture and remove particulate matter. Additionally, the valve cavity may include a sensor to detect particulate matter, triggering the wiping extension to remove the detected particles. The wiping extension can be modular and removable, allowing for easy replacement and cleaning. Furthermore, the valve cavity can be designed with an adjustable wiping extension length to accommodate varying fluid flow rates and particulate sizes.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The integration of particulate removal and sensing features in the check valve, as described in the new claims, represents a significant improvement over the original patent. The inventive step lies in the combination of these features, which enables real-time particulate detection and removal, ensuring a higher level of fluid flow safety and efficiency.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include different filter mesh materials, varying spiral shapes and sizes, or alternative sensing technologies. Additionally, the wiping extension could be designed with different materials or geometries to optimize particulate removal efficiency.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced check valve has significant commercial potential in the medical industry, particularly in applications involving fluid delivery systems, such as IV sets, dialysis machines, and surgical instruments. The improved safety and efficiency features can reduce the risk of patient complications, minimize equipment downtime, and enhance overall healthcare outcomes.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
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

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Medical fluid handling systems, specifically intravenous (IV) check valve design, involving medical device engineering, fluid dynamics, and particulate filtration technologies

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer with expertise in medical device design, fluid mechanics, and medical fluid transfer systems, possessing knowledge of valve mechanisms, filtration techniques, and medical safety standards

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's particulate removal and sensing features represent predictable engineering improvements to the existing check valve design. The integration of filtering and sensing mechanisms into a check valve follows established design optimization principles in medical fluid handling systems. The variations demonstrate standard problem-solving approaches for enhancing fluid safety and device functionality.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Valve body with inlet and outlet portions defining a valve cavity

PTD Variation

Adding a filter mesh within the valve cavity to capture particulate matter

Obviousness Reasoning

Incorporating filtration into fluid transfer systems is a known technique for improving fluid purity, and a PHOSITA would find it obvious to modify the existing valve cavity design to include particulate filtering

Source Patent Element

Valve body with movable components

PTD Variation

Introducing a wiping extension that can remove captured particulates

Obviousness Reasoning

Self-cleaning mechanisms are predictable design improvements in fluid handling systems, and the modular/adjustable wiping extension represents a routine engineering solution to particulate management

Source Patent Element

Valve body with fluid communication pathways

PTD Variation

Integrating a sensor to detect particulate matter within the valve cavity

Obviousness Reasoning

Adding sensing capabilities to medical devices is a well-established approach for enhancing safety, and a PHOSITA would find it obvious to incorporate monitoring technologies into existing valve designs

Source Patent Element

Rotatable and movable valve components

PTD Variation

Creating a removable and replaceable wiping extension

Obviousness Reasoning

Modular design approaches are common in medical device engineering, allowing for easier maintenance and customization of component functionality

Source Patent Element

Valve body with fluid transfer capabilities

PTD Variation

Implementing an adjustable wiping extension length for different particulate sizes

Obviousness Reasoning

Adaptive design features that accommodate varying operational conditions represent standard problem-solving approaches in medical device engineering

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857761, the claimed variations in the published technical disclosure would be considered obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art. The incremental improvements in particulate detection, removal, and valve design represent predictable engineering solutions that do not rise to the level of non-obvious innovation, thereby establishing this disclosure as valid prior art rendering subsequent similar claims obvious.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,857,761
Title	Check valve
Assignee(s)	CareFusion 303, Inc.