Device optimisation with new compact cartridge valve

Medical devices, especially portable ones, are becoming more compact for ease of professional and patient use. Whereas traditionally valves would sit on top of the manifold in a pneumatic medical device, the Type 6164 allows for fully sunken or half sunken integration into the manifold itself, which delivers space savings.

Such placement is enabled thanks to its cylindrical design with integrated fluid interfaces. This allows OEMs to deliver new devices on a more compact footprint, while still offering the same performance.

Weight is another key concern, especially for devices such as oxygen concentrators. These devices are portable and operated by the patient, so by reducing overall weight via the Type 6164, OEMs can deliver more ergonomic designs that are an easier day to day companion.

This also applies to tourniquets and deep vein thrombosis therapy machines, which are both designed to apply pressure to affect blood flow. Smaller pneumatic valves again translate to a more compact, lightweight device which is more comfortable for the patient and more ergonomic for the specialist.

Reducing noise in treatment centres is proven to boost recovery, and this is another area where the Type 6164 delivers. Its switching noise is rated at 42dB, which ensures that patient comfort is improved during treatment. This helps to secure the tranquillity of an operating environment also.

The Type 6164 delivers a ten percent overall energy saving compared to a standard valve, offering a power consumption of less than 0.7W. This lower power requirement is a huge benefit for portable devices that run on batteries, such as oxygen concentrators. OEMs can maximise this advantage by downsizing batteries while still delivering equivalent performance, which again, presents another opportunity to optimise packaging.

For critical medical devices, reliability is incredibly important. The Type 6164 meets this demand thanks to stringent reliability testing, which has enabled a 100 million switch life cycle. This allows operators to run devices for longer, while delivering the same quiet performance.

Beyond the medical industry, the Type 6164 is suited to any application that requires a pneumatic pilot valve. The body of the valve itself is manufactured from highly durable PEEK, while the seal is made from FKM. Operating voltages of either 12 or 24VDC can be specified, along with orifice sizes from 0.5 to 1.2mm. The standard Type 6164 variant provides a pressure range from -0.8 to 9 bar.

For a truly tailored solution, the Type 6164 can also be specified via Bürkert’s Systemhaus, which provides bespoke fluid control systems to the performance requirements of each individual customer.