3D Printed Micro Check Valve for Biomedical Applications

This paper presents development of a novel three dimensional imprinted micro check valve for biomedical applications. Due to its rapid and cost effective fabrication techniques, micro check valve devices are widely used in several areas of the biomedical industry such as intravenous (I.V.) fluid transfusion. The fabrication method consists of SolidWorks modelling and 3D printing steps for prototyping. The micro check valve is a self-controlled valve that relies on pressure change for operation. In this particular design, a sphere was used to prevent any backward flow allowing the pressure change to only initiate a one-way flow. The tests showed that the check valve design allowed for zero backward flow while also allowing flow through the device in the proper direction at a rate of 98.6 μl/sec.