Valve with smart handle

• US 20040045608A1
• Filed: 05/15/2003
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mallinckrodt Critical Care Finance Inc (Mallinckrodt plc), Mallinckrodt Pharma Ip Trading DAC (Mallinckrodt plc), Therakos, Inc (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Original Assignee: Ventek, Inc. (Veneer Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Peters, Mark E., Popp, Gregory W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,114,510 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/552.7
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/60 Handles form, features or function of taps or faucet handles for domestic plumbing installations E03C1/04
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/607 characterised by particular material, by special measures to obtain aesthetical effects, or by auxiliary functions, e.g. storage
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/00 Special means in or on valves or other cut-off apparatus for indicating or recording operation thereof, or for enabling an alarm to be given
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/02 Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment measuring in general G01
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/045 Automatic change-over switching assembly for bottled gas systems with two (or more) gas containers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/084 for small-sized storage vessels, e.g. compressed gas cylinders or bottles, disposable gas vessels, vessels adapted for automotive use
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0109 with exteriorly curved end-piece
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0119 with flat end-piece
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/032 with substantially vertical main axis
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/058 portable (<30 l)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0165 with handgrip
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0308 Protective caps
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0329 manually actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0382 Constructional details of valves, regulators
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0394 in direct contact with the pressure vessel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/032 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0473 Time or time periods
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2265/04 using an independent energy source, e.g. battery
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/02 for medical applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 : Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8208 : Time

Abstract

A valve with a smart handle including a memory module to log relevant data. A sensor on the handle determines when the valve is open, and this triggers the start of timers and recording of the “open” event in a log in the memory module. When the valve is closed, the sensor triggers stopping of the timers and recording of the “closed” event in the log. The timer information is used to calculate the duration of the time “open” event, and this, together with the actual date and time of the opening and closing of the valve are recorded in the log. Other relevant information, such as cylinder fill date, cylinder I.D. number, batch number, and patient name or account number may also be logged in the memory module. The log of the events and the corresponding dates and times may be used to prepare invoices for billing gas treatments, for inventory control, and for other record-keeping and control functions.

Claims

1. A valve handle for mounting on a valve stem to open and close a valve, comprising:

a valve handle body, defining a receptacle for receiving the valve stem;

a sensor on said valve handle body, for sensing the opening and closing of the valve;

a timer on said valve handle body; and

an electronic storage device mounted on said valve handle body, in communication with said sensor and said timer, wherein said storage device records the date and time of opening and closing of the valve and the duration of time that said valve is open.

2. A valve handle for mounting on a valve stem to open and close a valve as recited in claim 1, wherein said timer includes a calendar timer and an event timer.

3. A valve handle for mounting on a valve stem to open and close a valve as recited in claim 2, and further comprising an electronic data input means in communication with said storage device, for permitting a user to enter additional data to be stored with said date and time.

4. A valve handle for mounting on a valve stem to open and close a valve as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor includes a proximity switch.

5. A valve handle for mounting on a valve stem to open and close a valve as recited in claim 4, and further comprising data output means for downloading data from said electronic storage device.

6. A valve with a smart handle, comprising:

a valve body for controlling the dispensing of fluid through said valve;

a valve stem projecting from said valve body;

a valve handle mounted on said valve stem for opening and closing said valve;

a sensor on said valve handle, which senses the opening and closing of said valve;

a timer on said valve handle; and

an electronic storage device mounted on said valve handle, in communication with said sensor and said timer, wherein said storage device records the opening and closing of said valve and the time of said opening and closing events.

7. A valve with a smart handle as recited in claim 6, and further comprising a port in communication with said storage device, permitting a user to enter additional data to be stored by said electronic storage device.

8. A valve with a smart handle as recited in claim 6, wherein said sensor includes a proximity switch.

9. A valve with a smart handle as recited in claim 8, and further comprising a target collar mounted on said valve body, said collar including a magnet which triggers said proximity switch.

10. A valve with a smart handle as recited in claim 9, wherein said target collar defines a notch to allow access into said valve handle only when said valve is in a closed position.

11. A valve with a smart handle as recited in claim 10, and further comprising a handle cover and a fastener which secures said handle cover onto said handle, wherein access to said fastener is through said notch.

12. A valve with a smart handle as recited in claim 11, and further comprising data output means for downloading data from said electronic storage device.

13. A valve with a smart handle as recited in claim 12, and further comprising a locking device which prevents relative motion of said handle relative to said collar.

14. A valve with a smart handle as recited in claim 13, wherein said locking device includes an arm which engages said notch in said target collar, and a projection which engages said handle.

15. A method for tracking the use of gas for medical treatments, comprising the steps of:

moving a handle to open a valve;

sensing the opening of said valve;

electronically recording onto a memory device as data the opening of the valve and the time the valve was opened;

moving said handle to close said valve;

sensing the closing of said valve by a sensing means, and electronically recording onto a memory device as data the closing of the valve and the time the valve was closed;

calculating from said times a duration of time that said valve was open and electronically recording that duration as data.

16. A method for tracking the use of gas for medical treatments as recited in claim 15, wherein the sensing means and the recording device are located on the handle.

17. A method for tracking the use of gas for medical treatments as recited in claim 16, and further comprising the step of inputting and recording onto the memory device patient identification information.

18. A method for tracking the use of gas for medical treatments as recited in claim 17, and further comprising the steps of:

importing said recorded data and patient identification information from said memory device into a computer; and

using said imported data to create a billing invoice.