Pressure/flow control valve and system using same
First Claim
1. A fluid delivery system comprising:
- (a) a pressure generating system adapted to generate a flow of gas at a pressure level;
(b) a patient circuit having a first end coupled to the pressure generating system and a second end adapted to be coupled to an airway of a patient; and
(c) a valve operatively associated with the patient circuit to control one of a pressure and a flow of gas in the patient circuit, wherein the valve comprises;
(1) a first valve member, (2) a second valve member associated with the first valve member and moveable relative thereto, wherein the first valve member and the second valve member cooperate to define a valve opening having a size that varies with a relative position between the first valve member and the second valve member, (3) a first magnet operatively coupled to the first valve member, and (4) a second magnet operatively coupled to the second member and magnetically coupled to the first magnet.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pressure/flow control valve that includes a first valve member and a second valve member moveable relative to one another and cooperating with one another so as to define a valve opening having a size that varies with a relative position between these members. The first magnet is operatively coupled to the first valve member and a second magnet is operatively coupled to the second valve member and magnetically coupled to the first magnet. The first and second magnets are disposed such that a repulsive force between them increases asymptotically as the magnets move together, thereby providing a dampening force between the first and second valve members that allows these valve members to be moved rapidly from one position to the next in a highly controlled fashion.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A fluid delivery system comprising:
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(a) a pressure generating system adapted to generate a flow of gas at a pressure level;
(b) a patient circuit having a first end coupled to the pressure generating system and a second end adapted to be coupled to an airway of a patient; and
(c) a valve operatively associated with the patient circuit to control one of a pressure and a flow of gas in the patient circuit, wherein the valve comprises;
(1) a first valve member, (2) a second valve member associated with the first valve member and moveable relative thereto, wherein the first valve member and the second valve member cooperate to define a valve opening having a size that varies with a relative position between the first valve member and the second valve member, (3) a first magnet operatively coupled to the first valve member, and (4) a second magnet operatively coupled to the second member and magnetically coupled to the first magnet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A fluid delivery system comprising:
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(a) a pressure generating system adapted to generate a flow of breathing gas at a pressure level;
(b) a patient circuit having a first end coupled to the pressure generating system and a second end adapted to be coupled to an airway of a patient; and
(c) a valve operatively connected to the patient circuit to control one of a pressure and a flow of gas in the patient circuit, wherein the valve comprises;
(1) a first valve member, (2) a second valve member associated with the first valve member such that the first valve member is moveable relative to the second valve member, wherein the first valve member and the second valve member cooperate to define a valve opening having a size that varies with a relative position between the first valve member and the second valve member, and wherein the size of the valve opening controls a pressure or a flow of gas provided to the patient, (3) an actuator associated with the first valve member and the second valve member, wherein the actuator is adapted to provide an actuating force on the second valve member that moves the second valve member toward the first valve member to change the size of the valve opening, and (4) movement controlling means for providing a dampening force that prevents movement of the second valve member toward the first valve member, wherein the dampening force increases non-linearly as the second valve member moves toward the first valve member. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of controlling pressure or flow in a fluid delivery system comprising:
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providing a first valve member and a second valve member associated with the first valve member such that the first valve member is moveable relative to the second valve member, and wherein the first valve member and the second valve member cooperate to define a valve opening having a size that varies with a relative position between the first valve member and the second valve member to control a pressure or a flow of gas delivered to the patient;
providing an actuating force on the second valve member to move the second valve member toward the first valve member to change the size of the valve opening; and
controlling movement of the second valve member toward to the first valve member by providing a dampening force that prevents movement of the second valve member toward the first valve member, wherein the dampening force increases non-linearly as the second valve member moves toward the first valve member. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification