Pressure actuated valve with improved slit configuration
First Claim
1. A valve apparatus for medical applications, comprising a first flexible member extending across a first lumen through which a flow of materials is to be controlled, the first flexible member including a plurality of first movable elements formed on opposite sides of at least one first slit extending through the first flexible member, the first moveable members being biased so that, when a pressure less than a predetermined threshold value is applied to the first flexible member, the first moveable elements are maintained in a closed position in which no flow is permitted past the first flexible member and, when a pressure at least as great as the threshold value is applied to the first flexible member, the first moveable elements are moved to an open position separated from one another along the at least one first slit permitting flow through the first lumen.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A valve apparatus for medical applications, comprises a flexible member extending across a lumen through which a flow of materials is to be controlled. The flexible member includes a plurality of movable elements formed on opposite sides of a slit extending through the flexible member. The moveable members are biased so that when a pressure less than a predetermined threshold value is applied to the flexible member, the moveable elements are maintained in a closed position in which no flow is permitted past the flexible member and, when a pressure at least as great as the threshold value is applied to the flexible member, the moveable elements are moved to an open position separated from one another along the slit permitting flow through the lumen.
203 Citations
27 Claims
- 1. A valve apparatus for medical applications, comprising a first flexible member extending across a first lumen through which a flow of materials is to be controlled, the first flexible member including a plurality of first movable elements formed on opposite sides of at least one first slit extending through the first flexible member, the first moveable members being biased so that, when a pressure less than a predetermined threshold value is applied to the first flexible member, the first moveable elements are maintained in a closed position in which no flow is permitted past the first flexible member and, when a pressure at least as great as the threshold value is applied to the first flexible member, the first moveable elements are moved to an open position separated from one another along the at least one first slit permitting flow through the first lumen.
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15. A dialysis connector comprising:
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a valve housing having a first end connectable to a patient line and a second end mounted to a dialysis line;
a flow passage of the housing being connected to the patient line and being operatively connectable to the dialysis line;
a valve element mounted within the flow passage of the housing, the valve element including a flexible member extending across the flow passage, the flexible member including a plurality of movable elements formed on opposite sides of a first slit extending through the flexible member, the moveable members being biased so that, when a pressure less than a predetermined threshold value is applied to the flexible member, the moveable elements are maintained in a closed position in which no flow is permitted past the flexible member and, when a pressure at least as great as the threshold value is applied to the flexible member, the moveable elements are moved to an open position separated from one another along the first slit permitting flow through the flow passage.
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- 16. The connector according to claim 16, wherein the valve element comprises a flexible disk disposed in the flow passage.
- 18. The connector according to claim 18, further comprising a second slits disposed at end points of the first slit.
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26. A flow shutoff device for medical applications, comprising:
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a housing attachable to a patient line; and
a pressure actuated valve mounted within the housing to selectively restrict flow therethrough, movable elements of the valve being biased toward a closed position and being movable to an open position when a pressure applied to the valve exceeds a predetermined threshold value, wherein flow through the housing is prevented when the movable elements are in the closed position.
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27. The device according to claim 27, wherein the valve comprises a flexible member including a plurality of movable elements separated by a slit extending through the flexible member.
Specification