Automatic valve

• US 20060122559A1
• Filed: 10/28/2003
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardinal Health Ireland Unlimited Company (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Coon, Robert, Fournie, Glenn, Hanlon, James, Nakayama, Joey, Swisher, Rork, Hand, James, Shia, Benedict, Prokop, Gary, Peterson, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,713,246 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/77
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0003 Nasal or oral feeding-tubes, e.g. tube entering body through nose or mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0026 Parts, details or accessories for feeding-tubes external tubes from medical containers to a connector outside of the body A61M39/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0073 Multi-lumen tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0092 Valves on feeding tubes tube valves A61M39/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1044 Verifying the connection, e.g. audible feedback, tactile feedback, visual feedback, using external light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1077 Adapters, e.g. couplings adapting a connector to one or several other connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/266 where the valve comprises venting channels, e.g. to insure better connection, to help decreasing the fluid space upon disconnection, or to help the fluid space to remain the same during disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0482 Enteral feeding product
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/12 for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/223 Multiway valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 24/04 for venting only F16K24/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86638 Rotary valve

Abstract

A valve system is provided having a housing including a first end, a second end and a first passageway. The housing has a first port and a second port. A valve member is disposed within the housing and movable relative thereto. The valve member defines a portion of the first passageway that includes a first opening configured for alignment and sealed fluid communication with the first port and the second port. The portion of the first passageway further includes a second opening having a greater relative dimension than the first opening. The valve member is manipulable to establish sealed fluid communication between the first opening and the first port or the second port while maintaining continuous sealed fluid communication between the second opening and the first passageway adjacent to the second end of the housing. The valve member can be disposed within the housing for rotation relative thereto.

Claims

1. A valve comprising:

a housing including a first end, a second end and a first passageway that extends therealong, the housing further including a first port and a second port; and

a valve member disposed within the housing and movable relative thereto, the valve member defining a portion of the first passageway that includes a first opening configured for alignment and sealed fluid communication with the first port and the second port, the portion of the first passageway further including a second opening having a greater relative dimension than the first opening,

wherein the valve member is manipulable to establish sealed fluid communication between the first opening and either the first port or the second port while maintaining continuous sealed fluid communication between the second opening and the first passageway adjacent to the second end of the housing.

2. A valve as recited in claim 1, wherein the valve member is disposed within the housing for rotation relative thereto to establish sealed fluid communication between the first opening and either the first port or the second port.

3. A valve as recited in claim 1, wherein the valve member is manipulable to a position such that the first opening is not aligned with the first port or the second port and fluid communication is prevented therebetween.

4. A valve as recited in claim 1, further comprising a handle connected to the valve member to facilitate manipulation thereof.

5. A valve as recited in claim 1, wherein the first opening is releasably lockable in alignment with the first port or the second port.

6. A valve as recited in claim 5, wherein the housing supports a button that engages the valve member to release the first opening from alignment with the first port and the second port.

7. A valve system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first port is configured for introduction of fluids into the first passageway.

8. A valve system as recited in claim 1, wherein the introduction port includes a normally closed valve.

9. A valve system as recited in claim 8, wherein the normally closed valve includes an elastically deformable septum having an elongate slit formed through a thickness of the septum.

10. A valve system as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a second passageway that includes a relief port.

11. A valve system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first passageway and a second passageway disposed within the housing fluidly communicate with a nasogastric tube.

12. A valve system as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a third port, disposed adjacent the second end thereof, that fluidly communicates with the first passageway and connects to tubing that extends to the second opening and is supported thereby, the tubing being configured to facilitate fluid communication of the first passageway with the first port and the second port.

13. A valve system as recited in claim 7, wherein the second port is configured for removal of fluids from the first passageway.

14. A valve system as recited in claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the housing provides visual indicia of a position of the first opening.

21. A valve as recited in claim 1, wherein the first passageway has a singular configuration.

22. A valve as recited in claim 1, wherein the first passageway has a branched configuration.

23. A valve as recited in claim 4, wherein the handle is configured for one handed operation.

24. A valve as recited in claim 5, wherein the valve member supports a button that is engageable therewith to release the first opening from alignment with the first port and the second port.

25. A valve as recited in claim 7, wherein the second port is configured for removal and introduction of fluids.

27. A valve as recited in claim 11, further comprising an adapter disposed for connecting the valve with the nasogastric tube and providing a sealed fluid communication therebetween.

28. A valve as recited in claim 27, wherein the adapter includes a surface adjacent its periphery that bonds to an outer surface of the nasogastric tube to provide strain relief.

29. A valve as recited in claim 27, wherein the adapter has an outer surface configured for enhanced manipulation thereof.

15. A valve comprising:

a housing defining a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis, the housing including a first passageway that extends therealong, the housing including an introduction port and a suction port, each being disposed adjacent the first end, the housing further including an attachment port disposed adjacent the second end; and

a valve member mounted for rotation within a cavity of the housing relative to the longitudinal axis, the valve member defining a portion of the first passageway that includes a first opening configured for alignment and sealed fluid communication with the introduction port, in a first position, and the suction port, in a second position,

the portion of the first passageway further including a second opening having a greater relative dimension than the first opening and being configured to establish continuous fluid communication with the first passageway,

wherein the valve member is rotatable to establish sealed fluid communication between the first opening and the first port or the second port while maintaining continuous sealed fluid communication between the second opening and the attachment port.

16. A valve as recited in claim 15, wherein the valve member is rotatable to a third position such that the first opening is not aligned with the introduction port or the suction port and fluid communication is prevented therebetween.

17. A valve system as recited in claim 16, wherein an outer surface of the housing provides visual indicia of the position of the valve member.

18. A valve as recited in claim 16, wherein the valve member is releasably lockable in a position via a button, supported by the housing, that engages the valve member.

26. A valve as recited in claim 15, wherein the position of the valve member is confirmed by a visual indicia including a mechanical detent.

19. A valve comprising:

a housing including a first end, a second end and a first passageway that extends therealong, the housing further including a first port and a second port being disposed adjacent the first end, the housing further including a third port, disposed adjacent the second end, that fluidly communicates with the first passageway and connects to tubing; and

a valve member disposed within the housing and movable relative thereto, the valve member defining a portion of the first passageway that includes a first opening configured for alignment and sealed fluid communication with the first port and the second port, the portion of the first passageway further including a second opening, the tubing extends to the second opening and is supported thereby, the tubing being configured to facilitate fluid communication of the first passageway with the first port and the second port.

wherein the valve member is manipulable to establish sealed fluid communication between the first opening and the first port or the second port while maintaining continuous sealed fluid communication between the second opening and the third port via the tubing.

20. A nasogastric valve system comprising:

a nasogastric tube including a first lumen and a second lumen, the first lumen defining a first passageway, the second lumen defining a second passageway, wherein the first passageway and the second passageway fluidly communicate adjacent a distal end of the nasogastric tube;

a housing defining a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis, the housing including the first passageway that extends therewithin, the housing including an introduction port and a suction port, each being disposed adjacent the first end, the housing further including an attachment port disposed adjacent the second end; and

a valve member mounted for rotation within a cavity of the housing relative to the longitudinal axis, the valve member defining a portion of the first passageway that includes a first opening configured for alignment and sealed fluid communication with the introduction port, in a first position, and the suction port, in a second position,

the portion of the first passageway further including a second opening having a greater relative dimension than the first opening and being configured to establish continuous fluid communication with the first passageway,

wherein the valve member is rotatable to establish sealed fluid communication between the first opening and the first port or the second port while maintaining continuous sealed fluid communication between the second opening and the attachment port.