CHECK VALVE FOR FLUID INJECTOR

• US 20080289696A1
• Filed: 05/22/2007
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crosstex International Incorporated (Steris PLC)
• Original Assignee: RJC Products LLC
• Inventors: Bushman, Richard Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,752,579 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/217
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/16 Protecting caps for hand-pieces or angle-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/08 Aspiration nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/125 with backflow prevention, e.g. check valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/13 with manually operated valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/144 the closure elements being fixed along all or a part of their periphery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3294 Valved
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7888 With valve member flexing about securement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7898 Pivoted valves

Abstract

A backflow-prevention system that substantially prevents contaminant backflow at a treatment site. The system includes a fluid ejector tube for insertion into the patient'"'"'s mouth and for removal of fluids when a threshold vacuum pressure is applied. A backflow prevention device receives fluid from the fluid ejector tube and includes an internally positioned valve. The valve prevents contaminant backflow upon release of the vacuum pressure or a reduction in the vacuum pressure. Upon application of vacuum pressure, the valve moves into an open position to allow fluid flow away from the treatment site. The system can also include a disposable cover member that extends over at least portions of the fluid ejector tip, the backflow prevention device, and other features such as an ON/OFF valve assembly of a suction system. Similar principles of backflow prevention can be applied to fluid dispensers (e.g., liquid soap dispensers) wherein prevention of backflow of the fluid into the fluid storage container is necessary, in order for the dispenser to function properly.

Claims

1. A vacuum backflow prevention system, comprising:

a fluid ejector tube adapted for insertion into a patient'"'"'s mouth;

a backflow prevention device, comprising;

a distal portion defining a valve seat portion and an inlet, the distal portion operable connected to the fluid ejector tube;

a proximal portion defining an outlet, the proximal portion configured for operative connection to a vacuum source and to the distal portion;

a valve member captured between the proximal and distal portions, the valve member moveable from a first position substantially blocking fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet, and a second position wherein a portion of the valve member is moved in a direction toward the outlet to permit fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet under a vacuum condition applied by the vacuum source at the outlet; and

a valve protrusion configured to bias the valve member into the first position.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve member is disk-shaped.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve member comprises a flexible polymeric material.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a valve retention member positioned between the valve seat and the proximal portion, the valve retention member configured to retain the valve member in a predetermined orientation.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the valve retention member extends through the valve member and engages in a recess in one of the proximal and distal portions.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve protrusion is integral with the proximal portion, and a portion of the valve protrusion extends distally into engagement with the valve member.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve protrusion is integral with the valve member, the valve protrusion being arranged to extend proximally from the valve member and into engagement with the proximal portion.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cover member, the cover member defining an internal space sized to receive at least the backflow prevention device therein.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the cover member is secured to the fluid ejector tube at a location between a distal tip of the fluid ejector tube and the distal portion of the backflow prevention device.

10. A vacuum suction system, comprising:

an ON/OFF valve assembly comprising a ON/OFF valve housing, an ON/OFF valve positioned in the ON/OFF housing, an ON/OFF valve inlet, and an ON/OFF valve outlet;

a backflow prevention device comprising a distal portion defining a backflow inlet, a proximal portion defining a backflow outlet, and a valve member, the valve member captured between the distal and proximal portions, a portion of the valve member configured to move between a closed position and an open position upon application of a predetermined vacuum condition at the backflow outlet, the valve biasing member configured to remain in the closed position in the absence of the predetermined vacuum condition, the backflow outlet secured in fluid communication with the ON/OFF valve inlet, the ON/OFF valve being configured to control application of the predetermined vacuum condition at the backflow outlet; and

a fluid ejector tube in fluid communication with the distal portion of the backflow prevention device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the backflow prevention device further includes a valve biasing member, the valve biasing member configured to apply a force to the valve member to bias the valve member into the closed position.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a cover member, the cover member defining an internal space sized to receive at least the ON/OFF valve assembly.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the backflow prevention device further includes a valve retention member positioned between the distal portion and the proximal portion, the valve retention member configured to retain the valve member in a predetermined orientation.

14. A backflow prevention device, comprising:

a distal portion defining a distal opening;

a proximal portion defining a proximal opening; and

a valve member positioned at a location between the distal portion and the proximal portion, the valve member automatically moveable from a first position substantially blocking fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet, and a second position wherein a portion of the valve member is moved toward the proximal opening to permit fluid to flow between the distal opening and the proximal open upon application of a predetermined fluid force to the valve member.

15. The device of claim 14, further comprising at least one valve retention member positioned between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the at least one valve retention member configured to engage the valve member to retain the valve member in a predetermined orientation relative to the proximal portion and the distal portion.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the at least one valve retention member includes a connection protrusion that extends at least partially through a thickness of the valve member.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein one of the proximal portion and distal portion defines at least one connection recess, the at least one connection recess configured to receive the at least one connection protrusion.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein valve member includes a cut out portion that extends from a periphery of the valve member radially inward to a location in alignment with the at least one connection protrusion.

19. The device of claim 14, wherein the predetermined fluid force is a vacuum force applied at the proximal opening.

20. The device of claim 14, wherein the predetermined fluid force is a positive pressure force applied at the distal opening.

21. The device of claim 14, wherein one of the proximal portion and the distal portion includes an axially aligned rib, and the other of the proximal portion and the distal portion including an axially aligned channel sized to receive the rib when the proximal and distal portions are connected together.

22. A method of assembling a fluid ejector system, the fluid ejector system including a fluid ejector tube, a backflow prevention device, and a cover member, the backflow prevention device including a valve member that provides one-way flow of fluid through the backflow prevention device, the method comprising:

inserting a portion of the fluid ejector tube through the cover member;

engaging a proximal end of the fluid ejector tube with a distal end of the backflow prevention device, wherein a portion of the cover member is captured between a distal end of the fluid ejector tube and the backflow prevention device, and the cover member substantially covers the backflow prevention device.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the fluid ejector system further comprises an ON/OFF valve arrangement, the ON/OFF valve arrangement including an ON/OFF valve housing and an ON/OFF valve positioned in the ON/OFF valve housing, the method further comprising engaging a distal end of the ON/OFF housing with a proximal end of the backflow prevention device, wherein the cover member substantially covers the ON/OFF valve arrangement.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the cover member includes a distal opening at a distal end portion thereof that is sized smaller than a maximum outer dimension of the backflow prevention device, the method including capturing the distal end portion of the cover member between the distal end of the fluid ejector tube and the backflow prevention device.

25. A disposable cover member assembly adapted for use with a suction assembly, comprising:

a length of tubular shaped cover member, the cover member defining a cover member interior;

a cover member housing, the cover member housing defining a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a housing cavity, a portion of the suction assembly extends inside the housing cavity through the proximal opening and the distal opening and through the cover member interior, and the cover member is configured to be drawn out of the distal opening to cover a portion of the suction assembly positioned distal of the cover member housing.

26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein the cover member includes a plurality of perforation patterns around a circumference thereof at predetermined intervals along the length of the cover member.

27. The assembly of claim 25, wherein the cover member housing includes a connector positioned adjacent to at least one of the proximal opening and the distal opening, the connection configured to secure the cover member housing to the suction assembly.