LOW PRESSURE MEASUREMENT DEVICES IN HIGH PRESSURE ENVIRONMENTS

• US 20100019178A1
• Filed: 10/07/2009
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ACIST Medical Systems Incorporated (Bracco SPA)
• Original Assignee: ACIST Medical Systems Incorporated (Bracco SPA)
• Inventors: McPeak, Thomas, Wilson, Robert F., Gabbard, Mark, Duchon, Douglas J., Mohiuddin, Khader
• Granted Patent: US 7,905,246 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 251/61.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/007 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/1402 having an integral flexible member cooperating with a plurality of seating surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/144 the closure elements being fixed along all or a part of their periphery
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/147 the closure elements having specially formed slits or being of an elongated easily collapsible form
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2567 Alternate or successive inflows
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/784 Integral resilient member forms plural valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7843 Integral resilient member forms plural valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7879 Resilient material valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7881 Apertured plate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87676 With flow control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49405 Valve or choke making

Abstract

The present invention presents various novel approaches to solving the problems inherent in measuring biological pressures in high pressure systems. Thus, to protect a pressure transducer exposed to fluid flows at higher pressures than its overpressure rating, a novel valve is used that closes a protected leg in which the transducer is located. The various exemplary embodiments of such valves each have a high pressure input, one or more low pressure inputs, and an output. In operation, when a high pressure fluid flow occurs at a high pressure input, such valves automatically close the low pressure inputs. Alternatively, a novel transducer system is presented, which automatically limits the effective pressure sensed by a transducer to a certain maximum.

Claims

1. A fluid valve comprising:

a first input port;

a second input port;

an output port substantially axially aligned with the first input port;

a valve body defining a first flow path from the first input port to the output port, the valve body further defining a second flow path from the second input port to the output port; and

an elastomeric portion disposed within the valve body that allows the second flow path to be open when there is substantially no fluid flow through the valve body,

wherein the elastomeric portion opens the first flow path and blocks the second flow path when a fluid pressure at the first input port is equal to or greater than a defined pressure.

2. The fluid valve of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric portion allows the second flow path to be open when the fluid pressure at the first input port is less than the defined pressure.

3. The fluid valve of claim 1, wherein the second flow path becomes blocked due to movement of the elastomeric portion.

4. The fluid valve of claim 1, wherein when the fluid pressure at the first input port is equal to or greater than the defined pressure, the second flow path is blocked due to a change in shape of the elastomeric portion.

5. The fluid valve of claim 4, wherein the defined pressure comprises a minimum pressure to open the first flow path.

6. The fluid valve of claim 5, wherein the minimum pressure is a function of at least one of a durometer and an elasticity of the elastomeric portion.

7. The fluid valve of claim 6, wherein variation of at least one of the durometer and the elasticity allow for variation of the minimum pressure.

8. The fluid valve of claim 5, wherein the minimum pressure is a function of at least one of shape, exterior dimensions, and interior dimensions of the fluid valve.

9. The fluid valve of claim 8, wherein variation of at least one of the shape, exterior dimensions, and interior dimensions allow for variation in the minimum pressure.

10. The fluid valve of claim 1, further comprising:

a pocket proximate the first input port so as to receive fluid flow therefrom; and

a tapered region proximate the output port so as to provide fluid flow thereto,

wherein the elastomeric portion of the valve comprises an elastomeric disc portion between the pocket and the tapered region.

11. The fluid valve of claim 10, wherein the elastomeric disc has an opening, which opens when a fluid within the pocket has the defined pressure.

12. The fluid valve of claim 11, wherein the opening comprises one or more slits.

13. The fluid valve of claim 10, wherein the second input port opens into a portion of the tapered region.

14. The fluid valve of claim 1, wherein:

the first input port is aligned on a first axis; and

the second input port is aligned on a second axis, the second axis being substantially different than the first axis.

15. A fluid valve, comprising:

a first input port;

a second input port;

an output port substantially axially aligned with the first input port;

a valve body defining a first flow path from the first input port to the output port and further defining a second flow path from the second input port to the output port; and

an elastomeric valve disc with a slit that is disposed within the valve body, the elastomeric valve disc allowing the second flow path to be open when there is substantially no fluid flow through the valve body,

wherein, when the valve disc is in a closed state, the elastomeric valve disc isolates the first input port from both the output port and from the second input port, and

wherein, when the valve disc is in an open state, the elastomeric valve disc isolates the second input port from both the output port and from the first input port, the elastomeric valve disc being in the open state when a fluid pressure at the first input port equals or exceeds a defined pressure and causes the slit in the elastomeric valve disc to be open.

16. The fluid valve of claim 15, wherein the state of the valve disc is determined by a fluid pressure at the first input port.

17. The fluid valve of claim 15, wherein the defined pressure comprises a minimum pressure to open the first flow path.

18. The fluid valve of claim 15, wherein:

the first input port is aligned on a first axis; and

the second input port is aligned on a second axis, the second axis being substantially different than the first axis.

19. A fluid valve comprising:

a first input port aligned on a first axis;

a second input port aligned on a second axis, the second axis being substantially different than the first axis;

an output port;

a valve body defining a first flow path from the first input port to the output port, the valve body further defining a second flow path from the second input port to the output port; and

an elastomeric portion disposed within the valve body that allows the second flow path to be open when there is substantially no fluid flow through the valve body,

wherein the elastomeric portion opens the first flow path and blocks the second flow path when a fluid pressure at the first input port is equal to or greater than a defined pressure.

20. The fluid valve of claim 19, wherein the second flow path becomes blocked due to movement of the elastomeric portion.

21. The fluid valve of claim 20, wherein the defined pressure comprises a minimum pressure to open the first flow path.

22. The fluid valve of claim 19, wherein the elastomeric portion allows the second flow path to be open when the fluid pressure at the first input port is less than the defined pressure.