Electronically-Controlled, High Pressure Flow Control Valve and Method of Use

• US 20100199982A1
• Filed: 02/10/2010
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aerophase Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aerophase Inc.
• Inventors: Hansen, Brian N.
• Granted Patent: US 9,010,329 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.21
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0225 Carbon oxides, e.g. Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8225 using incorporated gas cartridges for the driving gas
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/54 Metering valves ; Metering valve assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/14 with ball-shaped valve member check valves F16K15/04
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/02 electric F16K31/004 takes precedence; magnetic

Abstract

A fluid flow control valve comprises (a) a high pressure region adapted to contain a fluid at its supercritical or nearcritical temperature and pressure conditions and connected via an orifice to a low pressure region, (b) a seat adjacent the orifice, (c) a sealing element positionable against the seat to form a seal between the high pressure region and the low pressure region, and (d) an electrically and/or electronically controlled actuator operable to move the sealing element against and/or away from the seat to allow control of fluid flow from the high pressure region to the low pressure region. In a specific embodiment, the high pressure region contains a fluid at its supercritical or nearcritical temperature and pressure conditions. The valve may be used, for example, to provide very low flow rates, for example, for supercritical fluid chromatography, supercritical fluid extraction, critical point drying, supercritical fluid cleaning, and supercritical fluid separation methods. In another embodiment, the valve is suitable for use in methods of delivering a biologically active substance to a patient in need thereof.

Claims

1. A fluid flow control valve, comprising:

a. a high pressure region adapted to contain a fluid at its supercritical or nearcritical temperature and pressure conditions and connected via an orifice to a low pressure region,

b. a seat adjacent the orifice,

c. a sealing element positionable against the seat to form a seal between the high pressure region and the low pressure region, and

d. an electrically and/or electronically controlled actuator operable to move the sealing element against and/or away from the seat to allow control of fluid flow from the high pressure region to the low pressure region.

2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the high pressure region contains a fluid at its supercritical or nearcritical temperature and pressure conditions and the fluid comprises carbon dioxide, nitrogen, ethanol, difluoromethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, or 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

3. The valve according to claim 2, wherein the actuator is positioned in the low pressure region.

4. The valve according to claim 2, wherein the actuator is positioned in the high pressure region.

5. The valve according to claim 2, wherein the sealing element is a metal pin.

6. The valve according to claim 5, wherein the actuator comprises one or more shape memory alloy wires.

7. The valve according to claim 2, wherein the sealing element is a metal or ceramic ball.

8. The valve according to claim 7, wherein the actuator comprises one or more shape memory alloy wires.

9. The valve according to claim 7, wherein the actuator comprises an electromagnetic coil operable to counteract a spring force holding the sealing element ball against the seat.

10. The valve according to claim 7, wherein the actuator comprises an electromagnetic voice coil assembly.

11. The valve according to claim 7, wherein the actuator comprises a bimetallic strip positioned to press the sealing element ball against the seat and operable to bend away from the seat when current is applied through it.

12. The valve according to claim 2, wherein the sealing element comprises a deformable film on a piezoelectric bender, wherein the piezoelectric bender is positioned to press the film against the seat, and wherein the piezoelectric bender bends away from the orifice when voltage is applied.

13. The valve according to claim 12, wherein the deformable film comprises an elastomeric material.

14. The valve according to claim 13, wherein the elastomeric film comprises polyurethane, fluoropolymer, or polyimide.

15. The valve according to claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric bender is actuated with both a direct current voltage and an alternating current voltage to cause the piezoelectric bender to move away from the orifice and to oscillate away from and towards the orifice.

16. The valve according to claim 2, wherein the actuator comprises a piezoelectric bender.

17. The valve according to claim 16, wherein the piezoelectric bender is actuated with both a direct current voltage and an alternating current voltage to cause the piezoelectric bender to move away from the orifice and to oscillate away from and towards the orifice.

18. The valve according to claim 2, wherein the fluid contains a solution or suspension of one or more biologically active substances.

19. The valve according to claim 18, wherein the biologically active substance comprises an agent for treating at least one pulmonary condition.

20. The valve according to claim 19, wherein the pulmonary condition comprises asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, or lung cancer.

21. The valve according to claim 2, wherein electronic controls are included to trigger, meter, count, record, and/or limit actuations of the valve for metered dose delivery of a biologically active substance to a patient.

22. A method of delivering a biologically active substance to a patient in need thereof, comprising actuating the valve of claim 18.

23. A fluid flow control valve for aerosol delivery of biologically active materials for inhalation administration comprising:

a. a high pressure region containing a pressurizable fluid and connected via an orifice to a low pressure region from which inhalation is conducted,

b. one or more biologically active substances dissolved and/or suspended in the pressurizable fluid,

c. a seat adjacent the orifice,

d. a sealing element positionable against the seat to form a seal between the high pressure region and the low pressure region,

e. an electrically and/or electronically controlled actuator operable to move the sealing element against and/or away from the seat to allow control of fluid flow from the high pressure region to the low pressure region, and

f. one or more electronic components operable to perform one or more functions of metered dose inhalation.

24. The valve according to claim 23, wherein the one or more functions include triggering, metering, counting, recording, and/or limiting valve actuations.

25. The valve according to claim 23, wherein the fluid comprises carbon dioxide, nitrogen, ethanol, difluoromethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, or 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

26. A method of delivering a biologically active substance to a patient in need thereof, comprising actuating the valve of claim 23.