PRESSURE ACTIVATED SAFETY VALVE WITH GROOVED MEMBRANE

• US 20130226145A1
• Filed: 04/29/2013
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Navilyst Medical Incorporated (AngioDynamics, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Navilyst Medical Incorporated (AngioDynamics, Inc.)
• Inventors: DiCarlo, Paul, WEAVER, KARLA
• Granted Patent: US 8,790,329 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/508
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/242 designed to open when a predetermined pressure or flow rate has been reached, e.g. check valve actuated by fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/2426 Slit valve
• 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 39/24 Check- or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16881 Regulating valves on-off valves, e.g. clamps A61M39/28

Abstract

A pressure activated valve comprises a valve housing defining a linen for receiving bodily fluids therein and a flexible membrane disposed in the valve housing. The flexible membrane includes a slit extending therethrough so that the flexible membrane may be moved between an open and a dosed configuration based on fluid pressure within the lumen. A nonthrombogenic coating may be formed on fluid contacting surfaces of the flexible membrane.

Claims

1-31. -31. (canceled)

32. A method for infusing fluid to a target site within a human body, the method comprising:

providing a vascular access catheter comprising a pressure activated valve, the pressure activated valve comprising;

a valve housing defining a lumen,

a flexible membrane disposed in the valve housing, the flexible membrane having a substantially elliptical disk shape, the flexible membrane comprising;

a first surface and a second surface,

a first slit extending through the flexible membrane so that the flexible membrane may be moved between an open and closed configuration in response to a fluid pressure within the lumen, and

a first groove disposed in the first surface, wherein the first slit is disposed at least partially within the first groove to direct fluid flow towards the first slit; and

infusing fluid through the pressure activated valve and to the target site.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the flexible membrane further comprises:

a second groove disposed in the second surface, wherein the first slit is disposed at least partially within the second groove to direct fluid flow towards the first slit.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the flexible membrane further comprises:

a second slit extending through the flexible membrane.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the first and second slits traverse a short axis of the flexible membrane.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the first and second slits are substantially linear.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein the second slit is substantially parallel to the first slit.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the first and second slits are different sizes.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein the flexible membrane further comprises:

a third slit extending through the flexible membrane.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the first, second and third slits traverse a short axis of the flexible membrane.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the first, second and third slits are substantially linear.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein the second and third slits are disposed in the flexible membrane on opposite sides of the first silt.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein the second and third slits are substantially parallel to the first slit.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein at least two of the first, second and third slits are different sizes.