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Ventilator exhalation valve

  • US 5,127,400 A
  • Filed: 03/23/1990
  • Issued: 07/07/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A ventilator exhalation valve for permitting the passage of fluid flow from the lungs of a patient to the atmosphere while precluding the passage of fluid from the atmosphere to the lungs, the valve having a forward fluid flow direction in which fluid flow through the valve is permitted and a reverse fluid flow direction in which fluid flow through the valve is prevented, the valve comprising:

  • (a) a housing assembly having an inlet port exposed to the lungs, an outlet port exposed to the atmosphere and a valve seat wherein the valve seat is intermediate of and fluidly connected to the inlet port and the outlet port;

    (b) a diaphragm disposed proximal to the valve seat so as to selectively prevent flow through the valve, the diaphragm being displaced from the valve seat by fluid flow through the valve in the forward direction;

    (c) a poppet disposed proximal to the diaphragm so that the poppet selectively contacts the diaphragm;

    (d) a linear actuator mechanically connected to the poppet for selectively positioning the poppet relative to the valve seat; and

    (e) a feedback assembly in communication with the poppet, providing a feedback signal corresponding to the velocity of the poppet relative to the valve seat for controlling the linear actuator.

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