Flow control device having selectable alternative fluid pathways
First Claim
1. A fluid flow control device, comprising:
- a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
a first fluid flow pathway through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, the first fluid flow pathway having first means including a first valve for resisting fluid flow therethrough;
a second fluid flow pathway through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, the second fluid flow pathway having second means including a second valve for resisting fluid flow therethrough, wherein the first fluid flow pathway directs fluid through the first and second valves, and the second fluid flow pathway bypasses the first valve and directs fluid through the second valve; and
means for selectively directing fluids through one of the first or the second fluid flow pathways, the fluid directing means being actuable by percutaneous manipulation of the device when subcutaneously implanted.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flow control device for use in a subcutaneously implanted physiological shunt system includes a relatively rigid base and a resiliently flexible encasement which defines a fluid flow path therethrough from an inlet to an outlet. Two valves for controlling the flow of fluid through the device are situated within the fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid flow path includes a first fluid conduit which directs fluid through both valves, and a second fluid conduit which bypasses the first valve and directs fluid only through the second valve. The first valve is constructed to provide a greater resistance to flow through the device than the second valve, and when the second fluid conduit is unobstructed, fluid will tend to flow through the second fluid conduit and bypass the first valve. A pivotable plug is provided within the encasement for selectively occluding a portion of the second fluid conduit. The position of the plug is determined by a magnetically polarized, percutaneously manipulable cam also provided within the encasement. The plug and the cam are attached such that rotation of the cam in one direction causes the plug to occlude the second fluid conduit, and rotation of the cam in another direction opens the second fluid conduit to fluid flow. A siphon control device is provided adjacent to the outlet to prevent fluid flow in response to negative downstream hydrostatic pressure on the outlet of the device.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A fluid flow control device, comprising:
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a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a first fluid flow pathway through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, the first fluid flow pathway having first means including a first valve for resisting fluid flow therethrough; a second fluid flow pathway through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, the second fluid flow pathway having second means including a second valve for resisting fluid flow therethrough, wherein the first fluid flow pathway directs fluid through the first and second valves, and the second fluid flow pathway bypasses the first valve and directs fluid through the second valve; and means for selectively directing fluids through one of the first or the second fluid flow pathways, the fluid directing means being actuable by percutaneous manipulation of the device when subcutaneously implanted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A subcutaneously implantable shunt system, comprising:
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a shunt inlet; a shunt outlet; first valve means for controlling fluid flow from the shunt inlet to the shunt outlet; second valve means for controlling fluid flow from the shunt inlet to the shunt outlet; first fluid conduit means for directing fluid through the first and second valve means as the fluid passes through the shunt system; second fluid conduit means for directing fluid through the second valve means and bypassing the first valve means as the fluid passes through the shunt system; and means for selectively directing fluid either through the first or second fluid conduit means, the fluid directing means including a selectively positionable plug movable between a first position wherein the second fluid conduit is open to fluid flow therethrough and a second position wherein the second fluid conduit is closed to fluid flow therethrough, and a magnetically polarized, percutaneously manipulable cam rotatable between a first position and a second position, the plug having means for occluding the second fluid conduit at one end and a cam rider at another end, wherein the cam rider interacts with the cam such that rotation of the cam between its first and second positions simultaneously moves the plug between its first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A flow control device having selectable alternative fluid pathways, for use in a subcutaneously implanted physiological shunt system, the flow control device comprising:
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a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a flushing reservoir situated between the inlet and the outlet and having an overlying, resiliently deformable dome forming a portion of the housing, the flushing reservoir providing means for flushing fluid through the flow control device by application of percutaneous manual pressure to the device to depress the dome; a first valve situated between the inlet and the flushing reservoir, for controlling fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet; a second valve situated between the flushing reservoir and the outlet, for controlling fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet; first fluid conduit means for directing fluid through the first and second valves as the fluid passes through the flow control device; second fluid conduit means for directing fluid through the second valve and bypassing the first valve as the fluid passes through the flow control device; and means for selectively directing fluid either through the first or second fluid conduit means, the fluid directing means including a selectively positionable plug movable between a first position wherein the second fluid conduit is open to fluid flow therethrough and a second position wherein the second fluid conduit is closed to fluid flow therethrough, and a magnetically polarized, percutaneously manipulable cam rotatable between a first position and a second position, the plug having means for occluding the second fluid conduit at one end and a cam rider at another end, wherein the cam rider interacts with the cam such that rotation of the cam between its first and second positions simultaneously moves the plug between its first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A fluid flow control device, comprising:
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a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a first fluid flow pathway through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, the first fluid flow pathway having first means for resisting fluid flow therethrough; a second fluid flow pathway through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, the second fluid flow pathway having second means for resisting fluid flow therethrough; and means for selectively directing fluids through one of the first or the second fluid flow pathways, the fluid directing means being actuable by percutaneous manipulation of the device when subcutaneously implanted; wherein the means for selectively directing fluids through either the first or the second fluid flow pathways includes means for occluding the second fluid flow pathway, comprising a selectively positionable plug movable between a first position wherein the second fluid flow pathway is open to fluid flow therethrough, and a second position wherein the second fluid flow pathway is closed to fluid flow therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification