Controller valve device and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A controllable valve apparatus for operation about a constrictable passageway, comprising:
- A. a flexible, formable, tubular housing adapted to be positioned around the passageway, including;
(i) an extensible inner chamber extending at least partially along an outer surface of the housing, and(ii) at least one magnetic flux inductor device proximal to the inner chamber;
B. a control device in communication with the magnetic flux inductor device for selectively activating the magnetic flux inductor device; and
C. a quantity of a magnetorheological material responsive to activation of the magnetic flux inductor and contained within the inner chamber to cause the magnetorheological material to outwardly extend the inner chamber and constrict the passageway.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Device and method for regulating fluid flow within the human body includes small electromagnetic devices embedded in an inner housing of the present device that function under the control of a programmable control unit to create small magnetic fields which cause an artificial increase in the viscosity and apparent density of a magnetorheological fluid located in a compartment surrounding the structure through which fluid flow is to be controlled.
677 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A controllable valve apparatus for operation about a constrictable passageway, comprising:
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A. a flexible, formable, tubular housing adapted to be positioned around the passageway, including; (i) an extensible inner chamber extending at least partially along an outer surface of the housing, and (ii) at least one magnetic flux inductor device proximal to the inner chamber; B. a control device in communication with the magnetic flux inductor device for selectively activating the magnetic flux inductor device; and C. a quantity of a magnetorheological material responsive to activation of the magnetic flux inductor and contained within the inner chamber to cause the magnetorheological material to outwardly extend the inner chamber and constrict the passageway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A prosthetic urinary incontinence apparatus for controllably constricting the urethra, comprising:
A. a flexible, formable, tubular housing adapted to be positioned around the urethra, including; (i) an extensible inner chamber extending at least partially along an outer surface of the housing, and (ii) at least one magnetic flux inductor device proximal to the inner chamber; B. a control device in communication with the magnetic flux inductor device, for selectively activating the magnetic flux inductor device; and C. a quantity of a magnetorheological material responsive to activation of the magnetic flux inductor and contained within the inner chamber to cause the magnetorheological material to outwardly extend the inner chamber about the urethra for controllable constriction thereof. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A controllable valve apparatus for operation within an expandable passageway, comprising:
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A. a flexible, formable, tubular housing adapted to be positioned within the passageway, including; (i) an extensible chamber extending at least partially along an outer surface of the housing, and (ii) at least one magnetic flux inductor device proximal to the chamber; B. a control device in communication with the magnetic flux inductor device for selectively activating the magnetic flux inductor device; and C. a quantity of a magnetorheological material responsive to activation of the magnetic flux inductor and contained within the chamber to cause the magnetorheological material to outwardly extend the chamber and expand the passageway. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of selectively controlling fluid flow through a constrictable structure using a flexible tubular housing, wherein the housing comprises:
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an inner chamber, containing a quantity of magnetorheological material, extending at least partially along an outer surface of the housing; and at least one magnetic flux inductor device proximal to the chamber;
the method comprising the steps of;A. at least partially surrounding a selected portion of the structure with the flexible tubular housing; and
thenB. selectively expanding the housing by activating the inductor device to maintain the magnetorheological material in a first, expanded state to constrict the portion of the structure surrounded by the housing. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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30. A method of selectively controlling fluid flow through a constrictable structure using a flexible tubular housing, wherein the housing comprises:
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an inner chamber, containing a quantity of a magnetorheological material, extending at least partially along the length of the housing; and at least one magnetic flux inductor device, proximal to the chamber;
the method comprising the steps of;A. at least partially surrounding a selected portion of the structure with the housing; B. activating the magnetic flux inductor device to expand the magnetorheological material in the housing to constrict the portion of the structure surrounded by the housing; and
thenC. selectively deactivating the magnetic flux inductor device to release the constricted portion of the structure and to allow fluid flow through the structure.
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Specification