Multi-purpose valve

• US 6,705,585 B1
• Filed: 10/24/2001
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sumit Roy
• Original Assignee: Sumit Roy
• Inventors: Roy, Sumit
• Primary Examiner(s): Bastianelli, John
• Application Number:
  US09/869,315
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: 251/11, 251/902, 148/402, 604/34
• US Class Current: 251/11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0022 placed deep in the body opening occluding blood vessels by internal devices A61B17/12022
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/01 Filters implantable into blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2469 with resilient valve members, e.g. conical spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2475 Venous valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 251/902 Springs employed as valves

Abstract

A multi-purpose valve includes, a band of a thermodynamic metal alloy with shape memory, with a memorised shape and a transition temperature which lies in the range for the normal body temperature of a mammal. The strip has a linear shape below the transition temperature and assumes the memorised shape above the transition temperature. The memorised shape is preferably a conical spiral with a closed tip, with the result that above the transition temperature range the valve will become a conical spiral.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose valve (5) for use as a therapeutic device, comprising a band (1) having when in situ the shape of a conical spiral formed by multiple, successive, helical turns, in such a way that at a first pressure difference across the valve, the helical turns of the band abut one another and seal the cone, whereas at a second pressure difference across the valve, which is larger in the direction towards the tip of the conical spiral than the first pressure difference, the valve is extended axially such that said turns separate from another so as to allow flow therebetween, characterised in that he valve is constituted by one single band (1) of a thermodynamic metal alloy with shape memory, with said conical shape as a memorised shape, and with transition temperature in the range for the normal body temperature of a mammal, with the result that the band has a linear shape below the transition temperature and assumes the memorised, conical shape above the transition temperature, making the valve percutaneously implantable.

2. A multi-purpose valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermodynamic metal alloy with shape memory is Nitinol.

3. A multi-purpose valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the band (1) is provided on one surface with flexible magnetic strips (2) of strong magnetic force and on the other surface with ferromagnetic strips (3), said strips being arranged so as to cooperate for effecting or enhancing the attraction or separation of the spiral turns of the band.

4. A multi-purpose valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the band (1) is covered with a non-thrombogenic, biostable polymer, e.g. parylene.