Shunt valve locking mechanism
First Claim
1. A shunt valve system, comprising:
- a housing having therein a chamber including an inlet port for receiving fluid, an outlet port for fluid release, and a valve mechanism including a rotor assembly for regulating fluid flow therethrough, when a fluid pressure differential between the inlet port and the outlet port exceeds a selected valve opening pressure; and
a selectively engageable locking assembly formed integrally with a wall of the housing and effective to prevent rotation of the rotor assembly, the locking assembly having at least one protrusion extending from a wall of the housing, the protrusion having at least one contacting surface that is configured to selectively frictionally engage the rotor assembly to selectively maintain the rotor assembly in a desired position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A locking assembly is provided to simply and effectively prevent any unintentional adjustment of the adjustable valve mechanism in a fluid flow control device, without compromising the function of the device. The locking assembly generally includes at least one gripping arm for frictionally engaging at least a portion of the adjustable valve mechanism, and an actuating mechanism for controlling the deployment and release of the gripping arm. The locking assembly prevents unintentional adjustments that can adversely affect the pressure settings of the fluid flow control device. In particular, the locking assembly prevents unintentional adjustment, such as may be caused by the presence of a strong external magnetic field. The locking assembly can be easily disengaged, such as through the application or removal of an external mechanical force, to allow a clinician to adjust the pressure settings of the fluid flow control device as necessary.
45 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A shunt valve system, comprising:
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a housing having therein a chamber including an inlet port for receiving fluid, an outlet port for fluid release, and a valve mechanism including a rotor assembly for regulating fluid flow therethrough, when a fluid pressure differential between the inlet port and the outlet port exceeds a selected valve opening pressure; and a selectively engageable locking assembly formed integrally with a wall of the housing and effective to prevent rotation of the rotor assembly, the locking assembly having at least one protrusion extending from a wall of the housing, the protrusion having at least one contacting surface that is configured to selectively frictionally engage the rotor assembly to selectively maintain the rotor assembly in a desired position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A shunt valve system, comprising:
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a housing having therein a chamber including an inlet port for receiving fluid, an outlet port for fluid release, and a valve mechanism including a rotor assembly for regulating fluid flow therethrough, when a fluid pressure differential between the inlet port and the outlet port exceeds a selected valve opening pressure; and a selectively engageable locking assembly for preventing rotation of the rotor assembly, the locking assembly having at least one protrusion having at least one contacting surface that is adapted to frictionally engage the rotor assembly to selectively maintain the rotor assembly in a desired position, the protrusion formed as an inflatable bladder.
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13. A shunt valve system, comprising:
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a housing having therein a chamber including an inlet port for receiving fluid, an outlet port for fluid release, and a valve mechanism including a rotor assembly for regulating fluid flow therethrough, when a fluid pressure differential between the inlet port and the outlet port exceeds a selected valve opening pressure; and a selectively engageable locking assembly for preventing rotation of the rotor assembly, the locking assembly having at least one protrusion having at least one contacting surface that is adapted to frictionally engage the rotor assembly to selectively maintain the rotor assembly in a desired position, wherein the locking assembly further includes an actuating mechanism for releasing and deploying the at least one protrusion, the actuating mechanism comprising a deformable membrane disposed on the housing that is configured to transfer a force applied to the deformable membrane through the housing and to the at least one protrusion sufficient to move the at least one protrusion between a first state in which the at least one protrusion frictionally engages the rotor assembly and a second state in which the at least one protrusion is disengaged from the rotor assembly, the deformable membrane of the actuating mechanism including a shape memory material, wherein the shape memory material is a spring wire embedded within the deformable membrane.
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Specification