Shuttle valve

• US 7,637,279 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2006
• Issued: 12/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Amley, Joseph M., Lincoln, Danny F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rivell; John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chaudry; Atif H
• Application Number:
  US11/275,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20070221275A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,439 Days
• Field of Search: 137/102, 137/112, 137/512, 137/113
• US Class Current: 137/102
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/2473 Valve comprising a non-deformable, movable element, e.g. ball-valve, valve with movable stopper or reciprocating element
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/2486 Guided stem, e.g. reciprocating stopper
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/2493 Check valve with complex design, e.g. several inlets and outlets and several check valves in one body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/223 Multiway valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/24 Check- or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14216 Reciprocating piston type
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/0712 comprising particular spool-valve sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/0716 with fluid passages through the valve member F16K11/0704, F16K11/0708, F16K11/0712 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/147 the closure elements having specially formed slits or being of an elongated easily collapsible form
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/1226 the fluid circulating through the piston
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2544 Supply and exhaust type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7838 Plural

Abstract

A shuttle valve (12,150,230) is provided having a body (44,152,232) defining an interior chamber (46,154,234). The valve (12,150,230) includes inlet (16,158,238), outlet (18,160,240) and common (14,156,236) ports that are coupled to the body (44,152,232). A shuttle (48, 162,242) is translatably disposed within the chamber (46,154,234) between a first position wherein the inlet (16,158,238) and common (14,156,236) ports are fluidicly coupled and the common (14,156,236) and outlet (18,160,240) ports are fluidicly uncoupled, and a second position wherein the outlet (18,160,240) and common (14,156,236) ports are fluidicly coupled and the common (14,156,236) and inlet (16,158,238) ports are fluidicly uncoupled. A first check valve (50,50,50) coupled to the inlet port (16,158,238) to permit fluid flow through the inlet port (16,158,238) into the chamber (46,154,234) and to prevent fluid from discharging therethrough. A second check valve (50,50,50) is coupled to the outlet port (18,160,240) in a manner to permit fluid to discharge from the chamber (46,154,234) through the outlet port (18,160,240) and to prevent fluid from flowing through the outlet port (18,160,240) into the chamber (46,154,234).

Claims

1. A shuttle valve comprising:

a body defining an interior chamber;

an inlet port, an outlet port and a common port, each of the ports being coupled to the body;

a shuttle translatably disposed within the chamber between a first position wherein the inlet port and the common port are fluidicly coupled and the common port and the outlet port are fluidicly uncoupled and a second position wherein the outlet port and the common port are fluidicly coupled and the common port and the inlet port are fluidicly uncoupled the shuttle adapted to change position from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position solely in response to pressure of fluid intended to be communicated through the common port;

a first check valve coupled to the inlet port in a manner to permit fluid flow through the inlet port into the chamber and to prevent fluid from discharging from the chamber through the inlet port; and

a second check valve coupled to the outlet port in a manner to permit fluid to discharge from the chamber through the outlet port and to prevent fluid from flowing through the outlet port into the chamber.

2. The shuttle valve of claim 1, the shuttle being responsive to varying a fluid pressure at the common port to move between the first and second positions.

3. The shuttle valve of claim 1, the shuttle being moveable into the second position in response to increased fluid pressure at the common port.

4. The shuttle valve of claim 1, the shuttle being moveable into the first position in response to decreased fluid pressure at the common port.

5. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the first check valve is disposed within the inlet port; and

the second check valve is disposed within the outlet port.

6. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the first check valve is disposed in series fluidicly with the inlet port; and

the second check valve is disposed in series fluidicly with the outlet port.

7. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 5, wherein:

the first check valve is made of a first elastomeric material;

the second check valve is made of a second elastomeric material.

8. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the body of the shuttle valve is made of a plastic material.

9. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the shuttle is made of an elastomeric material.

10. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the body portion of the shuttle is made of a plastic material.

11. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 10, wherein:

the shuttle further comprises a plurality of annular seals integral with the body portion and extending outwardly there from; and

the seals are made of an elastomeric material and are secured to the body portion of the shuttle.

12. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the body of the shuttle valve has a substantially cylindrical wall with an inner surface;

the shuttle includes a longitudinally extending stem, a disk integral with one end of the stem and including a periphery and an annular member interconnected to the stem proximate an opposite end thereof and including a periphery;

the annular member and the disk are slidably sealed with the inner surface of the substantially cylindrical wall.

13. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 12, wherein:

the common port is secured to one end of the substantially cylindrical wall of the body of the shuttle valve.

14. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 13, wherein:

an opposite end of the substantially cylindrical wall of the body of the shuttle valve is at least partially open and communicates with the atmosphere external of the shuttle valve.

15. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 14, wherein the shuttle valve further comprises:

a filter disposed at the opposite end of the substantially cylindrical wall of the body and secured to the body.

16. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 13, wherein:

the inlet and outlet ports are spaced apart from one another and extend away from the substantially cylindrical wall.

17. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 12, wherein:

the shuttle valve further comprises first and second annular seals, the first annular seal being disposed about the periphery of the disk and in slidable, sealing engagement with the inner surface of the body of the shuttle valve, the second annular seal being disposed about the periphery of the annular member and in slidable, sealing engagement with the inner surface of the body of the shuttle valve;

the second annular seal is effective for closing the outlet port when the shuttle is in the first position and for closing the inlet port when the shuttle is in the second position whereby the inlet and outlet ports are fluidicly uncoupled.

18. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 12, wherein:

the shuttle further includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending spokes integral with and extending between the stem and the annular member;

the circumferentially spaced spokes permit the common port and the disk to be fluidicly coupled.

19. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 12, further comprising:

at least one stop protruding inwardly from the inner surface of the substantially cylindrical wall, the stops being effective for limiting the translation of the shuttle in at least one direction within the chamber.

20. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the outlet port is positioned longitudinally intermediate the common port and the inlet port.

21. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the body of the shuttle valve comprises first, second and third substantially cylindrical portions, the first portion being open at both ends, the second portion being disposed at least partially within one of the open ends of the first portion and the third portion being at least partially disposed within the other open end of the first portion.

22. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 21, wherein:

the second portion of the body of the shuttle valve is integrally formed with the common port.

23. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 21, wherein:

the third portion of the body of the shuttle valve is open at one end for receiving the shuttle therethrough, the other end of the third portion comprising a transverse wall having a vent passage formed therethrough, the vent passage fluidicly coupling the interior chamber and the atmosphere exterior of the valve.

24. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 21, wherein:

the first portion of the body of the shuttle valve includes a generally centrally disposed shoulder protruding inwardly from a remaining portion of the first portion of the body into the interior chamber, the second and third portions each having an open end in abutting relationship with the shoulder.

25. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 24, wherein:

the body of the shuttle valve has a substantially cylindrical inner surface having a first diameter;

the inner surface of the body of the shuttle valve comprises an inner surface of the second portion of the body, an inner surface of the shoulder and an inner surface of the third portion of the body.

26. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 21, wherein:

the body of the shuttle valve has a substantially cylindrical inner surface having a first diameter;

the shuttle includes a body portion having a substantially cylindrical outer surface having a second diameter that is substantially the same as the first diameter;

the outer surface of the body portion of the shuttle has a plurality of longitudinally spaced annular recesses formed therein;

the shuttle valve further includes a plurality of annular, elastomeric seals, each of the seals being disposed within one of the recesses and in slidable, sealing engagement with the inner surface of the body of the shuttle valve.

27. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 26, wherein the shuttle further includes:

a longitudinally extending passage and a plurality of radially extending passages disposed within the body portion, the longitudinally extending passage being fluidicly coupled with the common port at one end thereof and fluidicly coupled with the radially extending passages proximate an opposite end thereof, each of the radially extending passages having a distal end opening onto the outer surface of the body portion.

28. A shuttle valve comprising:

a body defining an interior chamber;

an inlet port, an outlet port and a common port, each of the ports being coupled to the body;

a shuttle translatably disposed within the chamber between a first position wherein the inlet port and the common port are fluidicly coupled and the common port and the outlet port are fluidicly uncoupled and a second position wherein the outlet port and the common port are fluidicly coupled and the common port and the inlet port are fluidicly uncoupled;

a first check valve coupled to the inlet port in a manner to permit fluid flow through the inlet port into the chamber and to prevent fluid from discharging from the chamber through the inlet port;

a second check valve coupled to the outlet port in a manner to permit fluid to discharge from the chamber through the outlet port and to prevent fluid from flowing through the outlet port into the chamber; and

a vent passage having a first end communicating with the interior chamber and a second end opening onto an outer surface of the body, wherein a portion of the interior chamber is vented to atmospheric pressure via the vent passage.

29. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 28, wherein:

the first end of the vent passage communicates with the interior chamber at a location proximate the outlet port.

30. A shuttle valve comprising:

a body defining an interior chamber;

an inlet port, an outlet port and a common port, each of the ports being coupled to the body;

a shuttle translatably disposed within the chamber between a first position wherein the inlet port and the common port are fluidicly coupled and the common port and the outlet port are fluidicly uncoupled and a second position wherein the outlet port and the common port are fluidicly coupled and the common port and the inlet port are fluidicly uncoupled;

a first check valve coupled to the inlet port in a manner to permit fluid flow through the inlet port into the chamber and to prevent fluid from discharging from the chamber through the inlet port;

a second check valve coupled to the outlet port in a manner to permit fluid to discharge from the chamber through the outlet port and to prevent fluid from flowing through the outlet port into the chamber;

wherein the shuttle comprises;

a substantially cylindrical body portion having an external surface with a first diameter;

a longitudinally extending passage having a proximal end fluidicly coupled with the common port and a distal end terminating within the body portion of the shuttle; and

a plurality of radially extending passages, each fluidicly coupled with the distal end of the longitudinally extending passage at one end thereof and opening onto the external surface at the other end thereof.

31. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 30, wherein the shuttle further comprises:

a pair of longitudinally spaced annular seals extending away from the external surface of the body portion of the shuttle, the plurality of radially extending passages opening onto the external surface intermediate of the annular seals;

wherein

the body of the shuttle valve has a substantially cylindrical wall with an inner surface having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, the annular seals being disposed in slidable, sealing engagement with the inner surface to create an annular cavity;

the annular cavity is fluidicly coupled with the common port, the annular cavity being translatable with the shuttle within the interior chamber of said body of the shuttle valve such that the annular cavity is fluidicly coupled with the common port and the inlet port when the valve is in the first position and is fluidicly coupled with the common port and the outlet port when the valve is in the second position.

32. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 31, wherein:

the shuttle valve further includes an outlet passage having a first end fluidicly coupled with the annular cavity when the valve is in the second position and a second end fluidicly coupled with the outlet port.

33. A shuttle valve as recited in claim 32, wherein:

the outlet passage includes an opening that extends through the substantially cylindrical wall of the body, a longitudinally extending portion that extends along the outer surface of the body portion and an inwardly extending portion that extends within the interior chamber of the shuttle valve, the second portion being fluidicly coupled with the first portion and the outlet port.

34. A shuttle valve comprising:

a body defining an interior chamber;

an inlet port, an outlet port and a common port, each of the ports being coupled to the body;

a shuttle translatably disposed within the chamber between a first position wherein the inlet port and the common port are fluidicly coupled and the common port and the outlet port are fluidicly uncoupled and a second position wherein the outlet port and the common port are fluidicly coupled and the common port and the inlet port are fluidicly uncoupled;

a first check valve coupled to the inlet port in a manner to permit fluid flow through the inlet port into the chamber and to prevent fluid from discharging from the chamber through the inlet port;

a second check valve coupled to the outlet port in a manner to permit fluid to discharge from the chamber through the outlet port and to prevent fluid from flowing through the outlet port into the chamber;

wherein;

the body of the shuttle valve has a substantially cylindrical inner surface having a first diameter;

the shuttle includes a body portion having a substantially cylindrical outer surface with a second diameter less than the first diameter;

the shuttle further includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced seals extending outwardly from the body portion of the shuttle and disposed in slidable, sealing engagement with the inner surface of the body of the shuttle valve, the seals defining first, second and third annular cavities within the chamber between the outer surface of the body portion of the shuttle and the inner surface of the body of the shuttle valve, the first annular cavity being disposed proximate one end of the body portion and the third annular cavity being disposed proximate the other end of the body portion, the second annular cavity being disposed intermediate the first and third annular cavities;

the second cavity is in fluid communication with the common port and one of the inlet and outlet ports with the other of the inlet and outlet ports being in fluid communication with one of the first and third cavities, whereby fluid flow is permitted between the common port and one of the inlet and outlet ports and fluid flow between the inlet and outlet ports is prevented.

35. A system for dispensing a medical fluid intravenously to a patient comprising:

a shuttle valve having a body defining an interior chamber, and having an inlet port, an outlet port and a common port;

an unbiased shuttle translatably disposed within the chamber between a first position wherein the inlet port and the common port are fluidicly coupled and the common port and outlet port are fluidicly uncoupled and a second position wherein the outlet port and the common port are fluidicly coupled and the common port and the inlet port are fluidicly uncoupled;

a first check valve coupled to the inlet port in a manner to permit fluid flow through the inlet port into the chamber and to prevent fluid from discharging from the chamber through the inlet port;

a second check valve coupled to the outlet port in a manner to permit fluid to discharge from the chamber through the outlet port and to prevent fluid from flowing through the outlet port into the chamber;

a first section of tubing coupled at one end thereof to the inlet port and configured at an opposite end thereof for coupling to a reservoir of the fluid to be dispensed to the patient; and

a second section of tubing coupled at one end thereof to the outlet port and configured at the other end thereof to be coupled to a patient.

36. A method for automatically selecting the ports of a valve in a fluid dispensing system to be fluidicly coupled, the valve including a body defining an interior chamber and further including an inlet port, an outlet port and a common port, each port being coupled to the body, the method comprising the steps of:

coupling a first check valve to the inlet port in a manner to permit fluid flow through the inlet into the chamber and to prevent fluid from discharging from the chamber through the inlet port;

coupling a second check valve to the outlet port in a manner to permit fluid to discharge from the chamber through the outlet port and to prevent fluid from flowing through the outlet port into the chamber;

disposing a shuttle within the interior chamber so that the shuttle is translatable between a first position wherein the inlet port and common port are fluidicly coupled and the common port and outlet port are fluidicly uncoupled and a second position wherein the outlet port and the common port are fluidicly coupled and the common port and the inlet port are fluidicly uncoupled;

venting at least a portion of the interior chamber to atmosphere.

37. A method as recited in claim 36, further comprising the step of:

configuring the valve so the inlet port and the outlet port are always fluidicly uncoupled, regardless of the position of the shuttle.

38. A method as recited in claim 37, wherein the step of configuring comprises:

providing at least two longitudinally spaced seals, the seals being disposed about a periphery of the shuttle and in slidable, sealing engagement with an inner surface of the body of the valve.

39. A method for dispensing a medical fluid intravenously to a patient comprising:

obtaining a shuttle valve having a body defining an interior chamber and further including inlet, outlet and common ports, each coupled to the body, a first check valve coupled to the inlet port in a manner to permit fluid flow through the inlet port into the interior chamber and to prevent fluid from discharging from the interior chamber through the inlet port, and a shuttle translatably disposed within the chamber;

inducing a negative pressure at the common port causing the shuttle to be disposed in a first position wherein the inlet port and the common port are fluidicly coupled and the common port and the outlet port are fluidicly uncoupled; and

inducing a positive pressure at the common port causing the shuttle to be disposed in a second position wherein the outlet port and the common port are fluidicly coupled and the common port and the inlet port are fluidicly uncoupled;

wherein the shuttle changes position from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position solely in response to pressure of fluid intended to be communicated through the common port.

40. A method as recited in claim 39, wherein:

the step of inducing a negative pressure at the common port is accomplished by retracting a plunger of a syringe fluidicly coupled with the common port, whereby the syringe is at least partially filled with the medical fluid flowing through the inlet port;

the step of inducing a positive pressure at the common port is accomplished by advancing the plunger of the syringe, whereby the medical fluid is expelled out of the syringe and through the outlet port to the patient.