Method and apparatus for regulating fluid flow or conserving fluid flow
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for connection to a source of pressurized fluid and for connection to a cannula, the apparatus comprising:
- a revolved body having a first end, a second end, a central longitudinal axis, an input adapted to be coupled to the source of pressurized fluid, an output configured to be coupled to the cannula, and a fluid passage configured to connect the input to the output; and
a flow selector positioned between the input and the output, the flow selector being rotatably coupled to the revolved body at a location between the first end and the second end of the revolved body, the flow selector being actuatable from the exterior of the revolved body and positioned such that an axis of rotation of the flow selector is parallel to and offset from the central longitudinal axis of the revolved body, wherein the flow selector includes a first fluid passage configured to restrict the flow of fluid to a first flow rate from the input to the output when the first fluid passage is aligned with the fluid passage which connects the input and the output.
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Abstract
Fluid flow regulators and fluid conservers are disclosed. An exemplary fluid conserver may be operated in one of an intermittent mode of operation and a continuous mode of operation. Further, the exemplary conserver provides at least two pulses of fluid in response to a first trigger, such as the inhalation of a patient.
266 Citations
51 Claims
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1. An apparatus for connection to a source of pressurized fluid and for connection to a cannula, the apparatus comprising:
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a revolved body having a first end, a second end, a central longitudinal axis, an input adapted to be coupled to the source of pressurized fluid, an output configured to be coupled to the cannula, and a fluid passage configured to connect the input to the output; and a flow selector positioned between the input and the output, the flow selector being rotatably coupled to the revolved body at a location between the first end and the second end of the revolved body, the flow selector being actuatable from the exterior of the revolved body and positioned such that an axis of rotation of the flow selector is parallel to and offset from the central longitudinal axis of the revolved body, wherein the flow selector includes a first fluid passage configured to restrict the flow of fluid to a first flow rate from the input to the output when the first fluid passage is aligned with the fluid passage which connects the input and the output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus comprising:
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a device having a first fluid inlet in fluid communication with a first fluid outlet and a second fluid inlet in fluid communication with a second fluid outlet; a body member rotatably coupled to the device, the body member including a plurality of fluid passages, each fluid passage being selectably positionable in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet by rotating the body member relative to the device, each fluid passage being configured to provide a respective flow rate of fluid from the first fluid inlet to the first fluid outlet when positioned in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet; an axle coupled to the body member, the axle having a central fluid passage in fluid communication with the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet to provide a flow of fluid from the second fluid inlet to the second fluid outlet; and a knob coupled to the body member, the knob having an outer surface being actuatable from the exterior of the device, wherein the body member is positioned between the axle and the knob such that the knob overlaps the body member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for coupling a first fluid inlet of a device to a first fluid outlet of the device and a second fluid inlet of the device to a second fluid outlet of the device, the apparatus comprising:
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a body member rotatably coupled to the device, the body member including a plurality of fluid passages, each fluid passage being selectably positionable in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet by rotating the body member relative to the device, each fluid passage being configured to provide a respective flow rate of fluid from the first fluid inlet to the first fluid outlet when positioned in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet; an axle coupled to the body member, the axle having a central fluid passage in fluid communication with the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet to provide a flow of fluid from the second fluid inlet to the second fluid outlet, wherein at least a first of the plurality of fluid passages includes an occluder positioned within an opening formed in the body member to reduce the size of the first fluid passage and hence control the amount of fluid that is communicated from the first fluid inlet to the first fluid outlet when the first fluid passage is aligned with the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet, the first fluid passage is generally parallel to the axle and wherein the occluder is received in an opening that intersects with the first fluid passage, and the opening is generally radial to the first fluid passage and the occluder is a ball.
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13. An apparatus for connection to a source of pressurized fluid and for connection to a cannula for communication of fluid to a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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a body having an input adapted to be coupled to the source of pressurized fluid, an output configured to be coupled to the cannula, and a fluid passage configured to connect the input to the output; and a pneumatic controller including a valve assembly in communication with the fluid passage of the body, the pneumatic controller being configured to detect an inhalation of the patient and to provide a series of at least two pulses of the fluid to the output during the inhalation of the patient, the pneumatic controller providing an initial pulse having a fluid amplitude greater than a fluid amplitude of subsequent pulses in the series of at least two pulses without the aid of a fluid reservoir separate from the fluid passage of the body. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An apparatus for providing fluid from a source of pressurized fluid to a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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a single lumen cannula configured to be received by the nostrils of the patient; a body having an input adapted to be coupled to the source of pressurized fluid, an output configured to be coupled to the cannula, and a fluid passage configured to connect the input to the output; a flow selector having at least a first fluid passage configured to provide a first restricted fluid flow rate and a second fluid passage configured to provide a second restricted fluid flow rate, each of the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage being selectably positionable in the fluid passage of the body between the input and the output; and a controller configured to detect a first trigger corresponding to a beginning portion of an inhalation of the patient and a second trigger corresponding to one of an ending portion of the inhalation of the patient and an exhalation of the patient, the controller being further configured to provide fluid to the cannula through the output between the detection of the first trigger and the detection of the second trigger in a first mode of operation and continuously in a second mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. An apparatus for connection to a source of pressurized fluid and for connection to a cannula for delivery of fluid to a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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a body having an input adapted to be coupled to the source of pressurized fluid, an output adapted to be coupled to the cannula, and a fluid passage configured to connect the input to the output; a flow selector having at least a first fluid passage configured to provide a first restricted flow rate of fluid and a second fluid passage configured to provide a second restricted flow rate of fluid, each of the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage being positionable in the fluid passage of the body between the input and the output to provide a first flow setting and a second flow setting respectively, the flow selector being positionable in the first flow setting or the second flow setting by an operator from an exterior of the body; a controller configured to provide fluid to the cannula based on the respective flow setting of the flow selector, the controller being operable in two modes of operation, a continuous mode of operation wherein fluid is provided to the cannula in a continuous flow and an intermittent mode of operation wherein the fluid is provided to the cannula as at least three pulses of fluid during a respective inhalation of the patient; and a mode selector accessible from the exterior of the body and actuatable by an operator independent of an actuation of the flow selector, the mode selector having a first mode setting and a second mode setting, the mode selector being operably coupled to the controller and configured such that the first mode setting configures the controller to operate in the continuous mode of operation and the second mode setting configures the controller to operate in the intermittent mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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39. An apparatus for connection to a source of pressurized fluid and for connection to a cannula for delivery of fluid to a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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a body having an input adapted to be coupled to the source of pressurized fluid, an output adapted to be coupled to the cannula, and a fluid passage configured to connect the input to the output, the fluid passage including a seat for receiving a seal; a flow selector having at least a first fluid passage configured to provide a first restricted flow rate of fluid and a second fluid passage configured to provide a second restricted flow rate of fluid, each of the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage being positionable in the fluid passage of the body between the input and the output; and a pneumatic controller including a piston moveably coupled to the body and configured to move between a first position preventing the passage of fluid to the outlet and a second position permitting the passage of fluid to the outlet, the movement of the piston between the first position and the second position being controlled to provide an intermittent flow of fluid to the outlet, wherein a first portion of the piston contacts and cooperates with the seal to prevent the passage of fluid to the outlet in the first position and wherein the first portion is spaced apart from the seal to permit the passage of fluid to the outlet in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
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42. An apparatus for connection to a source of pressurized fluid and for connection to a cannula for delivery of fluid to a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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a body having an input adapted to be coupled to the source of pressurized fluid and an output adapted to be coupled to the cannula and a fluid passage configured to connect the input to the output, the body including at least three body portions which when assembled form the body, the at least three body portions being keyed to permit the assembly of the body portions in a single orientation; a coupler configured to couple the at least three body portions together; a flow selector coupled to the body and positioned such that an outer surface of the flow selector is actuatable by an operator, the outer surface of the flow selector being positioned between a first end of the body and a second end of the body, the flow selector having at least a first fluid passage configured to provide a first restricted flow rate of fluid and a second fluid passage configured to provide a second restricted flow rate of fluid, each of the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage being positionable in the fluid passage of the body between the input and the output; and a controller configured to provide fluid to the output at least in an intermittent mode of operation, wherein the fluid is provided as multiple pulses of fluid during an inhalation of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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44. An apparatus for connection to a source of pressurized fluid and for connection to a cannula for delivery of fluid to a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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a body having an input adapted to be coupled to the source of pressurized fluid and an output configured to be coupled to the cannula and a fluid passage configured to connect the input to the output, the body being a revolved body about a first axis; a flow selector rotatable coupled to the body and having a first outer surface at least partially concealed within the revolved body, the flow selector including a plurality of fluid passages, each of the plurality of fluid passages being configured to restrict the flow of fluid from the input to the output by a respective amount when the respective fluid passage is aligned with the fluid passage, wherein the selection of a first fluid passage from the plurality of fluid passages is performed by a rotation of the flow selector, the rotation being imparted by an operator applying a force to a portion of the first outer surface of the flow selector which is accessible from an exterior of the body, wherein an exterior of the body defines an envelope of the body and the flow selector is substantially contained within the envelope of the body, wherein the flow selector has a first radial extent including the portion of the first outer surface of the flow selector, the flow selector being positioned so that at least the portion of the first radial extent extends outside the envelope of the body and a second radial extent including an indicia corresponding to the alignment of the first fluid passage with the fluid passage, the second radial extent being less than the first radial extent and the flow selector being positioned so that the second radial extent is contained within the envelope of the body, the body including a window such that the indicia of the second radial extent is visible through the window when the first fluid passage is aligned with the fluid passage.
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45. An apparatus for use with a fluid apparatus, the fluid apparatus including a body having an interior cavity, a fluid inlet which is configured to receive a high pressure fluid from a source of pressurized fluid, and an application device which utilizes fluid at a lower pressure, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide fluid for the application device at the lower pressure, the apparatus comprising:
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a base member adapted to be received within the interior cavity of the fluid apparatus, the base member including a base portion and a guide portion extending from the base portion, the base member having a central passageway extending there through, the central passageway being positioned such that it is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet of the fluid apparatus; a piston adapted to be received within the interior cavity of the fluid apparatus, the piston including a piston base portion and a stem portion, the stem portion being configured to be received by the central passageway in the guide portion of the base member, the piston having a fluid passageway there through with a fluid inlet in the stem portion and a fluid outlet in the piston base portion, the fluid outlet being in fluid communication with the application device; and a spring sized to receive the guide portion of the base member, a first end of the spring being positioned adjacent the base portion of the base member and a second end of the spring being positioned adjacent a seat surface of the piston base portion, the seat surface being located in a recess of the piston base portion, the recess being sized to receive a first end of the guide portion of the base member. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47)
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48. An apparatus for providing fluid from a source of pressurized fluid to a cannula for communication to a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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a body having an input adapted to be coupled to the source of pressurized fluid, an output configured to be coupled to the cannula, and a fluid passage configured to connect the input to the output; a pneumatic controller being operable in two modes of operation, a continuous mode of operation wherein fluid is provided to the cannula in a continuous flow and an intermittent mode of operation wherein the fluid is provided to the cannula as multiple pulses of fluid within a time period generally between the detection of a first trigger and a second trigger; and a mode selector accessible from the exterior of the body and actuatable by an operator, the mode selector having a first mode setting and a second mode setting, the mode selector being operably coupled to the pneumatic controller and configured such that the first mode setting configures the pneumatic controller to operate in the continuous mode of operation and the second mode setting configures the pneumatic controller to operate in the intermittent mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51)
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Specification