Check valve for fluid injector
First Claim
1. A vacuum backflow prevention system, comprising:
- a fluid ejector tube adapted for insertion into a patient'"'"'s mouth;
a backflow prevention device, comprising;
a distal portion defining a valve seat portion and an inlet, the distal portion configured for operative connection to the fluid ejector tube;
a proximal portion defining an outlet and a valve contact surface, the proximal portion configured for operative connection to a vacuum source and to the distal portion;
a valve member being captured between the valve contact surface of the proximal portion and the valve seat of the distal portion at a first end along a portion of a peripheral edge of the valve member, the valve member being moveable from a first position substantially blocking fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet, and a second position wherein a second end of the valve member opposite the first end is moved in a direction toward the outlet to permit fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet under a vacuum condition applied by the vacuum source at the outlet, the valve member being configured to bend at a location radially inward from the peripheral edge and at a location spaced closer to the first end than the second end; and
a valve protrusion positioned on a proximal side of the valve member in contact with the proximal portion of the backflow prevention device, the valve protrusion being configured to bias the valve member into the first position.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A backflow-prevention system that substantially prevents contaminant backflow at a treatment site. The system includes a fluid ejector tube for insertion into the patient'"'"'s mouth and for removal of fluids when a threshold vacuum pressure is applied. A backflow prevention device receives fluid from the fluid ejector tube and includes an internally positioned valve. The valve prevents contaminant backflow upon release of the vacuum pressure or a reduction in the vacuum pressure. Upon application of vacuum pressure, the valve moves into an open position to allow fluid flow away from the treatment site. The system can also include a disposable cover member that extends over at least portions of the fluid ejector tip, the backflow prevention device, and other features such as an ON/OFF valve assembly of a suction system. Similar principles of backflow prevention can be applied to fluid dispensers (e.g., liquid soap dispensers) wherein prevention of backflow of the fluid into the fluid storage container is necessary, in order for the dispenser to function properly.
65 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A vacuum backflow prevention system, comprising:
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a fluid ejector tube adapted for insertion into a patient'"'"'s mouth; a backflow prevention device, comprising; a distal portion defining a valve seat portion and an inlet, the distal portion configured for operative connection to the fluid ejector tube; a proximal portion defining an outlet and a valve contact surface, the proximal portion configured for operative connection to a vacuum source and to the distal portion; a valve member being captured between the valve contact surface of the proximal portion and the valve seat of the distal portion at a first end along a portion of a peripheral edge of the valve member, the valve member being moveable from a first position substantially blocking fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet, and a second position wherein a second end of the valve member opposite the first end is moved in a direction toward the outlet to permit fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet under a vacuum condition applied by the vacuum source at the outlet, the valve member being configured to bend at a location radially inward from the peripheral edge and at a location spaced closer to the first end than the second end; and a valve protrusion positioned on a proximal side of the valve member in contact with the proximal portion of the backflow prevention device, the valve protrusion being configured to bias the valve member into the first position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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10. A vacuum suction system, comprising:
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an ON/OFF valve assembly comprising a ON/OFF valve housing, an ON/OFF valve positioned in the ON/OFF housing, an ON/OFF valve inlet, and an ON/OFF valve outlet; a backflow prevention device comprising a distal portion defining a backflow inlet and a valve seat, a proximal portion defining a backflow outlet and a valve contact surface, and a valve member having a sealing portion that contacts the valve seat to form a seal, the valve member being captured within the valve seat between the distal portion and the valve contact surface of the proximal portion at a first end along a portion of a peripheral edge of the valve member radially inward from the sealing portion, an opposite second end of the valve member being configured to move between a closed position and an open position upon application of a predetermined vacuum condition at the backflow outlet, the valve member being biased toward the backflow inlet to remain in the closed position in the absence of the predetermined vacuum condition and being configured to bend at a location spaced radially inward from the peripheral edge closer to the first end than the second end, the backflow outlet secured in fluid communication with the ON/OFF valve inlet, the ON/OFF valve being configured to control application of the predetermined vacuum condition at the backflow outlet; and a fluid ejector tube in fluid communication with the distal portion of the backflow prevention device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 26, 27)
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14. A backflow prevention device, comprising:
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a distal portion defining a distal opening at a distal end thereof and a valve seat at a proximal end thereof; a proximal portion defining a proximal opening at a proximal end thereof and a valve contact surface at a distal end thereof; and a valve member positioned at a location within the valve seat between the distal portion and the valve contact surface of the proximal portion with a first end of the valve member being fixed along a perimeter of the valve member, the valve member being biased toward the distal opening, the valve member being automatically moveable from a first position substantially blocking fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet, and a second position wherein a second end of the valve member opposite the first end is moved toward the proximal opening to permit fluid to flow between the distal opening and the proximal opening upon application of a predetermined fluid force to the valve member, the valve member being configured to bend at a location radially inward from the perimeter portion and at a location spaced closer to the first end than the second end. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28)
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29. A vacuum suction system, comprising:
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a backflow prevention device comprising; a distal portion defining a backflow inlet and a valve seat; a proximal portion defining a backflow outlet and a valve contact surface; a valve member captured within the valve seat and having a sealing portion that contacts the valve seat to form a seal, the valve member being held in place with at least one retaining member that contacts the valve member at location spaced radially inward from the sealing portion and a peripheral edge of the valve member at a first end, an opposite second end of the valve member being configured to move between a closed position and an open position upon application of a predetermined vacuum condition at the backflow outlet, the valve member being configured to remain in the closed position in the absence of the predetermined vacuum condition and being configured to bend at a location spaced radially inward from the peripheral edge closer to the first end than the second end; an ON/OFF valve assembly comprising a ON/OFF valve housing, an ON/OFF valve positioned in the ON/OFF housing, an ON/OFF valve inlet, and an ON/OFF valve outlet, the ON/OFF valve inlet being secured in fluid communication with the backflow outlet, the ON/OFF valve being configured to control application of the predetermined vacuum condition at the backflow outlet; a fluid ejector tube in fluid communication with the distal portion of the backflow prevention device. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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Specification