Active drainage systems with dual-input pressure-driven valves
First Claim
1. A pressure-driven valve, comprising:
- a housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; and
a flow control portion disposed within the housing, the flow control portion having a first side subject to fluid flow pressure in a fluid flow channel, and having a second side subject to an outlet pressure representative of pressure at the fluid outlet, the flow control portion being deformable to increase and decrease flow through the fluid flow channel based on pressure differentials between the fluid flow pressure, a tube pressure, and the outlet pressure, and wherein the flow control portion has a flow control membrane and a radially-fluctuating pressure tube attached to the periphery of the flow control membrane,wherein the pressure tube comprises a hollow, flexible, curved deformable tube including a closed end and an open end, the pressure tube being filled with fluid conveying the tube pressure, the pressure tube being curved to define a circular space having a first diameter, andwherein the pressure tube is deformable in response to pressure differentials between the outlet pressure and the tube pressure, thereby deforming the flow control membrane to increase and decrease flow through the fluid flow channel.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pressure-driven valve is disclosed. The valve includes a housing and a flow control portion disposed within the housing. The housing includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The flow control portion has a first side subject to fluid flow pressure in a fluid flow channel, and a second side subject to an outlet pressure representative of pressure at the fluid outlet. The flow control portion is deformable to increase and decrease flow through the fluid flow channel based on pressure differentials between the fluid flow pressure, a tube pressure, and the outlet pressure. In some instances, the flow control portion comprises a flow control membrane and a radially-fluctuating pressure tube attached to the periphery of the membrane.
150 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A pressure-driven valve, comprising:
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a housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; and a flow control portion disposed within the housing, the flow control portion having a first side subject to fluid flow pressure in a fluid flow channel, and having a second side subject to an outlet pressure representative of pressure at the fluid outlet, the flow control portion being deformable to increase and decrease flow through the fluid flow channel based on pressure differentials between the fluid flow pressure, a tube pressure, and the outlet pressure, and wherein the flow control portion has a flow control membrane and a radially-fluctuating pressure tube attached to the periphery of the flow control membrane, wherein the pressure tube comprises a hollow, flexible, curved deformable tube including a closed end and an open end, the pressure tube being filled with fluid conveying the tube pressure, the pressure tube being curved to define a circular space having a first diameter, and wherein the pressure tube is deformable in response to pressure differentials between the outlet pressure and the tube pressure, thereby deforming the flow control membrane to increase and decrease flow through the fluid flow channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A pressure-driven valve for implantation in a patient, comprising:
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a housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a fluid flow channel extending between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; a pressure tube disposed within the housing, the pressure tube comprising a hollow, flexible, curved tube including a closed end and an open end, the pressure tube being filled with fluid conveying a tube pressure, the pressure tube being curved to define a circular space having a first diameter; and a deformable portion attached to the pressure tube, the deformable portion defining a portion of the fluid flow channel and being configured to deform to increase and decrease a size of the fluid flow channel to regulate fluid flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, the deformable portion being disposed and arranged to deform as a result of pressure differentials between the tube pressure, a fluid flow channel pressure, and an outlet pressure representative of fluid pressure at the fluid outlet. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification