Valve system with a pressure sensing displacement member

• US 10,817,004 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2018
• Issued: 10/27/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Incorporated (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Original Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Incorporated (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Inventors: Byler, Terry Lynn
• Primary Examiner(s): Colon-Morales, David
• Application Number:
  US16/003,814
• Publication Number:
  US 20190138037A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 25112911, 25112912, 25112913, 251 4, 251 7, 251 8, 251331, 2513352, 25112904
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/14 Dialysis systems; Artificial kidneys; Blood oxygenators semi-permeable membranes characterised by the material, manufacturing processes therefor B01D71/00 ; Reciprocating systems for treatment of body fluids, e.g. single needle systems for hemofiltration or pheresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/226 Spindles or actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/10 with powered movement mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/332 Force measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/04 using a motor
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0083 by measuring valve parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/202 actuated by an electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve

Abstract

A system and method of monitoring and controlling the open and close states of a manifold diaphragm type valve includes using an actuator mechanism with feedback control. A pressure transducer and/or force gauge located on the contact end of the actuator mechanism monitors the pressure and/or force applied to the end of the actuator mechanism. A controller instructs the actuator mechanism to move forward or backward an appropriate distance based on the monitored pressure and/or force. Temperature and pressure changes in the system and material changes to the diaphragm are sensed immediately and positioning correction is applied to the actuator in real-time, thereby maintaining the same valve state while monitoring pressure separately. The linear actuator functions as a ‘smart’ actuator, capable of fine tune adjustments without additional outside monitoring and providing a more accurate and reliable method of closing the valve in a dynamic environment.

Claims

1. A valve actuator system adapted to open and close a valve, comprising an orifice closing member adjacent a fluid pathway through which fluid flows in a dialysis system, the valve actuator mechanism comprising:

a displacement system, wherein the displacement system comprises a displacement member adapted to being displaced linearly and having a contact end positioned proximate to the orifice closing member when the valve is in the open state, and wherein the displacement system comprises at least one pressure sensor configured to sense pressure generated when the contact end is in physical communication with the orifice closing member and to relay data based on the sensed pressure;

a mechanism for moving the displacement member; and

a controller configured to receive the sensed pressure from the at least one pressure sensor, wherein the controller comprises a memory having stored therein a plurality of programmatic instructions that, when executed by a processing unit, compare the sensed pressure to a pre-determined value stored in the memory and activate the mechanism to move the displacement member toward or away from the orifice closing member to optimally position the contact end against the orifice closing member such that the mechanism maintains a sensed pressure of at least 2 psi.

2. The valve actuator system of claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises a stepper motor.

3. The valve actuator system of claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises a DC motor.

4. The valve actuator system of claim 1, further comprising an encoder for determining an amount of movement of the displacement member.

5. The valve actuator system of claim 1 for use in a dialysis machine.

6. A valve actuator system adapted to open and close a valve, comprising an orifice closing member adjacent a fluid pathway through which fluid flows in a dialysis system, the valve actuator mechanism comprising:

a displacement system, wherein the displacement system comprises a displacement member adapted to being displaced linearly and having a contact end positioned proximate to the orifice closing member when the valve is in the open state, and wherein the displacement system comprises at least one force sensor configured to sense force generated when the contact end is in physical communication with the orifice closing member and to relay data based on the sensed force;

a mechanism for moving the displacement member; and

a controller adapted to receive the sensed force from the at least one force sensor, wherein the controller comprises a memory having stored therein a plurality of programmatic instructions that, when executed by a processing unit, compare the sensed force to a pre-determined value stored in the memory and activate the mechanism to move the displacement member toward or away from the orifice closing member to optimally position the contact end against the orifice closing member such that the mechanism maintains a force of at least 5 pound-force.

7. The valve actuator system of claim 6, wherein the mechanism comprises a stepper motor.

8. The valve actuator system of claim 6, wherein the mechanism comprises a DC motor.

9. The valve actuator system of claim 6, further comprising an encoder for determining an amount of movement of the displacement member.

10. The valve actuator system of claim 6 for use in a dialysis machine.

11. A valve actuator system adapted to open and close a valve, comprising an orifice closing member and adjacent a fluid pathway through which fluid flows in a dialysis system, the valve actuator mechanism comprising:

a displacement system, wherein the displacement system comprises a displacement member adapted to being displaced linearly and having a contact end wherein the contact end is positioned proximate to the orifice closing member when the valve is in the open state, wherein the displacement system comprises at least one pressure sensor, configured to sense pressure generated when the contact end is in physical communication with the orifice closing member and to relay data based on the sensed pressure, and wherein the displacement system comprises at least one force gauge configured to sense a force generated when the contact end is in physical communication with the orifice closing member and to relay data based on the sensed force;

a mechanism for moving the displacement member; and

a controller configured to receive the sensed pressure from the at least one pressure sensor and the sensed force from the at least one force gauge, wherein the controller comprises a memory having stored therein a plurality of programmatic instructions that, when executed by a processing unit, compares the sensed pressure to a pre-determined pressure value stored in the memory and the sensed force to a pre-determined force value stored is the memory and activate the mechanism to move the displacement member toward or away from the orifice closing member to optimally position the contact end against the orifice closing member such that the mechanism maintains a sensed pressure of at least 2 psi and a force of at least 5 pound-force.

12. The valve actuator system of claim 11, wherein the mechanism comprises a stepper motor.

13. The valve actuator system of claim 11, wherein the mechanism comprises a DC motor.

14. The valve actuator system of claim 11, further comprising an encoder for determining an amount of movement of the displacement member.

15. The valve actuator system of claim 11 for use in a dialysis machine.