Low pressure measurement devices in high pressure environments

• US 20060180202A1
• Filed: 04/11/2006
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ACIST Medical Systems Incorporated (Bracco SPA)
• Original Assignee: ACIST Medical Systems Incorporated (Bracco SPA)
• Inventors: McPeak, Thomas, Wilson, Robert F., Gabbard, Mark, Duchon, Douglas J., Mohiuddin, Khader
• Granted Patent: US 7,617,837 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/112
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• 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: A61M 5/007 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/1402 having an integral flexible member cooperating with a plurality of seating surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/144 the closure elements being fixed along all or a part of their periphery
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/147 the closure elements having specially formed slits or being of an elongated easily collapsible form
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2567 Alternate or successive inflows
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/784 Integral resilient member forms plural valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7843 Integral resilient member forms plural valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7879 Resilient material valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7881 Apertured plate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87676 With flow control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49405 Valve or choke making

Abstract

The present invention presents various novel approaches to solving the problems inherent in measuring biological pressures in high pressure systems. Thus, to protect a pressure transducer exposed to fluid flows at higher pressures than its overpressure rating, a novel valve is used that closes a protected leg in which the transducer is located. The various exemplary embodiments of such valves each have a high pressure input, one or more low pressure inputs, and an output. In operation, when a high pressure fluid flow occurs at a high pressure input, such valves automatically close the low pressure inputs. Alternatively, a novel transducer system is presented, which automatically limits the effective pressure sensed by a transducer to a certain maximum.

Claims

1-27. -27. (canceled)

28. A fluid valve comprising:

a first input port;

one or more additional input ports; and

an output port,

wherein, when a liquid applies a pressure to the first input port that equals or is greater than a defined pressure the liquid can flow through the first input port and any path from an additional input port to the output port is blocked.

29. The valve of claim 28, wherein the valve is injection molded in one piece.

30. The valve of claim 28, wherein at least a portion of the valve is an elastomere material.

31. The valve of claim 30, wherein any path from an additional input port to the output port is blocked due to a change in shape of an elastomeric portion of the valve.

32. The valve of claim 31, wherein the defined pressure comprises a minimum cracking pressure necessary for the elastomeric portion to change its shape.

33. The valve of claim 32, wherein the minimum cracking pressure is a function of a durometer and/or an elasticity of the elastomeric portion.

34. The valve of claim 33, wherein variation of the durometer and/or the elasticity allow for variation of the minimum cracking pressure.

35. The valve of claim 32, wherein the minimum cracking pressure is a function of at least one of shape, exterior dimensions and interior dimensions of the valve.

36. The valve of claim 35, wherein variation of at least one of the shape, exterior dimensions or interior dimensions allow for variation in the minimum cracking pressure.

37. The valve of claim 28, further comprising:

a first tapered cavity provided in front of the first input port so as to receive fluid flow therefrom;

a second tapered cavity provided behind the output port so as to provide fluid flow thereto; and

an elastomeric disc portion between the first and second tapered cavities.

38. The valve of claim 37, wherein said elastomeric disc has an opening, which opens when a fluid in the first tapered cavity has a defined pressure.

39. The valve of claim 37, wherein said opening comprises one or more slits.

40. The valve of claim 37, wherein said one or more additional input ports open into said second tapered cavity.

41. The valve of claim 28, further comprising a transducer location, wherein, when a liquid at a defined pressure flows through the first input port, any path from said transducer location to the output port is blocked.

42. A fluid valve, comprising:

a disc holder;

an elastomeric valve disc with a slit;

a valve body;

a first input port;

a set of one or more additional input ports; and

wherein, when the valve disc is in a closed state the first input port is isolated from the output port and the additional input ports; and

wherein, when the valve disc is in an open state the additional input ports are isolated from the output port and from the first input port, the valve disc being in the open state when a fluid pressure equaling or exceeding a defined pressure is applied to the first input port and causes the slit in the elastomeric valve disc to open.

43. The valve of claim 42, wherein the state of the valve disc is determined by a pressure applied to the first input port.

44. The valve of claim 42, wherein the defined pressure comprises a cracking pressure of the valve.

45. The valve of claim 44, wherein the cracking pressure is a function of at least one of physical properties of the elastomeric disc, interior dimensions of the disc holder, valve body and/or valve disc, and exterior dimensions of the disc holder, valve body and/or valve disc.

46. The valve of claim 42, wherein the first input port is provided in the valve body.

47. The valve of claim 42, wherein the set of one or more additional input ports is provided in the valve body.