Patent · US Expired

Dual valve for respiratory device

US4259951A · kind A · utility

99Cited by
4References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 30, 1979
Grant dateApr 7, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 30, 1999

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/7843
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A dual valve for an inhalation device which permits air to be withdrawn from the device upon inhalation but which prevents the flow of air into the device upon exhalation. The valve includes a central opening in communication with the device, and a plurality of openings about the central opening in communication with the surrounding environment. The valve also includes a central flexible flapper valve which extends across and controls the flow of air through the central opening, and a plurality of outer flexible flapper valves which extend across and control the flow of air through the outer openings. In use, inhalation by a user opens the central flexible flapper valve to allow the free flow of air from the inhalation device while the outer flapper valves remain closed. Correspondingly, exhalation by the user opens the outer flexible flapper valves from their seats to exhaust air to the surrounding atmosphere while the central flexible valve remains closed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.