Catheter flow control valve
US4936542A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jun 26, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 27, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M39/225
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A valve for selectively controlling flow within a fluid line between a relatively low capillary flow rate and a flushing flow. A flush valve (10) comprises a base (14) and a cover (16) that secures an elastomeric membrane (18) in place over a flow path (32) formed in the base. The flow path includes an inlet passage (34) connected in fluid communication to an outlet passage (50) by a capillary groove (38). The membrane seals over the capillary groove to define a capillary passage (48), which restricts fluid flow through the flush valve to the capillary flow rate. A user may selectively enable the relatively greater fluid flow through the device by deforming the membrane away from the capillary groove, thereby creating a relatively larger flushing flow passage (66). The flushing flow of fluid through the region of the capillary groove serves to carry away any obstruction that may be present in the groove or downstream of the flush valve.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.