Pinch valve
US5265840A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/6081
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A pinch valve for a flexible conduit is provided. The pinch valve has an arcuate rigid hook, an arcuate rigid pincher, and an actuator. The arcuate rigid hook has an inner surface of a diameter substantially equal to outer diameter of the flexible conduit, wherein the inner surface receives the conduit. The arcuate rigid pincher has an outer arcuate surface with a diameter at least as small as the inner diameter of the flexible conduit, and the flexible conduit is located between the arcuate hook and the arcuate rigid pincher. The actuator is coupled to either the hook or the pincher, and moves the hook relative to the pincher relative from a first position to collapse and pinch the flexible conduit therebetween to a second position where said flexible conduit is not collapsed and pinched. Preferably, the actuator is spring loaded so that the conduit is pinched. By providing the flexible conduit with a thick wall, the actuator may be actuated a small distance without permitting fluid flow through the flexible conduit. The pinch valve finds particular use in an endoscopic suction/irrigation instrument.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.