Patent · US Expired

In-line pressure check valve for drug-delivery systems

US5725017A · kind A · utility

74Cited by
9References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 27, 1997
Grant dateMar 10, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 27, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/7905
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A pressure control valve, fabricated using micromachining techniques, comprises, in one embodiment a substrate having a central orifice therein and having a sealed chamber formed therein, one wall of which being defined by a flexible membrane. An inlet control element is supported by the membrane such that it is disposed over the central orifice, such that normally a gap is defined between the inlet control element and the central orifice and hence the valve is open. When the pressure differential, between external pressure and pressure in the chamber, exceeds a predetermined threshold, the membrane deforms, drawing the inlet control element toward the substrate such that the inlet control element seats over the central orifice, closing the valve. In another embodiment a flexible membrane cooperates with a valve substrate to form a closed chamber, and a valve lid, coupled to the membrane, extends over one or more holes in the substrate, forming a gap between the valve lid and the substrate. When a predetermined level of pressure is applied to the valve lid, the gap closes, preventing fluid from flowing through the hole(s). Valves in accordance with the present invention may be micr…

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