Magnetic ball valve and control module
US5904669A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 18, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F9/00736
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved valve utilizes a ball or sphere positioned within a housing which is movable by source of magnetic force external to the housing, the housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and a sealing member positioned within the housing adjacent the fluid inlet or the fluid outlet. A modular control valve apparatus is provided having at least one or a plurality of valves in the housing, each having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and a passage from a source of fluid or aspiration to an instrument or other device to direct and/or utilize the fluid or aspiration. Control is provided by including one or more pressure monitors, such as diaphragms positioned in recesses in a surface of the housing, coupled to passageways connected to passageways leading to fluid flow conduits. Variations in pressure in the conduits are transmitted from the diaphragm to a sensor such as a transducer to generate a signal, which activates a correcting electronic circuit which in turn controls a pump for a vacuum system. Provision is made to prevent contamination of the monitoring system by providing a hydrophobic filter between each passageway leading to the conduit and the diaphragm.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.