Valves and valve actuation – Tube compressors – Fluid pressure actuated
Patent
1992-01-29
1993-08-24
Fox, John C.
Valves and valve actuation
Tube compressors
Fluid pressure actuated
137907, 604250, F16K 702
Patent
active
052382176
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a clip for a flexible tube in the interior of which the pressure prevailing is different from that in its environment. Flexible tube clips of this kind are therefore suitable for both sub-and superatmospheric pressure systems. A preferred field of use of a flexible tube clip of this kind is medical technology, in which a clip of this kind can be used as a connection means for a vacuum suction flask for drawing off wound fluids in the drainage of wounds. A suction flask of this kind is connected by means of a flexible tube to a perforated wound drainage tube, which in turn is introduced into a hermetically sealed wound cavity. The negative pressure prevailing in the suction flask thus also acts in the wound cavity, so that wound secretions forming there can be sucked off into the flask.
PRIOR ART
So-called sliding clips are known (DE-A-37 24 483) for closing a flexible tube, such as for example the tube disposed between the vacuum suction flask and the wound drainage tube. These sliding clips have two fork-like prongs which are fastened to one another, widening out in a V-shape. By sliding these prongs lengthwise relative to the tube, the cross-section of the tube can be compressed and the tube thus closed. Sliding clips of this kind permit practically no regulation, that is to say partial closure of the tube cross-section.
Nevertheless, it is often necessary for tubes to be only partially closed. This need arises, for example, in the case of the abovementioned suction flask in medical technology. For reasons of economy a maximum vacuum is desirable in the suction flask in order to enable the greatest possible amount of secretions to be sucked into the flask. On the other hand, this high vacuum also acts through the tube on the wound to which vacuum also acts through the tube on the wound to which the flask is connected. This is less desirable because of the consequent high suction load in the wound region. The resulting conflict of aims is solved by using suction flasks not having a maximum vacuum. In this respect, it must be borne in mind that the suction flask and its tube connections are disposable items, which means that the cost of their manufacture must be as low as possible.
A flexible tube clip of the type defined, with the aid of which the cross-section of a tube can be closed to a greater or lesser extent for regulation purposes, is known from DE-B-23 56 480. The valve of a container disclosed there is provided in its cover region with a lever which rests on both a rubber balloon and a flexible tube. In addition, this lever has a double mounting so that it can turn in both the clockwise direction and the counter-clockwise direction. The interior of the rubber balloon is connected to a pipe projecting into the interior of the container. The flexible tube, on which the lever likewise rests, constitutes an additional connection of the interior of the container to the environment of the container. On the contraction of the rubber balloon, that is to say on a reduction of the volume of its interior space, the lever turns, for example, in the counter-clockwise direction. When the rubber balloon is inflated, that is to say on the enlargement of its interior space, the lever turns in the clockwise direction, that is to say in the opposite direction. In both directions of its turning, the lever reduces the load on the flexible tube, so that the cross-section of the latter is enlarged in both cases. Since the interior of the rubber balloon is in communication with the interior space of the container via the pipe, the pressure in the rubber balloon will become equal to that prevailing in the interior of the container. If the internal pressure of the container falls below a predetermined value, the rubber balloon will contract and free the cross-section of the flexible tube. The pressure inside the container thus rises again to the preset value. If, on the other hand, the internal pressure of the container exceeds the predetermined value, the rubber balloon expand
REFERENCES:
patent: 3984080 (1976-10-01), Varis et al.
patent: 4191204 (1980-03-01), Nehring
patent: 4718895 (1988-01-01), Kurtz et al.
patent: 4903726 (1990-02-01), Martin et al.
patent: 5076322 (1991-12-01), Chobri et al.
German Patent Application No. G 86 10 275.3.
Fox John C.
MEDINORM Aktiengesellschaft medizintechnische Produkte
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