Valves and valve actuation – Tube compressors – Perpendicularly reciprocating tube contacting element
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-03
2004-11-09
Look, Edward K. (Department: 3754)
Valves and valve actuation
Tube compressors
Perpendicularly reciprocating tube contacting element
C251S294000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06814337
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
Unfortunately, many people require the assistance of a drainage system to remove fluids such as urine from their body. For example, a quadriplegic typically has no control over his/her own bladder and depends on a drainage system to remove urine and allow him/her to venture away from a restroom for extended periods of time. The drainage system stores fluids and allows a user to dispose of these fluids at a time convenient for the user.
FIG. 1
shows a conventional drainage system
20
, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,856 to Johnston, that includes a reservoir
22
for storing a fluid and a valve
24
to control the flow of fluid from the reservoir.
FIG. 2
shows a cross section of the valve
24
in
FIG. 1
in a closed position. The drainage system
20
also includes a catheter
26
for transferring fluid to the reservoir
22
a drain tube
28
for transferring fluid out of the reservoir
22
and a lever
30
for selectively opening and closing the valve
24
. To drain the reservoir
22
, one opens the valve
28
by moving the lever
30
. To quit draining the reservoir
22
, one closes the valve
28
by releasing the lever
30
.
The valve
24
includes a spring
32
that biases the valve in a closed position. The spring
32
forces the plunger
34
toward the end
36
to pinch the drain tube
28
closed. To insure that the drain tube
28
is sufficiently pinched to prevent flow through the tube
28
when the valve
24
is closed, the spring exerts considerable force on the plunger
34
. Consequently, to open the valve
24
and keep it open while the reservoir drains, a user must overcome the spring's force on the plunger
34
.
Unfortunately, the strength and dexterity required to open and keep open the valve typically exceeds a quadriplegic's strength and dexterity. To assist the quadriplegic, electrically controlled and operated valves can be used. But, their use presents other problems. First, such valves require a power source, which can be expensive to maintain and can expire at a very inconvenient time. Second, if the valve fails for some reason, for example water or other types of fluid damage the valve or power source, the valve may stick in the open or closed position. Stuck in the open position, the valve will not allow the drainage system to store fluids for any length of time. And stuck in the closed position, the valve will not allow the drainage system to be drained without permanently opening the valve.
Thus, there is a need for a valve to control the flow of fluid from a reservoir, that requires minimal force and dexterity to open, keep open, and close, and remains closed when not operated by a user.
SUMMARY
The present invention provides a valve assembly for controlling the flow of a fluid through a tube. The valve assembly requires minimal strength and dexterity to operate and thus can be operated by a user lacking these. The valve assembly includes a valve that can be opened and closed to permit, or prevent or substantially prevent fluid from flowing through the tube. The valve assembly also includes a caliper for selectively opening, keeping open and closing the valve. When closed, a spring in the valve forces a plunger to pinch the tube against a bar. The bar focuses the pinching force of the plunger and thus reduces the force required for the spring to close the valve. The caliper is attached to the valve by a cable and includes a main lever for opening the valve and a lock lever for keeping the valve open. Thus, a user does not have to “hold” the valve open. To open and close the valve, the main lever and lock lever, respectively, are rotated in the same direction. Thus, a user who can extend his/her arm with sufficient strength to open the valve yet cannot retract their arm with the same strength, can operate the valve.
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patent: 6213140 (2001-04-01), Ploeger
patent: 6361016 (2002-03-01), Schulz
patent: 6526603 (2003-03-01), Murphy
patent: 19511469 (1996-10-01), None
patent: 646167 (1950-11-01), None
patent: WO 02/04849 (2002-01-01), None
International Search Report PCT/US 03/05932.
Fristoe Jr. John K.
Graybeal Jackson Haley LLP
Look Edward K.
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