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US 11,828,377 B2Granted
Binary fluid control valve system
AssigneeAllurion Technologies, Inc.
InventorDavid W. Nelson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Fluid control valves including single-opening, binary fluid control valves that are initially closed and can be opened one time only to allow a fluid transfer between two spaces separated by a fluid impermeable barrier. Applications of valves of this type include inflatable devices, including but not limited to medical device balloons, in particular gastric balloons for weight loss.
Claims26
A device for occupying space within a patient's body, the device comprising:
- an expandable balloon having a balloon wall surrounding a reservoir, where upon expansion of the expandable balloon, the reservoir defines a first space, wherein the balloon wall separates the first space from a second space in the patient's body;
- and
- a binary fluid control valve comprising:
- a base defining a fluid path therethrough such that the fluid path is fluidly coupled between the first space and the second space;
- a traveler structure coupled to the base;
- an energy storage device;
- and
- a restraining element that restrains the energy storage device in a stored energy condition when the traveler structure is in a closed configuration, wherein a force of the restraining element counteracts a force of the energy storage device, wherein the restraining element is configured to degrade such that degradation of the restraining element releases the energy storage device from the stored energy condition to cause the traveler structure to move relative to the base between the closed configuration and an open configuration during a transition period, wherein in the closed configuration the traveler structure prevents fluid flow through the fluid path between the first space and the second space, and wherein in the open configuration the traveler structure permits fluid flow through the fluid path between the first space and the second space.
5 more elements
A binary fluid control valve, the binary fluid control valve comprising:
- a base;
- a traveler structure coupled to the base;
- an energy storage device;
- a restraining element that restrains the energy storage device, wherein a force of the restraining element counteracts a force of the energy storage device, wherein the restraining element is configured to degrade over a pre-determined period of time during intentional exposure to specified environmental conditions such that degradation of the restraining element releases energy from the energy storage device to cause the traveler structure to move relative to the base from a closed configuration to an open configuration during a transition period;
- and
- wherein in the closed configuration the traveler structure prevents fluid flow through a fluid path between a first space and a second space, and wherein in the open configuration the traveler structure permits fluid flow through the fluid path between the first space and the second space.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.