Inflation control valve
AssigneeDjo, LLC
InventorsBenjamin Batterson, Manikandan Sasidharan, Robert Ketelhohn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, methods, and devices are described for providing a fluid control for an inflation system. The control directs fluid flow from an inlet to one or more outlets of the control. The outlets are independently connected in fluid communication with the inlet by through the control. The control allows a user to create a fluid path between the inlet and a selected outlet by positioning the control in an orientation corresponding to the desired outlet. Each outlet is independently connected in fluid communication with the inlet in various orientations of the control.
Claims15
A method of operating a valve of an inflatable orthopedic device, the method comprising:
- positioning a fluid control means in a first of two or more orientations such that a first fluid path is created between a fluid inlet port of a valve and a first of a plurality of fluid outlet ports of the valve, the first fluid path passing from an exterior opening of the fluid inlet port, upward at an angle into a center of the fluid control means, across the center of the fluid control means, and downward at an angle through an exterior opening of the first of the plurality of fluid outlet ports, the fluid inlet port and the plurality of fluid outlet ports each extending at a downward angle from an exterior surface of the fluid control means;
- and
- positioning the fluid control means in a second of the two or more orientations such that a second fluid path is created between the fluid inlet port and a second of the plurality of fluid outlet ports.
A method of operating a valve of an inflatable orthopedic device, the method comprising:
- positioning a fluid control means in a first of two or more orientations such that a first fluid path is created through a center of the fluid control means between a fluid inlet port of a valve and a first of a plurality of fluid outlet ports of the valve, wherein:
- the fluid inlet port comprises an inlet flow channel having an outer opening and an inner opening, the fluid inlet port and the inlet flow channel extending at a downward angle from an exterior surface of the fluid control means;
- each of the plurality of fluid outlet ports comprises a respective outlet flow channel having a respective outer opening and a respective inner opening, the plurality of fluid outlet ports and the respective outlet flow channels extending at the downward angle from the exterior surface of the fluid control means;
- the inner openings of each of the fluid inlet port and the plurality of fluid outlet ports lie in a first common plane, and
- the outer opening of at least one of the fluid outlet ports lies in a second plane different from the first plane;
- and
- positioning the fluid control means in a second of the two or more orientations such that a second fluid path passing through the center of the fluid control means is created between the fluid inlet port and a second of the plurality of fluid outlet ports.
A method of operating a valve of an inflatable orthopedic device, the method comprising:
- positioning a fluid control means in a first of two or more orientations such that a first fluid path is created between a fluid inlet means and a first of a plurality of fluid outlet means, wherein the fluid control means further comprises:
- a rotatable dial having a rotatable dome-shaped body comprising a concave inner portion;
- and
- a center of the fluid control means extending from the concave inner portion, the fluid inlet means and the plurality of fluid outlet means extending from the center;
- and
- positioning the fluid control means in a second of two or more orientations such that a second fluid path is created between the fluid inlet means and a second of the fluid outlet means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.