Metal obturators, dilating disk valves including same, and methods relating thereto

A dilating disk valve comprising:

• a body comprising an aperture;
• a gear mechanism comprising a rotating ring;
• and
• a plurality of obturator elements, each of the plurality of obturator elements comprising a unitary component comprising:
• a top side having a substantially convex curvature and a top side sealing surface;
• a bottom side having a substantially concave curvature and a bottom side sealing surface;
• and
• a lateral side comprising:
• an outer side wall comprising a control aperture and a hinge aperture;
• and
• a recessed portion comprising an inner side wall that is recessed inwardly relative the outer side wall,
• wherein the top side sealing surface and the bottom side sealing surface of each of the plurality of obturator elements have a surface roughness between approximately 15 micro-inch roughness average (Ra) and approximately 60 micro-inch Ra.

A dilating disk valve comprising:

• a body comprising an aperture;
• a gear mechanism comprising a rotating ring;
• and
• a plurality of obturator elements, each of the plurality of obturator elements comprising a unitary component comprising:
• a top side having a substantially convex curvature and a top side sealing surface;
• a bottom side having a substantially concave curvature and a bottom side sealing surface;
• and
• a lateral side comprising:
• an outer side wall comprising a control aperture and a hinge aperture;
• and
• a recessed portion comprising an inner side wall that is recessed inwardly relative the outer side wall,
• wherein the top side sealing surface and the bottom side sealing surface of each of the plurality of obturator elements have a surface roughness less than approximately 30 micro-inch Ra.

A dilating disk valve comprising:

• a body comprising an aperture;
• a gear mechanism comprising a rotating ring;
• and
• a plurality of obturator elements, each of the plurality of obturator elements comprising a unitary component comprising:
• a top side having a substantially convex curvature and a top side sealing surface;
• a bottom side having a substantially concave curvature and a bottom side sealing surface;
• and
• a lateral side comprising:
• an outer side wall comprising a control aperture and a hinge aperture;
• and
• a recessed portion comprising an inner side wall that is recessed inwardly relative the outer side wall,
• wherein the top side sealing surface and the bottom side sealing surface of each of the plurality of obturator elements have a largest surface imperfection of less than approximately 8 microns, the largest surface imperfection corresponding to a maximum microscopic peak or valley.

A dilating disk valve comprising:

• a body comprising an aperture;
• a gear mechanism comprising a rotating ring;
• a plurality of obturator elements, each of the plurality of obturator elements comprising a unitary component comprising:
• a top side having a substantially convex curvature and a top side sealing surface;
• a bottom side having a substantially concave curvature and a bottom side sealing surface;
• and
• a lateral side comprising:
• an outer side wall comprising a control aperture and a hinge aperture;
• and
• a recessed portion comprising an inner side wall that is recessed inwardly relative the outer side wall;
• and
• a sealing ring that is approximately axially aligned with the aperture,
• wherein the recessed portion of each of the plurality of obturator elements is configured to abut the sealing ring when the dilating disk valve transitions from an open state to a closed state.