Airless vent valve
OwnerKenneth A. Jones, Darin John Millerinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for controlling fluid flow in an extracorporeal circuit. A valve prevents positive pressure and negative pressure in a vent line by allowing entry of fluid when negative pressure occurs, and allowing exit of fluid from the line when positive pressure occurs. The valve preferably does this without introducing air into the circuit. The innovative valve also reduces homolysis by reducing turbulence in fluids passing through the valve.
Claims17
A system of pumps, lines, and valves that circulate fluid outside a patient's body during a surgery, comprising:
- a pump which draws fluid from the patient using suction;
- a valve disposed in a first line connecting the pump and the patient, the first line having a first end being disposed inside the patient and a second end connected to the pump;
- wherein when the first line experiences a predetermined amount of negative pressure, the valve allows fluid to flow from a source other than the patient toward the pump without introducing air into the first line.
A valve for controlling pressure of fluid in a line of an extracorporeal circuit during heart surgery, comprising:
- a first inlet having an axis parallel to the direction of fluid flow through the first inlet;
- a second inlet having an axis parallel to the direction of fluid flow through the second inlet;
- an outlet having an axis parallel to the direction of fluid flow through the outlet;
- wherein the first inlet allows fluid suctioned from a patient's body to pass into the valve toward the outlet, but does not allow fluid flow in the reverse direction;
- wherein the second inlet allows fluid to pass from a source into the valve toward the outlet in the event that negative pressure in the line reaches a predetermined level;
- and
- wherein the axis of the first inlet and the axis of the second inlet have an angle between them less than ninety degrees.
An extracorporeal circuit, comprising:
- a pump in fluid communication with a first line, the first line being positioned to draw fluid from a patient;
- a valve system in the first line between the pump and the patient, the valve system having a first valve which prevents flow of fluid from the pump toward the patient and a second valve which allows fluid to pass through the second valve toward the pump when negative pressure in the first line exceeds a predetermined amount;
- wherein the valve system provides for relief of excess positive pressure in the first line;
- and
- wherein the valve system relieves negative pressure by allowing fluid flow from the first source to the first line.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.