Valve system and method with multi-directional pumping
AssigneeCodman & Shurtleff, Inc.
InventorsSTEPHEN WILSON, BRIAN SOARES
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An implantable valve system and method of using same, including a housing with a resilient membrane defining a reservoir in fluid communication with at least two ports, and at least a first set of opposing sealing features disposed on upper and lower surfaces within the housing. The membrane is capable of being depressed by a human finger to bring the sealing features together to substantially restrict fluid from passing through at least one of one of the ports, and is capable of being depressed additionally by a rolling motion of the finger to drive fluid through the other of the ports.
Claims12
An implantable valve system comprising:
- a housing with a resilient membrane defining a reservoir in fluid communication with at least two ports and having a longitudinal axis;
- at least a first set of opposing sealing features disposed on upper and lower surfaces within the housing;
- the membrane capable of being depressed by a human finger to bring the sealing features together to substantially restrict fluid from passing through at least one of one of the ports;
- and
- the membrane further capable of being depressed additionally by a rolling motion of the finger to drive fluid through the other of the ports.
A method for clearing an obstruction in a catheter implanted in a patient, comprising:
- locating a valve system implanted sub-dermally in the patient, the valve system having a housing with a resilient membrane defining a reservoir in fluid communication with at least two ports and having at least a first set of opposing sealing features disposed on upper and lower surfaces within the housing;
- depressing the membrane with one finger to bring the sealing features together to substantially restrict fluid from passing through at least one of one of the ports;
- and
- moving the finger in a rolling motion to additionally depress the membrane to drive fluid through the other of the ports to clear the obstruction.
A method for clearing obstructions in at least two implanted catheters, comprising:
- locating a valve system implanted sub-dermally in the patient, the valve system having a housing with a resilient membrane defining a reservoir in fluid communication with at least two ports and having at least a first set of opposing sealing features disposed on upper and lower surfaces within the housing;
- depressing the membrane with one finger to bring the first set of sealing features together to substantially restrict fluid from passing through at least one of one of the ports;
- moving the finger in a first rolling motion in a first direction to additionally depress the membrane to drive fluid in the first direction through the other of the ports to clear a first obstruction;
- and
- moving the finger in a second rolling motion in a second direction to additionally depress the membrane to drive fluid in the second direction through the one of the ports to clear a second obstruction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.