# US 2014/0196792 A1 · Three-Way Valve Case Apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196792 A1 - Document ID: US20140196792A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/158,460 - Filed: 2014-01-17 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-17 - Assignees: Global Medical Innovations, LLC - Applicants: Global Medical Innovations, LLC - Inventors: Mario Torres-Leon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196792A1 ## CPC - F16K 27/12: Covers for housings - A61M 39/223: {Multiway valves} - A61M 39/229: {Single-way cut-off valves} - Y10T 137/0318: Processes - Y10T 137/7043: Guards and shields - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The present invention relates to a three-way valve case that has a top member, bottom member, closure member, three openings, and a hinge allowing the case to be opened and closed. The case may be adapted to receive a three-way valve. Apart from a case adapted to receive a three-way valve, a three-way valve case apparatus is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a three-way valve having three ports, a base, and an operator; and a case having a top member, bottom member, hinge, openings to receive the ports of the valve, and a closure member to support the closed state of the case. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: a. a medical three-way valve comprising: i. a housing having a first port, a second port, and a third port; and ii. a valve operator having a mechanism, that when in use, allows for fluid communication between at least two ports; and b. a case that receives the three-way valve, wherein the case is formed by a top member and a bottom member, the case comprising: i. a hinge connecting the top member and the bottom member, wherein the hinge, when in use, allows the top member and the bottom member to be articulated between an open position and a closed position; ii. a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening in the closed position to receive the first port, the second port, and the third port, respectively; and iii. a closure member that can maintain the top member and the bottom member in the closed position; wherein, when the case is in use and in the closed position, the valve operator is inaccessible to a user, and the three-way valve does not come into contact with the user's skin. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the closure member is a snap closure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinge is a flexible hinge. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first opening, the second opening, third opening, or a combination thereof is formed by portions of the top member, the bottom member, or both the top member and the bottom member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom member comprises a smooth outer surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case has a surface smoother than a surface of the three-way valve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus from claim 5, wherein the case is made from a plastic material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the plastic material comprises a thermoplastic polymer, a thermosetting polymer, or a combination thereof ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and a combination thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case is made from an organic polymer material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the three-way valve further includes a handle in communication with the valve operator, and the case is adapted to cover the three-way valve and handle when in use. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the top member, the bottom member, or portions of both the top member and the bottom member are transparent or translucent. ### Claim 13 A case adapted to cover a medical three-way valve, the three-way valve comprising a housing having a first port, a second port, a third port, and a valve base; a valve operator having a mechanism, that when in use, allows for fluid communication between at least two ports; and a handle that communicates with the valve operator; the case comprising: a. a top member and a bottom member; b. a hinge connecting the top member and the bottom member, wherein the hinge, when in use, allows top member and the bottom member to be articulated between an open position and a closed position; and c. a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening in the closed position to receive the first port, the second port, and the third port, respectively; and d. a closure member that can maintain the top member and the bottom member in the closed position; wherein, when the case is in use and in the closed position, the valve operator and handle are inaccessible to a user, and the three-way valve does not come into contact with the user's skin. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the case has dimensions that prevent the three-way valve from sliding within the case. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the case, when in the closed position, has a width of between about 1.5″ and about 2.0″, and a length of between about 1.5″ and about 2.0″, and a height between about 0.75″ and about 1.2″. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the bottom member has an inner surface that is adapted to receive the valve base. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising an adhesive member that attaches the inner surface of the bottom member to the valve base. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the bottom member is adapted to be removably attached to the valve base. ### Claim 19 A kit that comprises: a. a three-way valve comprising: i. a housing having a first port, a second port, and a third port; ii. a valve operator having a mechanism, that when in use, allows for fluid communication between at least two ports; and b. a case that receives the three-way valve, wherein the case is formed by a top member and a bottom member, the case comprises: i. a hinge connecting the top member and the bottom member, wherein the hinge, when in use, allows the top member and the bottom member to be articulated between an open position and a closed position; and ii. a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening in the closed position to receive the first port, the second port, and the third port, respectively; iii. a closure member that can maintain the top member and the bottom member in the closed position; wherein, when the case is in use and in the closed position, the valve operator is inaccessible to a user, and the three-way valve does not come into contact with the user's skin. ### Claim 20 A method of using a case for a three-way valve, the three-way valve being attached to a catheter being used by an individual, the three-way valve comprising a housing having a first port, a second port, and a third port; a valve operator having a mechanism, that when in use, allows for fluid communication between at least two ports; wherein the case receives the three-way valve, wherein the case is formed by a top member and a bottom member, the case comprising a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening to receive the first port, the second port, and the third port, respectively; a hinge connecting the top member and the bottom member, wherein the hinge, when in use, allows the top member and the bottom member to be articulated between an open position and a closed position; and a closure member that can maintain the top member and the bottom member in the closed position; the method comprising the steps of: a. placing the three-way valve in the case; and b. engaging the top member and the bottom member so that the case is put into the closed position; wherein the valve operator is inaccessible to the individual, and the three-way valve does not come into contact with the individual's skin. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of: a. engaging the top and bottom member so that the case is placed in the open position by a health care professional; and b. engaging a handle that communicates with the valve operator as desired by a health care professional. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, further comprising the steps of connecting tubing from the first port, the second port, the third port, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, further comprising the steps of disconnecting tubing from the first port, the second port, the third port, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, further comprising aspirating fluid through a port using the three-way valve. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, further comprising flushing through a port using the three-way valve.