US 2015/0219230 A1Published application

Pressure differential relief valve

AssigneeTerumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation

InventorGregory Peter Muennich

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Abstract

Devices and methods for enhancing the operations of fluid systems are provided. For example, this document provides pressure differential relief valves that are well suited for use with medical fluid reservoirs. The pressure differential relief valves provided herein are described in the context of a medical fluid system, such as an extracorporeal blood flow circuit, but the devices and methods provided herein can be implemented in other types of fluid systems including, but not limited to, pneumatic systems, hydraulic systems, fluid power systems, petroleum systems, and various other types of gaseous or liquid-based fluid systems.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A pressure differential relief valve for a medical fluid reservoir, the valve comprising:

a valve body having a structure configured to mate with the medical fluid reservoir, the valve body including a first end portion and a second end portion, the valve body defining an open interior bore space within the valve body, the valve body defining first and second gas passageways that are configured to allow a first exterior region that is outside of the valve body and proximate to the first end portion to be in fluid communication through the valve body with a second exterior region that is outside of the valve body and proximate to the second end portion;
a resilient member that is at least partially disposed within the open interior bore space;
and
a movable element that is at least partially disposed within the open interior bore space, the movable element being movable within the open interior bore space at least between (i) a first end position that is closer to the first end portion than to the second end portion, (ii) a second end position that is closer to the second end portion than to the first end portion, and (iii) an intermediate position that is between the first and second end positions,
wherein when the movable element is in the intermediate position the movable element substantially prevents fluid communication through the valve body between the first exterior region and the second exterior region,
wherein when the movable element is in the first end position the first exterior region and the second exterior region are in fluid flow communication through at least the first gas passageway,
wherein when the movable element is in the second end position the first exterior region and the second exterior region are in fluid flow communication through at least the second gas passageway, and wherein when the movable element is in the second end position the movable element has deflected the resilient member.

4 more elements

A medical fluid reservoir system comprising:

a reservoir shell, the reservoir shell defining an interior space inside of the reservoir shell that is configured to contain a medical fluid and an exterior space that is outside of the reservoir shell;
and
a differential pressure relief valve that is coupled to the reservoir shell, the differential pressure relief valve comprising:
a valve body including a first end portion at least partially exposed to the exterior space and a second end portion at least partially exposed to the interior space, the valve body defining an open interior bore space within the valve body,
a resilient member that is at least partially disposed within the open interior bore space;
and
a movable element that is at least partially disposed within the open interior bore space, the movable element being movable within the open interior bore space at least between (i) a first end position that is closer to the first end portion than to the second end portion, (ii) a second end position that is closer to the second end portion than to the first end portion, and (iii) an intermediate position that is between the first and second end positions,
wherein when the movable element is in the intermediate position the movable element prevents fluid communication through the valve body between the interior and exterior spaces,
wherein when the movable element is in the first end position the interior and exterior spaces are in fluid flow communication,
wherein when the movable element is in the second end position the interior and exterior spaces are in fluid flow communication, and wherein when the movable element is in the second end position the movable element has deflected the resilient member.

7 more elements

A method of relieving a pressure differential between an interior space of a medical fluid reservoir and an ambient space, the method comprising:

providing a differential pressure relief valve comprising:
a valve body including a first end portion configured to be at least partially exposed to the ambient space and a second end portion configured to be at least partially exposed to the interior space, the valve body defining an open interior bore space within the valve body,
a resilient member that is at least partially disposed within the open interior bore space;
and
a movable element that is at least partially disposed within the open interior bore space, the movable element being movable within the open interior bore space at least between (i) a first end position that is closer to the first end portion than to the second end portion, (ii) a second end position that is closer to the second end portion than to the first end portion, and (iii) an intermediate position that is between the first and second end positions,
wherein when the movable element is in the intermediate position the movable element prevents fluid communication through the valve body between the interior and ambient spaces,
wherein when the movable element is in the first end position the interior and ambient spaces are in fluid flow communication,
wherein when the movable element is in the second end position the interior and ambient spaces are in fluid flow communication, and wherein when the movable element is in the second end position the movable element has deflected the resilient member;
coupling the differential pressure relief valve to the medical fluid reservoir such that the first end portion is at least partially exposed to the ambient space and the second end portion is at least partially exposed to the interior space;
and
operating the medical fluid reservoir such that pressure differentials between the interior space and the ambient space can be at least partially relieved by movement of the movable element.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

A pressure differential relief valve for a medical fluid reservoir, the valve comprising:

a valve body having a structure configured to mate with the medical fluid reservoir, the valve body including a first end portion and a second end portion, the valve body defining an open interior bore space within the valve body, the valve body defining first and second gas passageways that are configured to allow a first exterior region that is outside of the valve body and proximate to the first end portion to be in fluid communication through the valve body with a second exterior region that is outside of the valve body and proximate to the second end portion;
a resilient member that is at least partially disposed within the open interior bore space;
and
a movable element that is at least partially disposed within the open interior bore space, the movable element being movable within the open interior bore space at least between (i) a first end position that is closer to the first end portion than to the second end portion, (ii) a second end position that is closer to the second end portion than to the first end portion, and (iii) an intermediate position that is between the first and second end positions,
wherein when the movable element is in the intermediate position the movable element substantially prevents fluid communication through the valve body between the first exterior region and the second exterior region,
wherein when the movable element is in the first end position the first exterior region and the second exterior region are in fluid flow communication through at least the first gas passageway,
wherein when the movable element is in the second end position the first exterior region and the second exterior region are in fluid flow communication through at least the second gas passageway, and wherein when the movable element is in the second end position the movable element has deflected the resilient member.

4 more elements