# US 2021/0341069 A1 · Binary fluid control valve system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0341069 A1 - Document ID: US20210341069A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/377,039 - Filed: 2021-07-15 - Published: 2021-11-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-07-06 - Assignees: Allurion Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Allurion Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: David W. NELSON - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210341069A1 ## CPC - F16K 17/40: with a fracturing member, e.g. fracturing diaphragm, glass, fusible joint (valves opening on surplus pressure F16K17/14) - A61F 5/003: {inflatable} - F16K 17/36: actuated in consequence of extraneous circumstances, e.g. shock, change of position - F16K 17/38: of excessive temperature - A61F 5/0036: {Intragastrical devices} - F16K 31/002: {actuated by temperature variation (thermo-electric F16K31/025)} - F16K 31/1264: {with means to allow the side on which the springs are positioned to be altered} - 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)} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract Fluid control valves including single-opening, binary fluid control valves that are initially closed and can be opened one time only to allow a fluid transfer between two spaces separated by a fluid impermeable barrier. Applications of valves of this type include inflatable devices, including but not limited to medical device balloons, in particular gastric balloons for weight loss. ## Claims ### Claim 1 (canceled) ### Claim 2 A device for occupying space within a patient's body, the device comprising: an expandable balloon having a balloon wall surrounding a reservoir, where upon expansion of the expandable balloon, the reservoir defines a first space, wherein the balloon wall separates the first space from a second space in the patient's body; and a binary fluid control valve comprising: a base defining a fluid path therethrough such that the fluid path is fluidly coupled between the first space and the second space; a traveler structure coupled to the base; an energy storage device; and a restraining element that restrains the energy storage device in a stored energy condition when the traveler structure is in a closed configuration, wherein the restraining element is configured to degrade such that degradation of the restraining element releases the energy storage device from the stored energy condition to cause the traveler structure to move relative to the base between the closed configuration and an open configuration during a transition period, wherein in the closed configuration the traveler structure prevents fluid flow through the fluid path between the first space and the second space, and wherein in the open configuration the traveler structure permits fluid flow through the fluid path between the first space and the second space. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the restraining element is in the first space. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the restraining element is configured to break when a force of the energy storage device exceeds a strength of the restraining element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein in the transition period, the binary fluid control valve moves rapidly from the closed configuration to the open configuration upon breaking of the restraining element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein in the transition period, the binary fluid control valve moves from the closed configuration to the open configuration upon deformation of the restraining element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein in the transition period, the binary fluid control valve moves continuously between the closed configuration and the open configuration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the restraining element is configured to degrade by a reduction in a mechanical integrity over a pre-determined period. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the restraining element is configured to soften over time until the restraining element releases the energy storage device from the stored energy condition. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the restraining element is configured to melt over time until the restraining element releases the energy storage device from the stored energy condition. ### Claim 11 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the restraining element is configured to degrade in response to introduction of a degrading fluid into the reservoir. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the degrading fluid is configured to degrade the restraining element over a designed period of time. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the restraining element is configured to hold the binary fluid control valve in the closed configuration via compression of the energy storage element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, wherein the energy storage element is a spring. ### Claim 15 A binary fluid control valve, the binary fluid control valve comprising: a base; a traveler structure coupled to the base; an energy storage device; a restraining element that restrains the energy storage device, wherein the restraining element is configured to degrade such that degradation of the restraining element releases energy from the energy storage device to cause the traveler structure to move relative to the base from a closed configuration to an open configuration during a transition period; and wherein in the closed configuration the traveler structure prevents fluid flow through a fluid path between a first space and a second space, and wherein in the open configuration the traveler structure permits fluid flow through the fluid path between the first space and the second space. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The binary fluid control valve of claim 15, wherein the restraining element is in the first space. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the restraining element is configured to break when a force of the energy storage device exceeds a strength of the restraining element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein in the transition period, the binary fluid control valve moves rapidly from the closed configuration to the open configuration upon breaking of the restraining element. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein in the transition period, the binary fluid control valve moves from the closed configuration to the open configuration upon deformation of the restraining element. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein in the transition period, the binary fluid control valve moves continuously between the closed configuration and the open configuration. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the restraining element is configured to degrade by a reduction in a mechanical integrity over a pre-determined period. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The device of claim 21, wherein the restraining element is configured to soften over time until the restraining element releases the energy storage device. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The device of claim 21, wherein the restraining element is configured to melt over time until the restraining element releases the energy storage device. ### Claim 24 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16, wherein the restraining element is configured to degrade in response to introduction of a degrading fluid into the first space. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The device of claim 24, wherein the degrading fluid is configured to degrade the restraining element over a designed period of time. ### Claim 26 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the restraining element is configured to hold the binary fluid control valve in the closed configuration via compression of the energy storage element. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The device of claim 26, wherein the energy storage element is a spring.