Valve and prosthetic knee joint having such a valve

A valve comprising:

• an inlet;
• an outlet that is connected to the inlet via a fluid connection;
• and
• a valve body movable along a displacement direction into a first position, in which the fluid connection is blocked, and a second position, in which the fluid connection is open;
• wherein the valve body is maintained in the second position when a fluid is flowing in the fluid connection.

A prosthetic knee joint comprising:

• a hydraulic arrangement that comprises:
• an extension chamber;
• a flexion chamber;
• a valve comprising:
• an inlet;
• an outlet that is connected to the inlet via a fluid connection;
• a valve body movable along a displacement direction into a first position, in which the fluid connection is blocked, and a second position, in which the fluid connection is open;
• a switch pin, the activation of which enables the movement of the valve body from the first position into the second position;
• and
• a switch spring, which is configured to transfer a force from the switch pin to the valve body when the switch pin is activated;
• wherein the valve body is maintained in the second position when a fluid is flowing in the fluid connection;
• wherein the inlet of the valve is connected to the flexion chamber and the outlet of the valve is connected to the extension chamber.

A valve comprising:

• an inlet;
• an outlet that is connected to the inlet via a fluid connection;
• a connection channel fluidly connected to the outlet;
• a valve body movable along a displacement direction into a first position, in which the fluid connection is blocked, and a second position, in which the fluid connection is open;
• wherein the connection channel generates a negative pressure that maintains the valve body in the second position when the fluid is flowing in the fluid connection.

A method of operating a valve, the valve comprising an inlet, an outlet connected to the inlet via a fluid connection, and a valve body movable along a displacement direction, the method comprising:

• positioning the valve body into a first position in which the fluid connection is blocked;
• channelling fluid into the fluid connection;
• blocking the fluid with the valve body;
• positioning the valve body into a second position in which the fluid connection is open;
• and
• channelling fluid into the fluid connection through the inlet to the outlet, wherein the valve body is maintained in the second position when a fluid is flowing in the fluid connection.