Valve

A breathing assistance connector valve comprising:

• a valve body defining first, second and third ports;
• a valve core defining a ported chamber rotatable about a valve axis between:
• a first stable configuration in which the ported chamber provides fluid communication between the first port and the second port and isolates the third port from the first and second ports;
• and
• a second stable configuration in which the ported chamber provides fluid communication between the first port and the third port and isolates the second port from the first and third ports,
• wherein an outer surface of the valve core is configured to engage with an inner surface of the valve body to define a detent for resisting rotation of the valve core between the first stable configuration and the second stable configuration;
• and
• an actuator configured to overcome the detent to rotate the valve core between the first and second stable configurations.

A method of configuring breathing assistance apparatus for a patient comprising:

• providing a valve comprising:
• a valve body defining first, second and third ports;
• a valve core defining a ported chamber rotatable about a valve axis between:
• a first stable configuration in which the ported chamber provides fluid communication between the first port and the second port and isolates the third port;
• and a second stable configuration in which the ported chamber provides fluid communication between the first port and the third port and isolates the second port, wherein an outer surface of the valve core is configured to engage with an inner surface of the valve body to define a detent for resisting rotation of the valve core between the first stable configuration and the second stable configuration;
• and an actuator overcome the detent to rotate the valve core between the first and second stable configurations;
• coupling a patient breathing tube to the first port;
• coupling a first ventilation device to the second port;
• while the valve is in the first stable configuration, coupling a second ventilation device to the third port;
• switching the valve to the second stable configuration;
• and
• disconnecting the first ventilation device from the second port.