# US 9,433,743 B2 · Ventilator exhalation flow valve

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- Number: US 9,433,743 B2
- Document ID: US9433743B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/931,418
- Filed: 2013-06-28
- Published: 2015-01-01
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2013-06-28
- Assignees: CareFusion 303, Inc.
- Applicants: CareFusion 303, Inc.
- Inventors: Malcolm R. Williams; Adrian D. Desilva; Huy Thanh Vu
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433743B2

## CPC

- A61M 16/205: {used for exhalation control}
- A61M 16/0003: {Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure}
- A61M 16/0057: {Pumps therefor}
- A61M 16/0066: {Blowers or centrifugal pumps}
- A61M 16/024: {including calculation means, e.g. using a processor}
- A61M 16/04: Tracheal tubes (catheters in general A61M25/00)
- A61M 16/06: Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
- A61M 16/0875: {Connecting tubes}
- A61M 16/204: {used for inhalation control}
- F16K 31/0675: {Electromagnet aspects, e.g. electric supply therefor}
- F16K 31/0679: {with more than one energising coil}
- A61M 2016/0027: {pressure meter}
- A61M 2016/003: {with a flowmeter}
- A61M 2016/0039: {in the inspiratory circuit}
- A61M 2016/0042: {in the expiratory circuit}
- A61M 2205/125: with incorporated filters
- A61M 2205/128: with incorporated valves
- A61M 2205/3317: Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
- A61M 2205/3331: Pressure; Flow
- A61M 2205/505: Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
- A61M 2205/581: by audible feedback
- 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)}
- 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)}

## Abstract

Described herein is an exhalation valve for a ventilator that controls gas flow through a patient exhalation line in response to a target pressure within the line. The valve controls gas flow by (i) providing both a high frequency signal and a low frequency signal through a coil positioned in a fixed magnetic field, (ii) determining a position of the coil by detecting the high frequency signal, and (iii) controlling a position of the coil by adjusting the low frequency signal.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A valve comprising:
a valve orifice with an adjustable opening;
a fixed magnetic field;
a force coil configured to be moved within the fixed magnetic field in response to a low frequency current;
a current amplifier configured to direct a summed current comprising the low frequency current and a high frequency current into the force coil;
a feedback coil configured to detect the high frequency current in the force coil, the detected high frequency current having a magnitude that is proportional to a force coil position within the fixed magnetic field;
a processor configured (i) to receive data relating to the position of the force coil and (ii) to send instructions to the current amplifier; and
a diaphragm configured to adjust the valve orifice opening based on the position of the force coil.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The valve of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to receive data relating to the velocity of the force coil, and the valve further comprises:
a position circuit configured to receive a signal from the feedback coil and to direct data to the processor relating to the force coil position; and
a velocity circuit configured to determine a velocity of the force coil and to direct data to the processor relating to the velocity of the force coil.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The valve of claim 1, wherein the feedback coil is mounted outside of the fixed magnetic field.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The valve of claim 1, wherein the fixed magnetic field is generated by at least one permanent magnet.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The valve of claim 1, wherein the instructions to the current amplifier are configured to adjust the low frequency current directed to the force coil.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The valve of claim 1, wherein the instructions to the current amplifier are configured to adjust the position of the force coil.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The valve of claim 1, wherein the current amplifier comprises a linear current output amplifier.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The valve of claim 1, wherein the valve is configured to be positioned along an exhalation pathway of a ventilator to adjust pressure within the exhalation pathway.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The valve of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to receive data relating to the exhalation pathway pressure and to direct the current amplifier to adjust the position of the force coil based on the pressure.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The valve of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to direct the current amplifier to close the valve orifice opening when the pressure drops below a threshold pressure.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The valve of claim 10, wherein the threshold pressure is above an ambient pressure.