Fluid management systems for handling pressurized fluid connect various subsystems or subunits without the need to use reinforced tubing. The system utilizes one or more segments of unreinforced conduit that are encapsulated at various points along a length of the segment with one or more rigid encapsulating members. The unreinforced conduit may be made a disposable element while the rigid encapsulating members may be re-used. In one aspect, the encapsulating member may include a two-part valve body that surrounds and encapsulates a portion of the unreinforced conduit. In another aspect, the encapsulating member may include a two-part jacket that surrounds and encapsulates a portion of the unreinforced conduit. The two-part valve bodies and two-part jackets may be joined at various points within the system as part of the overall flow system.

Fluid management systems for handling pressurized fluid connect various subsystems or subunits without the need to use reinforced tubing. The system utilizes one or more segments of unreinforced conduit that are encapsulated at various points along a length of the segment with one or more rigid encapsulating members. The unreinforced conduit may be made a disposable element while the rigid encapsulating members may be re-used. In one aspect, the encapsulating member may include a two-part valve body that surrounds and encapsulates a portion of the unreinforced conduit. In another aspect, the encapsulating member may include a two-part jacket that surrounds and encapsulates a portion of the unreinforced conduit. The two-part valve bodies and two-part jackets may be joined at various points within the system as part of the overall flow system.

Constriction valves for catheters and method of using constriction valves are presented. The catheter valve has a conduit comprising mesh defining a lumen. The catheter also has a biasing member that is configured to bias the lumen from an open position to a closed position by altering an effective length of the conduit or altering the circumference of the conduit. The biasing member is further configured to change its configuration by changes of intraluminal pressure of the valve. A user can insert a tool into a catheter having a valve by manipulating the valve to expand a substantially closed lumen by compressing the biasing member, twisting the biasing member, or pulling on a cord coupled with the valve.

A flow regulating switch valve includes a valve core that includes a switch assembly configured to drive a diaphragm assembly to open or close a water outlet, and also includes a flow regulating assembly that comprises a rotating ring, a sliding block, and a magnet. A control key is configured to control the switch assembly. The rotating ring is connected to the control key and includes an inclined plane that transitions from high to low and is configured to drive the sliding block to slide up and down such that the sliding block drives the magnet to move up and down. The magnet is configured to control the diaphragm assembly to regulate a size of the water outlet.

A valve assembly is provided, the valve assembly comprising a body that defines a fluid flow path between an inlet and an outlet with a frangible member between the inlet and the outlet across the fluid flow path so as to block fluid flow The valve assembly also includes a member for rupturing the frangible member, a spring biasing the rupturing member into contact with the frangible member and a member for retaining the rupturing member away from the frangible member. A magnet is spaced apart from the retaining member, and a non-magnetic sleeve is disposed between the magnet and the retaining member. The non-magnetic sleeve blocks a magnetic field provided by the magnet. Also included is a trigger for removing the non-magnetic sleeve, wherein, when the non-magnetic sleeve is removed, in use, the magnetic field attracts the retaining member to release the rupturing member to cause rupture of the frangible member.

An encapsulated valve system includes a first housing portion having a first facing surface, the first facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the first facing surface. The valve system further includes a second housing portion having a second facing surface, the second facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the second facing surface. A disposable conduit is configured to be interposed between the first and second housing portions and disposed within the recess of the first facing surface and the recess of the second facing surface. The disposable conduit is thus sandwiched between the first and second facing surfaces. A plurality of pinch valve actuators are mounted on one or both of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the plurality of pinch valve actuators configured to pinch the disposable conduit at selective branch pathways.

An encapsulated valve system includes a first housing portion having a first facing surface, the first facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the first facing surface. The valve system further includes a second housing portion having a second facing surface, the second facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the second facing surface. A disposable conduit is configured to be interposed between the first and second housing portions and disposed within the recess of the first facing surface and the recess of the second facing surface. The disposable conduit is thus sandwiched between the first and second facing surfaces. A plurality of pinch valve actuators are mounted on one or both of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the plurality of pinch valve actuators configured to pinch the disposable conduit at selective branch pathways.

A method for monitoring a pinch valve, the method may include sensing an electrical parameter of at least one flexible sensor during a monitoring period to provide multiple values of the sensed electrical parameter; wherein the at least one flexible sensor comprises piezoresistive nanomaterials, wherein the piezoresistive nanomaterials are directly coupled to a flexible conduit of the pinch valve; wherein the sensed electrical parameter is indicative of a flexible conduit parameter selected out of stress and pressure; and estimating, based on the multiple values of the sensed electrical parameter, a state of the pinch valve.

A method for monitoring a pinch valve, the method may include sensing an electrical parameter of at least one flexible sensor during a monitoring period to provide multiple values of the sensed electrical parameter; wherein the at least one flexible sensor comprises piezoresistive nanomaterials, wherein the piezoresistive nanomaterials are directly coupled to a flexible conduit of the pinch valve; wherein the sensed electrical parameter is indicative of a flexible conduit parameter selected out of stress and pressure; and estimating, based on the multiple values of the sensed electrical parameter, a state of the pinch valve.

Actuators having electroactive valves are described herein. The actuators can move from a first position to a second position and lock in the second position using an electroactive valve. The device can include an actuator having a fluid-impermeable membrane. The fluid-impermeable membrane can define a compartment, the compartment having a central region, an edge region extending from and fluidly connected with the central region, an electroactive valve between the central region and the edge region, and a dielectric fluid. When actuated, the actuators can force fluid through the electroactive valves and into the edge region. Once in the edge region, the electroactive valves can prevent return flow until receiving an actuation signal.