Patient safe suction pressure relief valve and method of using the valve

Abstract

A medical suctioning, pressure relief valve having a housing having a central fluid passage way, a first suction tubing connector configured to connect suction tubing to the central fluid passage way, a second suction tubing connector configured to connect suction tubing to the central fluid passage way, and a one-way internal pressure relief valve configured to allow ambient air into the central passage way when a set negative pressure is reached within the central passage. A method of suctioning a fluid from a patient using the medical suctioning, pressure relief valve.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising: a housing having a central fluid passage way and defining an opening; a first suction tubing connector configured to connect suction tubing to the central fluid passage way; a second suction tubing connector configured to connect suction tubing to the central fluid passage way; a one-way internal pressure relief valve configured to allow ambient air into the central fluid passage way when a set negative pressure is reached within the central fluid passage way, wherein the one-way internal pressure relief valve comprising a valve connector removably mounted within the opening; an override valve configured to allow an operator to override the one-way internal pressure relief valve and provide maximum suction through the central fluid passage way.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the override valve being removably disposed in a valve chamber.

3. A method of medical suctioning a fluid from a patient comprising: providing an assembly according to claim 1 connected to a vacuum source by suction tubing; and suctioning a fluid from a patient through the assembly wherein the one-way internal pressure relief valve opens to allow ambient air into the central fluid passage way when the set negative pressure is reached within the central fluid passage way.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising operating the override valve to override the one-way internal pressure relief valve to provide a negative pressure in the central fluid passage way greater than the set negative pressure of the one-way internal pressure relief valve.

5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising removing the one-way internal pressure relief valve from the assembly and installing a new one-way internal pressure relief valve having a desired opening pressure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates the graphical results of a bench test of two suction systems.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the medical suctioning, pressure relief valve.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the medical suctioning, pressure relief valve.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the medical suctioning, pressure relief valve.

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the medical suctioning, pressure relief valve.

(6) FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the medical suctioning, pressure relief valve.

(7) FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the medical suctioning, pressure relief valve.

(8) FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the override valve.

(9) FIG. 9 illustrates 3 illustrates a perspective view of the medical suctioning, pressure relief valve.

(10) FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the housing.

(11) FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the one-way internal pressure relief valve.

(12) FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the one-way internal pressure relief valve connector.

(13) FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of the housing.

(14) FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of the housing.

(15) FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of the housing.

(16) FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of the housing.

(17) FIG. 17 illustrates a partial view of the housing.

(18) FIG. 18 illustrates a partial view of the housing.

(19) FIG. 19A illustrates a side view of the override valve.

(20) FIG. 19B illustrates a perspective view of the override valve.

(21) FIG. 20 illustrates a top view of the override valve.

(22) FIG. 21 illustrates a side view of the override valve.

(23) FIG. 22 illustrates a side view of the override valve.

(24) FIG. 23 illustrates a side view of the one-way valve connector.

(25) FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective view of the one-way valve connector.

(26) FIG. 25 illustrates a top view of the one-way valve connector.

(27) FIG. 26 illustrates a side view of the one-way valve connector.

(28) FIG. 27 illustrates a top view of the one-way internal pressure relief valve.

(29) FIG. 28 illustrates a perspective view of the one-way internal pressure relief valve.

(30) FIG. 28 illustrates a side view of the one-way internal pressure relief valve.

(31) FIG. 29 illustrates a cut-away view of the one-way internal pressure relief valve.

(32) FIG. 31 illustrates a side view of the one-way internal pressure relief valve mounted in the medical suctioning, pressure relief valve.

(33) FIG. 32 illustrates a cut-away view of the one-way internal pressure relief valve mounted in the medical suctioning, pressure relief valve.

(34) FIG. 33 illustrates the medical suctioning, pressure relief valve connected to a vacuum source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(35) The medical suctioning, pressure relief valve will be explained with reference to the attached non-limiting FIGS. 2-33. The medical suctioning, pressure relief valve includes a rigid housing 2 defining a central fluid passage way 4. The housing 2 has a first suction tubing connector 6 and a second suction tubing connector 8 so that when suction tubing 9 is connected to the first and second suction tubing connectors 6, 8 fluids can pass through the suction tubing 9, the first suction tubing connector 6, the central passage way 4, and through the second suction tubing connector 8. The housing 2 defines a valve chamber 10 and an atmosphere outlet 24, both of which can be connected to the central passage way 4. A one-way internal pressure relief valve (PRV) 14 can be present in the outlet 24 to limit a maximum level of suction negative pressure in the central passage way.

(36) The first and second suction tubing connectors 6 and 8 can be any desired type of connector configured for connecting to suction tubing 9 to provide a fluid connection. An example of such a connector is tapered and designed to accept suction tubing 9 push-fitted on to each end of housing 2, as shown in the figures.

(37) The central fluid transfer passage way 4 can have generally parallel inner side walls to allow for the passage way of negative pressure suction of fluids when attached to suction tubing 9 and negative pressure. These fluids are suctioned and cleared from the patient by a vacuum source 40 connected to the suction tubing 9.

(38) The housing 2 defines a valve chamber 10 having an override valve 12. The override valve 12 has openings 15 and 16 to allow flow through the valve passage 19 in the override valve 12 and central passage way 4 when in both a closed and open position. The override valve 12 also has an opening 17 connected to the valve passage 19. When the override valve 12 is in a closed position suction flow can only pass through the openings 15 and 16, valve passage 19, and the central passage way 4, bypassing the outlet 24 and PRV 14. When the override valve 12 is in the open position air can enter through the PRV 14 and outlet 24 into the valve passage 19 and central passageway 4 when the suction negative pressure in the central passage way is greater than an amount set by the PRV 14. Thus, the override valve 12 is configured to allow fluid to pass through a fluid openings 15, 16 and through the central passage way 4 when in an open position with the maximum suction level being controlled by the PRV 14. When in a closed position, the override valve 12 is configured to remove the PRV 14 from the suction flow path to provide maximum suction negative pressure in the central passage way 14. For example, the override valve 12 can have a stopcock assembly comprising an open in-line handle position and a closed perpendicular position upon % turn of the handle. The PRV 14 can be removed from the suction flow path in an emergency by closing the valve 12, which can include patient aspiration of vomit, sputum, food, etc. where the clinician deems it necessary to increase negative suction pressure greater than the PRV 14 suction limits will allow.

(39) The outlet 24 can contain the one-way internal pressure relief valve 14 (PRV) and a valve connector 20, which is configured to allow ambient air into the central passage way 4 when a set negative pressure is reached within the central passage way 4. The outlet 24 can have a valve seating that will accept the valve connector 20 and the pressure relief valve 14 in the form of a push-in, self-seating umbrella valve.

(40) The seated one-way valve 14 is designed to open or crack when the internal housing (passage way 4) and tubing system negative pressure exceeds the predetermined valve set negative pressure limits. Examples of these limits open the valve at approximately 150 mmHg for adult size, 125 mmHg for Pediatric size and 100 mmHg for infant size. The housing 2 or housing components may be color coded or otherwise noted to represent the sizing accordingly. For example, the umbrella valve 14 can be modeled of 50 shore, 40 shore and 30 shore durometer respectively. While an umbrella valve is shown, the invention is not limited to any type of valve. Examples of other suitable valves include flapper, ball, and duckbill.

(41) The opening 24 can have a tapered internal wall 18 that can releasably hold the valve 14 against the relief valve opening 22 to seal the relief valve opening 22. The valve 14 also can have a connection portion 26 that is pressed through the relief valve opening in the connector 20. The connection portion 26 can bias the valve 14 against the relief valve opening 22 to seal the relief valve opening 22 by stretching the connection portion when the valve 14 is formed from a flexible, stretchable material such as rubber.

(42) A primary object of the present invention to provide a housing with pressure relief valve and stopcock flow control which can directly connect to a wide variety of different size suction tubing on both housing ends.

(43) Another object of the present invention is to provide a one-way internal pressure relief valve (PRV) 14 that can open or crack upon predetermined set negative pressure. This one-way PRV is easy to assembly and can be adapted to provide a range of opening pressure for various patient sizes and weights.

(44) Another object of the present invention is to provide a one-way internal pressure relief valve (PRV) 14 which can be easily removed from the housing 2 and replaced and inexpensively manufactured.

(45) Another object of the present invention is to provide a one-way internal pressure relief valve (PRV) 14 and housing with corresponding controllable stopcock to close off PRV 14 in case of patient emergency or clinician preference. This could include patient aspiration of vomit, sputum, food, etc. where the clinician deems it necessary to increase negative suction pressure greater that the valve opening limits will allow.

(46) The one-way internal pressure relief valve 14 can be formed of any suitable material. Suitable materials for one-way valves are well known in the medical industry. Examples are plastics and rubbers.

(47) The rigid parts of the medical suctioning, pressure relief valve, such as the housing 2, connectors 6, 8, and override valve 12 can be formed of any suitable material. Suitable materials for one-way valves are well known in the medical industry. Examples are metals, alloys, plastics and composites.

(48) Other advantages, objects, and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.

TERMS

(49) 2 medical suctioning, pressure relief valve housing 4 central fluid passage way 6 first suction tubing connector 8 second suction tubing connector 9 suction tubing 10 a valve chamber in the housing 2 12 override valve in the valve cavity 14 one-way internal pressure relief valve 15, 16 fluid openings in override valve 12 17 air inlet of override valve 12 18 tapered inner wall 19 passage in override valve 12 20 relieve valve connector 22 relief valve opening 24 atmosphere opening in housing 2 26 connection portion of the valve 14. 40 vacuum source

REFERENCES

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