VALVE DEVICE FOR A MEDICAL FLUID LINE SYSTEM

Abstract

A valve device for a medical fluid line system includes a main body, the main body having a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage, each fluid passage extending between an inlet side and an outlet side of the main body. The main body has a first wall portion and a second wall portion which are each elastically displaceable, under the effect of fluid pressure, relative to a substantially dimensionally stable web portion of the main body. Each wall portion is arranged on the web portion, forming one of the fluid passages, in such a way that the first fluid passage is substantially uninfluenced by a fluid-pressure-induced deformation of the second wall portion, and the second fluid passage is substantially uninfluenced by a fluid-pressure-induced deformation of the first wall portion.

Claims

1. A valve device for a medical fluid line system, the valve device comprising: a main body having an inlet side and an outlet side, the main body configured to be flexible at least in part; and a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage which each extend between the inlet side and the outlet side of the main body, wherein the main body is configured in such a way, and the first and second fluid passages are arranged in such a way that, in the event of a fluid overpressure between the inlet side and the outlet side, the first fluid passage is freed by a fluid-overpressure-induced elastic deformation of the main body, and the second fluid passage is sealed off in a fluid-tight manner, and, in the event of a fluid underpressure between the inlet side and the outlet side, the second fluid passage is freed by means of a fluid-underpressure-induced elastic deformation of the main body, and the first fluid passage is sealed off in a fluid-tight manner, and, in the event of a neutral fluid pressure between the inlet side and the outlet side, the first and second fluid passages are sealed off in a fluid-tight manner, wherein the main body has a first wall portion and a second wall portion which are each elastically displaceable, under the effect of a fluid pressure, relative to a substantially dimensionally stable web portion of the main body and are each arranged on the web portion, thereby each forming one of the first and second fluid passages, in such a way that the first fluid passage is substantially uninfluenced by a fluid-pressure-induced deformation of the second wall portion, and the second fluid passage is substantially uninfluenced by a fluid-pressure-induced deformation of the first wall portion.

2. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second wall portions are arranged on mutually opposite side faces of the web portion and thus separately from one another.

3. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second wall portions, with respect to a sealed-off state, each bear at least in part on the web portion in the manner of a sealing lip, wherein in each case one of the first and second fluid passages is configured in the form of a slit between the web portion and one of the first and second wall portions.

4. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the first fluid passage is formed between a front end of the first wall portion, directed towards the outlet side, and the web portion, and the second fluid passage is formed between a front end of the second wall portion, directed towards the inlet side, and the web portion.

5. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second wall portions span the web portion at least partially in a curve in order to form in each case a lumen, wherein the lumen each open out at one end into the respective fluid passage.

6. The valve device according to claim 5, wherein the lumen are each shaped in the manner of a flow nozzle and are oriented in opposite directions relative to each other fluidically, in such a way that an inlet opening of the lumen assigned to the first wall portion is oriented in a direction of the inlet side, and an inlet opening of the lumen assigned to the second wall portion is oriented in a direction of the outlet side, wherein the fluid passages each form an outlet opening of the respective lumen.

7. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the web portion is stiff, compared to the first and second wall portions, and comprises a flat plate that extends substantially along a central longitudinal axis of the main body.

8. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second wall portions are configured to be elastically displaceable to different extents, in such a way that the first and second fluid passages are freed and/or sealed off at quantitatively different fluid pressures.

9. The valve device according to claim 8, wherein the first and second wall portions have different wall thicknesses, wall thickness profiles and/or elastic properties.

10. The valve device according to claim 8, wherein the first and second wall portions are inclined to different extents and/or extend by different lengths relative to the web portion, such that a pressure surface of the first wall portion, projected perpendicularly with respect to the inlet side, is different than a pressure surface of the second wall portion, projected perpendicularly with respect to the outlet side.

11. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the main body has an annular profile portion which is provided for form-fit connection to an internal diameter of a medical fluid line component.

12. The valve device according to claim 11, wherein the profile portion circumferentially engages at least in part around the web portion, centrally with respect to a longitudinal extent of the web portion.

13. The valve device according to claim 11, wherein the first and second wall portions are each connected to the profile portion at a front end directed away from the respective fluid passage.

14. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the main body is configured in one piece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0020] Further advantages and features of the present disclosure will become clear from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments, which are depicted in the drawings.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a valve device according to the present disclosure,

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the valve device according to FIG. 1 in an installation state arranged in a lumen of a fluid line component,

[0023] FIG. 3 shows, in a schematic longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 2, a further embodiment of a valve device according to the present disclosure, and

[0024] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a further fluid line component of a medical fluid line system with a first and a second valve device according to FIGS. 1 to 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The valve devices 1, la according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 and, respectively, FIGS. 3 and 4 are provided to control a flow of fluid through a lumen of a fluid line component K, L (cf. FIGS. 2 and 4) of a fluid line system.

[0026] According to FIG. 1, the valve device 1 has a main body 2 which is configured to be flexible at least in part. The main body 2 is here manufactured in one piece from a rubber-elastic material, for example a silicone elastomer. The valve device 1 moreover has a first fluid passage 3 and a second fluid passage 4, which each extend between an inlet side A and an outlet side B of the main body 2. The inlet side A and the outlet side B are each depicted schematically by dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 2. The main body 2 has a first wall portion 5 and a second wall portion 6 which are arranged on mutually opposite side faces 7, 8 of a web portion 9 of the main body 2. In a manner to be described in more detail below, the wall portions 5, 6 are each elastically displaceable relative to the web portion 9 or the respective side face 7, 8 under the effect of fluid pressure. By contrast, the web portion 9 is dimensionally stable compared to the wall portions 5, 6 and extends substantially along a central longitudinal axis C of the main body 2. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 1, the web portion 9 is configured in the form of a flat plate. The plate 9 has a rectangular shape here, although this does not necessarily have to be the case.

[0027] The first fluid passage 3 is formed between a front end 10 of the first wall portion 5, directed towards the outlet side B, and the web portion 9, more precisely the side face 7. By contrast, the second fluid passage 4 is formed between a front end 11 of the second wall portion 6, directed towards the inlet side A, and the web portion 9, more precisely the side face 8. With their respective front ends 10, 11, the wall portions 5, 6 each bear at least partially in the manner of a sealing lip on the web portion 9. In this way, the fluid passages 3, 4 are each configured in the form of a slit between the web portion 9 and the respective wall portion 5, 6. As can also be seen from FIG. 2, the wall portions 5, 6 at least partially span the respective side face 7, 8 of the web portion 9 in a curved shape (cf. FIG. 1). In this way, a lumen 12, 13 is formed in each case. The lumen 12 formed between the first wall portion 5 and the side face 7 opens at one end into the first fluid passage 3. The lumen 13 formed between the second wall portion 6 and the side face 8 opens at one end into the second fluid passage 4. The lumen 12, 13 are each shaped in the form of a flow nozzle and in this respect each have a cross section of flow that narrows in the direction of the respective fluid passage 3, 4 (cf. FIG. 2). The lumen 12, 13 are oriented in opposite directions to each other fluidically, in the sense that an inlet opening 14 of the first lumen 12 is oriented in the direction of the inlet side A and an inlet opening 15 of the lumen 13 is by contrast oriented in the direction of the outlet side B.

[0028] The main body 2 moreover has an annular profile portion 16. The annular profile portion 16 is provided in particular for form-fit connection to an internal diameter D of a medical fluid line component K, as can be seen from FIG. 2. The profile portion 16 circumferentially engages completely around the web portion 9, approximately centrally in relation to a longitudinal extent of the web portion 9. The wall portions 5, 6 are each connected to the profile portion 16 at a front end directed away from the respective fluid passage 3, 4.

[0029] FIGS. 1 and 2 each show the valve device 1 in a sealing position, such that the inlet side A is sealed off in a fluid-tight manner with respect to the outlet side B, and vice versa. In this sealing position, the wall portions 5, 6 each bear with their front ends 10, 11 on the side faces 7, 8, respectively, such that the fluid passages 3, 4 are each sealed off in a fluid-tight manner. The sealing position of the valve device 1 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 is adopted when there is a neutral fluid pressure between the inlet side A and the outlet side B. This is the case, for example, when the fluid line component K is not in use, i.e. when fluid is not intended to pass through the lumen of the fluid line component K in one direction or the other. In this way, the valve device 1 acts in particular against unwanted entry of a body liquid, for example blood, starting from the outlet side B to the inlet side A, such that a blockage of the fluid line component K can be avoided.

[0030] The function of the valve device 1 is explained in more detail below on the basis of a situation where there is a fluid overpressure between the inlet side A and the outlet side B and also a situation where there is a fluid underpressure between the inlet side A and the outlet side B.

[0031] A fluid overpressure between the inlet side A and the outlet side B can occur, for example, when a medical liquid is intended to be injected through the fluid line component K starting from the inlet side A. The first wall portion is then displaced relative to the web portion 9 on account of the fluid overpressure in such a way that the front end 10 is lifted from the side face 7. The slit-shaped first fluid passage 3 is widened in the normal direction of the side face 7, such that the medical liquid can be injected in the direction of the outlet side B starting from the inlet side A. At the same time, the fluid overpressure causes an elastic displacement of the second wall portion 6 with respect to the side face 8 such that the front end 11 is pressed more against the web portion 9 counter to the normal direction of the side face 8. The slit-shaped second fluid passage 4 is sealed off to a greater extent in relation to a neutral fluid pressure.

[0032] A fluid underpressure between the inlet side A and the outlet side B can occur, for example, when a body liquid is intended to be aspirated through the fluid line component K starting from the outlet side B. The second wall portion 6 is elastically displaced here relative to the web portion 9 on account of the fluid underpressure in such a way that the front end 11 is lifted from the web portion 9 in the normal direction of the side face 8. This has the effect that the second fluid passage 4 is widened in the normal direction of the side face 8. In this way, the body liquid can be aspirated through the fluid line component K starting from the outlet side B. Starting from the outlet side B, the body liquid flows through the inlet opening 15 of the lumen 13 and onwards through the second fluid passage 4 to the inlet side A. At the same time, the first wall portion 5 is elastically displaced relative to the web portion 9 on account of the fluid underpressure, in such a way that the front end 10 is pressed against the web portion 9 counter to the normal direction of the side face 7. In this way, the first fluid passage is sealed off to a greater extent in relation to a neutral fluid pressure.

[0033] By virtue of the inventive configuration of the valve device 1, the first fluid passage 3 is uninfluenced by a fluid-pressure-induced deformation of the second wall portion 6, and the second fluid passage 4 is uninfluenced by a fluid-pressure-induced deformation of the first wall portion 5. Accordingly, in particular by means of a corresponding structural configuration of the wall portions 5, 6, the valve device 1 can be adapted to a volumetric flow to be achieved during an injection and an aspiration and/or to respective opening and closing pressures.

[0034] In terms of their structural and functional features, the embodiments of inventive valve devices 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and 1a (FIG. 3) have a substantially similar configuration. Therefore, in order to avoid repetition with respect to the valve device 1a, reference is made to the disclosure concerning valve device 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2. Only the essential differences between the valve device 1a according to FIG. 3 and the valve device 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 are discussed below. Parts and sections of the valve device 1a of identical function and/or structure are provided with the same references signs with addition of the lowercase letter a.

[0035] The valve device 1a differs substantially from the valve device 1 in that the wall portions 5a, 6a are configured to be elastically displaceable to different extents, in such a way that the fluid passages 3a, 4a are freed and/or sealed off at quantitatively different fluid pressures. For this purpose, the wall portions 5a, 6a have different wall thicknesses or wall thickness profiles. Thus, as can be seen from FIG. 3, the first wall portion 5a is thinner compared to the wall portion 6a. Accordingly, the first wall portion 5a is more elastically flexible compared to the second wall portion 6a. Alternatively or in addition, it is also possible that the wall portions 5a, 6a are produced from different materials. For example, compared to a material of the first wall portion 5a, the second wall portion 6a can be made of a stiffer material with a higher elastic modulus, or vice versa. As can also be seen from FIG. 3, the wall portions 5a, 6a are inclined to different extents with respect to the web portion 9a. The first wall portion 5a is inclined at an angle of approximately 20, the second wall portion 6a at an angle of approximately 25, with respect to the web portion 9a. In the present case, the wall portions 5a, 6a extend by approximately the same length. However, it is also possible that the wall portions 5a, 6a extend by different lengths. On account of the quantitatively different inclination and/or different longitudinal extent, a pressure surface M of the first wall portion 5a, projected perpendicularly with respect to the inlet side A, is different than a pressure surface N of the second wall portion 6a, projected perpendicularly with respect to the outlet side B. As an alternative or in addition to a different elastic configuration as regards the wall thicknesses and/or materials, this has the effect that the fluid passages 3a, 4a are freed and/or sealed off at quantitatively different fluid pressures.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a further possible installation situation of the valve devices 1, la in a fluid line component L in the form of a three-way stopcock shown in a greatly simplified representation.