Pressure responsive fluid flow control valves

Abstract

In one set of embodiments a selected section of tubular stock has its ends welded together to form a pillow-like pressure sensing device with an entry tube and an exit tube each configured to facilitate insertion of the pressure sensing device into the flow path of IV infusate in an IV administration set or system. Fluid pressure in excess of a predetermined amount reconfigures the pressure sensing device from a generally oval configuration to a generally circular configuration to restrict and/or cut off fluid flow into the device while permitting fluid flow from the device to reduce the fluid pressure again reconfiguring the device back to its generally oval configuration and permitting fluid flow into and through the device. In other embodiments a fluid pressure sensing device is formed with a fluid entry chamber and a fluid exit chamber interconnected by a passageway and provided with a piston that reacts to an increase in fluid pressure above a predetermined amount to close off the interconnection between the chambers and fluid flow into the exit chamber. Continued fluid flow from the eit chamber results in a reduction of fluid therein and reopening of the fluid passageway between the chambers.

1 . A fluid pressure responsive valve, for insertion into a predetermined fluid-flow path, and responsive to fluid pressure of a predetermined amount; comprising: 
 (a) deformable fluid-pressure sensing means insertable into a fluid-flow path and responsive to a predetermined fluid pressure;    (b) fluid entry means for said fluid pressure responsive means to receive fluid flow from the fluid path and direct the fluid into said fluid pressure sensing means; and    (c) fluid exit means from said fluid pressure sensing means to direct fluid from said fluid pressure sensing means back into said fluid flow path;    (d) said fluid pressure sensing means reacts to a change of fluid pressure, within said fluid pressure sensing means, in excess of said predetermined amount to restrict and/or close-off fluid flow into said fluid pressure sensing means while permitting fluid flow from said fluid pressure sensing means.    
   
   
       2 . The fluid pressure responsive valve of  claim 1;  wherein, said fluid pressure sensing means further reacts to the flow of fluid from said fluid pressure sensing means and a resulting reduction of fluid pressure therein below said predetermined amount to permit the flow of fluid into said fluid pressure sensing means.  
   
   
       3 . The fluid pressure responsive valve of  claim 1;  wherein, said fluid pressure sensing means is fabricated from selected materials and so as to be capable of being in a first configuration when fluid at a fluid pressure less then said predetermined amount is to pass into, through and out from said fluid pressure sensing means and of being in a second configuration when fluid at a fluid pressure at or above said predetermined amount is to be restricted and/or cut-off from entering said fluid pressure sensing means but permitted to flow from said fluid pressure sensing means.  
   
   
       4 . The fluid pressure responsive valve of  claim 2;  wherein, said first configuration of said fluid pressure sensing means is substantially an oval pillow-like configuration and said second configuration is substantially a circular configuration.  
   
   
       5 . The fluid pressure responsive valve of  claim 4;  wherein, said fluid pressure sensing means includes weld means proximate respective opposite ends thereof that facilitate fabrication of same into said first, oval pillow-like, configuration while also permitting said sensing means to re-configure to said second configuration.  
   
   
       6 . The fluid pressure responsive valve of claim of  claim 4;  wherein, said fluid entry means includes a fluid flow directing means extending part way into said fluid pressure sensing means so that when said fluid pressure sensing means is in said first configuration fluid may flow there into and when said fluid pressure sensing means is reconfiguring to said second configuration fluid flow into said fluid pressure sensing means is restricted and even cut-off from entering said fluid pressure sensing means.  
   
   
       7 . The fluid pressure responsive valve of  claim 6;  wherein, an inside wall of said fluid pressure sensing means moves towards said fluid entry means when said fluid pressure sensing means is re-configuring to said second configuration thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The fluid pressure responsive valve of  claim 3;  including, 
 (a) housing means within which said fluid pressure sensing means is disposed; and    (b) action means positioned in said housing means for co-action with said fluid pressure sensing means such that upon re-configuration of said fluid pressure sensing means from said first configuration to said second configuration said fluid pressure sensing means will co-act with said action means to cut-off and/or arrest fluid flow into said fluid pressure sensing means.    
   
   
       9 . The pressure responsive valve of  claim 8;  wherein, said action means includes a pivoting lever with a first lever arm disposed to co-act with said fluid pressure sensing means as it reconfigures between said first configuration thereof and said second configuration thereof, and a second lever arm disposed for co- action with said fluid entry means to either permit or restrict and/or cut-off fluid flow therethrough.  
   
   
       10 . The pressure responsive valve of  claim 3;  wherein, piston means are disposed for co-action with said fluid pressure responsive means as it reconfigures between said first configuration thereof and said second configuration thereof, said piston means including pinch means disposed for co-action with said fluid entry means to either permit or restrict and/or cut-off fluid flow therethrough.  
   
   
       11 . The pressure responsive valve of  claim 3;  wherein, reaction means are disposed for co-action with said fluid pressure responsive means as it reconfigures between said first configuration thereof and said second configuration thereof, said reaction means including first and second pinch means between which said fluid entry means is disposed and which co-act with said fluid entry means to either permit or restrict and/or cut-off fluid flow therethrough.  
   
   
       12 . The pressure responsive valve of  claim 2;  wherein, 
 (a) said fluid sensing means includes a first sensing chamber disposed and configured to receive fluid flow from said fluid entry means and a second sensing chamber disposed and configured to receive fluid from said first chamber and permit fluid flow to exit said pressure sensing means through said fluid exit means and piston means disposed between said first sensing chamber and said second sensing chamber and co-acting therewith and responsive to an increase in fluid pressure to or above said predetermined pressure to restrict and/or cut-off fluid flow from said first sensing chamber to said second sensing chamber.    
   
   
       13 . The pressure responsive valve of  claim 12;  wherein, said piston means includes a piston seat formed on wall means disposed between said first sensing chamber and said second sensing chamber.  
   
   
       14 . The pressure responsive valve of  claim 13;  wherein, said piston seat and said piston are fabricated with corresponding tapered surfaces which co-act to restrict and/or cut-off fluid flow from said first sensing chamber to said second sensing chamber.  
   
   
       15 . A fluid pressure responsive valve, for insertion into a predetermined infusate flow path, within an infusate heating device, and responsive to fluid pressure of said infusate of a predetermined amount; comprising: 
 (a) deformable infusate pressure sensing means disposed and configured to define a sensing portion of said infusate flow path and responsive to a predetermined fluid pressure;    (b) fluid entry means for said infusate pressure sensing means to receive infusate flow from the infusate flow path and direct the infusate into said infusate pressure sensing means; and    (c) fluid exit means from said infustae pressure sensing means to direct fluid from said infusate pressure sensing means back into said infusate flow path.    
   
   
       16 . A fluid pressure responsive valve, for insertion into a predetermined fluid-flow path, and responsive to fluid pressure of a predetermined amount; comprising: 
 (a) a deformable fluid pressure sensing device for insertion into a fluid-flow path;    (b) a fluid entry for said fluid pressure sensing device;    (c) a fluid exit from said fluid pressure sensing device to direct fluid from said fluid pressure sensing device back into said fluid flow path;    (d) said fluid pressure sensing device being configured and constructed to react to a change of fluid pressure, within said fluid pressure sensing device, in excess of said predetermined amount to restrict and/or close-off fluid flow into said fluid pressure sensing device while permitting fluid flow from said fluid pressure sensing device.    
   
   
       17 . The fluid pressure responsive valve of  claim 16;  wherein, said fluid pressure sensing device further reacts to the flow of fluid from said fluid pressure sensing device and a resulting reduction of fluid pressure therein below said predetermined amount to permit the flow of fluid into said fluid pressure sensing device.  
   
   
       18 . A method of restricting and/or cutting off fluid flow through a fluid flow path in response to a predetermined fluid pressure; comprising: 
 (a) providing a fluid pressure sensing device for insertion into a fluid-flow path;    (b) providing a fluid entry for said fluid pressure sensing device;    (c) providing a fluid exit from said fluid pressure sensing device to direct fluid from said fluid pressure sensing device back into said fluid flow path;    (d) fabricating said fluid pressure sensing device so as to react to a change of fluid pressure, within said fluid pressure sensing device, in excess of said predetermined amount to restrict and/or close-off fluid flow into said fluid pressure sensing device while permitting fluid flow from said fluid pressure sensing device.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18:  including, forming said fluid pressure sensing device from a selected length of flexible tubular material and welding the ends of said selected length of tubular material together to form a deformable pressure sensing device with a pillow-like configuration.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18;  including forming said pressure sensing device with a fluid entry chamber and a fluid exit chamber connected together with a fluid passageway and providing a valve operating device responsive to a change of fluid pressure within said fluid entry chamber in excess of said predetermined amount to restrict and/or close-off fluid flow from said fluid entry chamber to said fluid exit chamber while permitting fluid flow from said fluid pressure sensing device.