Patent ID: 9447888
Filing Date: 2016-09-20
CPC Classification: F16K,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. An encapsulated valve system for pressurized pharmaceutical or biological liquid fluids comprising: a first housing having a first facing surface, the first facing surface comprising a plurality of pathways formed as a recess within the first facing surface, wherein one of the plurality of pathways comprises a first aperture; a second housing having a second facing surface, the second facing surface comprising a plurality of pathways formed as a recess within the second facing surface, wherein one of the plurality of pathways comprises a second aperture located at a different pathway from the first aperture, wherein the plurality of pathways formed in the recess within the second facing surface mirror the plurality of pathways formed in the recess within the first facing surface and wherein the plurality of pathways defined by the respective recesses of the first facing surface and the second facing surface have a substantially constant cross-section along lengths thereof; a disposable conduit comprising un-reinforced polymer tubing 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 configured to carry a pressurized liquid fluid therein that would otherwise form an aneurysm in the disposable conduit in the absence of the first housing and second housing forming an exoskeleton for the same; a first automatically-controlled pinch valve actuator mounted on the first housing, a second automatically-controlled pinch valve actuator mounted on the second housing, wherein the first automatically-controlled pinch valve actuator is disposed on the first housing and oriented generally perpendicular to the first facing surface and comprises a pinching element configured to pass through the first aperture and wherein the second automatically-controlled pinch valve actuator is disposed on the second housing and oriented generally perpendicular to the second facing surface and comprises a pinching element configured to pass through the second aperture, wherein the first and second automatically-controlled pinch valve actuators are configured have an “on” state and an “off” state, wherein in the “off” state the pinching element of does not pass through its respective aperture and wherein in the “on” state, the pinching element passes through its respective aperture and completely closes the disposable conduit to prevent the passage of pressurized liquid fluid therethrough; and one or more removable fasteners configured to secure the first housing and the second housing to one another and form the exoskeleton around the disposable conduit, wherein no portion of the disposable conduit is exposed to the external environment and not encapsulated by the exoskeleton.