Patent ID: 6138984
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: A61M,F16K

Abstract:
A sphincter valve assembly for use in controlling the flow of fluid through a fluid delivery line, said sphincter valve assembly comprising:a main body unitarily molded from a substantially flexible material;said unitarily molded main body being formed to define a first end portion, an outer shell extending from said first end portion to a free end and having a wall of a first predetermined thickness, and an interior tube extending from said first end portion to a free end and having a wall of a second predetermined thickness less than said first predetermined thickness;said interior tube being disposed within said outer shell to define a pressure chamber between said interior tube and said outer shell;said main body further forming a first coupling nipple communicating with said pressure chamber for coupling said pressure chamber to a source of selectively deliverable pressurized fluid;a central passageway extending through said first end portion and said interior tube;said unitarily molded main body further forming a second coupling nipple on said first end portion communicating with said central passageway for coupling said central passageway to the fluid delivery line;a unitarily molded end cap mounted to said main body at said free ends of said outer shell and said interior tube, said end cap having a central passageway;said end cap connecting said free end of said outer shell and said free end of said interior tube to close off said pressure chamber; andsaid central passageway of said end cap communicating with said central passageway of said interior tube to define a continuous passageway through said valve assembly,whereby flow through the delivery line and continuous passageway can be shut off by forcing pressurized fluid into the pressure chamber to collapse the interior tube.