Valve and related methods

Implementations of a valve may include a flow tube having a seat and a channel for transporting a flow downstream from an inlet to an outlet, a magnet disposed circumferentially around the flow tube at a first location, a movable magnet disposed circumferentially around the flow tube, the movable magnet movable between the inlet of the flow tube and the first location, and a plug disposed in the channel, the plug movable between an open position and a closed position in which the plug abuts the seat. The movable magnet may be configured to move the plug between the open position and the closed position.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Aspects of this document relate generally to valves and connectors, such as valves or connectors for connecting gas lines. More specific implementations involve connectors connecting oxygen or fluid lines to cannulas in a medical setting.

Oxygen tubing and a connector are commonly encountered components for connecting oxygen delivery devices to flowmeters e.g., flowmeter on a portable oxygen concentrator, cylinder or wall connected flow meter. A tapered, barbed connector may be used with low pressure oxygen to connect the oxygen source to an oxygen delivery device, e.g., a cannula for use by a patient. A tubing line runs from the source to the connector and a cannula runs from the connector to the patient. To connect the cannula to the oxygen source, one end of the tubing is simply pushed over the tapered, barbed connector by hand.

SUMMARY

Implementations of a valve may include a flow tube having a seat and a channel for transporting a flow downstream from an inlet to an outlet, a magnet disposed circumferentially around the flow tube at a first location, a movable magnet disposed circumferentially around the flow tube, the movable magnet movable between the inlet of the flow tube and the first location, and a plug disposed in the channel, the plug movable between an open position and a closed position in which the plug abuts the seat. The movable magnet may be configured to move the plug between the open position and the closed position.

Implementations of valves may include one, all, or any of the following:

The plug may be a magnet.

The plug may be a magnetic material.

The seat may be upstream from the first location.

Implementations of the valve may include a housing. The housing may include a recess along an inner circumference of the housing. The movable magnet may be coupled within the recess.

The magnet may be configured to hold the plug in the closed position.

A first diameter of the channel upstream from the seat may be greater than a second diameter of the channel downstream from the seat.

A magnetic force between the magnet and the movable magnet may weaken as the plug is moved from the closed position to the open position.

Implementations of the valve may include a guard adjacent to the magnet. The guard may be upstream of the magnet.

The guard may be between the movable magnet and the magnet.

Implementations of a connector may include a first valve. The first valve may include a first flow tube having a first seat and a first channel for transporting a flow downstream from a first inlet to a first outlet, a first magnet disposed circumferentially around the first flow tube at a first location, a first movable magnet disposed circumferentially around the first flow tube, the first movable magnet movable upstream and downstream, and a first plug disposed in the first channel, the first plug movable between an open position and a closed position in which the first plug abuts the first seat. The first movable magnet may be configured to move the first plug between the open position and the closed position. Implementations of a connector may also include a second valve. The second valve may include a second flow tube having a second seat and a second channel for transporting a flow downstream from a second inlet to a second outlet, a second magnet disposed circumferentially around the second flow tube at a first location, a second movable magnet disposed circumferentially around the second flow tube, the second movable magnet movable upstream and downstream, and a second plug disposed in the second channel, the second plug movable between an open position and a closed position in which the second plug abuts the second seat. The second movable magnet may be configured to move the second plug between the open position and the closed position. The first valve may be configured to be in the open position and the second valve may be considered to be in the open position when the first valve is coupled to the second valve.

Implementations of connectors may include one, all, or any of the following:

The first seat may be upstream from the first magnet.

The second seat may be downstream from the second magnet.

The first valve may include a first housing having a first recess securing the first moveable magnet.

The first moveable magnet and the second moveable magnet may be configured to move away from one another to allow passage through the connector.

Implementations of a methods of adjusting a flow may include providing a first magnet and a second magnet around a flow tube, the flow tube having a channel and a seat, the channel having an inlet and an outlet, the seat located between the inlet and the outlet. The method may also include transporting a flow downstream through the channel from the inlet to the outlet, and moving the second magnet between the inlet and the first magnet to move a stopper between an open position and a closed position to adjust the flow in the channel.

Implementations of methods of adjusting a flow may include one, all, or any of the following:

The stopper may be in the closed position when the stopper abuts the seat.

A magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet may lessen as the second magnet moves the stopper to the open position.

The first magnet may be fixed at a first location downstream from the seat.

A second diameter of the channel downstream from the seat may be less than a width of the stopper.

DESCRIPTION

Elements of the connectors disclosed herein that are non-movably fixed to one another may be bonded to one another through an adhesive. In other implementations, the elements non-movably fixed to one another may be formed of a single and continuous material.

FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of a connector with a valve in a closed position. The connector ofFIG.1is illustrated as having the housing removed. The connector10is configured to connect a source to a delivery device. For example, connector10is configured to connect an oxygen source to an oxygen delivery device such as a cannula. The connector10has an inlet end2including an inlet4and a barbed region6of an inlet tube8, an outlet end12including an outlet14and a barbed region16of an outlet tube18and a flow tube20disposed between the inlet tube8and outlet tube18. The flow tube20has an upstream end22and a downstream end24. In various implementations, flow moves through the connector10from the inlet4to the outlet14in a direction X. Inlet end2of connector10is configured to be connected to a source, for example, an oxygen tank or oxygen source, and outlet end12of connector10is configured to be connected to an oxygen delivery device, for example, a cannula. Thus, oxygen flows from an oxygen source through connector10in direction X to an oxygen delivery device for use by a patient. Barbed regions6,16may include one or a plurality of barbs. In various implementations, barbed regions6,16may not include any barbs and may be, for example, tapered or threaded. In various implementations flow may also be configured to move in the opposite direction through the connector if the source is attached to the outlet14and the delivery device is attached to the inlet4(in such implementations the inlet4would then act as an outlet and the outlet14would then act as an inlet).

The connector10also includes a valve30which regulates flow through the connector10. In the closed position, flow through the valve30is reduced or stopped. In the open position, flow passes through valve30. Valve30includes a first magnet32circumferentially disposed around flow tube20and a second magnet34circumferentially disposed around flow tube20. Magnet32is located near the downstream end24of flow tube20and second magnet34is located between magnet32and upstream end22of flow tube20. First magnet32is stationary with respect to the direction of flow X and may be fixed to the downstream end24of flow tube20. The location of first magnet32with respect to flow tube20may be adjusted as desired, however during operation, a location of first magnet32remains stationary with respect to the direction of flow X. In various implementations, the connector10includes a spacer or guard40. In other implementations, the connector does not include a guard and allows the first magnet32to contact the second magnet34. In implementations including a guard, the guard40is located upstream of magnet32and downstream from magnet34. Guard40is circumferentially disposed about flow tube20and may be fixed to flow tube20. In various implementations, guard40may be integral with or part of flow tube20. Guard40may be designed to prevent first magnet32from contacting second magnet34. In various implementations first magnet32may be stronger or weaker than second magnet34such that first magnet32draws second magnet34to first magnet32. Magnets32,34may be composed of various strengths, materials, sizes, and shapes as desired. As shown inFIG.1, connector10is in a closed position. In the closed position, second magnet34is adjacent guard40due the attraction applied to second magnet34by first magnet32. The guard40may prevent the first magnet32from colliding with he second magnet34, thereby protecting the magnets.

In other implementations, the first magnet32may be replaced with a magnetic material. As used herein, magnetic materials refer to materials that are attracted to magnets but that are not magnets themselves. In such implementations, the second magnet may still be pulled downstream due to the magnetic force between the second magnet and the magnetic material.

Referring toFIG.2, a front view of connector10with valve30in an open position is illustrated. The connector10is illustrated as having the housing removed. In the open position, second magnet34is spaced apart from guard40. As shown, second magnet34has moved a distance Y upstream in the flow tube such that second magnet34is near the upstream end22of flow tube20. Second magnet34may be pushed, pulled or otherwise moved upstream away from magnet32and guard40to move second magnet34from the closed position to an open position. In various implementations a small gap exists between an inner diameter of second magnet34and an outer surface of flow tube20in order to provide a loose fit or slip fit so second magnet34can move easily and with less friction with respect to flow tube20. In various implementations, second magnet34may be moved manually and/or via a housing or other grip. When second magnet34is moved manually, a user applies sufficient force onto magnet34to move magnet34upstream. The force applied by the user must be stronger than the force applied by the first magnet32in order for the user to move second magnet34upstream.

FIG.3shows a cross sectional view of connector10with valve30in the closed position. Flow tube20includes a channel26disposed therein and a valve seat28within the channel26. Channel26runs from the upstream end22to the downstream end24of flow tube20. The diameter of channel26may vary as desired to allow for variations of the open area. The implementation shown inFIG.3illustrates channel26having a plurality of diameters, a first diameter D1and a second diameter D2. The first diameter D1extends from the upstream end22to the valve seat28. The second diameter D2extends from the valve seat28to the downstream end24.

Valve30includes a stopper or plug36. The plug36may be a magnet or magnetic material. A geometry of the seat28is configured to accommodate the geometry of plug36so plug36fits securely against seat28to form a seal. In the closed position of valve30, the plug36rests against seat28forming the seal. The seal prevents flow, e.g. gas or liquid, from traveling through the downstream end24of flow tube20while the valve30is in the closed position. In various implementations, the valve seat may include a seal or gasket (which may be rubber or another material) to improve the seal between the plug36and the seat28. The valve seat28may be integral with an inner geometry of flow tube20or be an insert. As illustrated inFIGS.3and4, an inner surface of flow tube20is shaped to form valve seat28which accommodates a spherical plug36in this implementation. In various implementations the shape of the plug or stopper and corresponding geometry of the seat may vary as desired. Similarly, the thickness of the guard40may also vary in order to specify how the plug or stopper sits on the seat.

In the closed position, second magnet34rests against guard40and plug36rests against seat28. First magnet32exerts a magnetic force on second magnet34and plug36and pulls both towards first magnet32. Thus, first magnet32draws second magnet34downstream to rest against guard40in the closed position. Second magnet34also exerts a magnetic force on plug36to keep plug36within channel26and to move plug36within the flow tube20. Plug36naturally remains within the circumference of the second magnet34due to the magnetic fields of the second magnet34. When in the open position, the plug36may contact an inner sidewall of the flow tube20. In the closed position, the plug36may be centered over the seat28. If plug36is ever forced out from the within the circumference of the second magnet34, the plug36may be forced back into the center of the magnet by either pinning the magnet against the seat28or inlet tube8and forcing the second magnet34around the plug36. Plug36is within the circumference of the second magnet34and also within the first diameter D1of channel26due to the magnetic forces applied by second magnet34. Forces from second magnet34also move plug36upstream and downstream within the flow tube20as second magnet34moves upstream and downstream. Thus, when first magnet32draws second magnet34downstream to guard40, second magnet pulls plug36downstream into seat28such that plug36sufficiently contacts seat28to form a seal. The position of second magnet34with respect to valve seat28and guard40ensures plug36maintains sufficient contact with seat28. Once the plug36is brought to seat28by second magnet34, a force from first magnet32on plug36may further enhance the seal, though the second magnet34may be the primary magnet that secures the plug36to the seat28. Magnets32,34are positioned so the forces exerted on plug36adequately seat plug36against seat28at low pressures to reduce or prevent flow. Further, in implementations where flow is entering the valve, the pressure of the flow against the plug36may further push the plug against the seat and improve the seal. The magnetic force between the second magnet34and the plug36is sufficient to open the valve by pushing the plug36against the direction of flow.

Referring still toFIG.3, a housing50is circumferentially disposed around connector10and surrounds valve30. The housing50is movable upstream and downstream in the direction of flow X and the housing50is configured to move second magnet34upstream and downstream in the direction of flow X. The housing50may include a retainer52to keep debris away from second magnet34. The retainer52keeps debris out of the housing50and away from valve30, thus preventing debris from impacting the movement of second magnet34. A small gap may exist between an inner diameter of retainer52and an outer diameter of flow tube20so the retainer52can move easily and with less friction. The retainer52may be secured to the housing50in various ways or be held in place by retaining features configured into housing50. In other implementations, the housing50may not include a separate retainer52and the second magnet34may serve as the retainer. As illustrated inFIG.3, housing50has recesses54in an inner diameter of the housing50which serve as retaining features for retainer52and second magnet34. Retainer52and second magnet34fit in recesses54such that retainer52and second magnet34move with the housing50parallel with the direction of flow X. The housing50and retainer52are also configured so that second magnet34does not move upstream beyond a set distance. In particular implementations, and as is illustrated byFIG.3, the housing50includes a downstream end62that extends in towards the outlet tube18. The downstream end62includes an opening therein through which the narrow portion64of the outlet tube is free to pass, however, the opening is smaller than the thick portion66of the outlet tube. In turn, when the housing is pushed towards the upstream end, the downstream end62may stop upstream movement of the housing when it contacts and is blocked by the thick portion66. In other implementations the connector10may include a block at an upstream end of the connector that is configured to contact and block the upstream end of the housing or the retainer52to prevent further upstream movement of the housing. In various implementations, the housing50is arranged on connector10such that housing surrounds a portion of outlet tube18when the valve30is opened and closed. The housing50may also protect the valve30and connector10from bending or damage.

FIG.4shows a cross sectional view of connector10with valve30in the open position. Housing50, second magnet34and plug36are a distance Y upstream with respect to the direction of flow X. In the open position, plug36no longer forms a seal against seat28. Plug36is spaced apart from seat28allowing flow to pass through channel26into outlet end12of connector10. In the open position, second magnet34is spaced apart from guard40and exerts a force on plug36so plug36stays within the circumference of the second magnet34and within the first diameter D1of channel26.

As illustrated inFIG.4, an end of a tube60, for example, a cannula, is attached to the outlet end12of connector10. The tube60is connected over the barbed region16of outlet tube18. As tube60is attached to connector10, tube60contacts the downstream end62of the housing50and pushes housing50upstream in the opposite direction of flow X. The manual force applied to housing50by tube60from a user attaching the tube60to connector10is sufficient to overcome the force of first magnet32attracting second magnet34thereto. As housing50moves upstream, second magnet34is forced upstream and the force second magnet34exerts on plug36unseats plug36from valve seat28and pulls plug36upstream. Thus, second magnet34and plug36move upstream a distance Y with housing50. In various implementations, housing50may be moved manually and separately from tube60to move the valve30between closed and open positions. For example, housing50may be moved manually upstream just prior to attaching tube60to connector10.

As the distance Y increases between first magnet32and second magnet34, the force between first magnet32and second magnet34decreases because the magnetic force between magnets decreases as the distance between the magnets increases. The resulting decrease in force facilitates housing50remaining positioned upstream due to the opposing force applied by tube60. The placement and attachment of tube60over barbed region16of outlet tube18provides a sufficient opposing force to maintain housing50upstream and to keep valve30open. The configuration of housing50ensures that second magnet34remains within a set distance to first magnet32to ensure that first magnet32exerts an attractive force on second magnet34sufficient to draw second magnet34downstream when opposing forces on housing50(by tube60) are reduced or eliminated, e.g., when tube60is removed from outlet tube18. In contrast, if housing50were, for example, spring-loaded downstream, the force exerted by housing50on tube60could negatively impact the coupling and be strong enough to push tube60off outlet tube18. The spring force against tube60would increase as the housing50is moved upstream.

Referring now toFIGS.3and4, when a user removes tube60from connector10, the housing50retreats downstream due to the attraction force between first magnet32and second magnet34. First magnet32attracts second magnet34thereto. Due to the attraction force between second magnet34and plug36, plug36also moves downstream with second magnet34until valve30is in a closed position in which second magnet34rests against guard40and plug36securely contacts seat28thereby forming a seal to reduce or prevent flow from exiting flow tube20. In various implementations, the first magnet32primarily attracts the second magnet34but may also attracts plug36downstream. As explained above, if the housing50were, for example, spring-loaded downstream, the spring force pushing to return housing50downstream may be too great, could apply undue pressure on tube60and jeopardize the coupling of tube60and connector10.

In various implementations, a washer or spacer may be secured to a downstream end of housing50to accommodate for varying tube60designs to ensure housing50moves a sufficient distance to open the valve30by unseating plug36and allowing flow downstream.

In various implementations the thickness of guard40may vary to adjust the position or distance between first magnet32and second magnet34. Additionally, spacers may be provided on either side of guard40or in lieu of guard40to provide desired spacing between first magnet32and second magnet34. The spacers may be from 1/32 to 1/16 inch thick. The guard and spacers may also be used to adjust the force that holds plug36on seat28when the valve30is closed by adjusting the position of second magnet34with respect to plug36and the position of first magnet32with respect to plug36. Reducing the distance between second magnet34and plug36and first magnet32and plug36will increase the force second magnet34and first magnet32apply to plug36. Conversely, increasing the distance between second magnet34and plug36and first magnet32and plug36will decrease the force second magnet34and first magnet32apply to plug36. In other implementations, the connector may not include guard40and the first magnet32may be configured to directly contact the second magnet34.

In various implementations, inlet tube8mates with an inlet of flow tube20and may be secured or bonded to flow tube20after plug36is inserted into channel26. For example, an outer diameter of the downstream end of inlet tube8may be coupled or bonded to an inner diameter of channel26on the upstream end22of flow tube20. The diameter of inlet tube8may be selected such that plug36stays within channel26of flow tube20and cannot enter inlet tube8. Thus, plug36moves inside channel26between the seat28and inlet tube8. The plug36remains centered with respect to an inner diameter of second magnet34in channel26. If, for example, an external force is applied to connector10and knocks plug36out of the inner diameter of second magnet34, plug36may move within channel26between inlet tube8and seat28but will return to a stable position in the inner diameter of second magnet34due to the magnetic forces applied to plug36by second magnet34.

Referring toFIG.5, a cross sectional view of an implementation of a valve of a connector in a closed position is illustrated. Referring toFIG.6, a cross sectional view of the connector in an open position is illustrated. The connector100includes two valves130,131which regulate flow through the connector100. In the closed position illustrated inFIG.5, only valve130is illustrated. Flow through the valve130is reduced or stopped inFIG.5. In the open position, illustrated inFIG.6, flow passes through valves130,131. Valves130,131are similar to valve30discussed above with similar features numbered similarly (i.e. “26” corresponds with “126”) and working in a similar manner which may not be reiterated below.

Valves130and131each include a first magnet132circumferentially disposed around flow tube120. Both first magnets are stationary with respect to the direction of flow X and may be fixed to flow tube120. The locations of first magnets132with respect to flow tube120may be adjusted as desired, however during operation, a location of first magnets132remains stationary with respect to the direction of flow X. The connector120may include guards140which may be located between first magnets132and second magnets134, circumferentially disposed about flow tubes120, and may be fixed to flow tubes120. The second magnets134are configured to slide along the flow tube120to open and close the valves130,131.

Valves130,131include a stopper or plug136. A geometry of seats128are configured to accommodate the geometry of plugs136so plugs136fit securely against seats128to form a seal. In the closed position of valves130,131the plugs136rest against seats128forming the seal. The seal prevents flow, e.g. gas or liquid, from traveling through the downstream end124of flow tube120while the valves130,131are in the closed position.

In the closed position, second magnet134may rest against guard140and plug136rests against seat128, as illustrated inFIG.5. First magnet132exerts a magnetic force on second magnet134and plug136so first magnet132draws second magnet134to rest against guard140in the closed position. Second magnet134also exerts a magnetic force on plug136to keep plug136within channel126and to move plug136within the flow tube120. Forces from second magnet134also move plug136upstream and downstream in the flow tube120as second magnet134moves upstream and downstream. Thus, when first magnet132draws second magnet134to the guard140, second magnet134pulls plug136downstream into seat128such that plug136sufficiently contacts seat128to form a seal. The position of second magnet134with respect to valve seat128and guard140ensures plug136maintains sufficient contact with seat128. Once the plug136is brought to seat128by second magnet134, a force from first magnet132on plug136may further enhance the seal. Magnets132,134are positioned so the forces exerted on plug136adequately seat plug136against seat128at low or no pressures to reduce or prevent airflow.

Referring toFIG.6, a cross section of connector100with valves130,131in an open position is illustrated. Valve130and valve131are arranged end to end, such that first magnets132are proximal to one another. In the open position, second magnet134is spaced apart from guard140by a distance Y in the direction of the length of the flow tube120. With respect to valve130, housing150and second magnet134are moved upstream, whereas, with respect to valve131, housing150and second magnet134are moved downstream. With respect to both valves130,131, housing150and second magnet134are moved away from first magnet132and guard140. Housing150and second magnet134may be pushed, pulled or otherwise moved away from magnet132and guard140to move second magnet134from the closed position to an open position.

Valve130is coupled to valve131via a bridge170and housings150. Housings150may have the same features as housings50discussed above. In various implementations each of the housings150may include a recess configured to receive a retainer152similar to the retainer52ofFIG.3. In other implementations, the housings may not include such a recess or retainer. Housings150are configured such that when valves130,131are connected, housings150force the valves130,131into an open position by pushing second magnets134and plugs136away from first magnets132and guards140as illustrated inFIG.6. Thus, the configuration of the housings150and coupling of valve130to valve131places the connector100in an open position. When the valves130and131are disconnected from one another, valves130,131move to a closed position in which plug136abuts seat138forming a seal that reduces or eliminates flow through flow tubes120as illustrated inFIG.5. The valves130,131move to the closed position because first magnets132exert a force on second magnets134drawing second magnets134and plugs136thereto as explained above. The orientation of the magnetic poles in valves130and131are arranged to achieve proper attraction forces. In various implementations, housing150may be biased towards the closed position in order to aid in closing valves130,131. In various implementations, connector100may be used advantageously when flow needs to be closed off from sources on both ends of flow tubes120. For example, a patient may be connected to a drain tube to drain fluids through connector100into a collection bag. In this example, flow is drained from patient through valves130,131and downstream to a collection bag. If connector100were to become disconnected, intentionally or unintentionally, the drain line from the patient would be automatically closed via valve130and the drain line to the collection bag would be closed via valve131. Thus, connector100would prevent leakage from the patient's drain line and leakage from the collection bag in the event the drain line became disconnected from the collection bag.

In places where the description above refers to particular implementations of a connector or valve and implementing components, sub-components, methods and sub-methods, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these implementations, implementing components, sub-components, methods and sub-methods may be applied to other connectors or valves.