Abstract:
An occlusion valve with safety relief comprising a manifold block having an inlet and an outlet. A diaphragm connected to the manifold block and for being manually pressed to stop flow between the inlet and the outlet. A pressure relief valve internal to the manifold block and in fluid communication with downstream and upstream pressures and wherein when the diaphragm is pressed and downstream pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure the pressure relief valve opens allowing flow through the occlusion valve with safety relief.

Description:
[0001]     The present application claims the filing benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/758,023, filed Jan. 11, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     An anesthesia machine  200 , as shown schematically in  FIGS. 32 and 33 , allows gasses to flow through separate inspiratory and expiratory circuits. The anesthesia machine  200  prevents rebreathing of CO 2  by absorbing the CO 2  in a bed of absorbent material. The anesthesia machine  200  allows rebreathing of some exhaled gases, and the remaining exhaled gases flow through an exhalation  204  valve and through an adjustable pressure limiting valve (pop off valve)  202  and exit the anesthesia machine  200 . The adjustable pressure limiting valve  202  is for providing adequate pressure in the anesthesia machine  200 , and in a full open position, the adjustable pressure limiting valve maintains a pressure of about 1-3 centimeters (hereinafter cm) of H 2 0. During manually assisted ventilation, the adjustable pressure limiting valve is left partially open, and during inspiration a breathing bag is squeezed and pressure increases until the adjustable pressure limiting valve relief pressure is reached.  
         [0003]     However, it would be desirable if there were a way to build pressure in the anesthesia machine to a predetermined pressure, while eliminating the possibility of over pressurizing the anesthesia machine.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The occlusion valve with safety relief includes a manifold block that is positioned between the exhalation valve and the adjustable press pressure limiting valve (hereinafter APL valve). The manifold block is connected to the exhalation valve and the APL valve and is in fluid communication with each. The manifold block has an inlet that leads to an inlet passage that ends at a flow opening. A diaphragm is joined to the manifold block and surrounds the flow opening, such that the flow opening faces the diaphragm. The diaphragm directs the flow of incoming gas between the diaphragm and the surrounding manifold block such that the gas flows through the flow opening to the outlet of the manifold block.  
         [0005]     During normal operation, the diaphragm is not pressed and gas flows through the inlet, through the inlet passage and to the flow opening, and from there to the outlet formed in the manifold block. When it is necessary to build downstream pressure, the diaphragm is manually pressed, so that incoming gas cannot flow between the diaphragm and the flow opening. Thus, as a result of pressing the diaphragm, downstream pressure builds which pressurizes the anesthesia machine.  
         [0006]     While the diaphragm pressed, if the downstream pressure exceeds a predetermined amount, then a pressure relief valve opens. The pressure relief valve is in fluid communication with downstream and upstream pressure. A set screw having a magnet joined to it is threadably received in the manifold block, and the manifold block has a valve seal or seat spaced a distance from the magnet. The magnetic force of attraction seats a steel ball in the valve seat, thus sealing the pressure relief valve when downstream pressure is below a predetermined amount. When the downstream pressure exceeds the predetermined amount the ball is unseated and gas flows around the steel ball. The gas passes through an escape slot formed in the manifold block, between the diaphragm, which is still pressed against the flow opening, and the surrounding manifold block and out the outlet. Thus, a user can depress the diaphragm to pressurize the anesthesia machine and release it when a desired downstream pressurization of the anesthesia machine is achieved. If the user continues to press the diaphragm, when the predetermined downstream pressure is reached the pressure relief valve automatically opens, and over-pressurization of the anesthesia machine cannot occur. After exiting the manifold block the gas flows to the APL valve.  
         [0007]     The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is and exploded view of the occlusion valve with safety relief.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the assembled occlusion valve with safety relief.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a an isometric view of the setscrew.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a right end elevational view of the setscrew.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the setscrew.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a left end elevational view of the setscrew.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the magnet.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a right end view of the magnet.  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the magnet.  
         [0018]      FIG. 9A  is a front elevational view of the setscrew joined to the magnet.  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is a front elevation view of a ball for use in the occlusion valve.  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is a isometric view of a manifold block showing an outlet side thereof.  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the manifold block taken along cut line A-A of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 12A  is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of  FIG. 12 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the manifold block.  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a front elevational view of the manifold block.  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is a right end elevational view of the manifold block.  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is a rear elevational view of the manifold block.  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  is a left end elevational view of the manifold block.  
         [0028]      FIG. 18  is a bottom plan view of the manifold block.  
         [0029]      FIG. 19  is a sectional view of the manifold block taken along cut line B-B of  FIG. 17 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 20  is a left end elevational view of the manifold block.  
         [0031]      FIG. 21  is a front elevational view of the manifold block.  
         [0032]      FIG. 22  is a top plan view of the back-up ring.  
         [0033]      FIG. 22A  is a front elevational view of the back-up ring.  
         [0034]      FIG. 23  is an isometric view of the back-up ring.  
         [0035]      FIG. 24  is a front elevational view of a ball.  
         [0036]      FIG. 25  is a an isometric view of the diaphragm.  
         [0037]      FIG. 26  is a section view of the diaphragm taken along cut line A-A of  FIG. 27 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 27  is a top plan view of the diaphragm.  
         [0039]      FIG. 28  is a front elevational view of the diaphragm.  
         [0040]      FIG. 29  is an isometric view of an expansion plug.  
         [0041]      FIG. 30  is a top plan view of the expansion plug.  
         [0042]      FIG. 31  is a sectional view of the expansion plug taken along cut line A-A of  FIG. 30 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 32  shows a schematic view of an anesthesia machine (without the occlusion valve having safety relief) during inhalation of gas.  
         [0044]      FIG. 33  shows a schematic view of an anesthesia machine (without the occlusion valve with safety relief) during exhalation of gas.  
         [0045]      FIG. 34  shows a view of the occlusion valve with safety relief located between the adjustable pressure limiting valve and exhalation valve.  
         [0046]      FIG. 35  shows a sectional view of the occlusion valve with safety relief located between the adjustable pressure limiting valve and exhalation valve during exhalation.  
         [0047]      FIG. 36  shows a sectional view of the occlusion valve with safety relief detailing the pressure relief valve. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0048]     At the outset, it is pointed out that the dimensions shown in the drawing figures are for illustrative purposes, and it is to be understood that the dimensions of the parts and components of the occlusion valve with safety relief  100  could be otherwise embodied in other preferred embodiments of the invention.  
         [0049]     The occlusion valve with safety relief  100  is shown generally in  FIGS. 1-31  and  34 - 36 . The occlusion valve with safety relief  100  is for use with an anesthesia machine  200 , such with such an anesthesia machine  200  being shown schematically in  FIGS. 32-33 . As shown in  FIGS. 34-35 , the occlusion valve with safety relief  100  is located between the APL valve  202  and the exhalation valve  204  as shown in  FIGS. 34-35 , and is threadably joined to each.  
         [0050]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of the occlusion valve with relief  100  which comprises a manifold block  1  that has a generally cubical shape. The manifold block  1  has opposed inlet and outlet sides  22 ,  26 , respectively. The inlet side  22  has an inlet  20 , as shown in  FIG. 18 . An inlet pipe  24  extends from the inlet side  22 , as shown in FIGS.  12 ,  14 - 17  and  18  and the inlet pipe  24  is for connecting with the exhalation valve  204 . In one of the preferred embodiments the inlet pipe  24  has an external thread  25  so that it can be threaded to the exhalation valve  204 .  FIGS. 2, 11  and  13  show the outlet side  26  of the manifold block  1 . The outlet side  26  has an outlet  28  that has an internal thread  31  that threads to the APL valve  202 , as shown in  FIGS. 34 and 35 .  
         [0051]     The manifold block  1  has joined to it a manually operable diaphragm  5  that can be manually pressed and deformed, and that returns to its pre-deformed state when not pressed. The diaphragm  5  is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 25 - 28 . As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 18 , at the inlet  20  there is an inlet passage  27  that extends into the manifold block  1  substantially straight. The inlet passage  27  makes a right angle bend and continues through the manifold block  1  until it ends at a flow opening  30 . The flow opening  30  opens on a diaphragm side  33  of the manifold block  1 . The diaphragm side  33  of the manifold block  1  extends between the opposed inlet and outlet sides  22 ,  26 , respectively, of the manifold block  1 . The diaphragm  5  is joined to the manifold block with a ring  6 , as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  22 ,  22 A and  23 . In particular, and as shown in  FIGS. 12-12A  and  36 , the manifold block  1  is provided with an annular shaped ring lip  9 , and the diaphragm  5  is moved adjacent the diaphragm side  33  of the manifold block  1 , and the ring  6  is positioned around the diaphragm  5 . The ring  6  is forced into the manifold block  1  such that ring  6  engages the annular shaped ring lip  9  formed in the manifold block  1 . The diaphragm  5  is thereafter joined to the manifold block  1 . The diaphragm  5  comprises a compliant material, for example, plastic, rubber or other suitable material.  
         [0052]     The diaphragm  5  is located proximal the flow opening  30  and when the diaphragm  5  is not pressed against the flow opening  30 , the diaphragm  5  directs the flow of gas between the diaphragm  5  and the manifold block  1  and out the outlet  28  formed in the manifold block  1 . This is the normal flow path of gases or fluids through the manifold block  1 . Thus, when the diaphragm  5  is not pressed against the flow opening  30  the gas or fluid entering from the exhalation valve  204  flows from the inlet  20  to the outlet  28  and then to the APL valve  202  relatively unimpeded.  
         [0053]     At times it is necessary to pressurize the anesthesia machine  200  to a predetermined pressure. For example, in one of the preferred embodiments, the anesthesia machine  200  is pressurized to a maximum pressure of about 25 cm H 2 0. To pressurize the anesthesia machine  200 , the diaphragm  5  is manually pressed by the user. Pressing the diaphragm  5  closes or seals the flow opening  30 , shown in  FIG. 12 , that is located at the end of the inlet passage  27 . Thus, upon pressing the diaphragm  5  no fluid can flow between the diaphragm  5  and the flow opening  30  or to the APL valve  202 , and the anesthesia machine  200  can thus advantageously pressurize  
         [0054]     A pressure relief valve  39  is located internal to the manifold block  1  and is in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet pressures, as shown in  FIG. 36 . In general, the pressure relief valve  39  includes a magnet  52  and a steel ball  4 . The force of magnetic attraction draws the steel ball  4  into contact with a sealing surface or valve seat  62 . Then, if downstream pressure exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure, for example, a pressure of about 25 cm H 2 O, then the pressure relief valve  39  opens and relieves the anesthesia machine at about 25 cm H 2 O. Thus, when the pressure relief valve  39  opens, downstream gas flows through the pressure relief valve  39  thus advantageously decreasing downstream pressure.  
         [0055]     Turning to  FIG. 19 , shown therein is a sectional view of the manifold  1  taken along cut line B-B of  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 36  is another sectional view of the manifold block  1  showing the pressure relief valve  39  in greater detail. The manifold block  1  has a bore side  42 , as shown in  FIGS. 2, 11  and  36 , and an opposed capped side  44 , as shown in  FIGS. 1, 17 ,  20  and  36 . A bore  40  that has an internal thread  41  for part of its length extends into the bore side  42  of the manifold  1 , as shown in  FIGS. 19 and 36 . The internal thread  41  is for threadably receiving an externally threaded setscrew  50  that is joined to the magnet  52 , as shown in FIGS.  1 ,  3 - 9 A, and  36 . The magnet  52  can be joined to the setscrew  50  with epoxy, and the magnet  52  has a diameter less than that of the bore  40 . The end of the setscrew  50  opposite the magnet  52  has a head  54  that allows the setscrew  50  to be threadably adjusted when threaded in to the internal thread  41  until it is at a desired position internal to the manifold block  1 .  
         [0056]     The bore  40  extends into the manifold block  1  until it reaches the valve seat or seal surface  62 . Counterbores  60  are formed in the manifold block  1  and extend from the valve seat  62  to a steel ball recess  63  formed in a capped side  44  of the manifold block  1 , as shown in  FIGS. 1, 17 ,  20  and  36 .  63 . As previously mentioned, the magnet  52  is for seating the steel ball  4  against the valve seat  62 . Thus, by rotating the setscrew  50  the magnet  52  can adjustably moved toward or away from the steel ball  4 , and the magnetic force of attraction acting on the steel ball  4  can thus be adjusted. The closer the magnet  52  is to the steel ball  4 , the greater the force required to unseat the steel ball  4 , and the farther the magnet  52  is from the steel ball  4 , the less force required to unset the steel ball  4 . Epoxy can be used to lock the setscrew  50  in place once the desired magnetic degree of magnetic attraction between the magnet  52  and steel ball  4  is achieved. In one of the preferred embodiments, the adjustment of the setscrew  52  and the application of the epoxy is carried out at the factory during assembly of the occlusion valve with safety relief  100 , so that the desired level of force required to unseat the steel ball  4  can be fixed and not thereafter altered by, for example, an end user. This advantageously keeps the force required to unseat the steel ball  4  a known constant.  
         [0057]     In order for downstream pressure to act on the pressure relief  39  the manifold block  1  has a pressure access drilled bore  68 , as shown in  FIGS. 1, 14 ,  16 ,  19  and  21 . The pressure access drilled bore  68  extends from the diaphragm side  33  of the manifold block  1 , through the manifold block  1  and to the inlet passage  27 , such that the pressure access drilled bore  68  is in fluid communication with the inlet passage  27  and thus downstream pressure. A second steel ball  7 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 24 , is press fitted into a counterbore  69  formed in the pressure access drilled bore  68  at the diaphragm side  33  of the manifold block  1 . The second steel ball  7  is pressed in place, thus sealing one end of the pressure access drilled bore  68 .  
         [0058]     As shown in  FIG. 36 , a pressure chamber  70  is defined between the setscrew  50 , the steel ball  4 , the second steel ball  7  (not shown in  FIG. 36 ) and the surrounding manifold block  1 . Downstream fluid or gas can move through the inlet passage  27 , through the pressure access drilled bore  68 , around the magnet  52  and exert force on the steel ball  4 . If the downstream pressure is great enough, that is, reaches the predetermined amount, it will overcome the magnetic force of attraction acting on the steel ball  4  and unseat the steel ball  4  and downstream pressure will be relieved.  
         [0059]     As previously mentioned, during normal operation fluid flows from the exhaust valve  204 , through the inlet passage  27  of the occlusion valve with safety relief  100  and to the APL valve  202 . When the anesthesia machine  200  needs to be pressurized the diaphragm  5  manually pressed by the user. Pressing the diaphragm  5  seals the flow opening  30  at the end of the inlet passage  27 . Flow through the through the occlusion valve with safety relief  100  stops and downstream pressure builds. As the pressure in the pressure chamber  70  increases it will eventually reach the predetermined pressure, for example 25 cm H 2 O, at which pressure the steel ball  4  unseats from the valve seal or seat  62  and downstream pressure is relieved. As shown in  FIG. 36 , once the steel ball  4  unseats the fluid or gas flows into an expansion plug chamber  72  defined between an expansion plug  3  and the manifold block  1 . The expansion plug  3  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 29-31  and is joined to the manifold block  1 . The gas then flows through an escape passage  74  that leads to an escape slot  76 , as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 16 . The gas then flows between the diaphragm  5  and manifold  1 , through the outlet slot  29  shown in  FIGS. 14 and 21  and out the outlet  28  shown in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0060]     Thus, the occlusion valve with safety relief  100  advantageously allows a user to press the diaphragm  5  to build downstream pressure to pressurize an anesthesia machine  200 , and the occlusion valve with safety relief  100  automatically relieves pressure when downstream pressure reaches a predetermined level and unseats the steel ball  4 , even if the user continues to press the diaphragm  5 . The occlusion valve with safety relief  100  advantageously eliminates the possibility of a user over-pressurizing the anesthesia machine  200 , and advantageously allows an anesthesia machine to be pressurized to a predetermined pressure.  
         [0061]     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while an occlusion valve with safety relief has been described above in connection with particular embodiments and examples, the invention is not necessarily so limited, and other embodiments, examples, uses, and modifications and departures from the described embodiments, examples, and uses may be made without departing from the occlusion valve with safety relief. All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.