Abstract: A method for making a catheter. The method includes forming a catheter tube including an outer wall circumscribing at least one lumen and having a closed distal end, and creating a slit valve in a distal segment of the catheter tube proximal of the closed distal end. The slit valve includes a slit through the outer wall and a compliant segment designed to facilitate inward deflection of a portion of the outer wall along the slit when negative pressure is applied to the at least one lumen. The compliant segment is circumferentially spaced apart from the slit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inflatable bodies or systems with bounding walls or bladder structures and at least one valve assembly thermally bonded thereto. More particularly, the present invention provides a valve assembly for inflatable bodies typically made from a thermoplastic rubber material or the like, which will exhibit significantly increased strength and durability during inflation and while inflated, especially at and around the interface between the air valve assembly and the bounding wall of the inflatable body because of the enhanced strength of the interface through thermal sealing.

Abstract: A bi-directional valve assembly, including valves for use in closed-ended catheters or other elongate tubular devices, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a catheter assembly for insertion into a body of a patient is disclosed and comprises an elongate catheter tube including an outer wall that at least partially defines at least one lumen that extends between a proximal end and a closed distal end thereof. The catheter tube includes a valve assembly that in turn includes a linear slit valve defined through the outer wall of a distal segment of the catheter tube, and a deformation region. The deformation region includes a compliant segment disposed in the outer wall of the catheter tube and a thinned portion of the outer wall. The compliant segment and thinned portion of the deformation region cooperate to preferentially deform the outer wall and open the slit valve during aspiration through the catheter tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inflatable bodies or systems with bounding walls or bladder structures and at least one valve assembly thermally bonded thereto. More particularly, the present invention provides a valve assembly for inflatable bodies typically made from a thermoplastic rubber material or the like, which will exhibit significantly increased strength and durability during inflation and while inflated, especially at and around the interface between the air valve assembly and the bounding wall of the inflatable body because of the enhanced strength of the interface through thermal sealing.

Abstract: A shunt catheter system and method of use thereof. The system generally includes an open-ended ventricular catheter with drainage apertures and safety flap valves, a reservoir with inline filter, and a peritoneal catheter. After insertion, for example into the ventricles of the brain, cerebrospinal fluid would pass into the ventricular catheter, through the inline filter in the reservoir, and into the peritoneal catheter, subsequently exiting the shunt catheter system. During insertion of the ventricular catheter, a catheter stylet or wire/string and plug stylet can be positioned therein to occlude the open end. The ventricular catheter may be positioned perpendicular to the peritoneal catheter and can be coupled to one another through the reservoir and inline filter or valve.

Abstract: A valve assembly (12) includes a first housing (22), a diaphragm member (24) having a plurality of individually pivotable sealing members (50), and a second housing (26) coupled to the end of the first housing over the diaphragm member. The second housing has a plurality of ports (78) spaced about the second member. The diaphragm member is structured to actuate between (i) a first state wherein the sealing members substantially seal the end of the first housing responsive to a pressure within the first housing being below a certain level, each of the ports being open in the first state, and (ii) a second state wherein the sealing members pivot away from and do not substantially seal the end of the first housing responsive to a pressure in the first housing being at or above the certain level, each sealing member substantially sealing a respective one of the ports in the second state.

Abstract: The invention relates to an odor seal for a vacuum toilet drain system whose cross section in the state of no throughflow tapers off in such a way in the downstream direction that the interior walls on the downstream end of the odor seal rest against each other so that the odor seal in a downstream direction allows throughflow while in the opposite direction it blocks throughflow, wherein the downstream end of the odor seal is closed in the state of throughflow and no throughflow of the odor seal. Furthermore, the invention relates to a drainage device comprising such an odor seal and a sieve which is arranged upstream of the odor seal. Moreover, the invention relates to a vacuum toilet system for an aircraft, comprising such an odor seal or a drainage device.

Abstract: An aerating bag has a body, a connector, a check valve and an intake valve. The body has a connecting tube, a mounting tube and a chamber. The chamber communicates with the connecting tube and the mounting tube. The connector is detachably connected to the body and has a connecting pipe, an inserting pipe, a mounting recess, a release pipe and a cover. The release pipe is formed on and protrudes from the connector and communicates with the connecting pipe and the inserting pipe. The cover is mounted on the release pipe. The check valve mounted in the mounting recess and has an open end, a closed end and a slit. The slit is formed longitudinally in the check valve near the closed end and communicates with a clearance between the connecting pipe and the check valve. The intake valve is detachably mounted in the mounting tube of the body.

Abstract: Progressive cavity pump assemblies including one or more mechanisms adapted to regulate intake pressure of the main pump between a minimum intake pressure and a maximum intake pressure. In one embodiment, the mechanism is a sealing member configured to open at a threshold pressure to discharge wellbore fluid and close after falling below the threshold pressure. In an alternative embodiment, the mechanism may be a regulator assembly that adjusts the volume of output from the charge pump to the interconnect according to the pressure in the interconnect.

Abstract: A system for microbially deactivating items. The system includes a circulation system for circulating a microbial decontamination fluid through a deactivation chamber that forms a part of the circulation system. A container for holding items to be deactivated is provided. The container has a sealable cavity in which the items to be deactivated may be placed, and at least one valve element that is movable between an open and a closed position to regulate fluid flow into the cavity. An actuator in the deactivation chamber is operable to move the valve element to an open position when the container is disposed within the deactivation chamber, wherein the cavity within the container is in fluid communication with the circulation system when the valve element is in the open position.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a slit valve catheter has a generally tubular catheter body with an exterior surface exposed to an environment and an interior surface defining a lumen. The catheter further includes a valve which has a protuberance projecting radially from the catheter body.

Abstract: An improved one-way valve for use in breathing apparatus comprising a valve housing, a one-way valve disposed in the valve housing that is in sealing contact to the valve housing, and a flexible retainer ring. The flexible retainer ring allows the one-way valve to unseat a greater distance within the valve housing thereby allowing an increase in the amount of expiratory gas through an exhaust port of the valve housing and the flexible retainer ring also prevents the deformation and inversion of the one-way valve thereby maintaining the proper flow of both respiratory and expiratory gases.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a slit valve catheter has a generally tubular catheter body with an exterior surface exposed to an environment and an interior surface defining a lumen. The catheter further includes a valve which has a protuberance projecting radially from the catheter body.

Abstract: This invention is related to a self-sealing valve for inflatable articles, including balloons, made of non-elastomeric material of the kind of valves formed by multiple layers of thermo-plastic film joined by heat which form three sections; a nozzle, main channel and a multi-valved section. This valve design permits the production of balloons or inflatable objects with a valve without requiring sophisticated machinery for the exact placement of the valve in the article or balloon. This is characterized in that the nozzle of the article consists of four films; two external films with an outer face that is compatible with heat fusion with the material of the inflated article in which the valve is to be placed and inner faces that are compatible with each other and the inner films with outer faces that are compatible with the outer films and inner faces that are incompatible with each other and outer films.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a slit valve catheter has a generally tubular catheter body with an exterior surface exposed to an environment and an interior surface defining a lumen. The catheter further includes a valve which has a protuberance projecting radially from the catheter body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to environmental control apparatus for telecommunications equipment, and in particular, relates to a radio telecommunications electronics enclosure drain valve. A base station antenna electronics enclosure typically comprises antenna arrangements and associated control cabinets. Whilst ideally the internal space within an electronics enclosure is hermetically sealed, this is not generally possible due to, inter alia, the differential expansion of the different components within the enclosure, the need for access for maintenance purposes, the electrical performance characteristics and so on. The antennas are contained within an antenna enclosure--the enclosures on masts visible to the public. In order to provide a sufficient field of coverage, the antenna should be placed at a height above ground level, typically upon a building or a mast, extending 15 m or more. In such a position, an antenna enclosure is subject to extremes of temperature, windage and moisture.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a slit valve catheter has a generally tubular catheter body with an exterior surface exposed to an environment and an interior surface defining a lumen. The catheter further includes a valve which has a protuberance projecting radially from the catheter body.

Abstract: The valve consists of a strip -1- onto which two coplanar strips -3, 4- are welded separated by an opening -5-. Production of the valve takes a strip -11- onto which two strips -12, 13- are welded separated by a space -5-. The valve obtained -16- is welded onto a laminar -17-, which forms part of the inflatable, with a hole -19- which has to coincide with the valve opening -5-. Next the first sheet is welded to a second laminar -21- which forms the inflatable. The same process obtains a double valve with a single entry.

Abstract: There is provided a self-sealing valve structure. The structure has a first sheet of thermoplastic material and a second sheet of thermoplastic material in face-to-face relationship with each other and are secured together along a portion of the longitudinal edges of the sheets and define a passageway therebetween. In one embodiment, the passageway has an air inlet end and an air outlet end. The air outlet end has at least a pair of air outlets located at each of the longitudinal edges of the valve and directing the incoming air through each of the longitudinal edges near the outlet end of said valve. The air outlets are formed by an air deflector blocking the end of the outlet which is preferably of a U-shape or a V-shape. In another embodiment, the passageway directs air through only one longitudinal edge of the valve.

Abstract: An automatic sealing valve having a cylindrical inflation nozzle, which has a cone-shaped wall section in its lower area, which a welding rim adjoins. The welding rim is connected by a peripheral joint with a foil of the inflatable body. A pressure membrane is peripherally welded at the peripheral joint at the lower end of the welding rim and forms an open air passage. The annular area formed in this way is the active pressure area with which the pressure membrane presses against the welding rim. The pressure membrane has a recess below the cone-shaped edge area which is sealingly closed by a cup-shaped receptacle. The inflation nozzle can be pushed into the receptacle with its cone-shaped edge area.

Abstract: A constant-speed exhaust valve device has a valve body of a cylindrical shape opened at both axial ends, and a push means disposed to apply an axial compressive force to the valve body, whereby the exhaust speed of the device can be made steady and manufacturing yield of the device is made excellent.

Abstract: A gas inlet including an inlet body having a gas passage, a tube body and a plug body, wherein the tube body and plug body are connected to the inlet body via a thin strip. The tube body has a close end and a cut and is suitable to be fitly fitted into the gas passage, while the plug body is suitable to be plugged into the tube body, whereby by means of plugging or removing the tube body and plug body, an inflatable product can be rapidly inflated or deflated.

Abstract: A valve assembly for relieving intracraneal pressure includes a valve housing adapted for implantation and having an inlet port for connection to a ventricular catheter and an outlet port for connection to a venus or peritoneal catheter. The valve housing includes a fluid passage, the flow through which is controlled by a first pressure responsive valve of relatively high resistence and a second pressure responsive valve of relatively low resistence spaced downstream of said first pressure responsive valve. An attitude responsive valve is disposed in said fluid passage in parallel with said first pressure responsive valve. The valve assembly is implanted in a patient with the attitude responsive valve in a closed position when the patient is in an upright position and in an open position when the patient is in a horizontal position. The employment of pressure responsive and attitude responsive valves in parallel provides ventricular pressure relief regardless of the patient's position.

Abstract: The check valve for infusion and transfusion apparatus comprises a hollow cylindrical member of elastic material which has an open end for the inflow of fluid and an opposite closed end. The hollow cylindrical member has a side wall with an incision in a portion thereof which extends into the hollow interior and provides a flow passage in a direction from the hollow interior outwardly of the cylindrical member. The cylindrical member advantageously has a flange at its entrance end which provides a means for mounting and supporting the valve member. The valve member may be disposed between two connected parts of a housing so that the flange is compressed therebetween and held in position. The construction is usable in a valve housing of a flexible line if the housing includes two interconnected parts which are assembled so as to hold the flange portion of the valve member therebetween.

Abstract: A fuel system particularly useful with diesel fuel. The fuel is picked up through a fuel strainer system and pumped through a supply line to the engine. Excess fuel is returned to the fuel tank through a fuel return line. Since any water in the fuel separates from diesel fuel and settles in the bottom of the tank, the water must at times be removed. By extending the fuel return tube to the bottom of the tank a syphon tube is provided which can be connected to a pump to pump out the water. If the water in the bottom of the tank freezes, a bypass valve in the upper portion of the fuel return line, but within the tank, operates so that returned fuel may still be discharged in the tank. Two flexible bypass valve arrangements are shown, both using variations of a duckbill valve to provide a closed valve when syphoning or pumping of the water takes place.

Abstract: A valve for an inflatable prosthesis of the type which comprises a fluid-containing envelope with an aperture closed by a valve through which a desired amount of fluid can be filled or withdrawn. The valve comprises a flat elongated conduit having a pair of sealed edges, and between said edges a pair of flat flexible wall members facing each other to form a fluid seal when they bear against one another. The conduit is open at one end. At the other end it is closed except for a slit formed in one of the walls without removal of material. The valve tends to remain closed both as a consequence of inherent closure of the slit and also as a consequence of pressure of the walls against one another.