VALVE AND METHOD FOR FLOW CONTROL
The disclosure relates to a device for controlling a gas flow, e.g., from a breathing system connected to a patient at exhalation. The flow control is conducted by means of a flexible conduit with flexible circular segments being compressed along the length of the conduit, whereupon the flexible elements are collapsed towards a circular wall. The device comprises autoclavable parts and/or disposable parts, which can be separated from the breathing system without exposing staff handling the system to contaminated surfaces in the breathing system when changing patients.
1 . A valve for medical ventilators comprising:
a first flexible element having at least one flexible zone that is an articulation;
at least one second flexible element having at least one flexible zone that is an articulation;
a valve seat located either outside or inside of said first flexible element;
a channel between said first flexible element and said valve seat for a fluid to pass; and
at least one actuator unit arranged to axially compress or decompress said first flexible element for control of a flow of said fluid through said channel, wherein said first flexible element by a motion of said actuator unit is either angled radially towards or straightened up from said valve seat, and wherein at least a second flexible element is positioned to allow said axial movement.
2 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one flexible zone is operable as an articulation arranged to angle said flexible element radially.
3 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein said first flexible element has a touching area configured to, after said first flexible element is angled radially a relative distance, touch said valve seat with said touching area.
4 . The valve according to claim 3 , wherein said touching area includes said flexible zone.
5 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein said first flexible element has a zone configured so that a sealing effect occurs when it touches said valve seat.
6 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein said flexible elements and said valve seat are arranged and positioned relative to each other so that said flexible elements are arranged in at least one position that allows a flow substantially without turbulence through said channel of said valve.
7 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein said flexible element is configured to, in at least one position, have a side with even characteristic located on a flow side of said channel.
8 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second flexible elements are an integrated part.
9 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein said axial motion is along or against the direction of said flow.
10 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein said radial motion occurs substantially vertically relative to the direction of said flow.
11 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein said valve seat is a rotationally symmetric circular wall located in the center of said first flexible element.
12 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein said valve seat has a rotationally symmetric conical profile and is located in the center of said first flexible element downstream.
13 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein said valve seat is a rotationally symmetric circular wall that is the inside of a conduit positioned around said first flexible element.
14 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of construction material of said first flexible element and said valve seat is autoclavable.
15 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of construction material of said flexible element and said valve seat is disposable.
16 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein said actuator unit is at least one piezoelectric actuator.
17 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein said actuator unit is arranged without contact to the channel.
18 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein at least two ultrasound transceivers are located along the channel for measuring said flow through said channel.
19 . The valve according to claim 1 , wherein substantially longitudinal grooves are arranged within the outside of said flexible elements.
20 . A method of controlling a flow through at least one fluid passage, wherein the method comprises axially compressing or decompressing at least two flexible elements of a valve, wherein said at least one first flexible element is angled radially towards or straightening up from a corresponding valve seat whereby said flow is controlled, wherein said at least one second flexible element is positioned to allow the relative axial movement occurring by said second flexible element to be either straightened up from or angled away from said fluid passage.