Bi-directional, pressure-actuated medical valve with improved fluid flow control and method of using such
A bi-directional, pressure-actuated medical valve assembly for improved control of fluids and related methods of use are described. The pressure-actuated, bi-directional valve includes a first flow control portion permitting fluid to flow in a first direction when subjected to a first pressure threshold and a second control flow portion for permitting fluid to flow in a second direction when subjected to a second pressure threshold. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
1. A method for bi-directionally controlling fluid flow through a medical device, comprising:
inserting a medical device into a patient, wherein the medical device comprises a housing comprising:
a first housing section and a second housing section;
a diaphragm having a retention portion positioned between the first housing section and the second housing section, a first flow control portion, and a second flow control portion;
flowing a fluid in a first direction through the housing, wherein the first fluid flow control portion opens to permit fluid to flow through the diaphragm, and the second fluid flow control portion is compressed against the second housing section to remain closed and prevent fluid to flow between the second fluid flow control portion of the diaphragm and the second housing section;
flowing a fluid in a second direction through the housing, wherein the first fluid flow control portion remains closed, and the second fluid flow control portion is displaced away from the second portion of the housing to permit fluid to flow between the second fluid flow control portion and the second housing portion; and
wherein the first direction of fluid flow includes the step of injecting fluid through the diaphragm and the second direction of fluid flow includes the step of aspirating fluid through the diaphragm.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical device is a PICC and the step of injecting fluid includes injecting fluid at a rate up to 5 mls/sec.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flow of fluid in a first direction is at a lower rate than the flow of fluid in the second direction.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second housing section further comprises a seating surface to seat the second flow control portion against the second housing section to prevent fluid to flow between the second housing section and the second fluid flow control portion when flowing the fluid in the first direction through the housing.
5. A method for bi-directionally controlling fluid flow through a medical device, comprising:
inserting a medical device into a patient, wherein the medical device comprises a housing comprising:
a first housing section and a second housing section;
a diaphragm having a retention portion positioned between the first housing section and the second housing section, a first flow control portion, and a second flow control portion;
flowing a fluid in a first direction through the housing, wherein the first fluid flow control portion opens to permit fluid to flow through the diaphragm, and the second fluid flow control portion is compressed against the second housing section to remain closed and prevent fluid flow between the second fluid flow control portion of the diaphragm and the second housing section;
flowing a fluid in a second direction through the housing, wherein the first fluid flow control portion remains closed, and the second fluid flow control portion is displaced away from the second portion of the housing to permit fluid to flow between the second fluid flow control portion and the second housing portion; and
wherein the first fluid flow control portion further comprises a dome and at least one slit along the dome.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first direction of fluid flow includes the step of injecting fluid through the diaphragm.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the flow of fluid in a first direction is at a lower rate than the flow of fluid in the second direction.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second direction of fluid flow includes the step of aspirating fluid through the diaphragm.
9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the diaphragm is comprised of silicone.
10. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second housing section further comprises a seating surface.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the seating surface is configured to seat the second flow control portion against the second housing section to prevent fluid to flow between the second housing section and the second fluid flow control portion when flowing the fluid in the first direction through the housing.
12. The method of claim 5 , wherein the medical device is a peripherally inserted central catheter.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of flowing a fluid in a first direction further comprising the step of injecting fluid includes injecting fluid at a rate up to 5 mls/sec.
14. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second fluid flow control portion further comprises at least two spokes forming at least one inter-spoke fluid communication channel through which fluid flows in the second direction.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of:
inserting a second medical device into the housing through the slit.
16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of:
flushing the housing after the step of flowing a fluid in a second direction through the housing.
17. A method for bi-directionally controlling fluid flow through a medical device, comprising:
inserting a medical device into a patient, wherein the medical device comprises a housing comprising:
a first housing section and a second housing section;
a diaphragm having a retention portion positioned between the first housing section and the second housing section, a first flow control portion, and a second flow control portion;
flowing a fluid in a first direction through the housing, wherein the first fluid flow control portion opens to permit fluid to flow through the diaphragm, and the second fluid flow control portion is compressed against the second housing section to remain closed and prevent fluid to flow between the second fluid flow control portion of the diaphragm and the second housing section;
flowing a fluid in a second direction through the housing, wherein the first fluid flow control portion remains closed, and the second fluid flow control portion is displaced away from the second portion of the housing to permit fluid to flow between the second fluid flow control portion and the second housing portion; and
wherein the first fluid flow control portion extends away from the second fluid flow control portion in a distal direction.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the flow of fluid in a first direction is at a lower rate than the flow of fluid in the second direction.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the medical device is a peripherally inserted central catheter.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the step of flowing a fluid in a first direction further comprising the step of injecting fluid includes injecting fluid at a rate up to 5 mls/sec.