Rotary valve especially useful in a medical system including a flow-directed venous catheter

Claim 2

A rotary valve comprising a housing having a bore extending partly therethrough that is bounded by a surface of revolution that is defined by the side wall of the housing, said housing having a plurality of ports opening into its bore through the side wall of the housing, said ports being disposed in cooperating pairs, each pair being spaced from each other pair, and a valve plug movably mounted in said bore for rotary movement therein, and having at least one channel in the surface thereof that confronts said surface of revolution of the housing, said channel being disposed, upon proper orientation of the plug in the housing by relative rotation thereof, each to be in communication with one port of one pair of ports and another port from another pair of ports, respectively, to place said last-named ports in communication with each other, said valve plug also being formed with additional passageways therein that each extend partially axially through the plug and partially transversely therethrough respectively, one said transversely extending passageway portion being disposed in axial alignment with one of said pairs of housing ports, and one other said transversely extending passageway portion being disposed in axial alignment with one other of said pairs of housing ports, said transversely-extending passageway portions being positioned respectively so that upon proper orientation of the plug in the housing by relative rotation thereof, a single one of said transversely-extending passageway portions can be placed in communication with one of said housing ports in a first of said pairs of ports, and the other of said transversely extending passsageway portions and the remaining housing ports are either sealed closed by the surface of the plug or the said other of said transversely extending passageway portions is placed in communication with one of said housiing ports in a second of said pairs of ports.

Claim 3

The rotary valve of claim 1 comprising separate, readily releasable means for sealing closed each said axially-extending passageway at or adjacent an outer face of the valve plug.

Claim 4

The rotary valve of claim 2 wherein said housing is formed with means permitting readily detachable securing of tubing to each said housing port.

Claim 5

The rotary valve of claim 3 wherein the valve is for medical use and all parts thereof are readily sterilizable.

Claim 6

The valve of claim 4 wherein the housing is transparent and the valve plug is opaque.

Claim 7

The rotary valve of claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein said valve plug is also formed with at least one transversely-extending passageway therein that is disposed, upon proper orientation of the plug in the housing by relative rotation thereof, to be in communication with one port of one of said pairs of ports and the other port from the same pair of ports, respectively, to place said last-named ports in communication with each other.

Claim 8

The rotary valve of claim 6 wherein said ports are axially spaced relative to said bore, said plug is formed with a plurality of transversely-extending passageways, and transversely extending passageways comprise one transversely-extending passageway for each said pair of ports respectively.

Claim 9

A rotary valve comprising a housing having a bore extending partly therethrough that is bounded by a surface of revolution, said housing having a plurality of ports opening into its bore through the side wall of the housing, said ports being disposed in cooperating pairs, each pair being spaced from each other pair, and a valve plug movably mounted in said bore for rotary movement therein, and having passageways therein, said passageways being positioned in one orientation of said plug to be in communication with said pairs of ports respectively to place each port in communication with the other, cooperating member of its pair, said valve plug also being formed with other passageways therein that are disposed, upon proper orientation of the plug in the housing by relative rotation thereof, each to be in communication with one port of one pair and another port from another pair, respectively, to place said last-named ports in communication with each other, wherein said ports are axially spaced relative to said bore, said passageways comprise one passageway for each said pair of ports and are formed to extend transversely through said valve plug respectively, said plug being formed with a surface thereof that confronts and engages the surface of the bore of the housing, said plug being formed in its said surface with a plurality of channels, said channels providing respectively said other passageways that can provide communication between one port of one pair and another port from another pair, wherein there are two of said pairs of ports, two of said transversely-extending passageways, and two of said channels, and wherein said plug is formed with an outer face and with another passageway that extends partly axially through said plug from said outer face and partly transversely of said plug, said transversely-extending passageway portion being positioned so that upon proper orientation of said plug in the housing by relative rotation thereof, the transversely extending passageway portion is placed in communication with one of said housing ports and the remaining housing ports are sealed closed by the surface of said plug.

Claim 10

A rotary valve comprising a housing having a bore extending partly therethrough that is bounded by a surface of revolution, said housing having a plurality of ports opening into its bore through the side wall of the housing, said ports being disposed in cooperating pairs, each pair being spaced from each other pair, and a valve plug movably mounted in said bore for rotary movement therein, and having passageways therein, said passageways being positioned in one orientation of said plug to be in communication with said pairs of ports respectively to place each port in communication with the other, cooperating member of its pair, said valve plug also being formed with other passageways therein that are disposed, upon proper orientation of the plug in the housing by relative rotation thereof, each to be in communication with one port of one pair and another port from another pair, respectively, to place said last-named ports in communication with each other, wherein said ports are axially spaced relative to said bore, said passageways comprise one passageway for each said pair of ports and are formed to extend transversely through said valve plug respectively, said plug being formed with a surface thereof that confronts and engages the surface of the bore of the housing, said plug being formed in its said surface with a plurality of channels, said channels providing respectively said other passageways that can provide communication between one port of one pair and another port from another pair, wherein there are two of said pairs of ports, two of said transversely-extending passageways, and two of said channels, and wherein said plug is formed with an outer face and with another passageway that extends partly axially through said plug from said outer face and partly transversely of said plug, said transversely-extending passageway portion being positioned so that upon proper orientation of said plug in the housing by relative rotation thereof, the transversely extending passageway portion is placed in communication with one of said housing ports and the remaining housing ports are sealed closed by the surface of said plug.

Claim 11

The rotary valve of claim 8 comprising readily releasable means for sealing closed said axially-extending passageway at or adjacent said outer face of the valve plug.

Claim 12

The rotary valve of claim 8 wherein said plug is formed with two additional passageways that each extend partially axially through the plug and partially transversely thereof respectively, one said transversely extending passageway portion being disposed in axial alignment with one of said pairs of housing ports, and the other said transversely extending passageway portion being disposed in axial alignment with the other of said pairs of housing ports, said transversely-extending passageway portions being positioned respectively so that upon proper orientation of the plug in the housing by relative rotation thereof, a single one of said transversely-extending passageway portions can be placed in communication with one of said housing ports, and the other of said transversely extending passageway portions and the remaining housing ports are sealed closed by the surface of said plug.

Claim 13

The rotary valve of claim 10 comprising separate, readily releasable means for sealing closed each said axially-extending passageway at or adjacent said outer face of the valve plug.

Claim 14

The rotary valve of claim 11 wherein said housing is formed with means permitting readily detachable securing of tubing to each said housing port.

Claim 15

The rotary valve of claim 12 wherein the valve is for medical use and all parts thereof are readily sterilizable.

Claim 16

The valve of claim 13 wherein the housing is transparent and the valve plug is opaque.

Claim 17

A rotary valve comprising a generally cup-shaped housing that has a generally cylindrical bore, said housing being formed so that said bore is open at one of its ends and closed at its opposite end, said housing having a pluraity of ports opening into its bore, said ports being disposed in cooperating pairs, each said pair of ports being spaced axially of said bore from each other said pair of ports, and a valve plug that is engageable in said bore and that has a generally cylindrical surface that confronts and engages against the surface of the bore in substantially fluid-tight relation, said valve plug being rotatable in said bore, said plug being formed with passageways extending transversely thereof and corresponding in number to the number of said pairs of ports, said passageways being spaced from each other axially of said bore by a distance corresponding to the axial distance between the ports in said pairs of ports, said passageways being positioned, in one orientation of said plug, to be in communication with said pairs of ports respectively to place each port in communication with the other, cooperating member of its pair, said plug also being formed with means to limit the extent of its insertion into said bore so as to cause the said passageways to be positionable, upon proper orientation of the plug, in alignment with said ports respectively, and said valve plug also being formed with other passageways therein that are disposed, upon orientation of the plug in the housing, each to be in communication with one port of one pair and another port from another pair, respectively, to place said last named ports in communication with each other, wherein there are two of said pairs of said ports, two of said transversely extending passageways, and two of said channels formed in the surface of said plug, wherein the ports of each said pair of ports are diametrically opposed to each other, and said transversely extending passageways are disposed to extend diametrically of said plug, wherein said other passageways are channels formed in the generally cylindrical surface of said plug, and wherein said plug is formed with an outer face and with an additional passageway that extends partly axially therethrough from said outer face and partly transversely thereof, said transverse portion being positioned so that upon proper orientation of said plug it is placed in communication with one of said housing ports and the remaining housing ports are sealed closed by the surface of said plug.

Claim 18

A rotary valve comprising a generally cup-shaped housing that has a generally cylindrical bore, said housing being formed so that said bore is open at one of its ends and closed at its opposite end, said housing having a pluraity of ports opening into its bore, said ports being disposed in cooperating pairs, each said pair of ports being spaced axially of said bore from each other said pair of ports, and a valve plug that is engageable in said bore and that has a generally cylindrical surface that confronts and engages against the surface of the bore in substantially fluid-tight relation, said valve plug being rotatable in said bore, said plug being formed with passageways extending transversely thereof and corresponding in number to the number of said pairs of ports, said passageways being spaced from each other axially of said bore by a distance corresponding to the axial distance between the ports in said pairs of ports, said passageways being positioned, in one orientation of said plug, to be in communication with said pairs of ports respectively to place each port in communication with the other, cooperating member of its pair, said plug also being formed with means to limit the extent of its insertion into said bore so as to cause the said passageways to be positionable, upon proper orientation of the plug, in alignment with said ports respectively, and said valve plug also being formed with other passageways therein that are disposed, upon orientation of the plug in the housing, each to be in communication with one port of one pair and another port from another pair, respectively, to place said last named ports in communication with each other, wherein there are two of said pairs of said ports, two of said transversely extending passageways, and two of said channels formed in the surface of said plug, wherein the ports of each said pair of ports are diametrically opposed to each other, and said transversely extending passageways are disposed to extend diametrically of said plug, wherein said other passageways are channels formed in the generally cylindrical surface of said plug, and wherein said plug is formed with an outer face and with an additional passageway that extends partly axially therethrough from said outer face and partly transversely thereof, said transverse portion being positioned so that upon proper orientation of said plug it is placed in communication with one of said housing ports and the remaining housing ports are sealed closed by the surface of said plug.

Claim 19

The rotary valve of claim 15 comprising releasable means for sealing closed said axially-extending passageway.

Claim 20

The rotary valve of claim 15 wherein said valve plug is formed with two additional passageways that each extend partly axially therethrough and partly transversely thereof, one of said transversely extending passageways being disposed in axial alignment with one of said pairs of ports, and the other of said transversely extending passageways being disposed in axial alignment with the other of said pairs of ports.

Claim 21

The rotary valve of claim 17 comprising separate, releasable means for sealing closed each of said axially extending passageways.

Claim 22

The rotary valve of claim 15 wherein said plug is formed with an outer face and with an additional passageway that extends partly axially therethrough from said outer face and partly transversely thereof, said transverse portion being positioned so that upon proper orientation of said plug it is placed in communication with one of said housing ports and the remaining housing ports are sealed closed by the surface of said plug.

Claim 23

The rotary valve of claim 19 comprising releasable means for sealing closed said axially-extending passageway.

Claim 24

The rotary valve of claim 17 or 19 wherein said housing is formed with means permitting readily detachable securing of tubing to each said housing port.

Claim 25

The rotary valve of claim 16 wherein said housing is formed with means permitting readily detachable securing of tubing to each said housing port.

Claim 26

The rotary valve of claim 21 wherein said valve is formed for medical use from readily sterilizable parts.

Claim 27

The valve of claim 23 wherein said housing is transparent and the male plug is opaque.

Claim 28

A medical system comprising the rotary valve of claim 17 or 18 for connection in a system including an intravenous catheter having a distal lumen and a proximal lumen, a pressure transducer with a continuous flush device, and an infusion device, wherein, when said plug is oriented to place the valve plug in position to close off all of said ports, it may be further oriented to place one of said additional passageways in communication with the port that is in communication with said pressure transducer with a continuous flush device, while continuing to close off the remaining ports.

Claim 29

A medical system comprising the rotary valve of claim 17 or 18 for connection in a system including an intravenous catheter having a distal lumen and a proximal lumen, a pressure transducer with a continuous flush device, and an infusion device, wherein when the plug is oriented so that the plug closes off all of said ports, it may be further oriented to place one of said additional passageways in communication with the port communicating with the distal lumen, while continuing to close off the remaining ports.

Claim 30

A rotary valve comprising a housing having a bore extending partly therethrough that is bounded by a surface of revolution that is defined by the side wall of the housing, said housing having a plurality of ports opening into its bore through the side wall of the housing, said ports being disposed in cooperating pairs, each pair being spaced from each other pair, and a valve plug movably mounted in said bore for rotary movement therein, and having transversely-extending passageways therein, said passageways being positioned in one orientation of said plug to be in communication with said pairs of ports respectively to place each port in communication with the other, cooperating member of its pair, said valve plug also being formed with additional passageways therein that each extend partially axially through the plug and partially transversely therethrough respectively, one said transversely extending passageway portion being disposed in axial alignment with one of said pairs of housing ports, and one other said transversely extending passageway portion being disposed in axial alignment with one other of said pairs of housing ports, said transversely-extending passageway portions being positioned respectively so that upon proper orientation of the plug in the housing by relative rotation thereof, a single one of said transversely-extending passageway portions can be placed in communication with one of said housing ports, and the other of said transversely extending passageway portions and the remaining housing ports are sealed closed by the surface of said plug, said rotary valve further comprising separate, readily releasable means for sealing closed each said axially-extending passageway at or adjacent said outer face of the valve plug, and wherein said valve plug is also formed with other passageways therein that are disposed, upon proper orientation of the plug in the housing by relative rotation thereof, each to be in communication with one port of one of said pairs of ports and another port from another of said pairs of ports, respectively, to place said last-named ports in commumication with each other.

Claim 31

A rotary valve comprising a housing having a bore extending partly therethrough that is bounded by a surface of revolution that is defined by the side wall of the housing, said housing having a plurality of ports opening into its bore through the side wall of the housing, said ports being disposed in cooperating pairs, each pair being spaced from each other pair, and a valve plug movably mounted in said bore for rotary movement therein, and having transversely-extending passageways therein, said passageways being positioned in one orientation of said plug to be in communication with said pairs of ports respectively to place each port in communication with the other, cooperating member of its pair, said valve plug also being formed with additional passageways therein that each extend partially axially through the plug and partially transversely therethrough respectively, one said transversely extending passageway portion being disposed in axial alignment with one of said pairs of housing ports, and one other said transversely extending passageway portion being disposed in axial alignment with one other of said pairs of housing ports, said transversely-extending passageway portions being positioned respectively so that upon proper orientation of the plug in the housing by relative rotation thereof, a single one of said transversely-extending passageway portions can be placed in communication with one of said housing ports, and the other of said transversely extending passageway portions and the remaining housing ports are sealed closed by the surface of said plug, said rotary valve further comprising separate, readily releasable means for sealing closed each said axially-extending passageway at or adjacent said outer face of the valve plug, and wherein said valve plug is also formed with other passageways therein that are disposed, upon proper orientation of the plug in the housing by relative rotation thereof, each to be in communication with one port of one of said pairs of ports and another port from another of said pairs of ports, respectively, to place said last-named ports in commumication with each other.

Claim 32

The rotary valve of claim 27 wherein said ports are axially spaced relative to said bore, said transversely extending passageways comprise one passageway for each said pair of ports respectively, said plug being formed with a surface thereof that confronts and engages the surface of the bore of the housing, said plug being formed in its said surface with a plurality of channels, said channels providing respectively said other passageways that can provide communication between one port of one of said pairs of ports and another port from another of said pairs of ports.

Claim 33

The rotary valve of claim 28 wherein said housing is formed with means permitting readily detachable securing of tubing to each said housing port.

Claim 34

The rotary valve of claim 29 wherein the valve is for medical use and all parts thereof are readily sterilizable.

Claim 35

The valve of claim 30 wherein the housing is transparent and the valve plug is opaque.