US4598579A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable instrument to test pressure/flow of ventricular shunt valves
Assignee: Brown Brothers Harriman & Co
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Filing: 1984-10-23
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Granted: 1986-07-08
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Expires: 2004-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A portable instrument system is provided for the testing of pressure and flow characteristics of implantable ventricular shunt valves using a gaseous testing fluid that may be drawn from the testing environment. The system includes a rate pump having a control mechanism that provides a variety of selective constant flow rates so that the valve characteristics can be determined under various operating conditions. Fluid communication is provided between the pump, the valve and a pressure sensing device such that the pressure sensing device receives the same pressure and flow rate that the valve does. Typically, the pressure sensing device is a gauge transducer that utilizes atmospheric pressure as a reference point and senses the changes in the gas pressure in the valve, relaying the pressure readings to a digital display or chart recorder.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel Cummings
- 👤 Michael D. Hooven
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:30
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15B; F15B19/00; A; A61; A61M; A61M27/00; A61M27/002; A61M27/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A portable instrument for testing the pressure and flow characteristics of an implantable valve with a gaseous testing fluid in a substantially liquid-free testing atmosphere, said valve having an inlet port, an outlet port and a fluid passageway connecting said inlet port and said outlet port, the fluid passageway having a valve element for controlling the flow of fluid through the fluid passageway, the system comprising, in combination: means for pumping a gaseous testing fluid through the valve at a predetermined flow rate; means for maintaining the flow rate of the testing fluid at a constant rate while pumping said testing fluid through said implantable valve; means for directing the testing fluid both to said implantable valve and to a single pressure sensing device, said pressure sensing device receiving the testing fluid at the same predetermined flow rate as that received by said valve; said pressure sensing device including a single pressure transducer having a diaphragm therein, one side of said diaphragm being mechanically coupled to said fluid directing means and the opposite side of said diaphragm being exposed to the testing atmosphere, whereby said transducer measures the difference in pressure between said testing atmosphere and the gaseous testing fluid directed to said valve and said diaphragm, said pressure sensing device further including means for producing an electrical output signal indicative of the testing fluid pressure within said valve passageway; and means for conditioning the electrical signal for reception by means for indicating the testing fluid pressure level in said valve passageway.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
A portable instrument for testing the pressure and flow characteristics of an implantable valve with a gaseous testing fluid in a substantially liquid-free testing atmosphere, said valve having an inlet port, an outlet port and a fluid passageway connecting said inlet port and said outlet port, the fluid passageway having a valve element for controlling the flow of fluid through the fluid passageway, the system comprising, in combination: means for pumping a gaseous testing fluid through the valve at a predetermined flow rate; means for maintaining the flow rate of the testing fluid at a constant rate while pumping said testing fluid through said implantable valve; means for directing the testing fluid both to said implantable valve and to a single pressure sensing device, said pressure sensing device receiving the testing fluid at the same predetermined flow rate as that received by said valve; said pressure sensing device including a single pressure transducer having a diaphragm therein, one side of said diaphragm being mechanically coupled to said fluid directing means and the opposite side of said diaphragm being exposed to the testing atmosphere, whereby said transducer measures the difference in pressure between said testing atmosphere and the gaseous testing fluid directed to said valve and said diaphragm, said pressure sensing device further including means for producing an electrical output signal indicative of the testing fluid pressure within said valve passageway; and means for conditioning the electrical signal for reception by means for indicating the testing fluid pressure level in said valve passageway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
The portable testing instrument of claim 1, wherein said testing fluid directing means includes a fluid connector having an inlet port and two outlet ports and a fluid passageway interconnecting said inlet port with said outlet ports, one of said fluid connector outlet ports being adapted to be in fluid passing communication with said implantable valve, the other of said fluid connector outlet ports being adapted to be in fluid passing communication with said pressure sensing device and said fluid connector inlet port being adapted to be in fluid passing communication with said pumping means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The portable testing instrument of claim 2, wherein said fluid directing means includes a three-way stopcock capable of isolating one of said fluid connector outlet ports from the other one of said fluid connector outlet ports.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The portable testing instrument of claim 1, further including means for providing a barrier for preserving the sterility of said valve, said barrier means being located between said valve inlet port and the testing environment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The portable testing instrument of claim 4, wherein said sterility preserving means includes a bacteriostatic filter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The portable testing instrument of claim 1, wherein said fluid communication means includes sterile tubing communicating said pump with said valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The portable testing instrument of claim 1, further including calibration means capable of adjusting said pressure sensing device to compensate for signal drift, whereby said pressure sensing device can be adjusted to a reference pressure reading.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The portable testing instrument of claim 1, further including an amplifier for amplifying said electrical impulse generated by said pressure sensing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The portable testing instrument of claim 1, wherein one end of said pumping means is open to the environment whereby the atmosphere of the environment is utilized as said gaseous testing fluid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The portable testing instrument of claim 9, wherein said pumping means includes a positive displacement pump, said inlet of said valve being connected to the displacement end of said pump and the outlet of said valve being open to the environment, said testing fluid being pumped through said valve by said positive displacement pump.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The portable testing instrument of claim 9, said pumping means includes a suction pump and the outlet of said valve is connected to the suction end of said pump and said inlet of said valve is open to the environment, whereby said pump draws the testing fluid from the environment through said valve.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for the testing of the pressure and flow characteristics of a surgically implantable valve with a gaseous testing fluid in a substantially liquid-free testing atmosphere, said implantable valve being of the type that has a valve inlet port, a valve outlet port and a fluid passageway connecting said inlet and outlet ports, the fluid passageway having a valve element for controlling the flow of fluid through the fluid passageway, comprising the steps of: pumping a gaseous testing fluid across the valve element at a predetermined flow rate; maintaining the flow rate of the testing fluid at a constant rate while pumping said testing fluid through said implantable valve; providing a single pressure sensing device including a gauge pressure transducer having a diaphragm therein, one side of said diaphragm being exposed to said valve testing atmosphere; directing the testing fluid both to the implantable valve being tested and to the opposite side of said pressure transducer at the same predetermined flow rate; producing an electrical output signal indicative of the pressure of the testing fluid across said valve element; conditioning the electrical signal for reception by a means for indicating the level of pressure of the testing fluid across the valve element, and indicating the pressure of the testing fluid across the valve element.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for the testing of the pressure and flow characteristics of a surgically implantable valve with a gaseous testing fluid in a substantially liquid-free testing atmosphere, said implantable valve being of the type that has a valve inlet port, a valve outlet port and a fluid passageway connecting said inlet and outlet ports, the fluid passageway having a valve element for controlling the flow of fluid through the fluid passageway, comprising the steps of: pumping a gaseous testing fluid across the valve element at a predetermined flow rate; maintaining the flow rate of the testing fluid at a constant rate while pumping said testing fluid through said implantable valve; providing a single pressure sensing device including a gauge pressure transducer having a diaphragm therein, one side of said diaphragm being exposed to said valve testing atmosphere; directing the testing fluid both to the implantable valve being tested and to the opposite side of said pressure transducer at the same predetermined flow rate; producing an electrical output signal indicative of the pressure of the testing fluid across said valve element; conditioning the electrical signal for reception by a means for indicating the level of pressure of the testing fluid across the valve element, and indicating the pressure of the testing fluid across the valve element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said fluid directing step includes providing a fluid connector having an inlet port and two outlet ports and a fluid passageway therebetween interconnecting said inlet port with said outlet ports, communicating one of said fluid connector outlet ports with said implantable valve, communicating the other of said fluid connector outlet ports with said pressure sensing device, and communicating the inlet port of said fluid connector with a pump.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13, further including selectively isolating one of said fluid connector outlet ports from the other one of said fluid connector outlet ports.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 12, further including the step of providing a barrier preserving the sterility of said valve during said testing by locating a sterile barrier between the inlet port of said valve and the testing environment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said fluid directing step measures the difference between the pressure across said valve element and the pressure of a testing environment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 12, further including the step of adjusting the pressure sensing device to a pressure reading equal to the pressure of the testing environment for a reference.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said fluid directing step includes drawing said gaseous testing fluid from the testing environment.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-07 | 1990-01-06 | 1990-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-07 | 1994-01-06 | 1994-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-07 | 1998-01-06 | 1998-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |