US6325777B1 — Low profile catheter valve and inflation adaptor

Claim 1

Independent Claim 124 words

An inflation adaptor for introducing inflation fluid into an inflation port of an elongate tube, comprising: a housing with a retaining portion which interacts to releasably retain a section of said tube therein, said housing having a chamber which receives said inflation port, said housing further comprising; an inflation inlet configured to be connected to a source of inflation fluid that supplies said fluid under pressure; a seal which releasably seals said portions of said housing together, said seal providing a fluid pathway between said inflation inlet and said inflation port, whereby said fluid is supplied to said inflation port under pressure; and an actuator, mounted on said housing; which drives a member within said tube to control fluid flow through said inflation port.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 124 words

An inflation adaptor for introducing inflation fluid into an inflation port of an elongate tube, comprising: a housing with a retaining portion which interacts to releasably retain a section of said tube therein, said housing having a chamber which receives said inflation port, said housing further comprising; an inflation inlet configured to be connected to a source of inflation fluid that supplies said fluid under pressure; a seal which releasably seals said portions of said housing together, said seal providing a fluid pathway between said inflation inlet and said inflation port, whereby said fluid is supplied to said inflation port under pressure; and an actuator, mounted on said housing; which drives a member within said tube to control fluid flow through said inflation port.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 22 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 1 , wherein said seal is formed by alignment and contact of a first and second gasket.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 1 , further comprising indicia on said housing, said indicia facilitating alignment of said inflation port and said chamber.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 18 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 1 , wherein said actuator controls sliding panels which drive said tube member.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 80 words

An inflation adaptor for introducing inflation fluid into an inflation port of an elongate tube, comprising: a housing comprised of first and second portions which are relatively movably mounted to receive a section of said tube that includes the inflation port, said housing having an inflation chamber and an inflation inlet for introducing inflation fluid under pressure into said inflation chamber, said inflation chamber releasably sealing said inflation port to said inflation inlet to form a fluid passage there between.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 80 words

An inflation adaptor for introducing inflation fluid into an inflation port of an elongate tube, comprising: a housing comprised of first and second portions which are relatively movably mounted to receive a section of said tube that includes the inflation port, said housing having an inflation chamber and an inflation inlet for introducing inflation fluid under pressure into said inflation chamber, said inflation chamber releasably sealing said inflation port to said inflation inlet to form a fluid passage there between.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 116 words

An inflation adaptor for introducing inflation fluid into an inflation port of an elongate tube having an inflatable member mounted thereon and an inflation lumen between the inflation port and the inflatable member, said adaptor comprising: a housing having an inflation inlet and establishing a fluid pathway between the inflation inlet and the inflation port said fluid pathway being sealed to the environment such that fluid applied to said inflation inlet causes the inflatable member to be inflated, said housing having a driving member which closes said inflation port, said housing being detachable from said tube when said inflation port has been closed by said driving member, such that said inflated inflatable member is not deflated.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 116 words

An inflation adaptor for introducing inflation fluid into an inflation port of an elongate tube having an inflatable member mounted thereon and an inflation lumen between the inflation port and the inflatable member, said adaptor comprising: a housing having an inflation inlet and establishing a fluid pathway between the inflation inlet and the inflation port said fluid pathway being sealed to the environment such that fluid applied to said inflation inlet causes the inflatable member to be inflated, said housing having a driving member which closes said inflation port, said housing being detachable from said tube when said inflation port has been closed by said driving member, such that said inflated inflatable member is not deflated.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 182 words

An inflation adaptor for introducing inflation fluid into an inflation port of an elongate tube having an inflatable member mounted thereon and an inflation lumen between the inflation port and the inflatable member, said adaptor comprising: a housing comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said housing configured to seal over said tube to create a fluid tight inflation chamber, said housing having an inflation inlet and establishing a fluid pathway between the inflation inlet and the inflation port to permit the inflatable member to be inflated, said housing being detachable from said tube without deflating the inflated inflatable member; a latch with a camming surface on said housing, said latch adapted to secure said upper portion to said lower portion; a cammed surface on said housing adapted to receive said camming surface; wherein when a user exerts a force on said latch to secure said upper portion to said lower portion, said cammed surface cooperates with said camming surface to provide a closing force on said upper and lower portions which is greater than the force exerted by said user.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 182 words

An inflation adaptor for introducing inflation fluid into an inflation port of an elongate tube having an inflatable member mounted thereon and an inflation lumen between the inflation port and the inflatable member, said adaptor comprising: a housing comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said housing configured to seal over said tube to create a fluid tight inflation chamber, said housing having an inflation inlet and establishing a fluid pathway between the inflation inlet and the inflation port to permit the inflatable member to be inflated, said housing being detachable from said tube without deflating the inflated inflatable member; a latch with a camming surface on said housing, said latch adapted to secure said upper portion to said lower portion; a cammed surface on said housing adapted to receive said camming surface; wherein when a user exerts a force on said latch to secure said upper portion to said lower portion, said cammed surface cooperates with said camming surface to provide a closing force on said upper and lower portions which is greater than the force exerted by said user.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 42 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 7 , where said upper portion has a first gasket, and said lower portion has a second gasket, and said fluid tight inflation chamber is established when said gaskets are brought together and secured by said latch.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 18 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 7 , further comprising an upper portion movable panel on said upper portion.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 36 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 9 , wherein the movement of said upper portion movable panel is controlled by an actuator on the housing that is accessible to a clinician when said adaptor is in use.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 43 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 10 , further comprising a lower portion movable panel on said lower portion, said lower portion movable panel capable of being moved in conjunction with said upper portion movable panel when said fluid tight inflation chamber is established.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 54 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 11 , further comprising a spring biased rod connected to said lower portion movable panel, said spring biased rod defining the distance in at least one dimension that said upper portion movable panel and said lower portion movable panel may travel when said fluid tight inflation chamber is established.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 21 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 11 , wherein said movable panels are movable for a distance of greater than 1 mm.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 21 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 13 , wherein said movable panels are movable for a distance of greater than 5 mm.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 15 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 7 , wherein said inflation inlet comprises a luer connector.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 49 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 7 , wherein said inflation inlet has a passageway which is in fluid communication with an internal opening on said housing, said internal opening being positioned within said fluid tight inflation chamber created by said housing when said upper and lower portions are secured.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 29 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of clips on said lower portion, said clips adapted to releasably secure a catheter to said lower portion.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 30 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 17 , further comprising indicia on said elongate tube which align with said clips to facilitate placement of said elongate tube within said inflation chamber.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 49 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 7 , further comprising a first projecting shelf on said upper portion, and a second projecting shelf on the lower portion, where said projecting shelves form a slot upon closure of said upper and lower portions to protect a catheter from kinking or buckling.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 29 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 1 , wherein said housing has a first half and a second half, and said first and second halves are connected by a hinge.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 20 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 20 , further comprising a locking clip to secure the first and second halves together.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 16 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 21 , wherein said locking clip has an angled leading edge.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 15 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 1 , wherein said inflation inlet comprises a luer connector.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 19 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 2 , wherein said first and second gaskets comprise a resilient form fitting material.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 24 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 24 , wherein said resilient form fitting material is selected from the group consisting of C-FLEX™, silicone, and PEBAX™.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 13 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 1 , wherein said actuator is cam operated.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 31 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 4 , wherein said sliding panels move along a line which bisects an opening to said inflation inlet, said opening being located within said inflation chamber.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 58 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 27 , wherein the length of travel of said moving panels is adjusted to provide sufficient distance to operationally position a sealing member inserted in said elongate tube proximal or distal of said inflation port to open or close fluid flow through said inflation port to an inflatable member on said elongate tube.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 18 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 28 , further comprising engagement structure to coordinate travel of said moving panels.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 15 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 4 , wherein said sliding panels have a roughened surface.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 16 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 30 , wherein said roughened surface comprises teeth and co-aligning grooves.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 26 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 1 , further comprising an alignment slot and overlying shelf to facilitate positioning of said elongate tube within said inflation adaptor.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 24 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 6 , further comprising an outer sleeve which defines an inner lumen in fluid communication with said inflation inlet.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 32 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 33 , further comprising releasable seals capable of sealing upon said elongate tube, said releasable seals positioned within said lumen on either side of said inflation inlet.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 24 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 34 , wherein said releasable seals are selected from the group consisting of Toughy Borst connectors and hemostatic valves.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 122 words

An inflation adaptor for introducing inflation fluid into an inflation port of an elongate tube having an inflatable member mounted thereon and an inflation lumen between the inflation port and the inflatable member, said adaptor comprising: a movable sealing member; and a housing having surface portions which seal against said tube and said sealing member to create a fluid tight inflation chamber, said housing having an inflation inlet and forming a fluid pathway between said inflation inlet and said inflation port to permit said inflatable member to be inflated, said movable sealing member being movable within said housing to seal the inflation port after said inflatable member is inflated, said housing being detachable from said tube without deflating said inflated inflatable member.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 122 words

An inflation adaptor for introducing inflation fluid into an inflation port of an elongate tube having an inflatable member mounted thereon and an inflation lumen between the inflation port and the inflatable member, said adaptor comprising: a movable sealing member; and a housing having surface portions which seal against said tube and said sealing member to create a fluid tight inflation chamber, said housing having an inflation inlet and forming a fluid pathway between said inflation inlet and said inflation port to permit said inflatable member to be inflated, said movable sealing member being movable within said housing to seal the inflation port after said inflatable member is inflated, said housing being detachable from said tube without deflating said inflated inflatable member.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 137 words

An inflation adaptor for introducing inflation fluid into an inflation port of an elongate tube having an inflation lumen extending from said port to an inflatable member, and for sealing said inflation lumen with a sealing member after introduction of said fluid, comprising: a housing adapted to seal over said inflation port of said tube; an actuator, mounted on said housing, which drives said sealing member relative to said tube while said housing is sealed over said inflation port, said actuator being adapted to cause said sealing member to be moved from a first position to a second position to a third position, said first and third positions sealing said inflation lumen and said second position allowing fluid to pass through said inflation lumen, said third position being further from the inflation port than the second position.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 137 words

An inflation adaptor for introducing inflation fluid into an inflation port of an elongate tube having an inflation lumen extending from said port to an inflatable member, and for sealing said inflation lumen with a sealing member after introduction of said fluid, comprising: a housing adapted to seal over said inflation port of said tube; an actuator, mounted on said housing, which drives said sealing member relative to said tube while said housing is sealed over said inflation port, said actuator being adapted to cause said sealing member to be moved from a first position to a second position to a third position, said first and third positions sealing said inflation lumen and said second position allowing fluid to pass through said inflation lumen, said third position being further from the inflation port than the second position.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 24 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 37 , wherein said housing has first and second halves which open and close in a clam shell manner.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 26 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 38 , wherein the cross-sectional angle formed by said first and second halves in the open position is 90° or more.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 19 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 36 , further comprising a latch to secure the first and second halves together.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 14 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 38 , wherein said latch has a cammed surface.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 23 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 41 , wherein said first half of said housing has a rounded lip to receive said cammed surface.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 29 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 38 , wherein the force required to close the housing is always greater than the force applied by the user to close the housing.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 14 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 37 , wherein said actuator is a rotatable knob.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 30 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 37 , wherein said actuator is provided with a safety lock which prevents said latch from being opened to prevent accidental opening of said housing.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 20 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 40 , wherein said actuator comprises a flanged portion capable of extending over said latch.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 36 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 37 , wherein said actuator controls a driving mechanism which comprises first and second sliding panels, wherein said first sliding panel overlies said second sliding panel when said housing is closed.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 95 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 47 , further comprising a first spring on said first sliding panel, and a second spring on said second sliding panel, said first spring having a greater strength than said second spring, wherein said first and second springs are biased in opposite directions, and said second spring forces said second panel against a wall portion when said housing is opened, and said first spring forces said second panel away from said wall portion when said housing is closed to create a gap between said second panel and said wall portion.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 13 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 48 , wherein said gap is 0.020 inches.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 30 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 49 , wherein said actuator can overcome said first spring strength and force said second panel against said wall portion when said housing is closed.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 19 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 47 , further comprising guiding structure to correctly position said tube within said housing.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 21 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 51 , wherein said guiding structure comprises clips on said second half to receive said tube.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 29 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 52 , wherein said clips function as alignment indicia cooperating with alignment markings on said tube to correctly place said tube in said housing.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 30 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 51 , wherein said guiding structure comprises one or more magnetic elements which cooperate with a ferromagnetic material incorporated into said tube to facilitate alignment.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 55 words

The inflation adaptor of claim 38 , wherein said first half has a first projecting shelf, and said second half has a second projecting shelf, said first and second projecting shelves creating a slot to receive said tube when said housing is closed to provide support for said tube when said sealing member is moved.

Claim 62

Independent Claim 119 words

A method of inflating an inflatable member on an elongate tube having an inflation lumen extending from an inflation port to said inflatable member, the method comprising: positioning a sealing member in a first position relative to said inflation port such that the sealing member blocks fluid flow through the lumen; forming an inflation chamber around said inflation port; positioning said sealing member in a second position relative to said inflation port such that the sealing member allows passage of fluid through the inflation lumen; pressurizing the inflation chamber; positioning the sealing member in a third position which is further from said inflation port than said first position, such that the sealing member blocks fluid flow through the lumen.

Claim 63

Independent Claim 119 words

A method of inflating an inflatable member on an elongate tube having an inflation lumen extending from an inflation port to said inflatable member, the method comprising: positioning a sealing member in a first position relative to said inflation port such that the sealing member blocks fluid flow through the lumen; forming an inflation chamber around said inflation port; positioning said sealing member in a second position relative to said inflation port such that the sealing member allows passage of fluid through the inflation lumen; pressurizing the inflation chamber; positioning the sealing member in a third position which is further from said inflation port than said first position, such that the sealing member blocks fluid flow through the lumen.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-12-03	2005-06-04	2005-12-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-12-03	2009-06-04	2009-12-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-12-03	2013-06-04	2013-12-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Low profile catheter valve and inflation adaptor

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