7315results about "Multiple way valves" patented technology

An aerosol generator includes a flow passage having an inlet and an outlet, a heater arranged relative to the flow passage for heating the flow passage, a source of material to be volatilized in communication with the inlet of the flow passage, a valve to open and close communication between the source of material and the inlet of the flow passage, and a pressurization arrangement for causing material in the source of material to be introduced into the flow passage when the valve is in an open position. The aerosol generator further includes a source of power for operating the heater and the valve, and a control device for controlling supply of power from the source of power to the heater and the valve. A metering device in an inhaler includes a pressurized source of medicated fluid and a metering chamber configured to deliver a predetermined volume of fluid to a heated flow passage in the inhaler. The metering chamber can be part of a rotary valve having a bore and a displacement member moveable within the bore from a first position where the fluid is loaded into the bore to a second position where the predetermined volume is ejected out of the bore. Another metering chamber has an elastic portion of a delivery passage in fluid communication with the pressurized source of liquid and the elastic portion of the delivery passage is deformed to eject the predetermined volume.

Methods and apparatus for calibrating a plurality of gas flows in a substrate processing system are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate processing system may include a cluster tool comprising a first process chamber and a second process chamber coupled to a central vacuum transfer chamber; a first flow controller to provide a process gas to the first process chamber; a second flow controller to provide the process gas to the second process chamber; a mass flow verifier to verify a flow rate from each of the first and second flow controllers; a first conduit to selectively couple the first flow controller to the mass flow verifier; and a second conduit to selectively couple the second flow controller to the mass flow verifier.

Modes, methods, systems and devices are described for providing assisted ventilation to a patient, including wearable ventilation systems with integral gas supplies, special gas supply features, ventilation catheters and access devices, and breath sensing techniques.

A high frequency pressure oscillation device that selective restricts the flow of breathing gas to or from a patient to produce pressure spikes in the patient's airway that facilitate clearing secretions from the patient's airway. The device includes a patient circuit that defines a closed path between a source of breathing gas and the patient's airway. A valve is disposed in the patient circuit such that in an open position the path between the source of breathing gas and the airway of the patient is substantially unobstructed. When the valve is in a closed position, the path between the source of breathing gas and the patient's airway is at least partially obstructed to create the pressure spikes. An actuating system associated with the valve alternatively places the valve in the open position and in the closed position at a predetermined oscillation rate that is independent of patient effort.

A spray head for a faucet or the like has a wand body defining a flow path from an inlet to first and second outlets. Diverter seats are provided so a face seal on a diverter spool can direct flow to the first or second outlet. The spool is positioned by a trigger acting on cam surfaces formed on a toggle. A spring biases the toggle to one of two stable states. Movement of the spool by the trigger causes the toggle to change states so subsequent actuation of the trigger causes the spool to move in the opposite direction. The wand body also has a pause button that reciprocates in a chamber that is part of the flow path. The chamber includes a valve seat and the pause button has a spool having a face seal that is engageable with the valve seat to shut off flow through the spray head. A return spring causes separation of the pause button's face seal upon release of pressure on the pause button. The pause button's seals in the chamber are arranged to have equal diameters and thus provide balanced hydraulic forces on the spool.

A headgear for use with a patient interface for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient includes at least a strap (741) adapted to position the patient interface in sealing engagement with the patient's airways. The strap is constructed from an elastomer and a first side of the strap includes a first region (215) on a portion of its surface that is textured to reduce friction with objects contacting the strap. A textured surface coating for a portion of an elastomer strap included in a headgear system is adapted to contact the skin of a patient, when in use, and the coating has a Ra value greater than zero. A vent (500) for use with a patient interface for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient includes a plurality of rises (580) and runs (570) in a stepped arrangement; and a plurality of holes (510) in the stepped arrangement for the venting of gas.

This invention provides microfluidic devices that comprise a fluidics layer having microfluidic channels and one or more regulating layers that regulate the movement of fluid in the channels. The microfluidic devices can be used to mix one or more fluids. At least a portion of the fluidics layer can be isolated from the regulating layer, for example in the form of a shelf. Such isolated portions can be used as areas in which the temperature of liquids is controlled. Also provided are instruments including thermal control devices into which the microfluidic device is engaged so that the thermal control device controls temperature in the isolated portion, and a movable magnetic assembly including magnets with shields so that a focused magnetic field can be applied to or withdrawn from the isolated portion or any other portion of the microfluidic device. Also provided are methods of mixing fluids. The methods include stacking a plurality of alternating boluses of different liquids in a microfluidic channel, and moving the stacked boluses through the channel. In another method, the boluses are moved into a diaphragm valve having a volume able to accommodate several boluses, and then pumping the liquids out of the valve.

The present invention is directed to a microfluidic chromatography apparatus comprising a microfabricated fluid delivery system and a chromatography column which is in fluid communication with the fluid delivery system, and a method for producing and using the same. Preferably, the chromatography column comprises an OTLC, PCLC, or combinations thereof.

A manifold system for enabling a distribution of fluids includes a plurality of individual manifold blocks that can be joined together to form a gas stick. Each manifold block will have a fluid passage way with an entrance port and exit port accessing a common surface. An active component can be mounted to one manifold block, while extending across a port of an adjacent manifold block. An alignment system can be provided to ensure that the entrance and exit ports are positioned in a plane containing the common surface to facilitate sealing.

A self-occluding catheter includes a body portion for connection to extracorporeal equipment. An elongated tubular extension is provided for insertion into a body cavity. The body portion includes a resiliently biased spool supported therein which is slidable between an open and a closed position for alternately permitting and stopping the flow of blood through the catheter during a given medical procedure. The biasing device for resilient biasing the spool preferably comprises one or more magnets fixed within the body portion which generate a magnetic force for urging the magnetically polarized spool to its closed position.

The present invention provides a medical liquid administration apparatus and administration method that are particularly apt for intravenous (IV) applications. More particularly, the administration apparatus and method may be employed in conjunction with the administration of liquid medication and one or more flush solutions from multi-dose sources, wherein fluid interconnections between at least one flush solution source and the administration apparatus may be established a single time at the outset of a given procedure. The administration apparatus may include a valve having a control member selectively positionable to provide any selected one of a plurality of closed flow paths through the valve, and a syringe interconnected to the control member for clockwise/counterclockwise co-rotation therewith (e.g. to establish the selected flow path).

A gas valve for pulsing a gas comprises a housing having at least one inlet port, an outlet port, and a selector disk mounted in the housing and comprising at least one timing slot, wherein rotation of the selector disk periodically couples at least one inlet port to the outlet port through the timing slot.

Ventilator systems include: (a) a mass flow controller; (b) a gas delivery valve in communication with the mass flow controller and configured to selectively dispense a plurality of different gases to a subject; (c) a first gas source in fluid communication with the gas delivery valve; (d) a second gas source in fluid communication with the gas delivery valve; (e) a first pressure sensor located upstream of the gas delivery valve; (f) a second pressure sensor located downstream of the gas delivery valve; and (g) a controller operatively associated with the first and second pressure sensors and the mass flow controller, the controller comprising computer program code that monitors the pressures measured by the first and second pressure sensors and automatically dynamically adjusts the flow rate of the mass flow controller.

Flow controllers are provided for interconnecting a fluid source to two separate collection zones. The flow controllers include a body having a fluid inlet communicating with the source and two fluid outlets, each communicating with one of the collection zones. An actuator member received within a cavity of the body includes first and second flow paths. In a first position, the first flow path is aligned with the fluid inlet of the body to allow fluid communication with one of the fluid outlets and the associated collection zone. The actuator member is non-rotationally moved to a second position within the cavity to align the second flow path with the fluid inlet of the body, thereby halting flow through the first flow path and allowing fluid communication with the other collection zone. An optional safety feature prevents movement of the actuator member from the second position to the first position.

Aerosol delivery systems and methods for delivering an agent to a patient are described herein. The present invention includes embodiments comprising an insulated receptacle connected to a body to hold a vial of an agent to be delivered to a patient. The vial is located in an inverted position within the receptacle and connected to the housing. One or more reusable thermal packs can be located on the inner sides of the receptacle, to maintain a selected temperature surrounding the vial. The agent is administered to a patient by placing a prong into one of the patient's orifices and then activating an aerosol delivery system. Such systems comprise jet aerosolization and pneumatic and ultrasonic nebulizers and preferably are portable.

A number of devices are illustrated for providing a manifold that can simply and selectively couple a number of different therapeutic and diagnostic elements to a catheter or other medical device. Some examples include devices having sliding actuators, rotary actuators, button actuators, or combinations thereof, for easily changing the valve scheme and fluid pathways within a manifold.

Apparatus includes a first and second conduits configured to form an annulus between them. An adjustable structure includes a body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a circumferential surface abutting a portion of the internal surface of the second conduit. The structure is adjustable axially in relation to and removably attached to the first conduit via a hub. The hub defines a central passage for fuel or oxidant. The body has one or more non-central through passages configured such that flow of an oxidant or fuel therethrough causes the fuel or oxidant to intersect flow of fuel or oxidant exiting from the central passage in a region above the upper surface of the body.

The invention relates to a meter box for housing a utility meter and configured for associating a customer service line to a utility service line. The meter box may be configured to fit within an existing meter box and may be configured with side sections in a telescopic arrangement. Flow control components at an input of the meter box prevent backflow.

The meter box comprises an electronic module that includes a variety of selectable features including datalogging, AMR, environmental monitoring, and resource monitoring. A remote monitor is provided for allowing a customer to view selected data including consumption data, pressure, pH, temperature, warnings, remote turnoff, and provide secured bill paying services. Imaging/audio components provide visual and audio data which may include an image of an analog readout for a meter register, images of the metering environment, and sound data for metering environment.

A liquid evaporator includes a liquid reservoir (3) with a liquid to be evaporated, a heater (9) and an evaporator tube (12). The evaporator tube (12) has a first porous element (1) having a first porosity and with an area in contact with the liquid in the liquid reservoir (3) and a second porous element (2) with a second porosity and with an area present on an evaporator side (50) used to dispense the evaporated liquid, and an area outside the liquid reservoir heated by the heater (9) which is not directly in connection with the liquid. The first porous element and the second porous element are in contact in contact areas with the first porous element forming a wick delivering liquid from the reservoir to the contact area.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a ventilator system includes (a) a ventilator device having an inhalation port and exhalation port; (b) a patient conduit for delivering to and removing gas from the patient; (c) an exhalation conduit fluidly connected to the exhalation port and the patient conduit; (d) an inhalation conduit fluidly connected to the inhalation port and the patient conduit; and (e) a device for generating aerosolized medication, the device being fluidly connected to the inhalation conduit so that the aerosolized medication is delivered to the patient as the patient inhales. According to the present invention, at least the inhalation conduit has a variable length to position the device for generating aerosolized medication a predetermined distance from the patient conduit.

A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.

A valve includes a rotating, substantially pressure-balanced spool that selectively aligns openings within the spool with openings within a sleeve to selectively connect ports of a manifold for gas or liquid routing. A valve may also include a stem, a needle coupled to the stem. a seat configured to receive the needle, a reservoir, an outlet coupled to the reservoir, and a servo motor coupled to the stem. The servo motor rotates the stem to raise or lower the needle relative to the seat to variably restrict or allow matter flowing from the reservoir to the outlet.

A microdevice is provided for controlling fluid flow. The microdevice includes a substantially planar contact surface and a plurality of fluid-transporting features associated therewith. Also included is a substrate having a substantially planar contact surface and a fluid-transporting feature associated therewith. The contact surfaces are positioned in slidable and fluid-tight contact to allow for controllable formation of a plurality of different flow paths upon alignment of the substrate fluid-transporting feature with each cover plate fluid-transporting features in succession. Typically, at least one of the cover plate and substrate is comprised of a biofouling resistant polymer, and the flow paths are of different lengths. Optionally, a plurality of fluid-transporting features is associated with the substrate so that flow paths are formed as a result of a different alignment of the fluid-transporting features.

A multi-port rotary valve used to distribute coolant to an engine cooling system comprises a valve body having a plurality of outlet ports for directing coolant flow to a radiator circuit, a heater circuit, and an auxiliary circuit. An internal gear driven rotary disc includes a gear driven mechanism located on an inner circumference of the rotary disc. The rotary disc includes two apertures positioned on a top surface of the rotary disc for regulating predetermined flow paths and flow rates to the plurality of ports. An inlet housing body which includes an inlet port mates with the valve body and encases the rotary disc. An actuator which is coupled to a drive gear mounted internal to the inlet housing body is responsive to a control signal for transmitting a torque to the internal drive gear for rotating the rotary disc to regulate coolant flow.

The invention relates to a valve device comprising a valve housing (2) with a first and a second flow channel (3a, 3b), and a first and second damper shaft (8a, 8b), which are rotatable relative to the valve housing (2). A first damper (7a) is arranged in the first flow channel (3a) fixed to the first damper shaft (8a) and a second damper (7b) is arranged in the second flow channel (3b) fixed to the second damper shaft (8b). A rotatable regulating member (13) is arranged to control the rotational position of the damper shafts (8a, 8b) via two motion transfer members (20a, 20b), the respective motion transfer member (20a, 20b) being in engagement with a guiding (21) of the regulating member (13) so that the rotational position of the motion transfer member and thereby the rotational position of the associated damper shaft (8a, 8b) is controlled by the rotational position of the regulating member via this guiding (21).

A showerhead system is provided. The showerhead system may provide a plurality of spray modes using a control mode selector located adjacent to a shower pipe. The showerhead system may also include an adjustment mechanism located near or about the shower pipe. The showerhead system may also have dual support structures.

An apparatus for diverting water flow between a single port and at least a pair of ports. The diverter valve includes a single port on one side of a valve body and a pair of ports on the opposite side of the cylindrical valve body. The diverter member inside the valve body rotates between two positions when an operator is moved. At either of the two positions, the diverter member aligns one of a pair of openings with one of the pair of ports, thereby allowing fluid to flow between the single port and one of the pair of ports. In various embodiments, the pair of openings are positioned such that, between the two positions, there is no flow or limited flow through one or both of the pair of ports.

An airflow control valve for a clean room having a duct section with a damper positioned within the duct. The damper being capable of an adjustment from an open position to a closed position. The opening and closing of the duct is accomplished through a magnetic coupling such that the duct can remain sealed during operation. The airflow control valve includes a sensor for measuring the airflow rate, so that the duct can be adjusted to maintain one or more predetermined flow rate set-points.

A digital faucet system includes a faucet, data input unit, a sense unit, an adjusting unit and a control unit. The data input unit includes a display panel for displaying a temperature and a flow rate of mixed water from the faucet, and a touch screen for generating temperature input data and flow rate input data. The sense unit generates temperature sensing data and flow rate sensing data by detecting the temperature and the flow rate of the mixed water. The adjusting unit adjusts the temperature and the flow rate of the mixed water. The control unit controls the adjusting unit to adjust the temperature and the flow rate of the mixed water based on the temperature input data, the flow rate input data, the temperature sensing data and the flow rate sensing data. The temperature and the flow rate of the mixed water may be automatically and simultaneously adjusted.

A quick connect hose assembly is provided for a widespread faucet including a spout and a pair of end bodies mounted to a deck at spaced locations from the spout. The quick connect hose assembly includes a T-connector slidably mounted on an end of a waterway tube connected to the spout. The T-connector includes a pair of serrated hose connecting portions. A pair of connector members are provided including a hollow body portion which slidably receives a bottom portion of the end bodies and an outwardly extending serrated hose connecting portion extending from the hollow body portion. A first hose is connected between the T-connector and one of the connector members and a second hose is connected between the T-connector and the other connector member.