14019results about "Valve arrangements" patented technology

A heart valve includes a valve body made of a flexible material such as pericardium. The valve body is made of two layers of material, an outer layer, and an inner layer that defines a plurality of leaflets. The leaflets of the inner layer are attached to the outer layer. In some embodiments the valve body is made by cutting a single piece of flat source tissue, folding the cut tissue and forming it into a tubular pattern having the inner and outer layers. The multi-layer valve body can be mounted on a stent for delivery within a patient's heart.

The invention relates to membrane pumps for delivering liquids. More specifically, a pump is provided having a pump housing with a pump cavity formed between first and second wall portions thereof, and an pump membrane pump membrane having first and second membrane surfaces arranged within the pump cavity, whereby a pump chamber is provided between the first wall portion and the first membrane surface, and an actuation chamber is provided between the second wall and the second membrane surface. Inlet means comprising an inlet valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber, and outlet means comprising an outlet valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber are provided. The pump membrane has a maximum volume position, and a drained volume position in which the first membrane surface in a stretched state abuts the first wall. To drive the membrane, actuating means for periodically shifting the pump membrane between the maximum volume position and the drained volume position is provided, thereby, in a situation of use, providing a flow of fluid.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a gas-delivery system for delivering reaction gas to a reactor chamber. The gas-delivery system includes a main gas-inlet port for receiving reaction gases and a gas-delivery plate that includes a plurality of gas channels. A gas channel includes a plurality of gas holes for allowing the reaction gases to enter the reactor chamber from the gas channel. The gas-delivery system further includes a plurality of sub-gas lines coupling together the main gas-inlet port and the gas-delivery plate, and a respective sub-gas line is configured to deliver a portion of the received reaction gases to a corresponding gas channel.

A needless valve is described which avoids the suctioning problems of the prior needleless devices upon deactivation and which preferably provides a positive self-purging effect. The valve is self-purging at the end of an administration cycle, avoiding clogging of attached catheters or other devices, and ensures that substantially all of liquid received into the valve is delivered to the receiver. The valve is also extremely simple in design and easy to construct and assemble, since it consists of only three pieces. The valve has a base with a connector for fluid communication attachment to tubing or other device, a solid elongated fluid channeling rod, and an internal fluid flow conduit; a flexible hollow expandable and contractible plug fitting over and moveable along the rod; and a tubular housing fitting over the plug and attached to the base. When the valve is activated by insertion of a nozzle of a fluid source, the rod and plug wall cooperate so that as the plug retracts along the rod, it is stretched and its interior expanded. Upon deactivation, the plug contracts, the interior volume decreases, and the resiling plug wall forces residual fliud within the valve to be expelled through the outlet, purging the residual fluid from the valve. No negative pressure is formed, so no suctioning of blood or other fluid from a patient or receiver occurs.

Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) are disclosed. A processing region includes one or more surfaces (e.g., particle surfaces) modified with ligands that retain polynucleotides under a first set of conditions (e.g., temperature and pH) and release the polynucleotides under a second set of conditions (e.g., higher temperature and / or more basic pH). The processing region can be used to, for example, concentrate polynucleotides of a sample and / or separate inhibitors of amplification reactions from the polynucleotides. Microfluidic devices with a processing region are disclosed.

A hemostatic valve couples to a sheath proximal hub having an inside and an outside surface. The hemostatic valve has a valve body having a proximal porting and end, and a distal portion and end. A passageway extends longitudinally through the valve body between the proximal and distal ends. A sealing element is positioned within the passageway. The distal portion of the valve body includes a pair of contact surfaces forming an annular gap receiving the sheath proximal hub of the sheath so that the contact surfaces sandwich the sheath proximal hub forming a seal on both the inside and outside surfaces of the hub. The valve body and the sheath proximal hub includes two oppositely placed longitudinal lines of fissure that allow the hub to be separated into two halves with the valve body.

A gas injector tube usable in a batch thermal treatment oven including two silicon shells joined together with an adhesive formed of a fine silicon powder and a curable silica-forming agent, such as a spin-on glass, which is ultrasonically homogenized. The tube may have a gas outlet on its distal end or be sealed with a silicon cap and have side outlet holes formed along its side. The silicon injector tube may be used in combination with a silicon tower and a silicon liner so that all bulk parts within the furnace hot zone are formed of silicon.

A substrate processing system includes a controller that outputs a control signal for controlling a substrate processing apparatus; and a software interlock component that outputs an interlock signal if a predetermined interlock condition is satisfied. In the substrate processing apparatus, a multiple number of devices of the same kind are provided and each device is selected to be either an interlocked state or a non-interlocked state with other devices. The software interlock component outputs an interlock signal to any one of the multiple number of devices of the same kind if it is determined that the multiple number of devices satisfy the predetermined interlock condition. If any one of the multiple number of devices of the same kind receives the interlock signal, the multiple number of devices are interlocked according to an instruction of the interlock signal regardless of an interlocked state or a non-interlocked state of the devices.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides functional perfluoropolyether (PFPE) materials for use in fabricating and utilizing microscale devices, such as a microfluidic device. The functional PFPE materials can be used to adhere layers of PFPE materials to one another or to other substrates to form a microscale device. Further, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a method for functionalizing the interior surface of a microfluidic channel and / or a microtiter well. Also the presently disclosed subject matter provides a method for fabricating a microscale structure through the use of a sacrificial layer of a degradable material.

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for the control of fluids and, in some cases, to systems and methods for flowing a fluid into and / or out of other fluids. As examples, fluid may be injected into a droplet contained within a fluidic channel, or a fluid may be injected into a fluidic channel to create a droplet. In some embodiments, electrodes may be used to apply an electric field to one or more fluidic channels, e.g., proximate an intersection of at least two fluidic channels. For instance, a first fluid may be urged into and / or out of a second fluid, facilitated by the electric field. The electric field, in some cases, may disrupt an interface between a first fluid and at least one other fluid. Properties such as the volume, flow rate, etc. of a first fluid being urged into and / or out of a second fluid can be controlled by controlling various properties of the fluid and / or a fluidic droplet, for example curvature of the fluidic droplet, and / or controlling the applied electric field.

Various embodiments relate to systems and / or methods for sample preparation that can be used for biochemical and / or molecular biology procedures involving small volumes, for example, micro volumes or smaller. Methods and systems that can reduce sample size requirements and increase the number of samples on a substrate are provided. Samples can be applied to a plate or other appropriate substrate and can be used for, inter alia, sequencing reactions. In some embodiments, apparatuses, systems, and / or methods for charged analyte collection are provided. Charged analytes in a sample can be electrokinetically collected or extracted from a conduit through a hole formed in a sidewall of the conduit, by application of an electric field that causes the charged analytes to migrate in a direction that is transverse to the conduit.

Improved exhaust gas recirculation system and methods that use one or more of the engine's cylinders as dedicated EGR cylinders. All of the exhaust from the dedicated EGR cylinders is recirculated back to the engine intake. Thus, the EGR rate is constant, but the EGR mass flow may be controlled by adjusting the air-fuel ratio of the dedicated EGR cylinders or by using various variable valve timing techniques.

A device for dispensing a viscous material and a method for controlling the dispensing pressure. The device has a manually actuated control valve, that, when depressed, releases high pressure gas from the source, such as a CO2 cartridge, into a gas enclosure. An indicator signals a pre-determined pressure in the gas enclosure sufficient to forcefully dispense a viscous material from a product cartridge.

An implantable beneficial agent infusion device featuring a unique energy recovery circuit and a deflectable energy storing member such as a piezo-electric membrane is disclosed. The circuit and deflectable energy storing member cooperate to permit electrical energy employed to activate the member to be at least partially recovered. In a preferred embodiment, the deflectable energy storing member is connected to a seal which is opened to permit the delivery or infusion of a pre-determined amount of a beneficial agent to a patient when the member is deflected or actuated through the application of a sufficiently high voltage thereacross. Charge stored on or in the deflectable energy storing member as a result of the voltage being applied thereacross is recovered by a novel circuit when the deflectable energy storing membrane is permitted to return to its non-actuated state or position.

A closed system, spikeless, positive-flow valve device includes a body defining an internal cavity. At the proximal end of the body is an opening which is preferably sufficiently large to receive an ANSI standard tip of a medical implement. The valve includes a plastic, resilient silicon seal which fills the upper cavity and opening with an oval seal cap having a slit. The opening presses the oval seal cap to keep the slit closed in the decompressed state. The slit opens as the nose of the medical implement compresses the seal into the cavity and the seal cap is free from the opening. The housing also includes a fluid space which facilitates fluid flow between the medical implement and a catheter tip. The fluid space within the valve automatically and reversibly increases upon insertion of the medical implement into the cavity and decreases upon withdrawal of the medical implement, such that a positive flow from the valve toward the catheter tip is effected upon withdrawal of the medical implement, thereby preventing a flow of blood from a patient into the catheter when the medical implement is removed from the valve.

Methods and apparatus for implementing microfluidic analysis devices are provided. A monolithic elastomer membrane associated with an integrated pneumatic manifold allows the placement and actuation of dense arrays of a variety of fluid control structures, such as structures for isolating, routing, merging, splitting, and storing volumes of fluid. The fluid control structures can be used to implement a pathogen detection and analysis system including integrated immunoaffinity capture and analysis, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) analysis. An analyte solution can be input into the device and pumped through a series of immunoaffinity capture matrices in microfabricated chambers having antibodies targeted to the various classes of microbiological organisms such as bacteria, viruses and bacterial spores. The immunoaffinity chambers can capture, purify, and concentrate the target for further analysis steps.

A self-sealing male connector having a body, a resilient boot mounted over the body, and a male thread hub. The body is formed with an elongate post that extends to the distal end. The body includes a fluid flow lumen extending from its proximal end to its distal end. At its proximal end, the body may be formed as a female Luer connector, or may be directly connected to tubing, or other arrangements. The internal fluid flow lumen extends through the post to its distal end. The body includes a first groove in which is mounted the boot. In a second groove is mounted the thread cuff. The thread cuff is used to engage a female connector and through thread action, draw in into engagement with the post. As the female connector is further engaged with eh sealed male connector, the post protrudes through the boot and into fluid communication with the female fluid flow passage thus establishing a flow path through both connectors. The boot forms a seal with the female connector when engaged and returns to seal the male connector post and fluid flow passage within disconnected from the female connector.

The movement and mixing of microdroplets through microchannels is described employing microscale devices, comprising microdroplet transport channels, reaction regions, electrophoresis modules, and radiation detectors. The discrete droplets are differentially heated and propelled through etched channels. Electronic components are fabricated on the same substrate material, allowing sensors and controlling circuitry to be incorporated in the same device.

A system comprises a valve; a plurality of RFID sensor assemblies coupled to the valve to monitor a plurality of parameters associated with the valve; a control tag configured to wirelessly communicate with the respective tags that are coupled to the valve, the control tag being further configured to communicate with an RF reader; and an RF reader configured to selectively communicate with the control tag, the reader including an RF receiver. Other systems and methods are also provided.

A needless valve is described which avoids the suctioning problems of the prior needleless devices upon deactivation and which preferably provides a positive self-purging effect. The valve is self-purging at the end of an administration cycle, avoiding clogging of attached catheters or other devices, and ensures that substantially all of liquid received into the valve is delivered to the receiver. The valve is also extremely simple in design and easy to construct and assemble, since it consists of only three pieces. The valve has a base with a connector for fluid communication attachment to tubing or other device, a solid elongated fluid channeling rod, and an internal fluid flow conduit; a flexible hollow expandable and contractible plug fitting over and moveable along the rod; and a tubular housing fitting over the plug and attached to the base. When the valve is activated by insertion of a nozzle of a fluid source, the rod and plug wall cooperate so that as the plug retracts along the rod, it is stretched and its interior expanded. Upon deactivation, the plug contracts, the interior volume decreases, and the resiling plug wall forces residual fluid within the valve to be expelled through the outlet, purging the residual fluid from the valve. No negative pressure is formed, so no suctioning of blood or other fluid from a patient or receiver occurs.

A hemostasis cannula unit including a valve housing, a cap, and a hemostasis valve, wherein the hemostasis valve includes a valve gasket and a valve membrane compressed against the valve gasket by the valve housing, wherein the valve gasket is thicker than the valve membrane.

Injection port valves are generally discussed herein and more particularly to port valves that have a valve housing with a nozzle having an inlet opening, a body section, a skirt section, an interior cavity, and a valve seat at an intersection of the first nozzle and the body section in the interior cavity. A piston may be positioned within the interior cavity of the valve housing having a body section having an exterior surface, an upper piston section, a seal surface, and a piston cavity, and wherein the body section includes a wall layer that emits lubricant from within the wall layer to the exterior surface. A nut, which may be a Luer nut, having a flow passage in communication with a discharge nozzle having a discharge lumen may be attached to an end of the skirt section of the valve housing to thereafter connect to an infusion line. A spring can be positioned within the piston cavity and abutting against the nut, wherein when used, the spring being in a first position when the seal surface of the piston is abutted against the valve seat of the valve housing, and the spring being in a second position when the seal surface of the piston is separated from the valve seat.

A needle-free medical connector includes a housing with a first port and a second port. The connector also includes a piston element defining a fluid passageway between the first and second ports. The piston element is movable between flow and non-flow positions. The piston element has an expandable section having a variable inner width and volume that forms a part of the flow path through the connector. As the piston is compressed to the flow position, the expandable section is expanded in width by movement over a flow post thereby maintaining or increasing the volume of the fluid passageway through the connector. The expandable section has a configuration permitting the continuous flow of fluid through its entirety.

A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder located in the engine, a fuel delivery system for varying relative delivery amounts of a first and second injection type into said cylinder, and a controller configured to adjust a parameter affecting flow through the engine in response to said relative delivery amounts of said first and second injection type.

An iris-type valve assembly for controlling a flow of fluid. The assembly comprises a base member, a rotatable member, and an elongated elastomeric valve sheath. The distal end of the valve sheath is secured to the base member and the proximal end of the valve sheath is secured to the rotatable member. At least one of the valve sheath ends includes a flange that is secured to a valve-receiving surface of the base member or the rotatable member. The base member and the rotatable member are aligned to define an elongated passageway therethrough for passage of an interventional device, and the elastomeric valve sheath is disposed along the passageway and has a longitudinal opening therethrough for passage of the interventional device. Upon rotation of the rotatable member relative to the base member the longitudinal opening of the valve sheath is selectively constrictable to comprise a seal around the interventional device. The assembly may be provided with ratcheting members to inhibit recoil of the rotatable member, and rib members along the inner surface of the valve sheath to enhance the seal provided by the assembly.

A microfluidic system includes a bubble valve for regulating fluid flow through a microchannel. The bubble valve includes a fluid meniscus interfacing the microchannel interior and an actuator for deflecting the membrane into the microchannel interior to regulate fluid flow. The actuator generates a gas bubble in a liquid in the microchannel when a sufficient pressure is generated on the membrane.

Microfluidic systems and components. A microfluidic system includes one or more functional units or microfluidic chips, configured to perform constituent steps in a process and interconnected to form the system. A multi-layer microfluidic system includes a separate dedicated fluid layer and dedicated electromechanical layer connected via through-holes. Electromechanical components are formed on the electromechanical layer.

A cylinder cutoff control apparatus of an engine initiates a cylinder cutoff mode only when two conditions, namely a low load condition such as a vehicle cruising condition and an intake valve closure timing controlled to a given timing value before a bottom dead center, are both satisfied. A fuel cutoff mode is executed prior to the cylinder cutoff mode. During a transition to the cylinder cutoff mode, the control apparatus holds an intake valve open timing at a given timing value substantially corresponding to a top dead center, simultaneously with reducing an intake valve lift amount of each intake valve, subjected to cylinder cutoff control, to a zero lift. Immediately when the intake valve lift amount is reduced to below a lift threshold value, an exhaust valve lift amount of each exhaust valve, subjected to the cylinder cutoff control, is controlled to a zero lift.