Catheter valve for one-handed operation

Abstract

Catheter valve (1) comprising: - a housing (2) with an inlet opening (4) and an outlet opening (6) which are fluidically connected to one another, and - a closure element (8) which is displaceable parallel to a main flow direction (7) and which is designed to interrupt and release the fluidic connection, wherein the closure element (8) is designed to interrupt the fluidic connection by means of elastic prestressing, characterized in that - at least one actuating element (10) is provided which is designed to be manually actuated transversely to the main flow direction (7).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a catheter valve for controlling the opening and closing of the accesses to body cavities by means of a catheter protruding from the human body, or for the permanent opening of the same, in particular for controlling the drainage of urine by means of a catheter inserted into the bladder of a patient.

[0002] Catheter valves are used to open and close catheters, particularly those used for urine drainage, that have been placed in a patient.

[0003] Such catheter valves are generally known. EP 0 873 763 A2 discloses a catheter valve with a housing through which urine can be drained. The housing can be connected at one end to a tube, e.g., a urine drainage catheter. Fluid introduced through this tube can exit the housing at the opposite end. The valve has a plunger located in the housing, which can be moved from the outside in the flow direction. This plunger is designed to open and close the valve and is covered with an elastic spring sealing element. This seals the closed valve and closes it automatically. A disadvantage of this design is that the spring sealing element is compressed upon opening and can thus gradually lose its elasticity until automatic closing is no longer possible and the valve becomes leaky.

[0004] DE 10 2007 027 623 A1 shows a valve in which, to open the valve flow, a piston element is pulled away from an outlet opening by an actuating element in the form of a slide. The slide is not in direct contact with the piston element. A sealing membrane is located between the two. This membrane is intended, on the one hand, to prevent urine from escaping from the housing through the guide of the slide and, on the other hand, to transfer the actuating forces of the slide to the piston element. This design has the disadvantage that the sealing membrane wears through over time due to contact with the slide, causing the valve to leak and urine to escape.

[0005] Furthermore, the described embodiments have in common that they are operated by means of a slider, which must be performed by a user, especially a patient, i.e., by a sliding movement. This is particularly difficult for elderly patients with limited motor skills. One-handed operation of these valves is therefore largely impossible, and at best, difficult.

[0006] Valves of this type have the advantage that the outlet can be designed in such a way that the free line section between the outlet opening and the closure point, i.e., the point at which the valve is sealed, is as small as possible. This makes such valves particularly advantageous in terms of hygiene, since only a small volume of fluid, particularly urine, can drip out after the valve is closed.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 203 18 927 U1 discloses a catheter valve consisting of a housing having a urine outlet opening and a plunger arranged axially in the housing relative to the urine outlet opening, with one or more sealing elements. The plunger has an axial bore for guiding the fluid and seals the urine outlet opening under the action of a spring element. The other end of the plunger extends through the housing and can be adapted to a supply tube. The catheter valve is characterized in that the valve is opened by displacement of the housing due to a force acting on the housing from the outside.

[0008] WO 93 / 24173 A1 further discloses a self-closing catheter valve that can be actuated transversely to the flow direction.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a catheter valve which has the above-mentioned advantages and also solves the above-mentioned problems, in particular with regard to manual actuation.

[0010] This problem is solved by means of the independent claim. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0011] According to the invention, a catheter valve is provided which has a housing with an inlet opening and an outlet opening which are fluidically connected to one another.

[0012] The catheter valve preferably has a main flow direction, which describes the main direction of a fluid flowing through the catheter valve from the inlet to the outlet opening. The main flow direction preferably coincides with an axis of the catheter valve, in particular of the housing. Furthermore, a closure element is provided, which is displaceable parallel to the main flow direction and is designed to interrupt and release the fluidic connection. Furthermore, at least one actuating element is provided, which is preferably designed to effect the opening and closing of the catheter valve, in particular the actuation of the closure element. The at least one actuating element is designed to be actuated, preferably substantially transversely to the main flow direction, particularly preferably perpendicular to the main flow direction, in particular manually.

[0013] Manual actuation of the actuating element is thus carried out by means of a pressure movement, more precisely a pressing of the actuating element towards the main flow direction, preferably towards the axis of the catheter valve.

[0014] In contrast to catheter valves, which are actuated by means of a sliding movement of an actuating element along the main flow direction, in particular the axis of the catheter valve, this has the advantage that one-handed operation is facilitated.

[0015] When performing a sliding movement parallel to the main flow direction, it is necessary to bend or extend the operating finger accordingly, while the catheter valve is resting in the hand of a patient, for example. This required finger bending or extending can cause difficulties during operation, especially in elderly patients with limited motor skills.

[0016] However, pressure actuation does not require excessive bending or extending of the finger, so that the embodiment according to the invention offers significant advantages over previous valves.

[0017] Preferably, at least one conversion element is provided which is designed to convert an actuating movement of the at least one actuating element into a displacement of the closure element parallel to the main flow direction.

[0018] For this purpose, the at least one conversion element is in contact with the respective at least one actuating element so that actuating movements of the actuating element can be transferred to the conversion element.

[0019] The conversion element is thus designed to convert the actuating movement, which is oriented transversely to the main flow direction and in particular perpendicular to the main flow direction, into a displacement movement parallel to the main flow direction.

[0020] Such a conversion of the movement can preferably be seen in a pure conversion of the direction of the movement and particularly preferably also in a translation of the movement.

[0021] Thus, the conversion element is preferably designed to translate an actuating movement, in particular an actuating stroke of the actuating element, into a displacement of the closure element that differs in amount, i.e. a larger or smaller displacement.

[0022] Such a catheter valve now makes it possible to combine the advantages of a catheter valve with a sliding closure element with the advantages of a pressure-actuated catheter valve. This provides a catheter valve that is hygienically and ergonomically advantageous.

[0023] Preferably, the at least one actuating element is formed integrally with a flexible portion of the housing.

[0024] Preferably, the housing can be felt or touched from the outside as an actuating element, preferably via a grooved surface or other identifying features.

[0025] Preferably, this housing part, which contains the actuating element, is formed from a flexible material, in particular from thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), which can be easily deformed by manual action and which preferably returns to its original shape when manual action is no longer applied.

[0026] This has the advantage that the actuating element does not have to be sealed from the rest of the housing, since there are no gaps, especially guides such as elongated holes, between the actuating element and the rest of the housing.

[0027] Advantageously, this also eliminates the need for additional guides, stops, safety devices or even return elements.

[0028] Preferably, the flexible section extends parallel to the main flow direction over its entire circumference or over a partial circumference, preferably over a part of the housing.

[0029] The advantage of a fully flexible section of the case is that the case is more flexible overall and therefore more comfortable to wear, especially under clothing or when lying down.

[0030] If the design extends over a partial circumference of the housing, the remaining housing on this partial circumference is preferably designed to be stiffer or harder, which makes the housing stiffer or harder overall, thus minimizing the risk of damage to the internal mechanics of the catheter valve due to excessive bending of the housing.

[0031] Preferably, the closure element is designed to interrupt the fluidic connection between the inlet opening and the outlet opening by means of elastic prestressing.

[0032] For this purpose, the closure element is preferably subjected to a force by a spring element, in particular a spiral spring, which is preferably supported in the housing, such that the closure element always moves into the closed position when no further forces act on the closure element.

[0033] The spring element is preferably made of plastic with pronounced elastic properties, in particular of polyoxymethylene (POM), particularly preferably of metal, in particular of steel with a chromium content or spring steel, or another suitable material which is not attacked by the urine in the housing, in particular whose properties are not changed.

[0034] Preferably, the at least one conversion element is designed to compress elastically upon actuation, preferably in the actuation direction, and to expand at least parallel to the main flow direction.

[0035] In this way, it can advantageously be achieved that a conversion, in particular a deflection of an actuating movement is achieved by the extension of the conversion element.

[0036] The elastic design of the transfer element advantageously allows the transfer element to return to its original shape once the actuating force is removed. This eliminates the need for return springs.

[0037] Preferably, the at least one conversion element is designed such that, when it expands due to the actuation, it is supported with one side, preferably with an expanding side, in the housing, and with another side, preferably with an expanding side, directly or indirectly, i.e. via elements located therebetween, on the closure element.

[0038] This ensures that the expansion movement or the resulting expansion force of the transfer element is completely transferred to the closure element.

[0039] Preferably, a rear portion of the housing of the catheter valve, which in particular has the inlet opening, is designed to be connected to a hose in a sealing and / or positive and / or non-positive manner.

[0040] For this purpose, the rear section of the housing is preferably conical, which makes it easier to attach a hose, and preferably, elements, preferably teeth, particularly preferably circumferential tooth-shaped undercuts, are also provided on the conical outer surface, which are designed to prevent the hose from slipping down.

[0041] In this way, a tube, in particular a catheter, can advantageously be easily connected to the catheter valve, via which fluids, in particular urine, can be supplied to it.

[0042] Preferably, an outlet section, preferably comprising the outlet opening, of the housing is further provided, which is designed to come into contact with the closure element when the fluidic connection is interrupted and / or to form a sealing, positive and / or non-positive connection with a drain hose by means of the outlet opening.

[0043] The outlet section is preferably made of a resilient, i.e., elastic or flexible material, which advantageously allows the catheter valve to have a soft tip, which improves the catheter valve's comfort. Furthermore, this allows a drainage tube, in particular its tip, designed as a stepped cone made of hard plastic, to be inserted into the outlet section, with the design of the outlet section allowing the stepped cone to be fixed therein in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

[0044] The closure element preferably comes into contact with the inside of the outlet section, thereby interrupting the fluidic connection.

[0045] Preferably, the inner side of the outlet section, with which the closure element comes into contact, and / or a sealing surface of the closure element, which comes into contact with the inner side of the outlet section, are designed in such a way that a sealing effect is formed on the entire contact surface, so that additional sealing elements, such as O-rings, can be dispensed with.

[0046] The drain hose, in particular its stepped cone, can preferably be introduced into the outlet opening of the outlet section, wherein the outlet opening or the inside of the outlet section is designed such that it fixes the drain hose in a sealing, positive and / or non-positive manner.

[0047] This can be achieved, for example, by an oversize between the inner diameter of the outlet section and the outer diameter of the drain hose, thereby forming a press fit, and / or a toothed, in particular circumferential profile can be provided on the drain hose and / or the inside of the outlet section, which counteracts unintentional withdrawal of the drain hose.

[0048] The catheter valve can thus be connected to a drain tube, which allows the fluid flowing through it, in particular urine, to be drained, for example, into another container.

[0049] Preferably, the closure element and / or the spring element are configured such that when a drain hose is inserted into the outlet opening, the closure element comes into contact with the drain hose, and such that upon further insertion of the drain hose, the closure element is displaced further against the main flow direction. This moves the closure element into the open position, even if no actuation by the actuating element has occurred.

[0050] Preferably, a fluidic connection between the inlet opening of the catheter valve and the drain tube can now be established through at least one passage of the closure element.

[0051] The closure element is designed such that the at least one passage does not prevent the entire closure element from sealing without the drain hose inserted. Therefore, the sealing surface and passage of the closure element are preferably designed separately from one another.

[0052] This has the advantage that the catheter valve can be moved into a permanently open position through the inserted drain tube, whereby no manual actuating force has to be applied to the actuating element and at the same time a flow is enabled from the inlet opening to the drain tube.

[0053] This application is particularly advantageous for continuous emptying during the night, for example to save a patient from having to actively empty their bladder.

[0054] Preferably, the closure element is guided parallel to the main flow direction relative to the housing, particularly preferably through the housing.

[0055] This ensures that the closure element performs a defined, preferably translational, displacement and does not become jammed in the housing, which could limit the functionality, in particular the tightness of the catheter valve.

[0056] The guide and / or the leading housing section are preferably made of hard / rigid material to ensure good guidance.

[0057] The at least one conversion element is preferably designed as a C- and / or H- and / or X- and / or O-shaped spring element, or in another shape, which preferably forms an extension in another direction when compressed in one direction and / or is made of plastic and / or metal.

[0058] Such shapes of a spring element allow it to expand in other directions, which are preferably oriented transversely, particularly preferably perpendicular to the compression direction, when compressed in one direction, whereby a deflection, in particular a translation of the actuating movement or the actuating force is achieved and the spring element then preferably returns to its original shape.

[0059] The spring element is preferably made of plastic with pronounced elastic properties, in particular of polyoxymethylene (POM), particularly preferably of metal, in particular of steel with a chromium content, which are not attacked by the urine in the housing, in particular their properties are not changed.

[0060] Preferably, the conversion element and / or the actuating element and / or the closure element has a stop portion which is designed to limit the actuating movement and / or the compression / expansion of the conversion element or the conversion by the conversion element and / or the displacement of the closure element.

[0061] The stop sections are preferably designed such that at maximum movement they abut against an opposite stop, preferably the inside of the housing, thereby limiting the corresponding movement.

[0062] The housing is preferably designed to limit movements of the stop sections, in particular the actuating movement and / or the compression / expansion of the conversion element or the conversion by the conversion element and / or the displacement, against the stop sections, preferably by means of a hard or rigid design.

[0063] This advantageously makes it possible to limit excessive actuation and / or displacement movements, thereby protecting moving elements of the catheter valve, in particular those subject to tension / compression and / or bending.

[0064] Preferably, the housing has sections which are soft / flexible and / or hard / rigid.

[0065] In this way, different properties of the housing can advantageously be formed, such as a rigid guide section and a flexible outlet section.

[0066] Preferably, the housing has no further opening other than the inlet opening and the outlet opening.

[0067] This has the advantage that no additional openings are provided, for example for the engagement of an actuating element which is designed separately from the housing and projects into the housing, and which therefore do not need to be sealed.

[0068] The housing thus preferably forms a closable piping element which only has the inlet opening and the outlet opening and is thus easy to control both in terms of construction, in particular with regard to sealing, and in terms of application.

[0069] Preferably, the individual sections of the catheter valve are connected to one another by gluing and / or chemical bonding and / or positively and / or force-fitting.

[0070] Bonded and chemical connections, preferably hard-soft connections, have the advantage that, if designed correctly, they can be designed to be inherently sealing, meaning that no additional sealing elements or further configurations are required to seal the housing.

[0071] Preferably, a positive connection between two sections is formed by means of a further component, preferably a locking ring, which is applied over the outside of the housing.

[0072] Advantageously, the locking ring can also have a smaller inner diameter than the outer diameter of the housing, whereby the two sections of the housing to be connected are pressed together.

[0073] Preferably, the housing cross-section is circular.

[0074] This has the advantage that the catheter valve can be easily manufactured due to the simple geometric design of the cross-section.

[0075] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a more complex cross-section is provided which is rounded and extends in two directions perpendicular to the main flow direction, wherein the extension in one direction is wider than in the other.

[0076] This results in a flattened cross-section which has the advantage that it lies in a specific position or orientation in the patient's hand, preferably with a flattened side towards the palm of the hand, whereby the actuating element can preferably be easily found by the patient, for example by positioning it on the flattened side of the housing. This ensures that the actuating element either points away from the palm of the hand or is oriented towards the palm of the hand. In the first case, the patient can reach the actuating element directly, in the second case they only have to turn the catheter valve over in their hand or feel on the back of it.

[0077] Preferably, the closure element, in particular its sealing surface and / or the outlet section, in particular its inner surface, and / or a separate seal which is provided on the closure element and / or on the outlet section, is designed to interrupt the fluidic connection in a sealing manner.

[0078] Advantageously, the outlet section and / or the closure element, in particular its sealing surface, can thus preferably be designed to be soft and thus sealing, whereby the use of a separate seal can be dispensed with.

[0079] When using a separate seal, the soft, in particular sealing design of the outlet section and / or the closure element, in particular the sealing surface, can advantageously be dispensed with, and the seal can be designed and constructed specifically for this application.

[0080] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described so far; rather, further embodiments are conceivable which represent obvious embodiments of the invention and thus also fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0081] For example, another embodiment of a conversion element is conceivable that is not designed as a spring element, but merely converts an actuating movement into a displacement of the closure element by means of deflection devices within the housing. Such a conversion element is preferably designed to be flexible so that it can be easily deflected by means of the deflection devices. However, due to the lack of a spring element, no significant translation of the actuating force on the actuating element into an actuating force on the closure element occurs.

[0082] The individual housing sections as well as all components of the catheter valve are preferably made of resistant material such as thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), particularly preferably of metal, in particular steel with a chromium content, which can withstand the chemical and physical, in particular mechanical and thermal, stresses that occur, so that the functionality is not restricted over the full service life of a catheter valve.

[0083] The following describes preferred embodiments of the invention with the aid of the accompanying drawings. In detail: Fig. 1 a sectional view of a catheter valve according to the invention in a side view. Fig. 2 another sectional view of the catheter valve from Fig. 1 in top view. Fig. 3 the front part of the catheter valve as shown in Fig. 1 in the manually operated open state. Fig. 4 an alternative embodiment of a connection point between a soft and a hard section of the housing of the catheter valve. Fig. 5 a sectional view AA of an embodiment according to the invention corresponding to the section line drawn in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 a sectional view AA of a further embodiment according to the invention corresponding to the section line drawn in Fig. 3. Fig. 7 a detailed view of the front part of the catheter valve in the closed state. Fig. 8 a detailed view of the front part of the catheter valve in the permanently open state by an attached drain tube. Fig. 9 a sectional view of another embodiment of a catheter valve according to the invention in a side view. Fig. 10 a detailed view of the actuating element of the embodiment of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 a sectional view of another embodiment of a catheter valve according to the invention in a side view. Fig. 12 a sectional view of another embodiment of a catheter valve according to the invention in a side view.

[0084] Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a catheter valve 1 according to the invention in a side view and Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the same catheter valve rotated by 90° in plan view.

[0085] The catheter valve 1 consists of a housing 2, which is comprised of several sections. The drawing shows an outlet section 2a on the left, forming an outlet opening 6. Adjoining this outlet section 2a to the right is a front section 2b. Adjoining the front section to the right is a flexible section 2c, which in turn is bounded to the right by a rear section 2d. The rear section has an inlet opening 4 at its right end.

[0086] In the embodiment shown, the rear section has an intermediate wall for stiffening reasons, which is provided with a passage opening 28.

[0087] The inlet opening 4 and the outlet opening 6 are fluidically connected to each other. The connection is realized by the interior space 5, which is formed by the individual sections 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d.

[0088] The catheter valve 1 has a main flow direction 7, which represents the flow direction from the inlet opening 4 to the outlet opening 6.

[0089] In the illustrated embodiment, the main flow direction 7 corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the catheter valve 1.

[0090] Furthermore, a closure element 8 is arranged oriented in the main flow direction, which can be displaced parallel to the main flow direction 7 by the displacement 16. This closure element 8 is designed in the form of a plug, which has a beveled and circumferential sealing surface 8a on the left in the drawing.

[0091] When the valve is closed, as shown, this sealing surface 8a comes into contact with the inside of the outlet section 2a and thereby interrupts the fluidic connection between the inlet opening 4 and the outlet opening 6.

[0092] In the illustrated embodiment, the first section 2a is formed from flexible material in order to be able to form a sealing connection with the sealing surface 8a with its inner surface when the catheter valve 1 is closed and to form an elastic tip of the catheter valve 1 in order to increase the wearing comfort for a patient, in particular under clothing or when lying down.

[0093] Furthermore, the outlet section 2a is designed to be flexible in such a way that it can come into contact with a hard tip of a drain hose 22, which is designed as a stepped cone, whereby a sealing non-positive and / or positive connection is formed between the outlet section 2a and the drain hose 22.

[0094] The closure element 8 is guided in the housing 2, in the embodiment shown in the front section 2b. For this purpose, the front section 2b is designed to be hard or rigid in order to ensure the guidance of the closure element 8 parallel to the main flow direction 7. The guidance of the closure element 8 parallel to the main flow direction 7 is in Fig. 2 by the adjacent inner surfaces of the front portion 2b on the side surface of the closure element 8.

[0095] At housing locations that do not contribute to the guidance of the closure element 8, channels 2f are formed in the spaces between the housing interior and the closure element 8.

[0096] The front section 2b is followed by a flexible section 2c. In the illustration in Fig. 1 On top of the flexible section 2c, a grooved actuating element 10 is formed, which executes an actuating movement 14, for example manually by a finger 15.

[0097] The actuating element 10 is formed here in one piece with the flexible section 2c.

[0098] In the interior space 5, the actuating element 10 is in contact with a conversion element 12. This conversion element 12 is designed in the form of a spring element having support sections 12a and actuating sections 12b.

[0099] The conversion element 12 is mounted on a guide 9 opposite the actuation direction 14 and guided parallel to the main flow direction 7, and is supported by the support sections 12a on a projection 2e within the housing 2. The actuation sections 12b are in contact with the closure element 8. For this purpose, the closure element 8 has a rod 8c on its surface opposite the sealing surface 8a parallel to the main flow direction 7, which extends opposite the main flow direction 7. A plate 8d is formed on this rod 8c, against the left surface of which the actuation sections 12b of the actuation element 12 abut.

[0100] The right surface of the plate 8d, however, is in contact with a spring 18, which is supported within the housing 2 on the intermediate wall with the passage opening 28 and acts on the plate 8d and thus the sealing element 8 with a spring force in the main flow direction 7.

[0101] The intermediate wall with the passage opening 28 can also exclusively assume the task of supporting the spring 18 if the housing 2 is designed to be sufficiently rigid at this point.

[0102] In a further embodiment of the invention (not shown), instead of the intermediate wall, only a projection is provided in the housing to ensure support of the spring 18. This ensures that fluid can flow away at this point in the main flow direction 7 without significant flow resistance.

[0103] The rod 8c extends beyond the plate 8d opposite to the main flow direction 7 and thus serves to fix or lock the spring 18 so that it cannot slip off the plate 8d transversely to the main flow direction 7.

[0104] The flexible section 2c is followed by the Fig. 1, a rear section 2d extends to the right. This section is made of hard or rigid material, with its outer surface tapering to the right and ending in an inlet opening 4.

[0105] Due to the tapering of the outer surface of the rear section 2d, it is possible to attach a tube 20, in particular a catheter tube, to the rear section 2d and to fluidically connect it to the inlet opening 4.

[0106] The outer surface of the rear section 2d has circumferential, tooth-shaped undercuts 26 which are oriented in such a way that they make it difficult for the hose 20 to slip off, since they wedge themselves into the inner surface of the hose 20.

[0107] In the illustration shown, connection points 3a, 3b, 3c are marked, in which the respective sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the housing 2 are connected to one another.

[0108] These connection points 3a, 3b, and 3c are implemented as chemical hard-soft bonds, in which the molecules of the two sections are bonded together. The connection points 3a, 3b, and 3c are implemented, for example, in the form of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) combined with a hard thermoplastic.

[0109] Fig. 3 shows the front part of the catheter valve 1 according to the illustration in Fig. 1 in the manually operated open state.

[0110] In this illustration, the actuating element 10 was pressed downwards by the finger 15.

[0111] Due to the contact with the actuating element 10, the conversion element 12 was compressed transversely to the main flow direction 7 in the illustration shown, since it is supported on the guide 9 against the actuating element 10, whereas the conversion element 12 was expanded parallel to the main flow direction 7.

[0112] Due to the fact that the support sections 12a of the conversion element 12 are supported on the housing-fixed projection 2e, the expansion of the conversion element 12 can only occur counter to the main flow direction 7. This means that only the actuating sections 12b move counter to the main flow direction 7.

[0113] Since the actuating section 12b is in contact with the plate 8d of the closure element 8, a force from the conversion element 12 now acts on the plate 8d.

[0114] The conversion element 12 is thus able to convert an actuating force or an actuating movement 14 of a finger 15 or of an actuating element 10, which is oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the main flow direction 7, into a force or a displacement which is oriented parallel, in particular counter to the main flow direction 7.

[0115] The conversion element 12 thus acts as a transmission, which not only changes the magnitude of an actuating force but also its orientation.

[0116] The spring constant, i.e. the stiffness of the conversion element 12 and its geometric design, for example, influence this translation of the displacement or this translation of the force.

[0117] The conversion element 12 is designed such that the resulting force on the plate 8d is so high that it overcomes the preload force of the spring 18 and possible pressure forces acting on the closure element 8 by liquids, in particular urine, within the interior space 5, whereby the closure element 8, which is connected to the plate 8d via the rod 8c, is displaced into the interior space 5 against the main flow direction 7.

[0118] As a result, the sealing surface 8a detaches from the inside of the outlet section 2a, thereby releasing the fluidic connection between the inlet opening 4 and the outlet opening 6.

[0119] Liquid, in particular urine, can now flow from the inlet opening 4 through the interior space 5 to the outlet opening 6, for example according to the partial flow directions 7a.

[0120] By actuating the actuating element 10, the section 2c of the housing 2 is deformed. This results in bending and tensile loads, primarily in the connecting points 3b, 3c, where transitions to harder or stiffer sections are present.

[0121] The housing 2, in particular the flexible section 2c and the connection points 3b, 3c, are designed to minimize bending and tensile / compressive loads upon actuation. This is achieved by extending the flexible section 2c as far as possible parallel to the main flow direction 7 and by designing the conversion element 12 such that the smallest possible actuation movement is sufficient to release the fluidic connection.

[0122] This results in the smallest possible deformation radii during actuation, which keeps the bending and tensile / compressive loads in the connection points 3b, 3c low, thereby reducing the risk of wear or failure of the connection points 3b, 3c and thus the risk of leakage.

[0123] Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a connection point 3a, 3b, 3c between a soft and a hard section of the housing 2 of the catheter valve 1.

[0124] As an example, the upper area of ​​the connection point 3b between the front section 2b and the flexible section 2c is shown here. Fig. 1. For reasons of clarity, further elements that are not designed to connect the two sections have been omitted.

[0125] The flexible section 2c is made of soft material, the front section 2b of hard material.

[0126] Both sections 2b, 2c are designed to overlap one another, wherein in this embodiment the front section 2b is provided on its overlapping part with circumferential lugs 30 which engage in corresponding recesses in the overlapping part of the flexible section 2c.

[0127] Both sections 2b, 2c are designed in such a way that they are oriented flush with each other towards the interior space 5, so that this connection results in a housing wall without projections in the interior space 5.

[0128] Furthermore, both sections 2b, 2c have a circumferential recess into which a locking ring 24 is inserted. This also has protruding and, for example, circumferential elements, here a nose 32 and a tip 34, which engage in corresponding recesses in the two sections 2b, 2c. The locking ring 24 cannot therefore be displaced parallel to the main flow direction 7, since it is fitted with a positive fit.

[0129] In the illustration shown, the locking ring 24 extends over the entire circumference of the housing 2, thereby connecting the front section 2b and the flexible section 2c.

[0130] The locking ring 24, for example made of hard plastic or metal, can further be designed such that it is pressed into the connection shown, so that it develops a holding force towards the main flow direction 7 and presses the overlapping areas of the sections 2b, 2c together.

[0131] Sealing of the interior 5 to the outside through the connection shown can be achieved by special coordination of the materials of the sections 2b, 2c, so that, for example, the softer section 2c seals against the lugs 30 of the harder section 2b.

[0132] Furthermore, a seal in the form of one or more O-rings can also be provided in this connection.

[0133] Basically, this connection is designed in such a way that an overlapping part of a soft section, here that of the flexible section 2c, is enclosed and, for example, clamped by two hard sections, in this case the overlapping part of the front section 2b and the locking ring 24.

[0134] The Fig. 5, Fig. 6 show cross-sectional views AA of an embodiment according to the invention corresponding to the section line drawn in Fig. 3.

[0135] The front section 2b of the housing 2 and the closure element 8 are shown. This is in the embodiment in Fig. 5 in the front section 2b in the drawing on the left and right. Above and below the closure element 8 in the front section 2b run the channels 2f, which in Fig. 1 are also arranged above and below the closure element 8.

[0136] In Fig. Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment in which the closure element 8 is guided entirely within the front section 2b. The channels 2f are arranged to the right and left of the guide. These converge behind the closure element 8 to guide the flowing fluid, in particular urine, to the outlet section 2a.

[0137] Fig. 7 shows a detailed view of the front part of the catheter valve 1 in the closed state.

[0138] The outlet section 2a is shown, which forms the outlet opening 6 on the left in the drawing.

[0139] The closure element 8, with its sealing surface 8a, fully contacts the inner surface of the outlet section 2a, thereby completely separating the interior space 5 of the housing 2 from the outlet opening 6. The catheter valve 1 is thus closed.

[0140] Furthermore, a passage 8b is provided on the closure element 8. The sealing surface 8a, the passage 8b, and the inner surface of the outlet section 2a are designed such that the passage 8b is fluidically separated from the interior 5 when the catheter valve 1 is closed.

[0141] On the other hand, Fig. 8 a detailed view of the front part of the catheter valve 1 in a permanently open state by means of a plugged-on drain hose 22, in particular inserted through the outlet opening 6, or its hard tip designed as a stepped cone.

[0142] A drain tube 22 is inserted into the outlet opening 6 of the outlet section 2a, wherein the outlet section 2a is designed to adapt to the drain tube 22 to form a sealing and / or force-fitting and / or form-fitting connection. The stepped cone of the drain tube 22 thus ensures that the urine is drained only through an inner channel of the drain tube 22 and that no urine can flow out of the catheter valve 1 through the outlet opening 6.

[0143] The drain hose 22 abuts with its right end in the drawing against the left end of the closure element 8 and presses this against the spring 18, which, for example, in Fig. 1, back against the main flow direction 7.

[0144] The opening of the drain hose 22 and the passage 8b are coordinated in such a way that a fluidic connection is formed from the interior space 5, in particular from the channel 2f. In contrast, the fluidic connection of the interior space 5 or the channel 2f to the outlet opening 6 is blocked by the drain hose 22. Liquid, in particular urine, can thus flow from the inlet opening 4, for example, via the partial flow directions 7a, into the drain hose 22.

[0145] The outlet section 2a is designed to fix the inserted drain hose 22 against the force of the spring 18, so that the closure element 8 remains permanently displaced into the interior space 5.

[0146] It is thus possible to permanently open the catheter valve 1 in order, for example, to fluidically connect a urine collection container for permanent bladder emptying, for example at night, to a tube 20 via the drain tube 22.

[0147] A permanent opening of the catheter valve 1 is thus possible without further devices for locking the closure element 8.

[0148] In the Fig. 9, Fig. 10 shows a further embodiment of a catheter valve 1 according to the invention in a side view.

[0149] The arrangement of the individual components is essentially comparable to the embodiment from the Fig. 1 to 3. Therefore, the reference symbols have been largely omitted, which represent the same features, according to the Fig. 1 to 3, mark.

[0150] The embodiment shown differs from that shown in the Fig. 1 to 3 in that the flexible section 2c, which contains the actuating element 10, does not extend around the full circumference of the housing.

[0151] In Fig. 10 it can be clearly seen that the flexible section 2c extends only over half the height of the housing 2, i.e. half the circumference of the housing 2, over a certain distance parallel to the main flow direction 7.

[0152] In the drawing, the front section 2b and the rear section 2d abut each other below the flexible section 2c and thereby close the housing 2.

[0153] The further function of this embodiment corresponds to the function of the embodiment from the Fig. 1 to 3.

[0154] This embodiment creates additional connection points 3d, 3e.

[0155] The connection point 3d is essentially designed in accordance with the connection points 3b, 3c.

[0156] The connection point 3e corresponds, for example, to a chemical hard-hard connection, or can also be glued or formed in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

[0157] Fig. 11 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of a catheter valve 1 according to the invention in a side view.

[0158] For reasons of clarity, reference symbols have been omitted for features which correspond to those of the embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 3, have largely been omitted.

[0159] In this embodiment, a conversion element 12 is provided, the elastic part of which is designed in a C-shape, wherein this ends in a support section 12a and an actuating section 12b is formed by the bulging of the C-shape to the right.

[0160] The housing 2, in particular the front section 2b and the rear section 2d, abut each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, the flexible section 2c, similar to the embodiment in Fig. 10, not formed entirely on the housing 2, but only in the upper area in the illustration.

[0161] At the junction of both sections 2b, 2d, the projection 2e is formed in the interior space 5, which is in contact with the support section 12a.

[0162] The actuating section 12b is in turn in contact with the plate 8d, which is connected to the closure element 8 via the rod 8c.

[0163] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the actuating element 10 is formed integrally with the conversion element 12, wherein the actuating element 10 is embedded flush and sealingly in the flexible section 2c.

[0164] In addition, the actuating element 10 has a stop section 10a, which in this embodiment is designed as a vertical rod in the drawing and is formed integrally with the actuating element 10.

[0165] The stop section 10a is designed such that when the catheter valve 1 is closed it does not abut the opposite housing wall, in this case the housing wall of the front section 2b.

[0166] If the actuating element 10 is pressed downwards by a finger 15 in an actuating movement 14, the C-shaped section of the conversion element 12 is compressed.

[0167] Because the support section 12a is in contact with the projection 2e, the latter cannot experience any displacement due to compression. Instead, the C-shaped section bulges, causing the actuating section 12b to be displaced to the right in the drawing, i.e., opposite to the main flow direction 7.

[0168] Since the plate 8d is in contact with the actuating section 12b, it experiences a force to the right, i.e., opposite to the main flow direction 7. As a result, the pretensioning force of the spring 18 is counteracted by a force and the plate 8d, which is connected to the rod 8c and thus to the closure element 8, moves to the right, i.e., opposite to the main flow direction 7. As a result, a displacement 16 of the closure element 8 is achieved and the catheter valve 1 is in the open state.

[0169] If the finger 15 now continues the actuating movement 14, i.e. if it presses more strongly on the actuating element 10, at some point the stop section 10a hits the inside of the front section 2b.

[0170] Since the front section 2b is designed to be hard, the actuating element 10 experiences a suddenly increased or abruptly increased counterforce, which causes a patient to stop pressing or actuating the actuating element 10 any further.

[0171] This limits the actuating movement 14, thereby preventing overloading of the transfer element 12 and / or the actuating element 10 and / or the closure element 8 due to excessive pressure.

[0172] In a further embodiment, the displacement 16 of the closure element 8 could also be limited, for example, by a stop, if the stop is designed such that it counteracts the displacement 16, for example, as a projection of the housing 2 in the interior 5. Such a projection could, for example, engage the rod 8c or the plate 8d or even the closure element 8 itself.

[0173] In a further embodiment, for example, the compression / expansion of the conversion element 12 could also be limited by a stop, so that a compression / expansion of the conversion element 12 cannot be carried out further than a maximum permissible movement.

[0174] Furthermore, an implementation element 12 is provided as shown in Fig. 11 is conceivable, which has a plurality of support sections 12a, and / or actuating sections 12b, and / or stop sections.

[0175] Fig. 12 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of a catheter valve 1 according to the invention in a side view.

[0176] For reasons of clarity, reference symbols have been omitted for features which correspond to those of the embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 3, have largely been omitted.

[0177] In this embodiment, the flexible section 2c is again formed completely around the housing 2. However, there are now two actuating elements 10 at opposite locations, at the top and bottom in the illustration, which can both be pressed simultaneously and / or individually by a finger 15.

[0178] Both actuating elements 10 are each in contact with a conversion element 12, whereby a force can be transmitted by the actuating element 10 to the corresponding conversion element 12.

[0179] In the embodiment shown, both conversion elements 12 are supported on each other transversely to the main flow direction 7, whereby no guidance along the main flow direction 7 is necessary.

[0180] Both conversion elements 12 have support sections 12a, which are supported on a projection 2e in the housing 2 against the main flow direction 7.

[0181] Both conversion elements 12 have actuating sections 12b, which are supported on the plate 8d of the closure element 8.

[0182] When one of the actuating elements 10 is actuated, for example in actuating movement 14, one conversion element 12 is pressed against the other conversion element 12.

[0183] The non-actuated conversion element 12 is in turn supported on the housing wall of the interior space 5, more precisely on the inside of the flexible section 2c.

[0184] As a result, both conversion elements 12 are compressed transversely to the main flow direction 7 and stretched parallel to the main flow direction 7, whereby the support sections 12a are supported on the projection 2e in the housing 2 and thus cannot be displaced parallel to the main flow direction 7. Therefore, the actuating sections 12b are displaced counter to the main flow direction 7, thereby applying an actuating force to the plate 8d.

[0185] This creates a counterforce on the spring 18, which causes its spring force to be overcome.

[0186] As a result, the plate 8d is displaced by the transfer elements 12, in particular their actuating sections 12b, counter to the main flow direction 7, whereby the closure element 8, which is connected to the plate 8d via the rod 8c, is also displaced. As a result, the catheter valve 1 is in the open state.

[0187] The embodiment shown can also be actuated via both actuating elements 10 simultaneously, for example by pressing from above with a thumb and from below with an index finger of one and the same hand.

[0188] Furthermore, the embodiment shown here facilitates operation since two actuating elements 10 are present and thus the probability is higher that a patient will find at least one actuating element 10 relatively quickly.

[0189] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Rather, further embodiments are conceivable, which can be formed by combining individual features of the embodiments shown here. List of reference symbols 1 catheter valve 2 housings 2a Exit section 2b front section 2c flexible section 2d rear section 2nd lead 2f channel 3a Connection point (exit section - front section) 3b Connection point (front section - flexible section) 3c Connection point (flexible section - rear section) 3d connection point (flexible section - front / rear section) 3rd connection point (front section - rear section) 4 Entrance opening 5 Interior 6 Exit opening 7 Main flow direction 7a Partial flow pattern 8 locking element 8a Sealing surface 8b Passage 8c staff 8d plate 9 Leadership 10 Actuating element 10a stop section 12 Implementation element 12a Support section 12b Operating section 14 Actuating movement 15 fingers 16 Postponement 18 Spring element (spring) 20 tubes (catheter tubes) 22 Drain hose 24 locking ring 26 tooth (circumferential tooth-shaped undercut) 28 passage opening 30 Nose 32 Nose 34 lace

Claims

[1] Catheter valve (1) comprising: - a housing (2) with an inlet opening (4) and an outlet opening (6) which are fluidically connected to one another, and - a closure element (8) which is displaceable parallel to a main flow direction (7) and which is designed to interrupt and release the fluidic connection, wherein the closure element (8) is designed to interrupt the fluidic connection by means of elastic prestressing, characterized by , that - at least one actuating element (10) is provided which is designed to be manually actuated transversely to the main flow direction (7). [2] Catheter valve (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one conversion element (12) is provided which is designed to convert an actuating movement (14) of the at least one actuating element (10) into a displacement (16) of the closure element (8) parallel to the main flow direction (7). [3] Catheter valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one actuating element (10) is formed integrally with a flexible portion (2c) of the housing (2). [4] Catheter valve (1) according to claim 3, wherein the flexible section (2c) extends over a part of an extension of the housing (2) parallel to the main flow direction (7) over the entire circumference of the housing (2) and / or a partial circumference of the housing (2). [5] Catheter valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a spring element (18) supported in the housing (2) is provided for elastic prestressing. [6] Catheter valve (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the at least one conversion element (12) is designed to compress elastically upon actuation of the at least one actuating element (10) in the actuating direction (14) and to expand at least parallel to the main flow direction (7). [7] Catheter valve (1) according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the at least one conversion element (12) is supported parallel to the main flow direction (7) with one side in the housing (2) and with another side on the closure element (8). [8] Catheter valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a rear portion (2d) of the housing (2) is designed to be connected to a tube (20) in a sealing and / or positive and / or non-positive manner. [9] Catheter valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an outlet section (2a) of the housing (2) is provided, which is designed to come into contact with the closure element (8) when the fluid connection is interrupted, and / or to form a sealing, positive and / or non-positive connection with a drain hose (22) by means of the outlet opening (6). [10] Catheter valve (1) according to claim 9, wherein the closure element (8) and / or the spring element (18) are designed such that the closure element (8) is displaced by the discharge hose (22) in the direction of displacement (16), and that the closure element (8) establishes a fluidic connection between the inlet opening (4) and the discharge hose (22) by means of at least one passage (8b). [11] Catheter valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element (8) is guided parallel to the main flow direction (7) relative to the housing (2) and / or through the housing (2). [12] Catheter valve (1) according to one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the at least one conversion element (12) is designed as a C- and / or H- and / or X- and / or O-shaped spring element and / or in another shape, which preferably has an extension in another direction when compressed in one direction, and / or made of plastic and / or metal. [13] Catheter valve (1) according to one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the at least one conversion element (12) has a stop section, and / or the actuating element (10) has a stop section (10a), and / or the closure element (8) has a stop section which is designed to limit the actuating movement (14) and / or the conversion by the conversion element (12), and / or the displacement (16). [14] Catheter valve (1) according to claim 13, wherein the stop section (10a) of the actuating element (10) or the stop section of the closure element (8) or of the conversion element (12) come into contact with the housing (2) at maximum actuating movement and / or maximum compression / expansion of the conversion element (12) and / or maximum displacement (16), and the housing (2) is designed to limit the actuating movement (14) and / or the displacement (16) and / or the compression / expansion of the conversion element (12). [15] Catheter valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (2) has soft / flexible and / or hard / rigid sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), and / or has no further opening other than the inlet opening (4) and the outlet opening (6). [16] Catheter valve (1) according to claim 15, wherein the sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are connected to one another by gluing and / or by a chemical bond and / or by positive and / or non-positive engagement. [17] Catheter valve (1) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein two adjacent sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are connected to each other by means of a locking ring (24). [18] Catheter valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (2) has a circular cross-section in the main flow direction (7), and / or has a rounded cross-section extending in two directions perpendicular to the main flow direction (7), wherein this cross-section extends further in one of the directions than in the other. [19] Catheter valve (1) according to one of claims 9 to 18, wherein the outlet section (2a) and / or the closure element (8) and / or a separate seal provided on the outlet section (2a) and / or on the closure element (8) are designed to interrupt the fluidic connection in a sealing manner.

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