Stop valve with indexing mechanism that provides feedback on hub position

Abstract

A medical stop valve, related systems, devices, and methods are provided that include a body having a central cylindrical hub surrounding an axis and a plurality of ports extending radially outward from the cylindrical hub, a rotatable hub including a housing, a manifold shaft, and an arm, and an indexing feature having at least one spring biased member configured to provide engagement between at least a portion of the rotatable hub and a top surface of at least one of the plurality of ports of the body.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to provisional patent application serial number 63 / 283,055, filed November 24, 2021. The disclosure of the provisional application is incorporated by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to a stop valve for controlling fluid flow between multiple ports, and more particularly, to a stop valve with an indexing mechanism that provides feedback on the position of a hub.

[0003] A stopcock valve is a medical device commonly used to control the flow of liquids or gases. The device typically includes a body or housing, a central rotating hub, and two or more ports for attachment of tubes or other devices. The rotating hub has one or more through holes that provide a path for fluid flow from one port to another by rotating the hub to different positions. The hub typically includes an extension arm that visually indicates to the user which direction the hub is rotating. The extension arm often "points" at the closed port, allowing flow between the other ports. The hub typically rotates smoothly with a moderate amount of torque. To ensure that the hub is rotated to the correct position, the user typically visually checks that the hub arm is pointing at the appropriate port. The user must take care to properly align the hub arm toward either port so that fluid communication to the "closed" port is completely blocked and the fluid passage between the "open" ports is completely open. An improper orientation of the hub arm can result in unintended flow through the "closed" port or reduced maximum fluid flow through the "open" port. Misalignment of the hub arms can cause a reduction in fluid flow that can affect the effectiveness of medical procedures such as transcarotid revascularization. Reduction in flow within the extracorporeal blood circuit can reduce the embolic neuroprotection achieved. Even a deviation of 10-15 degrees from optimal alignment can have a significant impact on the flow achieved through the extracorporeal blood circuit. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, a need exists for a stop valve that alerts the user to the optimum full flow and full closed positions.

[0005] In one aspect, a medical stop valve is provided that includes a body including a central cylindrical hub surrounding an axis and a plurality of ports extending radially outward from the cylindrical hub, and a rotatable hub including a housing, a manifold shaft, and an arm. The arm projects from an upper surface of the housing and the manifold shaft extends from a lower surface of the housing. The manifold shaft is sized to be received within the cylindrical hub of the body so as to be coaxially aligned with the cylindrical hub in a rotatable arrangement. The medical stop valve includes an indexing mechanism having at least one spring biasing member configured to provide engagement between at least a portion of the rotatable hub and an upper surface of at least one of the plurality of ports of the body.

[0006] The engagement may provide tactile and / or audible confirmation of alignment between a portion of the rotatable hub and a top surface of the at least one port, allowing full fluid flow through the at least one port or full closure of the at least one port. The spring biasing member may be coupled to the rotatable hub to rotate about an axis when a torque is applied to the arm. The spring biasing member may be coupled to the rotatable hub to be permitted to move along the axis relative to the rotatable hub and inhibited from rotating about the axis relative to the rotatable hub. The spring biasing member may comprise a lifter plate disposed within at least one region of the housing and at least one spring disposed above the lifter plate. A bottom surface of the lifter plate may have at least one detent. The at least one detent may have a concave shape complementary to a convex shape of the top surface of the at least one port. The at least one spring may be a wave spring, a wire spring, a leaf spring, a cantilever spring, a coil spring, or a hoop spring.

[0007] The lower surface of the lifter plate may have a plurality of detents. The plurality of detents may be arranged on the lifter plate to match the arrangement of the plurality of ports on the body. The plurality of ports may include at least three ports spaced approximately 90 degrees apart from adjacent ports. The spring biasing member may include a ball disposed within a spring housing containing a spring. The spring housing is arranged at the location of the at least one port, and the arm may have a detent on the lower surface, and the ball may be received within the detent when the arm and the upper surface of the at least one port are aligned. The spring housing may be arranged on the arm. The upper surface of the at least one port may have a detent, and the ball may be received within the detent when the arm and the upper surface of the at least one port are aligned.

[0008] In some variations, one or more of the following may be optionally included in any feasible combination in the above methods, devices, devices, and systems, as described in detail in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] These and other aspects are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings: In general, the drawings are illustrative and are not to scale, either absolutely or relatively, and are intended for illustrative purposes. The relative placement of features and components has been altered for illustrative clarity.

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a stop valve having an indexing mechanism. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stop valve according to the embodiment. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a side view of the stop valve of FIG. 2A. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2B is a top view of the stop valve of FIG. 2A. [Figure 2D] 2D is a cross-sectional view of the stopcock of FIG. 2C taken along the arrow AA. [Figure 2E]2D is a cross-sectional view of the stopcock of FIG. 2C taken along the arrow EE. [Figure 2F] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the stop valve of FIG. 2A. [Figure 2G] FIG. 2B is a side view of the stop valve of FIG. 2A without the body. [Figure 2H] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the stop valve of FIG. 2A without the body. [Figure 2I] FIG. 2B is another perspective view of the stop valve of FIG. 2A without the body. [Figure 2J] FIG. 2B is a top view of the stop valve of FIG. 2A without the body. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a rotating hub of the stop valve of FIG. 2A. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4 is a top view of a lifter plate of the index mechanism. [Figure 4B] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lifter plate of an index mechanism; [Figure 4C] FIG. 4 is a side view of a lifter plate of the index mechanism. [Figure 4D] FIG. 4 is a top view of the wave spring of the index mechanism. [Figure 4E] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a wave spring of the index mechanism. [Figure 4F] FIG. 4 is a side view of a wave spring of the index mechanism. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve having an indexing mechanism. [Figure 6] 1A-1C are partial cross-sectional views of an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve having an indexing mechanism incorporating a ball plunger assembly. [Figure 7A] 1 is a perspective view of an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve having an indexing mechanism incorporating a spring biased lever assembly; FIG. [Figure 7B] 1A-1C are side views of an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve having an indexing mechanism incorporating a spring-biased lever assembly. [Figure 8A] 1A-1C are perspective views of an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve having an indexing mechanism incorporating a spring retainer assembly. [Figure 8B]1A-1C are side views of an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve having an indexing mechanism incorporating a spring retainer assembly. [Figure 8C] 1A-1C are perspective views of an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve having an indexing mechanism incorporating a spring retainer assembly. [Figure 9A] FIG. 1 is a side view of an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve having an indexing mechanism incorporating a saddle retaining assembly. [Figure 9B] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a stop valve having an indexing mechanism incorporating a saddle retaining assembly. [Figure 10] 1A-1C are cross-sectional views of an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve having an indexing mechanism incorporating a catch assembly. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a side view of an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve having an indexing mechanism incorporating a flexure. [Figure 12A] FIG. 1 is a top view of an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve having an indexing mechanism incorporating a spring bar. [Figure 12B] FIG. 12B is a side view of the spring bar of FIG. 12A. [Figure 12C] FIG. 12C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the spring bar of FIG. 12B. [Figure 12D] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a spring bar. [Figure 12E] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of a stop valve having an indexing mechanism incorporating a spring bar. [Figure 12F] FIG. 12B is a side view of the stop valve of FIG. 12A. [Figure 12G] FIG. 12C is a cross-sectional view of the stop valve of FIG. 12F taken along line AA. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The present disclosure provides a stop valve with an indexing mechanism that provides clear feedback to the user as to whether the hub arms are in ideal alignment for maximum flow through the open port.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a medical stop valve 10 having a hub 15 coupled to a quick connect body 50 for rotation about an axis to open and close flow through various ports 55 of the quick connect body 50. The stop valve 10 includes an indexing mechanism 20 configured to provide feedback to a user of the rotational position of the hub 15 relative to the body 50 to confirm that the hub 15 is in a fully open, optimized for flow, or fully closed, no flow position. For example, the indexing mechanism 20 may provide characteristic visual, tactile, and / or audible feedback of port position by "clicking" or "snapping" into various actuated positions (e.g., 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees about the body 50). The configuration of the indexing mechanism 20 may vary, but generally includes a spring biasing member configured to engage between a portion of the rotatable hub 15, such as the hub arm 18, and at least one portion of the port 55, such as the top surface of the port 55.

[0013] 2A-2D and 2E-2J show an embodiment of the stop valve 10 of FIG. 1 having a hub 15 coupled to a body 50. The hub 15 of the stop valve 10 includes an arm 18 that projects above the upper surface of the housing 17 and a manifold shaft 19 that extends axially away from the upper housing 17 along the central axis A of the hub 15. The body 50 has a number of ports 55 extending radially from a central cylindrical hub 40. The ports 55 provide inlet or outlet ports through the stop valve 10 and allow other structures to be attached or detached with couplings 46 on the exterior surface of the end region of each port 55 to facilitate secure and removable attachment of structures to the stop valve 10.

[0014] The hub 40 is formed with a hollow core 45 extending axially therethrough and aligned with the central axis A. The hollow core 45 of the hub 40 is sized to receive the manifold shaft 19 of the stop valve 10 such that the manifold shaft 19 and the core 45 are coaxially aligned with the central axis A. The connection between the hub 40 and the manifold shaft 19 may be sufficiently tight, within tolerances, to resist leakage or may incorporate a sealing member such as an O-ring. The outer surface of the manifold shaft 19 and the inner surface of the core 45 may be closely spaced relative to one another such that movement therebetween is minimized except when the manifold shaft 19 rotates within the core 45 about the axis A. The outer surface of the manifold shaft 19 may incorporate a quick connect surface feature such as a detent slot 21 configured to engage a protrusion, e.g., a detent rib 41, on the inner surface of the core 45. This ensures that when the manifold shaft 19 is inserted into the core 45 in a first direction along the axis A, inadvertent removal of the manifold shaft 19 in the opposite direction along the axis A is substantially prevented during normal use.

[0015] 2A-2F and 2G-2I, the manifold shaft 19 has openings 23 to the passages 25 that extend radially away from the central axis A, and the openings 23 intersect the outer surface of the manifold shaft 19. The openings 23 are configured to be in fluid communication with the ports 55 of the body 50. The ports 55 have passages 51 formed therein that penetrate the hollow core 45 of the hub 40 and are positioned to align with the openings 23 of the manifold shaft 19 to open the ports 55 and allow fluid flow from the ports 55 aligned with the openings 23 through the stopcock 10. The openings 23 to the passages 25 of the manifold shaft 19 are designed in a number and position that corresponds to the number and position of the ports 55 of the body 50. In some embodiments, the body 50 has three ports 55 that are positioned at 90 degrees from each other (e.g., 0 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees from the hub 40). The manifold shaft 19 in this configuration also has three openings 23 that are positioned at 90 degrees from each other. The configuration may be less than three or more than three.

[0016] 2A-2I, the arms 18 of the hub 15 may be rigid structures having any of a variety of shapes suitable for gripping with the fingers of a user to apply torque to the stop valve 10 to rotate the hub 15 relative to the body 50 during the actuated state. The arms 18 may be oriented to extend radially relative to the central axis A at spaced apart positions such that the positions of the arms 18 define an "off" orientation that closes the ports 55 adjacent to the arms 18. Other orientations are contemplated as well. The top surface of the housing 17 and / or the arms 18 of the hub 15 may have one or more visible indicia or markers 26 to provide visual guidance and information regarding the open and closed states of the various ports 55. In some embodiments, a first marker 26 is positioned on the surface of the arms 18 to indicate that flow in that direction is blocked (see FIGS. 2C and 2J). The marker 26 may be an "x" or other symbol that provides information to a user that flow is stopped in the direction indicated by the arms 18. One or more markers 26 may be positioned on the surface of the housing 17 to indicate that the flow in that direction is open. Thus, when the marker 26 on the arm 18 indicates that a particular port is blocked, the marker 26 on the housing 17 may indicate that the flow in that direction is open. The marker 26 on the housing 17 may be different from the marker 26 on the arm 18, such as an arrow, an open circle, or other symbol indicating an open port. FIG. 2J shows that the arm 18 has a marker 26a that faces a first direction and is an "x" indicating that the flow through the port 55 aligned with the arm 18 is blocked. Two additional markers 26b are on the top surface of the housing 17 and are positioned 90 degrees away from the first marker 26a on the arm 18. These markers 26b are shown as arrows indicating that the flow through the path in the indicated direction is open. Any of a variety of specific marks, symbols, letters, numbers, etc. may be used to provide a user with information regarding the status of the port when the stop valve 10 is rotated to a particular position.

[0017] As mentioned above, the stop valve 10 includes an indexing mechanism 20 configured to provide feedback to the user of the rotational position of the hub 15 relative to the body 50 to ensure that the position of the hub 15 is optimized for flow or fully occluded for no flow. The indexing mechanism can have any of a variety of configurations.

[0018] 2A-2I show an embodiment of an indexing mechanism incorporating a spring-biased lifter plate assembly 30. The spring-biased lifter plate assembly 30 includes a lifter plate 31 disposed within the confines of the upper housing 17 of the hub 15 and one or more springs 32. The lifter plate 31 has an annular disk shape. The outer diameter of the plate 31 is sized to contact against an inwardly facing surface of the housing 17 and the inner diameter of the plate 31 is sized and positioned to surround the top of the central hub 40 (see FIG. 2E). The plate 31 is coupled to the hub 15 of the stop valve 10 for rotation therewith about axis A. The plate 31 and the housing 17 may be interconnected via an interface mechanism such that relative rotation therebetween is prevented but axial movement of the plate 31 relative to the housing 17 along axis A is permitted.

[0019] 3 is a view of the lower end of hub 15 of stop valve 10 showing the interior surface of housing 17. Housing 17, together with manifold shaft 19, defines a space in which plate 31 resides. The interior surface of housing 17 is provided with one or more grooves 27. Lifter plate 31 has a corresponding outer periphery feature 28 that is sized and shaped to be received within groove 27 of housing 17 (see FIGS. 4A-4C). Engagement of feature 28 with groove 27 prevents relative rotation between housing 17 and lifter plate 31, but allows axial movement of lifter plate 31 within housing 17 along axis A.

[0020] The lifter plate 31 is biased toward the port 55 by one or more springs 32 of the lifter plate assembly 30. The springs 32 are positioned above the plate 31 to bias the plate 31 downwardly against the housing 17. The springs 32 may be of various configurations. Regardless of the structure or configuration, the springs 32 can bias the plate 31 toward the port 55 with a moderate force. FIGS. 4D-4F show that the springs 32 of the lifter plate assembly 30 are wave springs. FIG. 5 shows a similar lifter plate assembly 30 with multiple Nitinol wire springs (leaf or cantilever springs) positioned against the top surface of the lifter plate 31. FIG. 6 shows a coil spring. FIGS. 8A-8C show an embodiment with a hoop spring. The springs 32 may also be living hinges or other flexures as shown in FIGS. 10-11, or an elastomeric or springy material as shown in FIG. 9A.

[0021] 2E-2I and 4B-4C show that the lower surface 33 of the lifter plate 31 has a plurality of anti-rotation portions 34. The anti-rotation portions 34 have a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape of the upper surface 56 of the port 55 of the body 50 so that the anti-rotation portions 34 of the lower surface 33 of the plate 31 mate with the upper surface 56 of each port 55 upon rotation about the axis A. The positions of the anti-rotation portions 34 on the plate 31 correspond to the positions of each port 55. As the plate 31 of the indexing mechanism 20 rotates with the housing 17, the lower surface 33 of the plate 31 slides along the upper surface 56 of the port 55. When the stopcock 10 is rotated about the axis A to an intermediate position such that the anti-rotation portions 34 are near but offset from the port 55, the plate 31 is biased slightly upward along the axis A by the port 55 compressing the spring 32, causing the plate 31 to move further inside the housing 17. Further rotation of the stopcock 10 about axis A to align the detents 34 with the top surface 56 of the port 55 biases the plate 31 downwards by the spring 32 moving along axis A relative to the top surface 56. The convex shape of the port 55 mates with the concave shape of the detents 34 of the plate 31, providing a distinctive snap and feel as the stopcock 10 aligns with the port 55. The underside 33 of the plate 31 between the detents 34 may be relatively flat. Also, the middle portion of the underside of the detents 34 may be angled or slightly convex to encourage the plate 31 to continue rotating until the top surface 56 of the port 55 is received within the detents 34. The shape of the detents 34 may vary, but may substantially correspond to the shape of the port 55 to mate with it. For example, the port 55 may be a generally cylindrical feature that projects outwardly from the cylindrical hub 40. The anti-rotation portion 34 may be semi-cylindrical to match the cylindrical shape of the port 55. The reception of the port 55 in the anti-rotation portion 34 provides a clear tactile and / or audible indication to the user that the stop valve 10 is optimally aligned with the port 55.

[0022] The shape of the detents 34 relative to the ports 55 ensures that the relative orientation is the desired orientation to achieve full fluid flow through the ports 55 or to completely block fluid flow through the ports 55. The shape can be selected to prevent inadvertent rotation of the stop valve, such as a simple finger flick or knock that is not intended to torque the stop valve 10. The shape also allows for intentional rotation of the stop valve, and can be easily rotated by a user when rotation is desired, for example, without a large torque that would require more than one hand. Thus, increased torque is required to rotate the stop valve from the engagement between the detents 34 and the ports 55 to prevent unintentional displacement of the stop valve 10, but not so much torque that it is inconvenient for a user to rotate it with one hand. The number of detents 34 on the underside 33 of the plate 31 may vary depending on the number of ports 55 on the body 50. When the ports 55 are positioned 90 degrees apart from each other, the detents 34 may be similarly positioned on the underside 33 of the plate 31.

[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve 10 having an indexing mechanism incorporating a spring biased ball plunger assembly 60. The stop valve 10 of FIG. 6 may incorporate each of the various components described above for the embodiment of the stop valve 10 described with respect to FIGS. 2A-2J, including the hub 15, the body 50, the arms 18 projecting relative to the housing 17, the manifold shaft 19, the plurality of ports 55 extending radially from the central hub 40, the seal members, the markers, the connectors, and various other features (not repeated below). The indexing mechanism incorporating the ball plunger assembly 60 includes a housing 61 having an internal bore 65 aligned over each of the ports 55. A ball 63 and a spring 62 are disposed within the housing 61. The spring 62 biases the ball 63 upward through the bore 65 in the housing 61, away from the upper surface of the port 55. The arm 18 includes a detent 64 on its lower surface sized and shaped to receive the convex upper surface of the ball 63. When the arm 18 rotates about the central axis A into alignment with one of the ports 55, the ball 63 is received in a detent 64 biased upward by the spring 62. Thus, each port 55 includes a stationary ball plunger assembly 60 such that the ball 63 moves in and out of engagement with the detent 64 of the arm 18 as the arm 18 rotates about the hub 40 relative to the port 55. When the arm 18 is aligned with the port 55, the ball 63 snaps into the detent 64 under the bias of the spring 62. When the arm 18 rotates out of alignment relative to the port 55, the ball 63 is biased downward to compress the spring 62 further into the housing 61. The spring biased ball 63 automatically lowers to allow adjustment of the stop valve 10 and snaps into the detent 64 when realigned. The ball plunger assembly 60 may be located on the arm 18 (or another portion of the housing 17). Thus, when the stop valve 10 rotates, the single assembly 60 rotates with the arm 18. In this scenario, the balls 63 engage correspondingly shaped detents 44 on the top surface of each port 55. The ball plunger assembly 60 is able to rotate with the arm 18.The ball 63 is biased downwardly towards the port 55 by a spring 62 within the housing 61. When the ball 63 enters a detent 64 on the top surface of the port 55, a snap is felt and / or heard.

[0024] 7A-7B show an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve 10 having an indexing mechanism incorporating a spring biased lever assembly 70. The stop valve 10 of FIGS. 7A-7B may incorporate each of the various components described above for the embodiment of the stop valve 10 described with respect to FIGS. 2A-2J, including the hub 15, the body 50, the arms 18 projecting relative to the housing 17, the manifold shaft 19, the plurality of ports 55 extending radially from the central hub 40, the seal members, the markers, the connectors, and various other features (not repeated below). The indexing mechanism incorporating the spring biased lever assembly 70 includes a lever 71 and a spring 72. The lever 71 projects below the arm 18 for rotation therewith. The underside of the lever 71 includes a pocket or detent 74 shaped and sized to receive the upper surface of each of the ports 55. The spring 72 biases the lever 71 downward toward the upper surface of the ports 55. When arm 18 and lever assembly 70 are rotated about central axis A so that lever 71 is aligned with one of the ports 55, the upper surface of port 55 is received within anti-rotation portion 74 on the underside of lever 71 and snaps into place under the biasing force of spring 72.

[0025] 8A-8C show an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve 10 having an indexing mechanism incorporating a spring retainer assembly 80. The stop valve 10 of FIGS. 8A-8C may incorporate each of the various components described above for the embodiment of the stop valve 10 described with respect to FIGS. 2A-2J, including the hub 15, the body 50, the arms 18 projecting relative to the housing 17, the manifold shaft 19, the plurality of ports 55 extending radially from the central hub 40, the seal members, the markers, the connectors, and various other features (not repeated below). The indexing mechanism incorporating the spring retainer assembly 80 includes a pair of U-shaped spring hoops 82. The spring hoops 82 project upward toward the arms 18 as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B. Alternatively, the spring hoops 82 may project below the arms 18 toward the top surface of the ports 55 as shown in FIG. 8C. The U-shaped portions of the spring hoop 82 may be angled away from each other so that the spring hoop 82 can straddle the arm 18, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, or define a space therebetween when one of the ports 55 is aligned, as shown in FIG. 8C. In either embodiment, the first of the two spring hoops 82 may flex as it contacts the arm 18 or port 55 while rotating toward the second of the spring hoops 82, allowing for further rotation. Once the relative rotation reaches an optimal position, the first spring hoop 82 returns to its rest position, with the arm 18 or port 55 captured in the space between the first and second spring hoops. The hoop 82 may be formed of Nitinol or other material configured to retain a set shape so that it can undergo an amount of deformation.

[0026] FIG. 9A illustrates an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve 10 having an indexing mechanism incorporating a saddle retaining assembly 90. The stop valve 10 of FIG. 9A may incorporate each of the various components described above for the embodiment of the stop valve 10 described with respect to FIGS. 2A-2J, including the hub 15, the body 50, the arms 18 projecting relative to the housing 17, the manifold shaft 19, the multiple ports 55 extending radially from the central hub 40, the seal members, the markers, the connectors, and various other features (not repeated below). The indexing mechanism incorporating the saddle retaining assembly 90 may include a saddle-shaped retaining portion 91 attached to one or more upper surfaces of the ports 55. The retaining portion 91 may have raised sides 92 on either side of a central saddle 93. At least the sides 92 of the retainer 91 may be made of an elastomeric material that deforms slightly upon contact with the arms 18, allowing the arms to ride up on the raised sides 92 of the retainer 91 and return to a resting shape to capture the arms 18 between the raised sides 92 as the arms rest within the saddles 93 of the retainer 91. The retainer 91 may also have a single protrusion 92 that interferes with the arms 18 as they rotate relative to the one or more ports 55, as shown in FIG. 9B. The retainer 91 may be an annular member having an inner diameter sized to receive the outer diameter of the port 55 such that the retainer 91 slides over the outside of the port 55 and is positioned such that the protrusion 92 projects toward an upper region of the stop valve 10. Whether the retainer 91 has two raised sides 92 forming a central saddle 93 as in Figure 9A or a single protrusion 92 as in Figure 9B, the height difference of the additional saddle retainer 91 with the arm 18 is used to provide interference tactile, audible, and / or visual feedback as it snaps into the detent. As with the other embodiments described herein, the retainer assembly 90 may be positioned over one or more ports 55 and remain stationary during rotation of the arm 18, or the retainer assembly 90 may be positioned on the underside of the arm 18 and rotate with the arm 18.

[0027] FIG. 10 illustrates an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve 10 having an indexing mechanism incorporating a catch assembly 100. The stop valve 10 of FIG. 10 may incorporate each of the various components described above for the embodiment of the stop valve 10 described with respect to FIGS. 2A-2J, including the hub 15, the body 50, the arms 18 projecting relative to the housing 17, the manifold shaft 19, the plurality of ports 55 extending radially from the central hub 40, the seal members, the markers, the connectors, and various other features (not repeated below). The indexing mechanism incorporating the catch assembly 100 may include a movable lever 101. The assembly 100 may be secured to one or more upper surfaces of the port 55 such that the lever 101 engages the lower surface of the arm 18 as the lever 101 rotates relative to the port 55. The lever 101 may be deflected up and down due to the presence of a living hinge 102. When the lever 101 comes into contact with the arm 18, it is deflected downward and may generate a moderate force. When the arm 18 is rotated into alignment with the port 55, the lever 101 can flex upward into a pocket or detent 104 on the underside of the arm 18. Multiple catch assemblies 100 can be incorporated into each port location to provide detent feedback. Also, a catch assembly 100 can be coupled to the underside of the arm 18 with a detent 104 located on the top surface of each port 55 to provide a similar arrangement in which the catch lever 101 nests within the detent to provide tactile and / or audible feedback of the relative position of the arm 18 to the port 55.

[0028] FIG. 11 illustrates an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve 10 having an indexing mechanism incorporating one or more flexures 110. In an embodiment, the indexing mechanism comprises a pair of opposing flexures 110. The stop valve 10 of FIG. 11 may incorporate each of the various components described above for the embodiment of the stop valve 10 described with respect to FIGS. 2A-2J, including the hub 15, the body 50, the arms 18 projecting relative to the housing 17, the manifold shaft 19, the multiple ports 55 extending radially from the central hub 40, the seal members, the markers, the connectors, and various other features (not repeated below). Each of the opposing flexures 110 has a rounded leading end 111 that projects away from a living hinge 112. The leading ends 111 of the flexures can flex up or down relative to the hinge 112 depending on the position of the hub arms 18 relative to the ports 55. The flexures 110 have a natural position where the leading ends 111 are below the upper surface of the port 55 and a deflected position where, for example, the leading ends 111 are biased upward away from the natural position as they slide across the upper surface of the port 55. The two opposing flexures 110 can cross over the upper surface of the port 55 when the hub arm 18 is at 0 degrees, 90 degrees, or 180 degrees. Their leading ends 111 relax back to their natural position and lie below the upper surface of the port 55. The undersides of the opposing flexures 110 are formed with recesses or detents into which the convex upper surface of the port 55 aligns and receives when optimal relative rotation is achieved by the hub arm 18. The increase in torque that rotates the hub arm 18 away from the optimal position provides tactile and / or auditory feedback to the user.

[0029] Each of the indexing mechanisms 20 described above may incorporate a spring-loaded engagement between the arm 18 of the rotatable hub 15 and the top surface of the port 55 of the body 50. The indexing mechanism 20 is external to the hub 15, 40. The indexing mechanism 20 may also be incorporated within the hub 15, 40.

[0030] 12A-12C show an interrelated embodiment of a stop valve 10 having an indexing mechanism internal to the hub 15, 40. The stop valve 10 of FIGS. 12A-12C may incorporate each of the various components described above for the embodiment of the stop valve 10 described with respect to FIGS. 2A-2J, including the hub 15, the body 50, the arms 18 projecting relative to the housing 17, the manifold shaft 19, the multiple ports 55 extending radially from the central hub 40, the seal members, the markers, the connectors, and various other features (not repeated below). The indexing mechanism includes a double-sided spring bar 120 disposed within the confines of the rotatable hub 15. The spring bar 120 may include a first spring body 121 at a first end of the bar 120 and separated from a second spring body 122 at an opposite end of the bar 120 by a spring 123 (see FIG. 12C). The spring bodies 121, 122 are biased to an extended position at rest by a spring 123. When the hub 15 is rotated away from the location of the port 55, the opposing bodies 121, 122 are compressed into a radially inward position toward one another by the central hub 40 of the body 50. When the rotatable hub 15 is rotated into alignment with the port 55, the opposing bodies 121, 122 are biased outward by the spring 123 to their rest extended position against corresponding detents present within the body.

[0031] FIG. 12E is a partial exploded view of the stop valve of FIG. 12A, showing a compression spring adapter 124 sized and shaped to be received within an area of ​​the stop valve, such as bore 16 extending through manifold shaft 19, and nested inside the bottom of arm 18. Spring adapter 124 can accommodate a double-sided spring bar 120 including spring 123 and spring bodies 121, 122. Spring adapter 124 includes an opening 125 sized to receive at least a portion of spring body 121, 122. In the case where spring bar 120 includes two spring bodies 121, 122 positioned opposite each other, spring adapter 124 includes two openings 125 extending through a wall of spring adapter 124 opposite each other. Spring adapter 124 is configured to rotate with arm 18 relative to shaft 19. FIG 12G is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG 12F and shows the manifold shaft 19, the stopcock arm 18, the compression spring 123 in the spring adapter 124, and the bodies 121, 122. As the arm 18 and spring adapter 124 rotate within the manifold shaft 19, the spring bodies 121, 122 at least partially protrude from their respective openings 125 in the adapter 124 and are biased inwardly by the inner wall of the manifold shaft 19. The compression spring 123 is compressed by the spring bodies 121, 122 so that the spring bodies 121, 122 do not protrude significantly through the opening 124. The manifold shaft 19 includes one or more pairs of anti-rotation features 126 on its inner wall that are aligned with the location of one or more ports 55. The spring 123 biases the spring bodies 121, 122 away from each other so that the spring bodies 121, 122 extend out of the opening 124 in the adapter 123 and into one or more pairs of anti-rotation portions in the wall of the manifold shaft 19 that represent a position representative of full flow through the stopcock port 55.

[0032] The indexing mechanism may include two spring bodies biased away from each other against a corresponding pair of detents, two spring bodies with only one of the two spring bodies biased against a corresponding single detent, or a single spring body biased against a single detent aligned with a particular port 55. The spring body may have different configurations such as a T-bar as shown in FIG. 12C or a roller bearing as shown in FIG. 12D. The degree of retention after the arm 18 achieves a particular position and the spring body engages the detents may be a function of the shape of the spring body, the stiffness of the compression spring, and / or whether the detents incorporate a lead-in.

[0033] In several aspects, the description has been given with reference to the drawings. However, certain aspects may be practiced without one or more of these specific details or in combination with other known methods and configurations. Numerous specific details, such as specific configurations, dimensions, steps, etc., are given herein to provide a thorough understanding of the examples. In other instances, well-known processes and manufacturing techniques have not been described in particular detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the description. Throughout this specification, references to "an embodiment," "an embodiment," "an aspect," "an example," "an example," and the like mean that the particular feature, structure, configuration, or characteristic described is included in at least one embodiment, aspect, or example. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "an embodiment," "an embodiment," "an aspect," "an example," and the like in various locations throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, aspect, or example. Furthermore, particular features, structures, configurations, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples.

[0034] Use of relative terms throughout this specification may indicate relative positions or directions or orientations and are not intended to be limiting. For example, "distal" may indicate a first direction away from a reference point. Similarly, "proximal" may indicate a position in a second direction opposite the first direction. Use of terms such as "anterior," "lateral," "posterior," "inferior," and "superior," as well as "anterior," "posterior," "caudal," and "cephalad" are used to establish a relative frame of reference and are not intended to limit the use or orientation of the devices described herein in various embodiments.

[0035] The term "about" refers to a range of values ​​including the specified value that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider to be reasonably similar to the specified value. In embodiments, "about" refers to within the standard deviation range using measurements generally accepted in the art. In embodiments, "about" refers to a range covering ±10% of the stated value. In embodiments, "about" includes the specified value.

[0036] Although many specific details are described herein, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what is or can be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features described herein in the context of separate embodiments may be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, although features may be described above as acting in a particular combination and may initially be claimed as such, one or more features from the claimed combination may in some cases be excluded from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of the subcombination. Similarly, although operations are depicted in the figures in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring such operations to be performed in the particular order shown, or sequentially, or that all of the illustrated operations be performed in order to achieve desired results. Only a few examples, embodiments, aspects, and implementations are disclosed. Variations, modifications, and enhancements may be made to the described examples and embodiments, as well as other embodiments, based on what is disclosed.

[0037] In the above description and in the claims, phrases such as "at least one" or "one or more" may appear following a connectable list of components or features. Also, the term "and / or" may appear in a list of two or more components or features. Such phrases are intended to mean any of the listed components or features individually, or any of the listed components or features in combination with any of the other listed components or features, unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which they are used. For example, the phrases "at least one of A and B," "one or more of A and B," and "A and / or B" are intended to mean "A alone, B alone, or A and B together," respectively. A similar interpretation is intended for lists containing more than two items. For example, the phrases "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "A, B, and / or C" are each intended to mean "A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together."

[0038] Use of the term "based on" above and in the claims is intended to mean "based at least in part on," in which case unrecited features or components are also permitted.

Claims

1. a body having a central cylindrical hub surrounding the shaft and a plurality of ports extending radially outward from the cylindrical hub; a rotatable hub comprising a housing, a manifold shaft, and an arm, the arm projecting from an upper surface of the housing and the manifold shaft extending from a lower surface of the housing, the manifold shaft sized to be received within the cylindrical hub of the body so as to be coaxially aligned with the cylindrical hub in a rotatable arrangement; an indexing mechanism having at least one spring biasing member configured to provide engagement between at least a portion of the rotatable hub and an upper surface of at least one of the plurality of ports of the body; A medical water stop valve equipped with:

2. 10. The stop valve of claim 1, wherein the engagement provides tactile and / or audible confirmation of alignment between a portion of the rotatable hub and a top surface of the at least one port, allowing full fluid flow through or full closure of the at least one port.

3. The stop valve of claim 1 , wherein the spring biased member is coupled to the rotatable hub so as to rotate about the axis when a torque is applied to the arm.

4. 4. The stop valve of claim 3, wherein the spring-biased member is coupled to the rotatable hub such that movement along the axis relative to the rotatable hub is permitted and rotation about the axis relative to the rotatable hub is inhibited.

5. The stop valve of claim 1 , wherein the spring-biased member comprises a lifter plate disposed within at least one region of the housing and at least one spring disposed above the lifter plate.

6. The stop valve according to claim 5 , wherein the lower surface of the lifter plate has at least one anti-rotation portion.

7. The stop valve according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one anti-rotation portion has a concave shape that is complementary to a convex shape of an upper surface of the at least one port.

8. The stop valve according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one spring is a wave spring, a wire spring, a leaf spring, a cantilever spring, a coil spring, or a hoop spring.

9. The stop valve of claim 6, wherein the lower surface of the lifter plate has a plurality of anti-rotation portions, and the plurality of anti-rotation portions are arranged on the lifter plate to match the arrangement of the plurality of ports on the main body.

10. 10. The stop valve of claim 9, wherein the plurality of ports comprises at least three ports spaced approximately 90 degrees from adjacent ports.

11. The stop valve of claim 1 , wherein the spring-biased member comprises a ball disposed within a spring housing containing a spring.

12. 12. The stop valve of claim 11, wherein the spring housing is positioned at the at least one port, the arm has a detent portion on its underside, and the ball is received within the detent portion when the arm and an upper surface of the at least one port are aligned.

13. 12. The stop valve of claim 11, wherein the spring housing is disposed on the arm, and an upper surface of the at least one port has a detent portion, and the ball is received within the detent portion when the arm and the upper surface of the at least one port are aligned.

14. A stop valve as described in claim 1, wherein the indexing mechanism includes a spring-loaded lever.

15. A stop valve as described in claim 1, wherein the indexing mechanism includes a spring retaining assembly.

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