The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 14, 1998
Filed:
Jan. 23, 1996
Michael J Lands, Louisville, CO (US);
James J Podracky, Denver, CO (US);
Thomas P Ryan, Fort Collins, CO (US);
Dale F Schmaltz, Boulder, CO (US);
Valleylab Inc, Boulder, CO (US);
Abstract
A valve and irrigator used with a suction tube has an elongate funnel with an axis through an enlarged entrance and an opposed extended exit duct of a flexible elastomer. A flow passage through the elongate funnel connects the entrance to the exit permitting fluid communication. A web across and near the enlarged entrance sealingly separates that from the exit. The web and the elongate funnel are made of silicone elastomer and are adhesively adhered to together. A portal in the web passes therethrough along the axis and is circular in shape to surround in fluid tight engagement the suction tube. A lid, proximally of the web on the enlarged entrance, has an inlet for irrigation and a pass through for the tube; the lid closes the enlarged entrance forming a chamber between the web and the lid. A slit within the web, near the portal and spaced from the axis is in the form of a closed mouth composed of a pair of sealing lips. Normally the pair of lips are together but are able to separate and define a passageway for fluid flow through the web. A peripheral bump is radially disposed relative to the slit and is located on the entrance in position to align flexure force therethrough and toward the axis. A method of using the valve and irrigator with the suction tube has steps including locating an elongate funnel along the axis with the entrance thereon. Positioning the exit on the elongate funnel opposite the entrance and along the axis is a step. Merging the exit with the entrance is step. A step is permitting fluid communication through the flow passage between the entrance and exit. Sealingly separating the entrance and exit with the web is a step. The step of passing the portal through the web along the axis so it surrounds tube therethrough. A method for making the valve and irrigator has steps of locating the web near the entrance, passing through the web the portal and slit.