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:
Jan. 20, 2004
Filed:
Jul. 23, 2002
Cynthia Luchetti, San Diego, CA (US);
James Brown, Costa Mesa, CA (US);
LMA International, S.A., Channel Islands, GB;
Abstract
The disclosed medical device includes an inflatable structure configured for positioning in an airway of a human patient and a valve in fluid communication with the inflatable structure. The valve includes a member that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The valve prevents fluid from escaping the inflatable structure when the member is in the closed position. The valve permits fluid to escape the inflatable structure when the member is in the open position. The valve includes a resilient element. The resilient element provides a first force that biases the member towards the closed position. The valve includes a temperature sensitive element. The temperature sensitive element generates a second force that biases the member towards the open position. The first force is greater than the second force when the ambient temperature is below a first value. The first force is smaller than the second force when the ambient temperature is above a second value.