US 12,435,807 B2
Fluid flow control systems and methods
Jed-Sian Cheng, Houston, TX (US); Mostafa Jubayar Hasan, Houston, TX (US); and Matthew S. Richards, Houston, TX (US)
Assigned to Human Hydrology Devices, Houston, TX (US)
Filed by Human Hydrology Devices, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Jun. 16, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/336,223.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/353,189, filed on Jun. 17, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0407984 A1, Dec. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. A61M 39/22 (2006.01); F16K 24/02 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 24/02 (2013.01) 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for directing fluid flow, the system comprising:
a first port configured to be coupled to a first channel;
a second port configured to be coupled to a second channel;
a third port configured to be coupled to a device defining a third channel, the third port comprising a female fitting;
a body comprising a central passage connecting the first port, the second port, and the third port;
a valve comprising a member that includes a slant lower surface, the slant lower surface defining a lower boundary of the member; and
one or more springs;
wherein:
the system is configured to be in a first state if a male fitting of the device is not inserted in the female fitting of the third port, the valve is configured to be in a first position if the system is in the first state, and the valve is configured to block a first fluid path defined between the first port and the third port when the valve is in the first position;
the system is configured to be in a second state if a male fitting of the device is fully inserted in the female fitting of the third port, the valve is configured to be in a second position if the system is in the second state, and the valve is configured to connect the first fluid path and block a second fluid path defined between the first port and the second port if the valve is in the second position;
the system is configured such that inserting a male fitting into the female fitting of the third port causes the system to transition from the first state to the second state;
the slant lower surface of the member of the valve is configured to push a substance from the central passage to the second port when the system transitions from the first state to the second state;
the one or more springs bias the valve toward the first position of the valve; and
the one or more springs are positioned such that the one or more springs are isolated from the fluid flow in the system.