GB1194358A - Fluid Flow Control Valve. - Google Patents

Abstract

1,194,358. Valves for surgical use. D. C. MEARS. 22 Nov., 1967, No. 53123/67. Heading A5R. [Also in Division F2] A valve, which is adapted for use in industry or as a medical appliance, namely for the purpose of urinary bladder control, and which permits the insertion therethrough of cystoscopes, fibre glass viewing tubes and other instruments, comprises an annular housing 1 having disposed within it a fixed plate 2 and a movable plate 3, each plate having embedded therein a permanent magnet 4, 5 respectively, which extends diametrically across it, and having a semi-circular aperture formed to one side of the respective magnet. Relative rotation of the plates, for example to effect closure of the valve by moving the aperture of plate 3 out of alignment with that of plate 2, is achieved by suitable manipulation of a permanent magnet disposed outside the valve, the nature of the manipulation determining whether simple relative rotation between the plates is effected or whether plate 3 is firstly moved longitudinally out of contact with plate 2 and is then rotated relative to plate 3. Removal of the external magnetic field results in the plates returning to the position shown by virtue of the interaction of the two magnets 4 and 5. Moreover, when the valve is in its closed position, it can be opened by longitudinal displacement of plate 3 relative to plate 2, upon the force of pressure at the inlet exceeding the force of attraction of the two magnets 4 and 5. The component parts of the valve can be made from polytetrafluorethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, high density polyethylen, ceramics, pure titanium, titanium alloys or cobolt-chromium surgical alloys and the housing exterior can ,be given a covering which permits tissue encapsulation. The magnets are made of ferrous or cobaltplatinum alloy and are sealed in position, by P.T.F.E. plugs (4a, 5a, Figs. 4 and 6, not shown). In alternative embodiment the external controlling magnetic field may be derived from an electromagnet. Furthermore, the valve may have more than one inlet and outlet, as well as more than one movable plate.