Inflation control valve

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12364617-B2
Application number	US-202318394333-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 22, 2023
Priority date	Aug 23, 2012
Publication date	Jul 22, 2025
Grant date	Jul 22, 2025

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices are described for providing a fluid control for an inflation system. The control directs fluid flow from an inlet to one or more outlets of the control. The outlets are independently connected in fluid communication with the inlet by through the control. The control allows a user to create a fluid path between the inlet and a selected outlet by positioning the control in an orientation corresponding to the desired outlet. Each outlet is independently connected in fluid communication with the inlet in various orientations of the control.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of operating a valve of an inflatable orthopedic device, the method comprising:
positioning a fluid control means in a first of two or more orientations such that a first fluid path is created between a fluid inlet port of a valve and a first of a plurality of fluid outlet ports of the valve, the first fluid path passing from an exterior opening of the fluid inlet port, upward at an angle into a center of the fluid control means, across the center of the fluid control means, and downward at an angle through an exterior opening of the first of the plurality of fluid outlet ports, the fluid inlet port and the plurality of fluid outlet ports each extending at a downward angle from an exterior surface of the fluid control means; and
positioning the fluid control means in a second of the two or more orientations such that a second fluid path is created between the fluid inlet port and a second of the plurality of fluid outlet ports.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the fluid inlet port and the plurality of fluid outlet ports has a respective flow channel that extends at a downward angle from an exterior surface of the fluid control means.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the fluid inlet port and the plurality of fluid outlet ports has a respective first opening at the exterior end of the respective port, each of the respective first openings lying in a first common plane.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of fluid outlet ports has a respective second opening at the interior end of the respective port, at least one of the respective second openings lying in a second plane different than and parallel to the first common plane.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the fluid inlet port and the plurality of fluid outlet ports has a respective second opening at the interior end of the respective port, each of the respective second openings lying in a second plane different than and parallel to the first common plane.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second fluid path passes through the center of the fluid control means.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second fluid path passes from the exterior opening of the fluid inlet port upward at an angle into the center of the fluid control means, across the center of the fluid control means, and downward at an angle through an exterior opening of the second of the plurality of fluid outlet ports.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid control means comprises a rotatable dial.

9. A method of operating a valve of an inflatable orthopedic device, the method comprising:
positioning a fluid control means in a first of two or more orientations such that a first fluid path is created through a center of the fluid control means between a fluid inlet port of a valve and a first of a plurality of fluid outlet ports of the valve, wherein:
the fluid inlet port comprises an inlet flow channel having an outer opening and an inner opening, the fluid inlet port and the inlet flow channel extending at a downward angle from an exterior surface of the fluid control means;
each of the plurality of fluid outlet ports comprises a respective outlet flow channel having a respective outer opening and a respective inner opening, the plurality of fluid outlet ports and the respective outlet flow channels extending at the downward angle from the exterior surface of the fluid control means;
the inner openings of each of the fluid inlet port and the plurality of fluid outlet ports lie in a first common plane, and
the outer opening of at least one of the fluid outlet ports lies in a second plane different from the first plane; and

positioning the fluid control means in a second of the two or more orientations such that a second fluid path passing through the center of the fluid control means is created between the fluid inlet port and a second of the plurality of fluid outlet ports.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the valve comprises an outer housing and the fluid control means comprises an inner flow director, the outer housing comprising the fluid inlet port and the plurality of fluid outlet ports, each of the inlet flow channel and the plurality of outlet flow channels passing from the respective inner opening in an interior surface of the outer housing to the respective outer opening at a respective end of the fluid inlet port or of the outlet port.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the inner flow director comprises an interior flow channel, the interior flow channel having first and second openings in an outer surface of the inner flow director.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first opening of the interior flow channel is in fluid communication with the inner opening of the fluid inlet port in the interior surface of the outer housing when the fluid control means is positioned in each of the first and second orientations.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the second opening of the interior flow channel is in fluid communication with the respective inner opening of a first of the plurality of fluid outlet ports in the interior surface of the outer housing when the control is position in the first orientation, and the second opening of the interior flow channel is in fluid communication with the respective inner opening of a second of the plurality of fluid outlet ports in the interior surface of the outer housing when the control is position in the second orientation.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein each of the outer openings of the fluid outlet ports lies in the second plane.

15. A method of operating a valve of an inflatable orthopedic device, the method comprising:
positioning a fluid control means in a first of two or more orientations such that a first fluid path is created between a fluid inlet means and a first of a plurality of fluid outlet means, wherein the fluid control means further comprises:
a rotatable dial having a rotatable dome-shaped body comprising a concave inner portion; and
a center of the fluid control means extending from the concave inner portion, the fluid inlet means and the plurality of fluid outlet means extending from the center; and

positioning the fluid control means in a second of two or more orientations such that a second fluid path is created between the fluid inlet means and a second of the fluid outlet means.

Assignees

• Djo Llc

Inventors

• Batterson Benjamin
• Sasidharan Manikandan
• Ketelhohn Robert

Classifications

• A61M39/24

  Check- or non-return valves · CPC title

• A61F5/32

  Adjustable pressure pads · CPC title

• A61F5/0111

  for the feet or ankles · CPC title

• F16K37/0008

  Mechanical means (F16K37/0075 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16K11/0853

  having all the connecting conduits situated in a single plane perpendicular to the axis of the plug · CPC title