DE102017217485A1 - Catheter valve for one-handed operation - Google Patents

Abstract

A catheter valve (1) is disclosed, comprising: a housing (2) with an inlet opening (4) and an outlet opening (6) which are fluidically connected to one another, and a closure element which can be displaced parallel to a main flow direction (7) (8) adapted to interrupt and release the fluidic connection, characterized in that at least one actuating element (10) is provided which is adapted to be actuated transversely to the main flow direction (7), preferably at least one reaction element (12) is provided, which is adapted to implement an actuating movement (14) of the at least one actuating element (10) in a displacement (16) of the closure element (8) parallel to the main flow direction (7).

Description

The present invention relates to a catheter valve for controlling the opening and closing of the accesses of body cavities by means of a catheter projecting out of the human body, or for the permanent opening thereof, in particular for controlling the urine discharge by means of a catheter inserted in the bladder of a patient.

Catheter valves are used to open and close catheters, especially for urine discharge, which have been placed on a patient.

Such catheter valves are known in principle. The EP 0 873 763 A2 discloses a catheter valve with a housing through which urine can be diverted. The housing can be connected at one end to a hose, for example, a urine drainage catheter. Liquid introduced above can escape from the housing at the opposite end. The valve has a located in the housing and displaceable from the outside in the direction of flow plunger, which is designed for opening and closing of the valve, and which is coated with a resilient spring sealing element. This seals the closed valve and closes it automatically. A disadvantage of this embodiment is that the spring-loaded element is compressed when opening and so can gradually lose tension, until an automatic closing is no longer possible and the valve is leaking.

The DE 10 2007 027 623 A1 shows a valve in which the opening of the valve flow, a piston member is pulled away by an actuator in the form of a slide from an outlet opening. The slider is not directly in contact with the piston element. Between the two there is a sealing membrane, which is intended to prevent urine from escaping through the guide of the slide out of the housing and, secondly, to transmit the actuating forces of the slide to the piston element. This embodiment has the disadvantage that the sealing membrane shuts through the contact with the slider over time, whereby the valve can leak and urine can escape.

Furthermore, the described embodiments have in common that they are actuated by means of a slide, the actuation by a user, in particular by a patient, that is to be done by a sliding movement. This is particularly difficult for older patients whose motor skills are limited. A one-handed operation is therefore largely excluded in these valves, at best difficult.

Valves of this design have the advantage that the outlet can be designed such that the smallest possible free line distance between the outlet opening and closing point, ie the point at which the valve is sealed, remains. As a result, such valves are particularly advantageous in terms of hygiene, as after closing the valve only a small volume of liquid, especially consisting of urine, dribble.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a catheter valve which has the above-mentioned advantages and in addition solves the above-mentioned problems, in particular with regard to manual actuation.

This object is achieved by means of the independent claim. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a catheter valve is provided, which has a housing with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, which are in fluid communication with one another. The catheter valve preferably has a main flow direction which describes the major direction of a fluid flowing through the catheter valve from inlet to outlet. Preferably, the main flow direction coincides with an axis of the catheter valve, in particular of the housing. Furthermore, a parallel to the main flow direction displaceable closure element is provided which is adapted to interrupt the fluidic connection and release. Furthermore, at least one actuating element is provided, which is preferably designed to effect the opening and closing of the catheter valve, in particular the actuation of the closure element. In this case, the at least one actuating element is designed to be operated, in particular substantially transversely to the main flow direction, particularly preferably perpendicular to the main flow direction, in particular manually.

A manual actuation of the actuating element thus takes place by means of a pressure movement, more precisely a pressing of the actuating element towards the main flow direction, preferably towards the axis of the catheter valve.

This has, in contrast to catheter valves, which are actuated by means of sliding movement of an actuating element along the main flow direction, in particular the axis of the catheter valve, the advantage that here a one-handed operation is facilitated.

In a sliding movement parallel to the main flow direction, it is necessary to appropriately curve or extend the operating finger while the catheter valve rests in the hand of, for example, a patient. This required finger curvature, or the extension of the finger can cause difficulties in the operation, especially in older patients whose motor skills are limited.

On the other hand, a pressure actuation does not require excessive finger curvature or extension of the finger, so that clear advantages of the embodiment according to the invention over previous valves result.

Preferably, at least one conversion element is provided, which is designed to implement an actuation movement of the at least one actuating element into a displacement of the closure element parallel to the main flow direction.

For this purpose, the at least one conversion element is in contact with the respective at least one actuating element, so that actuation movements of the actuating element can be transmitted to the conversion element.

The conversion element is thus designed to convert the actuating movement, which is oriented transversely to the main flow direction and in particular perpendicular to the main flow direction, into a displacement movement parallel to the main flow direction.

Such a transformation of the movement may preferably be seen in a pure directional transformation of the movement, and more preferably also in a translation of the movement.

Thus, the conversion element is preferably designed to translate an actuation movement, in particular an actuation stroke of the actuation element, into a different amount, that is, a larger or smaller displacement of the closure element.

Such a catheter valve now makes it possible to combine the advantages of a catheter valve with a displaceable closure element with the advantages of a pressure-actuated catheter valve. Thus, a catheter valve is made available which is designed to be hygienic and ergonomically advantageous.

Preferably, the at least one actuating element is formed integrally with a flexible portion of the housing.

Preferably, the housing can be sensed or felted from the outside as an actuating element, preferably via a corrugated surface or other identification features.

This housing part, which contains the actuating element, is preferably formed from a flexible material, in particular from thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), which can easily be deformed by manual action and which, in the absence of manual action, preferably reverts back to its original shape.

This has the advantage that the actuating element does not have to be sealed off from the rest of the housing, since there are no gaps, in particular guides, such as elongated holes, between the actuating element and the rest of the housing.

Advantageously, this can also be dispensed with additional guides, stops or fuses or reset elements.

Preferably, the flexible portion extends parallel to the main flow direction fully or over a partial circumference, preferably over a part of the housing.

The advantage of a fully-fl exible flexible section of the housing is that the housing as a whole is more flexible and thus more comfortable to wear, especially under clothing or when lying down.

In one embodiment over a partial circumference of the housing, the remaining housing is preferably stiffer or harder on this partial circumference, as a result of which the housing as a whole becomes stiffer or harder, whereby a risk of damaging the inner mechanism of the catheter valve is minimized by excessive bending of the housing.

Preferably, the closure element is designed to interrupt the fluidic connection between the inlet opening and the outlet opening by means of elastic prestressing.

For this purpose, the closure element is preferably acted upon by a spring element, in particular a spiral spring, which is preferably supported in the housing, with a force that the closure element always moves into the closed position when no further forces act on the closure element.

The spring element is preferably made of plastic with elastic pronounced properties, in particular of polyoxymethylene (POM), particularly preferably formed of metal, in particular made of steel with chromium or spring steel, or other suitable material, which are not attacked by the urine located in the housing, in particular changed its properties.

Preferably, the at least one conversion element is designed to elastically compress when actuated preferably in the direction of actuation and to expand at least parallel to the main flow direction.

Thus, it can advantageously be achieved that an implementation, in particular a deflection of an actuating movement is achieved by the expansion of the conversion element.

The elastic configuration of the conversion element advantageously allows the conversion element to revert back to its original shape after elimination of the actuation force. This can be dispensed with possibly necessary return springs.

Preferably, the at least one conversion element is designed such that it is in a caused by the operation expansion with one side, preferably with an expanding side, in the housing, and with another side, preferably with an expanding side directly or indirectly, ie over intervening elements, is supported on the closure element.

This ensures that the expansion movement or the resulting expansion force of the conversion element is completely transferred to the closure element.

Preferably, a rear portion of the housing of the catheter valve, which in particular has the inlet opening, is adapted to be connected to a tube sealingly and / or positively and / or non-positively.

Preferably, for the rear portion of the housing is conical, whereby a plugging of a tube is facilitated, and preferably on the cone-shaped outer surface elements, preferably teeth, particularly preferably circumferential tooth-shaped undercuts provided, which are adapted to a sliding down of the hose to prevent.

In this way, a hose, in particular a catheter, can advantageously be simply connected to the catheter valve, via which liquid, in particular urine, can be supplied.

Preferably, an outlet section is also preferably provided, comprising the outlet opening, of the housing, which is designed to come into contact with the closure element in the event of an interrupted fluidic connection, and / or a sealing, positive and / or non-positive connection by means of the outlet opening with a drainage tube train.

The outlet section is preferably formed from resilient, ie elastic or flexible material, whereby advantageously a soft tip of the catheter valve can be formed, which improves the wearing comfort of the catheter valve. Furthermore, this makes it possible to introduce a drain hose, in particular its, designed as a stepped cone made of hard plastic, tip in the outlet section, wherein the formation of the outlet section allows the step cone to fix it positively and / or non-positively.

The closure member preferably contacts the inside of the exit portion, thereby realizing the interruption of the fluidic connection.

Preferably, the inside of the outlet section, with which the closure element comes into contact, and / or a sealing surface of the closure element, which comes into contact with the inside of the outlet section, are formed such that a sealing effect is formed on the entire contact surface, so that additional Sealing elements, such as O-rings, can be dispensed with.

The discharge hose, in particular its step cone, can preferably be introduced into the outlet opening of the outlet section, wherein the outlet opening or the inside of the outlet section is designed such that it sealingly, positively and / or non-positively fixes the drain hose.

This can be achieved for example by an excess between the inner diameter of the outlet section and the outer diameter of the drain hose, whereby a press fit is formed, and / or there may be a toothed, in particular circumferential profile on drain hose and / or inside of the outlet section, which an unintentional Removing the drain hose counteracts.

The catheter valve can thus be connected to a drain hose, which is the discharge of the fluid flowing through, in particular the Urine, for example, in another container allows.

Preferably, the closure element and / or the spring element are designed so that upon insertion of a drain hose into the outlet opening the closure element comes into contact with the drain hose and that upon further insertion of the drain hose, the closure element is further displaced against the main flow direction. As a result, the closure element is transferred to the open position, even if no actuation has taken place by the actuating element.

Preferably, a fluidic connection between the inlet opening of the catheter valve and the drainage tube can now furthermore be produced by at least one passage of the closure element.

The closure element is designed so that the at least one passage does not prevent a sealing effect of the entire closure element without inserted drain hose. Preferably, therefore, sealing surface and passage of the closure element are formed separately from each other.

This has the advantage that the catheter valve can be transferred into a permanently open position by the inserted drain hose, wherein no manual actuation force must be applied to the actuator and at the same time a flow from the inlet to the drain hose is possible.

This application is particularly advantageous for permanent emptying during the night, for example, to save the patient an active emptying of the bladder.

Preferably, the closure element is parallel to the main flow direction relative to the housing, more preferably guided by the housing.

This ensures that the closure element performs a defined preferably translational displacement and does not tilt in the housing, whereby the functionality, in particular the tightness of the catheter valve could be limited.

The guide and / or the leading housing portion are preferably formed of hard / rigid material to ensure good guidance.

The at least one conversion element is preferably formed as a C- and / or H- and / or X- and / or O-shaped spring element, or in another form, which preferably forms in compression in one direction, an extension in another direction, and / or made of plastic and / or metal.

Such formations of a spring element allow it to expand when compressed in one direction, in other directions, which are preferably transverse, particularly preferably perpendicular to the compression direction, whereby a deflection, in particular translation of the actuating movement or the actuating force is achieved and The spring element then preferably returns to its original shape.

The spring element is preferably made of plastic with elastic pronounced properties, in particular of polyoxymethylene (POM), particularly preferably of metal, in particular made of steel with chromium, which are not attacked by the urine in the housing, in particular their properties are changed.

Preferably, the conversion element and / or the actuating element and / or the closure element has a stop portion, which is designed to limit the actuation movement and / or the compression / expansion of the conversion element or the conversion by the conversion element and / or the displacement of the closure element ,

The abutment portions are preferably designed such that they encounter at maximum movement on an opposite stop, preferably the inside of the housing, whereby the corresponding movement is limited.

The housing is preferably designed to limit movements of the abutment sections, in particular the actuating movement and / or the compression / expansion of the conversion element or the implementation by the conversion element and / or the displacement, against the stop sections preferably by hard or rigid training.

This can advantageously be limited to a large actuation and / or displacement movement, whereby moving, in particular to train / pressure and / or bending loaded elements of the catheter valve are spared.

Preferably, the housing has portions which are soft / flexible and / or hard / rigid.

Thus, advantageously different properties of the housing can be formed, such as a rigid guide section and a flexible outlet section.

Preferably, the housing has no further opening except the inlet opening and the outlet opening.

This has the advantage that no additional openings, for example, for the engagement of a particular separately formed from the housing actuator, which projects into the housing, are provided, which thus need not be sealed.

The housing thus preferably forms a closable conduit element, which has only the inlet opening and the outlet opening and thus is easy to control both constructively, in particular with respect to sealing, as well as in the application.

Preferably, the individual sections of the catheter valve are connected to one another by adhesive bonding and / or by chemical bonding and / or positive and / or non-positive.

Glued and chemical compounds, such as preferably hard-soft compounds, have the advantage that they can be formed with proper design in sealing, whereby no additional sealing elements or other embodiments for sealing the housing are needed.

Preferably, a positive connection of two sections by means of another component, preferably a locking ring, which is applied over the outside of the housing formed.

Advantageously, the locking ring may also have a smaller inner diameter than the outer diameter of the housing, whereby the two sections of the housing to be joined are pressed together.

Preferably, the housing cross-section is circular.

This has the advantage that a preparation of the catheter valve is simply possible due to the simple geometric configuration of the cross section.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a more complex cross-section is provided, which is rounded and extends in two extension directions perpendicular to the main flow direction, wherein the extension is formed in the one extension direction further than in the other.

This results in a flattened cross-section, which has the advantage that it lies in a certain position or alignment, preferably with a flattened side in the direction of the palm, in the hand of the patient, whereby preferably the actuating element can easily be found by the patient, for example, by positioning it on the flattened side of the housing. This ensures that the actuator either points away from the palm, or is oriented in the direction of the palm. In the former case, the patient can reach the actuator directly in the second case, he has to turn the catheter valve only in his hand or grope on the back.

Preferably, the closure element, in particular its sealing surface and / or the outlet section, in particular its inner surface, and / or a separate seal which is provided on the closure element and / or at the outlet section, is designed to seal the fluidic connection in a sealed manner.

Advantageously, the outlet section and / or the closure element, in particular its sealing surface, can thus be designed to be soft and thus sealing, whereby the use of a separate seal can be dispensed with.

When using a separate seal can advantageously be dispensed with the soft, in particular sealing design of the outlet section and / or the closure element, in particular the sealing surface, and the seal are designed and designed specifically for this application.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described so far, but other embodiments are conceivable, which represent obvious embodiments of the invention and thus also fall within the scope of this application.

It is conceivable, for example, another embodiment of a conversion element, which is not designed as a spring element, but only converts an actuating movement by means of deflecting devices within the housing in a displacement of the closure element. Such a conversion element is preferably designed to be flexible, so that it can be deflected easily by means of the deflection devices, but due to the lack of properties of a spring element no significant translation of the Actuating force on the actuating element takes place in an actuating force on the closure element.

The individual housing sections as well as all components of the catheter valve are preferably made of resistant material such as. Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), particularly preferably made of metal, in particular steel with chromium, which can withstand the chemical and physical, especially mechanical and thermal stresses occurring so that functionality is not restricted over the full useful life of a catheter valve.

• 1 eine Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Katheterventils in einer Seitenansicht.
• 2 eine weitere Schnittansicht des Katheterventils aus 1 in der Draufsicht.
• 3 den vorderen Teil des Katheterventils entsprechend der Darstellung in 1 im mittels Handbetätigung geöffneten Zustand.
• 4 eine alternative Ausführungsform einer Verbindungsstelle zwischen einem weichen und einem harten Abschnitt des Gehäuses des Katheterventils.
• 5 eine Schnittansicht A-A einer erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform entsprechend dem eingezeichneten Schnittverlauf aus 3.
• 6 eine Schnittansicht A-A einer weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform entsprechend dem eingezeichneten Schnittverlauf aus 3.
• 7 eine Detailansicht des vorderen Teils des Katheterventils im geschlossenen Zustand.
• 8 eine Detailansicht des vorderen Teils des Katheterventils im durch einen aufgesteckten Ablaufschlauch dauerhaft geöffneten Zustand.
• 9 eine Schnittansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Katheterventils in einer Seitenansicht.
• 10 eine Detailansicht des Betätigungselements der Ausführungsform aus 9.
• 11 eine Schnittansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Katheterventils in einer Seitenansicht.
• 12 eine Schnittansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Katheterventils in einer Seitenansicht.

Hereinafter, the description of preferred embodiments of the invention by means of the accompanying drawings. In detail shows:

• 1 a sectional view of a catheter valve according to the invention in a side view.
• 2 another sectional view of the catheter valve 1 in the plan view.
• 3 the front part of the catheter valve as shown in FIG 1 in the opened by manual operation state.
• 4 an alternative embodiment of a junction between a soft and a hard portion of the housing of the catheter valve.
• 5 a sectional view AA an embodiment according to the invention according to the drawn section profile 3 ,
• 6 a sectional view AA of a further embodiment of the invention according to the drawn sectional profile 3 ,
• 7 a detailed view of the front part of the catheter valve in the closed state.
• 8th a detailed view of the front part of the catheter valve in the permanently opened by an attached drain hose state.
• 9 a sectional view of another embodiment of a catheter valve according to the invention in a side view.
• 10 a detailed view of the actuating element of the embodiment 9 ,
• 11 a sectional view of another embodiment of a catheter valve according to the invention in a side view.
• 12 a sectional view of another embodiment of a catheter valve according to the invention in a side view.

1 shows a sectional view of a catheter valve according to the invention 1 in a side view and 2 shows a sectional view of the same catheter valve rotated by 90 ° in plan view.

The catheter valve 1 consists of a housing 2 , which consists of several sections. In the drawing, left is an exit section 2a shown having an outlet 6 forms. To the right, this exit section closes 2a a front section 2 B at. To the right of the front section is a flexible section 2c which turn to the right through a rear section 2d is limited. The rear portion has at its right end an entrance opening 4 on.

In the embodiment shown, the rear portion has a stiffening reasons an intermediate wall, which with a passage opening 28 is provided.

The entrance opening 4 and the exit opening 6 are fluidly in communication with each other. The connection is through the interior 5 which passes through the individual sections 2a . 2 B . 2c . 2d is formed, realized.

The catheter valve 1 has a main flow direction 7 showing the direction of flow from the inlet opening 4 to the exit opening 6 represents.

In the illustrated embodiment, the main flow direction corresponds 7 a longitudinal axis of the catheter valve 1 ,

Furthermore, a closure element is oriented in the main flow direction 8th arranged, which is parallel to the main flow direction 7 around the shift 16 is displaceable. This closure element 8th is in the form of a plug, which in the drawing left a bevelled and circumferential sealing surface 8a having.

This sealing surface 8a occurs with the valve closed, as shown, with the inside of the exit section 2a in contact and thereby interrupts the fluidic connection between the inlet opening 4 and outlet 6 ,

In the illustrated embodiment, the first section 2a made of flexible material, with its inner surface a sealing connection with the sealing surface 8a with closed catheter valve 1 to be able to train and around an elastic tip of the catheter valve 1 to increase comfort for a patient, especially under clothing or lying down to increase.

Furthermore, the exit section 2a designed so flexible that it with a trained as a stepped cone hard tip of a drain hose 22 can connect, creating a sealing force and / or positive connection between the outlet section 2a and the drain hose 22 is trained.

The closure element 8th is in the case 2 in the embodiment shown in the front section 2 B , guided. The front section 2 B is hard or stiff for this purpose, to the leadership of the closure element 8th parallel to the main flow direction 7 to ensure. The leadership of the closure element 8th parallel to the main flow direction 7 is in 2 through the adjacent inner surfaces of the front section 2 B on the side surface of the closure element 8th shown.

On housing sites that are not used to guide the closure element 8th contribute, are channels 2f in the spaces between the inside of the housing and the closure element 8th educated.

The front section 2 B closes a flexible section 2c at. In the illustration in 1 above is on the flexible section 2c a corrugated actuator 10 formed, for example, manually by a finger 15 an actuating movement 14 performs.

The actuator 10 here is integral with the flexible section 2c educated.

In the interior 5 is the actuator 10 with a conversion element 12 in contact. This conversion element 12 is designed in the form of a spring element, which support sections 12a and operating sections 12b having.

The conversion element 12 is on the one hand on a leadership 9 against the direction of actuation 14 stored and parallel to the main flow direction 7 guided, and is supported by the support sections 12a at a projection 2e inside the case 2 from. The operating sections 12b stand with the closure element 8th in contact. For this purpose, the closure element 8th at his, the sealing surface 8a parallel to the main flow direction 7 opposite surface, a rod 8c on, which is opposite to the main flow direction 7 extends. On this rod 8c is a plate 8d formed on the left side of the actuating portions 12b of the actuating element 12 nudge.

The right surface of the plate 8d is on the other hand with a spring 18 in contact, which is inside the housing 2 at the intermediate wall with the passage opening 28 supports and the plate 8d and thus the sealing element 8th with a spring force in the main flow direction 7 applied.

The partition wall with the passage opening 28 can also only the task of supporting the spring 18 take over when the case 2 at this point is designed sufficiently rigid.

In a further embodiment, not shown, of the invention, instead of the intermediate wall, only one projection in the housing is provided to support the spring 18 to ensure. This ensures that fluid at this point in the main flow direction 7 can flow without great flow resistance.

The rod 8c extends opposite to the main flow direction 7 over the plate 8d out and thus serves the spring 18 for fixing or detenting, so that they are not transverse to the main flow direction 7 from the plate 8d can slip.

The flexible section 2c joins in the 1 to the right a rear section 2d at. This is formed of hard or rigid material, wherein the outer surface tapers to the right and in an inlet opening 4 ends.

By rejuvenating the outer surface of the rear section 2d is it possible to have a hose 20 , in particular a catheter tube on the rear section 2d aufzustecken and this with the inlet opening 4 fluidly connect.

The outer surface of the rear section 2d has circumferential, tooth-shaped undercuts 26 on, which are oriented so that they slip off the hose 20 complicate, as they are in the inner surface of the hose 20 wedge.

In the illustration shown are joints 3a . 3b . 3c marked, in which the respective sections 2a . 2 B . 2c . 2d of the housing 2 connected to each other.

These connection points 3a . 3b . 3c are in the form of hard-soft chemical compounds in which the molecules of the two sections are interconnected. The connection points 3a . 3b . 3c are for example in the form of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) combined with a hard thermoplastic.

3 shows the front part of the catheter valve 1 as shown 1 in the opened by manual operation state.

In this illustration was by the finger 15 the actuator 10 pressed down.

By contact with the actuator 10 became the implementation element 12 in the illustration shown transversely to the main flow direction 7 upset as it is on the lead 9 against the actuator 10 supported, whereas the conversion element 12 parallel to the main flow direction 7 was extended.

Due to the fact that the support sections 12a of the conversion element 12 on the housing-fixed projection 2e can support the extent of the conversion element 12 only counter to the main flow direction 7 respectively. That is, only the operating sections 12b shift against the main flow direction 7 ,

Since the operating section 12b with the plate 8d the closure element 8th is in contact, now acts on the plate 8d a force from the conversion element 12 ,

The conversion element 12 So is able to an actuating force or an actuating movement 14 a finger 15 or an actuating element 10 which transverse, in particular perpendicular to the main flow direction 7 is oriented to convert into a force or a displacement which parallel, in particular opposite to the main flow direction 7 is oriented.

The conversion element 12 thus acts as a translation, which changes not only an actuating force in height, but also in their orientation.

Influence on this translation of the displacement or on this translation of the force, for example, the spring constant, ie the rigidity of the conversion element 12 as well as its geometric design.

The conversion element 12 is designed so that the resulting force on the plate 8d so high is that they are the biasing force of the spring 18 and possible on the closure element 8th acting pressure forces by pending liquids, especially urine, within the interior 5 overcomes, causing the closure element 8th which with the plate 8d over the bar 8c is connected, against the main flow direction 7 in the interior 5 is moved.

This dissolves the sealing surface 8a from the inside of the exit section 2a , whereby the fluidic connection between the inlet opening 4 and the exit opening 6 is released.

Fluid, especially urine, can now pass from the inlet 4 through the interior 5 to the outlet 6 for example, according to the partial flow directions 7a stream.

By the actuation of the actuating element 10 becomes the section 2c of the housing 2 deformed. This mainly causes bending and tensile loads in the joints 3b . 3c in which transitions to harder or stiffer sections are present.

The housing 2 , especially the flexible section 2c as well as the connection points 3b . 3c , are designed so that set as low as possible bending and tensile / compressive loads when operated. This is achieved by having the flexible section 2c as far as possible parallel to the main flow direction 7 extends and that the conversion element 12 is formed so that the smallest possible actuation movement for a release of the fluidic connection is sufficient.

This results in the least possible deformation radii upon actuation, whereby the bending and tensile / compressive loads in the joints 3b . 3c be kept low, creating a risk of wear or failure of the joints 3b . 3c and thus reduce the risk of leakage.

4 shows an alternative embodiment of a joint 3a . 3b . 3c between a soft and a hard section of the housing 2 of the catheter valve 1 ,

Exemplary here is the upper region of the junction 3b between the front section 2 B and the flexible section 2c out 1 shown. On the presentation of other elements that are not designed to connect the two sections was omitted for reasons of clarity.

The flexible section 2c is made of soft material, the front section 2 B made of hard material.

Both sections 2 B . 2c are designed to overlap each other, in this embodiment, the front portion 2 B on its overlapping part with circumferential noses 30 provided in corresponding recesses of the overlapping part of the flexible section 2c to grab.

Both sections 2 B . 2c are designed so that they are to the interior 5 are aligned flush with each other, so that in the interior 5 through this connection results in a housing wall without projections.

Furthermore, both sections have 2 B . 2c over a circumferential recess in the a locking ring 24 is used. This also has protruding and, for example, rotating elements, here a nose 32 and a tip 34 , which in corresponding recesses of the two sections 2 B . 2c intervention. The locking ring 24 thus can not be parallel to the main flow direction 7 be moved because it is fitted form-fitting.

The locking ring 24 runs in the illustration shown over the entire circumference of the housing 2 , causing the front section 2 B and the flexible section 2c connects with each other.

The locking ring 24 For example, formed of hard plastic or metal, may further be such that it is pressed into the connection shown, so that it has a holding force to the main flow direction 7 developed and the overlapping areas of the sections 2 B . 2c pressed together.

A seal of the interior 5 outwardly through the connection shown through can by special vote of the materials of the sections 2 B . 2c be reached, so for example, the softer section 2c to the noses 30 the harder section 2 B tightly fitting.

Furthermore, in this connection, for example, a seal in the form of one or more O-rings may be provided.

Basically, this connection is designed such that an overlapping part of a soft section, here that of the flexible section 2c by two hard-formed sections, in this case the overlapping part of the front section 2 B and the locking ring 24 , edged and clamped, for example.

The 5 . 6 show cross-sectional views AA an embodiment according to the invention according to the drawn section profile 3 ,

It is the front section 2 B of the housing 2 and the closure element 8th shown. This is in the embodiment in 5 in the front section 2 B in the drawing left and right led. Above and below the closure element 8th run in the front section 2 B the channels 2f , what a 1 also above and below the closure element 8th are arranged.

In 6 an alternative embodiment is shown in which the closure element 8th fully in the front section 2 B is guided. Right and left of the guide are the channels 2f arranged. These run behind the closure element 8th again together around the liquid flowing through, in particular the urine, to the outlet section 2a respectively.

7 shows a detailed view of the front part of the catheter valve 1 in the closed state.

It is the exit section 2a shown, the left in the drawing, the outlet opening 6 forms.

The closure element 8th touched with its sealing surface 8a the inner surface of the outlet section 2a in full, reducing the interior space 5 of the housing 2 completely from the outlet 6 is disconnected. The catheter valve 1 is closed.

Furthermore, on the closure element 8th a passage 8b intended. sealing surface 8a , Passage 8b and the inner surface of the exit portion 2a are formed such that the passage 8b with closed catheter valve 1 fluidly from the interior 5 is disconnected.

On the other hand shows 8th a detailed view of the front part of the catheter valve 1 in, by a plugged, in particular through the outlet opening 6 introduced drain hose 22 or its, designed as a stepped cone, hard tip permanently open state.

In the exit opening 6 the exit section 2a is a drain hose 22 introduced, wherein the exit section 2a is adapted to the drain hose 22 adapt to form a sealing and / or force and / or positive connection. The step cone of the drain hose 22 thus ensures that the urine only through an inner channel of the drain hose 22 is derived and that no urine through the outlet 6 from the catheter valve 1 can flow.

The drain hose 22 abuts with its in the drawing right end to the left end of the closure element 8th and press this against the spring 18 which z. In 1 is shown, against the main flow direction 7 back.

The opening of the drain hose 22 and the passage 8b are coordinated so that a fluidic connection of the interior 5 , in particular of the channel 2f , trains. On the other hand, the fluidic connection of the interior 5 or the channel 2f to the outlet 6 through the drain hose 22 blocked. Liquid, especially urine, can thus from the inlet opening 4 for example, via the partial flow directions 7a in the drain hose 22 stream.

The exit section 2a is adapted to the inserted drain hose 22 against the force of the spring 18 to fix, so that the closure element 8th permanently in the interior 5 remains shifted.

So it is possible the catheter valve 1 permanently open, for example, a Urinsammelbehältnis for permanent bladder emptying, for example, for the night, via the drain hose 22 fluidly with a hose 20 connect to.

A permanent opening of the catheter valve 1 is thus without further devices for locking the closure element 8th possible.

In the 9 . 10 is another embodiment of a catheter valve according to the invention 1 shown in a side view.

The arrangement of the individual components is essentially comparable to the embodiment of FIGS 1 to 3 , Therefore, the reference numerals have largely been dispensed with, which features the same, according to the 1 to 3 , mark.

The embodiment shown differs from that of the 1 to 3 in that the flexible section 2c which is the actuating element 10 contains, not around the full housing circumference runs.

In 10 you can see clearly that the flexible section 2c only over half the height of the housing 2 that is half the circumference of the case 2 , over a certain distance parallel to the main flow direction 7 extends.

The front section 2 B and the back section 2d abut in the drawing below the flexible section 2c together and thereby close the housing 2 ,

The further function of this embodiment corresponds to the function of the embodiment of the 1 to 3 ,

By this embodiment, further connection points arise 3d . 3e ,

The connection point 3d is essentially according to the connection points 3b . 3c educated.

The connection point 3e corresponds for example to a chemical hard-hard connection, or may also be glued or formed positive and / or non-positive.

11 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of a catheter valve according to the invention 1 in a side view.

For the sake of clarity, reference numbers for features which correspond to those of the embodiment of FIG 1 to 3 correspond, largely dispensed with.

In this embodiment, a conversion element 12 provided, the elastic portion is carried out in a C-shape, wherein this in a support portion 12a ends and an operating section 12b formed by the bulging of the C-shape to the right.

The housing 2 , especially the front section 2 B and the back section 2d collide with each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, the flexible portion 2c , similar to the embodiment in FIG 10 , not completely on the case 2 trained, but only in the upper area in the illustration.

At the interface of both sections 2 B . 2d is the lead 2e in the interior 5 formed, which with the support portion 12a in contact.

The operating section 12b again stands with the plate 8d in contact, which over the bar 8c with the closure element 8th connected is.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the actuating element 10 integral with the conversion element 12 formed, wherein the actuating element 10 in the flexible section 2c is inserted flush and sealing.

In addition, the actuator has 10 over a stop section 10a which is formed in this embodiment as a vertical rod in the drawing and with the actuating element 10 is integrally formed.

The stop section 10a is designed such that it is closed catheter valve 1 not on the opposite housing wall, in this case the housing wall of the front section 2 B , abuts.

Will the actuator 10 through a finger 15 in an actuating movement 14 pressed down, the C-shaped portion of the conversion element 12 compressed.

Due to the fact that the support section 12a with the lead 2e in contact, this can no shift from the compression experience. Instead, the C-shaped section bulges out, causing the operating section 12b in the drawing to the right, ie opposite to the main flow direction 7 , is postponed.

Because the plate 8d with the operating section 12b is in contact, this experiences a force acting to the right, ie opposite to the main flow direction 7 , This will the biasing force of the spring 18 a force opposite and the plate 8d that with the staff 8c and thus the closure element 8th is connected, moves to the right, ie opposite to the main flow direction 7 , This will be a shift 16 the closure element 8th reached and the catheter valve 1 is in the open state.

Now leads the finger 15 the actuating movement 14 continue from, so this presses more on the actuator 10 , so at some point the stop section 10a against the inside of the front section 2 B ,

Because the front section 2 B is executed hard, experiences the actuator 10 thereby a suddenly increased, or abruptly increased counterforce, which causes a patient to the actuator 10 not push further or press.

This is a limitation of the actuating movement 14 realized, whereby an overload of the conversion element 12 and / or the actuating element 10 and / or the closure element 8th is avoided by pressing too hard.

In a further embodiment, the shift could 16 the closure element 8th For example, be limited by a stop when this is designed so that it, for example, as a projection of the housing 2 in the interior 5 the shift 16 counteracts. Such a projection could, for example, on the rod 8c or the plate 8d or the closure element 8th attack yourself.

In a further embodiment, for example, the compression / expansion of the conversion element 12 be limited by a stop, so that a compression / expansion of the conversion element 12 can not be performed further than a maximum allowable movement.

Furthermore, an implementation element 12 as shown in 11 conceivable, the several support sections 12a , and / or operating sections 12b , and / or stop sections.

12 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of a catheter valve according to the invention 1 in a side view.

For the sake of clarity, reference numbers for features which correspond to those of the embodiment of FIG 1 to 3 correspond, largely dispensed with.

In this embodiment, the flexible section 2c again completely around the case 2 educated. However, there are now at opposite points, in the illustration above and below, two actuators 10 which both by a finger 15 can be pressed simultaneously and / or individually.

Both actuators 10 stand each with a conversion element 12 in contact, creating a force through the actuator 10 to the appropriate implementation element 12 can be transferred.

Both implementation elements 12 are supported in the embodiment shown transversely to the main flow direction 7 from each other, whereby no guidance along the main flow direction 7 is necessary.

Both implementation elements 12 have support sections 12a , which are at a projection 2e in the case 2 against the main flow direction 7 support.

Both implementation elements 12 have operating sections 12b , which adhere to the plate 8d the closure element 8th support.

Upon actuation of one of the actuators 10 , for example, in actuating movement 14 becomes an implementation element 12 against the other conversion element 12 pressed.

The non-actuated conversion element 12 in turn is supported on the housing wall of the interior 5 more precisely on the inside of the flexible section 2c , from.

As a result, both implementation elements 12 transverse to the main flow direction 7 compressed and parallel to the main flow direction 7 stretched, with the support sections 12a at the projection 2e in the case 2 support and thus not parallel to the main flow direction 7 can move. Therefore, the operation sections 12b against the main flow direction 7 moved, causing the plate 8d apply an actuating force.

This creates a counterforce on the spring 18 , which causes the spring force is overcome.

As a result, the dish becomes 8d through the conversion elements 12 , in particular their operating sections 12b , against the main flow direction 7 shifted, which also causes the closure element 8th which over the bar 8c with the plate 8d is connected, is moved. This is the catheter valve 1 in the open state.

The illustrated embodiment may further be via both actuators 10 be operated simultaneously, for example by pressing from the top with a thumb and from the bottom with an index finger of the same hand.

Furthermore, the embodiment shown here facilitates the operation, since two actuators 10 are present and thus the probability is higher that a patient at least one actuator 10 relatively quickly.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Rather, further embodiments are conceivable that can be formed by combining individual features of the embodiments shown here.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

catheter valve

2

casing

2a

exit section

2 B

front section

2c

flexible section

2d

rear section

2e

head Start

2f

channel

3a

Junction (exit section - front section)

3b

Joint (front section - flexible section)

3c

Junction (flexible section - rear section)

3d

Joint (flexible section - front / rear section)

3e

Joint (front section - rear section)

4

inlet opening

5

inner space

6

outlet opening

7

Main flow direction

7a

Part flow pattern

8th

closure element

8a

sealing surface

8b

passage

8c

Rod

8d

Plate

9

guide

10

jig

10a

stop section

12

conversion element

12a

support section

12b

actuating section

14

actuating movement

15

finger

16

shift

18

Spring element (spring)

20

Tube (catheter tube)

22

drain hose

24

Restraining

26

Tooth (circumferential tooth-shaped undercut)

28

Port

30

nose

32

nose

34

top

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0873763 A2 [0003]
• DE 102007027623 A1 [0004]

Claims (20)

Catheter valve (1) comprising: - a housing (2), with an inlet opening (4) and an outlet opening (6), which are fluidically connected with each other, and - a closure element (8) which can be displaced parallel to a main flow direction (7) is designed to interrupt the fluidic connection and release, characterized in that - at least one actuating element (10) is provided, which is adapted to be operated transversely to the main flow direction (7) manually. Catheter valve (1) after Claim 1 , wherein at least one conversion element (12) is provided which is adapted to implement an actuating movement (14) of the at least one actuating element (10) in a displacement (16) of the closure element (8) parallel to the main flow direction (7). Catheter valve (1) after Claim 1 or 2 wherein the at least one actuating element (10) is formed integrally with a flexible portion (2c) of the housing (2). Catheter valve (1) after Claim 3 wherein the flexible portion (2c) extends over part of an extension of the housing (2) parallel to the main flow direction (7) over the entire circumference of the housing (2) and / or a partial circumference of the housing (2). Catheter valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element (8) is adapted to interrupt the fluidic connection by means of elastic bias. Catheter valve (1) after Claim 5 , wherein for resilient bias in the housing (2) supported spring element (18) is provided. Catheter valve (1) after one of Claims 2 to 6 wherein the at least one conversion element (12) is adapted to elastically compress upon actuation of the at least one actuating element (10) in the actuating direction (14) and to expand at least parallel to the main flow direction (7). Catheter valve (1) after one of Claims 2 to 7 wherein the at least one conversion element (12) is supported parallel to the main flow direction (7) with one side in the housing (2) and with another side on the closure element (8). Catheter valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a rear portion (2d) of the housing (2) is adapted to be connected with a hose (20) sealingly and / or positively and / or non-positively. Catheter valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an exit portion (2a) of the housing (2) is provided, which is designed to with the closure element (8) in an interrupted fluidic connection in contact, and / or with a discharge hose (22) by means of the outlet opening (6) form a sealing, positive and / or non-positive connection. Catheter valve (1) after Claim 10 in that the closure element (8) and / or the spring element (18) are designed such that the closure element (8) is displaced through the drain hose (22) in the direction of the displacement (16), and that the closure element (8) by means of at least a passage (8b) establishes a fluidic connection between inlet opening (4) and outlet hose (22). Catheter valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element (8) is guided parallel to the main flow direction (7) relative to the housing (2) and / or through the housing (2). Catheter valve (1) after one of Claims 2 to 12 , wherein the at least one conversion element (12) is designed as a C- and / or H- and / or X- and / or O-shaped spring element and / or in another form, which preferably in compression in one direction, an extension in has a different direction, and / or is formed of plastic and / or metal. Catheter valve (1) after one of Claims 2 to 13 in which the at least one conversion element (12) has an abutment portion, and / or the actuation element (10) has an abutment portion (10a), and / or the closure element (8) has an abutment portion which is adapted to control the actuation movement (14) and / or to limit the conversion by the conversion element (12), and / or the displacement (16). Catheter valve (1) after Claim 14 wherein the abutment portion (10a) of the actuating element (10) or the abutment portion of the closure element (8) or the conversion element (12) with maximum actuation movement and / or maximum compression / expansion of the conversion element (12) and / or maximum displacement (16) the housing (2) come into contact, and the housing (2) is adapted to the actuating movement (14) and / or the displacement (16) and / or to limit the compression / expansion of the conversion element (12). Catheter valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (2) soft / flexible and / or hard / rigid sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), and / or no further opening except the inlet opening (4) and the outlet opening (6). Catheter valve (1) after Claim 16 , wherein the sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are bonded together by gluing and / or by a chemical compound and / or by positive and / or non-positive engagement. Catheter valve (1) after Claim 16 or 17 wherein two adjoining sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are interconnected by means of a locking ring (24). Catheter valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (2) in the main flow direction (7) has a circular cross-section, and / or a rounded, in two directions of extension perpendicular to the main flow direction (7) extending cross section, wherein this cross-section extends further in one of the extension directions than in the other. Catheter valve (1) after one of Claims 10 to 19 wherein the outlet section (2a) and / or the closure element (8) and / or a separate seal, which is provided at the outlet section (2a) and / or at the closure element (8), are designed to sealingly interrupt the fluidic connection.

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