Patent Application
20050139276
This application claims priority to Application number FR 03 51031, titled “Three-way tap for the distribution of fluids, and its use”, filed in France on Dec. 11, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
This invention relates generally to perfusion devices used to perform synthetic chemistry operations for the production of pharmaceutical compounds. In particular, the present invention relates to a three-way valve for the distribution of fluids.
Perfusion devices, which are used classically in medicine, especially for providing care to bed-ridden patients, include one or more three-way valves. These devices are fed by pouches, bottles, syringes and the like through conduits. A valve is normally placed on the conduit which goes from the fluid container to the perfusion device. When several different fluids are to be administered, there are known ways of placing a three-way valve, also referred to as a three-way tap, for each fluid. Two passages of the valve are located on a main conduit while the third passage is connected to the fluid container. In certain cases, if the number of fluids to be injected is great, an array or bank of three-way valves may be cascade-mounted on the main conduit.
The valves conventionally used in the field of perfusion devices are of the core valve type. This kind of valve consists of a cylindrical part drilled with a radial channel, which is the core. This part can rotate on its axis and is inserted into a fixed valve body provided with at least two holes. When a hole of the channel of the core faces a hole of the fixed body, the valve is open on this outlet (which may be an inlet). When the core is turned to a position in which no hole of the channel comes before a given outlet of the fixed body, this outlet is closed.
The three-way valve is classically formed by a fixed body provided with three holes placed at 90° with respect to each other. A T-shaped channel is formed by drilling a first channel going from one side of a core to the other along a diameter. A half-channel is then drilled from the periphery of the core at right angles to the first channel, leading up perpendicularly into the middle of the first channel. In a first position of the core, a first outlet from the body, facing a first half-channel that is along the diameter, is thus connected to a second outlet from the body, facing the half-channel at right angles. In a second position of the core, the second outlet of the body facing the half-channel at right angles is thus connected to a third outlet of the body facing the second half-channel that is along the diameter. In a third position of the core, the outlets of the body facing the two half-channels placed along the diameter are connected to each other. In a fourth and last position of the core, the three outlets are connected to each other.
When used in a process of chemical synthesis, the aforementioned three-way valve raises a problem of rinsing. In every case except the last one, a channel segment remains filled with a fluid that has gone through it in a previous step. Therefore, when different solutions are to be transferred in succession through the valve, numerous rinsing steps are required to prevent the remaining fluid from polluting the next solution.
An additional concern with currently available valves is the high cost. If the valve is integrated into a device designed for one-time use, whereby the valve is to be disposable, the cost of purchasing replacement valves may be prohibitive.
Therefore, apparatus and method are desired to distribute fluids that address the problems noted above and others previously experienced. Certain embodiments of the present invention are intended to meet these needs and other objectives that will become apparent from the description and drawings set forth below.
In one embodiment, an apparatus for distributing fluid comprises a circular, cylindrical valve body and a circular, cylindrical core. The body is centered with respect to a cylinder axis and has a perimeter. Three outlets, each of which communicates with one of three conduits, are positioned at 120 degrees relative to each other on the perimeter of the body. The core comprises a channel and a rotational axis which is collinear with respect to the cylinder axis of the body. The core has a periphery and fits into the body wherein the perimeter and periphery are in communication with each other. The core is rotatable within the body, and the channel connects two of the three outlets of the body to each other according to the position of the core with respect to the body.
In another embodiment, a method for distribution of fluid comprises inserting a circular, cylindrical core into a circular, cylindrical valve body to form a three-way valve. The body comprises three outlets positioned equidistant relative to each other on a perimeter, each of which communicate with one of three conduits. The core comprises a channel having first and second holes at either end for conveying fluid between two of the outlets. By rotating the core to a first position, the channel interconnects two of the outlets.
In another embodiment, an apparatus for the distribution of fluid comprises an array of at least two three-way valves. Each of the three-way valves comprises a circular, cylindrical valve body and a circular, cylindrical core. The body is centered with respect to a cylinder axis and has a perimeter with three outlets positioned at 120 degrees relative to each other which communicate with one of three conduits. The core comprises a rotational axis which is collinear with respect to the cylinder axis. The core has a periphery and fits into the body with the perimeter and periphery in communication with each other. A channel within the core connects two of the three outlets of the body to each other according to a position of the core with respect to the body. A common general conduit is in communication with at least one of the outlets of each of the three-way valves and interconnects the array.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.
The three-way valves 1, 17 and 18 are formed in the same manner. Thus, only exemplary three-way valve 1 will be discussed. The three-way valve 1 has a circular, cylindrical valve body 5. The body 5 is centered with respect to a cylinder axis 6. The body 5 is provided with three outlets 7, 8 and 9 forming access points for three conduits 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The three outlets 7, 8 and 9 of the body 5 are positioned at 120° relative to one another on a circular, cylindrical perimeter 12 of the body 5.
The three-way valve 1 has a circular, cylindrical core 10. The core 10 fits into the body 5. The core 10 has a periphery 14 and an axis of rotation that is collinear with the cylinder axis 6. The core 10 comprises a secant channel 13 leading out on either side to the periphery 14 of the core 10. Holes 15 and 16 are at either end of the channel 13. The channel 13 is called secant because it is preferably straight and follows a non-diametrical secant line positioned on the circular cylindrical perimeter 12. In other words, the channel 13 is straight and off-center with respect to the cylinder axis 6. Depending upon the position of the core 10 in the body 5, the channel 13 connects two of the three outlets 7, 8 and 9 of the body 5 to each other. In order to orient the core 10 within the body 5 as desired, the core 10 may be attached to a wheel 11.
As illustrated in
Such an arrangement favors the making of the ramp, bank, or array of three-way valves 30. Returning to
The body 5 and the core 10 may be made of plastic, especially with a view to a one-time type of use. It should be appreciated, however, that other suitable materials may be used. By way of example only, the core 10 may have a diameter of 8 millimeters (mm) and the channel 13 may have a diameter of 1 to 2 mm. The core 10 may be hollow, having only a wall of the channel 13 within the peripheral wall 14. The entire core 10 may be made by injection molding. In addition, the core 10 is provided with a clip 20 and the body 5 of the three-way valve 1 provides a recess on an interior surface of the body 5 (the recess is not shown) to receive the clip 20. In this way, the assembly, and the holding of the core 10 and body 5 of the three-way valve 1 may be facilitated. By forming the valve 1 with plastic or other similar material, when using the three-way valve 1 for perfusion, there is no need to make a sealing joint. The periphery 14 of the core 10 and perimeter 12 of the body 5 facing each other are smooth enough to permit free rotation and to maintain a tight seal at low pressure.
By way of example only, the three-way valve 1 may be integrated into a radiochemical synthesis device for one-time use. The three-way valve 1 provides a lower cost solution with no mixing of undrained fluid, as was previously experienced.
While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR 03 51031 | Dec 2003 | FR | national |
