Valve for Regulating the Flow of A Liquid

Abstract

A new valve for regulating the flow of liquid has two housings that are removably attached to one another. When the housings are separated, the liquid can no longer pass through the valve. A system of magnetic elements is used to cycle the flow of liquid (urine) through the valve. The valve is typically connected to an indwelling bladder catheter and the valve allows the patient to be at least temporarily disconnected from a collection bag.

1 . A valve for regulating the flow of a liquid therethrough comprising:
 a first housing having an inlet and an outlet;   a second housing removably attachable to the first housing, the second housing having an opening extending therethrough;   a first magnet disposed in the first housing in a predetermined position, the first magnet being stationary relative to the housing;   a second magnet disposed in the first housing, the second magnet movable relative to the first magnet; and   a sealing member disposed in the first housing adjacent the outlet, the sealing member sealing the outlet in the first housing when the second housing is disengaged from the first housing.   
     
     
         2 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the outlet of the first housing engages the opening in the second housing. 
     
     
         5 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member includes an elastic member that engages a portion of the first housing and the second housing has a projection that engages the sealing member and compresses the elastic member when the second housing engages the first housing. 
     
     
         6 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A removable housing to engage a housing with at least one closable opening therein, the removable housing comprising:
 an outer housing having first end to engage the housing with at least one closable opening and a second end to engage tubing;   an opening extending between the first end and the second end of the outer housing;   a latch disposed adjacent the first end to engage at least a portion of the housing with at least one closable opening to maintain the removable housing in contact with the housing with at least one closable opening; and   a projection disposed at least partially within the opening, the projection extending from a base toward a proximate end of the outer housing and configured to be disposed within an opening of the housing with at least one closable opening; and   openings adjacent the base of the projection.   
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A valve for regulating the flow of a liquid therethrough comprising:
 a first housing having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet and outlet being in fluid communication with one another;   a second housing removably attachable to the first housing, the second housing having an opening extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the outlet of the first housing when the second housing is connected to the first housing; and   a sealing member disposed in the first housing between the inlet and the outlet, the sealing member sealing the outlet in the first housing when the second housing is disengaged from the first housing.   
     
     
         13 . The valve according to  claim 12 , further comprising a resealable opening disposed in the first housing. 
     
     
         14 . The valve according to  claim 12 , further comprising a vent disposed in the second housing. 
     
     
         15 . The valve according to  claim 12 , wherein the outlet of the first housing engages the opening in the second housing. 
     
     
         16 . The valve according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a first magnet disposed in the first housing in a predetermined position, the first magnet being stationary relative to the housing; and   a second magnet disposed entirely within the first housing, the second magnet movable relative to the first magnet.   
     
     
         17 . The valve according to  claim 13 , wherein the resealable opening is accessible by a needleless syringe. 
     
     
         18 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the second magnet is disposed between the inlet and outlet of the first housing. 
     
     
         19 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein sealing member disposed in the first housing between the inlet and the outlet. 
     
     
         20 . The valve of  claim 10 , wherein the openings are disposed between the projection and the outer housing. 
     
     
         21 . The valve of  claim 10 , wherein the projection has an outside surface extending from a proximate end to the base and wherein the fluid flows around the outside surface of the projection. 
     
     
         22 . The valve of  claim 12 , wherein the sealing member is movable between a first position and a second position upon removal of the second housing, the sealing member being disposed within the outlet of the first housing in the second position.