Passive restart y-site

Abstract

A fluid delivery Y-site is described that is configured to receive and control delivery of two or more fluid flows. Fluid flow is controlled within a chamber by a valve and float. Flow of a primary fluid into the chamber is reduced or halted by the movement of a valve. The valve may occlude a first flow port into the chamber in response fluid flowing from a second flow port into the chamber. A float is moveably disposed within the chamber and configured to engage the valve in response a fluid flow into the chamber from the second flow port. As fluid flow from the second flow port into the chamber is reduced or ceases, the valve and float allow the flow from the first flow port to once again enter the chamber and exit from an outlet port.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid delivery Y-site device comprising:
 a first flow port, a second flow port, a chamber fluidly coupled between the first and second flow ports;   a valve guide positioned in the chamber between the first and second flow ports, the valve guide having a lower portion and an upper portion, and a peripheral opening extending through a perimeter of the valve guide; and   a valve positioned in the chamber between the first flow port and the lower portion of the valve guide, and configured to move between an occluding configuration and an open configuration based on a level of fluid within the chamber,   wherein, in the occluding configuration, the valve is engaged against the first flow port to occlude a fluid flow through the first flow port into the chamber, and in the open configuration, the valve is separated from the first flow port such that the fluid flow can move around a circumference of the valve and through the peripheral opening of the valve guide.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 1 , wherein, in the open configuration, the valve is engaged against lower portion of the valve guide to resist movement of the valve toward the second flow port. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the valve guide comprises a plurality of fingers, and the peripheral opening is formed adjacent fingers of the plurality of fingers. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 1 , wherein a passage extends through the lower portion of the valve guide. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 4 , wherein the passage is offset from a central axis of the valve guide. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 1 , wherein the valve comprises a convex upper surface configured to engage against the first flow port and a concave lower surface configured to engage against the valve guide. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 6 , wherein the concave lower surface comprises a circumferential edge configured to engage against the lower portion of the valve guide. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 1 , further comprising a third flow port fluidly coupled to the chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 8 , wherein the third flow port is fluidly coupled to the chamber between the first and second flow ports. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 1 , further comprising a float positioned within the chamber between the valve and the second flow port. 
     
     
         11 . A fluid delivery Y-site device comprising:
 a first flow port, a second flow port, a chamber fluidly coupled between the first and second flow ports, wherein a fluid flow pathway extends from the first flow port and through the chamber to the second flow port;   a valve guide positioned in the chamber between the first and second flow ports, the valve guide having a lower portion and an upper portion, and a peripheral opening extending through a perimeter of the valve guide; and   a valve positioned in the chamber between the first flow port and the lower portion of the valve guide, and configured to move between an occluding configuration and an open configuration based on a level of fluid within the chamber,   wherein, in the occluding configuration, the valve is engaged against the first flow port to resist a fluid flow along the fluid flow pathway, and in the open configuration, the valve is separated from the first flow port such that the fluid flow pathway extends around a circumference of the valve and through the peripheral opening of the valve guide.   
     
     
         12 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 11 , wherein, in the open configuration, the valve is engaged against lower portion of the valve guide to resist movement of the valve toward the second flow port. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 11 , wherein the upper portion of the valve guide comprises a plurality of fingers, and the peripheral opening is formed adjacent fingers of the plurality of fingers. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 11 , wherein a passage extends through the lower portion of the valve guide, and wherein the fluid flow pathway extends through the passage. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 14 , wherein the passage is offset from a central axis of the valve guide. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 11 , wherein the valve comprises a convex upper surface configured to engage against the first flow port and a concave lower surface configured to engage against the valve guide. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 16 , wherein the concave lower surface comprises a circumferential edge configured to engage against the lower portion of the valve guide. 
     
     
         18 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 11 , further comprising a third flow port fluidly coupled to the chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 18 , wherein the third flow port is fluidly coupled to the chamber between the first and second flow ports. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid delivery Y-site device of  claim 11 , further comprising a float positioned within the chamber between the valve and the second flow port.