Gregory Lyle Jordan

US Patent:

62991329, Oct 9, 2001

Filed:

Mar 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/523354

Inventors:

Jacek M. Weinheimer - Treasure Island FL
Gregory S. Jordan - Palm Harbor FL

Assignee:

Halkey-Roberts Corporation - St. Petersburg FL

International Classification:

A61M 534

US Classification:

2511496

Abstract:

A reflux valve engageable with corresponding structure, such as with another corresponding valve or instrument. The reflux valve includes an actuator which is located in, and shiftable in, a valve body. When the corresponding structure is engaged with the actuator, the actuator shifts in the valve body, and pushes a valve stem out of engagement with a valve seat. As a result, liquid is allowed to flow, in one direction, through the actuator, past the valve seat, along an area adjacent a periphery of the valve stem, and out the valve body. Preferably, when the valve stem is unseated from the valve seat, liquid can also flow in an opposite direction, i. e. along an area adjacent a periphery of the valve stem, past the valve seat, through the actuator, and out the valve body. Preferably, a spring or an extended end portion of the valve stem biases the valve stem into the valve seat. Regardless, preferably the valve stem unseats from the valve seat only upon the actuator being engaged by the corresponding structure.