REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is hereby made to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/000,551, filed May 20, 2014 and entitled "LOCKABLE VALVE", the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety and priority of which is hereby claimed pursuant to 37 CFR 1.78(a) (4) and (5)(i).

Reference is also made to the following U.S. patents and published patent application, owned by assignee, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference, which are believed to relate to subject matter related to the subject matter of the present application:

U.S. Patent Nos. 5,578,016; 7,984,730 and 8,534,321; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0014207.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to stopcocks generally and more particularly to stopcocks for medical use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of stopcocks are known for medical use. One example of a stopcock particularly designed for blood sampling is described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0119508. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improved stopcock.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a stopcock including a base portion, the base portion defining at least a first port, a second port and a third port, which extend generally along parallel axes, a handle portion, rotatably and sealingly engaging the base portion, the handle portion being rotatable relative to the base portion between a first operative orientation in which the first port is coupled only to the second port and a second operative orientation in which the first port is coupled only to the third port and a second operative orientation locking assembly including a resilient locking pin operative to lock the handle portion in the second operative orientation.

Preferably, the second operative orientation locking assembly is formed as part of the base portion. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the resilient locking pin includes a depressable pin which engages the handle portion and prevents it from rotation out of the second operative orientation.

Preferably, the second port and the third port lie alongside each other. Additionally or alternatively, the first port extends outwardly in a generally opposite direction from the second port and the third port.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the resilient locking pin includes a flexible arm portion and an upstanding pin.

Preferably, the base portion includes a planar portion and an upstanding portion extending perpendicular to the planar portion. Additionally, the upstanding portion limits clockwise rotation of the handle portion. Alternatively or additionally, the planar portion includes the resilient locking pin.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the base portion defines a generally cylindrical hub arranged about an axis, the axis being generally perpendicular to the planar portion. Additionally, the generally cylindrical hub defines an inner bore, the inner bore including a first aperture in fluid communication with the first port, a second aperture in fluid communication with the second port, and a third aperture, in fluid communication with the third port. Preferably, the base portion is formed of polycarbonate plastic. Additionally or alternatively, the handle portion is formed of polycarbonate plastic.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the handle portion includes a plug portion and an engagement portion. Additionally, the plug portion includes a transversely extending passageway having a tapered portion and a generally parallel portion. Additionally or alternatively, the engagement portion includes a generally circular portion, an arm and a finger engagement portion. Additionally, the finger engagement portion includes a finger engagement surface, a stop engaging surface, and a bottom locking pin engagement surface.

Preferably, the first port is a blood inlet port, the second port is a blood sampling outlet port and the third port is a blood donation outlet port. Additionally, the first operative orientation is a blood sampling operative orientation in which the blood inlet port is coupled only to the blood sampling outlet port and the second operative orientation is a blood donation operative orientation in which the blood inlet port is coupled only to the blood donation outlet port.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a stopcock including a base portion, the base portion defining a first finger engagement surface and at least a first port, a second port and a third port and a handle portion, rotatably and sealingly engaging the base portion, the handle portion being rotatable relative to the base portion between a first operative orientation in which the first port is coupled only to the second port and a second operative orientation in which the first port is coupled only to the third port, the handle portion defining a second finger engagement surface, the first finger engagement surface and the second finger engagement surface being configured to allow a user to rotate the handle portion from the first operative orientation to the second operative orientation using a single hand.

Preferably, the base portion includes a planar portion and an upstanding portion extending perpendicular to the planar portion and the upstanding portion includes the first finger engagement surface.

There is further provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention a stopcock including a base portion, the base portion defining at least a first port, a second port and a third port and a handle portion, rotatably and sealingly engaging the base portion, the handle portion being rotatable relative to the base portion between a first operative orientation in which the first port is coupled only to the second port and a second operative orientation in which the first port is coupled only to the third port, the handle portion including a transversely extending passageway, the passageway including a tapered portion and a generally parallel portion.

Preferably, the tapered portion has a first configuration at a first end thereof which is larger than a second configuration at a second end thereof, the configuration at the second end thereof matching a configuration of the generally parallel portion. Additionally, the first configuration is an oval configuration. Additionally or alternatively, the second configuration is a circular configuration.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the passageway is configured to provide fluid communication between the first port and one of the second port and the third port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Figs. 1A, IB and 2 are simplified pictorial illustrations of a preferred embodiment of a stopcock constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, taken from different angles;

Fig. 3 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a base portion of the stopcock of Figs. 1A - 2;

Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C are simplified sectional illustrations taken respectively in planes and directions designated A - A, B - B and C - C in Fig. 3;

Figs. 5 A, 5B and 5C are respective simplified pictorial view, side view and top view illustrations of a handle portion of the stopcock of Figs 1A -2, which cooperates with the base portion of Figs. 3 - 4C;

Figs. 6A and 6B are simplified sectional illustrations taken respectively in planes and directions designated A - A and B - B in Fig. 5B;

Figs. 7 A and 7B are respective simplified top view and side view illustrations of the stopcock of Figs. 1A - 2 in a first, blood sampling, operative orientation;

Fig. 7C is a simplified sectional view illustration taken along lines C - C in Fig. 7B;

Fig. 7D is a simplified sectional view illustration taken along lines D - D in Fig. 7C;

Figs. 8 A and 8B are respective simplified top view and side view illustrations of the stopcock of Figs. 1A - 2 in a second, intermediate orientation;

Fig. 8C is a simplified sectional view illustration taken along lines C - C in Fig. 8B;

Fig. 8D is a simplified sectional view illustration taken along lines D - D in Fig. 8C; Figs. 9 A and 9B are respective simplified top view and side view illustrations of the stopcock of Figs. 1A -2 in a third, locked, blood donation, operative orientation;

Fig. 9C is a simplified sectional view illustration taken along lines C - C in Fig. 9B; and

Fig. 9D is a simplified sectional view illustration taken along lines D - D in Fig. 9C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference is now made to Figs. 1A, IB and 2, which are simplified pictorial illustrations of a preferred embodiment of a stopcock constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and to Figs. 3 - 6B, which illustrate components thereof.

As seen in Figs. 1A - 6B, the stopcock, generally designated by reference numeral 100, preferably includes a base portion 110 and a handle portion 120.

The base portion 110 is preferably an integrally formed element, preferably injection molded of polycarbonate plastic material, which defines a generally cylindrical blood inlet port 130, which is configured to receive a blood supply line (not shown) which is connected to a patient. Base portion 110 also defines a generally cylindrical blood sampling outlet port 140, here labeled SAMPLING, which is configured to be connected to a blood sampling container (not shown) and a generally cylindrical blood donation outlet port 150, here labeled DONATING, which is configured to be connected to a blood donation container (not shown).

It is a particular feature of the present invention that ports 130, 140 and 150 extend along generally parallel, adjacent axes, that ports 140 and 150 lie alongside each other and that ports 140 and 150 on the one hand and port 130 on the other hand extend outwardly from the base portion 110 in mutually generally opposite directions. This feature reduces fluid stagnation areas and limits the extent of azimuthal rotation of the handle portion 120 relative to base portion 110 required to shift from sampling to donation operative orientations.

Base portion 110 also defines a generally semicircular planar portion

160, which joins outer walls of portions 130 and 150 and an upstanding portion 170, extending perpendicular to planar portion 160 and limiting clockwise azimuthal rotation of handle portion 120 relative thereto. Upstanding portion 170 preferably includes a curved finger engagement surface 172. Planar portion 160 includes a resiliency depressible locking pin portion 180 for selectable locking engagement with handle portion 120, when handle portion 120 is arranged in an extreme clockwise operative orientation with respect to base portion 110, corresponding to a blood donation operative orientation.

Resiliency depressible locking pin portion 180 preferably includes a flexible arm portion 182, which is partially separated from planar portion 160 by a peripheral cut 184 and is coupled to the remainder of planar portion 160 only at a narrow location 186. An upstanding pin 188, preferably having an inclined top face surface 190, is located on an end of arm portion 182 opposite from location 186.

Base portion 110 also defines a generally cylindrical hub 200, arranged about an axis 201 which is generally perpendicular to the plane of planar portion 160, which extends both above and below planar portion 160. As seen particularly clearly in Fig. 4B, hub 200 defines a generally cylindrical inner bore 202, having a generally cylindrical main bore portion 204, which is actually slightly downwardly inwardly tapered, an upwardly, outwardly tapered bore portion 206 and a widened top bore portion 208. Bore 202 also preferably has a downwardly, inwardly tapered bore portion 210, a narrowed intermediate lower bore portion 212 and a bottom bore portion 214, which defines a shoulder 216 with respect to narrowed intermediate lower bore portion 212.

Main bore portion 204 includes a blood inlet aperture 230, which communicates with blood inlet port 130, a blood sampling outlet aperture 240, which communicates with blood sampling outlet port 140, and a blood donation outlet aperture 250, which communicates with blood donation outlet port 150.

As partially seen with particularity in Fig. 4A, blood inlet aperture 230 communicates with blood inlet port 130 via a narrowed channel 260, blood sampling outlet aperture 240 communicates with blood sampling outlet port 140 via a channel 270, including a tapered portion 272 and a widened portion 274, and blood donation outlet aperture 250 communicates with blood donation outlet port 150 via a channel 280, including a tapered portion 282 and a widened portion 284.

Turning now specifically to Figs. 5A - 6B, it is seen that preferably, handle portion 120 is an integrally formed element, preferably injection molded of polycarbonate plastic, and defines a generally downwardly, inwardly tapered plug portion 300 and an engagement portion 310. As seen particularly clearly in Figs. 6A and 6B, plug portion 300 includes a transversely extending passageway 320 having a tapered portion 322 and a generally parallel portion 324. Plug portion 300 also may be provided with respective top and bottom recesses 326 and 328 for material savings.

As seen particularly in Figs. 5 A, 5B and 6B, transversely extending passageway 320 preferably has an elongate oval configuration at a first end of tapered portion 322 which tapers to a circular configuration at a second end of tapered portion 322 which matches the circular configuration of generally parallel portion 324.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that the configuration of tapered portion 322 and generally parallel portion 324 of transversely extending passageway 320, together with the parallel arrangement of blood sampling outlet port 140 and blood donation outlet port 140, reduces fluid stagnation areas within the handle portion, vis-a-vis existing stopcocks. As described hereinbelow with reference to Figs. 7A-9D, the fluid flows through one portion of the elongate oval in a sampling operative orientation and through another portion of the elongate oval when in a donation operative orientation, which is enabled by the parallel arrangement of the blood sampling outlet port 140 and blood donation outlet port 150.

As seen particularly clearly in Fig. 6 A, the outer configuration of plug portion 300 preferably includes a generally cylindrical main plug portion 334, which is actually slightly downwardly inwardly tapered so as to rotatably but sealingly mate with bore portion 204, a downwardly, inwardly tapered plug portion 340, a narrowed intermediate plug portion 342 and a lower plug portion 344, which defines a shoulder 346 with respect to narrowed intermediate lower plug portion 342.

It is appreciated that the outer configuration of plug portion 300 defines an undercut which matches the configuration of inwardly tapered bore portion 210, narrowed intermediate lower bore portion 212 and bottom bore portion 214 of cylindrical hub 200 of base portion 110, which enables vertical locking of handle portion 120 relative to base portion 110. Specifically, when the handle portion 120 is inserted into cylindrical hub 200 of base portion 110, vertical locking of the handle portion 120 relative to base portion 110 is provided by shoulder 346 of handle portion 120, which is located in shoulder 216 of cylindrical hub 200 of base portion 110.

Engagement portion 310 preferably includes a generally circular portion

350 having an indicator arrow 352, an arm 354 and a finger engagement portion 356, preferably including a curved finger engagement surface 358 and a stop engaging surface 360. Finger engagement portion 356 also includes a bottom locking pin engagement surface 362.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that curved finger engagement surface 172 of upstanding portion 170 enables a user to provide a counter force for the rotation of handle portion 120 with one finger, while simultaneously engaging curved finger engagement surface 358 of handle portion 120 with another finger of the same hand. This allows a user to rotate handle portion 120 of stopcock 100 using a single hand, with a first finger engaging curved finger engagement surface 172 of base portion 110 and a second finger engaging curved finger engagement surface 358 of handle portion 120.

It is appreciated that the base portion and handle portion are both preferably formed of polycarbonate to facilitate sterilization thereof prior to use.

Reference is now made to Figs 7A - 7D, which illustrate a blood sampling operative orientation, to Figs. 8A - 8D, , which illustrate an intermediate orientation, and to Figs. 9A - 9D, which illustrate a locked blood donation operative orientation.

Turning initially to Figs. 7 A - 7D, which illustrate a blood sampling operative orientation, it is seen that the indicator arrow 352 is pointed at the blood sampling outlet port 140. In this operative orientation, passageway 320 of plug portion 300 sealingly interconnects blood inlet port 130 with blood sampling outlet port 140.

Figs. 8 A - 8D illustrate an intermediate orientation wherein bottom locking pin engagement surface 362 engages inclined top face surface 190 of upstanding pin 188, thereby depressing locking pin 188.

Figs. 9A - 9D illustrate a locked blood donation operative orientation. It is seen that the indicator arrow 352 is pointed at the blood donation outlet port 150. In this operative orientation, passageway 320 of plug portion 300 sealingly interconnects blood inlet port 130 with blood donation outlet port 150. In this orientation, preferably stop engaging surface 360 engages upstanding surface 170 of base portion 110.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that in the locked blood donation operative orientation, finger engagement portion 356 and bottom locking pin engagement surface 362 are rotated clockwise past locking pin 188, which is no longer depressed and now prevents counterclockwise rotation of finger engagement portion 356 out of the locked blood donation operative orientation.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been specifically shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of features described and shown hereinabove as well as modifications thereof which would occur to persons reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.