Patent attributes
A gas flow valve assembly. The assembly includes a cylindrical housing and a resiliently-biased valve supported substantially centrally within the housing. In the default or “off” condition, the resilient bias causes the valve to be seated on a valve seat shutting off axial flow of gas through the valve housing. When the patient breathes, negative pressure is applied to one side of the valve effective to sufficiently overcome the resilient bias imposed on the valve to move the valve off the valve seat axially (or otherwise open in another direction) within the housing, thereby allowing flow of gas through both the valve seat and the valve housing, and into the breathing circuit connected thereto. When the patient's breathing pauses and begins to exhale, the valve bias returns the valve to its default or off condition shutting off flow of gas through the valve.
