Technology News

Miniature Valve System Makes Medical Applications a Snap

A miniature solenoid valve system has a snap-together, modular design that markedly cuts production time and manifold size. The new valve system—developed by the Pneutronics Div., Parker Hannifin S.A. (Evreux, France)—is ideal for use in medical applications such as blood pressure devices and oxygen tanks.

"The X-system allows medical OEMs to shrink package size without losing the capabilities of much larger manifolds," says Bill Nissim, Pneutronics sales and marketing manager.

The system weighs up to 50% less than other manifolds and can cut the usual valve system production times by 70%. Utilizing a new lightweight polyurethane manifold and Pneutronics's X-valve technology, the system is more efficient than previous miniature models. The X-valves can handle flow rates at pressures from 0 to 30 psig and have a short response time. The valves were recently used by Medical Education Technologies Inc. (Sarasota, FL, USA) in patient simulators.

The modular X-system combines a polyurethane manifold with Pneutronics's X-valve technology for a lighter, more-efficient miniature valve system.

The one-piece, 8-mm valves snap into the manifold, eliminating the mounting hardware and reducing the assembly time that it takes for traditional aluminium and brass manifold systems. A blown valve can easily be removed and replaced using the snap-in method. With an elastomer base and fewer functional parts, tolerance problems and leak potential are also reduced.

"The unique design makes the X-system ideal for portable medical applications like blood pressure equipment," says Richard Parker, a Pneutronics applications engineer. "But it can also be custom configured to meet the needs of a variety of medical applications."

Jamie Graham