�ǳ�web Knowledgebase - Pinch

Solutions for Cleanly & Efficiently Controlling Blood Flow in Dialysis Equipment

Rachel Desenberg — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 17:05:28 +0000

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Controlling blood flow in dialysis equipment demands special features and capabilities. In this article, we will discuss how �ǳ�web pinch valves provide unique benefits for this type of application.

Dialysis equipment manufacturers require unique features and capabilities of the components specified in their systems to control the flow of blood. Valve components controlling blood flow are of particular concern since they are integral to the most critical aspects of the dialysis system. Pinch valves are an ideal method of providing a controlled flow path for whole blood to travel unimpeded when needed between the patient and the dialysis system without exposure to contamination.

Pinch valves can be positioned to accept and easily replace the disposable tube harnesses used for each individual patient treatment. With contamination being a significant threat to the health of the dialysis patient, valves must be able to withstand the harsh chemicals used to wash down and clean any exposed area of the system, while isolating the system controls from any fluids used during the washdown procedure.

Additional patient safety and comfort considerations of the dialysis process require pinch valves to generate very little noise and very little heat during operation. Safety is also enhanced by providing position feedback signals from pinch valves, verifying that each valve controlling blood to and from a patient did in fact operate when provided a signal to open or close.

Download the Pinch Valve Modifications flyer (PDF) to take a look at some of the features that have been incorporated into the design of �ǳ�web pinch valves in order to meet these many critical needs of dialysis equipment.

Related Products
Electronic Pinch Valves	Panel Mount Electronic Pinch Valves	Pneumatic Pinch Valves

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Precision Control for Liquid Extraction Applications

Rachel Desenberg — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 19:34:43 +0000

Category:

Applications

The field of liquid extraction presents unique challenges. While the separation of substances can be performed with a variety of different methods, these processes typically require precise control of multiple fluids within a single application. This can be complex, but �ǳ�web provides a simple solution.

Problem:

Selecting Between Multiple Solvents for Liquid Extraction

An OEM specializing in solvent extraction needed to select between multiple solvents as part of their unique vacuum distillation process. Due to the media being used, compatibility with a low leak solution was crucial to performance. The existing solution was cumbersome, involving three separate valves per line—fluid isolation valves, vacuum valves, and air piloted valves.

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Solution:

PTFE Mixing Valves Control Multiple Fluids

Laboratory productivity is a growing market where �ǳ�web delivers great value. In the field of liquid extraction, the separation of substances out of a sample can be performed with a variety of different methods. In this case, �ǳ�web's NIV series valves provided the perfect solution to select between the four different solvents required by the OEM's process. The PTFE valves provide inert and precise sealing for the fluid side, holding a tight leak rate as samples are passed from 50 kpa vacuum to 30 psig using nitrogen while the sample is injected to a heated extraction cell in its final stage. This solution eliminated the need for three separate valves per line, but �ǳ�web engineers were also able to further minimize the size—and reduce overall cost for the customer—by using a custom PTFE manifold.

Q&A with Miniature Pinch & Media Isolation Valve Expert

Rachel Desenberg — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 17:55:13 +0000

Category:

Advertising

Attila Kiss, Product Manager for �ǳ�web's new NPV and NIV lines, talks about his background and experience with miniature pinch and isolation valves, and what he sees for the future of isolation valves.

Attila Kiss
NIV/NPV Product Manager
�ǳ�web Instrument Laboratory

What is your role at �ǳ�web?

I am Product Manager of �ǳ�web's new NPV Series Pinch Valves and NIV Series Isolation Valves. I work with everyone involved—from manufacturing and engineering, to sales and marketing—to produce the lines and ensure the final products are of the highest quality.

What has led you to your current position?

I have been working with miniature pinch and isolation valves for more than 25 years. I began in a family machine shop at age 12 and continued through high school, learning to manufacture components that were used to manufacture miniature solenoid valves. This taught me a great deal about machining very tight tolerance parts.

After high school, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where I repaired heavy equipment and developed a quality control system. When my time in the military was over, I returned to the manufacturing industry where I ended up at a valve company—first machining components, then assembly, and finally setting up a quality control department at Biochem, a solenoid valve company. From there, I went on to become Production Manager at Neptune Research, a pinch and isolation valve company. I spent more than 20 years there managing all aspects of their miniature pinch and isolation valve lines, including manufacturing, design, marketing and sales.

What part of your job do you find most satisfying and/or what do you like about working in this industry?

The most satisfying part is developing a product that could potentially save lives. I enjoy the travel, working with customers and other companies to custom design products specific to their needs. The challenge of developing new products and resolving issues with existing ones is very satisfying. Also, being able to share my machining knowledge on the manufacturing side makes new processes easier. I have always enjoyed building, tinkering, machining and producing an end product.

What makes miniature pinch and isolation valves such a great fit for �ǳ�web?

Many �ǳ�web miniature pneumatic products are already in use in the same machines and equipment that use pinch and isolation valves. It's a natural fit for �ǳ�web to provide the isolated side of applications with the same quality and reputation they have in pneumatic components.

What types of applications do you see for these valves?

�ǳ�web pinch and isolation valves can be used in many different applications where precise dosing or dispensing is a must, such as DNA synthesizers, HPLC equipment, gas chromatographs, blood analyzers and dental equipment. They can be used with liquids or gases, and are ideal for a variety of laboratory diagnostic equipment uses, including applications that test air, water or biological materials. They are also well-suited for a variety of printing applications as well as multiple industrial applications where the control of a fluid is required.

What makes �ǳ�web's miniature pinch and isolation valves unique, or how would you compare them to similar valves already on the market?

The biggest difference is the �ǳ�web brand and the high quality, fast delivery and excellent service that come with it. In addition, you will find that compared to most other pinch and isolation valves, �ǳ�web's valves consume less power and feature a smaller, more compact design.

What are �ǳ�web's delivery/turnaround times like compared to others in the industry?

The NPV and NIV lines are currently on a lean system at �ǳ�web, meaning that most product will ship within 2 to 3 days once an order is processed. Many competitors can take weeks or more to deliver similar products. �ǳ�web has the capacity and systems to provide what customers need, when they need it.

What kind of testing is performed on the these valves?

Every �ǳ�web isolation valve is tested for flow and decay tested with helium in a clean room environment, and every �ǳ�web pinch valve is bubble leak-tested prior to packing and shipping. There is no batch testing. Every isolation and pinch valve is 100% individually inspected and tested.

Where do you see the future of isolation valves?

As the baby boomer generation comes of age, more diagnostic equipment will be required, thus putting an increased demand on the miniature solenoid valve industry. I believe we will see an increase in smaller, more portable machines manufactured in the future to help the medical industry diagnose and treat patients faster and more efficiently.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you take and why?

K-bar, matches and canteen. K-bar is my Marine Corps fighting knife for hunting and survival, matches to make fire much easier, and a canteen to save water.

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Pinch & PTFE Isolation Valves - A Fluid Power World Interview with Rob �ǳ�web

Rachel Desenberg — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 18:42:09 +0000

Category:

Advertising

Fluid Power World's Editorial Director, Paul Heney, catches up with Rob �ǳ�web, VP Sales and Marketing, on �ǳ�web's newest products and the company's outlook for 2016.

Recently, I spoke with Rob �ǳ�web, VP Sales and Marketing for �ǳ�web Instrument Laboratory, Inc. about the company’s newest products—as well as his outlook for the next year.

Rob explained that the company’s new pinch valve is an exciting product for them, as this type of component is used in many machines where other �ǳ�web products already reside.

“We’re on the pneumatic side of the machine, where we’re usually controlling a lot of the components with the pneumatics,” he said. “This really opens the door to where now we can address the entire system. It’s exciting for us to see this line get added to markets that we were already established in—it’s a really nice addition for us.”

�ǳ�web’s isolation valves, Rob said, should be fully in production in mid-March. He said that there are no seals in the valves … “It’s PTFE on PTFE. From an engineering prospective, having that geometry and that design came down to where it’s a leak-proof, water-tight product.

When engineers express their current needs, it has not simply been about price or delivery, Rob said—service is another key attribute.

“We’re known for good craftsmanship, design, the engineering side of things. The design of [these valves] certainly is unique in terms of, we can outperform our competition … but the thing that’s getting the attention is people love dealing with �ǳ�web. We’re an easy company to work with as far as the service, the delivery, the pricing even. It’s certainly not a commodity by any means, but the price, the delivery service, we tend to do better than anybody in our industry.”

He said that they are expecting the second half of 2016 to be much stronger than the first half, especially on the industrial side of the business. For the life sciences, things started off stronger than they predicted, and the company expects industrial to catch up soon.

“It’s exciting for us because now we do expect that the second quarter will be far better,” he said. “I believe the year will probably see a 5 to 6% increase [in growth]. We could hopefully be closer to 10%, with the way things are going right now.”

Rob said that the company is working with three new large OEMs in the mobile market, which gives him a good feeling for 2016.

“Between life sciences and industrial, we think the first half will be strong on the life science, second half will be strong in industry,” he said. “Overall, it’s a great place to be. We’re well-spread between the two.”

Related Products:
Medical Grade Silicone Tubing	NPV Series Pinch Valves	NIV Series Isolation Valves

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Related Products
NIV Series Solenoid-Operated PTFE Media Isolation Valves	NPV Series Solenoid-Operated Miniature Pinch Valves