Friday, September 8, 2000

When researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital wanted to monitor the breathing of rats in an MRI machine, they needed a non-metallic valve for the rats' respirator. Metallic valves won't work in the imager's magnetic field.

Instead, the researchers used Series P inert valves made by Takasago Electric (Nagoya, Japan) and distributed in the US by the Clark Company. "The nonmetallic valves met Mass General's low magnetic requirements," says Clark's Chuck Hixon. "And unlike other valves, Series P has a large, flat-to-flat sealing area that seals better and longer than ball-and-funnel arrangements."

These valves are tested to 10,000 cycles and can withstand particulate in fluids. "Unlike other valves with Teflon seals that sometimes deform and deteriorate, these valves have flat elastomer seals that maintain their form and endure wear," says Hixon.

In addition to medical applications, the valves are also used in semiconductor and general analysis applications where corrosive and hazardous materials are present. The valves require 3-6 bar of pneumatic pressure for actuation in models using diaphragm of bellows actuators. They are available in 2- and 3-way configurations with orifice sizes from 1.6mm to 25 mm.

For more information, contact Hixon at (800) 253-2497 or go to the company's web site at http://www.clarksol.com.