ASCITES VALVE

A device for the transfer of body fluids which accumulate in the peritoneum cavity into the vascular system comprising a peritoneal tube connected to the inlet chamber of a hollow plastic implanted valve assembly, causing a valve to open and passing the fluid under pressure into a second chamber from where the fluid is conducted through a venous tubing which is connected to the jugular vein of the patient. The valve assembly comprises a plastic housing with an inlet and outlet, the peritoneal tube being secured to the inlet leading to an inlet reservoir located within the valve housing and the venous tube being secured to the outlet leading from the outlet reservoir located within the valve housing. The valve housing defining a valve seat and having a flexible diaphragm valve which rests against the valve seat and moves away from said valve seat in response to pressure exerted thereon to permit flow of the body fluid from the peritoneum through the valve housing and into the venous tubing which is threaded into a major intrathoracic vein via the internal jugular vein or other alternate access veins.