US3601124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid flow regulator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-08-29
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1988-08-29
Abstract
Abstract An intravenous fluid flow regulator wherein a clamp is motor operated to either constrict or open a tube in response to a rate reference signal and a fluid drop signal. A tube clamp is moved toward an unclamped position and a rate responsive to the rate reference signal and then is moved toward a clamping position in response to a fluid drop system.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank L Petree
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 18:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/168; A61M5/16886; A61M5/1689; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7758; Y10T137/7759; Y10T137/7761
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A fluid flow regulator for use in combination with a fluid source, a drop chamber coupled to said source, and an output tube coupled to said chamber; clamping means for restricting and opening said tube, a motor for driving said clamping means between restricting and opening positions, means providing a reference voltage source, circuit means responsive to said reference voltage for operating said motor at a speed proportional to the magnitude of the reference voltage to open said clamping means, said circuit means normally continuously operating said motor to open or close said clamping means, means for generating a signal indicative of a drop from the source to the chamber, and means responsive to said indicative signal for actuating said circuit means to operate said motor in a direction to cause said clamping means to restrict the tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A fluid flow regulator for use in combination with a fluid source, a drop chamber coupled to said source, and an output tube coupled to said chamber; clamping means for restricting and opening said tube, a motor for driving said clamping means between restricting and opening positions, means providing a reference voltage source, circuit means responsive to said reference voltage for operating said motor at a speed proportional to the magnitude of the reference voltage to open said clamping means, said circuit means normally continuously operating said motor to open or close said clamping means, means for generating a signal indicative of a drop from the source to the chamber, and means responsive to said indicative signal for actuating said circuit means to operate said motor in a direction to cause said clamping means to restrict the tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The regulator of claim 1 further including means responsive to said clamping means reaching a predetermined opening position for disabling said motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The regulator of claim 1, further including alarm means and means responsive to said clamping means reaching a predetermined opening position for actuating said alarm means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The regulator of claim 1 further including means for causing said clamping means to constrict said tube when a predetermined amount of fluid has been exhausted from said source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
170 words
A fluid drop regulator for use in combination with a fluid source, a drop chamber coupled to the source, and an output tube coupled to said chamber; clamping means for restricting and opening said tube, a motor for driving said clamping means between restricting and opening positions, amplifying means for operating said motor in two directions of operation, a balance circuit, means for applying a drop rate reference signal to said balance circuit to produce unbalance thereof in one direction, said amplifying means being effective to operate said motor at a speed proportional to the magnitude of said reference voltage, said circuit means normally continuously operating said motor to open or close said clamping means, and means for applying a signal indicative of a drop from the source to the chamber to said balance circuit to produce unbalance thereof in the other direction, said amplifying means being responsive to the direction of unbalance to operate said motor in a direction determined by the direction of unbalance of said balance circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
170 words
A fluid drop regulator for use in combination with a fluid source, a drop chamber coupled to the source, and an output tube coupled to said chamber; clamping means for restricting and opening said tube, a motor for driving said clamping means between restricting and opening positions, amplifying means for operating said motor in two directions of operation, a balance circuit, means for applying a drop rate reference signal to said balance circuit to produce unbalance thereof in one direction, said amplifying means being effective to operate said motor at a speed proportional to the magnitude of said reference voltage, said circuit means normally continuously operating said motor to open or close said clamping means, and means for applying a signal indicative of a drop from the source to the chamber to said balance circuit to produce unbalance thereof in the other direction, said amplifying means being responsive to the direction of unbalance to operate said motor in a direction determined by the direction of unbalance of said balance circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regulator of claim 5 wherein said reference signal operates said motor to retract said clamping means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The regulator of claim 5 further including means responsive to said clamping means reaching a predetermined position for actuating an alarm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The regulator of claim 5 further including means for causing said clamping means to constrict said tube when a predetermined amount of fluid has been exhausted from said source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |