US3744492A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drip chamber
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-04-07
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A drip chamber for use in an infusion set for feeding blood, saline solution or other liquids from a container to a catheter or needle for administration to a patient. The drip chamber comprises an inlet section and a larger volume outlet section, liquid filling the latter section before it can escape from the chamber outlet and, when in use, covering the outlet irrespective of the orientation of the drip chamber, such that air bubbles can not escape from the drip chamber to the catheter or needle of the infusion set and thence to the patient.
Inventors
- 👤 S Leibinsohn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/1411
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
277 words
A drip chamber for determining the rate of flow of a liquid comprising: a. a hollow housing having a first inlet section and a second, larger volume outlet section; b. an outlet tube extending into and through at least the outlet section and having an outlet opening communicating with the inlet section of the housing; c. interior walls defining the principal inside surfaces of the inlet section and tapering inwardly from at least the portion of the inlet section adjacent to the outlet tube opening toward the inlet end of the drip chamber; d. an inlet tube extending from the inlet end of the drip chamber through a portion of the inlet section and having an inlet opening communicating with the inlet section and spaced from the outlet tube opening; e. means secured to the outside of the housing adjacent to the external opening of the inlet and/or outlet tubes thereof providing a bearing surface spaced from and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of such tube and defining a hollow annular region for receiving and securing a tubular connector to either side tube, said means comprising a plurality of radially aligned ribs secured to the adjacent housing portion each of which ribs has an edge substantially parallel to the longitudinal surface of the adjacent inlet and/or outlet tube and which edges define said bearing surface; liquid fed into the drip chamber filling at least the outlet section thereof prior to overflowing through the outlet tube opening and exiting through such tube, said liquid defining a liquid seal preventing the escape of air bubbles from the drip chamber through the outlet tube irrespective of the orientation thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
277 words
A drip chamber for determining the rate of flow of a liquid comprising: a. a hollow housing having a first inlet section and a second, larger volume outlet section; b. an outlet tube extending into and through at least the outlet section and having an outlet opening communicating with the inlet section of the housing; c. interior walls defining the principal inside surfaces of the inlet section and tapering inwardly from at least the portion of the inlet section adjacent to the outlet tube opening toward the inlet end of the drip chamber; d. an inlet tube extending from the inlet end of the drip chamber through a portion of the inlet section and having an inlet opening communicating with the inlet section and spaced from the outlet tube opening; e. means secured to the outside of the housing adjacent to the external opening of the inlet and/or outlet tubes thereof providing a bearing surface spaced from and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of such tube and defining a hollow annular region for receiving and securing a tubular connector to either side tube, said means comprising a plurality of radially aligned ribs secured to the adjacent housing portion each of which ribs has an edge substantially parallel to the longitudinal surface of the adjacent inlet and/or outlet tube and which edges define said bearing surface; liquid fed into the drip chamber filling at least the outlet section thereof prior to overflowing through the outlet tube opening and exiting through such tube, said liquid defining a liquid seal preventing the escape of air bubbles from the drip chamber through the outlet tube irrespective of the orientation thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
240 words
A drip chamber for determining the rate of flow of a liquid comprising: a. a hollow housing having a firsT inlet section and a second, larger volume outlet section; b. an outlet tube extending into and through at least the outlet section and having an outlet opening communicating with the inlet section of the housing; c. interior walls defining the principal inside surfaces of the inlet section and tapering inwardly from at least the portion of the inlet section adjacent to the outlet tube opening toward the inlet end of the drip chamber; d. said outlet section of the housing comprising a cylindrically shaped element open at one end, a disc-shaped member supporting the outlet tube, and a flange formed integrally with and extending circumferentially of the disc-shaped member and adapted to be press fitted into the open end of the cylindrically shaped element; and e. said outlet tube being provided with a skirt portion flaring outwardly toward the open end of the cylindrically shaped element, the edge of said skirt being adapted to engage and be supported by the inner surface of the flange of the disc-shaped member; liquid fed into the drip chamber filling at least the outlet section thereof prior to overflowing through the outlet tube opening and exiting through such tube, said liquid defining a liquid seal preventing the escape of air bubbles from the drip chamber through the outlet tube irrespective of the orientation thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
240 words
A drip chamber for determining the rate of flow of a liquid comprising: a. a hollow housing having a firsT inlet section and a second, larger volume outlet section; b. an outlet tube extending into and through at least the outlet section and having an outlet opening communicating with the inlet section of the housing; c. interior walls defining the principal inside surfaces of the inlet section and tapering inwardly from at least the portion of the inlet section adjacent to the outlet tube opening toward the inlet end of the drip chamber; d. said outlet section of the housing comprising a cylindrically shaped element open at one end, a disc-shaped member supporting the outlet tube, and a flange formed integrally with and extending circumferentially of the disc-shaped member and adapted to be press fitted into the open end of the cylindrically shaped element; and e. said outlet tube being provided with a skirt portion flaring outwardly toward the open end of the cylindrically shaped element, the edge of said skirt being adapted to engage and be supported by the inner surface of the flange of the disc-shaped member; liquid fed into the drip chamber filling at least the outlet section thereof prior to overflowing through the outlet tube opening and exiting through such tube, said liquid defining a liquid seal preventing the escape of air bubbles from the drip chamber through the outlet tube irrespective of the orientation thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 2, further comprising a sheet of porous filter material disposed between the outlet tube and the inner surface of the disc-shaped member which is adapted to close off the open end of the cylindrically shaped element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |