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US4361147A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Flow control device for administration of intravenous fluids

Assignee: Conmed Corp
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Filing: 1980-11-24
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Granted: 1982-11-30
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Expires: 2000-11-24
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Abstract

Abstract A metering apparatus and system for controlling the administration of intravenous fluids (IV) having a flow passage within a housing connectable to a source of IV fluid and to a delivery tube terminating at an administration needle. In the metering apparatus, a metering pin is axially moveable within the passage and relative to a valve seat and defines a flow passageway and a variable area flow notch which are positionable relative to the valve seat to regulate flow from a purge to a flow blocking position. In the preferred embodiment, positioning of the metering pin is accomplished by a cam engaging a portion of the pin forming a cam follower. The cam is manually adjustable by a dial on the device to accomplish accurate, repeatable and continuous flow adjustment over the full range. The system incorporates the metering apparatus, a source of IV fluid, a drip chamber and administration means.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jerry L. Aslanian
  • 👤 Jody L. Numbers

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 22:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/168; A61M5/16877; A61M5/1411; G; G01; G01F; G01F13/00

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 271 words
An IV system for accurately establishing and maintaining pre-determined administration flow rates between a purge and "off" position from a source of fluid having a puncturable seal, said system comprising: (a) a flow metering valve including: (i) a housing defining a fluid passageway having opposite upper and lower ends, said passageway including a valving surface; (ii) a metering member having a body axially moveable relative to said valving surface, said metering member defining a flow metering notch in one surface, said notch having a cross-sectional area which varies axially along said member for metering flow therealong, said metering member further defining a flow passageway for establishing a purge position, said metering member having a first closed position with said body blocking flow at said valving surface, a second purge position with flow across said valving surface at said flow passageway and a third metering position with flow across said valving surface through said notch, said second purge position establishing a greater flow rate than said third metering position; (iii) actuating means cooperative with said metering member to axially progressively displace said member relative to said valving surface to establish continuous and infinite flow metering along said notch portion of said flow passage in said third position whereby the user can establish a pre-determined flow rate; (b) an upper drip chamber connected to said upper end having piercing means for puncturing said seal; (c) a lower drip chamber connected to the said lower end of said passageway; (d) tubing connected to said lower drip chamber terminating at connector means adapted to receive administration means; and (e) clamp means associated with said tubing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 271 words
An IV system for accurately establishing and maintaining pre-determined administration flow rates between a purge and "off" position from a source of fluid having a puncturable seal, said system comprising: (a) a flow metering valve including: (i) a housing defining a fluid passageway having opposite upper and lower ends, said passageway including a valving surface; (ii) a metering member having a body axially moveable relative to said valving surface, said metering member defining a flow metering notch in one surface, said notch having a cross-sectional area which varies axially along said member for metering flow therealong, said metering member further defining a flow passageway for establishing a purge position, said metering member having a first closed position with said body blocking flow at said valving surface, a second purge position with flow across said valving surface at said flow passageway and a third metering position with flow across said valving surface through said notch, said second purge position establishing a greater flow rate than said third metering position; (iii) actuating means cooperative with said metering member to axially progressively displace said member relative to said valving surface to establish continuous and infinite flow metering along said notch portion of said flow passage in said third position whereby the user can establish a pre-determined flow rate; (b) an upper drip chamber connected to said upper end having piercing means for puncturing said seal; (c) a lower drip chamber connected to the said lower end of said passageway; (d) tubing connected to said lower drip chamber terminating at connector means adapted to receive administration means; and (e) clamp means associated with said tubing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
The system of claim 1 further including at least one Y-connector interposed between said drip chamber and administration means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 266 words
An IV system for accurately establishing and maintaining pre-determined administration flow rates between a purge and "off" position from a source of fluid, said system comprising: (a) an in-line flow metering valve including: (i) a housing defining a fluid passageway having opposite upper and lower ends, said passageway including a valving surface; (ii) a metering member having a body axially moveable relative to said valving surface, said metering member defining a flow metering notch in one surface, said notch having a cross-sectional area which varies axially along said member for metering flow therealong, said metering member further defining a flow passageway for establishing a purge position, said metering member having a first closed position with said body blocking flow at said valving surface, a second purge position with flow across said valving surface at said flow passageway and a third metering position with flow across said valving surface through said notch, said second purge position establishing a greater flow rate than said third metering position; (iii) actuating means cooperative with said metering member to axially progressively displace said member relative to said valving surface to establish continuous and infinite flow metering along said notch portion of said flow passage in said third position whereby the user can establish a pre-determined flow rate; (b) a drip chamber; (c) means connecting said drip chamber to said source of fluid; (d) first flexible tubing means interconnecting said upper passageway to said drip chamber whereby said valve may be purged by inverting said valve; and (e) second flexible tubing means connected to said lower passageway and terminating at administration means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 266 words
An IV system for accurately establishing and maintaining pre-determined administration flow rates between a purge and "off" position from a source of fluid, said system comprising: (a) an in-line flow metering valve including: (i) a housing defining a fluid passageway having opposite upper and lower ends, said passageway including a valving surface; (ii) a metering member having a body axially moveable relative to said valving surface, said metering member defining a flow metering notch in one surface, said notch having a cross-sectional area which varies axially along said member for metering flow therealong, said metering member further defining a flow passageway for establishing a purge position, said metering member having a first closed position with said body blocking flow at said valving surface, a second purge position with flow across said valving surface at said flow passageway and a third metering position with flow across said valving surface through said notch, said second purge position establishing a greater flow rate than said third metering position; (iii) actuating means cooperative with said metering member to axially progressively displace said member relative to said valving surface to establish continuous and infinite flow metering along said notch portion of said flow passage in said third position whereby the user can establish a pre-determined flow rate; (b) a drip chamber; (c) means connecting said drip chamber to said source of fluid; (d) first flexible tubing means interconnecting said upper passageway to said drip chamber whereby said valve may be purged by inverting said valve; and (e) second flexible tubing means connected to said lower passageway and terminating at administration means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 19 words
The system of claim 3 including at least one Y-connector interposed between said valve and said source of fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said Y-connector includes check valve means and further including a second fluid source connected to said Y-connector establishing a "piggyback" arrangement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 230 words
A metering device for accurately establishing and maintaining predetermined flow rates between a purge and flow blocking positions in an IV system including a source of parenteral or IV fluid and a fluid delivery system, said metering device comprising: (a) a housing defining a fluid passageway having opposite ends, one end connectable to said fluid source and the other end connectable to said delivery system, said passageway including a valving surface; (b) a metering member having a body axially moveable relative to said valving surface, said metering member defining a flow metering notch in one surface, said notch having a cross-sectional area which varies axially along said member for metering flow therealong, said metering member further defining a flow passageway for establishing a purge position, said metering member having a first closed position with said body blocking flow at said valving surface, a second purge position with flow across said valving surface at said flow passageway and a third metering position with flow across said valving surface through said notch, said second purge position establishing a greater flow rate than said third metering position; (c) actuating means cooperative with said metering member to axially progressively displace said member relative to said valving surface to establish continuous and infinite flow metering along said notch portion of said passage in said third position whereby the user can establish a predetermined flow rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 230 words
A metering device for accurately establishing and maintaining predetermined flow rates between a purge and flow blocking positions in an IV system including a source of parenteral or IV fluid and a fluid delivery system, said metering device comprising: (a) a housing defining a fluid passageway having opposite ends, one end connectable to said fluid source and the other end connectable to said delivery system, said passageway including a valving surface; (b) a metering member having a body axially moveable relative to said valving surface, said metering member defining a flow metering notch in one surface, said notch having a cross-sectional area which varies axially along said member for metering flow therealong, said metering member further defining a flow passageway for establishing a purge position, said metering member having a first closed position with said body blocking flow at said valving surface, a second purge position with flow across said valving surface at said flow passageway and a third metering position with flow across said valving surface through said notch, said second purge position establishing a greater flow rate than said third metering position; (c) actuating means cooperative with said metering member to axially progressively displace said member relative to said valving surface to establish continuous and infinite flow metering along said notch portion of said passage in said third position whereby the user can establish a predetermined flow rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 204 words
A metering device for accurately setting flow rates in an IV system including a source of IV or parenteral fluid, said valve comprising: (a) a housing having a generally planar back with opposite longitudinal sides and flanges at said sides to facilitate grasping by the user; (b) a fluid passageway within said housing; (c) a valve seat in said passageway having a valving surface; (d) a generally cylindrical metering member axially moveable relative to said valve seat, said metering member including a cam follower and said member further defining a flow passage in a surface having a cross-sectional area which varies axially along at least a section of said flow passage; (e) actuating cam means having a generally spiral cam surface cooperable with said cam follower; (f) biasing means urging said metering member into engagement with said cam surface in a direction to reduce flow; and (g) dial means moveable relative to said housing for imparting rotational movement to said actuating cam means whereby said cam surface axially displaces said member relative to said valving seat surface to progressively regulate flow from a closed to a purge position with flow metering occurring along said portion of said flow passage which varies in cross-sectional area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 204 words
A metering device for accurately setting flow rates in an IV system including a source of IV or parenteral fluid, said valve comprising: (a) a housing having a generally planar back with opposite longitudinal sides and flanges at said sides to facilitate grasping by the user; (b) a fluid passageway within said housing; (c) a valve seat in said passageway having a valving surface; (d) a generally cylindrical metering member axially moveable relative to said valve seat, said metering member including a cam follower and said member further defining a flow passage in a surface having a cross-sectional area which varies axially along at least a section of said flow passage; (e) actuating cam means having a generally spiral cam surface cooperable with said cam follower; (f) biasing means urging said metering member into engagement with said cam surface in a direction to reduce flow; and (g) dial means moveable relative to said housing for imparting rotational movement to said actuating cam means whereby said cam surface axially displaces said member relative to said valving seat surface to progressively regulate flow from a closed to a purge position with flow metering occurring along said portion of said flow passage which varies in cross-sectional area.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2980392A Cited
US3384338A Cited
US3410521A Cited
US3408040A Cited
US3785378A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1985-11-29 1986-05-31 1986-11-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1989-11-29 1990-05-31 1990-11-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1993-11-29 1994-05-31 1994-11-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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