Intravenous drug mixing and flow device

Abstract

Abstract A set for the passive infusion of one or more medications at a determined rate includes a fluid supply tube having first and second branched flow paths with first and second rate-defining flow restrictors. An injection port upstream of the first flow restrictor permits injection of a drug to be metered, so the first restrictor provides a metered flow of drug plus carrier, and the second restrictor provides a metered flow of diluent/carrier. A Y-connector, which may contain a mixing element, combines the two flows to provide the desired output flow and drug concentration. Further flow branches, each with an injection port and a flow restrictor, allow additional drugs to be metered in other concentrations. A flushable flow restrictor segment includes a flexible flow tube which may be pinched off, and a substantially rigid capillary tube integral with the flexible tube. End connectors adapt the segment for placement in an infusion line, and a pinch clamp surrounds the flow tube, so that the segment may be opened for flushing yet conveniently clamped to a determined flow rate by the pinch clamp. Various delivery rates are achieved with series or parallel arrangements of such flow restrictor segments. A flow restrictor with a branched end connector connects to a pressure monitor.

Inventors

• 👤 Saul Stricker

Bibliographic Details