US5575779A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid regulator and method of use
Assignee: Navilyst Medical Inc
•
Filing: 1994-12-30
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Granted: 1996-11-19
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Expires: 2014-12-30
Abstract
Abstract An automatic flow regulator for use in a liquid management system is provided, as well as a method for its use. More particularly, a flow regulator and a method for its use are provided which can effectively regulate the flow of liquid in, e.g., an intravenous application. The flow regulator further provides de-bubbling features. For example, a deflector such as a dripdish and an air barrier are provided which serve to reduce the amount of bubbles in a liquid reservoir, greatly enhancing patient safety. The liquid may advantageously be an imaging liquid such as contrast.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Barry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/1412; A61M5/1411; A61M5/36; A61M5/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
A flow regulator for liquids, comprising: a. a reservoir having walls, a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; b. a deflector disposed so that a liquid entering the reservoir via the liquid inlet is deflected towards the reservoir walls; and c. a vent in fluid communication with the reservoir.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
A flow regulator for liquids, comprising: a. a reservoir having walls, a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; b. a deflector disposed so that a liquid entering the reservoir via the liquid inlet is deflected towards the reservoir walls; and c. a vent in fluid communication with the reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The flow regulator of claim 1, wherein the vent comprises a normally closed, mechanically actuated valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The flow regulator of claim 2, wherein the deflector comprises a dripdish.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flow regulator of claim 2, wherein the deflector is selected from the group consisting of a tube; a channel; and a slide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flow regulator of claim 3, wherein the walls of the reservoir are tapered radially inwardly, in a direction from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
267 words
A system for regulating the flow of liquids, comprising: a. a first tubing section having a proximal end and a distal end, a first fluid connector disposed at the proximal end of the first tubing section for connection to a liquid source, and a second fluid connector disposed at the distal end of the first tubing section; b. a flow regulator comprising: a reservoir having walls, a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; a deflector disposed so that a liquid entering the reservoir via the liquid inlet is deflected towards the reservoir walls; and a vent in fluid communication with the reservoir; c. a second tubing section having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the second tubing section is connected to the liquid inlet of the reservoir; d. a third fluid connector disposed at the proximal end of the second tubing section, wherein the third fluid connector is engageable with the second fluid connector; e. liquid control means for controlling the flow of liquid into the flow regulator, wherein the liquid control means is disposed in the first tubing section or the second tubing section; f. one-way liquid flow means disposed in the second tubing section, for preventing liquid flow through the tubing in a direction from the flow regulator toward the liquid source; g. a third tubing section having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the third tubing section is connected to the liquid outlet of the reservoir; and h. a fourth fluid connector disposed at the distal end of the third tubing section.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
267 words
A system for regulating the flow of liquids, comprising: a. a first tubing section having a proximal end and a distal end, a first fluid connector disposed at the proximal end of the first tubing section for connection to a liquid source, and a second fluid connector disposed at the distal end of the first tubing section; b. a flow regulator comprising: a reservoir having walls, a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; a deflector disposed so that a liquid entering the reservoir via the liquid inlet is deflected towards the reservoir walls; and a vent in fluid communication with the reservoir; c. a second tubing section having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the second tubing section is connected to the liquid inlet of the reservoir; d. a third fluid connector disposed at the proximal end of the second tubing section, wherein the third fluid connector is engageable with the second fluid connector; e. liquid control means for controlling the flow of liquid into the flow regulator, wherein the liquid control means is disposed in the first tubing section or the second tubing section; f. one-way liquid flow means disposed in the second tubing section, for preventing liquid flow through the tubing in a direction from the flow regulator toward the liquid source; g. a third tubing section having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the third tubing section is connected to the liquid outlet of the reservoir; and h. a fourth fluid connector disposed at the distal end of the third tubing section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The liquid regulating system of claim 6, wherein the vent comprises a normally closed, mechanically actuated valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The liquid regulating system of claim 7, wherein the deflector comprises a dripdish.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The liquid regulating system of claim 7, wherein the deflector is selected from the group consisting of a tube; a channel; and a slide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The liquid regulating system of claim 8, wherein the wails of the reservoir are tapered radially inwardly in a direction from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The liquid regulating system of claim 10, wherein the first liquid connector comprises a vented spike.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The liquid regulating system of claim 11, wherein the one-way liquid flow means comprises at least one, one-way check valve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The liquid regulating system of claim 12, wherein the liquid control means comprises a stopcock.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The liquid regulating system of claim 13, wherein the liquid comprises contrast media suitable for use in an angiographic procedure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The liquid regulating system of claim 13, further comprising a flow meter for detecting the amount of contrast media passing through the flow regulator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
184 words
A method of administering liquid using the liquid regulating system of claim 6, comprising the steps of: a. connecting the first tubing section to the liquid source; b. connecting the fourth fluid connector to a manifold having a syringe engageable therewith; c. connecting the first tubing section to the second tubing section by engaging the second fluid connector with the third fluid connector; d. opening the liquid control means; e. opening the vent, thereby opening the reservoir to the atmosphere and allowing liquid from the container to flow into the reservoir; f. filling the reservoir to a suitable level with liquid from the liquid source, wherein the liquid entering the reservoir is deflected by the dripdish toward the reservoir walls; g. closing the vent, thereby closing the reservoir to the atmosphere and stopping liquid from flowing into the reservoir; h. drawing liquid into the syringe engaged with the manifold, thereby creating a negative pressure in the reservoir and causing the reservoir to automatically refill to the suitable level with liquid from the liquid source; and i. injecting liquid from the syringe into a patient.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
213 words
A method of administering liquid using the liquid regulating system of claim 6, comprising the steps of: a. connecting the first tubing section to the liquid source; b. connecting the fourth fluid connector to a manifold having a syringe engageable therewith; c. connecting the first tubing section to the second tubing section by engaging the second fluid connector with the third fluid connector; d. filling the reservoir to a suitable level with liquid from the liquid source, wherein the liquid entering the reservoir is deflected by the dripdish toward the reservoir walls; e. drawing liquid into the syringe, and injecting the liquid from the syringe into a first patient; f. disconnecting the first tubing section from the second tubing section by disengaging the second fluid connector from the third fluid connector; g. discarding the second tubing section, the flow regulator, the third tubing section, the manifold and the syringe, and retaining the first tubing section and the liquid source for use in a subsequent procedure; h. connecting the first tubing section to a second, sterile second tubing section that is connected to a second, sterile flow regulator, and second, sterile third tubing section and second, sterile manifold; and i. administering liquid from the liquid source to a second patient in a subsequent procedure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17, wherein step e. is performed more than one time prior to the performance of step f.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-19 | 2000-05-20 | 2000-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-19 | 2004-05-20 | 2004-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-19 | 2008-05-20 | 2008-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |