IV membrane attachment systems and methods
First Claim
1. A method for manufacturing a drip unit for an intravenous delivery system, the method comprising:
- providing an exterior wall shaped to at least partially define a drip chamber capable of receiving a liquid from a liquid source, the exterior wall comprising a seat;
providing an anti-run-dry membrane comprising a plurality of pores that are permeable to the liquid, wherein the anti-run-dry membrane is formed of a hydrophilic material configured to resist passage of air through the pores, the anti-run-dry membrane comprising a weld surface;
positioning the anti-run-dry membrane within the drip chamber such that the weld surface is in contact with the seat;
applying compression to press the weld surface against the seat;
applying at least one selection from the group consisting of coherent light and vibration to at least one of the anti-run-dry membrane and the exterior wall to cause localized melting of at least one of the seat and the weld surface; and
in response to the localized melting, causing the weld surface to adhere to the seat.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An intravenous delivery system may have a liquid source containing a liquid, tubing, and an anti-run-dry membrane positioned such that the liquid, flowing form the liquid source to the tubing, passes through the anti-run-dry membrane. The anti-run-dry membrane may be positioned within an exterior wall of a drip unit, and may have a weld surface secured to a seat of the exterior wall via application of compression to press the weld surface against the seat, and application of coherent light or vibration. In response to application of the coherent light or vibration, localized melting may occur, causing the weld surface to adhere to the seat. The anti-run-dry membrane may be modified to have a melting point close to that of the seat. Ultrasonic or laser welding may be applied in a manner that causes portions of the seat to melt and flow into pores of the weld surface.
99 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for manufacturing a drip unit for an intravenous delivery system, the method comprising:
-
providing an exterior wall shaped to at least partially define a drip chamber capable of receiving a liquid from a liquid source, the exterior wall comprising a seat; providing an anti-run-dry membrane comprising a plurality of pores that are permeable to the liquid, wherein the anti-run-dry membrane is formed of a hydrophilic material configured to resist passage of air through the pores, the anti-run-dry membrane comprising a weld surface; positioning the anti-run-dry membrane within the drip chamber such that the weld surface is in contact with the seat; applying compression to press the weld surface against the seat; applying at least one selection from the group consisting of coherent light and vibration to at least one of the anti-run-dry membrane and the exterior wall to cause localized melting of at least one of the seat and the weld surface; and in response to the localized melting, causing the weld surface to adhere to the seat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method for manufacturing a drip unit for an intravenous delivery system, the method comprising:
-
providing an exterior wall shaped to at least partially define a drip chamber capable of receiving a liquid from a liquid source, the exterior wall comprising a seat; providing an anti-run-dry membrane comprising a plurality of pores that are permeable to the liquid, wherein the anti-run-dry membrane is formed of a hydrophilic material configured to resist passage of air through the pores, the anti-run-dry membrane comprising a weld surface; positioning the anti-run-dry membrane within the drip chamber such that the weld surface is in contact with the seat; with a laser, directing coherent light to a laser impingement area proximate a juncture between the seat and the weld surface; moving the laser impingement area along the juncture, in a closed pathway such that the weld surface adheres to the seat along the pathway; and in response to motion of the laser impingement area along the juncture, causing the weld surface to adhere to the seat along the pathway to provide a seal between the seat and the weld surface, wherein the seal is positioned to cause fluid flowing from an upper part of the drip chamber to a lower part of the drip chamber to flow through the anti-run-dry membrane.
-
-
19. A method for manufacturing a drip unit for an intravenous delivery system, the method comprising:
-
providing an exterior wall shaped to at least partially define a drip chamber capable of receiving a liquid from a liquid source, the exterior wall comprising a seat; providing an anti-run-dry membrane comprising a plurality of pores that are permeable to the liquid, wherein the anti-run-dry membrane is formed of a hydrophilic material configured to resist passage of air through the pores, the anti-run-dry membrane comprising a weld surface; positioning the anti-run-dry membrane within the drip chamber such that the weld surface is in contact with the seat; moving an ultrasonic welding horn into contact with at least one of the anti-run-dry membrane and the exterior wall; and with the ultrasonic welding horn, applying vibration to at least one of the seat and the weld surface; in response to application of the vibration, causing the weld surface to adhere to the seat. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification