Multi-patient fluid dispensing

• US 20020026148A1
• Filed: 08/28/2001
• Published: 02/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1993
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Uber, Arthur E. III
• Granted Patent: US 7,427,281 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16827 controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407

Abstract

A system for delivering sterile fluid to a patient, while preventing cross-contamination, in which flow interrupting means are provided which basically create regions where no fluid exists in the comprehensive or over-all quality of material that is flowing from a fluid source to a patient.

Claims

1. In a system for delivering sterile fluid to a patient, the combination comprising:

(a) a source of sterile fluid;

(b) a fluid delivery system for directing the sterile fluid from the source to a point of use in conjunction with a patient, and

(c) flow interrupting means in said fluid delivery system for causing the flow of the fluid to be discontinuous so that fluid free gaps exist in the delivery system to preclude cross-contamination.

2. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said flow interrupting means comprises physical means that cause the flow to exist as discrete quantities.

3. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said flow interrupting means comprises a peristaltic flow mechanism.

6. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluid delivery system includes means for directing fluid to multiple patients and wherein each fluid directing means includes flow interrupting means.

9. A system as defined in claim 6 wherein valve means is provided to selectively operate each of said fluid directing means.

12. A system as defined in claim 2 wherein a portion of said fluid delivery system including that portion in contact with the patient is disposable and the remainder of the system is reusable.

4. In a system for delivering sterile fluid to a patent, the combination comprising:

(a) a source of sterile fluid;

(b) a fluid delivery system for directing the sterile fluid from the source to a point of use in conjunction with a patient; and

(c) flow interrupting means comprising a hydrophobic surface over which the fluid is caused to flow.

5. A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said flow interrupting means comprises a receptacle having a generally funnel-shaped configuration.

7. A system as defined in claim 5 wherein said receptacle is sealed and has an inlet opening located to cause fluid flow to impinge the internal surface of said receptacle tangentially.

8. In a system for delivering sterile fluid to a patient, the combination comprising:

(a) a source of sterile fluid;

(b) a fluid delivery system for directing the sterile fluid from the source to a point of use in conjunction with a patient; and

(c) valve having fluid flow control means that is positively biased towards a flow interrupting position.

11. A system as defined in claim 8 wherein said biased fluid flow control means is shaped to create laminar fluid flow where passing fluid.

10. In a system for providing a plurality of individual outlets for the sequential delivery of sterile fluid free of cross-contamination, the combination comprising:

a) a source of sterile fluid;

b) a sterile fluid conducting network connected to said source of sterile fluid, said conducting network including a fluid supply manifold and a plurality of individual outlet means connected thereto; and

,

c) flow control means disposed within said fluid conducting network effective to cause flow of the fluid in said conducting network to exist as discrete quantities.