Programmable flexible-tube flow regulator and use methods
First Claim
1. A method of controlling fluid flow through tubes, comprising the steps of:
- clamping a continuous longitudinal pliable tube to a side of a measuring unit;
sensing fluid flowing through the continuous longitudinal tube by sensing an exterior side wall portion of the tube; and
regulating the fluid flowing through the tube by exerting pressure on another exterior side wall portion of the tube to form an opening and closing valve, wherein the steps of clamping, sensing and regulating the fluid occur without removing portions of fluid from the fluid flow pathway passing through the tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Programmable methods and apparatus for providing flow control in valves. In a preferred embodiment flow control occurs by pressing opposite sides of a very flexible tube section together to selectively, and programmably, closing and opening the flow pathway. Linear or rotary cam electrically motorized members provide valve function without requiring fluid flow through the valve. Alternatively, micro-fluidic amplifiers and fluidic logic circuits can be used to sense and control fluid pressure in a pre-calculated proportional flow regulation pattern. The invention can be used in medical, hospital, clinic and home-care units for bladder cycling a patient whose urinary tracts have an indwelling catheter, utilizing a pressure transducer that opens and closes the valve in accordance with preprogrammed pressure buildup or time intervals. Other uses include a medical infusion subsystem by regulating flow of fluid from a medication reservoir into the blood or into a digestive system. Electromechanical and electrochemical sensors coupled by tubing to reservoirs can collect electromechanical data. Additional uses can include industrial and consumer applications can include kidney dialysis, heart catheters, and neutral or cranial stents, and the like, can be additional medical areas for specific computer-chip controlled flow regulation units. Displays and/or parameter warning indicators can also be used.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of controlling fluid flow through tubes, comprising the steps of:
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clamping a continuous longitudinal pliable tube to a side of a measuring unit;
sensing fluid flowing through the continuous longitudinal tube by sensing an exterior side wall portion of the tube; and
regulating the fluid flowing through the tube by exerting pressure on another exterior side wall portion of the tube to form an opening and closing valve, wherein the steps of clamping, sensing and regulating the fluid occur without removing portions of fluid from the fluid flow pathway passing through the tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator, comprising:
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means for clamping an exterior side portion of a continuous longitudinal flexible tube to a measuring unit;
means for sensing fluid flowing through the continuous longitudinal portion of the tube by sensing an exterior side wall portion of the tube in the unit; and
means for regulating fluid flowing through the tube by exerting pressure on another exterior side wall portion of the tube to form an opening and closing valve that controls the fluid flowing therethrough, wherein the clamping means, the sensing means and the regulating means occur without removing any portions of the fluid flowing through the tube. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification