ANTI-FREE FLOW MECHANISM

• US 20100036322A1
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Published: 02/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eitan Medical Limited
• Original Assignee: Q Core Medical Ltd.
• Inventors: Rotem, Shachar
• Granted Patent: US 9,333,290 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/14 Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/276 preventing unwanted use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/28 Clamping means for squeezing flexible tubes, e.g. roller clamps tube strippers A61M1/83
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/284 Lever clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14228 with linear peristaltic action, i.e. comprising at least three pressurising members or a helical member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1424 Manually operated pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16813 by controlling the degree of opening of the flow line

Abstract

The invention discloses an anti-free flow mechanism for a finger-type peristaltic infusion pump (DDS) comprising: a passive mechanical interface (MS) which integrally accommodates a portion of a flexible infusion-tube, and an anti-free flow valve (AFFV) which is a spring-activated latch incorporated with the (MS). The maneuverable latch is secured in the (MS) either in a closed or opened configuration: in its closed configuration no flow is provided and in its opened configuration, a free flow is facilitated. The anti-free flow is configured in a manner that when the (MS) is not properly mounted in the (DDS), the (AFFV) is automatically actuated to its closed configuration, and vice versa that when the (MS) is properly mounted in the (DDS), the latch is adapted to be automatically switched to the opened configuration The invention also presents methods for avoiding anti-free flow in finger-type peristaltic infusion pumps.

Claims

1. An anti-free flow mechanism for a finger-type peristaltic infusion pump (DDS);

said mechanism comprising (i) a passive mechanical interface (MS) which integrally accommodates a portion of the flexible infusion-tube, and (ii) an anti-free flow valve (AFFV) which is a spring-activated latch, said latch is incorporated within said MS;

wherein said maneuverable latch is secured in said MS either in CLOSE or OPEN configurations;

in its CLOSE configuration no flow is provided, and vice versa, in its OPEN configuration, a free flow is facilitated;

said anti-free flow mechanism is configures in a manner that when said MS is not properly mounted in said DDS, said AFFV is automatically actuated via a plurality, especially a set of one or more integrated springs, to its CLOSE configuration; and

vice versa, it is configures in a manner that when said MS is properly mounted in said DDS, said latch is adapted to be automatically switched to said OPEN configuration.

2. An anti-free flow mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said AFFV is adapted to be manually switched to a TEMPORALLY-OPEN configuration whereat the MS is not mounted in said DDS;

said configuration-switch is provided possible by applying a continuous press on said AFFV, and vice versa, immediately after stop pressing said AFFV is switched to its CLOSE configuration.

3. An anti-free flow mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said AFFV is adapted to be manually switched to its TEMPORALLY-OPEN configuration whereat the MS is not mounted in said DDS;

said AFFV is further adapted to be switched on to an self maintained SECURED-OPEN configuration; and

wherein this SECURED-OPEN configuration is possibly re-switched to the TEMPORALLY-OPEN configuration by applying an inverted tilting press.

4. An anti-free flow mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said AFFV is adapted to be automatically switched to its CLOSE configuration whereat MS is switched-out of the DDS, regardless to the initial SECURED-OPEN/TEMPORALLY-OPEN/CLOSE configuration of said AFFV, namely when the MS was mounted in said DDS).

5. An anti-free flow mechanism as defined in claim 1 especially adapted to be manually switched to its various OPEN/CLOSE configuration by one hand, while the MS is not mounted in said DDS.

6. A method for avoiding anti-free flow in a finger-type peristaltic infusion pump;

said method comprising steps of (a) obtaining an anti-free flow mechanism for a finger-type peristaltic infusion pump;

said mechanism comprising (i) a passive mechanical interface (MS) which integrally accommodates a portion of the flexible infusion-tube, and (ii) an anti-free flow valve (AFFV) which is a spring-activated latch, said latch is incorporated within said MS;

wherein said maneuverable latch is secured in said MS either in CLOSE or OPEN configurations;

in its CLOSE configuration no flow is provided, and vice versa, in its OPEN configuration, a free flow is facilitated;

said anti-free flow mechanism is configures in a manner that when said MS is not properly mounted in said DDS, said AFFV is automatically actuated via a plurality, especially a set of one or more integrated springs, to its CLOSE configuration; and

vice versa, it is configures in a manner that when said MS is properly mounted in said pump, said latch is adapted to be automatically switched to said OPEN configuration; and

(b), one or more of the following steps;

(i) manually switching said AFFV to a TEMPORALLY-OPEN configuration whereat the MS is not mounted in said DDS;

said switch is provided possible by applying a continuous press on said AFFV, and vice versa, immediately after stop pressing said AFFV is switched to its CLOSE configuration;

(ii) automatically switching said AFFV to its CLOSE configuration whereat MS is switched-out of the pump, regardless to the initial SECURED-OPEN/TEMPORALLY-OPEN/CLOSE configuration of said AFFV, namely when the MS was mounted in said DDS); and

, (iii) manually switching said AFFV to its various OPEN/CLOSE configurations by one hand, while the MS is not mounted in said pump.