ANTI-FREE FLOW MECHANISM FOR ENTERAL FEEDING PUMPS

• US 20100082001A1
• Filed: 03/31/2009
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zevex (Moog Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Zevex (Moog Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bultman, Jason, Allen, Blake, Beck, Kent, Juretich, Jeff, Federspiel, Ryan, Eggers, Philip
• Granted Patent: US 8,876,787 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/250
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0076 Feeding pumps A61M1/00, A61M5/142, A61M25/1018 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0092 Valves on feeding tubes tube valves A61M39/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0482 Enteral feeding product
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/24 Check- or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/28 Clamping means for squeezing flexible tubes, e.g. roller clamps tube strippers A61M1/83
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/281 Automatic tube cut-off devices, e.g. squeezing tube on detection of air
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14232 Roller pumps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7889 Sleeve

Abstract

An anti-free-flow mechanism includes an occluder mechanism which is disposed along a segment of tubing and a mounting structure. The occluder mechanism is normally in a biased closed position, but may be moved into an open position by placement in the mounting structure. However, unless force is applied to keep the occluder mechanism in the mounting structure, the occluder will move relative to the mounting structure and return to the first, closed position.

Claims

1. An occluder system, comprising:

a segment of tubing of an infusion set;

an occluder mechanism engaging the tubing and configured to reduce or prevent fluid flow through the tubing, the occluder mechanism having a first, occluding position and a second, non-occluding position, the occluder mechanism being biased into the first position; and

a mounting structure for receiving the occluder mechanism and for moving the occluder mechanism into the second, non-occluding position, the mounting structure and the occluder mechanism being slidable with respect to one another such that the occluder mechanism will slide relative to the mounting structure and return to the first position absent an external force applied to hold the occluder mechanism in the mounting structure.

2. The occluder system of claim 1, wherein the occluder mechanism includes an actuator subject to a biasing member and at least one of the actuator and the mounting structure having a sloped wall, and wherein the occluder mechanism slides along the sloped wall under force of the biasing member.

3. The occluder system of claim 1, wherein the occluder mechanism includes a slider, an actuator, and a biasing member, and wherein the biasing member pushes the actuator outwardly to cause the occluder mechanism to slide at least partially out of the mounting structure unless an external force is applied to one of the occluder mechanism or the mounting structure.

4. The occluder system of claim 1, wherein the actuator has a sloped wall.

5. The occluder system of claim 1, wherein the occluder mechanism includes an actuator having at least one arm for engaging the tubing to open a flowpath in the tubing.

6. The occluder system of claim 1, wherein the occluder mechanism includes a stop and a connector, the stop being slidable with respect to the connector to selectively prevent flow through the connector.

7. The occluder system of claim 6, wherein the stop is disposed in the tubing and wherein stretching the tubing moves the stop away from the connector.

8. A method for selectively preventing a free-flow condition in an infusion set, the method comprising:

providing an occluder mechanism disposed along a segment of tubing of an infusion set, the occluder mechanism being biased in a first, closed position;

mounting the occluder mechanism in a mounting structure configured to move the occluder mechanism into a second, open position; and

automatically moving the occluder mechanism relative to the mounting structure to place the occluder mechanism in the first, closed position unless an external force is applied to the occluder mechanism.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising using tension on the tubing to hold the occluder mechanism in the mounting structure and in the second, open position.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the occluder mechanism and the mounting structure are configured such that release of tension on the tubing causes the occluder mechanism to move relative to the mounting structure and thereby return to the first, closed position.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the occluder mechanism includes a actuator.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising moving the actuator inwardly to move the occluder mechanism into the second, open position, and forcing the actuator to move outwardly to move the occluder mechanism relative to the mounting structure and return the occluder mechanism to the first, closed position.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the occluder mechanism includes an in-line occluder.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising applying a force to the tubing adjacent the in-line occluder to open flow through the tubing.

15. The method according to claim 8, wherein the occluder mechanism includes a pinch clip occluder.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising disposing the occluder in a housing having sloped walls and holding the occluding in the housing by applying tension to the tubing.

17. A device, comprising:

an occluder mechanism configured to occlude fluid flow in tubing of an enteral feeding infusion set; and

a mounting structure configured to selectively and cooperatively engage the occluder mechanism, wherein when the occluder mechanism is cooperatively engaged with the mounting structure, the occluder mechanism allows flow through the tubing, and when the occluder mechanism is not cooperatively engaged with the mounting structure, fluid flow through the tubing is prevented by the occluder mechanism.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the occluder mechanism and the mounting structure are cooperatively engaged by applying a linear force to the tubing.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the mounting device is configured to be affixed to an infusion pump.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the occluder mechanism is biased to prevent fluid flow through the tubing.