APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING FREE FLOW IN AN INFUSION LINE

• US 20110004190A1
• Filed: 09/14/2010
• Published: 01/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Blake Allen, David Cise, David J. Mcnally, John Dickey, Kent F. Beck
• Original Assignee: Blake Allen, David Cise, David J. Mcnally, John Dickey, Kent F. Beck
• Inventors: Beck, Kent F., Dickey, John, McNally, David J., Cise, David, Allen, Blake
• Application Number:
  US12/882,047
• Publication Number:
  US 20110004190A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/242 designed to open when a predetermined pressure or flow rate has been reached, e.g. check valve actuated by fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/2473 Valve comprising a non-deformable, movable element, e.g. ball-valve, valve with movable stopper or reciprocating element
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/2486 Guided stem, e.g. reciprocating stopper
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/24 Check- or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/281 Automatic tube cut-off devices, e.g. squeezing tube on detection of air
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14 Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
• 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 5/14232 Roller pumps

Abstract

An apparatus and method for preventing free flow through an infusion set utilizes an occluder disposed within the infusion set to selectively prevent flow therethrough. The occluder may be responsive to a pressure differential within the infusion set or may respond to compression of the infusion set. The occluder may also be configured to allow flow when the infusion set adjacent the occluder is moved sideways relative to the occluder or maintained at an angle relative to the occluder. When a pair of occluders are used in sequence, an in-line pump may be formed.

Claims

1. A system for selectively preventing flow through a length of tubing, the system comprising:

a length of tubing;

a body having a proximal section disposed in the tubing;

a stop attached to the proximal section of the body and disposed in the tubing; and

an actuator movable into communication with the tubing for pressing on the tubing on one side of the stop to thereby open a flow channel between the tubing and the stop, the actuator comprising a plurality of engagement surfaces for engaging the tubing at a plurality of different locations.

2-17. -17. (canceled)

18. A method for selectively preventing flow in a tube comprising:

selecting a tube having an occluder disposed therein, the occluder comprising a body having a proximal and a distal end and a stop attached to the proximal end of the body, the stop engaging the interior surface of the tube to prevent flow therethrough;

moving an actuator having a plurality of engagement surfaces disposed thereon into engagement with the tube so that the plurality of engagement surfaces on the actuator engage the tube at different locations on one side of the tube and open a flow channel between the stop and the interior surface of the tube.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the method further comprises selecting an occluder having a pair of generally annular ribs formed on the stop.

20-49. -49. (canceled)

50. A method for controlling flow in a set for delivering solution to a patient comprising:

selecting a set having a tube having a bore and an occluder having a body having a proximal end configured for disposition in the bore of the tube and having a stop disposed on the proximal end of the body so as to form a seal between the stop and the tube and thereby prevent flow past the stop;

disposing the infusion set in an infusion pump having a pumping mechanism such that the pumping mechanism occludes flow through the tubing when the infusion set engages the pumping mechanism; and

moving an actuator into contact with the tube to engage the infusing set at a plurality of locations with the actuator such that a single flow channel is created adjacent the stop so as to allow flow past the occluder.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the step of moving an actuator comprises moving a pump door having an actuator disposed thereon.

52. A method for selectively controlling free flow in a delivery set, the method comprising:

selecting an delivery set having tubing and having an occluder disposed in the bore of the tubing to prevent flow of solution past the occluder;

mounting the delivery set into an infusion pump; and

engaging the tubing with an actuator so as open a flow channel generally opposite the actuator between the occluder and the tubing of the infusion set to allow flow past the occluder.

53. The method according to claim 52, wherein the method comprises applying pressure to the tubing to open a flow channel past the occluder generally opposite of the actuator.

54. The method according to claim 52, wherein the method further comprises applying force to the infusion set tubing to bend the tubing relative to the occluder.

55. A system for delivering fluids, the system comprising:

a tube at least portion of which is radially expandable, the tube having a bore;

an occluder disposed inside the tube to thereby selectively prevent flow through the bore; and

a pump configured to engage the tube and push fluid therethrough, the pump having a structure formed therein for receiving the tube and occluder such that pushing the tube into the structure compresses the tube against the occluder on one side and opens a fluid flow path on an opposing side.

56. The system for delivering fluids of claim 55, wherein the structure formed in the pump comprises a channel, and wherein the tube is disposed in the channel.

57. The system for delivering fluids of claim 56, wherein the channel has a rounded bottom portion which receives the tube and the occluder.

58. The system for delivering fluids of claim 56, wherein the channel has sidewalls which slope toward one another below a midsection of the occluder when the tube and occluder are nested in the channel.

59. The system for delivering fluids of claim 55, wherein pump comprises a rotor which engages the tubing to pump fluid therethrough.

60. The system for delivering fluids of claim 55 wherein the occluder is generally ball-shaped.

61. A system for delivering solution to a patient comprising:

a pump housing having channel formed therein; and

a tube having an occluder disposed therein;

wherein the tube is mounted in the channel such that at least a portion of the channel applies a compressive force on at least a portion of the tube and opens a flow channel past the occluder.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein the occluder is selected from the group consisting of a stop, a vane and a duckbill valve;

and

63. The system of claim 61, wherein the channel has a bottom and wherein the tube is sandwiched between the occluder and the bottom of the channel.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein the flow channel is disposed between the occluder and the tube opposite the bottom of the channel.

65. The system of claim 61, wherein the channel is walls tapering to a rounded bottom.

72. The method of claim 63, wherein the U-shaped channel has a rounded end and the method comprises disposing the tube against the rounded bottom to open the flow path on a side of the occluder opposite the rounded bottom.

73. The method of claim 62, wherein the U-shaped channel has sloping walls tapering toward the bottom.

66. A system for selectively delivering fluid through a tube, the system comprising:

a tube having an occluder disposed therein; and

a channel having sides and a bottom, a section of the tube and occluder being disposed adjacent the bottom of the channel to open a single flow path past the occluder.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the tube is radially expandable and contractable, and wherein removing the tube from the channel causes the tube adjacent the occluder to contract about the occluder and close the flow path.

68. The system of claim 66, wherein the section of the tube at the bottom of the channel is compressed between the occluder and the bottom of the channel.

69. The system claim 66 wherein the single flow path is disposed on a side of the occluder opposite the bottom.

71. A method for delivering a solution to a patient, the method comprising:

selecting a tube having an occluder formed therein to obstruct flow; and

disposing the tube and the occluder into a generally U-shaped channel so as to distend the tube adjacent the occluder and open a flow path between the occluder and the tube.