ANTI-FREE FLOW MECHANISM FOR ENTERAL FEEDING PUMPS

• US 20110028899A1
• Filed: 09/28/2010
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zevex (Moog Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Zevex (Moog Incorporated)
• Inventors: Allen, Blake, Bultman, Jason, Juretich, Jeff, Federspiel, Ryan, Beck, Kent, Eggers, Philip
• Granted Patent: US 8,343,111 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/151
• 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

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A device comprising:

a piece of tubing;

a occluder mechanism having a stop disposed in the tubing to prevent fluid flow through the tubing and an actuator disposed to forcefully engage and deform the tubing and open a flow channel around the stop.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the actuator is bendable against the tubing to open a flow channel through the tubing.

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein the actuator comprises at least one arm.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the end of the arm is configured to engage the tubing the tubing and open a flow channel.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the occluder mechanism comprises a body and wherein the actuator is formed by the body.

26. The device of claim 21, wherein the actuator extends generally parallel to the tube.

27. The device of claim 21, wherein the actuator comprises at least one arm.

28. The device according to claim 27, wherein the actuator comprises a pair of arms.

29. The device according to claim 28, wherein the arms are disposed on opposing sides of the tubing and are pressed toward one another to open fluid flow past the stop.

30. The device according to claim 21, wherein the actuator is disposed outside of the tube.

31. The device according to claim 21, wherein the actuator comprises at least one arm having an end configured to engage the tubing and open the flow channel.

32. The device according to claim 31, wherein the at least one arm comprises a single arm.

33. The device according to claim 31, wherein the at least one arm comprises a pair of arms.

34. The device according to claim 31, wherein the at least one arm extends along the tubing.

35. The device according to claim 31, wherein the occluder forms a connector and wherein the tubing comprises a first piece of tubing and a second piece of tubing connected by the occluder.

36. The device according to claim 31, wherein the end of the at least one arm comprises a projection having a generally U-shaped projection for engaging the tubing adjacent the occluder.

37. The device according to claim 36, wherein the projection has sharp corners.

38. The device according to claim 36 wherein the U-shaped projection has broadly rounded projections

39. The device according to claim 31, wherein the occluder comprises a body having an channel therethrough and wherein the actuator extends from the body.

40. The device according to claim 39, wherein the actuator comprises at least one bendable arm extending from the body to a position adjacent the stop.

41. The device according to claim 40, wherein the actuator comprises at least one pivotable arm extend from the body to the position adjacent the stop.

42. A system comprising the device of claim 21, and further comprising;

a pump;

a mounting structure disposed on the pump; and

wherein disposing the occluder in the mounting structure causes the actuator to open flow past the stop.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the tube is engaged by a pump rotor to thereby move fluid through the tubing.

44. A fluid delivery set comprising:

A flexible tubing having lumen therethrough;

a cassette body comprising;

a body;

a stop attached to the body portion and disposed in the lumen, the stop contacting the tube to selectively prevent flow therethrough; and

an actuator disposed outside of the tube, the actuator being attached to the body and being bendable to press against the stop and thereby open flow past the stop.

45. The fluid delivery set of claim 44, wherein the actuator comprises an arm extending along the tube and having an end disposed adjacent the stop.

46. The fluid delivery set of claim 45, wherein the arm extends generally parallel to the tube.

47. The fluid delivery set of claim 44, wherein the actuator comprises a pair of arms extending adjacent the stop, and wherein the pair of arms are pressed together to open flow past the stop.

48. The fluid delivery set of claim 47, wherein the pair of arms extend parallel to the tube.

49. A system comprising the fluid delivery set of claim 44, and further comprising a pump, wherein the tube is disposed in the pump to thereby pump fluid through the tube, and further comprising a mounting structure in the pump for receiving the cassette body.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein loading the cassette body in the mounting structure moves the actuator to thereby open flow past the stop.

51. A method for controlling fluid flow through tubing, the method comprising:

selecting a tubing having an occluder with a stop disposed in the tubing and an actuator extending along the tubing adjacent the occluder; and

pressing on the actuator to forcefully engage the tubing and deform the tubing to open a fluid flow channel.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the method comprises applying force to open a single channel.

53. The method according to claim 51 wherein the method comprises applying force on opposing sides of the stop to form a plurality of channels.

54. The method according to claim 51 wherein the tubing has an inner diameter and wherein the occluder comprises body and a stop having an outer diameter which is larger than the inner diameter of the tubing.

55. The method according to claim 51 wherein the occluder has a body which forms a connector for attaching segments of an infusion line.

56. The method according to claim 51 wherein the method comprises temporarily opening the occluder mechanism by applying force to the actuator to open flow through the tubing and then releasing pressure to terminate flow.