Intravenous clamp

• US 3,915,167 A
• Filed: 05/23/1974
• Issued: 10/28/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Neil S. Waterman
• Original Assignee: Neil S. Waterman
• Inventors: Waterman, Neil S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truluck, Dalton L.
• Application Number:
  US05/472,633
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 128/214R,214.2,227,274 251/4,6,9
• US Class Current: 604/250
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/284 Lever clamps

Abstract

An adjustable fluid flow valve clamp is formed of a one-piece molded plastic body part provided with a slidably adjustable cam follower member integrally formed therewith and connected thereto by an elongated thin flexible strip of plastic material. By a first rolling and folding operation of the flexible strip the cam follower member is inserted into a longitudinal slot formed in the open planar top portion of the body part, the plastic tubing of an intravenous set is then laid into an open trough in the body part of the clamp member, the said trough having an inclined ramp formed in the bottom thereof, and by a second folding operation the planar top portion, which is connected to the body portion by an integrally formed plastic hinge, is closed and locked into the body to complete the adjustable clamp assembly.

Claims

1. An adjustable clamp valve for intravenous infusion control comprising in combination, a one-piece molded plastic body having an elongated open trough formed therein, the bottom surface of said trough forming an incline with respect to the upper edges thereof, a foldable planar top portion joined to one upper edge of said trough by a first integrally molded hinge portion, a longitudinal slot formed in said planar top portion, a thin flexible strap portion joined to one end of said top portion by a second integral hinge and extending longitudinally in alignment with said slot, an enlarged cam follower member formed at the opposite end of said strap portion and joined thereto by a third integrally formed rollable hinge portion, and a first engaging portion on the edge of said top portion opposite said first integral hinge portion engageable with a corresponding second engaging portion on the opposite edge of said trough when said top portion is folded along said first hinge portion to cover said trough.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said cam follower member is rolled over said third hinge portion, said strap portion is folded over said second hinge portion, said cam follower member is inserted into said longitudinal slot, said planar top portion is folded along said first hinge portion to cover said trough, and sAid first and second engaging portions are engaged in locking relationship.

3. The combination of claim 2 including a length of flexible plastic tubing inserted longitudinally in said trough beneath said closed top portion, whereby longitudinal sliding motion imparted to said cam follower member causes said strap portion to press said flexible tubing against the inclined bottom surface of said trough to construct fluid flow through said tubing.

4. An adjustable fluid flow valve clamp for flexible tubing comprising in combination a tubing receiving hollow body having an inclined inner surface against which a length of flexible tubing is disposed, a pair of opposed side walls of said body restraining said tubing therewithin, a substantially planar wall of said body opposite said inclined inner surface, a longitudinal slot formed in said planar wall, an elongated flexible plastic strap having one end thereof joined to said planar wall, said strap disposed within said body between said slot and said tubing, and a manually adjustable slider member connected to the opposite end of said strap and mounted in said slot to protrude therethrough, a smooth inner surface of said slider member bearing against said strap, whereby when said slider member is moved from one end of said slot toward the opposite end thereof said tubing is compressed against said inclined surface to constrict the flow of fluid therethrough.

5. An intravenous infusion set including a length of flexible plastic tubing having means at one end thereof connectable to a container of solution to be infused and means at the opposite end connectable to a venous infusion needle, and a fluid flow control clamp member insertable therebetween comprising in combination a molded plastic-body structure having an elongated open trough for receiving said tubing, a bottom surface of said trough inclined at an angle with respect to the upper edges thereof, a cover member joined to one edge of said trough by a flexible hinge, locking means on the opposite edge of said cover member engageable with corresponding locking means on the opposite edge of said trough when said cover is closed thereover by folding said hinge, a longitudinal slot formed in said cover member parallel to said trough, an elongated thin flexible plastic strap joined at one end to an edge of said cover member and at the opposite end thereof to a manually adjustable moveable member, said moveable member being inserted into said slot for applying constrictive compression to said tubing when said cover member is closed thereover in locking engagement with said body, whereby said entire clamp member is formed as a unitary molded plastic part.