Flow regulating device particularly for infusion and transfusion tubes

• US 3,918,675 A
• Filed: 08/24/1973
• Issued: 11/11/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hans-Jurgen Forberg
• Original Assignee: Hans-Jurgen Forberg
• Inventors: Forberg, Hans-Jurgen
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwadron, Martin P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gerard, Richard
• Application Number:
  US05/391,133
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 251/4-10
• US Class Current: 251/6
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/28 Clamping means for squeezing flexible tubes, e.g. roller clamps tube strippers A61M1/83
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/286 Wedge clamps, e.g. roller clamps with inclined guides

Abstract

A device for regulating the rate of flow in a flexible tube, particularly for infusion and transfusion apparatus, comprises a tube receiver which has a longitudinally extending clamping surface overwhich the tube to be clamped is positioned. A clamp member for example, a roller is guided for movement over the clamping surface on a guide track to bring the clamping member into close proximity to the clamping surface and to move it along the surface. The construction includes a groove defined in either the clamping surface itself or the clamping member which tapers inwardly in the direction of clamping movement and which accommodates the flexible tube during the clamping operation. A small loop or overhang portion of the tube forms in the groove as the clamping action is increased by movement of the clamping member over the tube along the clamping surface so that progressive movement of the clamping member reduces the size of the loop of the hose until it is eventually flattened completely and completely closed off.

Claims

1. A device for regulating the rate of flow in a flexible tube particularly for infusion and transfusion apparatus, comprising a tube receiver having a longitudinally extending clamping surface over which the tube to be clamped is positioned, a clamp member adapted to move over the clamping surface, guide means adjacent said clamping surface engaged with said clamp member and guiding said clamp member for movement in close proximity with the clamping surface along said clamping surface, at leaSt one of said clamping surface and said clamp member peripheral surface having a groove adjacent an edge thereof extending longitudinally along its length and tapering inwardly in the direction of clamping member movement and defining an edge of an effective clamping surface which varies longitudinally between the ends of said groove, the tube to be clamped being positionable on the clamping surface and extending with a portion thereof into said groove, the portion of the tube to be clamped which is in said groove being reduced in cross section during the movement of the clamping member and the remaining portion of the tube to be clamped being positioned between the clamping member and the clamping surface so as to be clamped by the clamping member in a substantially flattened position, said tube receiver including side walls on each side of said clamping surface arranged directly adjacent each side of said clamping member, said groove having at least a portion thereof below said clamping surface extending away from said surface beyond the adjacent said side wall forming an overhanging portion of said side walls over said groove.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the overhanging portion of the side wall on said groove is provided with a beveled end face.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping surface does not extend over the entire length of displacement of the clamping member.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said groove extends along a major portion of said clamping surface and it has a tapered portion forming a gradually reducing cross section which accommodates a gradually reducing area of said flexible tube.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said clamping surface has said groove, said groove being bounded by a side wall on the side adjacent the clamping surface which extends at a right angle to the clamping surface.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said clamping surface has said groove, said groove having a side wall on each side which extend substantially parallel to each other and at right angles to said clamping surface.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein said clamping surface has said groove on one side and has an opposite side provided with a raised step extending over the entire length of its clamping surface.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said groove has an intermediate section with at least one side wall tapering inwardly at a different taper from the remaining section.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said clamping member and said clamping surface is knurled.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein said clamping surface has said groove, said groove being of a lesser length than said clamping surface.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein said groove has a depth which decreases in the direction of its taper.