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Method and apparatus for controlling the dispensing of fluid

  • US 4,261,356 A
  • Filed: 10/23/1978
  • Issued: 04/14/1981
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1978
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A disposable metering unit for use in controlling the intravenous administration of a fluid to a patient, comprising:

  • inlet conduit means for delivering fluid at a hydrostatic pressure from a source of fluid;

    metering means for receiving a predetermined increment of fluid from the conduit means and for emptying the predetermined increment of fluid by the suction of gravity flow without adding substantial pressure to the hydrostatic pressure, said metering means defining a metering chamber having opposed inner walls, and movable diaphragm means positioned in the metering chamber, said diaphragm means being capable of being moved at the hydrostatic pressure between a first position in which said diaphragm means is positioned against one of the opposed inner walls of the metering chamber with substantially all of the volume of the chamber being on one side of the diaphragm means, and a second position in which the diaphragm is in contact with the other of said opposed inner walls of the metering chamber with substantially all of the volume of said metering chamber being on the other side of said diaphragm means, whereby said metering means may be repeatedly filled with fluid to impel the diaphragm means into its second position and then to drain said fluid from the metering means with the diaphragm means moving to the first position, whereby said predetermined increments of fluid may be of constant volume and may be passed through said metering means; and

    outlet conduit means communicating with the metering means for receiving said increments wherein gravity suction flow takes place to empty the metering means when the outlet means is opened, both said inlet and outlet conduit means communicating with the metering chamber at the same side of said diaphragm means, said metering means defining exterior vent means communicating into said metering chamber adjacent the opposed inner wall of said metering chamber with which the diaphragm is in contact in its second position, to facilitate free flow of air into and out of said metering chamber as said diaphragm means moves between its first and second positions;

    and means for permitting the alternative and sequential valving of fluid through said inlet conduit means and outlet conduit means.

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