Fixed volume infusion device
First Claim
1. An incremental fixed volume fluid control cassette for use with a flow controller having a pair of movable control arms for controlling flow through said cassette, said cassette comprising:
- a housing;
a flow passageway through said housing including a fixed volume portion with an inlet and an outlet;
a pair of spaced apertures in said housing communicating with said flow passageway upstream and downstream of said fixed volume portion;
fluid control means carried by said housing in each of said apertures, said control means being adapted to engage said control arms for movement alternately into and out of said flow passageway to block or open said flow passageway;
vent opening in said housing in communication with said fixed volume portion;
hydrophobic filter means carried by said housing in the path of air venting through said vent opening to prevent the escape of liquid therethrough;
hydrophilic filter means carried in said flow passageway downstream of said fixed volume portion to prevent the passage of air to the patient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flow regulator is disclosed for controlling the intravenous infusion of parenteral solution or the like to a patient. The solution flows through passageways in a housing, including a fixed volume portion. Fluid control means upstream and downstream of the fixed volume portion alternately open and close inlet and outlet passageways to periodically fill and empty the fixed volume portion, which is vented to allow displacement air to enter or exit. Hydrophobic filter means are provided in the vent path to permit venting but to prevent the escape of liquid. Hydrophilic filter means are provided downstream of the fixed volume portion to prevent gas or air from passing to the patient. The alternate opening and closing of the fluid control means in the inlet and outlet passageways permits a maximum fixed volume of liquid to be dispensed to the patient.
33 Citations
9 Claims
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1. An incremental fixed volume fluid control cassette for use with a flow controller having a pair of movable control arms for controlling flow through said cassette, said cassette comprising:
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a housing; a flow passageway through said housing including a fixed volume portion with an inlet and an outlet; a pair of spaced apertures in said housing communicating with said flow passageway upstream and downstream of said fixed volume portion; fluid control means carried by said housing in each of said apertures, said control means being adapted to engage said control arms for movement alternately into and out of said flow passageway to block or open said flow passageway; vent opening in said housing in communication with said fixed volume portion; hydrophobic filter means carried by said housing in the path of air venting through said vent opening to prevent the escape of liquid therethrough; hydrophilic filter means carried in said flow passageway downstream of said fixed volume portion to prevent the passage of air to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 8)
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5. An incremental fixed volume fluid control cassette for use with a flow controller, said cassette comprising:
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a two-part housing comprising a body portion and a cap portion, said body portion comprising an inlet flow passageway, an outlet flow passageway and a recess in the surface of said body portion between and communicating in series with said inlet and outlet flow passageways, each of said inlet and outlet passageways being L-shaped with one leg of said passageway communicating with said recess; a cap carried on said body and covering said recess to define a chamber therebetween, said cap having vent opening means; hydrophobic filter membrane spanning said vent opening means to permit air to vent from said chamber while preventing liquid from escaping; hydrophilic filter membrane spanning said outlet flow passageway to filter fluid and prevent the passage of air to the patient; a pair of spaced apertures in said body portion and communicating with said inlet and outlet passageways on either side of said recess, each of said ports being substantially co-axial with one of the legs of one of said L-shaped passageways; an elastomeric seal carried in each of said apertures and being movable to engage a peripheral edge portion of said one leg of said L-shaped passageway to block the flow of liquid therethrough.
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6. An incremental fixed volume fluid control cassette for use with a flow controller, said cassette comprising:
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a housing; a flow passageway through said housing including a fixed volume portion with an inlet and an outlet; a pair of spaced apertures in said housing communicating with said flow passageway upstream and downstream of said fixed volume portion; fluid control means carried by said housing and associated with each of said apertures to block or open said flow passageway; vent opening in said housing in communication with said fixed volume portion; hydrophobic filter means carried by said housing in the path of air venting through said vent opening to prevent the escape of liquid therethrough; and hydrophilic filter means carried in said flow passageway downstream of said fixed volume portion to prevent the passage of air to the patient; said housing being of two-piece construction including a body portion defining said flow passageway upstream and downstream of said fixed volume portion, and a cap carried by said base and defining said fixed volume portion therebetween, said cap including said vent opening and said hydrophobic filter means being a hydrophobic membrane carried by said cap and spanning said vent opening. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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9. An incremental fixed volume fluid control cassette for use with a flow controller, said cassette comprising:
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a housing; a flow passageway through said housing including a fixed volume portion with an inlet and an outlet; a pair of spaced apertures in said housing communicating with said flow passageway upstream and downstream of said fixed volume portion; fluid control means carried by said housing and associated with each of said apertures to block or open said flow passageway; vent opening in said housing in communication with said fixed volume portion; hydrophobic filter means carried by said housing in the path of air venting through said vent opening to prevent the escape of liquid therethrough; and hydrophilic filter means carried in said flow passageway downstream of said fixed volume portion to prevent the passage of air to the patient; said fluid control means comprising a hollow elastomeric plug within each aperture, each of said plugs having an annular rim at one end engaging the edge of said aperture and a closed, rounded interior end portion disposed within said flow passageway, said passageway including an annular seat facing said closed end portion, whereby a control arm from said controller is movable within said plug to stretch said plug until said closed end engages said seat to block flow.
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Specification