Gravitational flow system for the sequential administration of medical liquids
First Claim
1. A gravitational flow system for the sequential administration of medical liquids to a patient comprising:
- a primary container suspended in space for containing a primary medical liquid,a primary tube having its distal end in fluid communication with said primary container,a secondary container suspended in space at a height greater than that of said primary container for containing a secondary medical liquid,a secondary tube having its distal end in fluid communication with said secondary container,a common tube having its distal end in fluid communication with the proximal ends of said primary and secondary tubes and its proximal end open for the flow of liquid therethrough to form a primary liquid path comprising said primary tube and said common tube and a secondary liquid flow path comprising said secondary tube and said common tube,secondary flow control means in said secondary liquid flow path for adjusting the flow rate of said secondary liquid therethrough,primary flow control means on said primary tube for adjusting the flow of said primary liquid through said primary liquid flow path at a rate independent of the flow rate of said secondary liquid through said secondary liquid flow path, anda combined air barrier and liquid sequencing valve interposed in said primary and secondary flow paths which allows primary liquid to flow from said primary container whenever the height of said primary liquid is less than or equal to the height of said secondary liquid in said system and which prevents primary liquid from flowing from said primary container whenever the height of said primary liquid is less than the height of said secondary liquid in said system,said combined air barrier and liquid sequencing valve comprising a housing having an air capturing pocket disposed in the primary liquid flow path through said valve, said air capturing pocket being constructed and arranged for the entrapment of a quantity of air therein during dispensing of secondary liquid whereby the flow of primary liquid is halted.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gravitational flow system for the sequential administration of medical liquids to a patient comprises a primary container connected to a primary tube, a secondary container connected to a secondary tube, and a combined air barrier and liquid sequencing valve which connects them and is in fluid communication with a common tube extending to the patient. A primary flow control device is positioned in the primary flow path and a secondary flow control device is positioned in the secondary flow path. In operation the system dispenses primary liquid unless interrupted by a flow of secondary liquid. In that instance, primary liquid flow is cut off by an air capturing pocket. At the same time, a plurality of air barriers prevent infusion of air into the patient.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A gravitational flow system for the sequential administration of medical liquids to a patient comprising:
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a primary container suspended in space for containing a primary medical liquid, a primary tube having its distal end in fluid communication with said primary container, a secondary container suspended in space at a height greater than that of said primary container for containing a secondary medical liquid, a secondary tube having its distal end in fluid communication with said secondary container, a common tube having its distal end in fluid communication with the proximal ends of said primary and secondary tubes and its proximal end open for the flow of liquid therethrough to form a primary liquid path comprising said primary tube and said common tube and a secondary liquid flow path comprising said secondary tube and said common tube, secondary flow control means in said secondary liquid flow path for adjusting the flow rate of said secondary liquid therethrough, primary flow control means on said primary tube for adjusting the flow of said primary liquid through said primary liquid flow path at a rate independent of the flow rate of said secondary liquid through said secondary liquid flow path, and a combined air barrier and liquid sequencing valve interposed in said primary and secondary flow paths which allows primary liquid to flow from said primary container whenever the height of said primary liquid is less than or equal to the height of said secondary liquid in said system and which prevents primary liquid from flowing from said primary container whenever the height of said primary liquid is less than the height of said secondary liquid in said system, said combined air barrier and liquid sequencing valve comprising a housing having an air capturing pocket disposed in the primary liquid flow path through said valve, said air capturing pocket being constructed and arranged for the entrapment of a quantity of air therein during dispensing of secondary liquid whereby the flow of primary liquid is halted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A gravitational flow system for the sequential administration of medical liquids to a patient, comprising:
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a primary container suspended in space for containing a primary medical liquid, a primary tube having its distal end in fluid communication with said primary container for the flow of primary liquid therethrough, a secondary container suspended in space at a height greater than that of said primary container for containing a secondary medical liquid, a secondary tube having its distal end in fluid communication with said secondary container for the flow of a secondary medical liquid therethrough, a common tube having its distal end in fluid communication with the proximal ends of said primary and secondary tubes and its proximal end open for the flow of liquid therethrough to form a primary liquid path comprising said primary tube and said common tube and a secondary liquid flow path comprising said secondary tube and said common tube, a secondary flow control means in said secondary liquid flow path for adjusting the flow rate of said secondary liquid therethrough, a primary flow control means on said primary tube for adjusting the flow rate of said primary liquid through said primary flow path to a rate independent of the flow rate of said secondary liquid through said secondary liquid flow path, and a combined air barrier and liquid sequencing valve having a housing comprising a first chamber which constitutes a portion of said primary tube and has inlet and outlet ports thereto and a second chamber which constitutes a portion of said secondary tube and has inlet and outlet ports thereto, said first chamber having valve means associated therewith which allows liquid to flow from said primary container whenever the height of said primary liquid is greater than or equal to the height of said secondary liquid in said system and which prevents primary liquid from flowing from said primary container whenever the height of said primary liquid is less than the height of said secondary liquid in said system, said second chamber having means associated therewith substantially impervious to air while said set is in use to prevent the flow of air through said secondary flow path. - View Dependent Claims (11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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12. A combined air barrier and liquid sequencing valve for the sequential administration of a primary liquid and a secondary liquid comprising:
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a housing divided into two or more chambers by a plurality of partition members, a first chamber in said housing having an inlet port incorporated therein for the passage of primary liquid into said first chamber, and an outlet port incorporated therein for the passage of said primary liquid from said first chamber into the second chamber, said outlet port from said first chamber including a hydrophilic membrane incorporated therein and covered thereby for the prevention of air movement between said first chamber and said second chamber when said hydrophilic membrane is moistened, an inlet port to said second chamber for the admission of secondary liquid and a plurality of outlet ports from said second chamber for the passage of primary or secondary liquid, and an air capturing pocket proximate said hydrophilic membrane covering said outlet port from said first chamber to said second chamber, said air capturing pocket being constructed and arranged for the reception of residual air within said second chamber proximate said hydrophilic membrane when said secondary liquid is dispensed into said second chamber whereby the flow of said primary liquid is interrupted for so long as the pressure of said secondary liquid is greater than that of said primary liquid. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification