Fluid flow control assembly

• US 4,317,473 A
• Filed: 12/31/1979
• Issued: 03/02/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Gaydos, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, Charles A.
• Application Number:
  US06/108,955
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 222/71, 222/420-422, 222/485, 222/488, 222/547, 222/564, 222/548, 222/554, 251/206-209, 251/125, 128/214 R, 128/214 C, 138/43, 138/45, 138/46, 119/72.5, 239/542
• US Class Current: 138/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1411 Drip chambers A61M5/162, A61M5/1689, A61M5/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16881 Regulating valves on-off valves, e.g. clamps A61M39/28
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/44 Mechanical actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 47/06 with a throttle in the form of a helical channel

Abstract

A flow control assembly, particularly for intravenous usage, is comprised of a fluid receiving member having a fluid channel and a fluid conduit in fluid flow communication with a source of intravenous fluid; a fluid dispensing member preferably including a drip chamber for connecting a conduit thereto; and fluid flow control member positioned between the fluid receiving member and the fluid dispensing member and having a plurality of flow channels of predetermined cross-section thereby forming with the fluid dispensing member calibrated flow passageways to the drip chamber whereby rotation of the fluid dispensing member with respect to the fluid receiving member selectively orients the fluid channel of the fluid receiving member to one of the calibrated flow passageways thereby to establish a predetermined fluid flow rate from the source of the intravenous fluid to the recipient thereof.

Claims

1. A fluid flow control assembly for the controlled metering of the flow of fluid between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet thereof, which comprises:

a fluid receiving member having a fluid inlet and fluid passageway means in fluid flow communication with said fluid inlet; and

a fluid dispensing member having a fluid outlet and including a plurality of calibrated fluid flow passageways and a fluid chamber, said fluid dispensing member being rotatably mounted to said fluid receiving member, said fluid dispensing member being formed with a cylindrically-shaped inner side wall in which is positioned a fluid control member of cylindrical shape and having a plurality of varying sized channels formed transverse thereof thereby forming with said inner surface of said sidewall of said fluid dispensing member said plurality of calibrated fluid flow passageways, wherein said cylindrically-shaped fluid control member is formed with a conically shaped bottom portion to form a site for droplet formation of said fluid, whereby each of said calibrated fluid flow passageways is selectively positionable with respect to said fluid passageway means of said fluid receiving member thereby to meter in a predetermined manner the flow of fluid through said assembly to said fluid outlet.

2. The fluid flow control assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluid receiving member is formed with a chamber in which said fluid dispensing member is disposed in fluid tight relationship.

3. The fluid flow control assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein a gasket is fixedly disposed with respect to said fluid receiving member in a chamber between said fluid receiving member and said fluid dispensing member.

4. The fluid flow control assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said fluid receiving member is formed with stud members extending into said chamber and cooperating with orifices in said gasket.

5. The fluid flow control assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said gasket is formed with a trough about the peripheral portions thereof in fluid flow relationship with said passageway means.

6. The fluid flow control assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluid chamber is sized to permit observation of the rate of droplet formation per unit time.