Infusion apparatus
First Claim
1. Infusion apparatus operable by gravity, and comprising:
- a solvent container for being suspended at a higher level than the infusion point;
a drop chamber means beneath the container and connected to the container for infusion to drop through;
an infusion needle;
an infusion tube connecting the drop chamber means and the needle, the infusion tube being clampable for changing the cross-section thereof;
a tube clamp means connected on the tube for clamping the tube to vary the cross-section thereof to a selected cross-section for controlling the normal gravity flow infusion rate;
pressure increasing means connected externally of the tube at a portion of the tube between the tube clamp means and the needle;
the pressure increasing means being selectively actuated in response to predetermined flow conditions in said tube for periodically increasing the pressure in the section of the tube between the tube clamp means and the needle and for thereafter permitting the pressure in that section of the tube to decrease by compressing and then releasing the tube at spaced time intervals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosure concerns a gravity operated infusion apparatus. A solvent container is suspended above an infusion needle. A flexible tube joins the container and needle. A tube clamp varies the cross-section of the tube for controlling the infusion rate. Between the tube clamp and the needle an additional pressing apparatus is selectively actuable for increasing the pressure within the tube and between the tube clamp and infusion needle. In one embodiment the pressing apparatus comprises an eccentric disc that cooperates with a plate for pressing the tube and in another embodiment two plates are squeezed together against the tube. In a modification embodiment one plate rocks or tumbles as it moves with respect to the other plate.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Infusion apparatus operable by gravity, and comprising:
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a solvent container for being suspended at a higher level than the infusion point;
a drop chamber means beneath the container and connected to the container for infusion to drop through;an infusion needle;
an infusion tube connecting the drop chamber means and the needle, the infusion tube being clampable for changing the cross-section thereof;a tube clamp means connected on the tube for clamping the tube to vary the cross-section thereof to a selected cross-section for controlling the normal gravity flow infusion rate; pressure increasing means connected externally of the tube at a portion of the tube between the tube clamp means and the needle;
the pressure increasing means being selectively actuated in response to predetermined flow conditions in said tube for periodically increasing the pressure in the section of the tube between the tube clamp means and the needle and for thereafter permitting the pressure in that section of the tube to decrease by compressing and then releasing the tube at spaced time intervals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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3. Infusion apparatus operable by gravity, and comprising:
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a solvent container for being suspended at a higher level than the infusion point;
a drop chamber means beneath the container and connected to the container for infusion to drop through;an infusion needle;
an infusion tube connecting the drop chamber means and the needle, the infusion tube being clampable for changing the cross-section thereof;a tube clamp means connected on the tube for clamping the tube to vary the cross-section thereof to a selected cross-section for controlling the normal gravity flow infusion rate; pressure increasing means connected externally of the tube at a portion of the tube between the tube clamp means and the needle;
the pressure increasing means being selectively actuated in response to predetermined flow conditions in said tube for periodically increasing the pressure in the section of the tube between the tube clamp means and the needle and for thereafter permitting the pressure in that section of the tube to decrease by compressing and then releasing the tube at spaced time intervals;at the portion of the tube at the pressure increasing means, said tube being resiliently formed and the pressure increasing means comprising pressing means for controllably compressing the tube portion for producing pressure fluctuations in the tube; said pressing means comprising two plates between which the tube portion passes; and means for driving the plates toward and away from one another for selectively compressing and then releasing the tube at spaced time intervals. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12)
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Specification