Flow control system and restrictor for use therein
First Claim
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1. A control for regulating the flow of a liquid through a compressible tube, said control operating in cooperation with a drop sensor which provides output signals commensurate with the flow of fluid from a reservoir into the tube, said control comprising:
- restrictor means for applying a variable compressive force to a tube through which the flow is to be regulated, said restrictor means including;
adapter means, said adapter means having a first passage extending therethrough, said first passage being sized and shaped to receive the tube, said adapter means further defining a second passage which is transverse to and intersects said first passage, said second passage extending from a first side of said adapter means to said first passage;
plunger means, said plunger means having a housing which defines an internal chamber, said plunger means including a plunger movable longitudinally within said chamber, said plunger having a portion which extends outwardly through the first wall of said housing, said housing further defining a holder on the exterior of said first wall, said holder receiving and supporting said adapter means with said first side of said adapter means facing said first wall of said plunger means housing and with said plunger in registration with said adapter means second passage;
motor means, said motor means having a rotatable output shaft; and
means coupling said motor means output shaft to said plunger means plunger, said coupling means extending into said plunger means housing defined chamber and converting the motor means output shaft rotory motion to longitudinal motion of said plunger;
computer means, said computer means including a program memory and a scratchpad memory, said computer means having a stored program comprising instructions for producing output signals commensurate with flow rate errors and volume yet to be delivered through the tube;
keyboard means for generating command signals and data signals commensurate with a desired flow rate and quantity, said keyboard means being connected to said computer means whereby the generated command and data signals may be supplied to said computer means;
means delivering the drop sensor output signals to said computer means whereby said computer means may compare actual and desired flow rates and generate first error signals as a result of said comparison and whereby said computer means may determine the volume of fluid delivered through the tube and compare the delivered volume with the desired volume and generate second error signals when the total desired volume has been delivered through the tube; and
means applying said computer means generated error signals to said restrictor means motor means whereby the tube will be compressed to a degree commensurate with the desired flow rate in response to the said first error signals and will be compressed to a point where flow is prevented in response to the said second error signals.
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Abstract
The rate and total quantity of a fluid being delivered intravenously to a patient are accurately controlled by a restrictor which operates under the supervision of a microprocessor. The microprocessor provides control signals to a stepping motor which, through appropriate gearing, causes movement of a plunger so as to increase or decrease the compression of a plastic tube of an IV set which is captured in a disposable adapter mounted in registration with the plunger.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A control for regulating the flow of a liquid through a compressible tube, said control operating in cooperation with a drop sensor which provides output signals commensurate with the flow of fluid from a reservoir into the tube, said control comprising:
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restrictor means for applying a variable compressive force to a tube through which the flow is to be regulated, said restrictor means including; adapter means, said adapter means having a first passage extending therethrough, said first passage being sized and shaped to receive the tube, said adapter means further defining a second passage which is transverse to and intersects said first passage, said second passage extending from a first side of said adapter means to said first passage; plunger means, said plunger means having a housing which defines an internal chamber, said plunger means including a plunger movable longitudinally within said chamber, said plunger having a portion which extends outwardly through the first wall of said housing, said housing further defining a holder on the exterior of said first wall, said holder receiving and supporting said adapter means with said first side of said adapter means facing said first wall of said plunger means housing and with said plunger in registration with said adapter means second passage; motor means, said motor means having a rotatable output shaft; and means coupling said motor means output shaft to said plunger means plunger, said coupling means extending into said plunger means housing defined chamber and converting the motor means output shaft rotory motion to longitudinal motion of said plunger; computer means, said computer means including a program memory and a scratchpad memory, said computer means having a stored program comprising instructions for producing output signals commensurate with flow rate errors and volume yet to be delivered through the tube; keyboard means for generating command signals and data signals commensurate with a desired flow rate and quantity, said keyboard means being connected to said computer means whereby the generated command and data signals may be supplied to said computer means; means delivering the drop sensor output signals to said computer means whereby said computer means may compare actual and desired flow rates and generate first error signals as a result of said comparison and whereby said computer means may determine the volume of fluid delivered through the tube and compare the delivered volume with the desired volume and generate second error signals when the total desired volume has been delivered through the tube; and means applying said computer means generated error signals to said restrictor means motor means whereby the tube will be compressed to a degree commensurate with the desired flow rate in response to the said first error signals and will be compressed to a point where flow is prevented in response to the said second error signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. In a device for controllably compressing a flexible tube to vary the flow therethrough, the device including a reciprocal plunger which exerts force on the tube, the device having a housing with an aperture through which the plunger extends, the improvement comprising:
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holder means, said holder means being mounted on the device housing; a clamp member, said clamp member being provided with a tube receiving recess extending between oppositely disposed second and third sides thereof; and a cap member, said cap member being engagable with said clamp member to capture the tube in said recess, said cap and clamp members cooperating to define a discardable adapter which is received in said holder means. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification