Flow control mechanism for a plasmapheresis assembly or the like
First Claim
1. A flow control assembly for flexible fluid conduits comprisingfirst means including a fluid manifold defining a fluid pathway and including means for attaching two or more flexible fluid conduits to said manifold for establishing flow communications between the attached conduits, andsecond means releasably attachable to said fluid manifold and operative, when so attached, for selectively crimping at least one of the conduits attached to said fluid manifold to thereby block said flow communication through said fluid manifold.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flow control assembly comprises separate first and second members. The first member is attachable to two or more flexible fluid conduits and serves to establish flow communication between the attached conduits. The second member carries one or more crimping mechanisms and is releasably attachable to the first member. When the first and second members are attached together, the crimping mechanisms of the second member can be independently and selectively operated to close one or more of the flexible conduits attached to the first member. Fluid flow into and through the first member can thus be controlled from a convenient, centralized location. The assembly is extremely adaptable and can be readily incorporated into virtually any fluid system which requires complex, repetitive valving functions. For example, the assembly is ideally suited for use in conjunction with a plasmapheresis system.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A flow control assembly for flexible fluid conduits comprising
first means including a fluid manifold defining a fluid pathway and including means for attaching two or more flexible fluid conduits to said manifold for establishing flow communications between the attached conduits, and second means releasably attachable to said fluid manifold and operative, when so attached, for selectively crimping at least one of the conduits attached to said fluid manifold to thereby block said flow communication through said fluid manifold.
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13. A plasmapheresis assembly comprising
primary conduit means including, at one end thereof, a phlebotomy needle, first and second blood collection containers, first and second auxiliary conduit means respectively attached in flow communication with said collection containers, a fluid manifold interconnecting said primary conduit means with said first and second auxiliary conduit means, and flow control means releasably attachable to said fluid manifold and operative, when so attached, for individually and selectively crimping each of said auxiliary conduit means to thereby block fluid communication between said primary conduit means and each of said auxiliary conduit means.
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14. A plasmapheresis assembly comprising
primary conduit means including, at one end thereof, a phlebotomy needle, first and second blood collection containers, first and second auxiliary conduit means respectively attached in fluid communication with said collection containers, a fluid manifold interconnecting said primary conduit means and said first and second auxiliary conduit means, said manifold including a main passage having an end attached in flow communication with said primary conduit means and an end normally open to communication with the atmosphere and accommodating attachment to a recipient set having a length of flexible tubing for conducting fluids into said main passage, a pair of branch passages each communicating with said main passage intermediate said ends thereof and attached in flow communication with a respective one of said first and second auxiliary conduit means, and plug means removably insertable into said open end of said main passage for sealing said open end while simultaneously blocking flow communication between said branch passages through said main passage, flow control means releasably attachable to said fluid manifold and operative, when so attached, for individually and selectively crimping each of said first and second auxiliary conduit means to thereby block fluid communication between said primary conduit means and each of said auxiliary conduit means.
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28. A flow control assembly for flexible fluid conduits comprising
first means attachable to two or more flexible fluid conduits and operative fror establishing flow communication between the attached conduits, and second means including a frame including, a base and sidewalls attached to said base, said base and sidewalls peripherally defining an interior area, means defining openings in said sidewalls corresponding in number with the number of flexible conduits for accommodating the passage of the fluid conduits from said first means outwardly beyond said frame, attachment means carried by said base for releasably engaging said first means within the confines of said interior area with the fluid conduits passing outwardly through said openings, and crimping means defining a notch associated with one or more of said openings for selectively engaging and crimping a portion the fluid conduit passing through said opening.
Specification