Flow control device
First Claim
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1. A flow control device of the type primarily designed for use with an intravascular pressure monitoring catheter system, said device comprising:
- (a) a housing including a first flow channel and a second flow channel interconnected in fluid communication with one another,(b) said first flow channel structured to establish fluid flow between a patient and a monitoring device, said second flow channel structured and disposed to establish fluid flow between a supply of infusion fluid and said first flow channel,(c) flow regulator means movably mounted coaxially with said second flow channel for regulating flow of infusion fluid through said second flow channel to said first flow channel,(d) a continuous path of fluid flow and an intermittent path of fluid flow both disposed along a substantially common path of travel defined between an interior surface of said second flow channel and an outer surface of said flow regulator means,(e) said continuous path of fluid flow comprising a groove formed in said outer surface of said flow regulator means and said outer surface disposed in substantially mating engagement with said interior surface of said second flow channel along the length of said flow regulator means,(f) said intermittent path of fluid flow being of greater cross sectional dimension than said continuous path of fluid flow and defined by spaced apart, non-mating disposition of said interior and outer surfaces of said second flow channel and said flow regulator means respectively and along the length of said flow regulator means, and(g) whereby at least a minimal amount of fluid flow is maintained along said common path of travel independent of the position of said flow regulator means relative to said second flow channel.
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Abstract
A flow control device designed to be used in combination with a catheter system itself designed for monitoring circulatory status including venous and arterial pressure where the subject flow control device provides a continuous flow of infusion fluid throughout the catheter system to prevent occlusion of the system resulting in inaccurate monitoring. The flow control device further has the ability to flush the entire system rapidly by selectively passing a larger quantity of infusion fluid throughout the catheter system when desired.
47 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A flow control device of the type primarily designed for use with an intravascular pressure monitoring catheter system, said device comprising:
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(a) a housing including a first flow channel and a second flow channel interconnected in fluid communication with one another, (b) said first flow channel structured to establish fluid flow between a patient and a monitoring device, said second flow channel structured and disposed to establish fluid flow between a supply of infusion fluid and said first flow channel, (c) flow regulator means movably mounted coaxially with said second flow channel for regulating flow of infusion fluid through said second flow channel to said first flow channel, (d) a continuous path of fluid flow and an intermittent path of fluid flow both disposed along a substantially common path of travel defined between an interior surface of said second flow channel and an outer surface of said flow regulator means, (e) said continuous path of fluid flow comprising a groove formed in said outer surface of said flow regulator means and said outer surface disposed in substantially mating engagement with said interior surface of said second flow channel along the length of said flow regulator means, (f) said intermittent path of fluid flow being of greater cross sectional dimension than said continuous path of fluid flow and defined by spaced apart, non-mating disposition of said interior and outer surfaces of said second flow channel and said flow regulator means respectively and along the length of said flow regulator means, and (g) whereby at least a minimal amount of fluid flow is maintained along said common path of travel independent of the position of said flow regulator means relative to said second flow channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification