Pinch valve assembly

• US 4,559,045 A
• Filed: 05/10/1983
• Issued: 12/17/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fresenius AG (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA), Fresenius USA Incorporated (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Original Assignee: Anatros Corporation
• Inventors: Danby, Hal C., Ritson, Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Application Number:
  US06/493,182
• Time in Patent Office: 952 Days
• Field of Search: 604/250, 604/34, 604/245, 604/246, 251/7, 251/8, 251/9, 251/133
• US Class Current: 604/250
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/28 Clamping means for squeezing flexible tubes, e.g. roller clamps tube strippers A61M1/83

Abstract

A disposable pinch valve assembly for parenteral solution delivery systems comprises a two-piece tubing receptor housing hingedly connected and with an irreversible snap connection which will not permit removal of the device from parenteral tubing after assembly. A back section has an integral movable pressure plate attached to the housing by integral flexible web connectors. When the movable plate is actuated toward the stationary press surface, tubing is pinched therebetween and the cross-section area of the flow passage through the tubing is reduced. The movable pressure plate is designed to engage a actuator connector which engages the device with a motor-driven actuator in an axially sliding engagement.

Claims

1. A disposable pinch valve assembly for a parenteral solution delivery system comprising a tubing receptor housing having mutually engagable front and back sections, the front section and back section thereof being hingedly connected along one edge and having an irreversible connecting means on the opposite edge thereof, the front section including a stationary pressure plate means against which tubing can be pressed, the back section including a movable pressure plate means for pressing tubing against said stationary pressure plate to reduce the cross-sectional area of the flow passageway of the tubing in response to axial displacement by a motor-driven actuator, wherein the irreversible connection means comprises a snap connection with a projection latch member and a receptor latch member, the projection latch member having a tooth defined by a sloped surface leading from the tip of the projecting latch member and a following surface which forms an acute angle with respect to the sloped surface, and the receptor latch member having a passageway for receiving the projecting latch member and a stop means which, by abutting the following surface of the projection latch member in latching engagement prevents withdrawal of the projecting latch member from the receptor latch member.

2. A disposable pinch valve for a parenteral solution delivery system comprising a tubing receptor housing having mutually engagable front and back sections, the front section including a stationary pressure plate means against which tubing can be pressed, the back section including an outer rim and a movable pressure plate means for pressing tubing against said stationary pressure plate to reduce the cross-sectional area of the flow passageway of the tubing in response to axial displacement by a motor-driven actuator, the movable pressure plate means including a circular central plate connected to the outer rim by flexible radial web members.

3. The disposable pinch valve assembly of claim 2 wherein the web connector means comprises a flexible circular ring connected to the central plate and to the outer rim by the radial web members.

4. The disposable pinch valve assembly of claim 3 wherein the web members connecting the circular ring with the central plate are angularly displaced with respect to the web members connecting the circular ring with the outer rim.

5. A disposable pinch valve for a parenteral solution delivery system comprising a tubing receptor housing having mutually engagable front and back sections, the front section including a stationary pressure plate means against which tubing can be pressed, the back section including a movable pressure plate means for pressing tubing against said stationary pressure plate to reduce the cross-sectional area of the flow passageway of the tubing in response to axial displacement by a motor-driven actuator and an actuator connector retention means, the movable pressure plate defining a threaded recess for engagingly receiving a threaded actuator connector means, and threaded actuator connector means having a connecting end with a threaded male member for engaging the threaded recess and a motor drive end for engaging a motor drive means, the connecting end having an annular flange engaging the actuator connector retention means.

6. The disposable pinch valve assembly of claim 5 in combination with a motor coupler having female projections, wherein the actuator connector has a plurality of spline means in the outer cylindrical surface thereof for engaging the female projections in sliding engagement.

7. A disposable pinch valve for a parenteral solution delivery system in combination with a motor housing comprising a tubing receptor housing having mutually engagable front and back sections, the front section including a first stationary pressure plate means against which tubing can be pressed, the back section including a movable pressure plate means for pressing tubing against said first stationary pressure plate to reduce the cross-sectional area of the flow passageway of the tubing in response to axial displacement by a motor-driven actuator, the front section having a latch projection means for engaging a retaining means in the motor housing, the latch projection means having a second stationary pressure plate surface against which tubing can be pinched to terminate fluid flow therethrough, the motor housing having a movable means for pressing tubing against the secondary pressure plate surface in response to a system malfunction.