Gravity infusion regulating apparatus

• US 4,652,262 A
• Filed: 02/05/1985
• Issued: 03/24/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Professional Products GmbH (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Critikon GmbH (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Veracchi, F. Baldo
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Application Number:
  US06/698,329
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 604/407, 604/250, 604/253, 604/256, 128/DIG. 12, 128/DIG. 13
• US Class Current: 604/250
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1689 Drip counters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/13 Infusion monitoring

Abstract

For use independent of a stand, a monolithic, miniaturized gravity infusion regulating apparatus comprises a single casing (6) housing the photoelectric drop detector (7), the electronics with controls (8) and the regulating mechanism and which can be fitted to the drop chamber (1) of an infusion instrument (FIG. 2).

Claims

1. Gravity infusion regulating apparatus, comprising in combination,

a casing having a front part thereof formed with a notch corresponding to a contour of a drop chamber for frontal insertion of the drop chamber into said casing,

a photoelectric sensor being received in a seat of said casing, said casing also enclosing electronics with controls and a regulating mechanism,

a fork-like lever being pivotably mounted on said casing and held thereto by spring tension, said lever having an upper portion and a lower portion connected by a handle to said upper portion, said handle being located in a front portion of said casing, said lever being movable between a rest position and an actuated position,

said upper lever portion being formed with an indentation corresponding to said notch for receiving said drop chamber, said lower lever portion having an abutment, including a regulating tongue, for squeezing an infusion tube, said infusion tube being insertable free of any hindrance into said casing in the actuated position of said lever when said abutment is spaced from said infusion tube, while the abutment of said lever squeezes said infusion tube by means of said regulating tongue in the rest position of said lever, said lever being protected against any unintentional operation by a knob-like closure abutting said upper lever portion.

2. The gravity infusion regulating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein through operation of a microswitch, said closure also acts an an indicator for correct positioning of said lever, and for correct fitting of said drop chamber into said casing, enabling said electronics to give an alarm signal in the case of any operating errors, including incorrect positioning of said case and incorrect fitting of said drop chamber.

3. The gravity infusion regulating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said casing is provided with a recess, and further comprising a battery box held in said recess by means of permanent magnets with relative opposite poles provided in the casing recess and battery, respectively.

4. The gravity infusion regulating apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a chain secured to said casing and adapted to be fixed to a holder for a container of infusion solution, said container being located above said casing.