Method for sequential intravenous infusion of multiple fluids

• US 4,687,475 A
• Filed: 04/07/1986
• Issued: 08/18/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: I-Flow Corporation (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: I-Flow Corporation (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Brown, Eric W., Tai, Henry T.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vinyard, Sherri E.
• Application Number:
  US06/849,106
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 604/51-53, 604/80, 604/81, 604/152, 604/246, 604/248, 604/250, 604/410
• US Class Current: 604/248
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16827 controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407

Abstract

A method of sequential intravenous infusion of a plurality of fluid solutions is disclosed in which a spacer solution is administered alternately with the fluid solutions to prevent the fluid solutions from substantially mixing with one another.

Claims

1. A method for sequential intravenous administration of a plurality of fluid solutions, said method comprising:

providing a valve that provides continuous communication between an output and at least one of a plurality of inputs;

connecting a neutral solution to one input of said valve;

connecting each of said plurality of solutions to different inputs of said valve;

connecting a lumen of a catheter tube to the output of said valve; and

using an electronic processor to alternately switch said valve between the input connected to said neutral solution and one of said other plurality of inputs at predetermined intervals, said neutral solution being provided between said fluid solutions to prevent said fluid solutions from substantially mixing in said lumen of said catheter tube.