Infusion pump/controller flow sensor support bracket

• US 4,706,368 A
• Filed: 01/21/1986
• Issued: 11/17/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William Beaumont Hospital (Beaumont Health)
• Original Assignee: William Beaumont Hospital (Beaumont Health)
• Inventors: Kribs, Natalie A., Windingland, Lyle N., Crissman, John S. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Foss, J. Franklin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Talbott, David L.
• Application Number:
  US06/820,324
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 248/229, 248/121, 248/125, 248/128, 248/129, 248/122, 248/231.7, 29/526 R
• US Class Current: 29/525.09
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1415 Stands, brackets or the like for supporting infusion accessories
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49961 At least one part nonmetallic

Abstract

This invention relates to a support bracket which positions the flow sensor of an IV pump or controller used in fluid administration systems for patients in medical care. Significant problems have been encountered when the flow sensor and the drop chamber to which it is attached become tilted during use causing improper operation of the system. This invention prevents such problems by securely mounting the IV sensor to the IV pole through the use of a support bracket.

Claims

1. A method for supporting the drop chamber of an IV fluid administration system having a vertically extending IV pole, an administration bag having said drop chamber attached thereto, and a flow sensor attached to said drop chamber for monitoring the presence of fluid in said drop chamber, comprising the steps of:

providing a vertically extending IV pole, an administration bag associated with said vertically extending IV pole, a drop chamber having a fluid flow path associated with said administration bag, and a flow sensor attached to said drop chamber for monitoring the presence of fluid flow in said drop chamber fluid flow path,

providing a rigid support bracket having an elongated arm section, a first clamping member adapted to be removably secured to said IV pole, and a second clamping member adapted to be removably secured to said flow sensor,

orientating said first clamping member with respect to said IV pole such that said first clamping member is clamped to said IV pole along a substantially vertical axis, thereby orientating said second clamping member with respect to said first clamping member such that said second clamping member clamps along an axis substantially perpendicular to said first clamping axis,

attaching said first clamping member to said IV pole,

attaching said second clamping member to said flow sensor such that said drop chamber fluid flow path is substantially parallel to said IV pole, and

preventing movement of said first clamping member and said second clamping member with respect to said arm section so that said rigid support bracket, when attached to both said IV pole and said flow sensor, supports said flow sensor and said drop chamber to maintain said drop chamber and fluid flow path in a desired orientation.