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Apparatus and method for controlling the flow of fluid through an administration set

  • US 4,718,896 A
  • Filed: 01/10/1986
  • Issued: 01/12/1988
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1986
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for controlling the resistance to fluid flow in an administration set which includes a drop chamber, said system comprising in combination:

  • a drop detector for sensing drops of fluid falling in said chamber;

    a controller responsive to said drop detector for determining the actual flow rate of fluid in said administration set and comparing said actual flow rate with a predetermined desired flow rate;

    clamping means responsive to said controller for opening or closing a clamp pinching the tubing of said administration set, thereby adjusting the resistance to fluid flow in said administration set; and

    said controller including (1) first means for determining if the interval between successive drops is greater than a given percentage of the drop interval associated with said predetermined desired flow rate, (2) second means responsive to said first means to sequentially command said clamping means to open said clamp a predetermined amount, fully close said clamp, reopen said clamp and again close said clamp, and (3) third means for aborting the sequential movement of said clamp initiated by said second means if a drop is detected by said drop detector.

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