Apparatus for controlling fluid flow rate
First Claim
1. A device for controlling a flow rate of a liquid to be administered parenterally to a patient comprising means defining a passage through which a liquid can be flowed, and means for incrementally changing a flow rate of a liquid flowing through said passage, said means for incrementally changing the flow rate including means for incrementally changing a length of said passage through which said liquid is flowed thereby changing the flow rate of said liquid through said passage, wherien said means defining a passage includes a first member having a flat surface with a groove formed therein radially outward of an axis of rotation of said device and a second member having a surface overlying said groove to from at least a portion of said passage with said groove and said first member, said first and second members being secured against movement relative to one another in said device, wherein said means for incrementally changing the length of said passage through which said liquid is flowed comprises a third member having means for selectively bypassing said liquid about at least a portion of the passage defined between said first and second members through a bypass passage of said third member and wherein at least one of said first and second members has a plurality of spaced openings extending therethrough in a direction transverse to said flat surface of said first member and communicating with respective portions along the length of said passage defined between the first and second members, said plurality of spaced openings being located radially outward of said axis of rotation of said device, said third member being rotatable with respect to said first and second members about the axis of rotation of said device so as to be movable relative to said spaced openings to selectively communicate said bypass passage with respective ones of said openings to thereby incrementally change the length of said passage through which said liquid is flowed.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A variable infusion device for administering liquids parenterally to a patient is formed of inexpensive plastic members. The device includes an elongated passage defined between two members of the device which are bonded to one another. A third member is movable relative to the first and second members to change the length of the elongated passage through which liquid flows thereby changing the flow rate of the liquid through the device. The liquid flow rates to the patient can be incrementally adjusted over a wide range of flow rates. Settings also include a low flow rate for merely keeping the patient'"'"'s vein open.
59 Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A device for controlling a flow rate of a liquid to be administered parenterally to a patient comprising means defining a passage through which a liquid can be flowed, and means for incrementally changing a flow rate of a liquid flowing through said passage, said means for incrementally changing the flow rate including means for incrementally changing a length of said passage through which said liquid is flowed thereby changing the flow rate of said liquid through said passage, wherien said means defining a passage includes a first member having a flat surface with a groove formed therein radially outward of an axis of rotation of said device and a second member having a surface overlying said groove to from at least a portion of said passage with said groove and said first member, said first and second members being secured against movement relative to one another in said device, wherein said means for incrementally changing the length of said passage through which said liquid is flowed comprises a third member having means for selectively bypassing said liquid about at least a portion of the passage defined between said first and second members through a bypass passage of said third member and wherein at least one of said first and second members has a plurality of spaced openings extending therethrough in a direction transverse to said flat surface of said first member and communicating with respective portions along the length of said passage defined between the first and second members, said plurality of spaced openings being located radially outward of said axis of rotation of said device, said third member being rotatable with respect to said first and second members about the axis of rotation of said device so as to be movable relative to said spaced openings to selectively communicate said bypass passage with respective ones of said openings to thereby incrementally change the length of said passage through which said liquid is flowed.
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15. A device for controlling a flow rate of a liquid to be infused parenterally to a patient comprising a metering member having a flat surface with a groove formed therein radially outward of an axis of rotation of said device, a baffle member having a surface overlying the groove of the metering member to form a passage with said groove and said metering member through which a liquid can be flowed, said baffle member being secured against movement relative to said metering member, at least one of the metering member and the baffle member having a plurality of spaced openings extending therethrough in a direction transverse to said flat surface of said metering member and communicating with respective portions along the length of said passage, said plurality of spaced openings being located radially outward of said axis of rotation of said device, add a shunt rotatable about said axis of rotation relative to said metering member and baffle member for selectively communicating with respective ones of said plurality of spaced openings for bypassing liquid about at least a portion of the passage.
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16. A combination for variable infusion of liquid parenterally to a patient comprising a container a container containing a liquid to be administered parenterlaly to a patient, a needle set through which liquid form said container can be administered to a patient when a needle of said needle set is inserted into the patient, and means defining a flow path for conveying liquid from said container to said needle set, said means defining a flow path including a device for controlling a flow rate of a liquid from said container to be infused paraenterally to a patient via said needle set, said device comprising a metering member having a flat surface with a groove formed therein radially outward of an axis of rotation of said device, a baffle member having a surface overlying the groove of the metering member to form a passage with said groove and said metering member through which a liquid can be flowed, said baffle member being secured against movement relative to said metering member, at least one of the metering member and the baffle member having a plurality of spaced openings extending therethrough in a direction transverse to said flat surface of said metering member and communicating with respective portions along the length of said passage, said plurality of spaced openings being located radially outward of said axis of rotation of said device, and a shunt rotatable about said axis of rotation relative to said metering member and baffle member for selectively communicating with respective ones of said plurality of spaced openings for bypassing liquid about at least a portion of the passage.
Specification