Intravenous administration system
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for administering a liquid to a patient comprising:
- (a) at least one container for holding liquid suspended elevated above the patient;
(b) a passive metering device located a sufficient distance from the container to effect a substantial hydrostatic head pressure, the passive metering device containing at least one restricted orifice through which fluid may flow, the metering device located below the container;
(c) a regulator having a fluid chamber and an air-tight exit valve comprising means to obstruct air flow therethrough, the regulator located a pre-selected distance below the container;
(d) first flexible tubing connecting the container to the regulator with the metering device located therebetween so that constant volumetric flow from the container to the regulator is assured by the combination of constant hydrostatic pressure drop from the container to the regulator and the restricted flow through the metering device; and
(e) second flexible tubing connecting the output of the regulator to the patient so that instantaneous fluid flow to the patient is determined by the head pressure from the regulator to the patient.
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Abstract
An apparatus for administering a volumetric flow of parenteral liquids into a patient'"'"'s system, in which the quantity of liquid flowing into the system may be easily adjusted, is disclosed. The apparatus includes two separate hydrostatic head pressure systems. The first head pressure is from a container, through a metering device with an adjustable fixed orifice to a regulator located a fixed distance below the container. The second head is from the regulator, which is designed to prevent air flow through it, to the patient. Several embodiments of the metering device and of the regulator are disclosed.
30 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for administering a liquid to a patient comprising:
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(a) at least one container for holding liquid suspended elevated above the patient; (b) a passive metering device located a sufficient distance from the container to effect a substantial hydrostatic head pressure, the passive metering device containing at least one restricted orifice through which fluid may flow, the metering device located below the container; (c) a regulator having a fluid chamber and an air-tight exit valve comprising means to obstruct air flow therethrough, the regulator located a pre-selected distance below the container; (d) first flexible tubing connecting the container to the regulator with the metering device located therebetween so that constant volumetric flow from the container to the regulator is assured by the combination of constant hydrostatic pressure drop from the container to the regulator and the restricted flow through the metering device; and (e) second flexible tubing connecting the output of the regulator to the patient so that instantaneous fluid flow to the patient is determined by the head pressure from the regulator to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for administering a liquid to a patient comprising:
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(a) at least one container for holding liquid suspended elevated above the patient; (b) a passive metering device containing at least one restricted orifice through which fluid may flow, the metering device located below the container wherein the metering device is defined by at least two cross-tubes of a defined lumen diameter communicating a first manifold with a second manifold, wherein the cross-tubes are in spaced relationship from each other, the metering device further including an adjustable means for restricting one of the manifolds whereby the location of the restriction means determines the number of connection tubes in liquid communication between the first and second manifolds and thus determines the volume of liquid passing through the metering device; (c) a regulator having a fluid chamber and an air-tight exit valve comprising means to obstruct air flow therethrough, the regulator located a pre-selected distance below the container; (d) first flexible tubing connecting the container to the regulator with the metering device located therebetween so that constant volumetric flow from the container to the regulator is assured by the combination of constant hydrostatic pressure drop from the container to the regulator and the restricted flow through the metering device; and (e) second flexible tubing connecting the output of the regulator to the patient so that instantaneous fluid flow to the patient is determined by the head pressure from the regulator to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. An apparatus for administering a liquid to a patient comprising:
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(a) at least one container for holding liquid suspended elevated above the patient; (b) a passive metering device containing at least one restricted orifice through which fluid may flow, the metering device located below the container; (c) a regulator having a fluid chamber and an air-tight exit valve comprising means to obstruct air flow therethrough, the regulator located a pre-selected distance below the container, wherein the regulator comprises; a liquid holding chamber in flow communication with the tubing from the metering device, wherein a flexible extension of the tubing to the patient extends into the chamber; a buoyant float ball within the chamber, wherein the chamber has apertured retention means surrounding the float ball and proportioned to permit the float ball to float in spaced relation in the presence of liquid passing through the apertured retention means; wherein the ball is positioned against the extension in the absence of sufficient liquid to float the ball, the positioning effecting a sealing bend in the extension; (d) first flexible tubing connecting the container to the regulator with the metering device located therebetween so that constant volumetric flow from the container to the regulator is assured by the combination of constant hydrostatic pressure drop from the container to the regulator and the restricted flow through the metering device; and (e) second flexible tubing connecting the output of the regulator to the patient so that instantaneous fluid flow to the patient is determined by the head pressure from the regulator to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. In an apparatus for administering a parenteral liquid from a supply container to a patient wherein the apparatus includes tubing extending from a supply container to the patient, the improvement comprising a regulator located on the tubing between a first portion of the tubing extending from the supply container and a second portion of the tubing extending to the patient, the regulator comprising a liquid holding chamber in flow communication with the first and second portions of the tubing, wherein a flexible extension of the second portion of the tubing extends into the chamber, a buoyant float ball within the chamber wherein the chamber has appertured retention means surrounding the float ball and proportioned to permit the float ball to float in spaced relation in the presence of liquid passing through the appertured retention means.
wherein the ball is positioned against the flexible extension in the absence of sufficient liquid to float the ball, the positioning effecting a sealing bend in the flexible extension.
Specification