Free flow prevention system for infusion pump
First Claim
1. A free flow prevention system comprising:
- IV tubing having a lumen through which fluid may be pumped for administration to a patient;
a pumping assembly including pumping means for pumping fluid through the IV tubing, and releasable holding means for holding the IV tubing during operation of the pumping assembly;
a flexible clamp associated with the IV tubing and having a pair of clamping arms defining a variable width slot along which the IV tubing may be moved between a first position wherein the width of the slot is sufficient to permit the clamp to be positioned longitudinally along the IV tubing, and a second position wherein the width of the slot is normally less than the width of the slot at the first position, the clamping arms being resiliently biased to a closed position wherein the IV tubing is squeezed when in its second position to close the lumen to prevent fluid flow, the clamping arms being movable against the bias to an open position wherein the lumen of the IV tubing is allowed to open so that flow through the lumen is permitted;
clamp-receiving means on the pumping assembly for releasably receiving the flexible clamp; and
releasable clamp-opening means for separating the clamping arms of the flexible clamp and moving the arms from their closed position to the open position before operation of the pumping assembly;
the clamp-receiving means and clamp-opening means being mounted on the infusion pump for movement of the clamp-opening means relative to the flexible clamp received in the clamp-receiving means between an unloading position, wherein the clamp-opening means does not hold the arms of the flexible clamp in their open position, and an operating position, wherein the clamp-opening means moves the arms of the flexible clamp to their open position and holds the arms in the open position.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A free flow prevention system for preventing free flow of fluid through IV tubing when the tubing is disconnected from an infusion pump. A flexible clamp is provided having a pair of clamping arms, which define a variable width slot for receiving the IV tubing. The IV tubing may be moved along the slot between a first position wherein the width of the slot is sufficient to permit the clamp to be positioned longitudinally along the IV tubing, and a second position wherein the width of the slot is normally less than the width of the slot at the first position. The clamping arms are resiliently biased to a closed position wherein the IV tubing is squeezed when in its second position to close the lumen to prevent fluid flow. A clamp-receiving passageway and clamp-opening wedge are provided on the infusion pump. The clamp-opening wedge is movable relative to a clamp received in the passageway to an operating position, wherein the wedge moves the arms of the flexible clamp against their bias to an open position wherein the lumen of the IV tubing is allowed to open to permit fluid flow during operation of the pump.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A free flow prevention system comprising:
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IV tubing having a lumen through which fluid may be pumped for administration to a patient; a pumping assembly including pumping means for pumping fluid through the IV tubing, and releasable holding means for holding the IV tubing during operation of the pumping assembly; a flexible clamp associated with the IV tubing and having a pair of clamping arms defining a variable width slot along which the IV tubing may be moved between a first position wherein the width of the slot is sufficient to permit the clamp to be positioned longitudinally along the IV tubing, and a second position wherein the width of the slot is normally less than the width of the slot at the first position, the clamping arms being resiliently biased to a closed position wherein the IV tubing is squeezed when in its second position to close the lumen to prevent fluid flow, the clamping arms being movable against the bias to an open position wherein the lumen of the IV tubing is allowed to open so that flow through the lumen is permitted; clamp-receiving means on the pumping assembly for releasably receiving the flexible clamp; and releasable clamp-opening means for separating the clamping arms of the flexible clamp and moving the arms from their closed position to the open position before operation of the pumping assembly; the clamp-receiving means and clamp-opening means being mounted on the infusion pump for movement of the clamp-opening means relative to the flexible clamp received in the clamp-receiving means between an unloading position, wherein the clamp-opening means does not hold the arms of the flexible clamp in their open position, and an operating position, wherein the clamp-opening means moves the arms of the flexible clamp to their open position and holds the arms in the open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An infusion pump for regulating fluid flow through a lumen of IV tubing to a patient and being adapted for use with a flexible clamp that prevents free flow of the fluid through the IV tubing after the tubing is disconnected from the infusion pump, the clamp being of the type having a pair of clamping arms defining a variable width slot along which the IV tubing may be moved between a first position wherein the width of the slot is sufficient to permit the clamp to be positioned longitudinally along the IV tubing, and a second position wherein the width of the slot is normally less than the width at the first position, the clamping arms being resiliently biased to a closed position wherein the IV tubing is squeezed when in the second position to close the lumen to prevent fluid flow, the clamping arms being movable against the bias to an open position wherein the lumen of the IV tubing is allowed to open so that flow through the lumen is permitted;
- the infusion pump comprising;
a pumping assembly including pumping means adapted for pumping fluid through the IV tubing, and releasable holding means adapted for holding the IV tubing during operation of the pumping assembly; clamp-receiving means on the pumping assembly adapted for releasably receiving the flexible clamp; and releasable clamp-opening means adapted for separating the clamping arms of the flexible clamp and moving the arms from their closed position to the open position before operation of the infusion pump; the clamp-receiving means and clamp-opening means being mounted on the infusion pump for movement relative to one another between an unloading position, wherein the clamp-opening means does not hold the arms of a flexible clamp received in the clamp-receiving means in their open position, and an operating position wherein the clamp-opening means moves the arms of a flexible clamp received in the clamp-receiving means to their open position and holds the arms in the open position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
- the infusion pump comprising;
- 19. A flexible clamp for preventing undesired free flow of fluid through IV tubing when the IV tubing is disconnected from an infusion pump regulating fluid flow to a patient, the clamp having a pair of clamping arms defining a variable width slot along which the IV tubing may be moved between a first position wherein the width of the slot is sufficient to permit the clamp to be positioned longitudinally along the IV tubing, and a second position wherein the width of the slot is normally less than the width of the slot at the first position, the clamping arms being resiliently biased to a closed position wherein the IV tubing is squeezed when at the second position to close the lumen to prevent fluid flow, the clamping arms being movable against the bias to an open position wherein the lumen of the IV tubing is allowed to open so that flow through the lumen is permitted, the clamp further comprising a bridging portion defining an inner end of the slot, the clamping arms of the clamp extending outwardly from the bridging portion and terminating in free ends that define the outer end of the slot, the clamping arms and bridging portion being formed of thermoplastic or synthetic resin material and a resilient spring member biasing the clamping arms to their closed position.
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24. A flexible clamp for preventing undesired free flow of fluid through IV tubing when the IV tubing is disconnected from an infusion pump regulating fluid flow to a patient, the clamp having a pair of clamping arms defining a variable width slot along which the IV tubing may be moved between a first position wherein the width of the slot is sufficient to permit the clamp to be positioned longitudinally along the IV tubing, and a second position wherein the width of the slot is normally less than the width of the slot at the first position, the clamping arms being resiliently biased to a closed position wherein the IV tubing is squeezed when at the second position to close the lumen to prevent fluid flow, the clamping arms being movable against the bias to an open position wherein the lumen of the IV tubing is allowed to open so that flow through the lumen is permitted, the clamp being adapted for use in an infusion pump including a pumping assembly having a wedge for opening the clamping arms of the flexible arms before operation of the pumping assembly;
- the clamp further comprising a bridging portion defining an inner end of the slot, the clamping arms and bridging portion being formed of thermoplastic or synthetic resin material and a resilient spring member biasing the clamping arms to their closed position, the clamping arms of the clamp extending outwardly from the bridging portion and terminating in free ends that define the outer end of the slot, the free ends of the arms being tapered inwardly toward the slot and bridging portion to guide the wedge into the outer end of the slot between the clamping arms;
the clamping arms defining a portion of the slot generally adjacent the inner end of the slot as the second position having a width normally less than the width of the slot at the first position, and the clamping arms have portions generally adjacent their free ends that define an open area generally adjacent the free ends as the first position wherein the width of the slot is sufficient to permit the clamp to move longitudinally along the IV tubing.
- the clamp further comprising a bridging portion defining an inner end of the slot, the clamping arms and bridging portion being formed of thermoplastic or synthetic resin material and a resilient spring member biasing the clamping arms to their closed position, the clamping arms of the clamp extending outwardly from the bridging portion and terminating in free ends that define the outer end of the slot, the free ends of the arms being tapered inwardly toward the slot and bridging portion to guide the wedge into the outer end of the slot between the clamping arms;
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25. A flexible clamp for preventing undesired free flow of fluid through IV tubing when the IV tubing is disconnected from an infusion pump regulating fluid flow to a patient, the clamp having a pair of clamping arms defining a variable width slot along which the IV tubing may be moved between a first position wherein the width of the slot is sufficient to permit the clamp to be positioned longitudinally along the IV tubing, and a second position wherein the width of the slot is normally less than the width of the slot at the first position, the clamping arms being resiliently biased to a closed position wherein the IV tubing is squeezed when at the second position to close the lumen to prevent fluid flow, the clamping arms being movable against the bias to an open position wherein the lumen of the IV tubing is allowed to open so that flow through the lumen is permitted, the clamp further comprising two bridging portions joining the clamping arms and defining opposite ends of the slot, the bridging portions and/or clamping arms being sufficiently flexible to permit the clamping arms to be moved against the bias to their open position.
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26. An IV tubing set adapted for use with an infusion pump of the type comprising a pumping assembly including pumping means for pumping fluid through IV tubing to regulate fluid flow through the IV tubing, and releasable holding means for holding IV tubing during operation of the pumping assembly, clamp-receiving means on the pumping assembly for releasably receiving a clamp associated with the IV tubing, and releasable clamp-opening wedge mounted on the pumping assembly for moving a clamp to an open position permitting fluid flow through the IV tubing, the clamp-receiving means and clamp-opening wedge being of the type mounted on the infusion pump for movement relative to one another between an unloading position, wherein the clamp-opening wedge does not hold the arms of a flexible clamp received in the clamp-receiving means in their open position, and an operating position, wherein the clamp-opening wedge moves the arms of a flexible clamp received in the clamp-receiving means to their open position and holds the arms in the open position;
- the IV tubing set comprising;
IV tubing having a lumen through which fluid may be pumped for administration to a patient; and a flexible clamp associated with the IV tubing and being adapted to be inserted in clamp-receiving means before operation of the infusion pump, the flexible clamp having a pair of clamping arms defining a variable width slot along which the IV tubing may be moved between a first position wherein the width of the slot is sufficient to permit the clamp to be positioned longitudinally along the IV tubing, and a second position wherein the width of the slot is normally less than the width at the first position, the clamping arms being resiliently biased to a closed position wherein the IV tubing is squeezed when in the second position to close the lumen to prevent fluid flow, the clamping arms being movable against the bias to an open position wherein the lumen of the IV tubing is allowed to open so that flow through the lumen is permitted such that the clamp-opening wedge of the infusion pump can move the clamping arms to the open position before operation of the infusion pump; the clamp further comprising a hinged bridging portion defining an inner end of the slot, the clamping arms of the clamp extending outwardly from the hinged bridging portion and terminating in free ends that define the outer end of the slot, the clamping arms and bridging portion being formed of thermoplastic or synthetic resin material and a resilient spring member biasing the clamping arms to their closed position. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
- the IV tubing set comprising;
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29. An IV tubing set adapted for use with an infusion pump of the type comprising a pumping assembly including pumping means for pumping fluid through IV tubing to regulate fluid flow through the IV tubing, and releasable holding means for holding IV tubing during operation of the pumping assembly, clamp-receiving means on the pumping assembly for releasably receiving a clamp associated with the IV tubing, and releasable clamp-opening means for moving a clamp to an open position permitting fluid flow through the IV tubing, the clamp-receiving means and clamp-opening means being of the type mounted on the infusion pump for movement relative to one another between an unloading position, wherein the clamp-opening means does not hold the arms of a flexible clamp received in the clamp-receiving means in their open position, and an operating position, wherein the clamp-opening means moves the arms of a flexible clamp received in the clamp-receiving means to their open position and holds the arms in the open position, the infusion pump being of the type wherein the clamp-opening means comprises a wedge mounted on the pumping assembly for movement relative to the clamp-receiving means between the unloading and operating positions;
- the IV tubing set comprising;
IV tubing having a lumen through which fluid may be pumped for administration to a patient; and a flexible clamp associated with the IV tubing and being adapted to be inserted in clamp-receiving means before operation of the infusion pump, the flexible clamp having a pair of clamping arms defining a variable width slot along which the IV tubing may be moved between a first position wherein the width of the slot is sufficient to permit the clamp to be positioned longitudinally along the IV tubing, and a second position wherein the width of the slot is normally less than the width at the first position, the clamping arms being resiliently biased to a closed position wherein the IV tubing is squeezed when in the second position to close the lumen to prevent fluid flow, the clamping arms being movable against the bias to an open position wherein the lumen of the IV tubing is allowed to open so that flow through the lumen is permitted such that the clamp-opening means of the infusion pump can move the clamping arms to the open position before operation of the infusion pump; the clamp further comprising a hinged bridging portion defining an inner end of the slot, the clamping arms of the clamp extending outwardly from the hinged bridging portion and terminating in free ends that define the outer end of the slot, the clamping arms and bridging portion being formed of thermoplastic or synthetic resin material and a resilient spring member biasing the clamping arms to their closed position, the free ends of the arms being tapered inwardly toward the slot and bridging portion to guide the wedge into the outer end of the slot between the clamping arms; the clamping arms defining a portion of the slot generally adjacent the inner end of the slot as the second position having a width normally less than the width of the slot at the first position, and the clamping arms have portions generally adjacent their free ends that define an open area generally adjacent the free ends as the first position wherein the width of the slot is sufficient to permit the clamp to move longitudinally along the TV tubing. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
- the IV tubing set comprising;
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33. An IV tubing set adapted for use with an infusion pump of the type comprising a pumping assembly including pumping means for pumping fluid through IV tubing to regulate fluid flow through the IV tubing, and releasable holding means for holding IV tubing during operation of the pumping assembly, clamp-receiving means on the pumping assembly for releasably receiving a clamp associated with the IV tubing, and releasable clamp-opening means for moving a clamp to an open position permitting fluid flow through the IV tubing, the clamp-receiving means and clamp-opening means being of the type mounted on the infusion pump for movement relative to one another between an unloading position, wherein the clamp-opening means does not hold the arms of a flexible clamp received in the clamp-receiving means in their open position, and an operating position, wherein the clamp-opening means moves the arms of a flexible clamp received in the clamp-receiving means to their open position and holds the arms in the open position;
- the IV tubing set comprising;
IV tubing having a lumen through which fluid may be pumped for administration to a patient; and a flexible clamp associated with the IV tubing and being adapted to be inserted in clamp-receiving means before operation of the infusion pump, the flexible clamp having a pair of clamping arms defining a variable width slot along which the IV tubing may be moved between a first position wherein the width of the slot is sufficient to permit the clamp to be positioned longitudinally along the IV tubing, and a second position wherein the width of the slot is normally less than the width at the first position, the clamping arms being resiliently biased to a closed position wherein the IV tubing is squeezed when in the second position to close the lumen to prevent fluid flow, the clamping arms being movable against the bias to an open position wherein the lumen of the IV tubing is allowed to open so that flow through the lumen is permitted such that the clamp-opening means of the infusion pump can move the clamping arms to the open position before operation of the infusion pump; the flexible clamp further comprising two bridging portions joining the clamping arms and defining opposite ends of the slot, the bridging portions and/or clamping arms being sufficiently flexible to permit the clamping arms to be moved against the bias to their open position.
- the IV tubing set comprising;
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34. An IV tubing set adapted for use with an infusion pump of the type comprising a pumping assembly including pumping means for pumping fluid through IV tubing to regulate fluid flow through the IV tubing, and releasable holding means for holding IV tubing during operation of the pumping assembly, clamp-receiving means on the pumping assembly for releasably receiving a clamp associated with the IV tubing, and releasable clamp-opening means for moving a clamp to an open position permitting fluid flow through the IV tubing, the clamp-receiving means and clamp-opening means being of the type mounted on the infusion pump for movement relative to one another between an unloading position, wherein the clamp-opening means does not hold the arms of a flexible clamp received in the clamp-receiving means in their open position, and an operating position, wherein the clamp-opening means moves the arms of a flexible clamp received in the clamp-receiving means to their open position and holds the arms in the open position;
- the IV tubing set comprising;
IV tubing having a lumen through which fluid may be pumped for administration to a patient; and a flexible clamp associated with the IV tubing and being adapted to be inserted in clamp-receiving means before operation of the infusion pump, the flexible clamp having a pair of clamping arms extending in a longitudinal direction and defining a variable width slot that is elongate in the longitudinal direction of the clamp and along which the IV tubing may be moved between a first position wherein the width of the slot is sufficient to permit the clamp to be positioned longitudinally along the IV tubing, and a second position wherein the width of the slot is normally less than the width at the first position, the clamping arms being resiliently biased to a closed position wherein the IV tubing is squeezed when in the second position to close the lumen to prevent fluid flow, the clamping arms being movable against the bias to an open position wherein the lumen of the IV tubing is allowed to open so that flow through the lumen is permitted such that the clamp-opening means of the infusion pump can move the clamping arms to the open position before operation of the infusion pump; the clamp further comprising means for limiting the distance the flexible clamp can be inserted into the clamp-receiving means of the infusion pump to a first predetermined distance, the first and second positions being spaced apart along the slot a second predetermined distance substantially equal to the first predetermined distance. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
- the IV tubing set comprising;
Specification