Intravenous metering device

• US 5,190,527 A
• Filed: 12/03/1991
• Issued: 03/02/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Hamilton, Dannie E., Scola, Roberta
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JONES, MARYBETH O
• Application Number:
  US07/802,069
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 604/51, 604/56, 604/65, 604/66, 604/118, 604/246, 604/247, 604/257, 604/258, 604/151, 604/153, 128/DIG. 12, 417/479
• US Class Current: 604/153
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/24 Check- or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14224 Diaphragm type
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/02 having plate-like flexible members, e.g. diaphragms F04B43/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/106 the valve being a membrane
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/12 Pressure infusion

Abstract

An intravenous metering device is provided which includes an air retention chamber in downstream fluid communication with a source of fluid and in upstream fluid communication with a pumping chamber. A first valve is provided between the air retention chamber and the pumping chamber to control access to the pumping chamber. A second valve is provided to control the exit of fluid from the pumping chamber. The valves include a shared diaphragm portion. A safety mechanism as provided to prevent accidental free flow of fluid through the metering device. In a first preferred embodiment of a safety mechanism, a gradually tapered priming stem is provided attached to the diaphragm portion of the second valve. In a second preferred embodiment of a safety mechanism, a priming stem is provided attached to the diaphragm portion of the second valve and a priming stem release mechanism is further provided.

Claims

1. A device which meters fluid for delivery from a source of fluid to a patient, comprising:

an air retention chamber having upper and lower portions, the upper portion having an inlet in fluid communication with the source of fluid, the lower portion having an outlet in fluid communication with a fluid passageway;

a pumping chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being in fluid communication with the fluid passageway, the pumping chamber inlet including a first valve to control the entry of fluid into the pumping chamber, the pumping chamber outlet including a second valve having an outlet pressure chamber in fluid communication with the pumping chamber and having a diaphragm as an upper wall;

a standpipe prestressed against the diaphragm;

means for varying the volume of the pumping chamber to pressurize the pumping chamber, the diaphragm being capable of opening in response to an increase in the pumping chamber pressure; and

safety means for preventing accidental free flow of fluid through the metering device.

2. A device which meters fluids for delivery from a source of fluid to a patient, comprising:

an air retention chamber having upper and lower portions, the upper portion having an inlet in fluid communication with the source of fluid, the lower portion having an outlet in fluid communication with a fluid passageway;

a pumping chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being in fluid communication with the fluid passageway, the pumping chamber inlet including a first valve to control the entry of fluid into the pumping chamber;

the pumping chamber outlet including a second valve including a normally closed flexible diaphragm portion;

means for varying the volume of the pumping chamber to pressurize the pumping chamber, the normally closed diaphragm being capable of opening in response to an increase in the pumping chamber pressure; and

safety means for preventing accidental free flow of fluid through the metering device, the safety means comprising a gradually tapered priming stem attached to the flexible diaphragm portion of the second valve.

3. A device which meters fluid for delivery from a source of fluid to a patient, comprising:

an air retention chamber having upper and lower portions, the upper portion having an inlet in fluid communication with the source of fluid, the lower portion having an outlet in fluid communication with a fluid passageway;

a pumping chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being in fluid communication with the fluid passageway, the pumping chamber inlet including a first valve to control the entry of fluid into the pumping chamber, the pumping chamber outlet including a second valve including a normally closed flexible diaphragm portion;

means for varying the volume of the pumping chamber, the normally closed diaphragm being capable of opening in response to an increase in the pumping chamber pressure; and

safety means for preventing accidental free flow of fluid through the metering device, the safety means comprising a priming stem attached to the flexible diaphragm portion of the second valve means for securing, the priming stem in a free flow condition, and a priming stem release means for assuring release of the priming stem to return the flexible diaphragm portion of the second valve to the normally closed position.