Apparatus for indicating fluid pressure in a conduit

• US 6,010,482 A
• Filed: 08/05/1997
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pescadero Beach Holdings Corporation
• Original Assignee: Science Incorporated
• Inventors: Kriesel, Marshall S., Arnold, Steven M., Garrison, James, Kazemzadeh, Farhad
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott, Corrine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gring, Kent
• Application Number:
  US08/906,382
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 604/132, 604/30, 604/48, 604/65, 604/66, 604/67, 604/246, 604/131, 604/260, 73/861.47, 73/706
• US Class Current: 604/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/045 for filling, e.g. for filling reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/152 pressurised by contraction of elastic reservoirs containers for dispensing contents by contraction of an elastic bag provided therein, in general B65D83/0061
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16886 for measuring fluid flow rate, i.e. flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/08 Arrangements of scales, pointers, lamps or acoustic indicators, e.g. in automobile speedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 13/0026 by using deflection of baffle-plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 13/0066 by using differences of pressure in the fluid

Abstract

An apparatus for visually indicating fluid flow through a fluid system or apparatus such as a medical infusion device. The apparatus comprises a pair of thin, indicia bearing films disposed in an overlaying relationship. These films are shifted relative to each other by movement of mechanical actuators which are deflected solely by the pressure of the fluid within the fluid conduits of the system of the apparatus. The two films are stacked in closed proximity and are preferably constructed from a substantially transparent flexible material such as mylar. One surface of the inferior film is printed with a plurality of integrated symbols depicting various fluid flow conditions. The superior film functions as a mask over the inferior film and is printed with a pattern of diagonally extending, alternating clear and opaque stripes. The print ratio of the superior film permits viewing at any one time of only one of the symbols printed on the inferior film.

Claims

1. A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) stored energy means for forming, in conjunction with said base a fluid reservoir having an outlet, said energy storage means comprising at least one generally planar, distendable member having a peripheral portion affixed to said base, said member being distendable as a result of pressure imparted by the fluids to be infused, to establish internal stresses, said stresses tending to move said member toward a less distended configuration;

(c) an outlet port in communication with said outlet of said fluid reservoir for dispensing fluids from the device; and

(d) fluid actuated indicator means disposed intermediate said fluid outlet of said reservoir and said outlet port for visually indicating fluid flow from said fluid reservoir.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 further including flow control means disposed intermediate said indicator means and said outlet of said fluid reservoir for controlling the rate of flow of fluid from the device.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said indicator means comprises first and second at least partially overlaying thin films, said films being movable relative to each other in response to fluid flowing from said fluid reservoir.

4. A device as defined in claim 3 in which said indicator means includes actuator means movable by fluid flowing from said reservoir between a first position wherein said actuator means are spaced from said thin films to a second position wherein said actuator means engage at least one of said thin films.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 in which said actuator means comprise first and second actuator elements disposed proximate said first and second thin films, said first actuator element being movable into engagement with said first film and said second actuator element being movable into engagement with said second film.

6. A device as defined in claim 5 further including flow control means disposed between said fluid outlet of said reservoir and said first and second actuator elements for controlling fluid flow through said outlet port.

7. A device as defined in claim 6 in which said flow control means comprises a permeable membrane.

8. A device as defined in claim 7 in which one of said first and second actuator elements is movable by fluid flowing from said reservoir through said permeable membrane and the other of said first and second actuator elements is movable by fluid flowing from said fluid reservoir and by passing said permeable membrane.

9. A device as defined in claim 7 in which said first and second thin films are substantially transparent and in which at least one of said first and second thin films carries indicia.

10. A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) stored energy means for forming, in conjunction with said base a fluid reservoir having an outlet, said stored energy means comprising at least one distendable member superimposed over said base, said member being distendable as a result of pressure imparted by the fluids to be infused to establish internal stresses, said stresses tending to move said member toward a less distended configuration;

(c) an outlet port in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for dispensing fluids from the device; and

(d) flow control means disposed intermediate said outlet of said reservoir and said outlet port for controlling the rate of flow of fluid from the device, said flow control means comprising;

(i) a permeable membrane; and

(ii) support means for supporting said permeable membrane within the path of fluid flowing from said outlet of said reservoir toward said outlet port.

11. A device as defined in claim 10 in which said support means of said flow control means includes fluid distribution means for distributing fluid flowing from said outlet of said reservoir toward said permeable membrane.

12. A device as defined in claim 10 in which said support means of said flow control means includes fluid collection means for collecting fluid flowing through said permeable membrane and directing said fluid toward said outlet port.

13. A device as defined in claim 10 further including fluid actuated indicator means disposed intermediate said flow control means and said outlet port for visually indicating fluid flow from said reservoir.

14. A device as defined in claim 13 in which said indicator means comprises first and second at least partially overlaying indicia-carrying thin films, said films being movable relative to each other in response to fluid flowing from said fluid reservoir, whereby selected portions of said indicia becomes visible.

15. A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) stored energy means for forming, in conjunction with said base a fluid reservoir having a fluid inlet and a outlet, said stored energy means comprising a distendable member superimposed over said base, said member being distendable to establish internal stresses, said stresses tending to return said member to less distended configuration to urge fluid flow through said fluid outlet;

(c) an outlet port in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for dispensing fluids from the device; and

(d) fluid actuated indicator means disposed intermediate said fluid outlet of said reservoir and said outlet port for visually indicating fluid flow from said fluid reservoir, said indicator means comprising;

(i) a pair of thin films disposed in an overlaying relationship, at least one of said thin films having indicating indicia viewable upon relative movement of said films; and

(ii) actuator means communicating with said fluid outlet for moving at least one of said thin films relative to the other in response to fluid pressure being exerted on said actuator means.

16. A device as defined in claim 15, further including flow control means disposed intermediate said indicator means and said outlet port for controlling the rate of flow of fluid from the device, said flow control means comprising a permeable membrane.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 15 in which each of said pair of thin films of said indicator means has a fixedly located edge portion and body portion, at least one of said films being yieldably deformable by said actuating means to cause relative movement between said body portions of said thin films upon fluid pressure being exerted on said actuating means by fluid flowing from said reservoir whereby said indicating indicia becomes viewable.

18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17 further including a platform to which said edge portions of said pair of thin films are affixed, said platform having a central planar portion for supporting said thin films in a substantially planar overlaying configuration wherein said body portions thereof are in close proximity.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 18 in which said platform includes an aperture and in which said actuator means comprises a yieldably deformable actuator element overlaying said aperture and disposed proximate said outlet port.

20. An apparatus as defined in claim 18 further including a support plate disposed proximate said platform for supporting said pair of thin films, said support plate having a depression aligned with said aperture in said platform, said deformable member being adapted to urge a portion of one of said thin films into said depression upon fluid pressure being exerted on said yieldably deformable element of said actuating means, whereby said body portion of said one of said thin films will be caused to move relative to said body portion of said other of said thin films.

21. An apparatus as defined in claim 20 in which said support plate includes a viewing aperture disposed in alignment with said body portions of said pair of thin films.

22. A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) stored energy means for forming, in conjunction with said base, a fluid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, said stored energy means comprising a distendable member comprising a plurality of prestressed, elastic members superimposed over said base said member being distendable to establish internal stresses tending to return said member toward a less distended configuration;

(c) an outlet port in communication with said outlet of said fluid reservoir for dispensing fluids from the device;

(d) a first fluid conduit in communication with said outlet of said reservoir;

(e) flow control means disposed intermediate said outlet of said reservoir and said outlet port for controlling the flow of fluid from the device, said flow control means including a second fluid conduit in communication with said reservoir; and

(f) fluid actuated indicator means disposed intermediate said outlet of said reservoir and said outlet port for visually indicating fluid flow from said outlet of said reservoir, said fluid actuated indicator means comprising;

(i) first and second thin films disposed in an overlaying relationship, at least one of said first and second thin films having indicating indicia viewable upon relative movement between portions of said first and second films; and

(ii) actuator means communicating with said fluid outlets of said first and second fluid conduits for moving portions of said first and second films relative to each other in response to fluid pressure being exerted on said actuator means by fluid within said first and second fluid conduits.

23. An apparatus as defined in claim 22 in which each of said first and second thin films has a fixedly located edge portion and a body portion, said first and second thin films being yieldably deformable by said actuating means to cause relative movement between said body portions thereof upon fluid pressure being exerted on said actuating means by fluid within said first and second fluid conduits whereby said indicating indicia becomes viewable.

24. An apparatus as defined in claim 23 further including:

(a) a platform to which said edge portions of said first and second films are affixed said platform having spaced apart first and second apertures; and

(b) a support plate disposed proximate said platform, said first and second films being disposed between said support plate and said platform, said support plate having spaced apart first and second depressions aligned with said apertures in said platform and a viewing aperture disposed intermediate said depressions.

25. An apparatus as defined in claim 24 in which said actuator means comprises:

(a) a first actuator element aligned with said first aperture in said platform for moving a portion of said first film into said first depression in response to fluid pressure being exerted on said first actuator; and

(b) a second actuator element aligned with said second aperture in said platform for moving a portion of said second film into said second depression in response to fluid pressure being exerted on said second actuator element by fluid within said second fluid conduit.

26. An aperture as defined in claim 25 in which said first and second actuator elements comprise yieldably deformable, elements aligned with said first and second apertures of said platform.

27. A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) stored energy means for forming, in conjunction with said base, a fluid reservoir having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, said stored energy means comprising at least one distendable member superimposed over said base, said member being distendable, as a result of fluids being introduced through said fluid inlet to establish internal stresses, said stresses tending to return said member toward a less distended configuration;

(c) an outlet port in communication with said outlet of said fluid reservoir for dispensing fluids from the device;

(d) a first fluid conduit in communication with said outlet of said reservoir;

(e) flow control means disposed intermediate said fluid outlet of said reservoir and said outlet port for controlling the rate of flow of fluid from the device, said flow control means including a second fluid conduit in communication with said outlet of said reservoir; and

(f) indicator means disposed intermediate said flow control means and said outlet port for visually indicating fluid flow from said fluid reservoir, said indicator means comprising;

(i) a pair of thin films disposed in an overlaying relationship, at least one of said thin films having indicating indicia viewable upon relative movement between said films; and

(ii) actuator means communicating with said fluid outlet for moving at least one of said thin films relative to each other in response to fluid pressure being exerted on said actuator means.

28. An apparatus as defined in claim 27 in which each of said pair of thin films has a fixedly located edge portion and a body portion, at least one of said films being yieldably deformable by said actuating means to cause relative movement between said body portions of said thin films upon fluid pressure being exerted on said actuating means whereby said indicating indicia becomes viewable.

29. An apparatus as defined in claim 28, further including a platform to which said edge portions of said pair of thin films are affixed, said platform having a central planar portion for supporting said thin films in a substantially planar overlaying configuration wherein said body portions thereof are in contact.

30. An apparatus as defined in claim 29 in which said platform includes an aperture and in which said actuator means comprises a yieldably deformable actuating element overlaying said aperture and disposed proximate said outlet of said first conduit.

31. An apparatus as defined in claim 29 in which said flow control means comprises a laminate construction including at least one flow rate control membrane for controlling rate of fluid flow.

32. An apparatus as defined in claim 29 in which said flow control means comprises a laminate construction including at least one filtering membrane for filtering the fluid flowing through the flow control means.

33. An apparatus as defined in claim 29 in which said flow control means comprises a laminate construction including at least one fluid distribution membrane for distribution of fluid flowing through said membrane.

34. An apparatus as defined in claim 28 further including a support plate disposed proximate said platform for supporting said pair of thin films, said support plate having a depression aligned with said aperture in said platform, said yieldably deformable actuating element of said actuating means being adapted to urge a portion of one of said thin films into said depression upon fluid pressure being exerted on said yieldably deformable actuating element of said actuating means, whereby said body portion of said one of said thin films will be caused to move relative to said body portion of said other of said thin films.