Apparatus and method for preventing free flow in an infusion line

• US 6,595,950 B1
• Filed: 05/11/2000
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zevex (Moog Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Zevex (Moog Incorporated)
• Inventors: Beck, Kent F., Miles, Scott, Malmstrom, James
• Primary Examiner(s): ROBINSON, DANIEL LEON
• Application Number:
  US09/569,332
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 604/28, 604/80, 604/81, 604/30, 604/247, 604/27, 604/245, 604/246, 604/248, 604/249, 604/250, 604/251, 604/252, 604/253, 604/254, 604/255, 604/256
• US Class Current: 604/80
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/242 designed to open when a predetermined pressure or flow rate has been reached, e.g. check valve actuated by fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/2426 Slit valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/2473 Valve comprising a non-deformable, movable element, e.g. ball-valve, valve with movable stopper or reciprocating element
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/248 Ball-valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/2486 Guided stem, e.g. reciprocating stopper
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/24 Check- or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/281 Automatic tube cut-off devices, e.g. squeezing tube on detection of air
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/287 Wedge formed by a slot having varying width, e.g. slide clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14 Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14228 with linear peristaltic action, i.e. comprising at least three pressurising members or a helical member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14232 Roller pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16813 by controlling the degree of opening of the flow line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87917 Flow path with serial valves and/or closures

Abstract

An apparatus and method for preventing free flow through an infusion set utilizes an occluder disposed within the infusion set to selectively prevent flow therethrough. The occluder may be responsive to a pressure differential within the infusion set or may respond to compression of the infusion set. When a pair of occluders are used in sequence, an in-line pump may be formed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for preventing free flow through an infusion set, the apparatus comprising:

an infusion set formed of flexible tubing, the infusion set having a proximal portion and a distal portion; and

an occluder disposed in the infusion set between the proximal portion and the distal portion for selectively preventing flow of liquid through the infusion set, the occluder being contoured on an end thereof so that the occluder is bullet-shaped.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the occluder is generally rigid.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the occluder is solid.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the infusion set comprises a resilient tubing, at least a portion of which expands responsive to increases in pressure within the proximal portion of the infusion set.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cylinder is solid.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising movement preventing disposed in the tubing for preventing the occluder from moving distally within the tubing of the infusion set.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the movement preventing means comprises projections formed in the tubing of the infusion set.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of engagement surfaces for contacting and compressing the tubing of the infusion set to enable liquid flow past the occluder.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pump housing, the pump housing having at least one channel formed therein for receiving a portion of the infusion set.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pump housing having a plurality of engagement surfaces for contacting and compressing the tubing of the infusion set to enable liquid flow past the occluder when a portion of the infusion set containing the occluder is disposed within the channel.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pump housing having a cover attached to the housing for selectively holding the infusion set within the housing.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the cover has a projection disposed thereon, the projection being in alignment with the infusion set such that closing the cover causes the projection to engage the infusion set and compress a portion of the infusion set to thereby enable flow of liquid past the occluder.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of engagement surfaces for compressing portions of the tubing of the infusion set against the occluder to open flow passages between the occluder and other portions of the infusion set.

13. An apparatus for selectively preventing free flow through an infusion set, the apparatus comprising:

an infusion set comprising an elongate piece of tubing having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the infusion set being formed from a resilient material which radially expands responsive to pressure within the tubing; and

an occluder positioned within the tubing of the infusion set so as to divide the infusion set into the proximal portion and the distal portion, the occluder being configured to substantially eliminate flow of liquid from the proximal portion of the infusion set to the distal portion while pressure within the proximal portion remains below a predetermined threshold, while allowing flow of liquid from the proximal portion to the distal portion when pressure in the proximal portion exceeds a predetermined threshold, the occluder having a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, ellipsoidal, bullet-shaped, disk-shaped and diamond-shaped.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the occluder is disposed within the tubing of the infusion set and wherein pressures in the proximal portion of the infusion set which exceed the predetermined threshold cause the tubing of the infusion set to radially expand, thereby allowing fluid flow around the occluder.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising means for preventing distal advancement of the occluder.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for preventing distal advancement of the occluder are disposed in the tubing of the infusion set.