Apparatus and method for preventing free flow in an infusion line

• US 6,623,447 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2002
• Issued: 09/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zevex (Moog Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Zevex (Moog Incorporated)
• Inventors: Malmstron, James, Beck, Kent F., Miles, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): ROBINSON, DANIEL LEON
• Application Number:
  US10/121,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20020120229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 604/80, 604/81, 604/48, 604/19, 137/493, 137/455, 137/456, 137/246.23, 222/576, 222/14, 222/20
• 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 infusion line configured for preventing free flow through the infusion line, the infusion line comprising:

a first infusion line portion having an inner wall;

a second infusion line portion having an inner wall;

a connector configured for engaging the first infusion line portion and the second infusion line portion to hold the first infusion line portion and the second infusion line portion together; and

an occluder disposed within at least one of the first infusion line and the second infusion line, and attached to the connector by a flexible tether, the occluder being configured to engage the inner wall of at least one of the first infusion line and the second infusion line to selectively prevent flow therethrough.

2. The infusion line configured for preventing free flow of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first infusion line and the second infusion line is radially expandable in response to pressure therewithin.

3. The infusion line configured for preventing free flow of claim 2, wherein the at least one of the first infusion line and the second infusion line is sufficiently radially expandable to form an opening between the inner wall and the occluder when pressure in the line exceeds a predetermined threshold.

4. The infusion line configured for preventing free flow of claim 1, wherein the occluder is formed integrally as part of the connector.

5. The infusion line configured for preventing free flow of claim 1, wherein the occluder is substantially cylindrical.

6. The infusion line configured for preventing free flow of claim 1, wherein the occluder has a cross-section which is diamond shaped.

7. The infusion line configured for preventing free flow of claim 1, wherein the occluder has a channel disposed therein.

8. A infusion line configured for preventing free flow through the infusion line, the infusion line comprising:

a first infusion line portion having an inner wall;

a second infusion line portion having an inner wall, the first infusion line and the second infusion line portion overlapping one another; and

an occluder disposed within at least one of the first infusion line and the second infusion line, the occluder being configured to engage the inner wall of at least one of the first infusion line and the second infusion line to selectively prevent flow therethrough.

9. The infusion line configured for preventing free flow according to claim 8, occluder has a channel formed therein.

10. The infusion line configured for preventing free flow according to claim 8, further comprising a connector for connecting the first infusion line portion and the second infusion line portion.

11. The infusion line configured for preventing fee flow according to claim 10, wherein the connector is attached to the occluder.

12. The infusion line configured for preventing free flow according to claim 11, wherein the connector and the occluder are formed integrally.

13. An infusion line configured for preventing free flow therethrough, the infusion line comprising:

an infusion tube for carrying fluid to a patient;

an occluder disposed in the infusion line, the occluder having a channel disposed therein, the channel having an opening for allowing fluid to flow into the occluder, and an exit through which fluid leaves the channel in the occluder, wherein at least one of the opening and the exit are disposed in contact with the infusion line so that the infusion tube occludes flow into the channel.

14. The infusion line of claim 13, wherein the infusion tube is radially expandable and is configured to move away from the at least one of the opening and the exit at a predetermined pressure.

15. The infusion line of claim 13, wherein the channel has a plurality of openings or exits.

16. The infusion line of claim 13, wherein the infusion line has a first infusion tube and a second infusion tube which overlap one another.

17. The infusion line of claim 13, wherein the occluder further comprises a means for preventing distal advancement of the occluder in the infusion set.

18. The infusion line of claim 13, wherein the occluder is generally cylindrical.

19. The infusion line of claim 13, wherein the occluder is generally bullet-shaped.