Apparatus and method for preventing free flow in an infusion line
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for preventing free flow through an infusion set, the method comprising:
- selecting an infusion set;
disposing an occluder in the infusion set so as to divide the infusion set into a proximal portion and a distal portion separated by the occluder, and so that the occluder is unattached to an anchor;
filling the proximal portion with a fluid for administration to a patient; and
preventing the fluid from flowing into the distal portion of the infusion set until a predetermined pressure differential exists between the proximal portion and the distal portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
78 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A method for preventing free flow through an infusion set, the method comprising:
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selecting an infusion set;
disposing an occluder in the infusion set so as to divide the infusion set into a proximal portion and a distal portion separated by the occluder, and so that the occluder is unattached to an anchor;
filling the proximal portion with a fluid for administration to a patient; and
preventing the fluid from flowing into the distal portion of the infusion set until a predetermined pressure differential exists between the proximal portion and the distal portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 44, 45, 46)
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5. A method for preventing free flow through an infusion set, the method comprising:
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selecting an infusion set having a proximal portion and a distal portion separated by an occluder disposed therein, the occluder comprising a duckbill valve;
filling the proximal portion with a fluid for administration to a patient; and
preventing the fluid from flowing into the distal portion of the infusion set until a predetermined pressure differential exists between the proximal portion and the distal portion.
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7. A method for preventing free flow through an infusion set, the method comprising:
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selecting an infusion set having an unanchored occluder disposed therein so as to divide the infusion set into a proximal portion and a distal portion;
filling the proximal portion with a fluid to be administered to a patient;
preventing the liquid from flowing from the proximal portion to the distal portion until fluid flow into the distal portion is desired;
opening flow to the distal portion of the infusion set; and
utilizing the infusion set to prevent downstream movement of the occluder. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for preventing free flow through an infusion set, the method comprising:
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selecting an infusion set having an occluder disposed therein so as to divide the infusion set into a proximal portion and a distal portion;
filling the proximal portion with a fluid to be administered to a patient;
preventing the liquid from flowing from the proximal portion to the distal portion until fluid flow into the distal portion is desired;
opening flow to the distal portion of the infusion set by forcefully nesting a portion of the infusion set in the pump housing to opens flow between the occluder and the infusion set. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for preventing free flow through an infusion set, the method comprising:
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selecting an infusion set having an occluder disposed therein so as to divide the infusion set into a proximal portion and a distal portion;
filling the proximal portion with a fluid to be administered to a patient;
preventing the liquid from flowing from the proximal portion to the distal portion until fluid flow into the distal portion is desired;
opening flow to the distal portion of the infusion set by holding the infusion set in a pump housing by closing a cover attached to the pump housing in such a manner that the cover causes an opening to form between the occluder and the infusion set.
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19. A method for controlling fluid flow through an infusion line, the method comprising:
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selecting an infusion line having a first occluder and a second occluder disposed therein so as to divide the infusion line into a proximal portion, a middle portion and a distal portion, the middle portion being between the first occluder and the second occluder;
selectively applying force to the infusion line adjacent the first occluder to enable fluid flow from the proximal portion, past the first occluder and into the middle portion; and
selectively applying force to the infusion line adjacent the second occluder to enable fluid flow from the middle portion, past the second occluder and into the distal portion. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method for retrofitting a pump for use with a infusion line having an occluder disposed therein, the method comprising:
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selecting a pump; and
attaching to the pump a clip having a channel formed therein which is configured to receive an infusion line and occluder. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method for preventing free flow through an infusion set, the method comprising:
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selecting a pump which acts on an infusion set to pump fluids therethrough;
selecting an infusion set having a proximal portion and a distal portion separated by an occluder disposed in the infusion set between the proximal portion and the distal portion;
filling the proximal portion with a fluid for administration to a patient;
preventing the fluid from flowing into the distal portion of the infusion set while a pressure less than a predetermined pressure exists in the proximal portion; and
inserting the portion of the infusion set having the occluder in the pump. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for preventing free flow through an infusion set, the method comprising:
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selecting an infusion set having an occluder disposed therein so as to divide the infusion set into a proximal portion and a distal portion;
filling the proximal portion with a fluid to be administered to a patient;
preventing the liquid from flowing from the proximal portion to the distal portion until fluid flow into the distal portion is desired; and
opening flow to the distal portion of the infusion set by creating a pressure in the proximal portion which exceeds a predetermined threshold to cause the fluid is flow through the occluder. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for controlling fluid flow through an infusion set, the method comprising:
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selecting an infusion set having an occluder disposed therein to divide the infusion set into a proximal portion and a distal portion, the occluder being configured for selectively preventing fluid flow from the proximal portion to the distal portion;
disposing fluid in the proximal portion;
disposing a portion of the infusion set including the occluder in a pump having a cover; and
applying a compressive force to the infusion set by closing the cover to cause the fluid to flow past the occluder. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification