Diaphragm pressure pod for medical fluids
First Claim
1. A tubular blood flow set which comprises a pressure sensing pod defining a chamber, said pod being connected in flow-through relation to blood flow tubing of said set, said set defining a length of pressure tubing connected at one end with said chamber, for connection at the other pressure tubing end with a pressure measuring equipment connector with said pod being spaced from said connector;
- and a flexible diaphragm sealingly mounted within said pod between connections of said blood flow tubing and said pressure tubing, said diaphragm being moveable between first and second positions, the diaphragm in said first position bowing outwardly to substantially maximize volume in said chamber that communicates with said blood flow tubing, the diaphragm in said second position bowing inwardly to substantially minimize but not eliminate the blood volume in said chamber that is inside of said diaphragm, said diaphragm in use being in contact on one side thereof with flowing blood;
wherein the pressure tubing is flexible and elongate and integrally attached to the chamber to permit the pod to be positioned remotely from the pressure measuring equipment connector and to permit the pod and blood flow tubing set to be connected to blood treatment machines with pressure measuring equipment connectors in various locations of the blood treatment machines.
10 Assignments
1 Petition
Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
A tubular medical fluid flow set comprises a pressure sensing chamber connected in flow-through relation to fluid flow tubing of the set. The pressure sensing chamber defines a movable, flexible, impermeable diaphragm dividing the chamber into two separate compartments. The fluid flow tubing communicates with one of the compartments and is isolated from the other of the compartments. A port is carried on the chamber, the port having a seal therein, and communicating with the other of the compartments. Thus, the other of the compartments is hermetically sealed until the port is opened for connection with a pressure measuring device, to keep the flexible diaphragm in a desired, initial position prior to opening of the seal.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A tubular blood flow set which comprises a pressure sensing pod defining a chamber, said pod being connected in flow-through relation to blood flow tubing of said set, said set defining a length of pressure tubing connected at one end with said chamber, for connection at the other pressure tubing end with a pressure measuring equipment connector with said pod being spaced from said connector;
- and a flexible diaphragm sealingly mounted within said pod between connections of said blood flow tubing and said pressure tubing, said diaphragm being moveable between first and second positions, the diaphragm in said first position bowing outwardly to substantially maximize volume in said chamber that communicates with said blood flow tubing, the diaphragm in said second position bowing inwardly to substantially minimize but not eliminate the blood volume in said chamber that is inside of said diaphragm, said diaphragm in use being in contact on one side thereof with flowing blood;
wherein the pressure tubing is flexible and elongate and integrally attached to the chamber to permit the pod to be positioned remotely from the pressure measuring equipment connector and to permit the pod and blood flow tubing set to be connected to blood treatment machines with pressure measuring equipment connectors in various locations of the blood treatment machines. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- and a flexible diaphragm sealingly mounted within said pod between connections of said blood flow tubing and said pressure tubing, said diaphragm being moveable between first and second positions, the diaphragm in said first position bowing outwardly to substantially maximize volume in said chamber that communicates with said blood flow tubing, the diaphragm in said second position bowing inwardly to substantially minimize but not eliminate the blood volume in said chamber that is inside of said diaphragm, said diaphragm in use being in contact on one side thereof with flowing blood;
- 13. A pressure transmitting pod defining a chamber, said pod being for connection in flow-through relation to fluid flow tubing of a fluid flow set, said pod having a flexible, fluid impermeable diaphragm dividing the pod into separate compartments, a first of said compartments communicating with flow connectors for said fluid flow tubing, a second of said compartments communicating with a connection port for connection with a length of pressure tubing at one end thereof, which tubing is integral with said pod and is configured for sealed connection at its other end to a remote pressure connector of a pressure sensing machine, to transmit pressure from the second of said compartments through the pressure tubing to the pressure sensing machine for pressure monitoring, and to allow flexible positioning of said pod relative to the remote pressure sensing machine, said diaphragm having a dome shape, and being sufficiently flexible to easily distort in a manner reflective of pressure changes, to vary the volumes of said one and other compartments.
- 23. A pressure transmitting pod defining a chamber, said pod being in connection in flow-through relation to fluid flow tubing of a fluid flow set, said pod having a flexible, fluid impermeable diaphragm dividing the pod into separate compartments, a first of said compartments communicating with flow connectors for said fluid flow tubing, a second of said compartments communicating with a connection port for connection to pressure tubing of a pressure sensing machine, the pressure tubing being integral with said pod and configured to allow attachment of said pod to pressure sensing ports of the pressure sensing machine and at least one other device having pressure sensing ports in a different location from the pressure sensing ports of the pressure sensing machine, to transmit pressure from the second of said compartments to the pressure sensing machine for pressure monitoring, said diaphragm having a dome shape, and being sufficiently flexible to easily distort in a manner reflective of pressure changes, to vary the volumes of said one and other compartments, said dome shaped diaphragm being capable of bowing outwardly to form said dome shape in either of two opposed directions.
Specification