Anti-free flow mechanism

• US 9,333,290 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eitan Medical Limited
• Original Assignee: Q Core Medical Ltd.
• Inventors: Rotem, Shachar
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilbert, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Engel, Matthew A
• Application Number:
  US12/514,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20100036322A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,101 Days
• Field of Search: 604/153, 417474-4772
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/14 Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/276 preventing unwanted use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/28 Clamping means for squeezing flexible tubes, e.g. roller clamps tube strippers A61M1/83
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/284 Lever clamps
• 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 5/1424 Manually operated pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16813 by controlling the degree of opening of the flow line

Abstract

The present invention discloses an anti-free flow mechanism for a finger-type peristaltic infusion pump (DDS) and methods for avoiding anti-free-flow. The mechanism comprises: a passive mechanical interface (MS) which integrally accommodates a portion of the flexible infusion tube, and an anti-free flow valve (AFFV) which is a spring-activated latch, which is incorporated within said MS. The maneuverable latch is secured in the MS either in CLOSED or OPEN configurations: in its CLOSED configuration no flow is provided, and in its OPEN configuration, a free flow is facilitated. Said anti-free flow mechanism is configured in a manner such that when the MS is not properly mounted in the DDS, said AFFV is automatically actuated via one or more integrated springs, to its CLOSED configuration. When the MS is properly mounted in the DDS, said latch is adapted to be automatically switched to the OPEN configuration.

Claims

1. A method for pumping a fluid, comprising:

(a) providing a passive mechanical interface, which contains a portion of a flexible infusion tube for conveying the fluid through a finger-type peristaltic pump having multiple fingers, and which movably holds a latch, wherein prior to mounting of the passive mechanical interface onto the finger-type peristaltic pump, the latch assumes a closed configuration in which said latch compresses the infusion tube, wherein the latch protrudes from the passive mechanical interface in the closed configuration;

(b) mounting the passive mechanical interface onto the finger-type peristaltic pump thereby pressing the latch of the passive mechanical interface against an activating member so as to assume an open configuration of the infusion tube so that one or more of the multiple fingers press against the infusion tube and so that the latch engages the activating member between the multiple fingers in the finger-type peristaltic pump, which causes the latch to switch automatically to the open configuration in which the fluid is allowed to flow through the infusion tube; and

(c) manually switching and securing the latch in the open configuration by pressing and tilting the latch into the passive mechanical interface.

2. A method for pumping a fluid, comprising:

(a) providing a passive mechanical interface, which contains a portion of a flexible infusion tube for conveying the fluid through a finger-type peristaltic pump having multiple fingers, and wherein the passive mechanical interface movably holds a latch and a spring to activate a closed configuration of the latch, wherein prior to mounting of the passive mechanical interface onto the finger-type peristaltic pump, the latch assumes the closed configuration in which said latch compresses the infusion tube; and

(b) mounting the passive mechanical interface onto the finger-type peristaltic pump so that one or more of the multiple fingers press against the infusion tube and so that the latch engages an activating member between the multiple fingers in the finger-type peristaltic pump, which causes the latch to switch automatically to an open configuration in which the fluid is allowed to flow through the infusion tube;

wherein the spring is configured to return the passive mechanical interface to the closed configuration upon removal of the passive mechanical interface from the finger-type peristaltic pump, regardless of whether the passive mechanical interface was open or closed when mounted onto the finger-type peristaltic pump.