Intravenous set flow control device
US4525163A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 6, 1982 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 6, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S128/13
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A controller for an intravenous set is disclosed which operates both to maintain the instantaneous drip rate through a drip chamber included in the IV set at a desired value, and to modify this value repeatedly during the course of an infusion. The desired drip value is modified in accordance with the measured volumetric flow rate through the intravenous set such that if a particular infusion fluid produces abnormally small volume drops in the drip chamber, then the controller automatically increases the drip rate to compensate. In this way, extremely accurate control of the fluid flow rate is obtained without the need for complex infusion pumps. A disclosed embodiment operates to provide separate alarms for open line errors, air in line errors, and occlusion errors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.