Abstract: A medical dye delivery system includes a medical dye container and a syringe for withdrawing the medical dye from the container and delivering the dye to a patient. A valve is disposed in the system having an inlet in flow communication with the medical dye container and an outlet in flow communication with the syringe. The valve includes a housing defining a flotation chamber with a valve seat and a flotation member disposed therein. The flotation member seals off the valve seat opening upon medical dye depletion, forcing any remaining fluid flow through a bypass channel that provides restricted flow to provide a tactile warning to the operator of the system that the medical dye container is depleted, yet allow the operator to purge remaining dye from the system. In a preferred embodiment, the flotation member has first and second portions, with a density of the second portion being greater than a density of the first portion.

Abstract: A drip chamber for a medical fluid delivery system includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, and defining a chamber between the inlet and outlet ports, the housing configured to channel medical fluid in a flow path from the inlet port through the chamber and to the outlet port. The inlet port includes a tubular member that extends into the chamber and redirects the path of the medical fluid against a side wall of the housing to reduce the velocity of the medical fluid and minimize formation of air bubbles in the medical fluid.

Abstract: A drip chamber for an intravenous fluid delivery system includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, the inlet and outlet ports each having an inner diameter, and the housing defining a chamber between the inlet and outlet ports. The housing configured to channel intravenous fluid in a flow path from the inlet port through the chamber and to the outlet port. A member supported in the chamber between the inlet and outlet ports is positioned so that the intravenous fluid flowing through the chamber impinges against the member to reduce the velocity of the intravenous fluid and minimize formation of air bubbles in the intravenous fluid. The inner diameter of the inlet port being substantially equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the outlet port, such that a flow rate of the intravenous fluid exiting the outlet port is substantially equal to or less than a flow rate of the intravenous fluid entering the inlet port.

Abstract: A medical dye delivery system includes a medical dye container and a syringe for withdrawing the medical dye from the container and delivering the dye to a patient. A valve is disposed in the system having an inlet in flow communication with the medical dye container and an outlet in flow communication with the syringe. The valve includes a housing defining a flotation chamber with a valve seat and a flotation member disposed therein. The flotation member seals off the valve seat opening upon medical dye depletion, forcing any remaining fluid flow through a bypass channel that provides restricted flow to provide a tactile warning to the operator of the system that the medical dye container is depleted, yet allow the operator to purge remaining dye from the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of fluids between a main conduit and a plurality of secondary conduits includes a valve body having a wall defining a cylindrical bore, the wall having a plurality of ports in respective flow communications with the main conduit and the secondary conduits, and a valve element rotatably disposed within the cylindrical bore of the valve body. The valve element body has internal flow paths with openings flush with a peripheral surface of the valve element body and a channel in flow communication with one of the flow paths, the channel having an opening extending from one of the openings of one of the internal flow paths. In addition, one of the internal flow paths has an enlarged opening to accommodate flow through the channel. The valve element and valve body cooperate to permit fluid flow between the main conduit and a selected one of the secondary conduits by rotating the valve element to align the openings of the channel and the flow paths relative to the ports.

Abstract: A drip chamber for an intravenous fluid delivery system includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, and defining a chamber between the inlet and outlet ports, the housing configured to channel intravenous fluid in a flow path from the inlet port through the chamber and to the outlet port. A member supported in the chamber between the inlet and outlet ports is positioned so that the intravenous fluid flowing through the chamber impinges against the member to reduce the velocity of the intravenous fluid and minimize formation of air bubbles in the intravenous fluid.