Abstract: An intravenous tubing clamping device is provided for controlling fluid flow through compressible tubing. The device includes an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end which is adapted to receive the tubing. The body member has a generally V-shaped longitudinally extending bottom wall having an angle of about 60.degree. to 165.degree. defining two supporting surfaces for the tubing. In one embodiment, the bottoms of the side walls of the body member define ledges on opposite sides of the V-shaped bottom wall. In another embodiment, the body member defines two grooves on opposite sides of the V-shaped bottom wall. A roller is mounted on the body member for movement longitudinally of the body member. The roller has a generally V-shaped circumference having an apex angle centrally located on the roller having a value of about 60.degree. to 180.degree.. The roller also has circumferentially extending grooves extending around both opposite sides of the outer periphery of the roller.

Abstract: A flow regulator assembly for controlling fluid flow in flexible tubes which can be attached at a point intermediate the ends of the tube and which has a regulating member rotatable to a selected position to move into engagement and deflect the tube to decrease fluid passage therein in proportion to the amount of rotation of the regulating member. Means are provided to resist rotation of the regulating member from its selected position and provision is made for an indicator which makes it possible to select the rate of flow visually or through a sense of feel. One embodiment provides for selection of the rate of flow by listening to sounds made during rotation of the regulating member.

Abstract: An improved clamp for regulating the flow of fluid through a length of flexible tubing comprising a clamp body for supporting the tubing, having opposing walls extending from the surface of the clamp body so as to present a passage for the flexible tubing. A platen is mounted between the walls for contacting the tubing. Guide surfaces are arranged in the walls with a roller positioned within the guide surfaces. The platen is movably positioned between the roller and the flexible tubing so as to present a compression surface against the tubing along the path of travel of the roller. The combination of the platen and the roller exerts a compressive force against the tubing and distributes the force over a wide area of the tubing so as to prevent permanent deformation of the tubing. This compressive force constricts the tubing and thereby regulates flow of liquid therethrough.

Abstract: A flow control device for regulating the flow of fluid through a flexible tubing wherein a roller is employed with a grooved surface for incrementally controlling the flow of fluid through the tubing. In order to properly orientate the groove of the roller during its path of travel through the clamp body and over the tubing, a flat segment or interrupted surface portion is provided on the roller and an interfering member is provided in the base of the clamp. In addition, and to improve the efficiency of the clamp, additional features such as a relief surface in the roller, centering lugs for the tubing to position it in the clamp body, as well as circumferential ribs on the roller are provided.

Abstract: An improvement in a flow control device for permitting fine adjustment of flow rates of fluid in tubing and maintaining established rates of flow. The device includes a clamping member pivotally mounted adjacent a clamping surface and a tubing-engaging surface on the clamping member which progressively closes the orifice of tubing as the clamping member is rotated in one direction. Coacting means on the clamping member cooperate with actuating means on a force-inducing member mounted for rotational movement on the body of the device. The coacting means is located at a point from the point of pivotal attachment of the clamping member which is at least twice the distance from the pivotal attachment to the tubing-engaging surface. Thus a large movement at the coacting point translates into a small movement of the tubing-engaging surface and results in fine adjustment of flow rates.

Abstract: An improved clamp for regulating the flow of fluid through a length of flexible tubing comprises a clamp body for supporting the tubing, having opposing walls extending from the surface of the clamp body so as to present a passage for the flexible tubing. A platen is mounted between the walls for contacting the tubing. Guide surfaces are arranged in the walls with a roller positioned within the guide surfaces. The platen is movably positioned between the roller and the flexible tubing so as to present a compression surface against the tubing along the path of travel of the roller. The combination of the platen and the roller exerts a compressive force against the tubing and distributes the force over a wide area of the tubing so as to prevent permanent deformation of the tubing. This compressive force constricts the tubing and thereby regulates flow of liquid therethrough.

Abstract: A mobile sprinkler propelled by water pressure has a bellows coupled with a ratchet drive, water being alternately admitted to the bellows under pressure via one conduit and discharged therefrom via another conduit forming part of a squeeze-duct assembly. The assembly includes a rigid housing against whose sidewalls the two conduits are alternately flattened by a rotating valve body coupled with the ratchet drive, each conduit being of substantially O-shaped cross-section in its uncompressed state and consisting of a relatively thick-walled inner tube of elastomeric material, a relatively thin-walled intermediate tube of flexible synthetic-resin fabric and a relatively thin-walled outer tube also made of elastomeric material.

Abstract: A clamp for providing a stable fluid flow rate through a flexible tubing has a channel having a bottom wall including an anvil for supporting the tubing and an opening along its entire length for readily receiving and supporting the tubing against the bottom wall and the anvil. The channel also includes a pair of slots adapted for receiving and retaining a tube-constricting means. The constricting means comprises a rotatable cam having a groove of varying depth along its surface which coacts with the anvil to define a reduced-flow passageway in the tubing. As the cam is rotated from an opened position, corresponding to a maximum fluid flow rate through the tubing, to a closed position, the groove presents to the tubing a plurality of similar triangles progressively reduced in size to reduce the flow passageway in the tubing.

Abstract: A two piece roller clamp is disclosed for regulating the fluid flow rate through plastic tubing by defining the size of the tubing lumen. The clamp includes a U-shaped body with a base and two side walls and a longitudinally movable roller mounted in tracks formed in the side walls. The roller is biased against a roller bearing surface running along the length of the base. Adjacent to the roller bearing surface is a tube compression slot having a lower wall uniformly spaced below the roller. A channel of varying cross-section is provided in the lower wall of the tube compression slot. The roller exerts a uniform, but minimal force on the tubing compressing it against the lower wall of the slot permitting the formation of a lumen defined by the contours of the channel.

Abstract: A self-releasing clamp for a fluid carrying hose comprises an inclined guide and a roller carried by the guide which is movable along the guide between a hose releasing position and a hose clamping position. There is a hose support for holding the hose against the roller. A mechanism provides a space between the roller and the hose support when the roller is in the clamping position. The space providing mechanism permits a limited flow of fluid past the clamp to increase pressure in the hose downstream from the clamp when the fluid flow downstream from the clamp is stopped, expanding the hose between the hose support and the roller and moving the roller to the hose releasing position.

Abstract: A clamp with an exposed roller for manually rolling along a flexible tube to express the tube's contents. The stripper clamp is useful for one-handed movement toward a dispensing end of a flexible tube blood reservoir.

Abstract: A liquid drop rate controller for controlling flow of fluid from an infusion fluid reservoir to an intravenous infusion site which includes a cam means in the form of a wheel mounted eccentrically on a shaft which varies the compression on a flexible tube carrying the liquid; the controller senses the actual drip rate optically and compares this to a preselected desired drip rate and varies the compression accordingly. The comparison is accomplished electronically by the generation of a time base whose frequency is controlled by the selected drip rate; this time base is compared to the actual drip rate observed by the optical sensing means, and the cam means is controlled in relation to an error signal obtained through the comparison. The controller includes a separate comparison circuit which comes into operation at low drip rates so as to increase accuracy of control.

Abstract: The invention is an improved safety method and device for clamps used in medical solution administration systems. The safety device is an effective cover for the operating mechanism of the clamp that forces the attendant medical person to take deliberate action to reach the operating mechanism. In so doing, the medical attendant is induced to first observe and read the label of the solution line to ascertain and assure selection of the proper feed line and then take the deliberate action of exposing the operating mechanism.Thus, safety is inserted in the medical action to prevent careless selection of a solution line and improper setting of the valve clamp.The safety device consists of a flap or cover over the mechanism that must be raised to operate the mechanism. A label on the device identifies the solution line involved so as to permit proper selection of the desired line.

Abstract: A cannula or catheter assembly has a cannula or catheter tube in a socket with a straight passageway. In order to equip such an assembly with a cheap and safe closure device which is easy to maneuvre without causing any movements injurious to the assembly, a connecting housing is fixedly or releasably connected to the socket and has a straight through-channel which is connected to the passageway of the socket and accommodates a hose section which seals against the channel wall and, to permit closing the through-channel, can be compressed at a location between its ends by means of at least one pressure body disposed in an opening in the wall of the through-channel and operable by means of a slide member movable in the axial direction of the through-channel on the outer side of the connecting housing.

Abstract: An improved flow control device for regulating the flow of fluid through flexible tubing wherein the flow control device utilizes a rotatable member with trunnions positioned to be captively guided and rotated along guide surfaces. The rotatable member is easily inserted into the clamp body yet once it is placed therein it is difficult to remove without excessive force. The clamp body affords a rigid structure with the opposing walls being fixed at their ends yet are flexible enough to afford entry of the rotatable member into the clamp body for placement of the trunnions in the guide surfaces. In one embodiment, a ramp means is provided through an infeed section wherein the ridge portions forming the ramp merge with the guide surfaces so that when the trunnions of the roller move up the ramp and onto the guide surfaces, an outward flexing of the clamp wall is effected with a retention of the trunnions on the guide surfaces.

Abstract: An instrument for use with surgical procedures such as for clearing and disloding the contents of chest tubing, catheters, common duct T-tubing and IV tubing and the like. A pair of rollers are mounted on shafts which are hinged together at one end. A cylindrical handle is mounted on an opposite end of one shaft and an opposed thumb rest is mounted on the end of the other shaft. The hand of a user grasps the handle and thumb rest for moving the rollers into and out of engagement with opposite sides of the tubing. The instrument compresses the tubing and is moved any desired distance along its length for propelling tubing contents or creating suction within the tubing.

Abstract: A multitube valve comprises a housing which has open front and rear ends with a plurality of channels defined between the front and rear ends each of a size to receive an individual tube therein and each including a support surface for the tube. A clamp in the form of a rotatable clamp roller has a journal extending outwardly from each side and it is engaged within respective clamp roller grooves which are defined in the housing on each side of the tube channels. The roller is movable by rotation along the grooves toward either the front or rear ends of the housing and it is of a size such that it cooperates with the support surface to compress the tubes therebetween and to at least partially close off the tubes when it is aligned over the support surface. The support surfaces are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the channels so that they operate at a separate time in respect to the positioning of the clamp for closing off the tube flow.

Abstract: A flow restrictor is made by flattening a tube of flexible material about a member of cross-sectional characteristics representative of a desired flow passage, and securing the tube there, e.g. by rf welding. The member is then removed leaving a determinate flow passage in which problems of creep do not arise. The restrictor may have parallel to the flow passage a portion of the tube which is not permanently secured together so as to leave a by-pass which can be open to give a comparatively unrestricted flow passage or can be temporarily completely closed by external compression. A single tube may have in line a plurality of such restrictors with by-passes, the flow passages of the various restrictors being of different flow characteristics. The flow characteristic required is obtained by closing off the by-pass associated with the selected flow passage.

Abstract: The invention provides means for controlling the flow of fluids such as parenteral fluids. It comprises a body and flexing means. The body defines a passageway with opposed flexible walls which can be held in contact throughout their cross-section except for a limited region of which the cross-section varies along the body. The limited region may be formed by tapered grooves in the walls. The flexing means retains the body flexed so that the walls thereof are held in contact over a localized area of limited axial length, due at least partly to the internal stresses set up in the body arising from its flexure. The body is movable lengthwise relative to the flexing means to alter the position of the localized area and thus to alter the rate of fluid flow through the body.

Abstract: A flow control device for a fluid flow system includes a conduit having a cylindrical insert member disposed within. The insert member includes an axially-extending depression, and a flow bypass channel of progressively increasing cross-section within the depression. A roller mounted for movement along the wall compresses the wall into the depression to restrict flow to the underlying portion of the bypass channel. By positioning the roller the operative area of the bypass channel is varied to obtain a desired flow rate.

Abstract: A multitube valve comprises a housing which has open front and rear ends with a plurality of channels defined between the front and rear ends each of a size to receive an individual tube therein and each including a support surface for the tube. A clamp in the form of a rotatable clamp roller has a journal extending outwardly from each side and it is engaged within respective clamp roller grooves which are defined in the housing on each side of the tube channels. The roller is movable by rotation along the grooves toward either the front or rear ends of the housing and it is of a size such that it cooperates with the support surface to compress the tubes therebetween and to at least partially close off the tubes when it is aligned over the support surface. The support surfaces are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the channels so that they operate at a separate time in respect to the positioning of the clamp for closing off the tube flow.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser connectable between a shower pipe and a shower head to automatically dispense soap or bath oil through the shower head. This shower head liquid dispenser includes a tubular body connecting at opposite ends to the shower pipe and the shower head respectively to form a direct path for water and including an upstream section of smaller transverse cross-section and a downstream section of larger transverse cross-section.

Abstract: Tubing through which fluid flow is to be regulated is placed in a regulating clamp wherein it is clamped between a roller wheel and a surface having a variable cross-sectional area channel extending therealong. This surface is parallel to the travel path of the wheel, and thus there is a constant separation distance between these two elements for all wheel positions. Flow rate through the tubing is changed by longitudinal adjustment of the position of the roller wheel, the ratio of the portion of the tubing which is clamped between the wheel and the surfact to that which is not clamped and over the channel thereby being varied. A plurality of ridge elements are formed in the surface and act to locally pinch or grip the tubing at discrete intervals, thereby substantially lessening creep of the plastic tubing.

Abstract: Tubing through which fluid flow is to be regulated is placed in a regulating clamp wherein it is clamped between a roller wheel and a surface having a variable cross-sectional area channel extending therealong. This surface is parallel to the travel path of the wheel, and thus there is a constant separation distance between these two elements for all wheel positions. Flow rate through the tubing is changed by longitudinal adjustment of the position of the roller wheel, the ratio of the portion of the tubing which is clamped between the wheel and the surface to that which is not clamped and over the channel, thereby being varied. A plurality of ridge elements are formed in the surface and act to locally pinch or grip the tubing at discrete intervals, thereby substantially lessening creep of the plastic tubing which, in turn, minimizes the flow rate change once the clamp has been set for the desired rate of flow.

Abstract: A vertically elongated hollow rectangular box with vertical walls and an open top and bottom has a downwardly and rearwardly extending slot in one side wall. The forward edge of the slot bears a series of arcuate rearwardly facing notches cut into the housing. A removable bar rides in the slot, and bears a knob exterior the housing. When a flexible tube or hose is placed along the rear wall in the interior of the housing, the bar gradually contricts its diameter as the bar is moved downwardly in the slot. The notches keep the bar in place.

Abstract: A flow control device for accurately regulating the flow of fluid through flexible tubing. A pivotal platen is employed in conjunction with a roller which upon rotation along an intersecting axis with a length of tubing will effect a squeezing or compressive action on the tubing but with the compressive force being applied over a wide area of the tubing so as to not effect a distortion of the tubing after the compressive force is discontinued. The flow control unit can be utilized as a clamp in that it can completely disrupt the flow of fluid through the tubing yet it is highy adapted to being used as a flow control device in conjunction with a parenteral administration set.