Abstract: A mounting clamp particularly suited for mounting medical accessories on support poles comprises a stationary clamping surface which can be attached to an accessory housing. A cam is pivotly mounted on a trunnion connected to the stationary clamping surface has a spiral clamping surface, the stationary clamping surface and spiral clamping surface being positioned to constitute a clamping means when the clamp is in a clamping position. A spring means having one end connected to the trunnion and the other end connected to the cam is provided for biasing the cam to the clamping position. A lever pivotly mounted on the trunnion has a projection which engages the cam and causing it to pivot with the lever when the lever is pivoted to a clamp releasing position. The cam preferably has two spiral surfaces, one generated by a line parallel to the axis of rotation of the cam and the second cam surface by a line forming an angle with the axis of rotation of the cam.

Abstract: A disposable pinch valve assembly for parenteral solution delivery systems comprises a two-piece tubing receptor housing hingedly connected and with an irreversible snap connection which will not permit removal of the device from parenteral tubing after assembly. A back section has an integral movable pressure plate attached to the housing by integral flexible web connectors. When the movable plate is actuated toward the stationary press surface, tubing is pinched or crimped therebetween and the cross-section area of the flow passage through the tubing is reduced. The movable pressure plate is designed to engage a actuator connector which engages the device by turning the actuator by hand or by the use of a motor-driven actuator in an axially sliding engagement.

Abstract: A disposable pinch valve assembly for parenteral solution delivery systems comprises a two-piece tubing receptor housing hingedly connected and with an irreversible snap connection which will not permit removal of the device from parenteral tubing after assembly. A back section has an integral movable pressure plate attached to the housing by integral flexible web connectors. When the movable plate is actuated toward the stationary press surface, tubing is pinched therebetween and the cross-section area of the flow passage through the tubing is reduced. The movable pressure plate is designed to engage a actuator connector which engages the device with a motor-driven actuator in an axially sliding engagement.

Abstract: The refractive optical pressure sensor of this invention is a system for measuring the pressure of a liquid comprising a light source, a light detector and a capillary formed in a transparent solid. A refractive surface of the capillary is positioned in the light path of light from the light source. A light detector is positioned in the path of light originating from the light source which has been refracted by the refractive surface of the capillary filled with air but outside of the path of light which has been refracted by the refractive surface of the capillary filled with liquid. The inlet end of the capillary is open for communication with liquid to be monitored for pressure, and the other end of the capillary is closed or communicates with a closed reservoir. Small changes in liquid pressure change the amount of liquid in the capillary passageways, causing an easily detected change in sharply refracted light.

Abstract: An optical pressure sensor including a light source, a light detector and a capillary system positioned in the light path between the light source and detector. The capillary system inlet receives liquid from the external source to be monitored, and the outlet is closed or connects with a closed gas reservoir. Light absorbing liquid forced by liquid pressure into the capillary system absorbs a portion of light corresponding to the area occupied by the liquid. This reduces the output of the light detector in an amount functionally related to the liquid pressure.

Abstract: The reflective optical pressure sensor of this invention is a system for measuring the pressure of a liquid comprising a light source and a capillary formed in a transparent solid having a reflective surface positioned in the light path of light from the light source. A light detector is positioned in the path of light originating from the light source which has been reflected by the reflective surface of the capillary. The inlet end of the capillary is open for communication with liquid to be monitored for pressure, and the other end of the capillary is closed or communicates with a closed reservoir. If the pressure of the liquid to be monitored increases, increasing amounts of the liquid pass into the capillary passageway, blocking or reducing light flow to the light detector.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forming a compartmentalized flexible plastic enclosure with selectively communicable compartments utilizing a pair of plates and at least one thin plastic sheet sandwiched between the plates. One plate has a surface which is conventionally plane facing the sheet and the other plate has a surface which includes a network of ridges facing the sheet and forming a sealing edge by pressure contact. The ridges defining at least the interior compartment of the bag to be formed with gaps in the ridges for defining communication channels between the compartments and valves disposed to close the gap in one position and to open the gap in the other position.

Abstract: A parenteral solution delivery control system for housing a drip chamber and detecting drops falling therethrough. One or more light sources are employed to provide light beam transverse to the drip chamber axis and covering the cross-section of the drip chamber so that drops falling therethrough, even when the drip chamber is tilted, break a light beam. A retention bar is provided to maintain the drip chamber in proper position and to break a light beam when the drip chamber is in position, thereby preventing operation of the device when not properly assembled. A liquid level control monitor is configured to provide an energized signal when the area of the drip chamber occupied by liquid during normal operation is filled with air as a consequence of the liquid level falling to an abnormal level.

Abstract: The pump is designed to dispense fluid nutrient at a selectable constant rate from a disposable, flexible plastic bag having a flexible enteric feeder tube attached to it. The bag is suspended from the pump frame with the outlet of the bag and the enteric feeder tube lowermost. The lower portion of the bag adjacent the outlet is then enclosed between a compliant rubber block on the frame, and a planar pressure plate mounted on a door hinged to the frame. The surfaces of the rubber block is provided with spaced, vertically extending protuberant ridges which, under the influence of the compressive force of the pressure plate, occlude the bag in the region about the outlet to define an effluent flow channel. Similarly, spaced horizontal ridges on the block define, within the flow channel, an unoccluded region which is isolted from the outlet by the lower horizontal ridge, and from the remaining volume of the bag, by the upper horizontal ridge.