Abstract: A valve device is disclosed which is incorporated into the lower portion of a drip chamber for preventing the free flow of fluid through a tube assembly when the tube assembly is disengaged from a pump of a fluid administration system, while permitting fluid flow when the tube assembly is engaged around a rotor of the pump. The valve device comprises a valve body having a top component sealingly engaged with a bottom component. The top component is integrally formed with the lower portion of the drip chamber and defines a plurality of axial fluid passageways formed around a stationary plunger which seals against a opening formed at the upper portion of the bottom component. The opening is in communication with a lumen that extends into a hollow tube assembly which is attached to the bottom component of the valve body.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system is disclosed which includes a pump and a fluid delivery set. The fluid delivery set includes a stop cock valve, and the pump includes a valve actuation unit into which the stop cock valve is positioned for operation of the system. The valve actuation unit includes a valve receiving mechanism which requires the valve to be closed in order to be inserted into or removed from the valve actuation unit, thereby preventing accidental free flow of fluid at all times. The fluid delivery set may also include an auxiliary fluid source to allow periodic flushing of the fluid delivery line, and the valve actuation unit can be programmed by the pump to automatically initiate periodic flushing cycles if desired.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system is disclosed which includes a pump and a fluid delivery set. The fluid delivery set includes a stop cock valve, and the pump includes a valve actuation unit into which the stop cock valve is positioned for operation of the system. The valve actuation unit includes a valve receiving mechanism which requires the valve to be closed in order to be inserted into or removed from the valve actuation unit, thereby preventing accidental free flow of fluid at all times. The fluid delivery set may also include an auxiliary fluid source to allow periodic flushing of the fluid delivery line, and the valve actuation unit can be programmed by the pump to automatically initiate periodic flushing cycles if desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stop-cock valve useable in conjunction with a fluid delivery set for delivering fluids such as intravenous fluids or enteral fluids from one or more containers to a patient. The valve includes a shear-away interference member which holds the valve in a closed position prior to use in order to prevent accidental premature free flow of fluid therethrough. The valve also includes a venting passage for allowing access of sterilization gas into all fluid flow passages of the valve even when the valve stem is rotated to a closed position.

Abstract: A drop detector circuit and method are provided for a drop detector of the type including a drop chamber and an electro-optical sensor. A detector detects drops passing through the drop detector in an optical sensing path between the detector and at least one light source. In response to the detection of a drop passing through the optical path, the detector produces an output signal. A capacitor is connected between the detector and an amplifier to block the DC component of the output signal. After amplification, the signal is passed through a low pass filter to further block signals caused by undesirable factors. The cutoff frequency of the low pass filter is controlled by a microprocessor that controls the pump that pumps liquid from the drop chamber. The detector and light source or sources are arranged to detect drops falling in the drop chamber at virtually any angle and in virtually any ambient light condition.

Abstract: A chest drainage apparatus (CDU) and method is disclosed for accurately measuring gas flow or leakage from a patient's chest cavity even at very low or near zero flow rates. The CDU has a collection chamber for receiving fluid and gas to be drained from a pleural cavity of a patient, a vacuum source for applying suction to the collection chamber and a valve for connecting the CDU to the vacuum source. A pressure transducer measures the gas pressure in the collection chamber. A microcomputer controller, responsive to the pressure measured by the pressure transducer, causes the valve to disconnect the vacuum source from the CDU when the gas pressure in the collection chamber is less than a first predetermined threshold and connects the CDU to the vacuum source when the gas pressure in the collection chamber exceeds a second predetermined threshold. The time period during which the vacuum source is disconnected from the CDU is measured as an indication of the rate of gas flow into the CDU.

Abstract: A rotary type of peristaltic pump having the rotor member mounted on one side thereof and including a swing arm rotatably mounted along the side of the peristaltic pump such that the swing arm is movable between a fluid delivery set loading open position and a pair of closed positions which automatically align and stretch a portion of the fluid delivery set around the rotor member to allow for the convenient loading of the fluid delivery set on the peristaltic pump and to ensure that the fluid delivery set is properly aligned about the rotor member of the peristaltic pump. A latch member on the swing arm provides a secondary position wherein the flow of fluid through the fluid delivery set is prevented.

Abstract: A charger unit assembly is disclosed which is particularly adapted to receive a peristaltic pump thereon for charging the batteries of the peristaltic pump and to provide power to the peristaltic pump. A clamp member is mounted on the rear surface of the charger unit to mount the peristaltic pump and charger unit on a support pole. The peristaltic pump includes a rotor member mounted on one side thereof and a swing arm rotatably mounted along the side of the peristaltic pump such that the swing arm is movable between a fluid delivery set loading open position and a closed position which automatically aligns and stretches a portion of the fluid delivery set around the rotor member to ensure that the fluid delivery set is properly aligned about the rotor member of the peristaltic pump.

Abstract: A rotary type of peristaltic pump having the rotor member mounted on one side thereof and including a swing arm rotatably mounted along the side of the peristaltic pump such that the swing arm is movable between a fluid delivery set loading open position and a closed position which automatically aligns and stretches a portion of the fluid delivery set around the rotor member to ensure that the fluid delivery set is properly aligned about the rotor member of the peristaltic pump. A charger unit assembly is disclosed which is particularly adapted to receive the peristaltic pump thereon for charging the batteries of the peristaltic pump; to provide power to the peristaltic pump and for mounting the peristaltic pump on a support pole. The peristaltic pump also includes drip chamber yoke assembly consisting of a pair of outwardly extending members which receive the drip chamber of the fluid delivery set therein.

Abstract: A rotary type of peristaltic pump having a rotor member mounted on one side thereof and including a swing arm rotatably mounted along the side of the peristaltic pump such that the swing arm is movable between a fluid delivery set loading open position and a closed position which automatically aligns and stretches a portion of the fluid delivery set around the rotor member to ensure that the fluid delivery set is properly aligned about the rotor member of the peristaltic pump. A rotor shield is designed to be substantially spaced apart from the outer surface of the rotor member to protect the rotor from accidental contact with external objects and to facilitate the loading of the fluid delivery set onto the peristaltic pump.

Abstract: A rotary type of peristaltic pump having the rotor member mounted on one side thereof and including a swing arm rotatably mounted along the side of the peristaltic pump such that the swing arm is movable between a fluid delivery set loading open position and a closed position which automatically aligns and stretches a portion of the fluid delivery set around the rotor member to ensure that the fluid delivery set is properly aligned about the rotor member of the peristaltic pump. A charger unit assembly is disclosed which is particularly adapted to receive the peristaltic pump thereon for charging the batteries of the peristaltic pump; to provide power to the peristaltic pump and for mounting the peristaltic pump on a support pole.

Abstract: A rotary type of peristaltic pump having the rotor member mounted on one side thereof and including a swing arm rotatably mounted along the side of the peristaltic pump such that the swing arm is movable between a fluid delivery set loading open position and a closed position which automatically aligns and stretches a portion of the fluid delivery set around the rotor member to ensure that the fluid delivery set is properly aligned about the rotor member of the peristaltic pump. A charger unit assembly is disclosed which is particularly adapted to receive the peristaltic pump thereon for charging the batteries of the peristaltic pump; to provide power to the peristaltic pump and for mounting the peristaltic pump on a support pole.

Abstract: A device for selectively locking a syringe plunger against longitudinal movement with respect to the syringe barrel includes two interlocking device parts. Each device part has a generally flat body with a generally semi-circular inner perimeter and first and second ends. A ridge extends along the inner perimeter of each half for engaging the syringe plunger when the plunger is rotated to a predetermined angular position. Each interlocking part has mating structures at each end for mating with the other device part and has a flange for retaining the assembled locking device on the syringe barrel. The syringe and locking device are assembled by inserting the plunger in the syringe barrel and then snapping the two device parts together around the proximal end of the syringe barrel.

Abstract: A disposable tip and piston assembly for a pipettor mechanism includes a hollow tip member adapted to be detachably connected on the distal end of the pipettor mechanism, and a piston member slidably disposed within the tip. The pipettor mechanism includes a plunger rod adapted to detachably engage the piston, and an ejector mechanism which permits rapid removal of the tip and piston assembly without the user contacting the assembly. The piston member is adapted to directly contact the substance being pipetted, for high accuracy in pipetting. The ejector mechanism and the detachable connection of the tip and piston assembly to the pipettor mechanism insulates the pipettor mechanism and its operator from contamination by the substance being pipetted.

Abstract: An improved pressure regulator for an inflatable cuff on an endotracheal tube or the like includes a housing which contains a valve assembly and a pressure regulating chamber. The housing is adapted to be connected to an inflatable cuff so that the pressure regulating chamber communicates with the cuff through the valve assembly. The valve assembly (1) permits slow increases in air pressure in the cuff to be transferred into the pressure regulating chamber, thereby preventing over-inflation of the cuff, and (2) closes in response to relatively rapid pressure changes in the cuff to prevent collapsing of the cuff when the pressure of the air or other gas delivered through the endotracheal tube (e.g., by a respirator) is relatively high. A spring-biased piston is disposed in the pressure regulating chamber for regulating the pressure in an inflatable cuff to which the regulator housing is connected, and a rolling diaphragm covers the piston.

Abstract: A one-piece unitary occluder is disclosed which is utilized with a fluid administration set to occlude a portion of a tube assembly which is interconnected between a source of fluid and a patient. The one-piece unitary occluder has a body with a pair of openings which are diametrically aligned with an aperture to allow fluid flow therethrough; however, once activated, the openings are misaligned relative to the aperture to occlude a portion of the tubing to prevent fluid free-flow if the tube assembly becomes disassociated from the pump.