Abstract: A hose clamp having a pair of jaws between which a hose is clampable. One jaw is a rotatable cam jaw that automatically applies a greater clamping force under the influence of differential pressure in a hose on opposite sides of the jaws, and under the influence of impending sliding movement of the clamp along a hose.

Abstract: Apparatus controls the rate of passage of fluid drops through a drip controller in accordance with a preset rate. When the rate of passage of the fluid drops is less than the preset rate, a stepper motor is incrementally operated at progressive instants of time to open the drip chamber until the measured rate is equal to the preset rate. When the rate of passage of the fluid drops is greater than the preset rate, the stepper motor is operated instantaneously to close the passage through a number of increments corresponding to the difference in the measured and preset rates.An alarm is energized when the stepper motor is positioned to provide for a maximum flow of fluid and the rate is still below the preset rate. An alarm is also energized when the passage is closed and the preset rate indicates a desired flow of fluid.An emergency motor is also provided to control the opening in the passage. Before the operation of the apparatus is instituted, the stepper motor is operated to close the drip chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus provides a controlled flow of fluid at particular rates from a source to a patient at controlled pressures of low value. The apparatus includes an input line connected to the source. An output line extends to the patient and implementing means such as a pump implements the flow of fluid from the input line to the output line at a particular rate. The source is disposed a particular distance above the implementing means to produce a particular pressure of the fluid at the implementing means and to provide this particular pressure to the fluid flowing to the patient.A bypass line is connected across the implementing means. Means in the bypass line, such as a chamber and a flexible diaphragm in the chamber, isolate the input side of the bypass line against the flow of fluid to the output side of the bypass line.

Abstract: Apparatus controls the maximum pressure of the fluid which can flow through a pump. The apparatus includes a disposable unit with an inlet for receiving fluid from a source, an outlet for transferring the fluid to a patient and a chamber communicating between the inlet and the outlet. A diaphragm across the chamber is constrained in accordance with the pressure of the fluid in the chamber. The diaphragm transmits the constraint to a stiffener.The disposable unit is removably attached to the pump casing. A knob is externally disposed on the pump casing and is adjustable to control the maximum force of the fluid in the disposable unit. The knob controls the force exerted on biasing means in a first direction. A force is also exerted against the biasing means in a second direction opposite to the first direction. This force is dependent upon the force on the stiffener.The biasing means may include a spring.

Abstract: A rate meter senses successive drops of fluid flowing through a conduit and produces gating periods with time durations corresponding to the period of time between such successive drops. The rate meter then determines the number of incremental time periods in each gating period. The rate meter generates the reciprocal of this determination to obtain an indication of the rate of fluid flow. The rate meter may be self-contained. It includes a housing having a vertically disposed channel constructed to retain the conduit and a horizontally disposed channel communicating with the vertically disposed channel. The horizontally disposed channel is constructed to receive a cross bar made from a resilient material and fixedly disposed on the conduit. The cross bar supports the rate meter in a freestanding relationship. The cross bar may be provided with slots near its ends to enhance its resiliency.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for assuring that fluid is introduced from a pump to a receiver, such as a patient, at a controlled and safe pressure. This arrangement includes conduit means, such as inlet and outlet lines, which extend from the pump to the receiver and which are included in a disposable unit. The disposable unit includes detent means cooperative with detent means in the pump to hold the disposable unit in releasable relationship with the pump.Resilient means such as diaphragm are disposed in the conduit means in the disposable unit. The resilient means expand or contract in accordance with the pressure of the fluid in the outlet line. Actuatable means such as an actuatable arm is disposed in the disposable unit and is captured in the conduit means and is positioned in abutting relationship with the diaphragm for movement with the diaphragm.

Abstract: First and second means respectively provide for a passage of first and second particular volumes of fluid from first and second sources at first and second controlled rates to a patient. Each of the first and second means is constructed to provide on a positive basis for the flow of fluid at the particular one of the first and second controlled rates. Third means are operatively coupled to the first and second means for providing for an initial operation of the first means in producing a passage of fluid from the first source to the patient. Fourth means are responsive to the passage of the first particular volume of fluid to the patient for interrupting the operation of the first means and instituting the operation of the second means in providing for the passage of fluid from the second source to the patient.The passage of fluid from the first means to the patient is also interrupted when all of the fluid has passed from the source.

Abstract: A controller provides precisely regulated flow of intravenous fluid on a gravitational basis to a patient. The controller includes a storage chamber with first and second compartments and a diaphragm separating the compartments and movable in the chamber to vary the volumes of the first and second compartments. The storage chamber may be disposed in a replaceable cassette. Control means provide at first times for the introduction of fluid from the source to the first compartment and the passage of fluid from the second compartment to the patient. The control means provide at other times for the introduction of fluid from the source to the second compartment and the passage of fluid from the first compartment to the patient. The control means may also be included at least partially in the cassette.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for assuring that fluid is introduced from a pump to a receiver, such as a patient, at a controlled and safe pressure. This arrangement includes conduit means, such as inlet and outlet lines, which extend from the pump to the receiver and which are included in a disposable unit. The disposable unit includes detent means cooperative with detent means in the pump to hold the disposable unit in releasable relationship with the pump.Resilient means such as diaphragm are disposed in the conduit means in the disposable unit. The resilient means expand or contract in accordance with the pressure of the fluid in the outlet line. Actuatable means such as an actuatable arm is disposed in the disposable unit and is captured in the conduit means and is positioned in abutting relationship with the diaphragm for movement with the diaphragm.