Abstract: Valving configurations between the valve seat in a cassette and the valve members in a controller used to limit the flow rate of an intravenous solution to a patient. The configurations minimize the criticality of the alignment between the components. The cassette forms part of the flow path of the solution on its way to the recipient. The controller's valve member may stretch a membrane in the cassette and cause it to contact a flat surface surrounding the opening through which the fluid must flow. Alternately, the end of the valve member may be appreciably smaller than the opening, pass through it, and stretch the membrane until the latter contacts all of the opening's edge. The membrane meeting the edge of the opening in a closed loop prevents the flow of fluid through it. As a further possibility, the valve member may place the membrane in contact with one or more edges provided between two segments of a straight channel through which the solution flows.

Abstract: An improved closed irrigation site in a urinary irrigation device. The site is characterized by a rigid lip defining a mouth at the distal end of an irrigation tube, a resilient, impervious membrane against the lip and covering the mouth and having a normally closed, resiliently deformable slit therethrough over the mouth, and a plug or other member securing the membrane against the lip. In preferred embodiments, the membrane is compressed against the lip thereby biasing the slit in a closed position. Other preferred embodiments relate to unique structure providing specific benefits.

Abstract: A casette employing a stretchable elastomeric membrane used with an intravenous infusion controller to limit the field flow to a patient. The casette includes two sections of rigid plastic fused together with the membrane between them. The membrane and one section of the plastic form the channel through which the intravenous solution passes. The other section of plastic limits the expansion of the membrane to a predetermined size in order to provide the casette with a chamber of known volume. A valving configuration in the inlet and outlet to the chamber controls the fluid flowing through the casette and, thus, to the patient. Each valve includes a section of the elastomeric membrane in proximity to a configured portion of the piece of plastic forming the channel with the membrane. To close the valve, the controller extends a shaped elongated member through the other section of plastic to stretch the membrane and force it into contact with the configured plastic.

Abstract: In apparatus for indicating and regulating the pressure of a selected body fluid, an elongated indicator tube with pressure limiting opening means is carried in a vented chamber and mountable in a substantially vertical position. A drip platform circumscribes the indicator tube at a position below the pressure limiting opening means to channel fluid overflowing through the opening means away from the indicator tube and to permit the fluid to flow into the bottom of the chamber free of contact with the side of the indicator tube. The chamber in which the indicator tube is mounted may be defined by an elongated hollow member closed at each end with one-piece end closures which include integral attachment fingers for mounting the chamber and indicator tube in a vertical position.