Abstract: An integral tube-loading assembly for a peristaltic pump having an eccentric motor shaft mounting a rotor within a housing wall including a trunnion mounted on the rotor shaft, a first link pivotally mounted on the trunnion, a second link pivotally mounted on the first link, a tube-loading pin member carried in a slot in the second link, the trunnion and first and second links being positioned on the rotor so that the pin member is always directed at the maximum spacing between the rotor and the housing wall, and a threaded bore in the rotor for receiving the pin member in a stowed condition.

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: A system for infusing fluids into the human body includes a peristaltic-type metering apparatus which controls the flow of fluid through a disposable administration set. The metering apparatus includes a control system which allows the volume and rate of flow of the fluid to be infused to be accurately preset by the operator. The control system provides an alarm function in the event of malfunction of the pump or occlusion of the tubing of the administration set, and a minimum pumping rate for maintaining fluid flow through the system after the desired volume of fluid has been infused. Novel power supply circuitry within the control system renders the system immune to power line transients, and a novel bubble detector circuit provides for more reliable detection of air bubbles in the tubing.

Abstract: A system for infusing fluids into the human body includes a peristaltic-type metering apparatus which controls the flow of fluid through a disposable administration set. The metering apparatus includes a control system which allows the volume and rate of flow of the fluid to be infused to be accurately preset by the operator. The control system provides an alarm function in the event of malfunction of the pump or occlusion of the tubing of the administration set, and a minimum pumping rate for maintaining fluid flow through a system after the desired volume of fluid has been infused. Novel power supply circuitry within the control system renders the system immune to power line transients, and a novel bubble detector circuit provides for more reliable detection of air bubbles in the tubing.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for infusing fluids into the human body includes a peristaltic-type pump and an administration set having a vinyl tubing section on which the pump acts. To prevent the release of dissolved gas in the tubing section and the possible coalescence of released gas bubbles into pockets of air the pressure in the tubing downline of the pump is increased by partially restricting the lumen of the tubing. This restriction also assists in restoring the tubing to its original shape following compression by the peristaltic pump for more accurate metering and more efficient pumping action, and prevents uncontrolled gravity flow in the event of a pump failure. To provide a uniform compression force on the tubing the pressure rollers of the peristaltic pump are individually spring biased against the wall of the tubing, which is held in position by a stationary pressure plate.

Abstract: A valve comprising a body including a plug receiving socket and including conduits in communication with the socket, with the body having an outwardly extending flange about the periphery of the socket, and a plug rotatably positioned in the socket whereby the plug can be rotated to register slots with the conduits to selectively control fluid flow through the conduits, the plug including a flange portion about the flange of the body wherein the flange on the body includes an upper bearing surface and a lower gripping surface, and the flange portion of the plug includes an upper gripping surface corresponding to the lower gripping surface of the flange on the body, whereby insertion of the plug in the socket causes the upper bearing surface to flex outwardly the flange portion of the body and the upper gripping surface constantly urges the lower gripping surface toward a sealing relationship with the plug in the socket.

Abstract: An air eliminating filter for use in filtering intravenous or other liquids including an elongate hollow tubular member provided with inlet means at one end and having at least two window openings spaced longitudinally thereon, a hydrophilic filter element capable of passing liquid therethrough when the filter element has been wetted with liquid while simultaneously blocking air interposed in one of the window openings, at least one hydrophobic filter element capable of repelling liquid and passing air therethrough positioned in the other of the window openings and communicating with the ambient air and manifold means including outlet means to discharge liquid therefrom mounted on the tubular member communicating with the hydrophilic filter whereby the hydrophilic filter is wetted with liquid passed into the tubular member through the inlet means to permit the hydrophilic filter to pass liquid therethrough while simultaneously blocking air.

Abstract: A drip chamber for use in the intravenous administration of liquids formed of a generally vertically disposed, hollow chamber provided with inlet means and outlet means, with the chamber being adapted to maintain a liquid level of the intravenous liquid to be administered, and a hydrophilic filter element disposed in the drip chamber between the inlet means and outlet means. The hydrophilic filter element is constantly wetted with the liquid in the drip chamber to permit the passage of liquid through the filter element while simultaneously blocking air. The drip chamber of this invention can also be provided with a hydrophobic filter element to facilitate the elimination of air from the drip chamber.

Abstract: A hydrophobic valve for use with liquids, such as liquids for intravenous administration comprising a housing provided with inlet and outlet means, both of which communicate with the housing, a resilient, inflatable boot mounted in the housing and positioned to block the flow of liquid through the outlet means when inflated and to permit the flow of liquid through the outlet means when in a deflated position, with the boot including an open portion adjacent to the inlet means which is covered by a hydrophobic filter element capable of repelling liquid but permitting the passage of gases, such as air, therethrough whereby liquid introduced to the housing through the inlet means is passed through the housing for discharge from the outlet means and any air introduced with the liquid is passed through the hydrophobic filter into the boot to stop the flow of liquid from the outlet means when the boot is inflated with the gas.