US3659629A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid flow regulator and monitor for corporeal infusion system and method of using the same
Assignee: AHLDEA CORP
•
Filing: 1970-05-04
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Granted: 1972-05-02
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Expires: 1990-05-04
Abstract
Abstract The specification is directed to a device for regulating and visually indicating the rate of fluid flow from a corporeal infusion system such as an intravenous infusion system. One embodiment of the disclosed invention includes the detection of the rate of flow of air into the container of sterile liquid to be infused into the patient. The flow rate of the liquid to the patient is then visually indicated in response to the detected rate of flow of air into the container. In another embodiment of the invention, a housing is attachable to the air inlet of a conventional corporeal infusion system and includes a valve therein for regulation of the flow of air into the liquid container of the infusion system. Regulation of the amount of air into the container directly regulates the flow rate of liquid from the container to the patient. An indicator scale on the housing visually indicates the flow rate of the liquid from the container in response to the measurement of the flow rate of air into the container. Other embodiments of the invention include utilizing a timer to control the length of infusion and utilizing an alarm system in order to maintain the liquid infusion to the patient at a predetermined level.
Inventors
- 👤 David W Deaton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/168; A61M5/16831; A61M5/16804; A61M5/16822; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8158
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A device for visually indicating the flow rate of liquid from a corporeal infusion system wherein air displaces the liquid within a container comprising: means for detecting the rate of flow of air into the container, and means operable in dependency upon said means for detecting for visually indicating the flow rate of said liquid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
55 words
A device for visually indicating the flow rate of liquid from a corporeal infusion system wherein air displaces the liquid within a container comprising: means for detecting the rate of flow of air into the container, and means operable in dependency upon said means for detecting for visually indicating the flow rate of said liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The device of claim 1 and further comprising: a housing adapted to be connected to the air inlet of the container, indicia on said housing calibrated in terms of liquid flow rate from the container, and a member movable along said indicia in dependence upon the flow of air into the container, whereby the location of said member with respect to said indicia provides an indication of the flow rate of liquid from the container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said member comprises a ball element movable along a tapered channel through which air flows into the container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 2 and further comprising: means responsive to the position of said member for actuating an alarm when the liquid flow rate varies beyond a predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 2 and further comprising: timer means for controlling the time interval that air is supplied to the container.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
76 words
A device for accurately regulating the flow rate of liquid from an intravenous infusion container comprising: a housing for attachment to the infusion container, a valve disposed in said housing for regulating the flow of air into the container in order to regulate the flow rate of liquid from the container, and indicator means attached to said housing responsive to the flow of air therethrough for visually indicating the flow rate of liquid from the container.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
76 words
A device for accurately regulating the flow rate of liquid from an intravenous infusion container comprising: a housing for attachment to the infusion container, a valve disposed in said housing for regulating the flow of air into the container in order to regulate the flow rate of liquid from the container, and indicator means attached to said housing responsive to the flow of air therethrough for visually indicating the flow rate of liquid from the container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said valve means comprises a needle valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said indicator means comprises: a pressure compensated flowmeter having a member movable along a scale calibrated in liquid flow rate increments.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said flowmeter comprises: a tapered channel having a member movable therealong in response to air flow through said channel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 6 and further comprising: means for actuating an alarm when the flow rate of liquid varies beyond predetermined limits.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
69 words
The method of regulating the liquid flow to a patient from a corporeal infusion system wherein air displaces the liquid within a container comprising: regulating the rate of flow of air into the container in order to obtain a proportional regulation of the liquid flow rate from the container, and visually indicating the liquid flow rate from the container by detecting the flow rate of air into the container.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
69 words
The method of regulating the liquid flow to a patient from a corporeal infusion system wherein air displaces the liquid within a container comprising: regulating the rate of flow of air into the container in order to obtain a proportional regulation of the liquid flow rate from the container, and visually indicating the liquid flow rate from the container by detecting the flow rate of air into the container.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
53 words
The method of indicating the flow rate of liquid to a patient from a corporeal infusion system wherein air displaces the fluid within a container comprising: sensing the flow rate of air into the container, and indicating the liquid flow rate from the container in dependence upon the sensed flow rate of air.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
53 words
The method of indicating the flow rate of liquid to a patient from a corporeal infusion system wherein air displaces the fluid within a container comprising: sensing the flow rate of air into the container, and indicating the liquid flow rate from the container in dependence upon the sensed flow rate of air.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-02 | 1975-11-01 | 1976-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-02 | 1979-11-01 | 1980-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-02 | 1983-11-01 | 1984-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |