Apparatus for parenteral fluid infusion provided with variable flow control means

Claim 1

An apparatus for fluid infusion of a patient, comprising: a. an inspection chamber vented at its upper end to maintain atmospheric pressure therein; b. means for supporting the inspection chamber at a predetermined height above a patient; c. an infusion tube for connecting the inspection chamber with the patient; d. means for supplying infusion fluid to the inspection chamber at a constant pressure; and e. a set of orifices of different size at the upper end of the inspection chamber for selective connection to the infusion fluid supply means to change the rate of flow of infusion fluid into the inspection chamber, at least one of the unused orifices constituting the vent for maintaining atmospheric pressure in the inspection chamber.

Claim 2

An apparatus for fluid infusion of a patient, comprising: a. an inspection chamber vented at its upper end to maintain atmospheric pressure therein; b. means for supporting the inspection chamber at a predetermined height above a patient; c. an infusion tube for connecting the inspection chamber with the patient; d. means for supplying infusion fluid to the inspection chamber at a constant pressure; and e. a set of orifices of different size at the upper end of the inspection chamber for selective connection to the infusion fluid supply means to change the rate of flow of infusion fluid into the inspection chamber, at least one of the unused orifices constituting the vent for maintaining atmospheric pressure in the inspection chamber.

Claim 5

An apparatus for fluid infusion of a patient, comprising: a. an inspection chamber vented at its upper end to maintain atmospheric pressure therein, said chamber having plural means thereon to selectively vary the rate of flow therethrough; b. adjustable means supporting the inspection chamber at a predetermined height above a patient; c. an infusion tube connected to the inspection chamber for connecting the inspection chamber with the patient; d. means for supplying infusion fluid to the inspection chamber at a constant pressure including i. a collapsible bag capable of being connected with the inspection chamber for receiving the infusion fluid; ii. a pressure chamber surrounding the bag; iii. means for piercing the pressure chamber to provide a fluid pressure inlet to the pressure chamber for pressurizing the bag; iv. and means for supplying a fluid at a predetermined pressure to the pressure chamber to cause collapse of the bag.

Claim 6

An apparatus for fluid infusion of a patient, comprising: a. an inspection chamber vented at its upper end to maintain atmospheric pressure therein, said chamber having plural means thereon to selectively vary the rate of flow therethrough; b. adjustable means supporting the inspection chamber at a predetermined height above a patient; c. an infusion tube connected to the inspection chamber for connecting the inspection chamber with the patient; d. means for supplying infusion fluid to the inspection chamber at a constant pressure including i. a collapsible bag capable of being connected with the inspection chamber for receiving the infusion fluid; ii. a pressure chamber surrounding the bag; iii. means for piercing the pressure chamber to provide a fluid pressure inlet to the pressure chamber for pressurizing the bag; iv. and means for supplying a fluid at a predetermined pressure to the pressure chamber to cause collapse of the bag.

Claim 7

An apparatus for supplying infusion fluid to a patient, comprising: a. a supporting stand; b. an inspection chamber vented to atmosphere; c. a first mounting means for adjustably supporting the inspection chamber on the stand thereby to position the inspection chamber at a predetermined height above the patient; d. an infusion tube connecting the inspection chamber with the patient; e. a second mounting means adjustably supported on the stand at a predetermined height above the first mounting means; f. a lever pivotally carried by the second mounting means; g. an infusion fluid container supported by the lever and connected to the inspection chamber for flow of infusion fluid thereto; h. a counterbalance for applying an opposing force to the lever for tending to maintain the infusion fluid in the container at a constant level, thereby to maintain flow of the infusion fluid to the inspection chamber at a constant pressure; i. means extending between the first and second mounting means for adjusting the distance between a reference level at the inspection chamber and the level of infusion fluid in the container; j. and pointer and scale means for indicating the rate of flow of infusion fluid to the inspection chamber corresponding to the height of the infusion fluid in the container.

Claim 8

An apparatus for supplying infusion fluid to a patient, comprising: a. a supporting stand; b. an inspection chamber vented to atmosphere; c. a first mounting means for adjustably supporting the inspection chamber on the stand thereby to position the inspection chamber at a predetermined height above the patient; d. an infusion tube connecting the inspection chamber with the patient; e. a second mounting means adjustably supported on the stand at a predetermined height above the first mounting means; f. a lever pivotally carried by the second mounting means; g. an infusion fluid container supported by the lever and connected to the inspection chamber for flow of infusion fluid thereto; h. a counterbalance for applying an opposing force to the lever for tending to maintain the infusion fluid in the container at a constant level, thereby to maintain flow of the infusion fluid to the inspection chamber at a constant pressure; i. means extending between the first and second mounting means for adjusting the distance between a reference level at the inspection chamber and the level of infusion fluid in the container; j. and pointer and scale means for indicating the rate of flow of infusion fluid to the inspection chamber corresponding to the height of the infusion fluid in the container.

Claim 10

An apparatus for supplying infusion fluid to a patient, comprising: a. a supporTing stand; b. an inspection chamber vented to atmosphere; c. a first mounting means for adjustably supporting the inspection chamber on the stand thereby to position the inspection chamber at a predetermined height above the patient; d. an infusion tube connecting the inspection chamber with the patient; e. a second mounting means adjustably supported on the stand at a predetermined height above the first mounting means; f. a lever pivotally carried by the second mounting means; g. an infusion fluid container supported by the lever and connected to the inspection chamber for flow of infusion fluid thereto; h. a counterbalance for applying an opposing force to the lever for tending to maintain the infusion fluid in the container at a constant level, thereby to maintain flow of the infusion fluid to the inspection chamber at a constant pressure; and i. a set of orifices of different size at the upper end of the inspection chamber for selective connection to the infusion fluid container to permit flow into the inspection chamber at different flow rates.

Claim 11

An apparatus for supplying infusion fluid to a patient, comprising: a. a supporTing stand; b. an inspection chamber vented to atmosphere; c. a first mounting means for adjustably supporting the inspection chamber on the stand thereby to position the inspection chamber at a predetermined height above the patient; d. an infusion tube connecting the inspection chamber with the patient; e. a second mounting means adjustably supported on the stand at a predetermined height above the first mounting means; f. a lever pivotally carried by the second mounting means; g. an infusion fluid container supported by the lever and connected to the inspection chamber for flow of infusion fluid thereto; h. a counterbalance for applying an opposing force to the lever for tending to maintain the infusion fluid in the container at a constant level, thereby to maintain flow of the infusion fluid to the inspection chamber at a constant pressure; and i. a set of orifices of different size at the upper end of the inspection chamber for selective connection to the infusion fluid container to permit flow into the inspection chamber at different flow rates.

Claim 12

An apparatus for supplying infusion fluid to a patient, comprising: a. a housing adapted to be placed adjacent a patient at an elevated level; b. a vented inspection chamber adjustably mounted at one side of the housing for positioning at a predetermined level above the patient; c. a collapsible bag intended to receive infusion fluid and tube connected to the inspection chamber; d. a rigid container for receiving the bag and forming therewith a chamber adapted to receive a gas for collapsing the bag to discharge its contents; e. said housing including a recess to receive the container; means at the bottom of the recess for piercing the container; a gas supply line communicating with said means; and means connected with the supply line for receiving a cartridge containing gas under pressure; and a pressure reducing chamber and regulating valve interposed in the supply line for supplying gas to the container at a predetermined pressure.

Claim 13

An apparatus for supplying infusion fluid to a patient, comprising: a. a housing adapted to be placed adjacent a patient at an elevated level; b. a vented inspection chamber adjustably mounted at one side of the housing for positioning at a predetermined level above the patient; c. a collapsible bag intended to receive infusion fluid and tube connected to the inspection chamber; d. a rigid container for receiving the bag and forming therewith a chamber adapted to receive a gas for collapsing the bag to discharge its contents; e. said housing including a recess to receive the container; means at the bottom of the recess for piercing the container; a gas supply line communicating with said means; and means connected with the supply line for receiving a cartridge containing gas under pressure; and a pressure reducing chamber and regulating valve interposed in the supply line for supplying gas to the container at a predetermined pressure.