Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
Fluid metering apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid through the tubing of a fluid administration set, comprising: a housing; a rotor mounted on said housing for rotation about a fixed axis, said rotor including a plurality of pressure rollers disposed about the circumference thereof; a platen assembly slidably mounted to said housing and having a pressure plate having an open position displaced from the circumference of said rotor whereby said tubing can be inserted therebetween, and having a closed position adjacent said rotor circumference whereby a segment of said tubing is positioned in compressive engagement with said pressure rollers and fluid is caused to flow along the tubing with rotation of said rotor; flow restriction means including a plunger slidably mounted on said housing for occluding said tubing at a predetermined location downline of said tubing segment for increasing the pressure of said fluid in said tubing segment, said plunger having an open position removed from said tubing and a operating position compressively engaging said tubing; means carried on said housing for biasing said plunger to said operating position even if said platen assembly is accidently moved to said open position; and user-actuable latching means operable only when said platen assembly is in said open position for latching said plunger in said open position, said latching means automatically releasing said plunger to allow said plunger to move to said operating position upon actuation of said pressure plate to said closed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
Fluid metering apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid through the tubing of a fluid administration set, comprising: a housing; a rotor mounted on said housing for rotation about a fixed axis, said rotor including a plurality of pressure rollers disposed about the circumference thereof; a platen assembly slidably mounted to said housing and having a pressure plate having an open position displaced from the circumference of said rotor whereby said tubing can be inserted therebetween, and having a closed position adjacent said rotor circumference whereby a segment of said tubing is positioned in compressive engagement with said pressure rollers and fluid is caused to flow along the tubing with rotation of said rotor; flow restriction means including a plunger slidably mounted on said housing for occluding said tubing at a predetermined location downline of said tubing segment for increasing the pressure of said fluid in said tubing segment, said plunger having an open position removed from said tubing and a operating position compressively engaging said tubing; means carried on said housing for biasing said plunger to said operating position even if said platen assembly is accidently moved to said open position; and user-actuable latching means operable only when said platen assembly is in said open position for latching said plunger in said open position, said latching means automatically releasing said plunger to allow said plunger to move to said operating position upon actuation of said pressure plate to said closed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Fluid metering apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein a portion of said latching means is carried on said slidably mounted platen assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
Fluid metering apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said latching means include a lever pivotally mounted to said platen assembly, detent means on said plunger for engaging said lever to lock said plunger for movement with said platen assembly, and actuator means on said housing for displacing said lever from said detent means upon closure of said platen assembly whereby said plunger is returned to said operating position by said biasing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
Fluid metering apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said lever is mounted for movement in a plane generally perpendicular to said plunger, said detent means comprise a notch in said plunger dimensioned to receive said lever, and wherein means are provided for biasing said lever against said plunger whereby said lever is received in said notch when said plunger is locked in said open position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
Fluid metering apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said actuator means comprise a tapered actuator pin extending from said housing in generally parallel-spaced relationship to said plunger for displacing said lever from said notch upon closure of said platen assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
206 words
Fluid metering apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid through the tubing of a fluid administration set, comprising: a housing; a rotor mounted on said housing for rotation about a fixed axis, said rotor including a plurality of pressure rollers disposed about the circumference thereof; means including a pressure plate disposed adjacent the circumference of said rotor whereby a segment of said tubing is positioned in compressive engagement with said pressure rollers and fluid is caused to flow through said tubing with rotation of said rotor; means for rotatably driving said rotor; flow restriction means including a slidably mounted plunger spring-biased against said tubing for occluding said tubing at a predetermined location downline of said tubing segment to increase the pressure of said fluid in said tubing segment, the position of said plunger with respect to said housing varying over a predetermined operating range with the pressure of said fluid in said tubing; occlusion detection means including electric switch means operatively engaged with said plunger and responsive to the position thereof in said operating range for interrupting rotation of said rotor upon movement of said plunger to a predetermined position in said operating range corresponding to a predetermined partial occlusion of said tubing by said plunger.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
206 words
Fluid metering apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid through the tubing of a fluid administration set, comprising: a housing; a rotor mounted on said housing for rotation about a fixed axis, said rotor including a plurality of pressure rollers disposed about the circumference thereof; means including a pressure plate disposed adjacent the circumference of said rotor whereby a segment of said tubing is positioned in compressive engagement with said pressure rollers and fluid is caused to flow through said tubing with rotation of said rotor; means for rotatably driving said rotor; flow restriction means including a slidably mounted plunger spring-biased against said tubing for occluding said tubing at a predetermined location downline of said tubing segment to increase the pressure of said fluid in said tubing segment, the position of said plunger with respect to said housing varying over a predetermined operating range with the pressure of said fluid in said tubing; occlusion detection means including electric switch means operatively engaged with said plunger and responsive to the position thereof in said operating range for interrupting rotation of said rotor upon movement of said plunger to a predetermined position in said operating range corresponding to a predetermined partial occlusion of said tubing by said plunger.