Control of fluid flow

Claim 2

A flow control device for the infusion of fluids comprising an inlet for the flow of fluid; an outlet for said inlet and disposed with respect thereto to serve as a conduit for flow from said inlet; and movable flow controlling means sealing said inlet and having a pierceable central portion for controlling flow by the extent to which the central portion of said movable means is moved away from said inlet; wherein a first channel for the flow of fluid extends between said inlet and said outlet; a branch channel is connected to said first channel beyond said moveable means to serve as a conduit for at least a portion of the flow into said first channel; and a member is positioned at the convergence of the branch and first channels for controlling the flow from said branch channel.

Claim 3

A flow control device for the infusion of fluids comprising an inlet for the flow of fluid; an outlet for said inlet and disposed with respect there to to serve as a conduit for flow from said inlet; and movable flow controlling means sealing said inlet and having a pierceable central portion for controlling flow by the extent to which the central portion of said movable means is moved away from said inlet; wherein said movable means sealing said inlet comprises a bell-shaped member having a dome and side walls, with said dome extending out of said inlet and said walls straddling said outlet.

Claim 4

A flow control device for the infusion of fluids comprising an inlet for the flow of fluid; an outlet for said inlet and disposed with respect there to to serve as a conduit for flow from said inlet; and movable flow controlling means sealing said inlet and having a pierceable central portion for controlling flow by the extent to which the central portion of said movable means is moved away from said inlet; wherein said movable means sealing said inlet comprises a bell-shaped member having a dome and side walls, with said dome extending out of said inlet and said walls straddling said outlet.

Claim 5

Apparatus as defined in claim 2 further including means for permitting the activation of the controlling means, after sealing said inlet, by a member external to the flow control device.

Claim 6

Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for permitting the activation of said controlling means comprises a fitting formed by a neck extending from a mount and enclosing a passageway for the throughflow of fluid, with an outflow portion of the neck terminating in at least one prong for engaging said controlling means.

Claim 7

Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for permitting the activation of the controlling means by a member external to the flow control device comprises means for sealing said member.

Claim 8

Apparatus as defined in claim 2 comprising a plurality of flow control devices having their outlets connected to a common channel; thereby to provide a plurality of infusion sites for said common channel.

Claim 9

A flow control device in accordance with claim 2 further including (a) a first channel communicating with said moveable means for the control of fluid; (b) a ring seat within said first channel; (c) a flexible plunger within said first channel; and (d) a control diaphragm in tangential contact with said ring seat and said plunger.

Claim 10

An injection site valve in accordance with claim 4 which can be used for needleless infusion or needle injection of a fluid, wherein said moveable means is a plug which can be depressed from its seat for needleless infusion, or penetrated by a needle for needle injection, without disturbing said seal.

Claim 11

A flow control device as defined in claim 2 wherein said inlet has an undercut rim; said controlling means comprising elastomeric means engaging the undercut portion of the rim of said inlet for controlling flow by the extent to which said elastomeric means is displaced away from said rim to create a passage between said rim and said elastomeric means.

Claim 12

Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said inlet has a side wall and said moveable means has a shoulder contacting said side wall.

Claim 13

Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said inlet includes an injection site and said outlet is connected to a subordinate channel extending to further flow control means at the junction of said subordinate channel and an outlet channel.

Claim 14

Apparatus as defined in claim 2 for controlling fluid flow from said inlet having an entrance, to said outlet having an exit, which comprises: (1) a stopper sealing the entrance of said inlet; and (2) means for controllably depressing said stopper at said entrance to permit the flow of said fluid to said outlet and out of said exit.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 12 further including means for connecting said outlet to a common channel.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the means for controllably depressing said stopper comprises a fitting formed by a neck extending from a mount and enclosing a passageway for the throughflow of fluid, with an outflow portion of the neck terminating in at least one prong for engaging said stopper.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 12 for directionally controlling the flow of fluid which comprises (a) a branch channel connected to said outlet for serving as a conduit for at least a portion of the flow into said inlet; and (b) means for controlling the flow from said inlet into said branch channel by applying centralized pressure to said stopper.

Claim 18

A flow control device for the infusion of fluids comprising an inlet for the flow of fluid; an outlet for said inlet and disposed with respect thereto to serve as a conduit for flow from said inlet; and movable flow controlling means sealing said inlet and having a pierceable central portion for controlling flow by the extent to which the central portion of said movable means is moved away from said inlet; wherein said inlet includes opposed fittings, further including a mount with a side wall containing opposed grooves engaging said fittings, each groove commencing at an opening in the base of the mount and terminating in another opening in the side wall of said mount.

Claim 19

A flow control device for the infusion of fluids comprising an inlet for the flow of fluid; an outlet for said inlet and disposed with respect thereto to serve as a conduit for flow from said inlet; and movable flow controlling means sealing said inlet and having a pierceable central portion for controlling flow by the extent to which the central portion of said movable means is moved away from said inlet; wherein said inlet includes opposed fittings, further including a mount with a side wall containing opposed grooves engaging said fittings, each groove commencing at an opening in the base of the mount and terminating in another opening in the side wall of said mount.

Claim 20

Apparatus as defined in claim 16 further including at least one prong in said mount engaging said moveable means and an elastomeric washer within said mount encircling said prong and sealing said mount to said device.

Claim 21

A flow control device for the infusion of fluids comprising an inlet for the flow of fluid; an outlet for said inlet and disposed with respect thereto to serve as a conduit for flow from said inlet; and movable flow controlling means sealing said inlet and having a pierceable central portion for controlling flow by the extent to which the central portion of said movable means is moved away from said inlet; wherein an infusion site activator containing a plug and engaging said inlet is adapted for preventing flow from the activator when disengaged from said infusion site, comprising a sealing ring having a recessed surface and in engagement with said device; whereby after sealing is effectuated, said plug is depressed to create a passageway for the flow of fluid through the activator and further engagement between the fitting and the device brings said recessed surface into contact with said moveable means depressing it and opening a channel into said device so that fluid can flow into surface recesses exposed by the movement of said moveable means, so that when the fitting is uncoupled from the device, the said moveable means and said plug are reseated, preventing any further flow of fluid.

Claim 22

A flow control device for the infusion of fluids comprising an inlet for the flow of fluid; an outlet for said inlet and disposed with respect thereto to serve as a conduit for flow from said inlet; and movable flow controlling means sealing said inlet and having a pierceable central portion for controlling flow by the extent to which the central portion of said movable means is moved away from said inlet; wherein an infusion site activator containing a plug and engaging said inlet is adapted for preventing flow from the activator when disengaged from said infusion site, comprising a sealing ring having a recessed surface and in engagement with said device; whereby after sealing is effectuated, said plug is depressed to create a passageway for the flow of fluid through the activator and further engagement between the fitting and the device brings said recessed surface into contact with said moveable means depressing it and opening a channel into said device so that fluid can flow into surface recesses exposed by the movement of said moveable means, so that when the fitting is uncoupled from the device, the said moveable means and said plug are reseated, preventing any further flow of fluid.