IV flow management systems and methods

A method for controlling flow of a liquid to a patient through use of an intravenous delivery system, the method comprising:

• with a flow rate sensor:
• measuring a flow rate of the liquid through the intravenous delivery system;
• and
• generating a flow rate signal indicative of the flow rate;
• with a controller:
• receiving the flow rate signal;
• comparing the flow rate with a desired flow rate to determine that the flow rate is different from the desired flow rate;
• and
• in response to determining that the flow rate is different from the desired flow rate, transmitting a control signal;
• and
• with a flow rate regulator:
• receiving the control signal;
• and
• in response to receipt of the control signal, modifying the flow rate to bring the flow rate closer to the desired flow rate, wherein the flow rate regulator comprises:
• a frame;
• an opposing member attached to the frame, the opposing member comprising a curved rim configured to abut tubing of the system that conveys the liquid;
• a cam member, comprising a variable radius curved rim configured to abut the tubing, wherein the variable radius curved rim has a maximum diameter portion and a minimum diameter portion;
• a motor configured to rotate the cam member with respect to the frame, wherein in response to the motor rotating the cam member to orient the minimum diameter portion proximate the tubing, the cam member and the opposing member cooperate to exert a first amount of pinching on the tubing, wherein in response to the motor rotating the cam member to orient the maximum diameter portion proximate the tubing, the cam member and the opposing member cooperate to exert a second amount of pinching on the tubing, wherein the second amount of pinching is greater than the first amount of pinching.

A system for controlling flow of a liquid to a patient, the system comprising:

• a drip unit comprising a drip chamber and an orifice that delivers drops of the liquid from a liquid source to the drip chamber via gravity feed;
• a flow rate sensor configured to be coupled to the drip unit, wherein the flow rate sensor:
• measures a flow rate of the liquid through the drip chamber;
• and
• generates a flow rate signal indicative of the flow rate;
• a controller that:
• receives the flow rate signal;
• compares the flow rate with a desired flow rate to determine that the flow rate is different from the desired flow rate;
• and
• in response to determining that the flow rate is different from the desired flow rate, transmits a control signal;
• tubing comprising:
• a first end connectable to the drip unit to receive the liquid from the drip unit via gravity feed;
• and
• a second end;
• a flow rate regulator configured to be coupled to the tubing, wherein the flow rate regulator:
• receives the control signal;
• and
• in response to receipt of the control signal, adjusts a level of compression applied to the tubing to modify the flow rate to bring the flow rate closer to the desired flow rate, wherein the flow rate regulator comprises:
• a frame;
• an opposing member attached to the frame, the opposing member comprising a curved rim configured to abut tubing of the system that conveys the liquid;
• a cam member, comprising a variable radius curved rim configured to abut the tubing, wherein the variable radius curved rim has a maximum diameter portion and a minimum diameter portion;
• a motor configured to rotate the cam member with respect to the frame, wherein in response to the motor rotating the cam member to orient the minimum diameter portion proximate the tubing, the cam member and the opposing member cooperate to exert a first amount of pinching on the tubing, wherein in response to the motor rotating the cam member to orient the maximum diameter portion proximate the tubing, the cam member and the opposing member cooperate to exert a second amount of pinching on the tubing, wherein the second amount of pinching is greater than the first amount of pinching;
• and
• an intravenous access unit connectable to the second end of the tubing, wherein the intravenous access unit is configured to receive the liquid from the second end via gravity feed and deliver the liquid intravenously to a patient.