Intravenous solution flow regulator

An automatic flow regulator for delivering a fluid such as a parenternal solution from a source to a patient, the flow regulator comprising:

• a body for receiving fluid from the source, said body having an inlet and a tube extending therefrom co-axial with said inlet adapted to extend into said fluid source, piercing means at the free end of said tube for associating with said source and for delivering fluid from said source to said body, said body having an outlet means at an opposite side for delivering fluid from said body to the patient;
• primary delivery means within said body communicating with said tube and said outlet means and said piercing means for delivering fluid from said source to the patient at a first flow rate;
• means in said tube for stopping delivery of fluid from said source to the patient at said first flow rate upon the fluid in said source reaching a predetermined threshold level;
• a first liquid permeable and air impermeable membrane in the path of said primary delivery means, between said source and the patient, for blocking the passage of air when the level of fluid in said source falls below said threshold level;
• secondary delivery path means within said tube including a body and said piercing means for delivering fluid from said source to the patient at a second flow rate which is less than said first flow rate;
• and a second liquid permeable and air impermeable membrane in the fluid path of said secondary delivery means, between said source and the patient, said second membrane being of preselected surface area and pore size for defining said second flow rate and for blocking the passage of air from said source to the patient.

An automatic flow regulator for use with a closed container supplying parenteral solution to a patient, the flow regulator comprising:

• a tubular means having at one free end thereof a pointed piercing means;
• a primary aperture in said tubular means proximate said pointed piercing means adapted to extend into a closed said container;
• a secondary aperture in said tubular means spaced at a predetermined distance from said pointed piercing means and said primary aperture adapted to extend into said container;
• a hollow body associated with said tubular means opposite said pointed end and adapted to be arranged external to said container, said hollow body having an inlet co-axial with said tubular means, said hollow body communicating with said primary and secondary apertures;
• and flow regulator means in said hollow body having a first portion communicating with said primary aperture for permitting solution to pass therethrough at a first flow rate, and having a second portion communicating with said secondary aperture permitting solution to pass therethrough at a second flow rate which is substantially less than said first flow rate.