# US 5,346,477 A · Pressure gauge for regulating pressure in a disposable pressure cuff

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- Number: US 5,346,477 A
- Document ID: US5346477A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/769,544
- Filed: 1991-10-01
- Granted: 1994-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 1989-09-29
- Assignees: Harmac Medical Products, Inc.
- Inventors: Floyd V. Edwards; Norman M. Strobel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5346477A

## CPC

- A61M 5/16854: {by monitoring line pressure}
- A61M 5/1483: {using flexible bags externally pressurised by fluid pressure}
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

Apparatus for regulating pressure in and for controllably pressurizing infusion devices includes a flow-through pressure gauge for indicating and regulating the pressures within such infusion devices between minimum and maximum desirable pressures. Such apparatus includes a gauge, coupled between a fluid source and the bladder portion of the pressure infusion device. The gauge receives pressurized fluid from the fluid source, provides fluid to the bladder, indicates a range of fluid pressures in the bladder and maintains the pressure of fluid in the bladder between minimum and maximum pressures. The gauge includes a telescopingly coupled member to indicate a range of pressures in the bladder. A first valve permits the passage of fluid through the gauge and into the bladder when the fluid pressure exceeds a minimum pressure. A second valve prevents the passage of fluid through the gauge and into the bladder when the fluid pressure exceeds a maximum pressure.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Apparatus for regulating fluid pressure in a pressure infusion device having an infusion bag, a bladder for containing a fluid under pressure, and a pocket holding the infusion bag in contact with the bladder, wherein said fluid under pressure is supplied by a fluid source, said apparatus comprising: conduit for transmitting fluid from said fluid source; and
gauge means, coupled between said fluid source and said bladder by said conduit, for receiving said fluid under pressure from said source and providing said fluid to said bladder, for indicating a range of fluid pressures therein and for maintaining the pressure of fluid in said bladder between minimum and maximum pressures, whereby the pressure of fluid in said bladder is automatically regulated, said gauge means comprising:
first housing means for receiving a flow of said fluid under pressure, said first housing means comprising a body forming a chamber having an inlet and an outlet and a first member projecting from said body;
diaphragm means for sealing said chamber;
second housing means for enclosing said chamber, said second housing means comprising a second member telescopingly coupled to said first member for movement thereupon to indicate a range of pressures of said flow of fluid through said chamber, wherein said diaphragm means is connected between said first housing means and said second housing means;
a first valve means, formed between said first housing means and said second housing means, for permitting the passage of fluid through said chamber when the pressure of fluid exceeds a minimum pressure; and
a second valve means, formed between said first housing means and said second housing means, for preventing the passage of fluid through said chamber when the pressure of said fluid exceeds a maximum pressure.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first valve means comprises a first valve seat formed on said body and a spring, connected between said first and second housing means, for biasing said second housing means against said first valve seat.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said chamber further comprises a second outlet, wherein said gauge means is connectable to a second pressure infusion device.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second members are coaxially aligned.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said diaphragm means comprises:
a resilient annulus covering said chamber; and
first and second slots retaining said resilient annulus, said first slot formed in said first housing and said second slot formed in said second housing.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second valve means comprises a second valve seat formed on said body and wherein said second housing means comprises a piston having a flared end, wherein said flared end is biased against said second valve seat in relation to the pressure of said fluid.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said second valve seat is formed around said inlet.