US 5,721,382 A · Apparatus for indicating fluid pressure within a conduit

Abstract

An apparatus for visually indicating fluid flow through a fluid system or apparatus such as a medical infusion device. The apparatus comprises a pair of thin, indicia bearing films disposed in an overlaying relationship. These films are shifted relative to each other by movement of mechanical actuators which are deflected solely by the pressure of the fluid within the fluid conduits of the system of the apparatus. The two films are stacked in closed proximity and are preferably constructed from a substantially transparent flexible material such as mylar. One surface of the inferior film is printed with a plurality of integrated symbols depicting various fluid flow conditions. The superior film functions as a mask over the inferior film and is printed with a pattern of diagonally extending, alternating clear and opaque stripes. The print ratio of the superior film permits viewing at any one time of only one of the symbols printed on the inferior film.

Claims27

Dependent claims

An apparatus for indicating fluid pressure within a fluid conduit having an outlet comprising:

(a) indicia-carrying means comprising first and second members having overlaying body portions, at least one of said members having indicating indicia viewable only upon relative sliding movement of said overlaying body portions of said member with respect to each other;
and
(b) actuator means communicating with said outlet for moving said indicia-carrying means as a result of deflection thereof in response to fluid pressure being exerted on said actuator means.

An apparatus for visually indicating fluid pressure within first and second fluid conduits each having an outlet comprising:

(a) first and second thin films having generally planar portions disposed in an overlaying relationship, at least one of said first and second thin films having indicating indicia viewable upon relative sliding movement between said generally planar portions of said first and second films;
and
(b) actuator means communicating with said fluid outlets of said first and second fluid conduits for moving portions of said first and second films relative to each other in response to fluid pressure being exerted on said actuator means by fluid within said first and second fluid conduits.

An apparatus for visually indicating the existence of fluid under pressure with first and second conduits each having an outlet, said device comprising:

(a) a platform having first and second apertures;
(b) a first deformable actuator element aligned with said first aperture in said platform and being disposed between said outlet of said first conduit and said first aperture, said first actuator element being deformable from an initial configuration into an extended configuration in response to fluid under pressure within said first conduit;
(c) a second deformable actuator element aligned with said second aperture in said base and being disposed between said outlet of said second conduit and said second aperture, said second actuator element being deformable from an initial configuration into an extended configuration in response to the fluid under pressure within said second conduit;
(d) a support connected to said platform and having a first receiving channel indexable with said first aperture in said platform and a second receiving channel indexable with said second aperture in said platform;
and
(e) a first yieldably deformable indicia carrying thin film having a generally planar body portion and an edge portion connected to said platform;
and
(f) a second yieldably deformable indicia-carrying thin film having an edge portion and a generally planar body portion partially overlaying said body portion of said first thin film, said edge portion of said second thin film being connected to said platform, whereby by said first and second thin films are disposed intermediate said platform and said support for relative sliding movement between said generally planar body portions thereof by said actuator elements between first and second positions.

5 more elements

A fluid pressure indicating device comprising:

(a) a base;
(b) stored energy means for forming in conjunction with said base a fluid reservoir having an outlet, said stored energy means comprising a distendable member superimposed over said base, said member being distendable as a result of fluid introduced into said fluid reservoir to establish internal stresses within said member tending to return said member toward a less distended configuration to force fluids from said reservoir through said outlet;
(c) a fluid conduit connected to said outlet of said reservoir for carrying fluid forced from said reservoir by said distendable member;
(d) a pair of thin films having edge portions and generally planar body portions disposed in an overlaying relationship, at least one of said thin films having indicating indicia viewable upon relative sliding movement between said body portions of said films;
and
(e) actuator means communicating with said fluid conduit for engaging one of said edge portions of said thin films to move at least one of said thin films relative to the other in response to fluid pressure being extended on said actuator means by fluid carried by said fluid conduit.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for indicating fluid pressure within a conduit

Life of this patent

Apparatus for indicating fluid pressure within a conduit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27