Pinch clip occluder system for infusion sets
AssigneeZevex, Inc.
InventorsDavid J. McNally, Al Halbert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pinch clip occluder system for infusion sets includes a housing and a clamp movably disposed within the housing to selectively occlude an infusion set. The pinch clip nests in an adapter placed on an enteral feeding pump such that when the pinch clip occluder is properly position, flow is allowed through the infusion set, but when the pinch clip occluder is not properly positioned in the adapter, flow through the infusion set is prevented.
Claims26
An adapter for selectively holding an infusion set having a first portion and a second portion with a resilient portion between the first portion and second portion in communication with a pump mechanism the adapter comprising:
- means for attaching the adapter to a pump mechanism;
- a wall extending from the means for attacking, the wall defining an infusion set receiving channel configured in an L-shape with an opening at one end and a opposing end which is closed for receiving first and second portions of an infusion set such that a resilient portion between the first and second portions of the infusion set extends outside the channel and for preventing removal of the first portion of the infusion set through the opening while the second portion of the infusion set is disposed therein, and wherein the closed end has a groove formed therein for receiving a drip chamber.
An adapter system for preventing free-flow, the adapter system comprising:
- an infusion set having an elongate tube, a drip chamber disposed along the tube, and a pinch clip disposed on the tube so as to selectively prevent fluid flow along the tube;
- and
- an adapter configured for attachment to pump mechanism, the adapter having a lower wall with a channel formed therein for receiving first and second sections of the elongate tube, the adapter further comprising wall means for holding the pinch clip in an open configuration wherein the pinch clip does not prevent fluid flow through the elongate tube.
A method for loading an infusion set on a pump mechanism so as to prevent free-flow conditions, the method comprising:
- (a) selecting a pump mechanism having an adapter disposed thereon with a channel for receiving first and second sections of an infusion set;
- (b) inserting a first section of an infusion set into the channel;
- (c) inserting a second section of the infusion set having a pinch clip disposed thereon into the channel of the adapter and anchoring the pinch clip therein to allow fluid flow through the infusion set when the pinch clip is disposed in the adapter, and such that fluid flow through the infusion set is prevented when the pinch clip is pulled from the adapter.
An adapter for selectively holding an infusion set in communication with a pump mechanism, the adapter comprising:
- means for attaching the adapter to a pump mechanism
- a wall extending from the means for attaching, the wall having an infusion set receiving channel formed through the wall, the infusion set receiving channel having an open end and a closed end, and being configured for receiving a first portion of the infusion set at the closed end and a second portion of the infusion set adjacent the open end, the channel being further configured such that the first portion of the infusion set cannot be slid out through the open end while the second portion of the infusion set is disposed in the channel, wherein the wall is generally horizontal, and wherein the infusion set receiving channel extends generally from the open end to the closed end.
An adapter for selectively holding an infusion set in communication with a pump mechanism, the adapter comprising:
- a back plate configured for attachment to a pump mechanism;
- a wall extending from the back plate, the wall having a channel formed therethrough for receiving a first portion and a second portion of an infusion set, the wall comprising a groove formed along the channel for receiving a drip chamber formed along the first portion of the infusion set;
- and
- a front wall attached to the wall opposite the back plate, and
- wherein the back plate, the wall and the front wall are configured for nestingly receiving a pinch clip occluder and for holding the pinch clip occluder in an open, fluid flow accommodating position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.