Valve for intravenous-line flow-control system

A membrane-based valve for smoothing the delivery of intravenous fluid from a source to a patient comprising:

• a rigid housing, the housing providing a first passage, a first mouth, a second passage, a second mouth;
• and
• a compliant membrane;
• the housing and the compliant membrane coupled, defining a valving chamber;
• the first passage entering the valving chamber at the first mouth such that flow of fluid via the first passage into the chamber is capable of being prevented when the compliant membrane is forced against the first mouth, the second passage exiting the valving chamber at the second mouth so that a charge of fluid is capable of being urged by the compliant membrane to continue flow from the valving chamber into the second passage via the second mouth and may be provided to the patient when the compliant membrane is forced against the first mouth.

A valve comprising:

• an occludable inlet mouth;
• a valving chamber disposed downstream from and in fluid communication with the inlet mouth, the valving chamber capable of expanding so as to accept and retain a charge of fluid under pressure;
• and
• an outlet mouth disposed downstream from and in fluid communication with the valving chamber, so that the charge of fluid is urged, while the valving chamber is returning to its unstretched state, to flow therethrough when the inlet mouth is occluded, the outlet mouth capable of variably restricting delivery to the patient by providing alternatively (i) a fully open position, (ii) a partially open position and (iii) a closed position.