Flow restrictor device for a medical apparatus

A medical apparatus flow restrictor, comprising:

• an inlet housing member defining an inlet to said flow restrictor and further defining a forward portion, and a separate outlet housing member mated with said inlet housing member and defining an outlet from said flow restrictor and further defining a recess;
• a fluid path defined through said inlet and outlet housing members between said inlet and said outlet;
• flow restriction surfaces defined on opposing surfaces of said inlet and outlet housing members, said flow restriction surfaces contacting each other intermittently at a plurality of locations along said fluid path such that fluid delivered to said inlet passes between said opposed flow restriction surfaces of said inlet and outlet housing members prior to flowing from said outlet;
• wherein said opposed flow restriction surfaces have a random surface roughness and opposed surface area defined as a function of a desired flow rate of fluid through said restrictor, said opposed flow restriction surfaces defining a flow field of random surface contours to restrict and regulate fluid flow through said restrictor;
• and
• wherein said forward portion of said inlet housing member comprises a tapered conical configuration, and said recess of said outlet housing member comprises a corresponding tapered conical configuration.

A medical apparatus flow restrictor, comprising:

• an inlet housing member defining an inlet to said flow restrictor, and a separate outlet housing member mated with said inlet housing member and defining an outlet from said flow restrictor;
• a fluid path defined through said inlet and outlet housing members between said inlet and said outlet;
• flow restriction surfaces defined on opposing contacting surfaces of said inlet and outlet housing members at a location along said fluid path such that fluid delivered to said inlet passes between said opposed flow restriction surfaces of said inlet and outlet housing members prior to flowing from said outlet;
• wherein said opposed flow restriction surfaces have a random surface roughness and opposed surface area defined as a function of a desired flow rate of fluid through said restrictor, said opposed flow restriction surfaces defining a flow field of random surface contours to restrict and regulate fluid flow through said restrictor;
• wherein said inlet housing member is pressed into mating configuration with said outlet housing member such that said opposed flow restriction surfaces are pressed together to a predetermined degree sufficient for providing a desired fluid flow through said restrictor;
• and
• wherein at least one of said opposed flow restriction surfaces is formed of a compressible material such that fluid flow between said opposed flow restriction surfaces is varied by varying a compressive pressure applied to said inlet and outlet housing members.

A medical apparatus flow restrictor, comprising:

• an inlet housing member defining an inlet to said flow restrictor, and a separate outlet housing member mated with said inlet housing member and defining an outlet from said flow restrictor;
• a fluid path defined through said inlet and outlet housing members between said inlet and said outlet;
• flow restriction surfaces defined on opposing contacting surfaces of said inlet and outlet housing members at a location along said fluid path such that fluid delivered to said inlet passes between said opposed flow restriction surfaces of said inlet and outlet housing members prior to flowing from said outlet;
• wherein said opposed flow restriction surfaces have a random surface roughness and opposed surface area defined as a function of a desired flow rate of fluid through said restrictor, said opposed flow restriction surfaces defining a flow field of random surface contours to restrict and regulate fluid flow through said restrictor;
• and
• wherein a plane between said opposed flow restriction surfaces is a generally conical plane with respect to an axis of said inlet and said outlet.

A medical apparatus flow restrictor, comprising:

• an inlet housing member defining an inlet to said flow restrictor, and a separate outlet housing member mated with said inlet housing member and defining an outlet from said flow restrictor;
• a fluid path defined through said inlet and outlet housing members between said inlet and said outlet;
• flow restriction surfaces defined on opposing surfaces of said inlet and outlet housing members, said flow restriction surfaces contacting each other intermittently at a plurality of locations along said fluid path such that fluid delivered to said inlet passes between said opposed flow restriction surfaces of said inlet and outlet housing members prior to flowing from said outlet;
• wherein said opposed flow restriction surfaces have a random surface roughness and opposed surface area defined as a function of a desired flow rate of fluid through said restrictor, said opposed flow restriction surfaces defining a flow field of random surface contours to restrict and regulate fluid flow through said restrictor;
• and
• wherein one of said opposed flow restriction surfaces comprises a rougher surface as compared to said other flow restriction surface.

A medical fluid delivery system configured to deliver a fluid from a source to a patient at a regulated flow rate, said system comprising delivery tubing and a flow restrictor placed in-line in said tubing, said flow restrictor further comprising:

• an inlet housing member defining an inlet to said flow restrictor, and a separate outlet housing member mated with said inlet housing member and defining an outlet from said flow restrictor;
• a fluid path defined through said inlet and outlet housing members between said inlet and said outlet;
• flow restriction surfaces defined on opposing surfaces of said inlet and outlet housing members, said flow restriction surfaces contacting each other intermittently at a plurality of locations along said fluid path such that fluid delivered to said inlet passes between said opposed flow restriction surfaces of said inlet and outlet housing members prior to flowing from said outlet;
• wherein said opposed flow restriction surfaces have a random surface roughness and opposed surface area defined as a function of a desired flow rate of fluid through said restrictor, said opposed flow restriction surfaces defining a flow field of random surface contours to restrict and regulate fluid flow through said restrictor.

A medical fluid delivery system configured to deliver a fluid from a source to a patient at a regulated flow rate, said system comprising delivery tubing and a flow restrictor placed in-line in said tubing, said flow restrictor further comprising:

• an inlet housing member defining an inlet to said flow restrictor, and a separate outlet housing member mated with said inlet housing member and defining an outlet from said flow restrictor;
• a fluid path defined through said inlet and outlet housing members between said inlet and said outlet;
• flow restriction surfaces defined on opposing contacting surfaces of said inlet and outlet housing members at a location along said fluid path such that fluid delivered to said inlet passes between said opposed flow restriction surfaces of said inlet and outlet housing members prior to flowing from said outlet;
• wherein said opposed flow restriction surfaces have a random surface roughness and opposed surface area defined as a function of a desired flow rate of fluid through said restrictor, said opposed flow restriction surfaces defining a flow field of random surface contours to restrict and regulate fluid flow through said restrictor;
• wherein a first of said opposed flow restriction surfaces is formed as an integral surface on said inlet housing member, and a second of said opposed flow restriction surfaces is formed as an integral surface of said outlet housing member;
• wherein a forward portion of said inlet housing member is received within a recess defined in said outlet housing member, said first opposed flow restriction surface formed on said forward portion of said inlet housing member, and said second opposed flow restriction surface formed in said recess of said outlet housing member;
• and
• wherein said forward portion of said inlet housing member comprises a tapered conical configuration, and said recess of said outlet housing member comprises a corresponding tapered conical configuration.

A medical fluid delivery system configured to deliver a fluid from a source to a patient at a regulated flow rate, said system comprising delivery tubing and a flow restrictor placed in-line in said tubing, said flow restrictor further comprising:

• an inlet housing member defining an inlet to said flow restrictor, and a separate outlet housing member mated with said inlet housing member and defining an outlet from said flow restrictor;
• a fluid path defined through said inlet and outlet housing members between said inlet and said outlet;
• flow restriction surfaces defined on opposing contacting surfaces of said inlet and outlet housing members at a location along said fluid path such that fluid delivered to said inlet passes between said opposed flow restriction surfaces of said inlet and outlet housing members prior to flowing from said outlet;
• wherein said opposed flow restriction surfaces have a random surface roughness and opposed surface area defined as a function of a desired flow rate of fluid through said restrictor, said opposed flow restriction surfaces defining a flow field of random surface contours to restrict and regulate fluid flow through said restrictor;
• and
• wherein each of said opposed flow restriction surfaces is formed of a compressible material such that fluid flow between said opposed flow restriction surfaces is varied by varying a compressive pressure applied to said inlet and outlet housing members.