CA1095011A - Intravenous tubing clamping device - Google Patents
Intravenous tubing clamping deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1095011A CA1095011A CA318,228A CA318228A CA1095011A CA 1095011 A CA1095011 A CA 1095011A CA 318228 A CA318228 A CA 318228A CA 1095011 A CA1095011 A CA 1095011A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- roller
- body member
- tubing
- clamping device
- bottom wall
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
- A61M39/22—Valves or arrangement of valves
- A61M39/28—Clamping means for squeezing flexible tubes, e.g. roller clamps
- A61M39/286—Wedge clamps, e.g. roller clamps with inclined guides
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Pulmonology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Anesthesiology (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Hematology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
AN INTRAVENOUS TUBING CLAMPING DEVICE
ABSTRACT
An intravenous tubing clamping device for control-ling fluid flow through compressible tubing. The device includes an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end and being adapted to receive the tubing. The body member has a generally V-shaped longitudinally-extending groove having an angle of about 60° to 165°
defining two supporting surfaces for the tubing. A roller is mounted on the body member for movement longitudinally of the body member to define a clamping area between the roller and the supporting surfaces of the body member which decreases as the roller moves from the proximal end towards the distal end of the body member. Preferably, the clamping area has a general V-shape and an area that varies between a value equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the unclamped tubing and a value approxi-mately equal to the area occupied by the collapsed tubing which is approximately equal to twice the nominal wall thickness of the tubing. Also, the roller has a generally V-shaped circumference having an apex angle centrally located on the roller having a value of about 60° to 180°.
The size of the clamping area is varied by moving the roller towards the supporting surfaces, by moving the bottom of the V-shaped groove in the body member towards the roller, or by a combination of moving the roller towards the V-shaped groove and moving the base of the V-shaped groove towards the roller.
ABSTRACT
An intravenous tubing clamping device for control-ling fluid flow through compressible tubing. The device includes an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end and being adapted to receive the tubing. The body member has a generally V-shaped longitudinally-extending groove having an angle of about 60° to 165°
defining two supporting surfaces for the tubing. A roller is mounted on the body member for movement longitudinally of the body member to define a clamping area between the roller and the supporting surfaces of the body member which decreases as the roller moves from the proximal end towards the distal end of the body member. Preferably, the clamping area has a general V-shape and an area that varies between a value equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the unclamped tubing and a value approxi-mately equal to the area occupied by the collapsed tubing which is approximately equal to twice the nominal wall thickness of the tubing. Also, the roller has a generally V-shaped circumference having an apex angle centrally located on the roller having a value of about 60° to 180°.
The size of the clamping area is varied by moving the roller towards the supporting surfaces, by moving the bottom of the V-shaped groove in the body member towards the roller, or by a combination of moving the roller towards the V-shaped groove and moving the base of the V-shaped groove towards the roller.
Description
OJ~
This invention relates to a clamping device for regulating fluid flow through flexible tubing and, more particularly, to a clamping device for use in intravenous parenteral fluid administration sets.
Many clamps have been developed for controlling the rate of flow of parenteral fluid administered to a patient through the plastic tubing which is used for transporting parenteral fluid from the solution container to the patient. However, these clamps have not proved as reliable and accurate in use as desired, particularly with respect to regulating and maintaining uniform flow rates over extended periods of time.
Most clamps are designed to flatten tubing so that the walls of the tubing are more or less parallel producing a long flat oval-shaped lumen. The rate of flow of fluid through tubing compressed in this manner is difficult to control prPcisely, and considerable compression of the walls of the tubing must be applied before slow rates of flow can be obtained. Moreover, there is con-siderable strain imposed on the plastic by clamps of thistype. Und~r such strain, most plastics undergo "sold flow" to relieve the strain causing the tubing to flatten still further and collapse inwardly thus decreasing the fluid flow rates. As a result, the nurse or attendant must frequently readjust the clamp to maintain relatively constant fluid flow.
Most tubing used in intravenous sets for adminis-tering parenteral solutions is made of polyvinyl chloride ~o~ ~tio~
which has the tendency to take a "set" when compressed for prolonged periods of time. Accordingly, unduly long time lags frequently occur when prior art clamps are released after a prolonged compression before the plastic overcomes the "set". Other plastic tubing, for example, polyethylene tubing, can be permanently deformed when compressed making it virtually impossible to reestablish a higher flow rate.
A few clamps have been developed which do not flatten the tube uniformly as shown, for example, in U.S.
Patent No. 3,685,787. This clamp consists of a base having a tapered V-shaped groove into which plastic tubing is progressively compressed by a roller in such a manner that there is essentially no space for the plastic to "cold flow" into since the peripheral surfaces of the tubing are confined. More constant fluid flow rates are achieved with this clamp, but flow rates still fluctuate with time. Moreover, the upper surface of th tubing can bow inwardly and decrease the flow rate. Also, this clamp suffers the same drawback as other clamps with respect to being slow in reestablishing a faster flow rate.
Another attempt to solve the problem of control-ling fluid flow in intrav~nous tubing is described in U.S.
Patent No. 3,802,463. With this device, opposed walls of the tubing are variably compressed to modify the size of a pair of lumens formed along the outer edges of the compressed tubing. Central portions of the opposite walls are brought together in gradually increasing interior surface contact so that the lumens in the uncompressed outer edges gradually decrease in size until flow of fluid through the tubing ceases.
As with the clamp described in U.S. Patent No. 3,685,787, the device described in U.S. Patent No. 3,802,463 places non-uniform stresses on the tubing clamped by the device. Thus, flow rates show undesirable fluctuations with time.
Another problem encountered with previously known clamping devices is that the devices are usually designed for a particular size of tubing. Thus, a change in tubing size re-quires a change in the dimensions of the clamp being used.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the previously known clamping devices for regulating fluid flow through flexible tubing.
According to the present invention, then, there is provided an intravenous tubing clam~ing device for controlling fl~id flow through compressible tubing comprising: an elongated body member adapted to receive the tubing having a proximal end and a distal end; the body member including a generally V-shaped bottom wall defining two supporting surfaces for the tubing ex-tending longitudinally of the body member and having a substan-tially constant width and an apex angle of about 60 to 165;
roller means mounted on the body member or movement longitu-dinally of the body member and including a roller for defining a clamping area between the roller means and the supporting sur~
faces which decreases as the roller means moves from the proximai end of the body member toward the distal end, the clamping area between the roller means and the supporting surfaces being re-ducible to an area less than the cross-sectional area of the unclamped tubing.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the pre-sent invention, an improved clamping device for controlling fluid ,~
1~50~
flow, ~lch ~ lltra~enous fluid flow, is provided. The improved cl~mlpin-! device includes a roller and an elongated body member.
The ~ody member is formed of longitudinally-extending parallel side walls which are interconnected by a bottom wall. Each of the side walls, in an upper region, is provided with a longitu~
dinally-extending slot or groove for supporting axially extend-ing trunnions of the roller. The body member at its proximal end is enlarged to allow positioning of the roller within the body member with the trunnions of the roller guided in the slots or grooves of the side walls. The bottom wall interconnecting the side walls has a generally V-shape with the distal ends of the V-shaped bottom wall merging with the bottoms of the side walls and the apex of th~ V-shaped bottom wall positioned below the side walls. The apex angle of the V-shaped bottom wall is between about 60 and 165. r~he outer circumference of the roller also has a generally ~-shape having its apex positioned centrally of the roller and its distal ends extending towards the axis of the roller. The apex angle o~ the roller is selected based on the angle of the apex of the bottom wall and varies between about ~0 and 180. ThQ apex angle of the roller may be 10 to 50 more than the apex angle of the bottom wall. The apex angle of the bottom wall, the apex angle of the roller, and the position or orientation of the supports for the roller pro-vided by the side walls of the body member are interrelated in such manner that longitudinal movement of the roller towards the distal end of the body member progressively compresses flexible tubing positioned between the body member and the roller.
In another embodiment of applicant's invention, the apex angle of the bottom wall is constant while the distance 3~ between the supports for the roller and the bottom wall pro-~09S(Il~
gressively decreases in a direction towards the distal end ofthe body member. Thus~ as the roller moves toward the distal end, the apex of the circumference of the roller progressively moves toward the apex of the bottom wall. In this manner, the lumen or fluid flow passage within the flexible tubing can be progressively reduced until a desired flow rate is obtained or until the tubing is sufficiently compresced to prevent fluid flow.
In yet another embodiment of applicant's invention, the distance between the supports for the roller and the bottom wall is constant while the apex angle of the bottom wall is progressively changed from a value less than the apex angle of the roller to a value approximately equal to the apex angle of the roller. This progressive change in apex angle is obtained by moving the apex of the bottom wall in an upward direction towards the roller, the width of the V-shaped bottom wall adja-cent the side walls remaining constant.
In still another embodiment of applicant's invention, both the distance between the supports for the roller and the bottom wall and the size of the apex angle of the bottom wall are progressively changed. Thus, this embodiment of applicant's invention combines the features of the two previously discussed embodiments.
When the apex angle of the roller is 60 or slightly more, the point or apex of the V-shape of the roller is pre-ferably slightly rounded or curved to facilitate movement of the roller along the tubing. Preferably, also, the peripheral sur-face of the roller is slightly knurled or axially slotted or ridged to facilitate turning of the roller. Further, this pro-vides a limited degree of frictional resistance between the com-~0_ 10950~ 1 pressed tubing and the roller that tends to maintain the rollerin a desired position.
With applicant's invention, the lumen or orifice formed in the tubing is generally V-shaped. Thus, compressive forces tend to be more generally distributed across the tubing and not limited to certain areas, as with the prior art devices. This more even distribution of compressive forces tends to eliminate "cold flow" in the compressed tubing and results in essentially no dimensional changes of the tu~ing. In addition, since the tubing is clamped in a V-shape, any inward movement of the upper surface of the tubing is resisted. Thus, use of the device pro-vides more uniform fluid flow through the tubing over extended periods of time.
Embodiments of ~he invention will now be described in greater detail and will be better understood when read in con-junction with the following drawings in which;
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a clamping device in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken along plane 2~2 of Figur~ l;
Figure 3 is a cross~sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken along plane 3 3 in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken along plane 4-4 in Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a cross~sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken along plane 5-5 of Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 of another em-bodiment of the clamping device of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 4 of still another embodiment of the clamping device invented by applicant;
109~;011 Figure 8 i5 a view similar to Figure 4 of a still fur-ther embodiment of a clamping device according to the present invention;
Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 2 of another em--bodiment of the clamping device of the present invention;
Figure 10 is a cross~sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 9 taken along plane 10-10 of Figure 9;
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 9 ta~en along plane 11~11 of Figure 9; and Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 9 taken along plane 12-12 of Figure 9.
Because clamping devices are well known, the present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, the present invention.
Elements not specifically shown or described herein are under-stood to be selectable from those known in the art.
Referring now to the drawings, and to Figures 1-5 in particular, one embodiment of the present invention is illustrat-ed and will be described in connection with a clamping device, generally designated 20.
The clamping device 20 has a body member 22 and a roller 24 operatively associated therewith. The body member 22 and the roller 24 are preferably made of relatively rigid plastic or similar material. The body member 22 is generally elongated and has generally parallel side walls 26, 28 integral with a bottom wall or floor 30. One or more members or struts 31 inter-connect ends of upper portions of walls 26 and 28.
The side walls 26, 28 have grooves or slots 32 and 34, respectively, for supporting trunnions 36 which extend axially from the roller 24. As illustrated in Figure 2, both the proximal lO9SOll end 38 of the body member 22 and slots 32, 34 are enlarged to define an opening 40 which facilitates insertion of roller 24 into the body member. Further, the flared ends of the side walls 26~ 28 of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 are axial-ly extended to define a space in which roller 24 can rest without applying pressure to compressible, elongated flexib~e tubing 42 positioned between the roller 24 and body 22. This feature greatly facilitates movement of clamping device 20 along tubing 42.
As illustrated in Figures 3-5, both a supporting por-tion of bottom wall 30 and the circumference of roller 24 have a generally V-shape. As seen in Figure 2, the supporting por-tion of bottom wall 30 starts in the vicinity of line 3-3.
Also, the roller 24 is positioned in the slots 32, 34 in such manner that the apex 44 of body member 22 and the apex 50 of the roller 24 are in general alignment. Thus, the apices form co-operating clamping members. As the roller 24 moves to the left in Figure 2, apex 50 tends to progressively pinch tubing 42 thus reducing the size of lumen 56 inside tubing 42- Thus, move-ment of roller 24 provides selective control of fluld fl~ throuqh tubing 42. It should be noted that the manner in which apex 50 compresses the walls of tubing 42 forms a ~--shaped lumen 56, as illustrated in Figure 4, which tends to evenly distribute the compressive force exerted on tubing 42, thereby reducing the tendency of "cold flow" in the compressed tubing. Moreover, the lumen 56 does not have a tendency to change in size or shape since any movement of the upper or lower wall is balanced by an equal movement of the other wall. Also, since there is no undue compression exerted on the tubing 42, the tendency of the tubing to "set~ is greatly reduced. Further, frictional forces between .~
-~ s the compressed tubing and the circumference of roller 24 tend to retain the roller in a desired position.
In operation, tubing 42 is placed inside body member 22 of clamping device 20, and the body member is moved to a desired position on the tubing. Roller 24 is then inserted into the opening 40 and trunnions 36 are positioned in slots 32 and 34. The trunnions and slots are so designed that the trunnions fit in a loose manner within the slots. The gradual slope of the slots 32, 34 provides the ability to constantly control or vary fluid flow rates. Also, as previously discussed~ the V-shaped lumen formed by the progressive collapse of the tubing tends to maintain its size with essentially no dimensional changes in the tubing resulting from "cold flow".
It should be noted that, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1~5, the apex angle of the bottom wall 30 is approxi-mately 90 while the apex angle of the circumference of roller 24 is approximately 105. These apex angles have been found to yield excellent results. Another embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 9-12, utilizes a roller having an apex angle of 150 and a bottom wall having an apex angle of 135 at the proximal end of the body member. Still other possible apex angle relationships are illustrated in Figures 6-8. In these figures, reference numerals will be combined with alphabetical characters to identi-fy features similar to those previously discussed.
Referring now to Figure 6, wheel or roller 24a has an apex angle of approximately 60, and bottom wall 3Qa has an apex angle of approximately 60. With this embodiment, the tip of the apex 50a of the roller is slightly beveled or rounded to facilitate movement of the roller. The beveling is provided for the convenience of a user. Excessive beveling can adversely ~, lO9SOl~
affect the clamping action of the roller. Also, with this em-bodiment, the circumference of roller 24a has been modified to add axial grooves to aid gripping of the roller. The grooves are formed to be shallow and close together.
Turning now to Figure 7, an embodiment is illustrated in which wheel or roller 24b has an apex angle of approximately 85 and bottom wall 30b has an apex angle of approximately 90.
With this embodiment, the roller 24b has both axial grooves to aid gripping and serrated edge portions to reduce the possibi-lity of slippage. Note that apex 50b is not rounded, as illus-trated in the embodiment of Figure 6.
Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of applicant's in-vention in which the circumference of the wheel or roller 24c is flat, i.e.~ the apex angle is about 180. It will be readily appreciated that the peripheral surface of the roller is there-fore parallel to the axis of the roller. This feature is pe-culiar to this particular embodiment for in other embodiments described herein no parallel relationship exists between the axis of rotation of roller 24 and the apex surfaces thereof or with the supporting portions of bottom wall 30. With this embo-diment, support or bottom wall 30c has an apex angle of appro-ximately 165. Also, with this embodiment, side walls of roller 24c are serrated or formed with ridges to reduce the possibility of slippage between side walls 26c, 28c and sides of roller 24c.
From the preceding description of various embodiments of applicant's invention~ it can be seen that the apex angle of the support or bottom wall can vary between about 60 and 165, preferably between about 90 and 135, and the apex angle of the wheel or roller can vary between about 60 and 180, preferably between about lOS and 150. Further, the apex angles of the two 109~r;01~
Illenll)erS C.tl- b~` eitl~el the same or slightly different from each other. ~refera~ly, the apex angle of the wheel or roller should be larger than the apex angle of the support or bottom wall.
Normally, it is preferred that the apex angle of the wheel or roller be 10 to 50 greater than the apex angle of the support, a difference of approximately 15 providing the best results.
Turning now to Figures 9-12, an embodiment of appli-cant's invention is illustrated in which the apex angle of the support or body wall increases from the proximal to the distal end of the clamping device. With this embodiment, reference numerals with primes attached have been used to identify compo-nents similar to components previously described.
As illustrated in Figures 9-12, clamping device 20' has a body 22' formed of parallel side walls 26', 28' inter-connected by a bottom wall or floor 30'. The bottom wall 30' has a generally V-shape with the distal ends of the V merging with the bottoms of side walls 26' and 28' and the apex of the V preferably centered between and located below the bottom of the side walls. The side walls 26', 28' include slots or grooves 32', 34' for supporting trunnions 36' of roller 24'. As illus-trated in Figure 9, the slots have an enlarged opening 40' and extend longitudinally toward the distal end of body 22'. For most of their length the slots are parallel to the bottom edge of side walls 26', 28', With this embodiment, compression of the tubing 42 is obtained by gradually changing the apex angle of the bottom wall 30'. For instance, as illustrated in Figure 11, the roller 24' has an apex angle of approximately 150 while the bottom wall 30~ has an apex angle of approximately 135. The apex angle ot the hottom wall is gradually changed by moving the apex in an 1 O9SOll upward direction until the apex angle of the bottom wall reaches a desired value, such as approximately 150, as illustrated in Figure 12. The distance separating the side walls 26', 28' remains unchanged during the upward movement of the apex of bottom wall 30' towards the roller.
The embodiment illustrated in Figures 9-12 functions in basically the same manner as the previously described embodiments. Hence, reference is made to the description of the operation of the device illustrated in Figures 1-5.
The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, the embodiment of applicant's invention illustrated in Figures 1-5 can be combined with the embodiment illustrated in Figures 9-12 to form a device in which the slots for guiding the trunnions of the rollers are angles progressively downwardly in a direction toward the distal end of the body, and the apex angle of the bottom wall increases in a direction towards the dis-tal end of the body. In addition, the apex angle of the bottom wall in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-5 can be abrupt-ly increased at the far distal end of the clamping device to equal the apex angle of the roller rather than being progressive-ly increased as in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 9-12.
These and other modifications of the disclosed devices will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to --be covered by the appended claims.
This invention relates to a clamping device for regulating fluid flow through flexible tubing and, more particularly, to a clamping device for use in intravenous parenteral fluid administration sets.
Many clamps have been developed for controlling the rate of flow of parenteral fluid administered to a patient through the plastic tubing which is used for transporting parenteral fluid from the solution container to the patient. However, these clamps have not proved as reliable and accurate in use as desired, particularly with respect to regulating and maintaining uniform flow rates over extended periods of time.
Most clamps are designed to flatten tubing so that the walls of the tubing are more or less parallel producing a long flat oval-shaped lumen. The rate of flow of fluid through tubing compressed in this manner is difficult to control prPcisely, and considerable compression of the walls of the tubing must be applied before slow rates of flow can be obtained. Moreover, there is con-siderable strain imposed on the plastic by clamps of thistype. Und~r such strain, most plastics undergo "sold flow" to relieve the strain causing the tubing to flatten still further and collapse inwardly thus decreasing the fluid flow rates. As a result, the nurse or attendant must frequently readjust the clamp to maintain relatively constant fluid flow.
Most tubing used in intravenous sets for adminis-tering parenteral solutions is made of polyvinyl chloride ~o~ ~tio~
which has the tendency to take a "set" when compressed for prolonged periods of time. Accordingly, unduly long time lags frequently occur when prior art clamps are released after a prolonged compression before the plastic overcomes the "set". Other plastic tubing, for example, polyethylene tubing, can be permanently deformed when compressed making it virtually impossible to reestablish a higher flow rate.
A few clamps have been developed which do not flatten the tube uniformly as shown, for example, in U.S.
Patent No. 3,685,787. This clamp consists of a base having a tapered V-shaped groove into which plastic tubing is progressively compressed by a roller in such a manner that there is essentially no space for the plastic to "cold flow" into since the peripheral surfaces of the tubing are confined. More constant fluid flow rates are achieved with this clamp, but flow rates still fluctuate with time. Moreover, the upper surface of th tubing can bow inwardly and decrease the flow rate. Also, this clamp suffers the same drawback as other clamps with respect to being slow in reestablishing a faster flow rate.
Another attempt to solve the problem of control-ling fluid flow in intrav~nous tubing is described in U.S.
Patent No. 3,802,463. With this device, opposed walls of the tubing are variably compressed to modify the size of a pair of lumens formed along the outer edges of the compressed tubing. Central portions of the opposite walls are brought together in gradually increasing interior surface contact so that the lumens in the uncompressed outer edges gradually decrease in size until flow of fluid through the tubing ceases.
As with the clamp described in U.S. Patent No. 3,685,787, the device described in U.S. Patent No. 3,802,463 places non-uniform stresses on the tubing clamped by the device. Thus, flow rates show undesirable fluctuations with time.
Another problem encountered with previously known clamping devices is that the devices are usually designed for a particular size of tubing. Thus, a change in tubing size re-quires a change in the dimensions of the clamp being used.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the previously known clamping devices for regulating fluid flow through flexible tubing.
According to the present invention, then, there is provided an intravenous tubing clam~ing device for controlling fl~id flow through compressible tubing comprising: an elongated body member adapted to receive the tubing having a proximal end and a distal end; the body member including a generally V-shaped bottom wall defining two supporting surfaces for the tubing ex-tending longitudinally of the body member and having a substan-tially constant width and an apex angle of about 60 to 165;
roller means mounted on the body member or movement longitu-dinally of the body member and including a roller for defining a clamping area between the roller means and the supporting sur~
faces which decreases as the roller means moves from the proximai end of the body member toward the distal end, the clamping area between the roller means and the supporting surfaces being re-ducible to an area less than the cross-sectional area of the unclamped tubing.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the pre-sent invention, an improved clamping device for controlling fluid ,~
1~50~
flow, ~lch ~ lltra~enous fluid flow, is provided. The improved cl~mlpin-! device includes a roller and an elongated body member.
The ~ody member is formed of longitudinally-extending parallel side walls which are interconnected by a bottom wall. Each of the side walls, in an upper region, is provided with a longitu~
dinally-extending slot or groove for supporting axially extend-ing trunnions of the roller. The body member at its proximal end is enlarged to allow positioning of the roller within the body member with the trunnions of the roller guided in the slots or grooves of the side walls. The bottom wall interconnecting the side walls has a generally V-shape with the distal ends of the V-shaped bottom wall merging with the bottoms of the side walls and the apex of th~ V-shaped bottom wall positioned below the side walls. The apex angle of the V-shaped bottom wall is between about 60 and 165. r~he outer circumference of the roller also has a generally ~-shape having its apex positioned centrally of the roller and its distal ends extending towards the axis of the roller. The apex angle o~ the roller is selected based on the angle of the apex of the bottom wall and varies between about ~0 and 180. ThQ apex angle of the roller may be 10 to 50 more than the apex angle of the bottom wall. The apex angle of the bottom wall, the apex angle of the roller, and the position or orientation of the supports for the roller pro-vided by the side walls of the body member are interrelated in such manner that longitudinal movement of the roller towards the distal end of the body member progressively compresses flexible tubing positioned between the body member and the roller.
In another embodiment of applicant's invention, the apex angle of the bottom wall is constant while the distance 3~ between the supports for the roller and the bottom wall pro-~09S(Il~
gressively decreases in a direction towards the distal end ofthe body member. Thus~ as the roller moves toward the distal end, the apex of the circumference of the roller progressively moves toward the apex of the bottom wall. In this manner, the lumen or fluid flow passage within the flexible tubing can be progressively reduced until a desired flow rate is obtained or until the tubing is sufficiently compresced to prevent fluid flow.
In yet another embodiment of applicant's invention, the distance between the supports for the roller and the bottom wall is constant while the apex angle of the bottom wall is progressively changed from a value less than the apex angle of the roller to a value approximately equal to the apex angle of the roller. This progressive change in apex angle is obtained by moving the apex of the bottom wall in an upward direction towards the roller, the width of the V-shaped bottom wall adja-cent the side walls remaining constant.
In still another embodiment of applicant's invention, both the distance between the supports for the roller and the bottom wall and the size of the apex angle of the bottom wall are progressively changed. Thus, this embodiment of applicant's invention combines the features of the two previously discussed embodiments.
When the apex angle of the roller is 60 or slightly more, the point or apex of the V-shape of the roller is pre-ferably slightly rounded or curved to facilitate movement of the roller along the tubing. Preferably, also, the peripheral sur-face of the roller is slightly knurled or axially slotted or ridged to facilitate turning of the roller. Further, this pro-vides a limited degree of frictional resistance between the com-~0_ 10950~ 1 pressed tubing and the roller that tends to maintain the rollerin a desired position.
With applicant's invention, the lumen or orifice formed in the tubing is generally V-shaped. Thus, compressive forces tend to be more generally distributed across the tubing and not limited to certain areas, as with the prior art devices. This more even distribution of compressive forces tends to eliminate "cold flow" in the compressed tubing and results in essentially no dimensional changes of the tu~ing. In addition, since the tubing is clamped in a V-shape, any inward movement of the upper surface of the tubing is resisted. Thus, use of the device pro-vides more uniform fluid flow through the tubing over extended periods of time.
Embodiments of ~he invention will now be described in greater detail and will be better understood when read in con-junction with the following drawings in which;
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a clamping device in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken along plane 2~2 of Figur~ l;
Figure 3 is a cross~sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken along plane 3 3 in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken along plane 4-4 in Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a cross~sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken along plane 5-5 of Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 of another em-bodiment of the clamping device of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 4 of still another embodiment of the clamping device invented by applicant;
109~;011 Figure 8 i5 a view similar to Figure 4 of a still fur-ther embodiment of a clamping device according to the present invention;
Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 2 of another em--bodiment of the clamping device of the present invention;
Figure 10 is a cross~sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 9 taken along plane 10-10 of Figure 9;
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 9 ta~en along plane 11~11 of Figure 9; and Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 9 taken along plane 12-12 of Figure 9.
Because clamping devices are well known, the present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, the present invention.
Elements not specifically shown or described herein are under-stood to be selectable from those known in the art.
Referring now to the drawings, and to Figures 1-5 in particular, one embodiment of the present invention is illustrat-ed and will be described in connection with a clamping device, generally designated 20.
The clamping device 20 has a body member 22 and a roller 24 operatively associated therewith. The body member 22 and the roller 24 are preferably made of relatively rigid plastic or similar material. The body member 22 is generally elongated and has generally parallel side walls 26, 28 integral with a bottom wall or floor 30. One or more members or struts 31 inter-connect ends of upper portions of walls 26 and 28.
The side walls 26, 28 have grooves or slots 32 and 34, respectively, for supporting trunnions 36 which extend axially from the roller 24. As illustrated in Figure 2, both the proximal lO9SOll end 38 of the body member 22 and slots 32, 34 are enlarged to define an opening 40 which facilitates insertion of roller 24 into the body member. Further, the flared ends of the side walls 26~ 28 of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 are axial-ly extended to define a space in which roller 24 can rest without applying pressure to compressible, elongated flexib~e tubing 42 positioned between the roller 24 and body 22. This feature greatly facilitates movement of clamping device 20 along tubing 42.
As illustrated in Figures 3-5, both a supporting por-tion of bottom wall 30 and the circumference of roller 24 have a generally V-shape. As seen in Figure 2, the supporting por-tion of bottom wall 30 starts in the vicinity of line 3-3.
Also, the roller 24 is positioned in the slots 32, 34 in such manner that the apex 44 of body member 22 and the apex 50 of the roller 24 are in general alignment. Thus, the apices form co-operating clamping members. As the roller 24 moves to the left in Figure 2, apex 50 tends to progressively pinch tubing 42 thus reducing the size of lumen 56 inside tubing 42- Thus, move-ment of roller 24 provides selective control of fluld fl~ throuqh tubing 42. It should be noted that the manner in which apex 50 compresses the walls of tubing 42 forms a ~--shaped lumen 56, as illustrated in Figure 4, which tends to evenly distribute the compressive force exerted on tubing 42, thereby reducing the tendency of "cold flow" in the compressed tubing. Moreover, the lumen 56 does not have a tendency to change in size or shape since any movement of the upper or lower wall is balanced by an equal movement of the other wall. Also, since there is no undue compression exerted on the tubing 42, the tendency of the tubing to "set~ is greatly reduced. Further, frictional forces between .~
-~ s the compressed tubing and the circumference of roller 24 tend to retain the roller in a desired position.
In operation, tubing 42 is placed inside body member 22 of clamping device 20, and the body member is moved to a desired position on the tubing. Roller 24 is then inserted into the opening 40 and trunnions 36 are positioned in slots 32 and 34. The trunnions and slots are so designed that the trunnions fit in a loose manner within the slots. The gradual slope of the slots 32, 34 provides the ability to constantly control or vary fluid flow rates. Also, as previously discussed~ the V-shaped lumen formed by the progressive collapse of the tubing tends to maintain its size with essentially no dimensional changes in the tubing resulting from "cold flow".
It should be noted that, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1~5, the apex angle of the bottom wall 30 is approxi-mately 90 while the apex angle of the circumference of roller 24 is approximately 105. These apex angles have been found to yield excellent results. Another embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 9-12, utilizes a roller having an apex angle of 150 and a bottom wall having an apex angle of 135 at the proximal end of the body member. Still other possible apex angle relationships are illustrated in Figures 6-8. In these figures, reference numerals will be combined with alphabetical characters to identi-fy features similar to those previously discussed.
Referring now to Figure 6, wheel or roller 24a has an apex angle of approximately 60, and bottom wall 3Qa has an apex angle of approximately 60. With this embodiment, the tip of the apex 50a of the roller is slightly beveled or rounded to facilitate movement of the roller. The beveling is provided for the convenience of a user. Excessive beveling can adversely ~, lO9SOl~
affect the clamping action of the roller. Also, with this em-bodiment, the circumference of roller 24a has been modified to add axial grooves to aid gripping of the roller. The grooves are formed to be shallow and close together.
Turning now to Figure 7, an embodiment is illustrated in which wheel or roller 24b has an apex angle of approximately 85 and bottom wall 30b has an apex angle of approximately 90.
With this embodiment, the roller 24b has both axial grooves to aid gripping and serrated edge portions to reduce the possibi-lity of slippage. Note that apex 50b is not rounded, as illus-trated in the embodiment of Figure 6.
Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of applicant's in-vention in which the circumference of the wheel or roller 24c is flat, i.e.~ the apex angle is about 180. It will be readily appreciated that the peripheral surface of the roller is there-fore parallel to the axis of the roller. This feature is pe-culiar to this particular embodiment for in other embodiments described herein no parallel relationship exists between the axis of rotation of roller 24 and the apex surfaces thereof or with the supporting portions of bottom wall 30. With this embo-diment, support or bottom wall 30c has an apex angle of appro-ximately 165. Also, with this embodiment, side walls of roller 24c are serrated or formed with ridges to reduce the possibility of slippage between side walls 26c, 28c and sides of roller 24c.
From the preceding description of various embodiments of applicant's invention~ it can be seen that the apex angle of the support or bottom wall can vary between about 60 and 165, preferably between about 90 and 135, and the apex angle of the wheel or roller can vary between about 60 and 180, preferably between about lOS and 150. Further, the apex angles of the two 109~r;01~
Illenll)erS C.tl- b~` eitl~el the same or slightly different from each other. ~refera~ly, the apex angle of the wheel or roller should be larger than the apex angle of the support or bottom wall.
Normally, it is preferred that the apex angle of the wheel or roller be 10 to 50 greater than the apex angle of the support, a difference of approximately 15 providing the best results.
Turning now to Figures 9-12, an embodiment of appli-cant's invention is illustrated in which the apex angle of the support or body wall increases from the proximal to the distal end of the clamping device. With this embodiment, reference numerals with primes attached have been used to identify compo-nents similar to components previously described.
As illustrated in Figures 9-12, clamping device 20' has a body 22' formed of parallel side walls 26', 28' inter-connected by a bottom wall or floor 30'. The bottom wall 30' has a generally V-shape with the distal ends of the V merging with the bottoms of side walls 26' and 28' and the apex of the V preferably centered between and located below the bottom of the side walls. The side walls 26', 28' include slots or grooves 32', 34' for supporting trunnions 36' of roller 24'. As illus-trated in Figure 9, the slots have an enlarged opening 40' and extend longitudinally toward the distal end of body 22'. For most of their length the slots are parallel to the bottom edge of side walls 26', 28', With this embodiment, compression of the tubing 42 is obtained by gradually changing the apex angle of the bottom wall 30'. For instance, as illustrated in Figure 11, the roller 24' has an apex angle of approximately 150 while the bottom wall 30~ has an apex angle of approximately 135. The apex angle ot the hottom wall is gradually changed by moving the apex in an 1 O9SOll upward direction until the apex angle of the bottom wall reaches a desired value, such as approximately 150, as illustrated in Figure 12. The distance separating the side walls 26', 28' remains unchanged during the upward movement of the apex of bottom wall 30' towards the roller.
The embodiment illustrated in Figures 9-12 functions in basically the same manner as the previously described embodiments. Hence, reference is made to the description of the operation of the device illustrated in Figures 1-5.
The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, the embodiment of applicant's invention illustrated in Figures 1-5 can be combined with the embodiment illustrated in Figures 9-12 to form a device in which the slots for guiding the trunnions of the rollers are angles progressively downwardly in a direction toward the distal end of the body, and the apex angle of the bottom wall increases in a direction towards the dis-tal end of the body. In addition, the apex angle of the bottom wall in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-5 can be abrupt-ly increased at the far distal end of the clamping device to equal the apex angle of the roller rather than being progressive-ly increased as in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 9-12.
These and other modifications of the disclosed devices will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to --be covered by the appended claims.
Claims (12)
1. An intravenous tubing clamping device for control-ling fluid flow through compressible tubing comprising :
an elongated body member adapted to receive said tubing having a proximal end and a distal end;
said body member including a generally V-shaped bottom wall defining two supporting surfaces for said tubing extending longitudinally of said body member and having a substantially con-stant width and an apex angle of about 60° to 165°;
roller means mounted on said body member for movement longitudinally of said body member and including a roller for de-fining a clamping area between said roller means and said support-ing surfaces which decreases as said roller means moves from said proximal end of said body member toward said distal end, said clamping area between said roller means and said supporting sur-faces being reducible to an area less than the cross-sectional area of said unclamped tubing.
an elongated body member adapted to receive said tubing having a proximal end and a distal end;
said body member including a generally V-shaped bottom wall defining two supporting surfaces for said tubing extending longitudinally of said body member and having a substantially con-stant width and an apex angle of about 60° to 165°;
roller means mounted on said body member for movement longitudinally of said body member and including a roller for de-fining a clamping area between said roller means and said support-ing surfaces which decreases as said roller means moves from said proximal end of said body member toward said distal end, said clamping area between said roller means and said supporting sur-faces being reducible to an area less than the cross-sectional area of said unclamped tubing.
2. An intravenous tubing clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the roller means includes a roller having an axis of rotation extending transversely of the body member and having a circumference with a generally V-shape with the apex of the V-shape centrally located on the roller and its distal ends extending toward the axis of the roller, the apex having an angle of about 60° to 180°.
3. An intravenous tubing clamping device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the elongated body member includes longitudinally extending side walls each having guide means for supporting the roller for longitudinal movement from the proximal end toward the distal end of the body member, the bottom wall has an apex positioned centrally between the side walls, and the roller has means cooperating with the guide means for supporting the roller for longitudinal movement such that the circumference of the roller is spaced from the apex of the bottom wall, the apex angle of the circumference of the roller and the relative position of the guide means and the bottom wall being interrelated in such manner that longitudinal movement of the roller toward the distal end of the body member progressively compresses tubing supported by the said bottom wall.
4. An intravenous tubing clamping device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the distance from the guide means to the bottom wall progressively decreases toward the distal end of the body member.
5. An intravenous tubing clamping device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the apex angle of the V-shaped bottom wall increases over at least a portion of the length of the V-shaped bottom wall in a direction from the proximal to the distal end of the body member.
6. An intravenous tubing clamping device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the apex of the V-shape of the circumference of the roller is rounded to form a generally arcuate shape.
7. An intravenous tubing clamping device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the circumference of the roller is knurled.
8. An intravenous tubing clamping device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the roller includes ribbed side walls extend-ing toward the circumference of the roller, said ribbed side walls cooperating with portions of the side walls of the body member to oppose movement of said roller with respect to said body member.
9. An intravenous tubing clamping device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the apex angle of the circumference of the roller is greater than the apex angle of the V-shaped bottom wall of the body member.
10. An intravenous tubing clamping device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the apex angle of the circumference of the roller is 10° to 50° more than the apex angle of the V-shaped bottom wall of the body member.
11. An intravenous tubing clamping device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the apex angle of the circumference of the roller is about 105° to 150° and wherein the apex angle of the V-shaped bottom wall of the body member is about 90° to 135°.
12. An intravenous tubing clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping area defined between said roller means and said supporting surfaces is generally V-shaped.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US89326378A | 1978-04-05 | 1978-04-05 | |
| US893,263 | 1978-04-05 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1095011A true CA1095011A (en) | 1981-02-03 |
Family
ID=25401289
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA318,228A Expired CA1095011A (en) | 1978-04-05 | 1978-12-19 | Intravenous tubing clamping device |
Country Status (13)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AR (1) | AR216201A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU511206B2 (en) |
| BE (1) | BE873133A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR7808527A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1095011A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2855572A1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES476436A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2421623A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2018398B (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1101144B (en) |
| MX (1) | MX147132A (en) |
| NL (1) | NL7812655A (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA786949B (en) |
Families Citing this family (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4340201A (en) * | 1978-04-05 | 1982-07-20 | Becker Jr Karl E | Intravenous tubing clamping device |
| US4475709A (en) * | 1979-12-10 | 1984-10-09 | Becker Jr Karl E | Intravenous tubing clamping device |
| US4475708A (en) * | 1979-12-10 | 1984-10-09 | Becker Jr Karl E | Intravenous tubing clamping device |
| DE3542899A1 (en) * | 1985-12-04 | 1987-06-11 | Pfrimmer Viggo Gmbh Co Kg | DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW RATE OF A LIQUID THROUGH A FLEXIBLE HOSE |
| DE8607655U1 (en) * | 1986-03-20 | 1986-04-30 | B. Braun Melsungen Ag, 3508 Melsungen | Roller clamp for a plastic hose |
| DE3806484A1 (en) * | 1988-03-01 | 1989-09-14 | Braun Melsungen Ag | HOSE CLAMP |
| US5190079A (en) * | 1988-04-15 | 1993-03-02 | Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha | Flow control device |
| US4919389A (en) * | 1989-03-17 | 1990-04-24 | Baxter International Inc. | Large bore tubing roller clamp |
| US6422529B1 (en) * | 1996-05-07 | 2002-07-23 | Adelberg Kenneth | Roller clamps for intravenous administration sets |
| DE19718465C5 (en) * | 1996-05-07 | 2010-04-08 | Adelberg, Kenneth N., Calabasas | Roller pinch clamp for intravenous administration devices |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1959074A (en) * | 1931-11-27 | 1934-05-15 | Bloxsom Robert Gerry | Tube clamp |
| US3630481A (en) * | 1969-08-22 | 1971-12-28 | John B Mcgay | Drip-rate control apparatus for intravenous administration |
| US3685787A (en) * | 1969-09-08 | 1972-08-22 | Marvin Adelberg | Apparatus for regulating fluid flow through plastic tubing |
| BR7501709A (en) * | 1974-03-22 | 1975-12-23 | Terumo Corp | ROLLER CLAMPING PERFECTING |
-
1978
- 1978-12-12 ZA ZA00786949A patent/ZA786949B/en unknown
- 1978-12-14 AU AU42555/78A patent/AU511206B2/en not_active Expired
- 1978-12-19 CA CA318,228A patent/CA1095011A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-12-21 GB GB7849550A patent/GB2018398B/en not_active Expired
- 1978-12-22 DE DE19782855572 patent/DE2855572A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1978-12-26 FR FR7836313A patent/FR2421623A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1978-12-27 BR BR7808527A patent/BR7808527A/en unknown
- 1978-12-28 ES ES476436A patent/ES476436A1/en not_active Expired
- 1978-12-28 BE BE192609A patent/BE873133A/en unknown
- 1978-12-28 IT IT31373/78A patent/IT1101144B/en active
- 1978-12-29 NL NL7812655A patent/NL7812655A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
1979
- 1979-01-03 MX MX176159A patent/MX147132A/en unknown
- 1979-01-04 AR AR275061A patent/AR216201A1/en active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NL7812655A (en) | 1979-10-09 |
| AU511206B2 (en) | 1980-07-31 |
| BR7808527A (en) | 1980-05-20 |
| GB2018398B (en) | 1982-09-29 |
| AR216201A1 (en) | 1979-11-30 |
| DE2855572A1 (en) | 1979-10-11 |
| MX147132A (en) | 1982-10-13 |
| IT7831373A0 (en) | 1978-12-28 |
| AU4255578A (en) | 1979-10-11 |
| FR2421623A1 (en) | 1979-11-02 |
| ES476436A1 (en) | 1979-11-16 |
| IT1101144B (en) | 1985-09-28 |
| BE873133A (en) | 1979-06-28 |
| ZA786949B (en) | 1979-11-28 |
| GB2018398A (en) | 1979-10-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |