JPS60207638A - Flow control apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention particularly relates to a flow control device for an intravenous catheter.

With the development of sophisticated monitoring equipment, it has become commonplace in hospitals and especially intensive care facilities to maintain continuous monitoring of certain human body functions. Such monitoring often uses intravenous sensing techniques using hollow catheters.

This work takes advantage of the fact that a hollow catheter allows continuous monitoring of blood pressure, etc. However, the tip of a catheter inserted into a vein or artery is susceptible to clogging due to blood coagulation. A relatively effective solution to this increased clogging force is obtained by flowing a small amount of medical fluid through the catheter. For this purpose, capillary tubes are used. However, capillary fluid inflow is only a partial solution to the problem. When using such a system, it is necessary to find a compromise between an excessive flow of inflow to the body and a sufficient flow to avoid clogging.

Other methods have also been used to prevent excess flow into the body and provide anticoagulant means. This method uses a high flow rate that is manually controlled, sufficient to prevent clogging of the catheter. A high flow rate is also effective for initially filling the catheter line with fluid and removing air bubbles and the like. Such a pyflo complete device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 36 to Rey-nolds et al.
No. 75891 “Continuous Catheter Water Shutdown Device (Cont.
Innocent CatheterFlushing A
pporatus ) J and Young at al.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,192,303 entitled ``Flow Regtvicting Device for Artificial Catheter Systems''
Device TorArtificial Cat
Heter Systems) J. Reynolds et al., and Young
At al. patent is cited as a reference for purposes of illustrating the prior art and demonstrating the effectiveness of the present invention. “The problem with conventional equipment currently used in hospitals is that it is extremely unsuitable for one-handed use. In many cases, the operator is holding other containers at the same time, or They must be used for their intended purpose. Therefore, one-handed operation is very important. On the other hand, such devices are made up of very delicate elements and are therefore easy to break. Traditional valves are cumbersome to operate and Some were so fragile that great care had to be taken to avoid damage or inoperability.

The present invention particularly relates to a flow control device configured to allow one-handed adjustment. An operator may manipulate the valve mechanism by manual control to create the large flow rates necessary for the catheter system. To implement the invention, an elastic material block with passages is used. A valve is arranged in the passageway, which can close the passageway when the material block is in a relaxed state.

As the block deforms, fluid within the passageway may move around the valve to provide the required flow rate. When relaxed again, the block returns to its original shape and the valve can close the passage.

The present invention uses a mechanism that can predictably deform a block of elastic material. This mechanism consists of a housing with a central cavity. The housing is constructed from two members that are movable relative to each other so that an operator can compress the housing with one hand to deform the elastic block.

In combination with a high flow valve mechanism, a capillary tube may be disposed parallel to the high flow passage. The capillary tube is configured to operate independently of the valve mechanism to continuously provide a small flow rate to the catheter.

The next feature of the invention is the provision of space within the cavity of the housing. The space is positioned proximate the valve mechanism so that the walls of the passageway can be deformed to accommodate the expected high flow rate. According to a preferred embodiment, this space is arranged integrally within the material block. It is also possible to form this space between the elastic material block and the wall of the housing.

The device of the present invention, which uses a compressible housing in combination with a block of resilient material containing a valve mechanism, is generally capable of one-handed operation and does not require close tolerances that can be easily damaged. Therefore, the device of the present invention can perform its intended function while maintaining high reliability in dangerous and restrictive environments such as hospitals and intensive care facilities.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved flow control mechanism.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable flow control mechanism that is operable with one hand.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description below.

The accompanying drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention comprising a housing made of rigid plastic material.

The housing 10 includes a hollow body 12 and a plunger 14. The hollow body 12 is upright and has generally oval side walls as shown in FIG.

Additionally, the hollow body 12 includes a passageway 16 integrally formed therein, the passageway having a first end 18 and a second end 20 capable of receiving conventional catheters and accessories. It is equipped with

The plunger 4 has an egg-shaped wall as shown in FIG. The walls of the sylanger 14 are designed to fit inside the oval shaped walls of the hollow body 12 and fit into the pup. hollow body 1
2 and the plunger 14 are formed with an oval cavity whose height can be changed by attaching and detaching the sylunger to the hollow body 12. The housing 10 is
Thermal theory may be formed into other shapes within the scope of the present invention. Also,
The arrangement may be reversed so that the upper member of the nesting hole serves as the housing and the lower member serves as the plunger.

In order to fix the two members of the hollow body 12 and the plunger 14 to each other, to enable relative movement between the two members, and to prevent complete separation of the two members, two chips are formed integrally with the plunger 14. /('-shaped holders 22 and 24 are provided. These holders hold the hollow body 12 and the plunger 1.
The two parts are formed in the shape of a chi 7q so that the two parts can be easily connected to each other, and the two parts are held together through the upper flange. The retainers are placed in slots 26 and 28 through the oval wall of hollow body 12. slots 26 and 28
has a depth sufficient to accommodate the compressed portion of the housing in the operating condition as shown in FIG.

Lower surface 30 of hollow body 12 and upper surface 32 of plunger
is designed for convenient manual operation and sized so that it can be easily grasped by an average sized hand. The surfaces 30 and 32 may be roughened or provided with grooves as shown in FIG. 1 to facilitate gripping by an operator.

Zoner 14 is provided with an inlet 34 designed to receive conventional tubing or fittings used in the apparatus of the present invention. Inlet 34 includes a passageway 36 leading to a cavity partially defined by plunger 14 . Accordingly, medical fluids etc. may pass through the inlet 34 to the housing 10.
can be housed inside or in a central cavity.

In order to further form a central cavity, the hollow body 12
has an inward step or ridge 38 having the same inner cross-sectional dimensions as plunger 14. Therefore, the top and bottom of the cavity have the same cross-sectional area in order to properly position the elastic block between the top and bottom of the cavity. Furthermore, an annular space 40 is provided for accommodating the deformation part of one elastic block. Space 40 is the second
It also accommodates the moving part of the plunger 14 as shown in FIGS. The plunger 14 further comprises an additional space 41 for accommodating the deformed portion of the elastic block.

4 shows the elastic material block 42 alone, FIG. 2 shows the block 42 in a relaxed state and housed in the central cavity of the housing 10, and FIG. 5 shows the block 42 in a compressed state. The elastic material used in the preferred embodiment is clear silicone with a Shore hardness of A25! It is mu. block 42 so that the force of the magnitude required to drive the mechanism can be used;
The hardness can be selected from a wide range.

The block 42 is formed into a substantially oval shape so that it can fit tightly inside the plunger 14 and the inner seven lanterns 38. Said block is provided with an upright oval flange :) 44 which forms a continuous wall with the material block. Upright Fran:)44
The cavity 4 serves as a manifold for delivering medical fluid into the central cavity via passageway 36.
Limit 6. Plunger 14 includes a groove 48 in its upper surface to accommodate upright flange 44 . The dimensions of the groove portion 48 are selected so that the groove portion 48 comes into close contact with the flange y44 in order to perform compression control when the housing 10 is compressed. Groove 48
The depth is selected such that the plunger 14 cannot be completely inserted into the cocoon-fold cavity 46 formed in the seven lanterns 44.

Material block 42 includes a first passageway 50 suitably extending through block 42 from manifold 46 to the other end of the block. The first passageway 50 is arranged to define the valve mechanism of the flow control device. first passage 5
A valve member 52 is arranged at 0. In a preferred embodiment, the valve member 52 is comprised of a ball having a diameter substantially equal to the relaxed inner diameter of the first passageway 52. The ball may be formed from a dimensionally stable plastic material.

A first member 54 extends within the first passageway 50 and is connected to the hollow member 14 so as to be substantially colinear with the first passageway. , the first member 54 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the passage 50 so that the flow is not blocked. A second member 56 extends within the first passageway 50 and is connected to the hollow body 12 so as to be colinear with the first passageway. The second member 56 includes a central passageway 58 for fluid communication. Therefore, the fluid is transferred to the second member 56
It is continuously supplied to the passage 50 by.

Members 54 and 56 extend through passageway 50 to valve member 52. When the device is relaxed, members 54 and 56 do not interfere with valve member 52. This state is shown in Figure 5.2. When the housing is compressed, members 54 and 56 interfere with the valve in the position shown in FIG. To enable predictable movement of valve member 52, the distal ends of members 54 and 56 have end faces 59 and 60 that are non-perpendicular to the centerline of first passageway 5o. In a preferred embodiment, ends 59 and 60 are mutually divergent and each substantially flat. Due to this shape, the valve member 52 is interfered with in a predictable manner, and the housing 1
It is forced to move in a predetermined direction transverse to the passageway 50 under a compressive force of zero. Unexpected distortions of the passageway and unforeseen placement of the balls are thus avoided.

To prevent leakage of fluid into the first passageway 50 due to overpressure upstream of the valve member 52, the first passageway 50 is divided into two parts. The first part 61 is arranged above the valve member 52, and the passage in this part is made narrow so that additional material can be supplied around the passage. The ball will be placed directly below this area. Therefore, when the length of the passageway above the valve member 52 is at its maximum, the valve member is necessarily under high pressure and, due to the small diameter of said passageway, is also supplied with additional material. The second portion 62 is located below and in close proximity to the valve member 52 and passageway 50 . The fluid flow is controlled by the valve member 52.
, the second portion 62 located downstream of the valve member 52 is at a low pressure.

Flexibility is thus created in the vicinity of the valve member 52, so that the valve member can be moved laterally with relative ease.

Additionally, to prevent fluid from leaking into the valve due to overpressure,
Additional length is added upstream of the valve.

A second passage 63 through the resilient block 42 is suitably located from the manifold 46 toward the other end of the resilient block. A second passageway is located at the opposite end of the cocoon-fold cavity 46 and includes a capillary tube 64 . Capillary tube 64 may be selected from any conventional capillary tube depending on the desired flow rate.

The capillary tube is generally made of glass, and in this example was formed from a rigid, non-deformable material.

A standpipe 65 formed integrally with the hollow body 12 is arranged below the capillary tube. Tube 65 forms part of the outlet leading to passageway 16 . Tube 65 has an outer dimension that is substantially equal to capillary tube 64 so that it can be fitted appropriately within second passageway 63 .

Tube 65 also serves to prevent debris from entering passageway 16 from the capillary tube.

Space 6 between the first passage 50 and the second passage 63
6 is arranged. The space 66 is located in the vicinity of the first passage so that upon compression of the elastic block 42 the walls of the passage 50 can deform excessively.

The suction 66 is connected to the block 42 to prevent fluid from penetrating it.
It extends only to a part of the body. Additionally, an upright bin 68 is integrally formed with the hollow body 12 to control the deflection of the walls of the passageway 50 into the interior of the space 66, as shown in FIG.

During operation of the device of the invention in a preferred embodiment, passage 1
6 is a passageway end 18 that communicates with a monitoring device or source of fluid control.
be arranged appropriately so that they communicate with each other. The other end of the passageway 16 is connected to a catheter or monitoring fluid dispensing mechanism.

Inlet 34 is connected to a fluid source configured to slowly supply fluid to the catheter so that no clotting occurs at the tip of the catheter. During normal operation, a small flow of medical fluid introduced from inlet 34 is allowed to flow through capillary tube 64 and into passageway 16 . If flow into the system or additional cleaning of the catheter is required, the operator
can be gripped to compress the two members, the hollow body 12 and the plunger 14, against each other. When the housing is compressed, the sylanger first acts on the upright flanges 44 of block 42 to compress the Bron 2420 elastomeric material and distort the passageway 50 (FIG. 5). Members 54 and 56 interfere with the ball of valve member 52 and force the single ball laterally against the sides of passageway 50. A passage is thus formed around the ball of valve member 52 within passage 50. Accordingly, a large flow of fluid flows around the valve member 520 ball and into the outlet.

When the housing 10 relaxes, the compressive force is removed from the resilient block 42.

The device may return to a relaxed state. In this case, the passageway 50 is closed around the valve member 52 and the flow path is sealed again. In this closed state, leakage due to upstream overpressure can be prevented by increasing the thickness of the material located above the ball of the valve member 520.

The above describes an improved flow control device that can be operated with one hand. Although the foregoing description and drawings relate to specific embodiments and applications of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made without departing from the inventive concept. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the above description within the scope of the appended claims.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a perspective view of a device assembly of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2M in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken at 3-3 in FIG.
4 is a perspective view of an elastic block according to the invention, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing the elastic block in a deformed state. lO...Housing, 12...Hollow body, 14.
... Plunger, 16, 36, 50, 58.63...
Passage, 22.24... Holder, 26.28°°° slot, 34... Inlet, 38.44... 7 runs, 40.41.66... Space, 42... Elastic material Block, 46...manifold, rug...groove. 52...Valve member, 64...Capillary tube. 65...Pin, 68...Pin Attorney Moto Imamura

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) a hollow body, a plunger slidably disposed within and extending from the hollow body, a central cavity defined by the hollow body and the plunger, an inlet of the central cavity, and an inlet of the central cavity; a housing having an outlet and a housing disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the central cavity;
a resilient material block having a first passageway arranged to communicate between the inlet and the outlet; and a second passageway arranged to communicate the inlet and the outlet and including a rigid flow restriction member; and a valve disposed in the passageway. (2) a rigid housing defining a cavity therein and having two members configured and arranged to be compressed together to reduce the size of the cavity, an inlet of the cavity, and an outlet of the cavity; a first passageway disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the cavity, the first passage being arranged to communicate between the inlet and the outlet;
a block of resilient material having a second passageway disposed in communication with the inlet and the outlet and having a rigid flow restricting member, the block being disposed within the cavity to permit deformation of the block of resilient material; A flow control device comprising: a space not filled with an elastic material, and a valve disposed in the first passageway. (3) a hollow body, a sylanger slidably disposed within the hollow body and extending from the hollow body, a central cavity defined by the hollow body and the plunger, and an inlet of the central cavity; , a central cavity outlet, and a housing disposed between the central cavity inlet and the outlet;
a rigid material block having a first passageway disposed in communication with the inlet and the outlet; and a second passageway disposed in communication with the inlet and the outlet and including a rigid flow restriction member; A flow control device comprising: a space disposed within the cavity, a space not filled with elastic material to enable deformation of the block of elastic material, and a valve disposed in the first passageway. (41) a hollow body, a plunger slidably disposed within the hollow body and extending from the hollow body, a central cavity defined by the hollow body and the plunger, an inlet of the central cavity; a housing having an outlet located between the inlet and the outlet of the central cavity;
a block of resilient material having a first passageway arranged to communicate between the inlet and the outlet; a second passageway arranged to communicate the inlet and the outlet and including a rigid flow restriction member; and A flow control device comprising: a valve disposed in a first passage; a hollow body having a valve mounted on the hollow body;
a first member extending within the passageway, the plunger comprising a second member attached to the plunger and extending within the first passageway opposite the first member with respect to the valve; The first member and the second member are arranged such that when the hollow body and the plunger are compressed together against the resilient material, the first member and the second member reach the position of the valve member and move the valve member into the first passageway. A flow control device constructed and arranged to cause movement to one side.