초록 ▼

An intravenous-line flow-control system for receiving a disposable cassette disposed in the intravenous line. The system prevents the free flow of intravenous fluid through the cassette when the cassette is removed from the system. The system includes a control unit having a door or similar structur

An intravenous-line flow-control system for receiving a disposable cassette disposed in the intravenous line. The system prevents the free flow of intravenous fluid through the cassette when the cassette is removed from the system. The system includes a control unit having a door or similar structure for holding the cassette against a receiving surface. The control unit includes a stepper motor and a transmission member for turning a rotatable control valve on the cassette in order to restrict variably the flow of fluid through the cassette. When the door is being opened but while the cassette is still held against the receiving surface, a motor-disengagement mechanism moves at least the transmission member, and preferably the stepper motor as well, from a first position, from which the control valve may be engaged by the transmission member, to a second position, in which the transmission member is disengaged from the control valve. Preferably, the motor-disengagement mechanism includes a button on the handle of a door-opening mechanism, and by pushing the button the transmission member and the stepper motor are moved to the second position. In addition, when the door is being opened but while the cassette is still held against the receiving surface, a shut-off mechanism engages the cassette's control valve and turns the control valve to its closed position. The control unit may use alternative power supplies and include links for communicating with other control units.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An intravenous-line flow-control system for receiving a disposable cassette disposed in the intravenous line and preventing the free flow of intravenous fluid through the cassette as the cassette is removed from the system, the system comprising:a housing having a receivi

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An intravenous-line flow-control system for receiving a disposable cassette disposed in the intravenous line and preventing the free flow of intravenous fluid through the cassette as the cassette is removed from the system, the system comprising:a housing having a receiving surface against which the cassette is placed;door means, connected to the housing, for holding the cassette against the receiving surface when the door means is closed and for allowing removal of the cassette when the door means is open;door-opening means for causing, upon actuation by a user, the opening of the door means;turning means for turning a rotatable control valve on the cassette in order to restrict variably the flow of fluid through the cassette, the turning means including a stepper motor and a transmission member, capable of being turned by the stepper motor and capable, when the door means is closed, of engaging the control valve to transmit torque from the motor to the control valve, the transmission member being movably mounted in the housing;motor-disengagement means, connected to the door-opening means, for moving, when the door-opening means is being actuated but while the cassette is still held against the receiving surface, at least the transmission member of the turning means with respect to the housing from a first position to a second position away from the cassette's control valve so that the transmission member becomes disengaged from the control valve; andshut-off means, connected to the door-opening means, for engaging, when the door-opening means is being actuated but while the cassette is still held against the receiving surface, the cassette's control valve and turning the control valve to its closed position.