Fluid flow regulator assembly

Abstract

A fluid flow resistance assembly includes a fluid pathway. A width of the fluid pathway orthogonal to a flow of fluid through the fluid pathway varies along its length. Positioning of one or more ports at different locations over the fluid pathway at different locations controls a flow rate of fluid.

Description

Background technique [0001] Conventional flow regulating devices have been developed to restrict the flow of fluids. A common example is set forth in issued US Patent 3,900,184 entitled "Roller Clamp for Tubing". This type of device relies on the use of common infusion tubing for fluid delivery. Typically, as the rollers are moved from one end of the housing to the other, the tubes within the housing are compressed to restrict the flow of fluid to the intended recipient. [0002] One type of drawback associated with roll clamping techniques is that roll clamping techniques are only capable of very coarse flow adjustments based on the movement of the roll clamps. Another drawback associated with the roll nip technique is that the flow rate setting tends to drift. This is due to the relaxation of the elasticity of the tubing over time leading to an increase in the size of the passageway and a corresponding increase in the flow rate of the conveyed fluid. This creates a poten...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, these devices do not provide the accurate and repeatable flow required for modern infusion applications

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