Apparatus and method for intravenously dispensing fluid and apparatus and method for flushing lines of an intravenous fluid administration system

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided for intravenously dispensing fluids to a subject and for flushing lines of intravenous fluid administration devices. The apparatus may include a chamber comprising a plurality of connector ports and configured to operate in fluid communication with an upstream source via a first connector port and configured to, during operation, receive a first fluid from an upstream source via a second connector port. Fluid passes through the chamber to a downstream tube under a first pressure condition. The third connector port may be configured to connect to the valve connector or to the end of the tube such that during operation the chamber is configured to allow pressure from the second, higher, second pressure via the third and second connector ports. The second fluid from the fluid source passes through the chamber to the downstream tube, prevents the first fluid from flowing into the downstream tube, and prevents the second fluid from flowing through the first connector port.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to intravenous fluid administration systems, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for intravenously dispensing fluids to a subject and apparatus and methods for flushing lines of intravenous fluid administration systems. Background technique [0002] Conventional intravenous (IV) fluid administration systems include stopcocks (eg, three-way stopcocks) for controlling the delivery of various IV fluids to a subject (eg, a human patient). For example, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional IV fluid administration system. As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional IV fluid administration system 100 includes an IV fluid bag 110, a drip chamber 120, a thumbwheel regulator (TWR) 130, a stopcock 140, a tube 152 interconnecting the components, and a bracket 190 that supports The IV bag 110 is held at an appropriate height above the subject (not shown) to allow gravity flow of IV fluids to the subject. Typic...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, such a procedure may overflow the piercer and drip chamber 120 rendering it unusable and administering an inaccurate amount of flushing IV fluid into the subject

Images