Rotatable flow indicator

Abstract

This specification provides a flow indicator for a fluid delivery system, the flow indicator comprising: a housing defining a chamber, the chamber configured to receive a liquid inside the housing; an inlet fluid-communicating with the chamber; an outlet fluid-communicating with the chamber; a flow limiter positioned at the inlet; and a compressible valve fluid-communicating with the chamber, comprising a hydrophobic material.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] Cross-Reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 581,783, entitled "Rotatable Flow Indicator", filed on September 11, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to flow indicating devices, and in particular to flow indicators used in fluid delivery systems. [[Background Art]]

[0003] Fluid delivery systems are widely used for intravenous administration of therapeutic agents to patients. When a therapeutic agent is delivered intravenously, it is extremely important to minimize the amount of air in the delivery line. While there are existing systems designed to control or allow the release of air from fluid delivery systems, such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,282,608 and 10,413,662, minimizing the amount of air that may be introduced is a more preferred alternative. In terms of detecting flow within a fluid flow system, it is advantageous to deliver a small, accurate amount of air and to use a simple device. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved flow indicating device for use in fluid delivery systems. [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Means for Solving the Problems]]

[0004] A flow indicating device for a fluid delivery system provided herein comprises: a housing defining a chamber, the chamber being configured to receive a liquid therein; an inlet portion in fluid communication with the chamber; an outlet portion in fluid communication with the chamber; a flow restrictor disposed at the inlet portion; and a compressible valve comprising a hydrophobic material and in fluid communication with the chamber.

[0005] Furthermore, the fluid delivery system provided herein includes a fluid pump, a fluid conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of which is in fluid communication with the fluid pump, and a flow indicator for the fluid delivery system, the flow indicator comprising a housing defining a chamber, the chamber being configured to receive liquid inside, an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber, an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber, a flow limiter located at the inlet, and a compressible valve made of a hydrophobic material and in fluid communication with the chamber, the flow indicator being located at the distal end of the fluid conduit and in fluid communication with the pump. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of a flow rate display device according to a non-limiting embodiment described herein. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of a flow rate display device according to a non-limiting embodiment described herein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to create and use embodiments envisioned for carrying out the invention. However, various modifications, equivalents, variations, and alternatives will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. All such modifications, variations, equivalents, and alternatives are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0008] In the following description, the terms “up,” “down,” “right,” “left,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “side,” and “vertical,” and their derivatives, refer to the present invention as oriented in the drawings. However, unless expressly otherwise, it should be understood that the present invention may take various alternative forms. It should also be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0009] It should be understood that any numerical range described herein is intended to include all values ​​and subranges contained therein. For example, the range "1 to 10" is intended to include all subranges between (and including) the stated minimum value of 1 and the stated maximum value of 10, i.e., subranges having a minimum value of 1 or greater and a maximum value of 10 or less.

[0010] This specification provides apparatus and systems for fluid delivery, including the delivery of therapeutic compositions. The apparatus described herein enables the detection of flow rate in a fluid delivery system, minimizes the amount of air generated, and therefore minimizes the amount of air that may be introduced into the fluid conduit. Advantages of the apparatus include minimizing the generation and introduction of air in the fluid delivery system, and enabling rapid and easy detection of the flow rate in the fluid delivery system.

[0011] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a flow rate display device 100 for use with a fluid delivery system is shown. The flow rate display device 100 comprises a housing 110, which is formed of any suitable material, such as plastic. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 110 can be formed into any suitable shape, such as spherical, frustoconical, and / or double-diameter structure. In a non-limiting embodiment, the housing 110 is at least partially translucent, and in a non-limiting embodiment, at least partially transparent, so that a user can see the chamber 111 defined by the housing 110. The housing 110 comprises one or more inlets 112 and one or more outlets 114 penetrating it, the inlets and outlets being in fluid communication with the chamber 111. In a non-limiting embodiment, one or more inlets 112 are in fluid communication with a fluid conduit 130, the fluid conduit 130 itself being in fluid communication with a pump, such as an intravenous pump. In a non-limiting embodiment, one or more inlets 112 are provided with a flow limiter 132. A suitable flow limiter 132 may include one configured to generate droplets from a fluid source, such as a fluid conduit and / or intravenous pump, which is in fluid communication with one or more inlets 112.

[0012] In a non-limiting embodiment, one or more outlets 114 have a proximal end 116 and a distal end 118. One or more outlets 114 are in fluid communication with a fluid conduit 140. A useful fluid conduit 140 has a proximal end 142 located within the chamber 111, which is aligned with the proximal end 116 of one or more outlets 114 and has an opening 143 within it. The distal end 144 of the conduit 140 extends from one or more outlets 114, is aligned with the distal end 118 of one or more outlets 114, and may be connected, for example, to an indwelling catheter for supplying fluid to a patient. In a non-limiting embodiment, the housing 110 has a diameter (x), and the distance over which the proximal end 116 of one or more outlets 114 and / or the proximal end 142 of the fluid conduit 140 extend within the chamber 111 is at least x / 2. In a non-limiting embodiment, the proximal ends 116 of one or more outlets 114 and / or the proximal ends 142 of the fluid conduits 140 extend at least to the center of the chamber 111.

[0013] Continuing to refer to Figure 1, the flow rate display device 100 comprises a valve 120, which is compressible and optionally may be formed of an elastic material, such as rubber. In a non-limiting embodiment, the valve 120 comprises a hydrophobic membrane that separates the chamber 111 from the inside of the valve 120 so that the fluid in the chamber 111 cannot enter the inside of the valve 120. In a non-limiting embodiment, such a membrane prevents air introduced into the chamber 111 by pressing the valve 120 from re-entering the inside of the valve 120. In a non-limiting embodiment, the valve 120 is positioned at a specific height relative to the opening 143.

[0014] In a non-limiting embodiment, the valve 120 has the function of introducing air into the chamber 111 by compression. By introducing air into the chamber 111, bubbles are formed and become visible to the user. In a non-limiting embodiment, the user rotates the flow indicator device 100 to position the bubbles introduced by the compression of the valve 120 so that the user can visualize the fluid flow through the flow limiter 132. In this way, the flow rate through the limiter 132 can be determined, thereby allowing the user to determine the flow rate from the intravenous pump and / or fluid conduit 130. In a non-limiting embodiment, the arrangement of the proximal end 142 of the fluid conduit 140 and / or the proximal end 116 of one or more outlets 114 prevents air used to aid in visualization of the flow rate from entering the fluid conduit 140 through the opening 143. Furthermore, the arrangement of one or more inlets 112 and one or more outlets 114 means that the orientation of the housing 110 is not an issue with respect to the fluid flow through the chamber 111.

[0015] Having described the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that it can be similarly implemented within a broad and equivalent range of conditions, formulations, and other parameters without affecting the scope of the invention or any embodiment thereof.

Claims

1. A flow rate display device for a fluid delivery system, A housing defining a chamber, wherein the chamber is configured to receive a liquid inside the housing, The chamber and the inlet portion that communicates with fluid, The aforementioned chamber and an outlet section that communicates with fluid, A flow limiter located at the inlet, A compressible valve containing a hydrophobic material and in fluid communication with the chamber, A flow rate display device equipped with the following features.

2. The flow rate display device according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate limiter is configured to generate droplets of fluid passing through it.

3. The flow rate display device according to claim 1, wherein the outlet portion is located within the chamber.

4. The flow rate display device according to claim 3, wherein the outlet portion protrudes toward the interior of the chamber from a first position on the housing opposite to the second position on the housing where the inlet portion is located.

5. The flow rate display device according to claim 4, wherein the outlet portion protrudes into the chamber to at least half the distance to the inlet portion.

6. Fluid pump and A fluid conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is in fluid communication with the fluid pump, A flow rate display device is located at the distal end of the fluid conduit and is in fluid communication with the pump, wherein the flow rate display device is A housing defining a chamber, wherein the chamber is configured to receive a liquid inside the housing, The chamber and the inlet portion that communicates with fluid, The aforementioned chamber and an outlet section that communicates with fluid, A flow limiter located at the inlet, A compressible valve containing a hydrophobic material and in fluid communication with the chamber, A flow rate display device equipped with, A fluid delivery system equipped with the following features.

7. The fluid delivery system according to claim 6, wherein the flow limiter is configured to generate droplets of fluid passing through it.

8. The fluid delivery system according to claim 6, wherein the outlet is located within the chamber.

9. The fluid delivery system according to claim 8, wherein the outlet portion protrudes toward the interior of the chamber from a first position on the housing opposite to the second position on the housing where the inlet portion is located.

10. The fluid delivery system according to claim 9, wherein the outlet portion protrudes into the chamber to at least half the distance to the inlet portion.

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