Linearly Acting Flow Controller for Intravenous (IV) Fluid Administration

Abstract

To provide a flow controller for intravenous (IV) tubing.SOLUTION: A flow controller includes: a first structural member having a first outer surface and a first inner surface; a second structural member having a second outer surface and a second continuous inner surface; and a third structural member having a friction-reducing surface for at least a portion of a cavity positioned between the first and second structural members. The first structural member is linearly slidable along a length of the IV tubing disposed in the cavity to compress a portion of the IV tubing to control a flow of a medical fluid through the IV tubing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to intravenous (IV) fluid delivery, and more particularly to a linearly actuated flow controller for IV fluid delivery. [Background technology]

[0002] Intravenous (IV) administration sets for infusion of medical fluids, sometimes simply referred to as IV sets, typically include IV tubing for coupling a medical fluid container, such as an IV bag, to a patient interface, such as a catheter assembly for the patient. In some scenarios, gravity infusion of medical fluids uses gravity, rather than an infusion pump, to deliver the medical fluid through the IV set. Control of the flow rate through the tubing is often provided by a roller clamp on the IV tubing. However, it can be difficult to provide the desired flow rate using a roller clamp. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide a flow controller for intravenous (IV) tubing. The flow controller can include first and second structural members defining a cavity therebetween for a portion of the tubing, the first structural member being linearly slidable along a length of the tubing to compress at least a portion of the portion of the tubing to control flow of medical fluid through the tubing.

[0004] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide a flow controller for intravenous (IV) tubing, the flow controller can include a first angled wedge structure, a second angled wedge structure configured to slide over the first angled wedge structure to compress a portion of the IV tubing disposed between the first and second angled wedge structures, a yoke having a linear slot, a wheel having a pin radially separated from a center of the wheel and slidably disposed in the linear slot, and a transfer structure coupled to the yoke and the first angled wedge structure.

[0005] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide an intravenous (IV) set. The IV set can include a flow controller configured to be coupled to a medical tubing. The flow controller can include first and second structural members defining a cavity therebetween for receiving a portion of the medical tubing, the first structural member being linearly slidable relative to the second structural member in a direction non-perpendicular to the second structural member, and the size of the cavity decreasing as the first structural member is slid relative to the second structural member.

[0006] It is understood that other configurations of the subject technology will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, and that various configurations of the subject technology have been shown and described by way of example. As will be understood, the subject technology is capable of other different configurations, and its several details can be modified in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

[0007] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding, and which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an intravenous (IV) set having a flow controller according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flow controller in an open configuration according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the flow controller of FIG. 2 in a closed configuration according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of a flow controller according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5]FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flow controller having a transmission mechanism according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the flow controller of FIG. 3 having an alternative hard stop configuration according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The detailed description set forth below describes various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology can be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. Thus, dimensions may be provided as non-limiting examples for certain aspects. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology.

[0010] It should be understood that the present disclosure includes examples of the subject technology and does not limit the scope of the claims. Various aspects of the subject technology are disclosed according to specific, but non-limiting examples. The various embodiments described in the present disclosure may be implemented in different ways and variations and according to the desired application or implementation.

[0011] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without some of the specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the disclosure.

[0012] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a clamp-type flow controller is provided. The flow controller may be an interlocking wedge-on-wedge IV tube clamp, in which a pair of wedge structures form a cavity for the IV tube, and one of the wedge structures is linearly slidable along the length of the tube to compress the tube between the wedge structures. In some examples, a rotary or rotational control structure may be included in the flow controller to provide a user with the experience of operating a roller clamp, and to provide finer control and improved flow maintenance than a roller clamp. The rotational control structure may be coupled to a transmission mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the rotational control structure into linear motion of one of the wedge structures.

[0013] 1 illustrates an example of an intravenous (IV) set that may include a flow controller as described herein in accordance with various examples. However, it should be understood that the flow controllers described herein may be used with other IV sets or medical tubing.

[0014] In the example of FIG. 1, IV set 100 includes tubing 102 coupled between a connector 104 for a medical fluid container and a connector 112 for a patient interface, such as a catheter assembly. Connector 104 can include a puncture spike 108 (e.g., a sharp spike for puncturing a rubber stopper or a round, blunt spike for insertion into a bag). Puncture spike 108 can include one or more channels, such as one channel for fluid and optionally a second channel for venting. Connector 104 can include a droplet chamber coupled to puncture spike 108 via droplet generator 110, as shown. Connector 104 can include a vent, such as vent 106, to allow air to flow into the IV fluid container. The vent can be provided with a bacterial filter to prevent bacteria from entering the IV set.

[0015] A droplet generator 110 may be provided at the top of the droplet chamber to enable the formation of droplets of a desired size of medical fluid from a connected container, such as an IV bag. Droplets from the droplet generator 110 fall into the droplet chamber such that the chamber is partially filled with liquid. This prevents air bubbles from entering the tube 102. A particle filter may be provided at the bottom opening of the droplet chamber.

[0016] Tube 102 connects the drip chamber to the patient when connector 112 is coupled to a patient interface, such as a catheter, and the patient interface is attached to the patient. Tube 102 may have a length of, for example, about 150 cm and may be manufactured from a polymeric material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Tube 102 is shown shortened in FIG. 1 for clarity.

[0017] The connector 112 may be, for example, a luer fitting for connecting to a corresponding patient interface having a standard luer cone. The connector 112 may be attached to a catheter assembly and / or a hypodermic needle for injecting medical fluids into a patient's circulatory system (e.g., a patient's vein).

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the IV set 100 includes a flow controller 114 attached to the tube 102 at a location between the connectors 104 and 112. The flow controller 114 can include structural members 116, 118. Although not visible in FIG. 1, the structural members 116, 118 define a cavity therebetween that receives a portion of the tube 102. The structural member 118 is linearly slidable (e.g., relative to the structural member 116) along the length of the tube 102 to compress at least a portion of the portion of the tube 102 disposed therebetween to control the flow of medical fluid through the tube. As shown in FIG. 1, the flow controller 114 can optionally include a rotational control structure 120 (sometimes referred to as a rotational control member) that, upon rotation, drives the linear sliding of the structural member 118. However, this is merely exemplary, and the structural member 118 can be slid by direct pressure on the structural member 118 (e.g., by a user's finger).

[0019] 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the flow controller 114 in which further details of the flow controller can be seen. The structural member 118 is linearly slidable relative to the structural member 116 (e.g., along a rail to which the interface portions of both structural members 116, 118 are attached). The structural member 118 may be configured to slide relative to the structural member 116 in response to direct pressure from a user's finger on the structural member's exterior surface 210, or in response to rotation of a rotational control structure, such as the rotational control structure 120 of FIG. 1.

[0020] In the example of Figure 2, the flow controller is shown in an open configuration, in which the structural member 118 is disposed in an open position where the tube is not compressed. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of the flow controller 114 after the structural member 118 has been linearly slid from the open position shown in Figure 2 to a closed position where the portion 200 of the tube 102 is fully compressed between the structural members 116 and 118, preventing fluid from flowing through the tube 102.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, structural member 118 has a first surface that forms a portion of a cavity on a first side of tube 102, and structural member 116 has a second surface that forms a portion of a cavity on a second side of tube 102. In the example of Figures 2 and 3, structural member 116 is a tilted wedge structure such that the surface of structural member 116 that contacts tube 102 is tilted surface 204. In the example of Figures 2 and 3, structural member 118 is a tilted wedge structure such that the surface of structural member 118 that contacts tube 102 is also tilted surface 202 that is parallel to tilted surface 204 of structural member 116 (e.g., at all positions of linearly slidable structural member 118).

[0022] The linearly slidable structural member 118 can be moved linearly (e.g., slidably) between an open position in FIG. 2 and a closed position shown in FIG. 3 , linearly separated from the open position, where in the open position the tube 102 is not compressed within the cavity between the structures 116 and 118, and where in the closed position the portion 200 of the tube 102 is compressed between the inclined surfaces 202 and 204 to stop the flow of medical fluid through the tube.

[0023] The linearly slidable structural member 118 is continuously slidable between the open position of Figure 2 and the closed position of Figure 3. Each intermediate position of the linearly slidable structural member 118 between the open and closed positions is associated with an intermediate compression of the portion 200 of the tube 102 between the inclined surfaces 202 and 204 to set a corresponding intermediate flow rate through the tube.

[0024] In some implementations, member 118 may have a flat surface 206 rather than angled surface 202. In these implementations, as structural member 118 moves from the open position of FIG. 2 to the closed position of FIG. 3, rather than increasingly compressing the entire length of portion 200 of tube 102 between angled surfaces 202 and 204, the leading edge of structural member 118 increasingly pinches a localized portion of portion 200 at or near leading edge 300 of angled surface 204. In another implementation, structural member 116 may be provided with a flat surface (rather than angled surface 204) that cooperates with angled surface 202 to compress tube 102 at the rear end of member 116 in the closed position.

[0025] In some implementations, the flow controller 114 can include a third structural member. For example, the third structural member can be formed on one of the surfaces 202 or 204 to reduce friction between that surface and the tube 102 and / or between the other surface 202 and surface 204. For example, the surface 202 can be provided with a friction reducing material (e.g., grease, oil, smooth plastic slides, one or more wheels, etc.) and the surface 204 can be provided with a friction increasing feature, such as a roughened surface or a roughened cavity interface piece, between the structural member 116 and at least a portion of the cavity defined by the structural members 116, 118 to help ensure that the tube 102 remains stationary between the structural members 116 and 118 while the structural member 118 slides against the structural member 116 to compress the tube. In this way, the flow controller 114 can provide low friction on one side of the tube 102 for easy sliding and high friction on the opposite side of the tube 102 to maintain the position of the tube within the flow controller once the tube is set.

[0026] 2 and 3 also show how the flow controller 114 can include a hard stop 208 to limit movement of the structural member 118 relative to the structural member 116. In the example of FIGS. 2 and 3, the hard stop 208 includes a protrusion on the tilted wedge structure 118 that contacts a corresponding portion of the tilted wedge structure 116 when the tilted wedge structure 118 reaches the closed position.

[0027] The hard stop 208 may be configured to limit movement of the structure 118 relative to the structure 116, provide a tactile indication that the structure 118 has reached the closed position of FIG. 3, and / or lock or hold the structure 118 in the closed position until an opening force or pressure is applied. Although the hard stop 208 is shown in the examples of FIGS. 2 and 3 as including a protrusion on the structure 118, the hard stop may be provided elsewhere or using other structural forms. For example, the hard stop 208 may include a protrusion on the structural member 116 or on or within a rotational control structure for actuating the structure 118. As another example, the hard stop 208 may be implemented with complementary structures on the structural members 116, 118 that interact (e.g., snap, abut, and / or otherwise interact with each other) to stop movement of the structure 118 and lock the controller 114 in the closed configuration.

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a front (e.g., front) view of the flow controller 114 and shows how a cavity or channel 400 for the tube 102 is formed by the structural members 116, 118. As shown in FIG. 4, the structures 116, 118 are interlocked by interlocking features 402 to form the channel 400 for the tube 102 and to keep the tube 102 centered between the structures 116 and 118. The interlocking features 402 may engage and / or form rails to hold and guide the structural member 118 relative to the structural member 116. FIG. 4 also illustrates how the surface 202 of the structural member 118 defines a portion of the cavity 400 on a first side of the tube 102 and the surface 204 of the structural member 116 defines a portion of the cavity 400 on a second side of the tube.

[0029] As noted above, in some embodiments, a rotational control member may be provided to convert rotational user-controlled motion into linear motion of the structural member 118. A variety of rotational to linear motion conversion mechanisms may be provided, including, for example, a connecting rod mechanism, a rack and pinion mechanism, or including a scotch yoke mechanism as shown in FIG.

[0030] In the example of Figure 5, the flow controller 114 includes a yoke 502 having a linear slot 504 and a wheel 120. The wheel 120 includes a pin 500 that is radially separated from a center 509 of the wheel 120 and slidably disposed within the linear slot 504. In the example of Figure 5, the flow controller 114 also includes a transfer structure 506 (e.g., a piston) coupled at a first end to the yoke 502 and at a second end to the structure 118 (e.g., directly or via an interface member 510).

[0031] The yoke 502 is configured to transfer rotation 507 of the wheel 120 to linear actuation 508 of the transfer structure 506 to linearly slide the structure 118 on the structure 116. The resulting linear motion of the structure 118 on the structure 116 causes the inclined surface 202 to press downward on the tube 102 in the direction 512, compressing the tube and controlling the flow of fluid therethrough.

[0032] In this manner, the rotating component of the yoke mechanism can be manually actuated by a nurse or other user (e.g., using a finger or thumb) to generate linear motion within the clamp body of the flow controller 114 that slides the upper wedge to clamp down on the IV tubing. The generated linear motion allows or generates flow in the IV set from a fully open flow of the set (e.g., as in FIG. 2) to a fully occluded flow of the set (e.g., as in FIG. 3).

[0033] When the sliding clamp 114 reaches the closed or fully occluded position as in FIG. 3, the hard stop 516 engages, not only providing a tactile indication that the tube 102 is fully occluded, but also ensuring that the tube 102 remains occluded until the wheel 120 is actuated in the opposite direction by the user.

[0034] The center 509 of the wheel 120 can include, for example, an axle bearing having a static coefficient of friction that enables the wheel 120 to hold the structure 118 in place relative to the structure 116 in any position between the open (e.g., see FIG. 2) and closed (e.g., see FIG. 3) positions of the structure 118 in the absence of an external force on the wheel. In this manner, constant, adjustable control of fluid flow through the IV tubing 102 can be provided throughout the full range of motion of the structure 118.

[0035] 5, the hard stop of the flow controller 114 includes a protrusion 514 on the structure 116 and a corresponding recess 516 on the structure 118. The hard stop structures 514, 516 can also be provided to prevent the flow controller 114 from fluctuating from a fully closed position. In some implementations, the hard stop of the flow controller 114 is provided within a scotch yoke mechanism (e.g., to indicate and hold the structural member 118 in a closed position). In other implementations, the hard stop may be omitted and the range of motion of the structural member 118 can be controlled by the shape and size of the yoke 502.

[0036] Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 5, the flow controller 114 may include one or more detent features between the structural member 118 and the linear portion 506 of the Scotch yoke mechanism, where the detent features provide coarse linear control of the position of the structural member 118 and the wheel 120 provides fine linear control of the position of the structural member 118 between the positions of the detent features.

[0037] 5 shows only a single rotary-to-linear motion conversion mechanism (e.g., wheel 120), in other embodiments, one or more additional rotary-to-linear motion conversion mechanisms (e.g., one or more additional Scotch yoke wheels coupled to transmission structure 506, one or more additional connecting rod mechanisms, rack-and-pinion mechanisms, or additional entirely separate Scotch yoke mechanisms) may be provided to actuate structural member 118 relative to structural member 116. In one example, a second wheel having a diameter larger than that of wheel 120 is coupled to transmission structure 506 to provide both gross and fine linear control of the position of structural member 118. In another example, a third rotary actuator, such as a rack-and-pinion actuator, may be coupled to structural member 118.

[0038] Although the linear motion of the transfer structure 506 has been described as imparting linear motion to the structure 118, the linear motion of the transfer structure 506 can impart non-linear motion of the structure 118 in other implementations, for example, using a hinged connection to the structure 118 and a non-linear guide (e.g., an angled or curved path or rail) for movement of the structure 118. Such non-linear guides can also be used to guide partial or complete non-linear motion of the structure 118 in response to a user applying direct pressure to the structure 118 (e.g., in the absence of a rotational control structure).

[0039] It should also be understood that the hard stop features in Figures 2, 3, and 5 are exemplary and other configurations are contemplated. For example, Figure 6 illustrates an example of a flow controller 114 in which a hard stop 208 is located in front of the leading edge of the inclined surface 204. In this configuration, the hard stop 208 is used to occlude the flow of medical fluid and twist the tube 102 to stop the movement of the structure 118 when the structure 118 reaches the closed position shown in Figure 6.

[0040] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller includes first and second structural members defining a cavity therebetween for a portion of the tubing, the first structural member being linearly slidable along a length of the tubing to compress at least a portion of the portion of the tubing to control flow of medical fluid through the tubing.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller includes a first structural member having a first surface defining a portion of a cavity on a first side of the tube, and a second structural member having a second surface defining a portion of the cavity on a second side of the tube, the second surface being an inclined surface.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller includes the first surface being an inclined surface that is parallel to an inclined second surface of the second structural member at all positions of the linearly slidable first structural member.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller includes a linearly slidable first structural member having an open position in which the tubing is uncompressed within the cavity and a closed position linearly separated from the open position, where a portion of the tubing is compressed between the inclined first surface and the inclined second surface to stop flow of medical fluid through the tubing.

[0044] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller includes a linearly slidable first structural member that is continuously slidable between an open position and a closed position, and each intermediate position of the linearly slidable first structural member between the open position and the closed position is associated with an intermediate compression of a portion of the tube between the inclined first surface and the inclined second surface to set a corresponding intermediate flow rate through the tube.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller includes a linearly slidable first structural member configured to slide along a rail relative to a second structural member in response to pressure from a user's finger on an outer surface of the first structural member.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller includes a rotational control member coupled to a first structural member, where rotation of the rotational control member causes the first structural member to slide linearly along the rail relative to a second structural member.

[0047] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller includes a rotational control member comprising a wheel for a scotch yoke mechanism coupled to the first structural member.

[0048] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller includes a wheel for the Scotch yoke mechanism including a first wheel for the Scotch yoke mechanism and having a first diameter, and the flow controller further includes a second wheel having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, providing both coarse and fine linear control of the position of the first structural member.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller includes an additional rotary actuator coupled to the first structural member.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller includes a plurality of detent features between the first structural member and a linear portion of the scotch yoke mechanism, the detent features providing coarse linear control of the position of the first structural member and the wheel providing fine linear control of the position of the first structural member between the positions of the detent features.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller includes a hard stop within a scotch yoke mechanism to indicate and hold the first structural member in a closed position.

[0052] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller includes a hard stop on the second structural member to indicate and hold the first structural member in the closed position.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, an intravenous (IV) set includes tubing for carrying medical fluids from a container to a catheter assembly and any of the flow controller features described above.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, a flow controller for intravenous (IV) tubing includes a first angled wedge structure, a second angled wedge structure configured to slide over the first angled wedge structure to compress a portion of the IV tubing disposed between the first angled wedge structure and the second angled wedge structure, a yoke having a linear slot, a wheel having a pin radially separated from a center of the wheel and slidably disposed in the linear slot, and a transfer structure coupled to the yoke and the first angled wedge structure.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller for the IV tubing also includes: the yoke is configured to transmit rotation of the wheel to a linear actuation of the transmission structure to cause the second tilted wedge structure to slide linearly over the first tilted wedge structure.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller for the IV tubing also includes a first tilted wedge structure having a first tilted surface and a second tilted wedge structure having a second tilted surface parallel to the first tilted surface, the distance between the first and second tilted surfaces being controllable by linear sliding of the second tilted wedge structure to controllably compress a portion of the IV tubing.

[0057] In one or more embodiments, a flow controller for an IV tubing includes a hard stop feature on a first tilted wedge structure that limits the movement of a second tilted wedge structure.

[0058] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller for the IV tubing also includes an interlock interface between the first and second angled wedge structures.

[0059] In one or more embodiments, the flow controller for the IV tubing also includes that the wheel is configured to hold the second tilted wedge structure in a fixed position relative to the first tilted wedge structure in the absence of an external force on the wheel at any position between the second tilted wedge structure open position and the second tilted wedge structure closed position to constantly adjustably control the flow of fluid through the IV tubing.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, an intravenous (IV) set includes a flow controller configured to be coupled to medical tubing, the flow controller including first and second structural members defining a cavity therebetween for receiving a portion of the medical tubing, the first structural member being linearly slidable relative to the second structural member in a direction non-perpendicular to the second structural member, and the size of the cavity decreasing as the first structural member is slid relative to the second structural member.

[0061] In one or more embodiments, the IV set also includes a third structural member coupled between the cavity and one of the first or second structural members, the third structural member including a friction-reducing surface on at least a portion of the cavity.

[0062] In one or more embodiments, the IV set also includes a friction-increasing feature on the other of the first or second structural members.

[0063] The subject technology has been illustrated, for example, in accordance with various aspects described above. This disclosure is provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. This disclosure provides various examples of the subject technology, and the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

[0064] Reference to a singular element does not mean "one and only one" unless otherwise specified. The term "several" refers to one or more unless otherwise specified. Masculine pronouns (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter genders (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0065] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example or illustration." Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. In one aspect, various alternative configurations and operations described herein may be considered at least equivalent.

[0066] As used herein, the phrase "at least one" preceding a series of items with the term "or" separating any of the items modifies the entire list and not each item in the list. The phrase "at least one" does not require the selection of at least one of the items. Rather, the phrase allows for a meaning including at least one of any one of the items, and / or at least one of any combination of the items, and / or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrase "at least one of A, B, or C" can refer to only A, only B, or only C; or any combination of A, B, and C.

[0067] A phrase such as "aspect" does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Disclosure regarding an aspect may apply to all configurations, or to one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects, and vice versa. A phrase such as "embodiment" does not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Disclosure regarding an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or to one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an embodiment may refer to one or more embodiments, and vice versa. A phrase such as "configuration" does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Disclosure regarding a configuration may apply to all configurations, or to one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an embodiment may refer to one or more configurations, and vice versa.

[0068] In one aspect, unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, dimensions, sizes, and other specifications set forth in this specification, including the following claims, are approximate and not exact, and are intended to have a reasonable range consistent with the function to which they relate and that which is customary in the art to which they pertain.

[0069] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps or operations in the disclosed processes or methods are illustrative of example approaches. It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations, or processes can be rearranged based on an implementation configuration or scenario. Some steps, operations, or processes may be performed simultaneously. In some implementation configurations or scenarios, certain operations may or may not be performed. Some or all of the steps, operations, or processes may be performed automatically without user intervention. The method claims are provided to present various steps, operations, or process elements in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0070] All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or that later become known to those skilled in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be included in the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be publicly available, regardless of whether such disclosure is expressly recited in the claims. No element of a claim is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means of" or, in the case of a method, the element is recited using the phrase "step of." Moreover, to the extent that terms such as "comprising," "having," and the like are used, such terms are intended to be inclusive in the same manner as the term "comprising," as "comprising" is interpreted when used as a transitional term in the claims.

[0071] The title, background, summary, and brief description of the drawings are incorporated into this disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as a limiting description. They are submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Furthermore, in the detailed description, it will be seen that the description provides illustrative examples, and that various features have been grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in any claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed structure or operation.

[0072] The claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, including all legal equivalents. Nonetheless, none of the claims are intended, and should not be construed, to cover subject matter that does not meet the requirements of 35 U.S.C. §§ 101, 102, or 103.

Claims

1. 1. A flow controller for intravenous (IV) tubing, the flow controller comprising: a first structural member having a first outer surface and a first inner surface disposed at an angle relative to the first outer surface; a second structural member having a second outer surface parallel to the first outer surface and a second continuous inner surface parallel to the first inner surface; a third structural member disposed on one of the first structural member or the second structural member, the third structural member having a friction reducing surface for at least a portion of a cavity located between the first structural member and the second structural member; the first structural member is linearly slidable along a length of the IV tube disposed within the cavity to compress a portion of the IV tube to control flow of medical fluid through the IV tube; a first protrusion of the linearly slidable first structural member configured to slide along a rail formed by a second opposing protrusion of the second structural member in response to pressure from a user's finger on an outer surface of the first structural member.

2. 2. The flow controller of claim 1, wherein the first inner surface defines a portion of the cavity on a first side of the IV tubing and the second continuous inner surface defines a portion of the cavity on a second side of the IV tubing.

3. 2. The flow controller of claim 1, wherein the first inner surface is a sloped first surface and the second continuous inner surface is a sloped second surface, the sloped first surface being parallel to the sloped second surface at all positions of the linearly slidable first structural member relative to the second structural member.

4. 4. The flow controller of claim 3, wherein the linearly slidable first structural member has an open position in which the IV tubing is uncompressed within the cavity and a closed position linearly separated from the open position, wherein the portion of the IV tubing is compressed between the inclined first surface and the inclined second surface to stop flow of the medical fluid through the IV tubing.

5. 4. The flow controller of claim 3, wherein the linearly slidable first structural member is continuously slidable between an uncompressed open position and a compressed closed position, each intermediate position of the linearly slidable first structural member between the open position and the closed position being associated with an intermediate compression of the portion of the IV tubing between the inclined first surface and the inclined second surface to set a corresponding intermediate flow rate through the IV tubing.

6. 2. The flow controller of claim 1, further comprising a piston of a rotational control member coupled to said first structural member, wherein rotation of said rotational control member causes said piston to linearly slide said first structural member along said rail relative to said second structural member.

7. 7. The flow controller of claim 6, wherein the rotation control member includes a wheel for a Scotch yoke mechanism coupled to the first structural member through the piston.

8. 2. The flow controller of claim 1, further comprising a protrusion on said first structural member and a recess on said second structural member, said protrusion and said recess together forming a hard stop to hold said first structural member in a closed position.

9. 10. The flow controller of claim 1, further comprising a friction-increasing feature disposed on the other of the first structural member or the second structural member.

10. 1. A flow controller for intravenous (IV) tubing, the flow controller comprising: a first wedge structure having a first inner surface and a first outer surface; a second wedge structure having a second inner surface parallel and continuous with the first inner surface and a second outer surface parallel to the first outer surface, the second wedge structure configured to slide over the first wedge structure to compress a portion of the IV tube disposed in a cavity located between the first wedge structure and the second wedge structure; a structural member disposed on one of the first inner surface and the second inner surface, the structural member having a friction reducing surface for at least a portion of the cavity; a yoke having a linear slot; a wheel having a pin radially spaced from a center of the wheel and slidably disposed in the linear slot; a transfer structure coupled to the yoke and the first wedge structure; The yoke is configured to transmit rotation of the wheel to linear actuation of the transmission structure to cause the second wedge structure to slide linearly over the first wedge structure.

11. 11. The flow controller of claim 10, wherein the first inner surface is a first sloping surface and the second inner surface is a second sloping surface parallel to the first sloping surface, and the distance between the first and second sloping surfaces is controllable by linear sliding of the second wedge structure to controllably compress a portion of the IV tubing.

12. 11. The flow controller of claim 10, further comprising a protrusion on the first wedge structure, the protrusion forming a hard stop that limits movement of the second wedge structure.

13. 11. The flow controller of claim 10, further comprising a protrusion of the first wedge structure and a protrusion of the second wedge structure forming an interlocking interface between the first wedge structure and the second wedge structure.

14. An intravenous (IV) set comprising: An IV tube; and a flow controller of claim 1 coupled to the IV tubing.

15. An intravenous (IV) set comprising: An IV tube; and a flow controller as defined in claim 10 coupled to the IV tubing.

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