Circular roller clamp assembly

Abstract

The circular roller clamp assembly includes a semicircular housing configured to receive a portion of the IV tubing, a motor, and a motor arm coupled to the motor. A roller is coupled to the motor arm, the roller being movably received by a guide groove disposed within the semicircular housing. A flow rate of fluid through the IV tubing is regulated based on abutment of the roller of the IV tubing against a tubing channel within the guide groove by circumferential movement of the roller along the guide groove. An IV set having the circular roller clamp assembly and a method of operating the circular roller clamp assembly are also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 279,959, entitled "CIRCULAR ROLLER CLAMP ASSEMBLY", filed on November 16, 2021, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to gravity intravenous (IV: intravenous) sets or infusion pump flow control devices, and specifically to a circular roller clamp assembly.

Background Art

[0003] Flow controllers in the form of roller clamps are used in the medical field for IV applications. A typical roller clamp controls the flow rate through an IV tube by clamping the tube between a roller wheel and a relatively short length of straight housing. This approach provides a limited range of flow control, in part because the roller wheel is inherently overly sensitive in that slight movement or dimensional change of the roller wheel causes a large change in the flow rate of fluid through the tube. Therefore, the relatively coarse flow adjustment provided by typical roller clamps makes it difficult to provide accurate flow control.

[0004] Typical roller clamps also have a flow drift problem based on slippage of the roller wheel, such as when the roller wheel rolls back from an adjusted position due to fluid pressure within the tube. Furthermore, typical roller clamps are manual devices that require a user such as a medical clinician to manually adjust the roller clamp. Furthermore, typical roller clamps are not reusable devices and are disposed of along with the rest of the IV set when the IV set is discarded.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide an automated roller wheel assembly that offers a wide range of flow control resolution, enables simple motor connection, and eliminates or minimizes roller wheel slippage. [Overview of the project]

[0006] In one or more embodiments, a circular roller clamp assembly comprises a semicircular housing configured to receive a portion of an IV tube, a motor, a motor arm coupled to the motor, and a roller coupled to the motor arm, the roller configured to be movably received by a guide groove disposed within the semicircular housing, wherein the circular roller clamp assembly is configured to regulate the flow rate of fluid flowing through the IV tube based on the engagement of the roller with the IV tube by circumferential movement of the roller along the guide groove.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the IV set comprises an IV tube configured to be coupled to a fluid container, an injection component coupled to the IV tube, and a circular roller clamp assembly coupled to the IV tube, wherein the circular roller clamp assembly comprises a semicircular housing configured to receive the IV tube, a motor, a motor arm coupled to the motor, and a roller coupled to the roller arm, the roller configured to be movably received by a guide groove disposed within the semicircular housing, and the circular roller clamp assembly is configured to regulate the flow rate of fluid flowing through the IV tube based on the engagement of the roller with the IV tube by circumferential movement of the roller along the guide groove.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, a method for operating a circular roller clamp assembly comprises: pulling a roller coupled to an extendable motor arm radially outward from a guide groove disposed on the circumferential surface of the semicircular housing of the circular roller clamp assembly; positioning an IV tube between the roller and the guide groove; releasing the roller, wherein the biasing force of the spring of the motor arm causes the motor arm to contract radially inward toward the IV tube and the guide groove; pressing the IV tube against a variable-sized tube channel disposed within the guide groove by the roller; rotating the motor arm in a first direction by a motor to move the roller toward a smaller-sized portion of the tube channel, thereby increasing the abutment of the IV tube by the roller and decreasing the velocity of the fluid flow through the IV tube; and rotating the motor arm in a second direction by a motor to move the roller toward a larger-sized portion of the tube channel, thereby decreasing the abutment of the IV tube by the roller and increasing the velocity of the fluid flow through the IV tube.

[0009] The aforementioned and other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[0010] The accompanying drawings, included to provide a further understanding of this disclosure and incorporated herein as part thereof, illustrate embodiments of this disclosure and serve to illustrate the principles of this disclosure together with this description. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] An exemplary injection set with a typical roller clamp is shown in a perspective view. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of the roller clamp. [Figure 3] A perspective view of an IV pole having a circular roller clamp assembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 4]Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an IV pole having a circular roller clamp assembly according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 5] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a circular roller clamp assembly relating to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 6] Figure 3 shows a front view of a circular roller clamp assembly according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 7] Figure 3 shows a rear view of the circular roller clamp assembly according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 8] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a circular roller clamp assembly relating to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 9] This shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the motor arm of a circular roller clamp assembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] An example of a method for operating a circular roller clamp assembly according to an aspect of this disclosure is provided. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The detailed descriptions below illustrate various configurations of the present technology and are not intended to represent the only configurations in which the present technology can be implemented. The detailed descriptions include certain details intended to provide a complete understanding of the present technology. Accordingly, dimensions are provided in relation to certain embodiments as non-limiting examples. However, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art that the present technology can be implemented without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and components are shown in the form of block diagrams to avoid obscuring the concepts of the present technology.

[0013] It should be understood that this disclosure includes examples of the applied technology and does not limit the scope of the appended claims. Various embodiments of the applied technology are disclosed below in accordance with certain non-limiting examples. The various embodiments described herein may be carried out in different ways and variations in accordance with desired uses or implementations.

[0014] This disclosure relates to roller clamps, and more specifically, to roller clamps for use in gravity infusion. Roller clamps regulate the flow rate of a medical fluid (e.g., a drug solution or blood administered to a patient) flowing through a tube. Typically, a standard infusion set is used to infuse the fluid. An example of a standard infusion set is shown in Figure 1.

[0015] The injection set includes a through-spike 20, which may be a sharp spike for piercing a rubber stopper or may be rounded and not pointed for insertion into a bag. The spike houses one channel for fluid and optionally a second channel for ventilation. A vent 21 is typically located near the through-spike to allow air to flow into the droplet chamber 22. The vent 21 may be provided with a bacterial filter to prevent bacteria from entering the device.

[0016] The droplet chamber 22 has a droplet generator 23 at its top that produces droplets of a certain size. Droplets from the droplet generator 23 fall into the droplet chamber 22, resulting in the droplet chamber 22 being partially filled with liquid. This prevents air bubbles, which would be harmful to the patient, from entering the connector tube 24. A particle filter may be provided in the lower aperture of the droplet chamber 22.

[0017] The connector tube 24 connects the droplet chamber 22 to the patient. The connector tube 24 is typically about 150 cm long and may be made of PVC. For clarity, the tube 24 is shown shortened in Figure 1. The connector tube 24 typically has a continuous diameter along its entire length.

[0018] The end of the connector tube 24 is fitted with a Luer fitting 25, which is standardized for connection to all other devices having a standard Luer cone. Those skilled in the art will understand that the Luer fitting 25 can be fitted onto a subcutaneous injection needle (not shown) for injecting medical fluids into a patient's circulatory system (e.g., a vein).

[0019] Between the droplet chamber 22 and the luer fitting 25, there is provided a roller clamp 26 engaged with a connector tube 24. The present disclosure relates to an improved roller clamp assembly, and a typical roller clamp 26 known in the art will be described below for background information.

[0020] The roller clamp 26 illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises two opposing side walls 28 having a pair of guide grooves 30 arranged side by side and facing each other. A flow regulating roller 28 is provided, the roller 28 having axially protruding shafts 29 protruding from the center at both sides of the roller 28. The roller 28 is shown in outline for clarity. The shafts 29 of the roller 28 are captured and seated in the guide grooves 30, whereby the roller 28 can move up and down along the guide grooves 30 as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2.

[0021] The entire roller clamp 26 has a four-walled open-ended box-like structure (see FIG. 1), and is sized and configured to receive the connector tube 24. In use, the tube 24 passes through the roller clamp 26, between the two opposing side walls 27, and between the roller 28 and the guide wall 31 facing the roller 28.

[0022] In the roller clamp 26, the surface of the guide wall 31 converges along the length thereof toward the position of the guide groove 30 in the downward direction of the guide groove 30 (for example, the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2). This serves to urge the connector tube 24 within the roller clamp 26 toward the guide groove 30 and thus toward the roller 28.

[0023] Therefore, when the roller 28 is rolled downward along the guide groove 30, gradually approaching the guide wall 31 in the direction of the arrow, the roller 28 will abut against the connector tube 24. When the roller 28 abuts against the tube 24, the tube 24, being made of a flexible material such as PVC, will be compressed, thereby reducing the lumen of the injection tube 24. In this way, the flow rate of liquid passing through the connector tube 24 can be adjusted by narrowing the lumen.

[0024] Therefore, the roller clamp 26 controls the flow rate through the injection tube 24 by clamping the injection tube 24 between the roller 28 and the guide wall 31. As described above, this provides coarse flow rate changes because even slight movement of the roller 28 causes a large change in the flow rate of the fluid through the tube 24. Also, the force of the fluid in the tube 24 exerts a biasing force on the roller 28, which often causes the roller 28 to slip from its adjusted position (for example, the roller 28 rolling back). Furthermore, the roller clamp 26 requires manual adjustment and is not suitable for automated or processor-controlled adjustment.

[0025] Referring to Figures 3 to 9, a circular roller clamp assembly 100 mounted on an IV pole 190 is shown. The circular roller clamp assembly 100 has a housing 110 having a semicircular structure, and is sized and configured to receive tubes such as connector tubes 24 (see Figure 4). Two opposing side walls 112 define a guide groove 120 for receiving flow control rollers 130, which are disposed on an axially protruding shaft 132 coupled to a motor arm 140 of a motor 150. The shaft 132 is positioned outside the outer peripheral wall 114 of the housing 110 so that the rollers 130 can move circumferentially within it along the guide groove 120.

[0026] Two inner circumferential walls 116 extend inward from opposing side walls 112 and are circumferentially arranged within the guide groove 120. For example, the outer circumferential surface 118 of the inner circumferential walls 116 may form the base surface 122 (e.g., bottom surface) of the guide groove 120. The inner circumferential walls 116 define a tube channel 160, which has a variable width and / or depth along the circumferential path of the tube channel 160. For example, the upper end 162 of the tube channel 160 may have a narrow width W1, and the lower end 164 of the tube channel 160 may have a wide width W2. The inner circumferential walls 116 are planar and may be angled inward from the base surface 122 until they intersect with each other, so that the tube channel 160 has a triangular shape (as shown in Figure 6). In aspects of this disclosure, the inner circumferential wall 116 may be curved (e.g., convex, concave) or may have any other preferred geometric shape. For example, the inner circumferential wall 116 may be concavely curved so that the tube channel 160 forms a U-shape.

[0027] The motor 150 may be positioned as the central axis of the housing 110. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the motor 150 may have a motor housing 151 disposed within a cavity 115 of the housing 110, and a cylindrical shaft 152 disposed within the central bore 111 such that there is a peripheral gap 113 between the cylindrical shaft 152 and the central bore 111 of the housing 110. The peripheral gap 113 allows the cylindrical shaft 152 to rotate freely within the central bore 111. The rotation of the cylindrical shaft 152 rotates the motor arm 140, which in turn moves the shaft 132 and roller 130 along the circumference of the housing 110. A power interface 154 and a data interface 156 may be positioned on the motor 150 to receive power from a power source and to receive / transmit communication signals to and from the processor and sensors. The power interface 154 and / or data interface 156 may be wired or wireless. In aspects of this disclosure, the motor 150 may have its own power source (e.g., a battery) and / or a wireless communication interface.

[0028] As shown in Figure 9, the motor arm 140 may include two arm portions 142 and 144 and a spring 146, with a first spring end 145 connected to the first arm portion 142 and a second spring end 147 connected to the second arm portion 144. The arm portions 142 and 144 may be slidably movable relative to each other, so that when the arm portions 142 and 144 are moved away from each other, the spring 146 stretches. The stretched spring 146 provides a biasing force F1 to the arm portions 142 and 144, causing them to move back toward the engagement position.

[0029] During use, the motor arm 140 may be pulled outward away from the cylindrical shaft 152 so that the roller 130 is completely outside the guide groove 120. The tube 24 may then be fed into the guide groove 120 so that it follows the cylindrical path of the guide groove 120 from the upper end 162 of the tube channel 160 to the lower end 164 of the tube channel 160. The motor arm 140 may then be released so that it retracts (for example, the arm portions 142 and 144 move toward each other due to a biasing force F1) and the roller 130 engages with the tube 24. Thus, the tube 24 passes through the roller clamp assembly 100 between the two opposing side walls 112, and between the roller 130 and the opposing tube channel 160.

[0030] As the roller 130 is moved circumferentially along the guide groove 120 towards the upper end 162 of the tube channel 160, a smaller portion of the tube 24 fits within the narrower portion of the tube channel 160, causing the roller 130 to strike the tube 24 with greater force. When the roller 130 strikes the tube 24 with greater force, the tube 24, being made of a flexible material such as PVC, is further compressed, thereby reducing the lumen (e.g., fluid flow path) of the injection tube 24, and thus reducing the fluid flow rate through the tube 24.

[0031] Similarly, as the roller 130 is moved circumferentially along the guide groove 120 towards the lower end 164 of the tube channel 160, more of the tube 24 fits within the wider portion of the tube channel 160, so the roller 130 does not abut the tube 24 with too much force. Because the roller 130 does not abut the tube 24 with too much force, the tube 24 is not compressed as much, the lumen of the injection tube 24 becomes larger, and thus the fluid flow rate through the tube 24 increases. In this way, the flow rate of the liquid through the tube 24 can be adjusted by narrowing or widening the lumen of the tube 24.

[0032] For example, as shown in Figure 3, the circular roller clamp assembly 100 may be mounted on the IV pole 190 with a power interface 154 and a data interface 156 connected to power lines and communication cables (not shown) arranged inside the IV pole 190. A user (e.g., a medical clinician) can pull the spring-loaded motor arm 140 outward from the housing 110 to position the IV tube 24 within the guide groove 120 along the tube channel 160. The user can then release the motor arm 140, thereby causing the biasing force F1 of the spring 146 to pull the roller 130 inward against the IV tube 24, pressing the IV tube 24 against the tube channel 160. The motor 150 communicates with an external flow sensor and can rotate the motor arm 140 to position the roller 130 along the tube channel 160, thereby achieving the required compression of the IV tube 24 for the desired fluid flow rate through the IV tube 24. In aspects of this disclosure, the motor 150 may be configured to be manually adjustable so that the user can manually select the position of the roller 130 for high-resolution flow setpoint selection.

[0033] The circular geometry of the circular roller clamp assembly 100 significantly increases the length of the flow control channel (e.g., a semicircular tube channel 160 versus a straight channel through the roller clamp 26), thus enabling a much larger flow control resolution. For example, the semicircular tube channel 160 can be 300% longer than the straight length of the roller clamp 26. The circular geometry also allows for the use of a simple motor 150 to control the operation of the circular roller clamp assembly 100.

[0034] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the circular roller clamp assembly 100 may be configured to be hung on a bracket attached to an IV pole 190. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the circular roller clamp assembly 100 may be configured to be hung directly on an IV line (e.g., a tube 24). According to aspects of the present disclosure, the circular roller clamp assembly 100 may include a coupling mechanism on or adjacent to the mounting surface 119 of the housing 110. For example, the housing 110 may include one or more magnets on or within the mounting surface 119, or multiple portions of the mounting surface 119 may be formed of a magnetic material, thereby allowing the circular roller clamp assembly 100 to be quickly and easily attached to any magnetic surface (e.g., a metal pole, a metal bed railing, a metal shelf). As another example, the coupling mechanism may be a clamping device configured to clamp onto a desired surface (e.g., an IV pole, a bed railing, a shelf, a table).

[0035] In aspects of the present disclosure, the circular roller clamp assembly 100 may be configured to be integrated with a smart controller. For example, the circular roller clamp assembly 100 may be integrated within a controller housing, where the controller can receive input from one or more sensors (e.g., downstream flow sensors) and send control signals to the motor 150 based on the sensor inputs and / or programmed parameters (e.g., flow settings entered by the user or another processor). In another example, the circular roller clamp assembly 100 may include its own smart controller that can directly receive sensor information, determine the position of the roller 130 to achieve a desired flow rate, and / or send control signals to the motor 150 to position the roller 130 at the determined position. In aspects of the present disclosure, the circular roller clamp assembly 100 may communicate with internal or external sensors / controllers / processors via wired and / or wireless communication.

[0036] Referring to Figure 10, a method 200 for operating a circular roller clamp assembly (e.g., circular roller clamp assembly 100) is provided. In step 210, a roller (e.g., roller 130) is pulled away from the housing (e.g., housing 110). For example, a motor arm (e.g., motor arm 140) may be extendable by a spring-loaded sliding portion (e.g., arm portions 142, 144 and spring 146), so that a roller coupled to the motor arm can be pulled with a force exceeding the biasing force of the spring (e.g., biasing force F1). The tubes (e.g., IV tube 24) are placed in or inserted into the housing so that in step 220 they are arranged in the housing channel (e.g., tube channel 160 in the guide groove 120).

[0037] In step 230, the roller is released and retracted, engaging with the tubes. For example, releasing the roller allows the spring biasing force to contract the motor arm, thus pulling the roller into the housing channel, which in turn engages with the tubes and compresses them into the housing channel. In step 240, a control signal may be provided to the motor (e.g., motor 150) to instruct it to move the roller to a specific position on the housing. For example, the motor may monitor sensor signals and adjust the roller position to change the fluid flow rate to a desired flow rate. Here, by positioning the roller near the first end of the channel housing (e.g., the upper end 162 of the tube channel 160), the roller can abut the tubes to a large extent (e.g., zero or minimal fluid flow), while by positioning the roller near the second end of the channel housing (e.g., the lower end 164 of the tube channel 160), the roller can abut the tubes to a very low extent (e.g., full or maximum fluid flow).

[0038] In step 250, the roller may be moved along the housing channel by a motor so as to abut against the tubes at a desired level. For example, the roller may be moved from the second end of the channel housing to the first end of the channel housing, thereby narrowing the space between the housing channel and the roller, causing the roller to compress or crush the contracted portion of the tubes, and thus changing the fluid flow rate in the tubes to a lower or blocked flow rate (e.g., from 250 ml / hr to 0 ml / hr). Similarly, moving the roller in the opposite direction along the housing channel changes the fluid flow rate to a higher or open flow rate (e.g., from 0 ml / hr to 250 ml / hr). Thus, by positioning the roller at various locations between the first and second ends of the channel housing, the fluid flow rate can be changed accordingly (e.g., 50 ml / hr, 100 ml / hr, 150 ml / hr, 200 ml / hr).

[0039] In one or more embodiments, a circular roller clamp assembly comprises a semicircular housing configured to receive a portion of an IV tube, a motor, a motor arm coupled to the motor, and a roller coupled to the motor arm, the roller configured to be movably received by a guide groove disposed within the semicircular housing, wherein the circular roller clamp assembly is configured to regulate the flow rate of fluid flowing through the IV tube based on the engagement of the roller with the IV tube by circumferential movement of the roller along the guide groove.

[0040] In aspects of this disclosure, the guide groove comprises two opposing side walls extending radially inward from the circumferential surface of a semicircular housing, and a base surface disposed at the inner ends of the side walls. In aspects of this disclosure, the semicircular housing comprises two inner circumferential walls defining a tube channel that extends radially inward from the base surface of the guide groove and is configured to receive a portion of an IV tube. In aspects of this disclosure, the tube channel has a variable width from a first width at a first end to a second width at a second end, the second width being wider than the first width. In aspects of this disclosure, the tube channel has a variable depth from a first depth at a first end to a second depth at a second end, the second depth being deeper than the first depth. In aspects of this disclosure, the inner circumferential walls extend radially inward from the base surface of the guide groove at an acute angle, intersecting each other to define the tube channel in a triangular shape.

[0041] In an aspect of this disclosure, the cylindrical shaft of the motor is disposed within a central bore of a semicircular housing, with a peripheral gap disposed between the cylindrical shaft and the central bore, and the motor arm is coupled to the end of the cylindrical shaft, and the cylindrical shaft is configured to rotate freely within the central bore. In an aspect of this disclosure, a power interface is disposed on the motor and is configured to receive power from a power source. In an aspect of this disclosure, a communication interface is disposed on the motor and is configured to send communication signals to one of a processor and a sensor, and to receive communication signals from one of a processor and a sensor.

[0042] In an aspect of this disclosure, the motor arm comprises a first arm portion, a second arm portion movably coupled to the first arm portion, and a spring having a first spring end coupled to the first arm portion and a second spring end coupled to the second arm portion, wherein the spring extends to provide opposite movement of the first arm portion relative to the second arm portion and is configured to provide a biasing contraction force toward a base position that pulls the first and second arm portions toward each other. In an aspect of this disclosure, the motor arm is configured to extend so that the roller is positioned outside the guide groove for insertion of the IV tube into the guide groove, and the motor arm is configured to contract due to the biasing force of the spring to pull the roller toward the IV tube. In an aspect of this disclosure, the semicircular housing is configured to be mounted on an IV pole. In an aspect of this disclosure, the circular roller clamp assembly comprises a magnetic coupler configured to be mounted on a magnetic surface. In an aspect of this disclosure, the circular roller clamp assembly is configured to be hung on an IV tube.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, the IV set comprises an IV tube configured to be coupled to a fluid container, an injection component coupled to the IV tube, and a circular roller clamp assembly coupled to the IV tube, wherein the circular roller clamp assembly comprises a semicircular housing configured to receive the IV tube, a motor, a motor arm coupled to the motor, and a roller coupled to the roller arm, the roller configured to be movably received by a guide groove disposed within the semicircular housing, and the circular roller clamp assembly is configured to regulate the flow rate of fluid flowing through the IV tube based on the engagement of the roller with the IV tube by circumferential movement of the roller along the guide groove.

[0044] In aspects of the present disclosure, the guide groove comprises two opposing side walls extending radially inward from the circumferential surface of a semicircular housing and a base surface disposed at the inner ends of the side walls, the semicircular housing comprising two inner circumferential walls defining a tube channel that extends radially inward from the base surface of the guide groove and is configured to receive a portion of an IV tube, the tube channel comprising one of a variable width from a first width at a first end to a second width at a second end, where the second width is wider than the first width, and a variable depth from a first depth at a first end to a second depth at a second end, where the second depth is deeper than the first depth.

[0045] In aspects of the present disclosure, the motor arm comprises a first arm portion, a second arm portion movably coupled to the first arm portion, and a spring coupled to the first and second arm portions, wherein the spring is configured to extend to provide opposite movement of the first arm portion relative to the second arm portion and to provide a biasing contraction force pulling the first and second arm portions toward each other, the motor arm is configured to extend so that a roller is positioned outside the guide groove for insertion of an IV tube into the guide groove, and the motor arm is configured to contract due to the biasing force of the spring to pull the roller toward the IV tube.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, a method for operating a circular roller clamp assembly comprises: pulling a roller coupled to an extendable motor arm radially outward from a guide groove disposed on the circumferential surface of a semicircular housing of the circular roller clamp assembly; placing an intravenous (IV) tube between the roller and the guide groove; releasing the roller, wherein the spring biasing force of the motor arm causes the motor arm to contract radially inward toward the IV tube and the guide groove; pressing the IV tube against a variable-sized tube channel disposed within the guide groove by the roller; rotating the motor arm in a first direction by a motor to move the roller toward a smaller-sized portion of the tube channel, thereby increasing the abutment of the IV tube by the roller and decreasing the velocity of the fluid flow through the IV tube; and rotating the motor arm in a second direction by a motor to move the roller toward a larger-sized portion of the tube channel, thereby reducing the abutment of the IV tube by the roller and increasing the velocity of the fluid flow through the IV tube.

[0047] In aspects of the present disclosure, the method comprises monitoring the velocity of fluid flow through an IV tube using a sensor, and providing a control signal from a processor to a motor to rotate a motor arm to adjust the position of a roller to change the velocity of the fluid flow to a determined velocity. In aspects of the present disclosure, the method comprises positioning a roller over the smallest portion of the tube channel so that the roller obstructs the IV tube and impedes fluid flow through the IV tube downstream of the obstruction, and positioning a roller over the largest portion of the tube channel so that the roller does not abut the IV tube and allows for full fluid flow through the IV tube downstream of the roller.

[0048] It should be understood that any particular order or hierarchy of blocks in the disclosed process method is an example of an exemplary technique. It should also be understood that, based on design or implementation preferences, any particular order or hierarchy of blocks in the process may be rearranged, or all exemplary blocks may be performed. In some implementation examples, any of the blocks may be performed simultaneously.

[0049] This disclosure is provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement the various embodiments described herein. This disclosure provides various examples of the art, and the art is not limited to these examples. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the comprehensive principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments.

[0050] References to singular elements are intended to mean "one or more" rather than "just one" unless otherwise specified. Unless otherwise specified, the term "several" refers to one or more. Masculine pronouns (e.g., his) include feminine and neuter pronouns (e.g., her and its), and vice versa. Headings and subheadings are used, in some cases, for convenience only and do not limit the invention.

[0051] The term “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” should not necessarily be construed as being preferable or advantageous to other embodiments or designs. In one embodiment, various alternative configurations and operations described herein may be considered at least equivalent.

[0052] When used herein, the phrase “at least one” preceding an item that uses the term “or” to distinguish any of a set of items modifies the entire list rather than each individual item in the list. The phrase “at least one” does not require the selection of at least one item; rather, it means that the list includes 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. For example, the phrase “at least one of A, B, or C” may refer to A only, B only, or C only, or any combination of A, B, and C.

[0053] The terms "aspects" and similar phrases do not imply that such aspects are essential to the present technology, nor that such aspects apply to all configurations of the present technology. Disclosures relating to aspects may apply to all configurations, or to one or more configurations. Aspects may provide one or more examples. Terms such as "aspects" refer to one or more aspects, and vice versa. The terms such as "examples" and similar phrases do not imply that such examples are essential to the present technology, nor that such examples apply to all configurations of the present technology. Disclosures relating to examples may apply to all examples, or to one or more examples. Examples may provide one or more examples. Terms such as "examples" refer to one or more examples, and vice versa. The terms such as "configuration" and similar phrases do not imply that such configurations are essential to the present technology, nor that such configurations apply to all configurations of the present technology. Disclosures relating to configurations may apply to all configurations, or to one or more configurations. Configurations may provide one or more examples. Terms such as "composition" may refer to one or more compositions, and vice versa.

[0054] In one aspect, unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, grades, locations, sizes, dimensions, and other specifications described herein, including the following claims, are approximate and not exact. In one aspect, they are intended to be within a reasonable range that is not inconsistent with the functions to which they relate and with the conventions in the art to which they relate.

[0055] It should be understood that any particular order or hierarchy of steps, actions, or processes disclosed is illustrative of an exemplary method. It should be understood that any particular order or hierarchy of steps, actions, or processes may be rearranged based on design preferences. Some of the steps, actions, or processes may be performed simultaneously. Some or all of the steps, actions, or processes may be performed automatically without user intervention. While the claims for the attached methods present various elements of steps, actions, or processes in an exemplary order, they do not imply that the claims are limited to any particular order or hierarchy presented.

[0056] All structural and functional equivalents of elements of various aspects described throughout this disclosure, which are known to those skilled in the art or will become known thereafter, are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be made public, whether such disclosure is expressly included in the claims or not. No element of a claim should be construed under Section 112(f) of the United States Patent Act unless that element is expressed using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, unless that element is expressed using the phrase “steps for.” Furthermore, wherever terms such as “includes” or “having” are used, such terms are intended to be as inclusive as the term “equipment” is used, so that it may be construed as a transposition in a claim when the term “equipment” is used.

[0057] The title of the invention, background art, summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, and abstract of the invention are incorporated herein by reference and provided as exemplary examples of the disclosure, not as limiting descriptions. They are submitted with the understanding that they are not to be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Furthermore, in the detailed description, it will be found that the description provides exemplary examples, and various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of simplifying the disclosure. This method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the subject matter described in the claims requires more features than those expressed in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the following claims, the subject matter of the invention consists of fewer features than all the features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The following claims are incorporated herein by reference into the detailed description, and each claim stands alone as the subject matter described in the claim.

[0058] The claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments described herein, but are given the maximum scope consistent with the language of the claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Nevertheless, none of the claims are intended, nor should they be construed, to encompass subject matter that does not meet the requirements of Section 101, 102, or 103 of the U.S. Patent Act.

Claims

1. A circular roller clamp assembly, A semicircular housing configured to receive a portion of an intravenous (IV) tube, Motor and, A motor arm coupled to the motor, A roller coupled to the motor arm, configured to be movably received by a guide groove disposed within the semicircular housing, Equipped with, The circular roller clamp assembly is configured to regulate the flow rate of fluid flowing through the IV tube based on the engagement of the roller with the IV tube by the circumferential movement of the roller along the guide groove.

2. The aforementioned guide groove is Two opposing side walls extending radially inward from the circumferential surface of the semicircular housing, A base surface is provided at the inner end of the aforementioned side wall, The circular roller clamp assembly according to claim 1, comprising:

3. The aforementioned semicircular housing is The guide groove comprises two inner walls that define a tube channel extending radially inward from the base surface and configured to receive a portion of the IV tube, The circular roller clamp assembly according to claim 2.

4. The circular roller clamp assembly according to claim 3, wherein the tube channel has a variable width from a first width at a first end to a second width at a second end, the second width being wider than the first width.

5. The circular roller clamp assembly according to claim 3, wherein the tube channel has a variable depth from a first depth at a first end to a second depth at a second end, the second depth being greater than the first depth.

6. The circular roller clamp assembly according to claim 3, wherein the inner circumferential walls extend radially inward from the base surface of the guide groove at an acute angle, intersect with each other, and define the tube channel in a triangular shape.

7. The cylindrical shaft of the motor is disposed within the central bore of the semicircular housing, A peripheral gap is disposed between the cylindrical shaft and the central bore, Furthermore, The motor arm is connected to the end of the cylindrical shaft, The cylindrical shaft is configured to rotate freely within the central bore. The circular roller clamp assembly according to claim 1.

8. A power interface disposed on the motor, further comprising a power interface configured to receive power from a power source, The circular roller clamp assembly according to claim 1.

9. A communication interface disposed on the motor, Sending a communication signal to either the processor or the sensor, Receiving a communication signal from either the processor or the sensor, It further comprises a communication interface configured to perform one of the following: The circular roller clamp assembly according to claim 1.

10. The motor arm is, The first arm section and A second arm portion is movably coupled to the first arm portion, A spring having a first spring end connected to the first arm portion and a second spring end connected to the second arm portion, Prepare, The spring is configured to extend to provide the first arm portion in the opposite direction relative to the second arm portion, and to provide a biasing contraction force toward the base position that pulls the first arm portion and the second arm portion toward each other. The circular roller clamp assembly according to claim 1.

11. The circular roller clamp assembly according to claim 10, wherein the motor arm is configured to extend such that the roller is positioned outside the guide groove for insertion of the IV tube into the guide groove, and the motor arm is configured to contract due to the biasing force of the spring to pull the roller against the IV tube.

12. The circular roller clamp assembly according to claim 1, wherein the semicircular housing is configured to be mounted on an IV pole.

13. The circular roller clamp assembly according to claim 1, wherein the circular roller clamp assembly comprises a magnetic coupler configured to be attached to a magnetic surface.

14. The circular roller clamp assembly according to claim 1, wherein the circular roller clamp assembly is configured to be hung on the IV tube.

15. An intravenous (IV) tube configured to be connected to a fluid container, The injection component connected to the IV tube, A circular roller clamp assembly connected to the aforementioned IV tube, An IV set comprising, the circular roller clamp assembly, A semicircular housing configured to receive the aforementioned IV tube, Motor and, A motor arm coupled to the motor, A roller coupled to the motor arm, configured to be movably received by a guide groove disposed within the semicircular housing, Equipped with, The circular roller clamp assembly is configured to regulate the flow rate of fluid flowing through the IV tube based on the engagement of the roller with the IV tube by the circumferential movement of the roller along the guide groove of the IV tube, in an IV set.

16. The guide groove comprises two opposing side walls extending radially inward from the circumferential surface of the semicircular housing, and a base surface disposed at the inner end of the side walls. The semicircular housing comprises two inner walls that define a tube channel that extends radially inward from the base surface of the guide groove and is configured to receive a portion of the IV tube. The aforementioned tube channel is A variable width from a first width at the first end to a second width at the second end, wherein the second width is wider than the first width. A variable depth from a first depth at the first end to a second depth at the second end, wherein the second depth is deeper than the first depth, The IV set according to claim 15, comprising one of the following.

17. The motor arm is, The first arm section and A second arm portion is movably coupled to the first arm portion, A spring connected to the first arm portion and the second arm portion, The spring is configured to extend to provide opposite movement of the first arm portion relative to the second arm portion, and to provide a biasing contraction force that pulls the first arm portion and the second arm portion toward each other. The IV set according to claim 15, wherein the motor arm is configured to extend such that the roller is positioned outside the guide groove for insertion of the IV tube into the guide groove, and the motor arm is configured to contract due to the biasing force of the spring to pull the roller against the IV tube.

18. A method for operating a circular roller clamp assembly, The roller, which is coupled to an extendable motor arm, is pulled radially outward from a guide groove provided on the circumferential surface of the semicircular housing of the circular roller clamp assembly, The intravenous (IV) tube is placed between the roller and the guide groove, Releasing the roller such that the biasing force of the motor arm spring causes the motor arm to contract radially inward toward the IV tube and the guide groove, The roller presses the IV tube against the variable-sized tube channel disposed within the guide groove, The motor rotates the motor arm in a first direction to move the roller toward a smaller portion of the tube channel, thereby increasing the contact of the roller with the IV tube and reducing the velocity of the fluid flow through the IV tube. The motor rotates the motor arm in a second direction to move the roller toward the larger portion of the tube channel, thereby reducing the roller from hitting the IV tube and increasing the velocity of the fluid flow through the IV tube. A method that includes [a certain feature].

19. The sensor monitors the velocity of the fluid flow through the IV tube, The processor provides a control signal to the motor to rotate the motor arm in order to adjust the position of the roller in order to change the velocity of the fluid flow to a determined velocity, The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

20. Positioning the roller at the smallest portion of the tube channel causes the roller to block the IV tube and obstruct the fluid flow through the IV tube downstream of the blockage. Positioning the roller at the largest portion of the tube channel prevents the roller from abutting the IV tube and ensures a complete fluid flow through the IV tube downstream of the roller. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

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