Intravenous fluid control valve and method

Abstract

An intravenous fluid control valve is disclosed. The intravenous fluid control valve assembly has a housing, a linear passageway extending from an upper to a lower end of the housing, a first opening for receiving an intravenous fluid line extending through the linear passageway of the housing and a second opening through which the intravenous fluid line exits, a valve member coupled with the linear passageway of the housing, the valve member moveable from a first closed position in which the valve member reduces a fluid flow rate of the intravenous fluid line to a second open position in which the valve member increases the fluid flow rate of the intravenous fluid line, with the presence of a first visual indicator occurring when the valve member is in the closed position, and the presence of a second visual indicator is responsive to the valve member being in the open position.

Description

INTRAVENOUS FLUID CONTROL VALVE AND METHODCROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The following application claims priority under 35 U.S. C. § 119(e) to copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 675,932 filed July 26, 2024 entitled INTRAVENOUS FLUID CONTROL VALVE AND METHOD. The above-identified application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to an intravenous fluid control valve and method of operation, and, more particularly, to an intravenous fluid roller clamp that opens and closes a fluid passage or line, the roller clamp coupled to with visual indicators to provide a visual alert if an intravenous line is in an open or closed position.BACKGROUND

[0003] Intravenous (IV) shutoff clamps or valves are often used to open and close a line that delivers fluids such as water and medication to a patient through gravity administration in a hospital setting. IV shutoff clamps move between an open and a closed position to control the delivery of these fluids to a patient. In many cases, a patient may be receiving 2, 3, 4, or many more intravenous fluids through different lines simultaneously.

[0004] Problems occur when the position of an IV line is not readily apparent to medical professionals and hospital staff, especially in cases where many IV lines are being used with a patient simultaneously. To reduce adverse drug events and increasemedication safety in a hospital setting, in the past, IV shutoff clamps have utilized a roller positioned on the side of the clamp, as shown in FIG. 1 .SUMMARY

[0005] In one aspect, the present disclosure includes an intravenous fluid control valve assembly. The intravenous fluid control valve assembly includes a housing having an upper end and a lower end, the housing having a back wall and first and second sidewalls defining a linear passageway extending from the upper end to the lower end of the housing. The housing has a first opening for receiving an intravenous fluid line which extends through the linear passageway of the housing and a second opening through which the intravenous fluid line exits. The assembly also includes a valve member coupled with the linear passageway of the housing, the valve member selectively moveable within and about the linear passageway over the intravenous fluid line from a first closed position in which the valve member reduces a fluid flow rate of the intravenous fluid line to a second open position in which the valve member increases the fluid flow rate of the intravenous fluid line. The assembly further includes first and second visual indicators located on the housing, wherein the first visual indicator is located on the lower end of the housing, and the second visual indicator is located on the upper end of the housing, wherein presence or absence of the first and second visual indicators is determined by the valve member position, and wherein the presence of the first visual indicator is responsive to the valve member being in the closed position, and the presence of the second visual indicator is responsive to the valve member being in the open position.

[0006] In another aspect, the present disclosure includes an intravenous fluid control clamp assembly. The intravenous fluid control clamp assembly includes a housing having an upper end and a lower end, the housing having a main wall and firstand second sidewalls which form a passageway extending from the upper end to the lower end of the housing, the housing having a first opening for receiving an intravenous fluid line which extends through the passageway of the housing and a second opening through which the intravenous fluid line exits. The clamp assembly includes a roller assembly having an axle that passes through a roller clamp, and a visual indicator that is coupled to the axle, the roller clamp for engaging and disengaging the intravenous fluid line as it moves withing the housing; and a first window located in the upper end of the housing and a second window located in the lower end of the housing, such that when the roller assembly selectively translates within the housing to the upper end, a portion of the visual indicator is located within the first window and is free from visualization from the second window; and when the roller assembly translates within the housing to the lower end, a portion of the visual indicator is located within the second window and is free from visualization from the first window.

[0007] In another aspect, the present disclosure includes a method of operation of an intravenous fluid control valve assembly. The method includes the steps of providing a housing with an upper and a lower end, the housing having a main wall and first and second side walls defining a roller pathway, with a first window located at the lower end and a second window located at the upper end, providing a roller clamp having first and second sides, providing a visual indicator coupled to and extending from the first and second sides of the roller clamp, the visual indicator for denoting a first or a second position of the intravenous fluid control valve assembly such that when the roller clamp translates within the housing to the upper end, a portion of the visual indicator is located within the first window and is free from visualization in the second window, and when the roller clamp translates within the housing to the lower end, a portion of the visual indicator is located within the second window and is free from visualization in the first window. Themethod further includes the steps of assembling the roller clamp coupled to the first and second visual indicators at least partially within the roller pathway of the housing, inserting an intravenous line beneath the roller clamp into the roller pathway of the housing; translating the roller clamp to the first position, and responsive to translating of the roller clamp into the first position, displaying a portion of the visual indicator.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates upon consideration of the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals, unless otherwise described refer to like parts throughout the drawings and in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a prior art IV roller clamp;

[0010] FIG. 2 is an upper front right perspective view of an IV roller clamp assembly in a first position in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 3 a lower rear left perspective view thereof;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a lower front left perspective view thereof;

[0013] FIG. 5 is an upper rear right perspective view thereof;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view thereof;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view thereof;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a right side view thereof;

[0017] FIG. 9 is a left side view thereof;

[0018] FIG. 10 is a top plan view thereof;

[0019] FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view thereof;

[0020] FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of FIG. 10 along lines 11-11 ;

[0021] FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of FIG. 6 along lines 12-12;

[0022] FIG. 14 shows a sectional view of FIG. 6 along lines 13-13;

[0023] FIG. 15 is an upper front right perspective view of an IV roller clamp assembly in a second position in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 16 is a lower rear left perspective view thereof;

[0025] FIG. 17 is a front elevation view thereof;

[0026] FIG. 18 is a top plan view thereof;

[0027] FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view thereof;

[0028] FIG. 20A is a sectional view of FIG. 18 along lines 24-24;

[0029] FIG. 20B is illustrates roller assembly constructed in accordance with one example embodiment;

[0030] FIG. 21 is a sectional view of FIG. 17 along lines 25-25;

[0031] FIG. 22 is a sectional view of FIG. 17 along lines 26-26;

[0032] FIG. 23 shows a front perspective view of a plurality of IV roller clamp assemblies in differing positions in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 24 shows a side perspective view of a plurality of IV roller clamp assemblies in differing positions in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 25 shows an IV roller clamp assembly in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 26 shows an IV roller clamp assembly in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 27 shows an IV roller clamp assembly in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 28 shows a group of IV roller clamp assemblies in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0038] FIG. 29 shows a method of operation of an IV roller clamp assembly in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, the utility and purpose of many structures are shown in the figures are described throughout the specification. However, it should be appreciated that some of the structures shown in the figures have been selected or invented for aesthetic appearance and ornamental design independent of its utilitarian operation or lack thereof.

[0040] The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Referring now to the figures wherein like numbered features shown therein refer to like elements throughout unless otherwise noted. The present disclosuregenerally relates to an intravenous fluid control valve, and, more particularly, to an intravenous fluid roller clamp that opens and closes a fluid passage or line, the roller clamp coupled to with visual indicators to provide a visual alert if an intravenous line is in an open or closed position.

[0042] FIGS. 2-14 illustrate an IV roller clamp or valve assembly 10 in an open position 26 in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure. Advantageously, the IV roller clamp assembly 10 is used to move positions of an IV line 22 that delivers fluids in gravity administration such as intravenously administered medications, saline solutions, vitamins, or other intravenously administered fluids, and can be dimensioned and configured to fit pediatric or adult patients.

[0043] As also illustrated in FIG. 2-22, the IV roller clamp assembly 10 includes a housing 12 having a first side 12a and a second side 12b, roller track 14, roller clamp or roller valve 16, and first and second visual indicators 18, 20. The IV roller clamp assembly 10 is constructed to be coupled with the IV line 22 to control the output and delivery of fluid through the IV line 22. In one example embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing 12 is constructed from polyethylene. One of ordinary skill in the art, after reviewing the contents of the present disclosure, would understand that the housing 12 could be constructed from a variety of polymer and non-polymer materials. In one example embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing is approximately 2 inches long and 0.5 inches wide.

[0044] A roller track or pathway 14 is formed within and along the longitudinal axis LA of the housing 12 to provide a pathway onto which roller clamp 16 can move to control positioning of the IV roller clamp assembly 10 between first 24 and second 26 positions, as shown in FIG. 23. In one example embodiment of the present disclosure, the roller pathway 14 comprises a tapered bore 19 about the cavity 13.

[0045] The tapered bore 19 that exists within and about the cavity 13 is such that when the roller clamp 16 is in the first position 24, the roller clamp uses the relatively tight position of the taper ti (see FIG. 3) such that the roller clamp pinches and stops the flow of fluid in the line 22 against the rear of the housing 12. When the roller clamp is rotated and / or translated to the second position 26 the roller clamp is spaced from the line 22 allowing the flow of fluid through the line 22 because of the tapered bore 19 that exists within and about the cavity 13 providing a distance t2. In the illustrated example embodiment, t2 is greater than ti. The roller track or pathway 14 shown in FIGS. 2-22 includes an incline plane formed in back wall 14d in one example embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example embodiment, the roller clamp 16 comprises a wheel on an axle, the wheel having contact with side walls 14c as it moves along roller pathway 14, which allows for tension adjustment capabilities for the roller clamp 16 along the roller pathway 14. In another example embodiment, the roller pathway 14 comprises a pair of flanges formed within said housing 12 and located on either side of the roller clamp 16.

[0046] In this example embodiment of the present disclosure, the first position 24 is a closed position (see FIGS. 15-22), and the second position 26 is an open position. One of ordinary skill in the art, after reviewing the contents of the present disclosure, would understand that the IV roller clamp assembly 10 could also be stopped at a variety of intermediate positions to control flow rate of the IV line 22 without the line 22 being fully open or closed, or that the first or second positions 24, 26 represent increased and reduced fluid flow rates in some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0047] The housing 12 also provides a passageway for a portion of IV line 22 along the longitudinal axis LA in cavity 13 through inlets 17a and 17b. The IV line 22 fits into the cavity 13 beneath roller clamp 16, which allows roller clamp 16 to control the flow of fluid through IV line 22 via a change in pressure gradient and axial load exerted by rollerclamp 16 dependent on if roller clamp 16 has or withdraws contact with IV line 22. In another example embodiment, the IV line 22 enters and exits the cavity 13 of the IV line roller clamp assembly 10 through inlets 17a, 17b formed in the housing 12, and extends through cavity 13 beneath roller clamp 16. The roller pathway 14 comprises first and second ends 14a and 14b, with second end 14b corresponding with an inclined portion of back wall 14d. The roller stop or clamp 16 travels in a linear pathway 14 such that the taper 19 is transverse to the pathway 14.

[0048] When roller clamp 16 is positioned at second end 14b, the pressure from roller clamp 16 being positioned at the inclined end 14b of roller track 14 onto IV line 22 causes the IV line 22 to be pinched, and for the delivery of fluid to be inhibited, thus putting the IV roller clamp assembly 10 into a closed or reduced-flow position 24. When roller clamp 16 is located at first end 14a, there is more space within roller track 14 and cavity 13 for IV line 22, allowing for a relief of axial load exerted by roller clamp 16 on IV line 22, which causes IV line 22 to open and for the delivery of fluids to be permitted and / or increased, thus putting the IV roller clamp assembly 10 in the open position 26. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that roller track 14 could be designed in the opposite direction, with the inclined portion of back wall 14d at first end 14a, changing the positioning of the IV roller clamp assembly 10 so that the open position 26 would occur if the roller clamp 16 was located at second end 14b.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, the positioning of the IV roller clamp assembly 10 in the second position 26 is displayed by first visual indicator 18, which is shown on the housing 12, and the positioning of the IV roller clamp assembly 10 in the first position 24 is indicated by second visual indicator 20 shown on housing 12 (see FIG. 23). In one example embodiment of the present disclosure, first and second visual indicators 18 and 20 are pairs of differing colored rectangular strips, with first visual indicator 18 comprisinga green color, and second visual indicator 20 comprising a red color. In another example embodiment of the present disclosure, first and second visual indicators 18, 20 comprise differing patterns, with the pair of first visual indicators 18 comprising a striped pattern, and the pair of second visual indicators 20 comprising a dotted pattern.

[0050] One of ordinary skill in the art, after reviewing the contents of the present disclosure, would understand that a large variety of visual indicator types, sizes, and shapes would be compatible with the IV roller clamp assembly 10 of the present disclosure. Advantageously, the first and second visual indicators 18, 20 provide a quick reference for medical professionals and hospital staff to see if a patient’s IV line 22 is delivering fluids or inhibited from delivering fluids, especially in situations such as hospital shift changes when there is a change in the medical professionals and staff involved in patient care. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 28, visual indicators 18, 20 make it easier to distinguish the status of IV lines 22 when there is a large group of these lines 22 present.

[0051] Another common clinical scenario in which the IV roller clamp assembly 10 would be helpful relates to improper set up of an intermittent, secondary infusion (aka “piggyback” infusion). In this scenario, a secondary IV line (not shown) is temporarily connected to the existing IV line 22 to deliver fluid, often over a shorter period of time or different flow rate than the primary IV 22 fluid. Clinicians use a standard procedure in which roller clamps 16 attached to each line 22 are opened and closed in a sequence to ensure effective delivery while minimizing inadvertent entry of air into the lines and interruptions in the flow of the primary IV 22 fluid. At any given step in the set up or ongoing delivery of a secondary infusion, position of each roller clamp 16 controls flow of a single fluid through an IV line 22 and the combined fluids. As shown in FIG. 23 and 24, visual differentiation for the position of each clampl 6 is improved by the use of indicators18, 20, notably when applying a simultaneous adjustment of two or more roller clamps 16 during routine procedures.

[0052] In one example embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIGS. 24- 26, the first and second visual indicators 18, 20 are printed directly onto the housing 12 of the IV roller track assembly 10. In another example embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-23, the housing 12 further comprises windows 28 on wings 12c, which allow for the visibility of printed on visual indicators 18, 20 and of internal visual indicator blocks 30, both of which are inserted beneath the windows 28. In this example embodiment, movement of roller clamp 16 between first 24 and second 26 positions generates movement of internal visual indicator blocks 30 to cover the visual indicators 18, 20 printed onto the wings 12c of the housing 12 so that only the visual indicator, 18 or 20, associated with the positioning of the IV roller clamp assembly 10 is visible. The visual indicators, 18 or 20, become visible if roller clamp 16 is aligned with the visual indicator 18 or 20 along the longitudinal axis LA, and the visual indicator 18 or 20 not in use is blocked by external visual indicator block 30. In another example embodiment of the present disclosure, visual indicators 18 and 20 are partially visible dependent in the position of roller clamp 16.

[0053] For example, in this example embodiment, if roller clamp 16 starts in the open position 26, internal visual indicator blocks 30 would cover the second visual indicator 20, which comprises a red color in this example, causing windows 28b to appear blank and visually consistent with the rest of housing 12 so that the green color used for first visual indicator 18 would be the only visible visual indicator. As roller clamp 16 is moved along the longitudinal axis LA of roller track 14 to the closed position 24, movement of internal visual indicator blocks 30 would be triggered to cover the green color of first visual indicator 18 so that the windows 28a would appear blank, and windows 28b would display second visual indicator 20, which is a red color in this example embodiment. Thewindows 28a, 28b are located on the wings 12c of the housing 12, and advantageously are visible from the front 12a or back 12b of the housing 12 in this example embodiment of the present disclosure (see FIG. 3).

[0054] In the illustrated example embodiment of FIGS 20A and 20B, a roller assembly 11 is shown in accordance with one example embodiment. The roller assembly 11 comprises a roller clamp or valve 16, an axle 21 , and first and second visual indicators 18, 20, respectively. The visual indicators 18, 20 include some indica of a visual cue (such as color). The visual indicators 18, 20 are coupled to the axle 21 and are dimensioned and configured to translate in the track 14 of the housing 12 concomitantly with the roller clamp 16 as it moves from the first position 24 to the second position 26 and vice versa. When the roller assembly 11 is in the first position 24, the line is pinched or closed by the back track 13 being pinched by the roller 16, prohibiting the passage of fluid in the line 22 as illustrated in FIG. 20A. When the roller assembly 11 is in the first position 24, a portion of the second visual indicators 20 (the portion of the indicator, for example, is given the color red) fill the entire windows 28b, acting as a visual aid that the line 22 is closed or off.

[0055] When the roller assembly 11 is translated upward from the first position 24 to the second position 26, the axle 21 that passes through the aperture 23 of the roller clamp 16 is pulled upward by the roller clamp along the back track 13. As the axle 21 is pulled upward by the roller clamp 16, the visual indicators translate concomitantly with the roller upward while remaining in the track 14. When the roller assembly 11 reaches the second position 26, the line 22 is free from contact from the roller, allowing complete passage of fluid in the line 22 as illustrated in FIG. 2. When the roller assembly 11 is in the second position 26, a portion of the first visual indicators 18 (the portion of theindicator, for example, that is green) fill the entire windows 28a, acting as a visual aid that the line 22 is open or on.

[0056] In yet another example embodiment shown in FIG. 27, roller clamp 16 is formed to include a switch 32 which extends from the roller clamp 16. In this example embodiment, switch 32 has first 32a and second 32b sides, wherein the first side 32a displays first visual indicator 18, which indicates that the IV roller clamp assembly 10 is in the open position 26, and the second side 32b displays second visual indicator 20, which indicates that the IV roller clamp assembly is in the closed position 24. In this example embodiment, when the IV roller clamp assembly 10 is in the open position 26, the first side 32a displays first visual indicator 18, which is a green color in this example embodiment, while second visual indictor 20 is not visible along the longitudinal axis LA. When the roller clamp 16 moves the IV roller clamp assembly 10 from the open position 26 to the closed position 24 via movement of the switch 32, second side 32a, and, thus, second visual indicator 20, comprising a red color in this example embodiment, becomes visible on the switch 32 along the longitudinal axis LA, while first visual indicator 18 is no longer visible.

[0057] In yet another example embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 14, the visual indicators 18, 20 are printed directly onto the wings 12c of the housing 12. The housing 12 and roller clamp 16 are moveably coupled with external visual indicator block 34 along the longitudinal axis LA. The external visual indicator block 34 moves with roller clamp 16 along the longitudinal axis LA of the IV roller clamp 10 through pathway 14 to cover the visual indicator, 18 or 20, not in use. In this example embodiment, the location of the first visual indicator 18, which indicates the IV roller clamp assembly 10 is in the open position 26, is located at the second end 14b, and the second visual indicator20, which indicates that the IV roller clamp assembly 10 is in the closed position 24, is located at the first end 14b.

[0058] In this example embodiment, if the IV roller clamp assembly 10 starts in the open position 26, the roller clamp 16 is located at the first end 14a of the pathway 14, and external visual indicator block 34 is also at the first end 14a covering the second visual indicator 20 so that the first visual indicator 18 is visible at the second end 14b of the pathway 14 along the longitudinal axis LA. In this example embodiment, the visual indicators 18, 20 are printed along the wings 12c of the housing 12 and extend from the front side 12a to the back side 12b of the housing 12. Advantageously, this allows a user to view the first and / or second position indicators 18, 20 from any angle.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 29, a method of operation 200 of the IV roller clamp assembly 10 will now be described. At step 202, an IV roller clamp assembly 10 having a housing 12 with first and second sides 12a, 12b, roller pathway 14, roller clamp 16, and first and second visual indicators 18, 20 that indicate open 26 or closed 24 positions of the IV roller clamp assembly 10, is provided. At step 204, a user inserts IV line 22 into the housing 12 of the IV roller clamp assembly 10. This insertion can occur through threading the line through inlets 17a, 17b of the body 12 into roller clamp pathway 14 or through threading the line 22 directly into roller clamp pathway 14. At step 206, the roller clamp 16 is set to the open position 26. At step 208, the first visual 18 indicator is displayed. At step 210, the roller clamp 16 is moved from the open position 26 to the closed position 24 as the first visual indicator 18 is removed. At step 212, when the IV roller clamp assembly 10 is set in the closed position 24, the second visual indicator is displayed.

[0060] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that variousmodifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.

[0061] The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

[0062] Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises ... a”, “has ...a”, “includes ... a”, “contains ... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one ofordinary skill in the art. In one non-limiting embodiment the terms are defined to be within for example 10%, in another possible embodiment within 5%, in another possible embodiment within 1 %, and in another possible embodiment within 0.5%.

[0063] The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected or in contact either temporarily or permanently, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed. The term "integral" as used herein unless defined otherwise means configured in such a way that separation would require destruction to the parts or the assembly of the parts.

[0064] It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art after having the opportunity of reviewing the drawings and / or specification of the present disclosure that it may include one or more embodiments, e.g., E1 , E2, ... En and that each embodiment E may have multiple parts A1 , B1 , C1 .... Zn that (without further description) could be combined with other embodiments En, embodiment parts e.g. A1 , C1 , or lack of parts originally associated with one or all embodiments En, or any combination of parts and / or embodiments thereof. It should further be appreciated that an embodiment En may include only one part e.g. A1 or a lesser number of parts e.g. B1 , C1 of any embodiment or combination of embodiments that was described or shown in the specification and / or drawings, respectively in ways not enumerated or illustrated.

[0065] To the extent that the materials for any of the foregoing embodiments or components thereof are not specified, it is to be appreciated that suitable materials would be known by one of ordinary skill in the art for the intended purposes.

[0066] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . An intravenous fluid control valve assembly comprising: a housing having an upper end and a lower end, the housing having a back wall and first and second sidewalls defining a linear passageway extending from said upper end to said lower end of said housing, said housing having a first opening for receiving an intravenous fluid line which extends through said linear passageway of said housing and a second opening through which said intravenous fluid line exits; a valve member coupled with said linear passageway of said housing, said valve member selectively moveable within and about said linear passageway over said intravenous fluid line from a first closed position in which said valve member reduces a fluid flow rate of said intravenous fluid line to a second open position in which said valve member increases said fluid flow rate of said intravenous fluid line; and first and second visual indicators located on said housing, wherein said first visual indicator is located on said lower end of said housing, and said second visual indicator is located on said upper end of said housing, wherein presence or absence of said first and second visual indicators is determined by said valve member position, and wherein the presence of said first visual indicator is responsive to said valve member being in said closed position, and the presence of said second visual indicator is responsive to said valve member being in said open position.

2. The intravenous fluid control valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said first visual indicator comprises a first color, and said second visual indicator comprises a second color.

3. The intravenous fluid control valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said valve member comprises an axle and wheel assembly.

4. The intravenous fluid control valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said housing includes first and second wings extending orthogonally from said sidewalls of said linear passageway, and wherein said first and second visual indicators are located on said first and second wings.

5. The intravenous fluid control valve assembly of claim 4, wherein said first and second wings include first display windows located on said lower end of said housing, and second display windows located on said upper end of said housing, and wherein said first and second visual indicators are located beneath said first and second windows of said first and second wings such that, dependent upon a position of the intravenous fluid control valve assembly, said first visual indicator is displayed through said first display windows of said first and second wings, and said second visual indicator is displayed through said second display windows of said first and second wings.

6. The intravenous fluid control valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said first and second visual indicators are located on said first and second sidewalls of said housing.

7. The intravenous fluid control valve of claim 6, wherein said first and second walls of said housing further comprise a first display window located at said lower end of said housing and a second display window located at said upper end of said housing, and wherein said first and second visual indicators are located beneath said first and seconddisplay windows such that, dependent upon a position of the intravenous fluid control valve assembly, said first visual indicator is displayed through said first window of said housing or said second visual indicator is displayed through said second window of said housing.

8. The intravenous fluid control valve of claim 1 further comprising a third visual indicator, wherein presence or absence of said third visual indicator is determined by said valve member position, and wherein the presence of said third visual indicator is responsive to said valve member being in an intermediate position between said open and closed positions.

9. The intravenous fluid control valve of claim 8, wherein said third visual indicator is visually consistent in color with said housing.

10. The intravenous fluid control valve of claim 1 , wherein said first and second visual indicators are coupled to said valve member.11 . The intravenous fluid control valve of claim 1 , wherein said first and second visual indicators comprise a pair of first and second visual indicators that are located on both sides of said linear passageway of said housing.

12. An intravenous fluid control clamp assembly comprising: a housing having an upper end and a lower end, the housing having a main wall and first and second sidewalls which form a passageway extending from said upper end to said lower end of the housing, the housing having a first opening for receiving anintravenous fluid line which extends through said passageway of said housing and a second opening through which said intravenous fluid line exits; a roller assembly comprising an axle that passes through a roller clamp, and a visual indicator that is coupled to said axle, the roller clamp for engaging and disengaging said intravenous fluid line as it moves withing the housing; and a first window located in said upper end of said housing and a second window located in said lower end of said housing, such that when said roller assembly selectively translates within the housing to the upper end, a portion of said visual indicator is located within said first window and is free from visualization from said second window; and when said roller assembly translates within the housing to the lower end, a portion of said visual indicator is located within said second window and is free from visualization from said first window.

13. The intravenous fluid control clamp assembly of claim 12, wherein said housing includes first and second wings extending orthogonally from said passageway and wherein said first and second windows are located on said wings of said housing.

14. The intravenous fluid control clamp assembly of claim 12, wherein said first and second windows are located on a sidewall of said linear passageway of said housing.

15. The intravenous fluid control clamp assembly of claim 12, wherein said linear passageway comprises a tapered bore.

16. The intravenous fluid control clamp assembly of claim 15, wherein said tapered bore comprises an inclined wall located at said first end of said housing transversely oriented to the roller assembly’s path of travel.

17. The intravenous fluid control clamp assembly of claim 12, wherein responsive to translation of said roller assembly between said first and second ends, said visual indicator is free from visualization from both said first and second windows.

18. A method of operation of an intravenous fluid control valve assembly, the method comprising the steps of: providing a housing with an upper and a lower end, said housing comprising a main wall and first and second side walls defining a roller pathway, with a first window located at said lower end and a second window located at said upper end; providing a roller clamp having first and second sides; providing a visual indicator coupled to and extending from said first and second sides of said roller clamp, said visual indicator for denoting a first or a second position of said intravenous fluid control valve assembly such that when said roller clamp translates within said housing to said upper end, a portion of said visual indicator is located within said first window and is free from visualization in said second window; and when said roller clamp translates within the housing to the lower end, a portion of said visual indicator is located within said second window and is free from visualization in said first window; assembling said roller clamp coupled to said first and second visual indicators at least partially within said roller pathway of said housing; inserting an intravenous line beneath said roller clamp into said roller pathway of said housing;translating said roller clamp to said first position, and responsive to said translating of said roller clamp into said first position, displaying a portion of said visual indicator.

19. The method of operation of an intravenous fluid control assembly of claim 18, further including the steps of: translating said roller clamp along said roller pathway from said first position to said second position; and responsive to said translating of said roller clamp into said second position, displaying a portion of said visual indicator.

20. The method of operation of an intravenous fluid control assembly of claim 19, further including the steps of: translating said roller clamp along said roller pathway from said second position to a third position located between said first and second positions; and responsive to said translating of said roller clamp into said third position, removing said display of said visual indicator.

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