Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.

James W Scott

J Lee Pope, Jr

Jean Kersten

Lee K Kulle

Joseph A Bancsi

Michael P De Frank

John M Hess

A flow regulating device and specifically an improved roller clamp with a length of conduit exhibiting low compression set properties disposed therein. The clamp includes an elongated box-like body having a fluid inlet at one end with a fluid outlet at the opposite end which are joined by the conduit to provide a flow lumen through the clamp. The roller is captured within a track in the body to selectively compress or release the conduit towards or away from a compression surface disposed at an angular variance to the track. The flow rate is regulated by appropriately positioning the roller. The conduit is captured within the body so as to be unaffected by external pulling or tugging forces.

Flow regulating device

A non-collapsible medical fluid container is disclosed, with microporous filter means mounted on the interior end of a vent conduit that extends into the container for venting displacement air thereinto. The filter means, preferably a rigid microporous depth-type filter frictionally mounted on the end of the vent conduit, is mounted closely adjacent to an interior surface of the container to prevent dislodgement of the filter by pressure from the venting air.

Non-collapsible medical fluid container with air vent filter

A membrane filter assembly is disclosed which employs at least one filter membrane and includes support means to prevent overflexing or overstressing of the filter membrane when high fluid pressures occur. The membrane support means includes a substantially co-extensive support or back-up surface spaced a small distance from the membrane to allow liquid flow therethrough but to prevent stretching or flexing beyond its elastic limit. Preferably the support surface comprises a second filter membrane in parallel flow relationship with the first to provide high flow rates during normal flow conditions but which flex together during high pressures conditions to mutually support one another and to prevent further flexure of either membrane beyond its elastic limit.

Flexible membrane filter assembly

A two piece roller clamp is disclosed for regulating the fluid flow rate through plastic tubing by defining the size of the tubing lumen. The clamp includes a U-shaped body with a base and two side walls and a longitudinally movable roller mounted in tracks formed in the side walls. The roller is biased against a roller bearing surface running along the length of the base. Adjacent to the roller bearing surface is a tube compression slot having a lower wall uniformly spaced below the roller. A channel of varying cross-section is provided in the lower wall of the tube compression slot. The roller exerts a uniform, but minimal force on the tubing compressing it against the lower wall of the slot permitting the formation of a lumen defined by the contours of the channel. The slot is dimensioned vertically to provide for the minimal compression force by the roller and is dimensioned horizontally to confine the entire compressed cross-section of tubing without excess space thereby conforming the tubing to the contours of the channel to regulate the lumen size. A uniform compression force is maintained during longitudinal movement of the roller by the roller bearing surfaces which prevent perpendicular movement of the roller towards the slot.

Roller clamp for defining a flow lumen in tubing

A sterile air vent is disclosed which permits the passage of gas but is substantially impervious to microorganisms. The vent may be used on a variety of medical apparatus and it is particularly suitable as a tip protector for the tip ends of medical fluid administration sets or the like. The filtering is provided by a solid micro-porous plug of selected material carried in an air passageway of the vent housing, which housing is adapted for attachment to the desired medical apparatus. The plug is sufficiently porous to permit gas to pass through while filtering out bacteria or other organisms which would impair the sterility of the medical apparatus.

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Lindenhurst, IL, United States of America

James W Scott