The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 30, 1998
Filed:
Jun. 07, 1995
R Kurt Heinzmann, Francestown, NH (US);
Richard Lanigan, Concord, NH (US);
Peter Lund, Nashua, NH (US);
Dean L Kamen, Bedford, NH (US);
William T Larkins, Manchester, NH (US);
Robert Manning, Pembroke, NH (US);
DEKA Products Limited Partnership, Manchester, NH (US);
Abstract
An intravenous-line flow-control system for receiving a disposable cassette disposed in the intravenous line. The system prevents the free flow of intravenous fluid through the cassette when the cassette is removed from the system. The system includes a control unit having a door or similar structure for holding the cassette against a receiving surface. The control unit includes a stepper motor and a transmission member for turning a rotatable control valve on the cassette in order to restrict variably the flow of fluid through the cassette. When the door is being opened but while the cassette is still held against the receiving surface, a motor-disengagement mechanism moves at least the transmission member, and preferably the stepper motor as well, from a first position, from which the control valve may be engaged by the transmission member, to a second position, in which the transmission member is disengaged from the control valve. Preferably, the motor-disengagement mechanism includes a button on the handle of a door-opening mechanism, and by pushing the button the transmission member and the stepper motor are moved to the second position. In addition, when the door is being opened but while the cassette is still held against the receiving surface, a shut-off mechanism engages the cassette's control valve and turns the control valve to its closed position. The control unit may use alternative power supplies and include links for communicating with other control units.