Pinch clamp assembly for an infusion cassette

Abstract

A pinch clamp assembly for engaging a tube () with an enteral feeding or infusion pump adapted to feed nutritionals or to infuse medical solutions to a patient, is provided comprising a base () comprising holding means () for holding a tube () in operative engagement with the base (), a first clamping surface () and supporting means () for supporting a connector (), a clamping element () having a second clamping surface () engageable with the tube () and moveable between an open position allowing flow of fluid through the tube () and a closed position wherein the tube () is occluded by the clamping element (), a connector () for connecting the tube with a port on a patient, the connector () being removable from the pinch clamp assembly, and a spring (), wherein the connector () is adapted to engage with the clamping element () so as to hold the clamping element () in the open position, wherein the clamping element () is forced from the open to the closed position by the force of the spring () as soon as the connector () is removed from the assembly, and wherein the clamping element () is adapted to be moved from the closed to the open position when the pinch clamp assembly is mounted to the enteral feeding or infusion pump and the connector () is removed.