Pinch clamp assembly

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 pumping section () of the tube in operative engagement with the base () and supporting means () for supporting a connector (), a clamping element () having clamping surfaces engageable with the pumping section () and moveable between an open position allowing flow of fluid through the pumping section () and a closed position wherein the pumping section () is occluded by the clamping element (), and locking means adapted to engage with each other in the closed position and adapted to interact with releasing means external to the pinch clamp assembly so as to bring the clamping element () from the closed to the open position, a connector () for connecting the tube with a port on a patient, the connector () being removable from the pinch clamp assembly, the clamping element () further comprising a retaining lever (), wherein in the open position of the clamping element () the connector () is retained by the retaining lever (), and wherein the clamping element () is adapted to engage with the releasing means () to release the clamping element () to the open position when the pinch clamp assembly is mounted to the enteral feeding or infusion pump and the connector () is removed.