WO1990007353A1 - Programmable flexible-tube flow regulator and methods - Google Patents

Programmable flexible-tube flow regulator and methods Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1990007353A1
WO1990007353A1 PCT/US1989/000010 US8900010W WO9007353A1 WO 1990007353 A1 WO1990007353 A1 WO 1990007353A1 US 8900010 W US8900010 W US 8900010W WO 9007353 A1 WO9007353 A1 WO 9007353A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
programmable
tube
flexible
contractible
electrical
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1989/000010
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
David Edward Flinchbaugh
Original Assignee
Medical Inventors Corp.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Medical Inventors Corp. filed Critical Medical Inventors Corp.
Priority to PCT/US1989/000010 priority Critical patent/WO1990007353A1/en
Publication of WO1990007353A1 publication Critical patent/WO1990007353A1/en

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61MDEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M5/00Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
    • A61M5/14Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
    • A61M5/168Means for controlling media flow to the body or for metering media to the body, e.g. drip meters, counters ; Monitoring media flow to the body
    • A61M5/16804Flow controllers
    • A61M5/16813Flow controllers by controlling the degree of opening of the flow line

Definitions

  • This invention relates to hospital, clinical or home-care medical instruments. In one of its embodiments, it is a programmable, pressure- transducer-controlled bladder-drainage cycler. In another of its embodiments, it is a programmable, electrochemical-transducer-controlled medication
  • infusion system that can be made to be implantable or operable from outside the body of a patient. More generally, it is a flow regulator for regulating flow of fluid through a flexible tube for a broad range of industrial and consumer applications.
  • the magnetic bladder cycler provided greater accuracy and reliability in filling the needs of an effective bladder cycler in comparison to prior devices. It was not fully programmable, however. Nor did it permit the control of fluid through a medical tube without flow also
  • This invention allows repeated use of the same control mechanism for different patients. Only the medical tubing needs changing to
  • the control unit can have a long use-life at low cost for a medical tube system without contamination. Further, it is programmable for total control to meet the needs of each patient completely.
  • flow control through a tube decreases contamination by avoiding the many crevices for growth of contamination in and around the components of control mechanisms. Highly significant also, the tube can be replaced easily a minimal costs in comparison to difficult and expensive replacement of present programmable medication infusion mechanisms when they have become inoperable or contaminated.
  • this invention does not require changing as often because it avoids contamination for which changing would be required and its components are longer-lasting and more reliable.
  • Medication can be supplied in either a continuous small stream or in doses as required. Requirements for medication can be determined by electrochemical transducers to assure proper dosage and to prevent overdose hazards. Bladders can be cycled completely without hazardous suction.
  • the medical tubing used can be collapsible to avoid contamination.
  • a major feature of this invention is that in all medical uses, its fluid- flow-control mechanism is most nearly like the natural flow control of fluids by muscular contraction and expansion in a living body. Thus, it is more appropriate and compatible for use by the body.
  • the type of programming to which this invention is suited for most purposes is basically analog as contrasted to digital programming. This approximates body functions as well as most requirements of flow regulation. Smallness in size is critical for implantation of medication infusion systems. This invention can be made much smaller than present control systems because it is simpler in construction and there are fewer parts.
  • Numbers 2,602,448 and 2,860,636 which utilized a siphon in combination with a reservoir to provide cyclic draining of the bladder. Pressure release in these is controlled by raising the height of the device on a bedside tree. It is subject to distortion by shifting and turning of the patient and, therefore, very undependable in addition to being restrictive of the patient.
  • a siphon leg is controlled by merely attaching a catheter to a bedside tree at predetermined adjusted height, which varies the pressure at which the bladder will drain and provides a flutter
  • the flexible tube can be a catheter tube for cycling a bladder or an infusion tube for infusing medication into the blood stream or for infusing medication into the digestive tract.
  • the flow through such tubes can 0 be programmable for control by a pressure transducer, by a chemical transducer, by an electrochemical transducer or by a timer. Either can be made to be overriden manually.
  • the inlet tube utilized is a catheter because the source of fluid is the bladder.
  • the inlet tube is a medication tube because the source of fluid is a medication reservoir.
  • the outlet tube is an excretion discharge conveyance when this invention is employed as a bladder cycler.
  • the outlet tube is a medication infusion tube that is attachable selectively to either the blood system or the digestive tract of a patient.
  • the programmable control principles and mechanisms for both applications are substantially the same except that flow regulation is controlled programmably by a pressure transducer for a bladder cycler and by electrochemical transducers for medication infusion. Both are programmable also for timed valved closing, opening and variable flow regulation. Also, both are provided with manual override.
  • the medication infuser can be miniaturized for implantation into the body of the patient. Partly because it is simple and yet basically free from contamination in operation, it can be made smaller and more reliable than other implantable, programmable medication infusion systems.
  • a controllable-step motor preferably a linear motor
  • a linear motor is utilized to actuate a rod against a flexible tube supported by a base member at the opposite side of the tube in order to prevent or to selectively allow flow of fluid through the tube.
  • a pressure sensor at an inlet side of the rod and base member senses radially outward pressure in the tube and actuates a switch to activate the linear motor as programmed.
  • a chemical transducer, an electrical transducer or both can be employed. Fluid flow of medication through infusion tubes to the blood system or to the digestive tract of patients can be programmed as required.
  • the controllable-step motor can also be rotational with gear drive of a rod which functions as a valve to open and close the tube for selective regulation of flow of fluid.
  • gear drive of a rod which functions as a valve to open and close the tube for selective regulation of flow of fluid.
  • the size of the components can be adjusted to the particular needs.
  • Miniaturization of the invention for such applications as implantable, programmable medication infusion systems can be aided by the use of collapsible tubes to decrease the energy required to operate the linear valve and thereby to decrease the size of the unit.
  • Collapsible tubes also decrease contamination by decreasing fluid remaining within the tubes when not otherwise conveying fluid. This further decreases stagnation conditions in the system.
  • FIG 1 is a cutaway side view of a bladder-cycler embodiment of the invention employing a linear motor in direct actuation of a flexible-tube flow regulator .
  • FIG 2 is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG 1.
  • FIG 3 is a top view of a medication-infusion embodiment of the invention utilizing a linear motor similarly to the FIG 1 illustration.
  • FIG 4 is a schematic side view with a rotational electrically-motorized means in conjunction with an inclined plane.
  • FIG 5 is a schematic side view with a linear electrically-motorized means in conjunction with an inclined plane.
  • FIG 6 is a schematic side view with a linear electrically-motorized means to actuate a plier-like lever and fulcrum.
  • FIG 7 is a flow diagram of a bladder-cycler embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG 8 is a flow diagram of a medication-infusion embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG 9 is a circuit diagram of the invention illustrating circuitry for bladder-cycler, medication-infusion and other applications.
  • a contractible member 1 is actuated selectively in the direction of or in the opposite direction from a base member 2 to regulate flow of fluid through a flexible tube 3.
  • Motion for actuation of the contractible member 1 is transferred through motive member 4 from plunger 5 which can be a conductor in a linear motor having electrical coils 6 in a linear electrical step motor 7.
  • the linear step motor can also be a rotational motor, preferably a rotational step motor, that operates gears. Because either a linear motor or a rotational motor with gears can be employed, an electrical motor of either type is referred to alternatively in this description as an electromotive means.
  • Contractible member 1 and base member 2 can be referred to together as a regulator valve which is opened fully or partially by movement of contractible member 1 selectively in a direction away from base member 2. It is closed by movement of contractible member 1 in a direction towards base member 2 to press opposite sides of a flexible tube 3 together with sufficient force to prevent flow of fluid in through the tube 3.
  • Electrical current is provided to the electrical coils 6 by battery 8 which can be chargeable. Electrical current for charging battery 8 is supplied from battery charge box 9 having electrical plug 10. Low voltage current is transmitted through charger wire 11 to converter 12. The converter
  • the battery charge box 9 is employed to isolate high current of an electrical source from low current in association with a patient or other use condition. This prevents electrical hazards in addition to providing efficient charging of a battery.
  • An optional tube cover 13 is swivelable on hinge bolt 14 to prevent the flexible tube 3 from escaping from between the contractible member 1 and the base member 2 under use conditions.
  • a regulator knob 15 is rotatabie in either direction to select the programmable regime.
  • the program selected is for closing of contractible member 1 and opening it in accordance with pressure in flexible tube 3.
  • the amount of pressure required to open the regulator valve by movement of contractible member 1 away from base member 2 and flexible tube 3 is determined by rotation of pressure knob 16 to require a relatively high pressure at the "HIGH” position at 12 O'clock or a relatively low pressure at the "LOW" position at 6 O'clock markings.
  • the knobs are operated by rotating the arrow on each knob to a desired rotational setting.
  • the regulator valve is closed and set on timed opening rather than pressure-sensor opening by turning regulator knob 15 to "TIMED" position at 6 O'clock on the dial.
  • Time interval for opening the regulator valve by moving contractible member 1 away from base member 2 is determined by rotation of timer knob 17 to hours and portions of hours indicated clockwise on a dial around the outside periphery of timer knob 17.
  • the motive member 4 is held mechanically by brake shoe 18 in whatever position it is moved by the plunger 5. Inward travel of the brake shoe 18 for braking effect is caused by biased pressure of brake spring 19 against brake plunger 20. Brake-releasing outward travel of the brake shoe 18 is caused by electrical charging of electrical brake coil 21.
  • the electrically-motorized means to actuate release of brake shoe 18 can be a linear motor in which electrical current is directed to brake coil 21 from electrical current circuited to electrical coils 6. This causes the 1 brake plunger 21 to travel outwardly to release the brake regardless of which direction the valve plunger 5 is caused to travel. Thus, the valve plunger 5 is released to actuate travel of motive member 4 in either direction but held precisely in programmed positions without expenditure of electrical current
  • brake shoes 18 and brake coils 21 there can be a series of brake shoes 18 and brake coils 21 circumferentially around the outside periphery of plunger 5.
  • the brake shoes and the surface of the plunger can be made appropriate is size and physical nature to maximize effectiveness of this braking system.
  • J multiple brake shoes 18 and the surface of motive member 4 can be appropriately toothed or roughed and staggered for the brake shoes 18 to hold the motive member 4 precisely and reliably with only minimal tension and size of brake spring 19.
  • a pressure-sensing member 22 is biased against flexible tube 3 by pressure-transducer resilient member 23.
  • Increase of o pressure in flexible tube 3 actuates the outside periphery of the flexible tube 3 against the sensing member 22 and causes pressure-transducer resilient member 23 to contract and travel in a direction away from the flexible tube.
  • This travel causes electrically-conductive transducer-plunger points 24 to contact matching stationary pressure transducer points 25.
  • This contact can 5 be programmed to signal opening travel of electromotive means 5.
  • audiovisual warning means 26 which is represented by a circular bell in FIG 2. This is designated by the words "AUDIOVISUAL WARNING" in a FIG 7 flow diagram.
  • the audiovisual warning means 26 can be a bell, a bell and light, or any combination of any type of sound-producing and sight-producing means. Either audio or visual warning means can be used separately without the other within the description and intent of this invention. It is foreseeable that the audiovisual means can be hard-wired to an outside transmitter such that a 5 beeper, a phone, a speaker, lights, radio signals and other selections of warning devices would be actuated within the meaning of audiovisual warning as applied in this invention. 5
  • the brake coil 21 can be caused to release brake shoe 18 against brake resilient member 19 at the same time that the electromotive means 5 is caused to open the contractible member 1 and the audiovisual means 6 is actuated.
  • flow of fluid being regulated by this invention originates from a fluid source 27 and travels towards a fluid destination 28.
  • the fluid source 27 is the bladder of a patient and the fluid destination 28 is a. means for disposing of urine from the bladder.
  • the fluid source 27 is a medication reservoir and the fluid destination 28 is the blood stream or digestive tract of a patient. The main difference is in how it is used.
  • the invention is substantially the same for bladder cycling as for inserting medication into the body of a patient. There are differences only in the types of transducers and the programming utilized. For implantation in bodies of patients, however, the invention can be designed and constructed much smaller and large control knobs would be replaced with minute control members.
  • transducer 29 Differences in relation to transducers would include an optional chemical transducer 29 or an optional electrical transducer 30 in place of or in addition to an optional pressure transducer with part numbers 22 through 25.
  • An electrochemical transducer could be employed to combine the function of chemical transducer 29 and electrical transducer 30.
  • chemical and electrical transducers are not included in this invention. There is a wide variety that can be employed. Typically, chemical transducers would be activated by and measure pH ion concentration for acidity or alkalinity. pH is measured in two basic ways: (1) colorimetrically and (2) electrometrically. For on-line controls such as this invention, standard glass electrodes could be employed electrometrically. Electrical transducers could be variations of the standard Wheatstone
  • a tubing flow-control section 31 can be attachable to flexible tubing at either or both the outlet and inlet sides of the contractible member 1 and base member 2. Such a tubing flow-control section 31 can be selectively collapsible and less resistant to movement of the motive member 4. This would decrease power requirements and thus decrease the size and weight of the invention. It would also decrease accumulation of fluid in the control section 31 and thus also decrease conditions susceptible to buildup of contamination.
  • Resiliency of the flexible tube is important for many of the applications of this invention. Resiliency can be a tradeoff design factor with collapsibility for applications in which flow pressure is low enough for collapsibility to deter flow. Thus, flexibility is intended to include sufficient resiliency of tubes through which flow is regulated with this invention.
  • sealable valves 32 for taking out or putting in fluid separately from flow of fluid through the flexible tube 3.
  • these sealable valves 32 could be used to inject medication, a cultured substance or any modification or mix of the fluid at either the input or the outlet side of the valve.
  • the sealable valves also could be used for sampling the fluid flowing through the control section 31.
  • the sealable valves 32 also could be positions at which additional control transducers could be added.
  • the entire flexible tube 3 can be collapsible for some applications. For some applications, the entire length of the tube 3 would be no longer than illustrated relatively for the control section 31. Both for bladder cycling and for medication infusion, collapsible tubing may be preferable for the entire length of tubing employed.
  • this invention When this invention is utilized for industrial or consumer applications not associated with health-care, medical and hospital uses, it can be constructed in sizes to match any size of tubing or pressure conditions. It can range in size for three-foot-diameter flexible tubing flow-control sections 31 down to flow-control sections less than an eighth of an inch in diameter. It is significant also that fluid conveyances leading to and from this invention can be solid plumbing or other tubing and fluid conveyances when the tubing flow-control section 31 is appropriately flexible, resilient or collapsible.
  • FIG 3 an embodiment of this invention employing chemical and electrical transducers is illustrated from the top with chemical transducer knob 33 and electrical transducer knob 34 in place of the pressure knob 16.
  • This form of the invention is primarily for medication infusion.
  • a timer knob 17 and a regulator knob 15 are shown at opposite ends of the invention for continuity and clarity of description.
  • the invention is also shown proportionately smaller for inference of its smaller construction for
  • I Q implantability in the body of patients It could be made smaller yet by placing all four knobs parallel and at right angles to each other.
  • the knobs can be made much smaller and the mechanisms employed could be miniaturized for implantation. Abbreviations rather than words for chemical, electrical, open, close, high and low are used for decreasing size. j Miniaturization could be aided by appropriate collapsibility and yet resilience of tubing, particularly the tubing flow-control section 31 for the reasons described above.
  • the base member 2 in FIG 3 is shown narrower and shorter than in FIG 2 because it does not include the pressure transducer at that position. Also in
  • FIG 3 the chemical transducer 29 and the electrical transducer 30 are shown for ease of illustration at opposite sides of a fluid destination 28.
  • This is a partially schematic representation of separate transistors in relation to minute fluid disposition conditions in the body of a patient.
  • FIGs 4, 5 and 6 Illustrated schematically in FIGs 4, 5 and 6 are alternative components
  • geared rotational motor 35 preferably a reversible step motor, which rotates a shaft 36 to which a gear wheel 37 is attached.
  • the gear wheel 37 can be "worm” geared for actuation of geared motive member 38 linearly to the axis of the shaft 36.
  • Attached to the geared motive member 38 is an inclined cam 39 which actuates dual cam-follower 40 at right angles to the axis of rotational motor 35 and actuates a rotational-motor motive member 41 with rotational-motor contractible member 42 attached.
  • Opposite sides of flexible tube 3 are caused thereby to be pressed together or allowed to open selectively by fluid pressure within the tube and or by resiliency of the tube for achieving regulation of flow through the flexible tube.
  • Features of the invention not illustrated in relation to the schematic representations are assumed to be similar to those described in relation to other illustrations and related descriptions.
  • geared linear motor 44 preferably a step motor, actuates linearly in both directions a linear-motor shaft 45 to which a direct-drive motive member 46 is attached.
  • linear-motor inclined cam 47 On the direct-drive motive member 46 is linear-motor inclined cam 47 which actuates linear-motor dual cam follower 48.
  • linear-motor contractible member 49 Attached to linear-motor dual cam follower 48 is linear-motor contractible member 49 which is actuated in both directions selectively towards and away from linear-motor base member 50 by opposite-directional linear travel of linear-motor shaft 45.
  • levered linear motor 51 is swivelably attached to inside lever arm 52.
  • Levered linear-motor shaft 53 with attachment member 54 is swivelably attached to outside lever arm 55.
  • Lever arms 52 and 55 are swivelably attached to fulcrum 56.
  • Selectively opposite-directional linear travel of levered linear-motor shaft 53 causes levered linear-motor contractible member 57 to travel selectively towards and away from levered linear-motor base member 58.
  • FIG 7 a flow diagram of a bladder-cycler embodiment of this invention is illustrated with the components indicated by words. Fluid flows from a "BLADDER” to a “VALVE” and then to a “DISPOSITION COUPLING.”
  • a pressure transducer or an override are selected for fluid flow to reach a disposition point at the disposition coupling.
  • Programmed pressure operation of the valve is selected by rotating the regulator knob 15 in FIG 2 to "SENSOR.”
  • Programming can be set for a relatively high or low pressure by rotating the "PRESSURE” knob 16 to "HIGH” and “LOW” settings respectively as illustrated further in FIG 2.
  • the "BRAKE" will maintain the valve in a closed position with contractible member 1 pressing the sides of flexible tube 3 against the base member 2 until the designated pressure is reached.
  • the pressure-sensing member 22 is activated as programmed, there will be an audiovisual warning as designed and programmed, the brake shoe 18 will release the motive member 4 and fluid will be allowed to flow through the flexible tube.
  • the proportion of full open condition of the valve will be determined by the relative rotation of regulator knob 15 towards open and shut respectively.
  • the valve will again close and remain in a closed position by action of brake shoe 18 until a programmed higher pressure is reached in the tubing flow-control section 31.
  • Timed opening is programmed by rotating the regulator knob 18 in FIG 2 to "TIMER" at 6 O'clock. Then the time period between openings is selected by rotating the timer knob 17 to the indicated hours and portions of hours clockwise on the timer dial.
  • the valve will open by travel of contractible member 1 away from the base member 2 and the flexible tube 3.
  • the audiovisual warning will be activated and the brake will be released and reset with the valve in open condition.
  • the brake will be released from open condition, the valve will be shut and the brake will be set again to maintain closed condition without expenditure of electrical energy for continued braking action.
  • FIG 8 a flow diagram of the medication-insertion embodiment in FIG 3 is illustrated with components indicated by descriptive words. Fluid flows from a "MEDICATION RESERVOIR” to a “VALVE” and then to an "INSERTION COUPLING.”
  • alternative programs of either a timer, chemical transducer, electrical transducer or manual override are selected for fluid flow to reach a destination at the insertion coupling.
  • the regulator knob 15 is rotated to where the arrow points to "VALVE.”
  • the knobs are marked with "CH” for the chemical knob and "EL” for the electrical knob. Either or both knobs are programmed by first rotation to a position clockwise or counterclockwise from “H” for high. If the knobs are rotated to any position of rotation between “H” and “L” at the half-circle side marked “C” for closed, the valve will remain open until a relatively high or low chemical or electrical condition being programmed for is reached according to the relative rotation of the arrow between "H” and "L.” When the selective condition is reached, the valve will close.
  • Both knobs must be on the "O" or the "C” side of the dial circles if both electrical and chemical transducers are being programmed. Otherwise, one will cancel the other out because there is only one valve for both. This is consonant with programming regimes for medication infusion because generally the valve should stay either open or closed until either or both chemical and electrical conditions occur. Timed opening or closing of the valve is selected the same for the FIG 3 embodiment as for the FIG 2 embodiment.
  • FIG 8 flow diagram indicates "VARIABLE OPEN-SHUT," "AUDIOVISUAL
  • Variable open and shut are selected as described above by rotation of the arrow on each knob to the relative position of chemical and electrical conditions or of open or closed conditions that are programmed with rotation of the knobs.
  • Actuation of the brake and the audiovisual warning can be automatically simultaneous as programmed the same as described above for FIG 2 in relation bladder cycling.
  • Other uses of this invention for industrial and consumer uses can employ similar programming and control parameters, depending on the particular applications.
  • the battery charge-control unit is separate from the battery to prevent potential electrical hazards. Shock-level electrical current is prevented from reaching a patient when a low-voltage batter is being employed as described above. A converted is employed to convert various levels of current to the particular applications for transducer use and for valve-motor operation. This division of current is indicated functionally in the diagram by "POWER TO LOADS.”
  • Transducer switches are indicated by the circled arrows. At the same time .4 current flows to the valve motor, current flows also to the brake and warning devices as outlined in the flow diagrams, FIGs 7 and 8. Electrical power to operate the brake and warning devices can be in line with flow of current to the valve motor. Electrical current to operate transducers which actuate the brake and warning mechanisms can be in line with the current to the pressure transducer.
  • VALVE TIMER Current flows to a "VALVE TIMER,” to "OTHER TRANSDUCERS” and to an “OVERRIDE” in the same manner as to the pressure transducer.
  • Other transducers can be any type or combination of types of transducers for any application of this device.

Abstract

Flow regulation for flexible tubes is provided by pressing the opposite sides of a tube (3) or a tubular section together to close or to selectively open the tube programmably thereby with electrically-motorized members. It is a form of valve that does not require flow of fluid through a valve-operating mechanism. A medical, hospital and home-care unit for bladder cycling of patients is provided with a pressure transducer (22) that opens and closes the valve in accordance with programmed pressure or time intervals. A medication infusion system that can be implantable is provided by regulating flow of fluid from a medication reservoir (27) into the blood or digestive system of patients (28) with appropriate electrochemical transducers and with appropriate medication reservoir and tubing. Industrial and consumer applications can be provided with appropriately designed size and construction modifications.

Description

-- Prograrronable Flexible-Tube Flow Regulator and Methods— •
5 . Field of the Invention.
This invention relates to hospital, clinical or home-care medical instruments. In one of its embodiments, it is a programmable, pressure- transducer-controlled bladder-drainage cycler. In another of its embodiments, it is a programmable, electrochemical-transducer-controlled medication
10 infusion system that can be made to be implantable or operable from outside the body of a patient. More generally, it is a flow regulator for regulating flow of fluid through a flexible tube for a broad range of industrial and consumer applications.
Description of related art.
15 In relation to bladder cycling, hospital instruments and procedures for draining bladders of patients have evolved from constant uncycled drainage through siphoning, suction and various types of cyclic methods. Fundamental to an effective instrument and method is allowing the bladder to fill reasonably and then draining it without a suction effect and without allowing
20 build-up or entry of infectious contaminants in the drainage system. Aspects to be avoided in bladder cycling are constant drainage, excessive negative pressure and incomplete drainage of either the bladder or the catheter equipment used.
Described in U.S. Patent Application, Serial Number 238,484, filed
25 08/31/88 by the same inventor, Dr. David E. Flinchbaugh, is a magnetic bladder cycler and use method. The magnetic bladder cycler provided greater accuracy and reliability in filling the needs of an effective bladder cycler in comparison to prior devices. It was not fully programmable, however. Nor did it permit the control of fluid through a medical tube without flow also
30 through the control mechanism. Flow of fluid through the control mechanism required the use of a new mechanism for each new patient and periodically, a new mechanism for the same patient to minimize contamination.
This invention, however, allows repeated use of the same control mechanism for different patients. Only the medical tubing needs changing to
35 avoid contamination. The control unit can have a long use-life at low cost for a medical tube system without contamination. Further, it is programmable for total control to meet the needs of each patient completely. Z
For infusion of medication into the body of patients, there is currently a programmable medication infusion system. It is implantable in the body as described in U.S. Patent Number 4,373,527. However, it controls flow through valves and components of a control mechanism rather than more simply and accurately through only a tube.
In addition to controlling infusion of medication more accurately and reliably, flow control through a tube decreases contamination by avoiding the many crevices for growth of contamination in and around the components of control mechanisms. Highly significant also, the tube can be replaced easily a minimal costs in comparison to difficult and expensive replacement of present programmable medication infusion mechanisms when they have become inoperable or contaminated.
Further, this invention does not require changing as often because it avoids contamination for which changing would be required and its components are longer-lasting and more reliable.
Long use-life, high reliability and greater accuracy of this invention for medication infusion and for bladder cycling result from simplicity of its components. Medication can be supplied in either a continuous small stream or in doses as required. Requirements for medication can be determined by electrochemical transducers to assure proper dosage and to prevent overdose hazards. Bladders can be cycled completely without hazardous suction. The medical tubing used can be collapsible to avoid contamination.
A major feature of this invention is that in all medical uses, its fluid- flow-control mechanism is most nearly like the natural flow control of fluids by muscular contraction and expansion in a living body. Thus, it is more appropriate and compatible for use by the body.
The type of programming to which this invention is suited for most purposes is basically analog as contrasted to digital programming. This approximates body functions as well as most requirements of flow regulation. Smallness in size is critical for implantation of medication infusion systems. This invention can be made much smaller than present control systems because it is simpler in construction and there are fewer parts.
Included in previous devices for bladder cycling have been U.S. Patent
Numbers 2,602,448 and 2,860,636 which utilized a siphon in combination with a reservoir to provide cyclic draining of the bladder. Pressure release in these is controlled by raising the height of the device on a bedside tree. It is subject to distortion by shifting and turning of the patient and, therefore, very undependable in addition to being restrictive of the patient.
In U.S. Patent Number 3,598,124, a siphon leg is controlled by merely attaching a catheter to a bedside tree at predetermined adjusted height, which varies the pressure at which the bladder will drain and provides a flutter
5 valve near the patient to break the siphon action of the system once the bladder has drained. In U.S. Patent Number 4,230,102, a device for the draining of a bladder is shown in which a T-joint has been placed on a catheter and has a pressure membrane attached thereto in a large casing for actuating a pressure switch which in turn actuates an electric motor driving a
1 o gear train and cam. A cam follower is spring loaded to close the catheter for two-minute cycles upon actuation by the pressure switch to drain the bladder. This type of device, however, is expensive and bulky. In U.S. Patent Number 4,424,058, a spring-return valve is provided in conjunction with a siphon- release orifice to prevent excessive suction and to prevent urine from
] 5 remaining in the system after drainage. A problem with that system was that resistance of the spring increased with distance of travel from a closed position. This tended to cause some fluid to remain in the bladder because only a full bladder would open it and only a relatively full bladder would keep it open sufficiently to allow complete drainage unless overriden by the 0 patient. Also, positioning of tubes leading from it were parallel to the leg on which it was attached and provided a situation for retention of fluid in the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In this invention, flow of fluid through • flexible tube is stopped, 5 allowed or regulated in amount by programmable pressing of the sides of the flexible tube together selectively. For hospital and other medical applications, the flexible tube can be a catheter tube for cycling a bladder or an infusion tube for infusing medication into the blood stream or for infusing medication into the digestive tract. The flow through such tubes can 0 be programmable for control by a pressure transducer, by a chemical transducer, by an electrochemical transducer or by a timer. Either can be made to be overriden manually.
Applications of this invention for cycling bladders and for infusing medication differ primarily in whether input or output of fluid is being 5 controlled. The types of flexible tubing utilized and the types of transducers utilized for programmable control also can be different. When used as a bladder cycler, the inlet tube utilized is a catheter because the source of fluid is the bladder. When used as medication infuser, the inlet tube is a medication tube because the source of fluid is a medication reservoir. The outlet tube is an excretion discharge conveyance when this invention is employed as a bladder cycler. When employed as a medication infuser, the outlet tube is a medication infusion tube that is attachable selectively to either the blood system or the digestive tract of a patient.
The programmable control principles and mechanisms for both applications are substantially the same except that flow regulation is controlled programmably by a pressure transducer for a bladder cycler and by electrochemical transducers for medication infusion. Both are programmable also for timed valved closing, opening and variable flow regulation. Also, both are provided with manual override.
With appropriate modification but with substantially the same basic principles, the medication infuser can be miniaturized for implantation into the body of the patient. Partly because it is simple and yet basically free from contamination in operation, it can be made smaller and more reliable than other implantable, programmable medication infusion systems.
In this invention, a controllable-step motor, preferably a linear motor, is utilized to actuate a rod against a flexible tube supported by a base member at the opposite side of the tube in order to prevent or to selectively allow flow of fluid through the tube. When used as a bladder cycler, a pressure sensor at an inlet side of the rod and base member senses radially outward pressure in the tube and actuates a switch to activate the linear motor as programmed. When used as a medication infuser, either a chemical transducer, an electrical transducer or both can be employed. Fluid flow of medication through infusion tubes to the blood system or to the digestive tract of patients can be programmed as required.
The controllable-step motor can also be rotational with gear drive of a rod which functions as a valve to open and close the tube for selective regulation of flow of fluid. A variety of mechanisms are described for programmable flow control through a flexible tube within this invention.
When used for various industrial and consumer applications, the size of the components can be adjusted to the particular needs.
Miniaturization of the invention for such applications as implantable, programmable medication infusion systems can be aided by the use of collapsible tubes to decrease the energy required to operate the linear valve and thereby to decrease the size of the unit. Collapsible tubes also decrease contamination by decreasing fluid remaining within the tubes when not otherwise conveying fluid. This further decreases stagnation conditions in the system.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG 1 is a cutaway side view of a bladder-cycler embodiment of the invention employing a linear motor in direct actuation of a flexible-tube flow regulator .
FIG 2 is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG 1. FIG 3 is a top view of a medication-infusion embodiment of the invention utilizing a linear motor similarly to the FIG 1 illustration.
FIG 4 is a schematic side view with a rotational electrically-motorized means in conjunction with an inclined plane.
FIG 5 is a schematic side view with a linear electrically-motorized means in conjunction with an inclined plane. FIG 6 is a schematic side view with a linear electrically-motorized means to actuate a plier-like lever and fulcrum.
FIG 7 is a flow diagram of a bladder-cycler embodiment of the invention. FIG 8 is a flow diagram of a medication-infusion embodiment of the invention. FIG 9 is a circuit diagram of the invention illustrating circuitry for bladder-cycler, medication-infusion and other applications.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG 1, a contractible member 1 is actuated selectively in the direction of or in the opposite direction from a base member 2 to regulate flow of fluid through a flexible tube 3. Motion for actuation of the contractible member 1 is transferred through motive member 4 from plunger 5 which can be a conductor in a linear motor having electrical coils 6 in a linear electrical step motor 7. The linear step motor can also be a rotational motor, preferably a rotational step motor, that operates gears. Because either a linear motor or a rotational motor with gears can be employed, an electrical motor of either type is referred to alternatively in this description as an electromotive means. Contractible member 1 and base member 2 can be referred to together as a regulator valve which is opened fully or partially by movement of contractible member 1 selectively in a direction away from base member 2. It is closed by movement of contractible member 1 in a direction towards base member 2 to press opposite sides of a flexible tube 3 together with sufficient force to prevent flow of fluid in through the tube 3.
Electrical current is provided to the electrical coils 6 by battery 8 which can be chargeable. Electrical current for charging battery 8 is supplied from battery charge box 9 having electrical plug 10. Low voltage current is transmitted through charger wire 11 to converter 12. The converter
12 can be a converter of relatively high voltage to relatively lower voltage within a low-voltage system. The battery charge box 9 is employed to isolate high current of an electrical source from low current in association with a patient or other use condition. This prevents electrical hazards in addition to providing efficient charging of a battery.
An optional tube cover 13 is swivelable on hinge bolt 14 to prevent the flexible tube 3 from escaping from between the contractible member 1 and the base member 2 under use conditions.
Referring now to both FIG 1 and FIG 2, a regulator knob 15 is rotatabie in either direction to select the programmable regime. At the position designated "SENSOR" at a 12 O'clock position, the program selected is for closing of contractible member 1 and opening it in accordance with pressure in flexible tube 3. The amount of pressure required to open the regulator valve by movement of contractible member 1 away from base member 2 and flexible tube 3 is determined by rotation of pressure knob 16 to require a relatively high pressure at the "HIGH" position at 12 O'clock or a relatively low pressure at the "LOW" position at 6 O'clock markings. The knobs are operated by rotating the arrow on each knob to a desired rotational setting.
The regulator valve is closed and set on timed opening rather than pressure-sensor opening by turning regulator knob 15 to "TIMED" position at 6 O'clock on the dial. Time interval for opening the regulator valve by moving contractible member 1 away from base member 2 is determined by rotation of timer knob 17 to hours and portions of hours indicated clockwise on a dial around the outside periphery of timer knob 17. Referring back to FIG 1, the motive member 4 is held mechanically by brake shoe 18 in whatever position it is moved by the plunger 5. Inward travel of the brake shoe 18 for braking effect is caused by biased pressure of brake spring 19 against brake plunger 20. Brake-releasing outward travel of the brake shoe 18 is caused by electrical charging of electrical brake coil 21. The electrically-motorized means to actuate release of brake shoe 18 can be a linear motor in which electrical current is directed to brake coil 21 from electrical current circuited to electrical coils 6. This causes the 1 brake plunger 21 to travel outwardly to release the brake regardless of which direction the valve plunger 5 is caused to travel. Thus, the valve plunger 5 is released to actuate travel of motive member 4 in either direction but held precisely in programmed positions without expenditure of electrical current
5 when not actuated electrically.
There can be a series of brake shoes 18 and brake coils 21 circumferentially around the outside periphery of plunger 5. The brake shoes and the surface of the plunger can be made appropriate is size and physical nature to maximize effectiveness of this braking system. The surfaces of
J multiple brake shoes 18 and the surface of motive member 4 can be appropriately toothed or roughed and staggered for the brake shoes 18 to hold the motive member 4 precisely and reliably with only minimal tension and size of brake spring 19.
Low tension of brake spring 19 is desirable to minimize the current
15 required to release the brake shoe 18 for travel of the motive member 4. This reduces the size of brake coil 21 as well as the size and amount of current required for electrical coil 6.
Referring to FIG 2, a pressure-sensing member 22 is biased against flexible tube 3 by pressure-transducer resilient member 23. Increase of o pressure in flexible tube 3 actuates the outside periphery of the flexible tube 3 against the sensing member 22 and causes pressure-transducer resilient member 23 to contract and travel in a direction away from the flexible tube. This travel causes electrically-conductive transducer-plunger points 24 to contact matching stationary pressure transducer points 25. This contact can 5 be programmed to signal opening travel of electromotive means 5.
Simultaneously with opening travel of electromotive means 5, electrical current can be circuited to activate audiovisual warning means 26 which is represented by a circular bell in FIG 2. This is designated by the words "AUDIOVISUAL WARNING" in a FIG 7 flow diagram. The audiovisual warning means 26 can be a bell, a bell and light, or any combination of any type of sound-producing and sight-producing means. Either audio or visual warning means can be used separately without the other within the description and intent of this invention. It is foreseeable that the audiovisual means can be hard-wired to an outside transmitter such that a 5 beeper, a phone, a speaker, lights, radio signals and other selections of warning devices would be actuated within the meaning of audiovisual warning as applied in this invention. 5
The brake coil 21 can be caused to release brake shoe 18 against brake resilient member 19 at the same time that the electromotive means 5 is caused to open the contractible member 1 and the audiovisual means 6 is actuated. This is illustrated variously in FIGs 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9. Referring to FIG 2, flow of fluid being regulated by this invention originates from a fluid source 27 and travels towards a fluid destination 28. When this invention is being employed as a bladder cycler, the fluid source 27 is the bladder of a patient and the fluid destination 28 is a. means for disposing of urine from the bladder. When this invention is being utilized as a programmable medication infusion system, the fluid source 27 is a medication reservoir and the fluid destination 28 is the blood stream or digestive tract of a patient. The main difference is in how it is used.
Functionally, the invention is substantially the same for bladder cycling as for inserting medication into the body of a patient. There are differences only in the types of transducers and the programming utilized. For implantation in bodies of patients, however, the invention can be designed and constructed much smaller and large control knobs would be replaced with minute control members.
Differences in relation to transducers would include an optional chemical transducer 29 or an optional electrical transducer 30 in place of or in addition to an optional pressure transducer with part numbers 22 through 25. An electrochemical transducer could be employed to combine the function of chemical transducer 29 and electrical transducer 30.
Details of particular chemical and electrical transducers are not included in this invention. There is a wide variety that can be employed. Typically, chemical transducers would be activated by and measure pH ion concentration for acidity or alkalinity. pH is measured in two basic ways: (1) colorimetrically and (2) electrometrically. For on-line controls such as this invention, standard glass electrodes could be employed electrometrically. Electrical transducers could be variations of the standard Wheatstone
Bridge. This could measure accurately such factors as electrical resistance, capacitance and inductance in conjunction with electrochemical, electromechanical and electro-optical sensors in the body fluid of patients.
Other factors that could be measured and utilized for actuation of transducers are 'flow rate, flow velocity, fluid viscosity, optical density, optical turbidity and optical color in relation to body fluid of patients.
For a variety of industrial and chemical applications of this invention, variations of the principles employed for measurement and transducer actuation in relation to body fluid can be employed for regulating flow of other types of fluid.
A tubing flow-control section 31 can be attachable to flexible tubing at either or both the outlet and inlet sides of the contractible member 1 and base member 2. Such a tubing flow-control section 31 can be selectively collapsible and less resistant to movement of the motive member 4. This would decrease power requirements and thus decrease the size and weight of the invention. It would also decrease accumulation of fluid in the control section 31 and thus also decrease conditions susceptible to buildup of contamination.
Resiliency of the flexible tube is important for many of the applications of this invention. Resiliency can be a tradeoff design factor with collapsibility for applications in which flow pressure is low enough for collapsibility to deter flow. Thus, flexibility is intended to include sufficient resiliency of tubes through which flow is regulated with this invention.
At either or both sides of the control section 31, there can be sealable valves 32 for taking out or putting in fluid separately from flow of fluid through the flexible tube 3. Depending on the application of the invention, these sealable valves 32 could be used to inject medication, a cultured substance or any modification or mix of the fluid at either the input or the outlet side of the valve. The sealable valves also could be used for sampling the fluid flowing through the control section 31. The sealable valves 32 also could be positions at which additional control transducers could be added.
The entire flexible tube 3 can be collapsible for some applications. For some applications, the entire length of the tube 3 would be no longer than illustrated relatively for the control section 31. Both for bladder cycling and for medication infusion, collapsible tubing may be preferable for the entire length of tubing employed.
When this invention is utilized for industrial or consumer applications not associated with health-care, medical and hospital uses, it can be constructed in sizes to match any size of tubing or pressure conditions. It can range in size for three-foot-diameter flexible tubing flow-control sections 31 down to flow-control sections less than an eighth of an inch in diameter. It is significant also that fluid conveyances leading to and from this invention can be solid plumbing or other tubing and fluid conveyances when the tubing flow-control section 31 is appropriately flexible, resilient or collapsible.
Referring to FIG 3, an embodiment of this invention employing chemical and electrical transducers is illustrated from the top with chemical transducer knob 33 and electrical transducer knob 34 in place of the pressure knob 16. This form of the invention is primarily for medication infusion. A timer knob 17 and a regulator knob 15 are shown at opposite ends of the invention for continuity and clarity of description. The invention is also shown proportionately smaller for inference of its smaller construction for
IQ implantability in the body of patients. It could be made smaller yet by placing all four knobs parallel and at right angles to each other. The knobs can be made much smaller and the mechanisms employed could be miniaturized for implantation. Abbreviations rather than words for chemical, electrical, open, close, high and low are used for decreasing size. j Miniaturization could be aided by appropriate collapsibility and yet resilience of tubing, particularly the tubing flow-control section 31 for the reasons described above.
The base member 2 in FIG 3 is shown narrower and shorter than in FIG 2 because it does not include the pressure transducer at that position. Also in
2o FIG 3, the chemical transducer 29 and the electrical transducer 30 are shown for ease of illustration at opposite sides of a fluid destination 28. This is a partially schematic representation of separate transistors in relation to minute fluid disposition conditions in the body of a patient.
Illustrated schematically in FIGs 4, 5 and 6 are alternative components
25 that are foreseeable as mechanisms included within the basic description of this invention. Portions of these schematics not illustrated or described are assumed to be well-known to those skilled in the art to which they apply.
Included in FIG 4 are geared rotational motor 35, preferably a reversible step motor, which rotates a shaft 36 to which a gear wheel 37 is attached.
30 The gear wheel 37 can be "worm" geared for actuation of geared motive member 38 linearly to the axis of the shaft 36. Attached to the geared motive member 38 is an inclined cam 39 which actuates dual cam-follower 40 at right angles to the axis of rotational motor 35 and actuates a rotational-motor motive member 41 with rotational-motor contractible member 42 attached. The
35 contractible member 42 in caused to travel in directions towards and away from rotational-motor base member 43 by opposite-directional rotation of rotational motor 35. I I
Opposite sides of flexible tube 3 are caused thereby to be pressed together or allowed to open selectively by fluid pressure within the tube and or by resiliency of the tube for achieving regulation of flow through the flexible tube. Features of the invention not illustrated in relation to the schematic representations are assumed to be similar to those described in relation to other illustrations and related descriptions.
Illustrated in FIG 5, geared linear motor 44, preferably a step motor, actuates linearly in both directions a linear-motor shaft 45 to which a direct-drive motive member 46 is attached. On the direct-drive motive member 46 is linear-motor inclined cam 47 which actuates linear-motor dual cam follower 48. Attached to linear-motor dual cam follower 48 is linear-motor contractible member 49 which is actuated in both directions selectively towards and away from linear-motor base member 50 by opposite-directional linear travel of linear-motor shaft 45.
Illustrated in FIG 6, a levered linear motor 51 is swivelably attached to inside lever arm 52. Levered linear-motor shaft 53 with attachment member 54 is swivelably attached to outside lever arm 55. Lever arms 52 and 55 are swivelably attached to fulcrum 56. Selectively opposite-directional linear travel of levered linear-motor shaft 53 causes levered linear-motor contractible member 57 to travel selectively towards and away from levered linear-motor base member 58.
Referring to FIG 7, a flow diagram of a bladder-cycler embodiment of this invention is illustrated with the components indicated by words. Fluid flows from a "BLADDER" to a "VALVE" and then to a "DISPOSITION COUPLING." At the valve, alternative programs of either a timer, a pressure transducer or an override are selected for fluid flow to reach a disposition point at the disposition coupling. Programmed pressure operation of the valve is selected by rotating the regulator knob 15 in FIG 2 to "SENSOR." Programming can be set for a relatively high or low pressure by rotating the "PRESSURE" knob 16 to "HIGH" and "LOW" settings respectively as illustrated further in FIG 2. The "BRAKE" will maintain the valve in a closed position with contractible member 1 pressing the sides of flexible tube 3 against the base member 2 until the designated pressure is reached. When the pressure-sensing member 22 is activated as programmed, there will be an audiovisual warning as designed and programmed, the brake shoe 18 will release the motive member 4 and fluid will be allowed to flow through the flexible tube. I Z
If, in addition, the regulator knob 15, illustrated in FIG 2, is rotated to one side or the other of 12 O'clock position, the proportion of full open condition of the valve will be determined by the relative rotation of regulator knob 15 towards open and shut respectively. When a programmed low pressure has been reached, the valve will again close and remain in a closed position by action of brake shoe 18 until a programmed higher pressure is reached in the tubing flow-control section 31.
Timed opening is programmed by rotating the regulator knob 18 in FIG 2 to "TIMER" at 6 O'clock. Then the time period between openings is selected by rotating the timer knob 17 to the indicated hours and portions of hours clockwise on the timer dial. At the time intervals programmed accordingly, the valve will open by travel of contractible member 1 away from the base member 2 and the flexible tube 3. When the valve opens, the audiovisual warning will be activated and the brake will be released and reset with the valve in open condition. When flow has stopped as indicated by absence of pressure in the tube against the pressure-sensing member 22, the brake will be released from open condition, the valve will be shut and the brake will be set again to maintain closed condition without expenditure of electrical energy for continued braking action. Referring to FIG 8, a flow diagram of the medication-insertion embodiment in FIG 3 is illustrated with components indicated by descriptive words. Fluid flows from a "MEDICATION RESERVOIR" to a "VALVE" and then to an "INSERTION COUPLING." At the valve in the medication-infusion application, alternative programs of either a timer, chemical transducer, electrical transducer or manual override are selected for fluid flow to reach a destination at the insertion coupling. To select programming for either or both of the chemical and electrical transducers, the regulator knob 15 is rotated to where the arrow points to "VALVE."
The knobs are marked with "CH" for the chemical knob and "EL" for the electrical knob. Either or both knobs are programmed by first rotation to a position clockwise or counterclockwise from "H" for high. If the knobs are rotated to any position of rotation between "H" and "L" at the half-circle side marked "C" for closed, the valve will remain open until a relatively high or low chemical or electrical condition being programmed for is reached according to the relative rotation of the arrow between "H" and "L." When the selective condition is reached, the valve will close.
If the knobs are rotated to any position of rotation between "H" and "L" at the half-circle side of the dial marked "O" for open, the valve will remain closed until a setting for opening is reached according to the position of rotation of the arrow in relation to "H" and "L."
Both knobs must be on the "O" or the "C" side of the dial circles if both electrical and chemical transducers are being programmed. Otherwise, one will cancel the other out because there is only one valve for both. This is consonant with programming regimes for medication infusion because generally the valve should stay either open or closed until either or both chemical and electrical conditions occur. Timed opening or closing of the valve is selected the same for the FIG 3 embodiment as for the FIG 2 embodiment.
The FIG 8 flow diagram indicates "VARIABLE OPEN-SHUT," "AUDIOVISUAL
WARNING" and "BRAKE" for the transducers and for the timer selections.
Variable open and shut are selected as described above by rotation of the arrow on each knob to the relative position of chemical and electrical conditions or of open or closed conditions that are programmed with rotation of the knobs. Actuation of the brake and the audiovisual warning can be automatically simultaneous as programmed the same as described above for FIG 2 in relation bladder cycling. Other uses of this invention for industrial and consumer uses can employ similar programming and control parameters, depending on the particular applications.
Referring to FIG 9, an electrical circuit diagram is illustrated with descriptive words and symbols. From an "ELECTRICAL SOURCE," current flows to a "BATTERY CHARGE CONTROL" and then to a "CONVERTER."
The battery charge-control unit is separate from the battery to prevent potential electrical hazards. Shock-level electrical current is prevented from reaching a patient when a low-voltage batter is being employed as described above. A converted is employed to convert various levels of current to the particular applications for transducer use and for valve-motor operation. This division of current is indicated functionally in the diagram by "POWER TO LOADS."
Current flows to a "PRESSURE TRANSDUCER," as indicated by the arrow, and then to switching mechanisms for the "VALVE MOTOR." Current flows separately to the valve motor because a relatively greater amount of current is required to operate the valve motor than the transducer mechanisms and switches.
Transducer switches are indicated by the circled arrows. At the same time .4 current flows to the valve motor, current flows also to the brake and warning devices as outlined in the flow diagrams, FIGs 7 and 8. Electrical power to operate the brake and warning devices can be in line with flow of current to the valve motor. Electrical current to operate transducers which actuate the brake and warning mechanisms can be in line with the current to the pressure transducer.
Current flows to a "VALVE TIMER," to "OTHER TRANSDUCERS" and to an "OVERRIDE" in the same manner as to the pressure transducer. Other transducers can be any type or combination of types of transducers for any application of this device. Current flows separately to the "VALVE MOTOR." Activation switches can be operated in line with the timer, transducers and override while mechanisms associated with the valve motor can be operated by current in line with the valve motor.
Current returns to the converter and the battery at the point where power is transmitted to loads associated with the mechanisms employed.
A wide variation of many additional combinations of the components comprising this device are foreseeable. All such are deemed to be within the scope of this invention although only a select relatively few are described to teach the general nature of this invention in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator comprising: a contractible apparatus for pressing opposite sides of a flexible tube 5 together such that flow of fluid through the flexible tube is allowed and prevented selectively in accordance with how closely the opposite sides of the tube are pressed together; an electrically-motorized means for actuating the contractible apparatus to a closed position to restrict flow and to a selectively open position to JO allow flow of fluid through the flexible tube selectively; a programmable control means for causing the electrically-motorized means to actuate the contractible apparatus to closed and open positions to prevent and to allow flow of fluid through the flexible tube selectively and; a select voltage of electrical power in electrical current relationship l5 from an electrical source to the electrically-motorized means and to the programmable control means;
2. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 1 and further comprising: a pressure sensor actuated by pressure within the flexible tube to signal o the electrically-motorized means to actuate the contractible apparatus to an open position at the occurrence of selective fluid pressure within the flexible tube.
3. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 2 and further comprising: 5 a manual override of the programmable control means and the pressure sensor to allow manual actuation of the contractible apparatus to closed and open positions selectively.
4. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 1 and further comprising: 0 a brake shoe actuated by a spring against the contractible apparatus to arrest travel of the contractible apparatus when the contractible apparatus is not being caused to travel in directions towards and away from the base member selectively by the electrically-motorized means and; a linear electrical brake motor conductor plunger attached to the brake 5 shoe and extended through an electrical brake coil with electrical current directed from the electrical source such that flow of current through the electrically-motorized means also causes flow of current through the brake ι_k coil to release the brake shoe whenever the electrically-motorized means for the contractible apparatus is actuated.
5. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 1 and further comprising: an audiovisual warning signal in electrical communication between the contractible apparatus and the programmable control means such that selectively audio and visual warning is initiated in accordance with conditions programmed into the programmable control means.
6. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 1 wherein the programmable control means for causing the electrically-motorized means to actuate the contractible apparatus to closed and open positions to prevent and to allow flow of fluid through the flexible tube selectively is programmable for time intervals of closed and selectively open positions of the contractible apparatus.
7. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 1 wherein the flexible tube is a medical catheter insertabie into a bladder.
8. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 7 and further comprising: a fluid discharge tube extendable from the flow regulator to a fluid- disposition means.
9. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 1 and further comprising: a medication reservoir; a medication-infusion tube extendable from the reservoir to the flow regulator; a medication infuser insertabie selectively into the blood-stream system and; a medication-infusion tube extendible from the flow regulator to the fluid Infuser.
10. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 9 and further comprising: a brake shoe actuated by a spring against the contractible apparatus to arrest travel of the contractible apparatus when the contractible apparatus is not being caused to travel in directions towards and away from the base member selectively by the electrically-motorized means and; a linear electrical brake motor conductor plunger attached to the brake shoe and extended through an electrical brake coil with electrical current π directed from the electrical source such that flow of current through the electrically-motorized means also causes flow of current through the brake coll to release the brake shoe whenever the electrically-motorized means for the contractible apparatus is actuated.
1 1. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
10 and further comprising: an audiovisual warning signal in electrical communication between the contractible apparatus and the programmable control means such that selectively audio and visual warning is initiated in accordance with conditions programmed into the programmable control means.
12. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
1 1 and further comprising: a manual override of the programmable control means and the pressure sensor to allow manual actuation of the contractible apparatus to closed and open positions selectively.
13. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
12 wherein the programmable control means for causing the electrically- motorized means to actuate the contractible apparatus to closed and open positions to prevent and to allow flow of fluid through the flexible tube selectively is programmable for time intervals of closed and selectively open positions of the contractible apparatus.
14. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
13 and further comprising: an electrical transducer in electrical-conductivity-sensing relationship between the programmable control means and the blood of a patient.
15. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
14 and further comprising: a chemical transducer in selective chemical-analysis relationship between the programmable control means and the blood of a patient.
16. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
1 and further comprising: a medication reservoir; a medication-infuser tube extendible from the reservoir to the flow regulator; a medication infuser insertabie selectively into the digestive-tract system of a patient and; a medication-infuser tube extendible from the flow regulator to the |g medication infuser.
17. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 16 and urther comprising: a brake shoe actuated by a spring against the contractible apparatus to arrest travel of the contractible apparatus when the contractible apparatus is not being caused to travel in directions towards and away from the base member selectively by the electrically-motorized means and; a linear electrical brake motor conductor plunger attached to the brake shoe and extended through an electrical brake coil with electrical current directed from the electrical source such that flow of current through the electrically-motorized means also causes flow of current through the brake coll to release the brake shoe whenever the electrically-motorized means for the contractible apparatus is actuated.
18. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 17 and further comprising: an audiovisual warning signal in electrical communication between the contractible apparatus and the programmable control means such that selectively audio and visual warning is initiated in accordance with conditions programmed into the programmable control means.
19. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
18 wherein the programmable control means for causing the electrically- motorized means to actuate the contractible apparatus to closed and open positions to prevent and to allow flow of fluid through the flexible tube selectively is programmable for time intervals of closed and selectively open positions of the contractible apparatus.
20. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
19 and further comprising: an electrical transducer in electrical-conductivity-sensing relationship between the programmable control means and the digestive tract of a patient.
21. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
20 and further comprising: a chemical transducer in selective chemical-analysis relationship between the programmable control means and the digestive tract of a patient.
22. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 21 and further comprising: a manual override of the programmable control means and the electrical and chemical transducers to allow manual actuation of the contractible \°i apparatus to closed and open positions selectively.
23. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 1 and further comprising: an enclosure through which a flexible tube is insertabie; a base member at one side of the inside periphery of the enclosure; an electrically-motorized means comprising a controllable-step linear electrical motor with linear travel at right angles to the travel of the contractible member; inclined surfaces extended from a plunger of the electrical motor in slidable inclined-plane relationship to the contractible member such that linear travel of the electrical-motor plunger at right angles to the direction of travel of the contractible member causes the inclined plane to actuate the contractible member in the direction of the base member and slidable travel of the plunger in the opposite direction from the contractible member causes the inclined plane to actuate the contractible member in a direction away from the base member.
24. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
23 and further comprising: a programmable control means in electrical-circuit-control relationship to the controllable-step linear motor and; a control-input board having input control knobs in mechanical-electrical operative relationship to the programmable control means.
25. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
24 wherein the programmable control means is programmable for time intervals, pressure-sensing signals and is provided with manual override for actuating the electrically-motorized means in the direction of the base member and in the opposite direction from the base member selectively.
26. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
25 and further comprising: a pressure sensor at the inside periphery of the said enclosure in radially-outward pressure-sensing relationship to a flexible tube insertabie through the enclosure between the base member and the contractible member a a pressure-meter signalling means in pressure-signalling relationship between the pressure sensor and the programmable control means.
27. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
26 and further comprising: a brake shoe actuated by a spring against the contractible apparatus to χo arrest travel of the contractible apparatus when the contractible apparatus is not being caused to travel in directions towards and away from the base member selectively by the electrically-motorized means and; a linear electrical brake motor conductor plunger attached to the brake shoe and extended through an electrical brake coil with electrical current directed from the electrical source such that flow of current through the electrically-motorized means also causes flow of current through the brake coil to release the brake shoe whenever the electrically-motorized means for the contractible apparatus is actuated.
28. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
27 and further comprising: an audiovisual warning signal in electrical communication between the contractible apparatus and the programmable control means such that selectively audio and visual warning is initiated in accordance with conditions programmed into the programmable control means.
29. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
28 and further comprising: a selectively collapsible tube extendible through the enclosure and attachable selectively to discharge and infusion tubes at an outlet end of the enclosure and to catheter and medication supply tubes at an inlet end of the enclosure.
30. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
29 and further comprising: a sealable fluid-input orifice in a side of the tube at the vicinity of the inlet end of the enclosure.
31. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
30 and further comprising: a sealable fluid-input orifice in a side of the tube at the vicinity of the outlet end of the enclosure.
32. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 1 and further comprising: a clamping means with one open side into which a flexible tube is insertabie from side-to-side; a base member at one side of the clamping means; a contractible member with slidable travel selectively towards and away from the base member in sliding means on the clamping means; an electrically-motorized means comprising a controllable-step rotational motor with linearly-geared electromotive relationship to a motive member such that selective inputs of electrical current into the controllable-step rotational motor cause the motive member to travel in the direction of or in the opposite direction from the contractible member in accordance with selective inputs of electrical current and; inclined surfaces on the motive member in slidable inclined-plane relationship to the contractible member such that linear travel of the motive member, in the direction of the contractible member causes the inclined plane to actuate the contractible member in the direction of the base member and linear travel of the motive member in the opposite direction from the contractible member causes the inclined plane to actuate the contractible member in a direction away from the base member.
33. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 32 and further comprising: a programmable control means in electrical-circuit-control relationship to the controllable-step rotational motor and; a control-input board having input control knobs in mechanical-electrical operative relationship to the programmable control means.
34. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 33 wherein the programmable control means is programmable for time intervals, pressure-sensing signals and is provided with manual override for actuating the electrically-motorized member.
35. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
34 and further comprising: a pressure sensor at the inside periphery of the said clamping means in radially-outward pressure-sensing relationship to a flexible tube insertabie into the clamping means between the base member and the contractible member and; a pressure-meter signalling means in pressure-signalling relationship between the pressure sensor and the programmable control means.
36. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
35 and further comprising: a brake shoe actuated by a spring against the contractible apparatus to arrest travel of the contractible apparatus when the contractible apparatus is not being caused to travel in directions towards and away from the base member selectively by the electrically-motorized means and; a linear electrical brake motor conductor plunger attached to the brake shoe and extended through an electrical brake coil with electrical current directed from the electrical source such that flow of current through the electrically-motorized means also causes flow of current through the brake coil to release the brake shoe whenever the electrically-motorized means for 5 the contractible apparatus is actuated.
37. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
36 and further comprising: an audiovisual warning signal in electrical communication between the contractible apparatus and the programmable control means such that 10 selectively audio and visual warning is initiated in accordance with conditions programmed into the programmable control means.
38. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
37 and further comprising: a selectively collapsible tube insertabie from side-to-side into the 15 clamping means and attachable selectively to discharge and infusion tubes at an outlet end of the clamping means and to catheter and medication supply tubes at an inlet end of the clamping means.
39. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
38 and further comprising:
20 a sealable fluid-input orifice in a side of the tube at the vicinity of the inlet end of the clamping means.
40. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
39 and further comprising: a sealable fluid-input orifice in a side of the tube at the vicinity of 25 the outlet end of the clamping means.
41. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 1 and further comprising: a clamping means with one open side into which a flexible tube is insertabie from side-to-side; 30 a base member at one side of the clamping means; a contractible member with slidable travel selectively towards and away from the base member in sliding means on the clamping means; a motive member with slidable travel at right angles to the travel of the contractible member in sliding means within the clamping means;
35 inclined surfaces on the motive member in slidable inclined-plane relationship to the contractible member such that slidable travel of the motive member in the direction of the contractible member causes the inclined plane to actuate the contractible member in the direction of the base member and slidable travel of the motive member in the opposite direction from the contractible member causes the inclined plane to actuate the contractible member in a direction away from the base member and; an electrically-motorized means comprising a controllable-step linear electrical motor with linear travel of a conductor plunger in relationship to the motive member such that selective inputs of electrical current into the controllable-step motor cause the motive member to travel in the direction of or in the opposite direction from the contractible member in accordance with the selective inputs of electrical current.
42. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
41 and further comprising: a programmable control means in electrical-circuit-control relationship to the controllable-step linear motor and; a control-input board having input control knobs in mechanical-electrical operative relationship to the programmable control means.
43. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
42 wherein the programmable control means is programmable for time intervals, pressure-sensing signals and is provided with manual override for actuating the electromotive member in the direction of the base member and in the opposite direction from the base member selectively.
44. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
43 and further comprising: a pressure sensor at the inside periphery of the said clamping means in radially-outward pressure-sensing relationship to a flexible tube insertabie into the clamping means between the base member and the contractible member and; a pressure-meter signalling means in pressure-signalling relationship between the pressure sensor and the programmable control means.
45. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
44 and further comprising: a brake shoe actuated by a spring against the contractible apparatus to arrest travel of the contractible apparatus when the contractible apparatus is not being caused to travel in directions towards and away from the base member by the electrical motor and; a linear electrical motor conductor brake plunger attached to the brake shoe and extended through an electrical brake coil with electrical current Z~i directed from the electrical motor such that flow of current through the electrical motor also causes flow of current through the brake coil to release the brake against the pressure from the brake spring whenever the electrical motor operating the contractible apparatus is actuated.
46. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
45 and further comprising: an audiovisual warning signal in electrical communication between the contractible apparatus and the programmable control means such that selectively audio and visual warning is initiated in accordance with conditions programmed into the programmable control means.
47. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
46 and further comprising: a selectively collapsible tube insertabie from side-to-side into the clamping means and attachable selectively to discharge and infusion tubes at an outlet end of the clamping means and to catheter and medication supply tubes at an inlet end of the clamping means.
48. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
47 and further comprising: a sealable fluid-input orifice in a side of the tube at the vicinity of the inlet end of the clamping means.
49. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
48 and further comprising: a sealable fluid-input orifice in a side of the tube at the vicinity of the outlet end of the clamping means.
50. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 1 in which the contractible apparatus is a plier-like clamping means with a fulcrum in relationship to which two arms are pivotally attached and further comprising: a motive member with expandable and contractible travel selectively in relationship to the two arms at the opposite side of the fulcrum from positions on the two arms between which the flexible tube is insertabie and; an electrically-motorized means comprising a controllable-step linear electrical motor with linear-travel relationship of a conductor plunger to the motive member such that selective inputs of electrical current into the controllable-step linear motor actuate the motive member to spread the two arms to close the plier-like clamping means and to draw the two arms together to open the plier-like clamping means selectively at the opposite side of the 2.S fulcrum from the linear motor.
51. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 50 and further comprising: a brake shoe actuated by a spring against the contractible apparatus to arrest travel of the contractible apparatus when the contractible apparatus is not being caused to travel in directions which open or close the plier-like clamping means selectively and; a linear electrical motor conductor brake .plunger attached to the brake shoe and extended through an electrical brake coil with electrical current directed from the electrical motor such that flow of current through the electrical motor also causes flow of current through the brake coil to release the brake against the pressure from the brake spring whenever the electrical motor operating the plier-like contractible apparatus is actuated.
52. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 51 and further comprising: an audiovisual warning signal in electrical communication between the contractible apparatus and the programmable control means such that selectively audio and visual warning is initiated in accordance with conditions programmed into the programmable control means.
53. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
52 and further comprising: a pressure sensor actuated by pressure within the flexible tube to signal the electrically-motorized means to actuate the contractible apparatus to an open position at the occurrence of selective fluid pressure within the flexible tube; a manual override of the programmable control means and the pressure sensor to allow manual actuation of the contractible apparatus to closed and open positions selectively;
54. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 1 wherein the contractible apparatus is a plier-like clamping means with a fulcrum in relationship to which two arms are pivotally attached and further comprising: a motive member with expandable and contractible travel selectively in relationship to the two arms at the opposite side of the fulcrum from positions on the two arms between which the flexible tube is insertabie; a controllable-step linear electrical motor with linear-travel relationship of a conductor plunger to the motive member such that selective 2(t inputs of electrical current into the controllable-step linear motor actuate the motive member to spread the two arms to close the plier-like clamping means and to draw the two arms together to open the plier-like clamping means selectively at the opposite side of the fulcrum from the linear motor; a brake shoe actuated by a spring against the contractible apparatus to arrest travel of the contractible apparatus when the contractible apparatus is not being caused to open and close the plier-like contractible member selectively; a linear electrical motor conductor brake plunger attached to the brake shoe and extended through an electrical brake coil with electrical current directed from the electrical motor such that flow of current through the electrical motor also causes flow of current through the brake coil to release the brake against the pressure from the brake spring whenever the electrical motor operating the contractible apparatus is actuated; a medication reservoir; a medication-infuser tube extendible from the reservoir to the flow regulator; a medication infuser insertabie selectively into the digestive-tract system of a patient and; a medication-infuser tube extendible from the flow regulator to the medication infuser.
55. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
54 and further comprising: an audiovisual warning signal in electrical communication between the contractible apparatus and the programmable control means such that selectively audio and visual warning is initiated in accordance with conditions programmed into the programmable control means.
56. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
55 and further comprising: a chemical transducer in selective chemical-analysis relationship between the programmable control means and selected body fluids of a patient.
57. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
56 and further comprising: an electrical transducer in electrical-conductivity-sensing relationship between the programmable control means and selected body fluids of a patient.
58. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 1 and further comprising: a clamping means into which a flexible tube is insertabie from side-to- side; a base member at one side of the clamping means; a contractible member with slidable travel selectively towards and away from the base member in sliding means on the clamping means; a motive member with slidable travel linearly to the travel of the contractible member; an electrically-motorized means comprising a controllable-step linear electrical motor having a conductor plunger in linear travel relationship to
10 the motive member such that selective inputs of electrical current into the controllable-step linear electrical motor cause the motive member to travel in the direction of or in the opposite direction from the contractible member in accordance with the selective inputs of electrical current; a pressure sensor actuated by pressure within the flexible tube to signal j5 the electrically-motorized means to actuate the contractible apparatus to an open position at the occurrence of selective fluid pressure within the flexible tube; a manual override of the programmable control means and the pressure sensor to allow manual actuation of the contractible apparatus to closed and o open positions selectively and; a control-input board having input control knobs in mechanical-electrical operative relationship to the programmable control means.
59. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
58 wherein the programmable control means is programmable for time intervals 5 and pressure-sensing signals and is provided with manual override for actuating the motive member in the direction of the base member and in the opposite direction from the base member selectively.
60. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
59 and further comprising a pressure signalling means in pressure-signalling 0 relationship between the pressure sensor and the programmable control means.
61. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
60 and further comprising: a brake shoe actuated by a spring against the contractible apparatus to arrest travel of the contractible apparatus when the contractible apparatus is 5 not being caused to travel in directions towards and away from the base member by the electrical motor and; a linear electrical motor conductor brake plunger attached to the brake 2.1, shoe and extended through an electrical brake coil with electrical current directed from the electrical motor such that flow of current through the electrical motor also causes flow of current through the brake coil to release the brake against the pressure from the brake spring whenever the electrical motor operating the contractible apparatus is actuated.
62. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
61 and further comprising: an audiovisual warning signal in electrical communication between the contractible apparatus and the programmable control means such that selectively audio and visual warning is initiated in accordance with conditions programmed into the programmable control means.
63. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
62 and further comprising; a selectively collapsible tube insertabie into the contraction means and attachable selectively to discharge and infusion tubes at an outlet end of the contraction means and to catheter and medication supply tubes at an inlet end of the contraction means.
64. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
63 and further comprising: a sealable fluid-input orifice in a side of the flexible tube selectively at the vicinity of an inlet side and an outlet side of the contraction means.
65. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
64 and further comprising: a tube holding and protection member foldable over a portion of the contraction means into which the flexible tube is insertabie.
66. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
65 wherein the programmable control means for causing the electrically- motorized means to actuate the contractible apparatus to closed and open positions to prevent and to allow flow of fluid through the flexible tube selectively is programmable for time intervals of selective open and closed positions of the contractible apparatus.
67. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
66 wherein the flexible tube is a medical catheter Insertabie into a bladder.
68. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 67 and further comprising: an electrical-hazard-protection means with a charger separate from the electrical supply means within the regulator and having a selectively low current in communication between an electrical source and the said electrical supply means within the regulator such that the regulator can be charged when in use without danger of over-supply of electrical current to the said regulator when it is in use.
69. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim 1 and further comprising: a clamping means into which a flexible tube is insertabie from side-to- side; a base member at one side of the clamping means; a contractible member with slidable travel selectively towards and away from the base member in sliding means on the clamping means; a motive member with slidable travel linearly to the travel of the contractible member; an electrically-motorized means comprising a controllable-step linear electrical motor having a conductor plunger in linear travel relationship to the motive member such that selective inputs of electrical current into the controllable-step linear electrical motor cause the motive member to travel in the direction of or in the opposite direction from the contractible member in accordance with the selective inputs of electrical current; a manual override of the programmable control means to allow manual actuation of the contractible apparatus to closed and open positions selectively; a control-input board having input control knobs in mechanical-electrical operative relationship to the programmable control means; a medication reservoir; a medication-infuser tube extendible from the reservoir to the flow regulator; a medication infuser insertabie selectively into the digestive-tract system of a patient and; a medication-infuser tube extendible from the flow regulator to the medication infuser.
70. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
69 and further comprising: a chemical transducer in selective chemical-analysis relationship between the programmable control means and selected body fluids of a patient.
71. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
70 and further comprising: an electrical transducer in electrical-conductivity-sensing relationship between the programmable control means and selected body fluids of a patient.
72. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
71 and further comprising: a brake shoe actuated by a spring against the contractible apparatus to arrest travel of the contractible apparatus when the contractible apparatus is not being caused to travel in a direction towards or away from the base member by the electrical motor and; a linear electrical motor conductor brake plunger attached to the brake shoe and extended through an electrical brake coil with electrical current directed from the electrical motor such that flow of current through the electrical motor also causes flow of current through the brake coil to release the brake against the pressure from the brake spring whenever the electrical motor operating the contractible apparatus is actuated. 5
73. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
72 and further comprising: an audiovisual warning signal in electrical communication between the contractible apparatus and the programmable control means such that selectively audio and visual warning is initiated in accordance with o conditions programmed into the programmable control means.
74. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
73 wherein the programmable control means for causing the electrically- motorized means to actuate the contractible apparatus to closed and open positions to prevent and to allow flow of fluid through the flexible tube 5 selectively is programmable for time intervals of selectively open and closed positions of the contractible apparatus.
75. A programmable flexible-tube flow regulator according to claim
74 and further comprising:
. an electrical-hazard-prevention means having a charger separately from 0 the electrical supply means in the regulator and a selectively low current in communication between an electrical source and the said electrical supply means within the regulator such that the regulator can be charged when in use without danger of over-supply of electrical current to the said regulator when it is in use. 5 76. A method for using a programmable flexible-tube flow regulator consisting of: a contractible apparatus for pressing opposite sides of a flexible tube SI together selectively; a electrically-motorized means for actuating the contractible apparatus to a closed position to restrict flow and to a selectively open position to allow flow of fluid through the flexible tube selectively; a programmable control means for causing the electrically-motorized means to actuate the contractible apparatus to closed and open positions to prevent and to allow flow of fluid through the flexible tube selectively; a selectively low voltage electrical power source in electrical current relationship to the electrically-motorized means and the programmable control means; a pressure sensor actuated by pressure within the flexible tube to signal the electrically-motorized means to actuate the contractible apparatus to an open position at the occurrence of selective fluid pressure within the flexible tube; a manual override of the programmable control means and the pressure sensor to allow manual actuation of the contractible apparatus to closed and open positions selectively; a catheter tube insertabie into a bladder and extendible between the bladder and the flow regulator and; a discharge conveyance between the flow regulator and a discharge means and comprising: inserting the catheter tube into the bladder of a patient; securing the flow regulator at a position convenient to the patient outside of the bladder; inserting a section of tube that is connected to the catheter tube outside of the patient into the contractible apparatus of the flow regulator; securing a fluid discharge means at a level below the patient; positioning a fluid conveyance means in fluid communication between the discharge means and the flow regulator; adjusting the pressure sensor to open the flow regulator at the occurrence of predetermined pressure within the catheter tube and predetermined time intervals selectively and; overriding the pressure and time controls manually as necessary for adjustment of the programmable controls to the needs of particular patients in the process of cycling the emptying and shutting off of discharge from the bladder of a patient. - 77. A method of using a programmable flexible-tube flow regulator consisting of: a contractible apparatus for pressing opposite sides of a flexible tube together selectively; a electrically-motorized means for actuating the contractible apparatus to a closed position to restrict flow and to a selectively open position to allow flow of fluid through the flexible tube selectively; a programmable control means for causing the electrically-motorized means to actuate the contractible apparatus to closed and open positions to prevent and to allow flow of fluid through the flexible tube selectively; a selectively low voltage electrical power source in electrical current relationship to the electrically-motorized means and the programmable control means; a medication reservoir; a medication conveyance in fluid communication between the medication reservoir and the contractible apparatus of the flow regulator; a medication infuser; a medication conveyance in fluid communication between the flow regulator and the medication infuser; an electrochemical transducer programmable to open and close the contractible apparatus selectively in accordance with electrochemical conditions in the body of a patient; an infusion timer programmable for time intervals of open and selectively closed positions of the contractible apparatus; a manual override of the programmable control means, the timer and the electrochemical transducer to allow manual actuation of the contractible apparatus to closed and open positions selectively and; an audiovisual warning means in predeterminable electrically-operative communication between the programmable control means and select electrochemical conditions in the body of a patient and comprising: inserting the medication infuser into a select fluid stream of the body of a patient; securing the medication reservoir and the flow regulator to a convenient position in relation to the body of the patient; inserting a section of the medication conveyance tube into the contractible apparatus of the flow regulator; 3 adjusting the electrochemical transducer to open the flow regulator selectively at the occurrence of predetermined electrochemical conditions in the body of the patient and; overriding the electrochemical and time controls manually as necessary for adjustment of a program for controlled flow of medication with the programmable control means to the needs of particular patients.
PCT/US1989/000010 1989-01-03 1989-01-03 Programmable flexible-tube flow regulator and methods WO1990007353A1 (en)

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Cited By (13)

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WO1993010834A1 (en) * 1991-12-06 1993-06-10 Block Medical, Inc. Multiple dose control apparatus
US5445613A (en) * 1993-07-16 1995-08-29 Rocky Mountain Research, Inc. Condition detection system and clamp
WO1996034640A1 (en) * 1995-05-01 1996-11-07 Infusion Technologies Corporation Valve system and method for control of an infusion pump
WO2003011375A2 (en) * 2001-07-26 2003-02-13 Niels Rahe-Meyer Method and devices for self-dosing and controlling the dosage of a liquid medicament
WO2003070314A1 (en) * 2002-02-22 2003-08-28 Gambro Lundia Ab Method of monitoring the operationality of a flow cut-off member and flow arresting system, for an extracorporeal fluid circuit
GB2389534A (en) * 2002-06-14 2003-12-17 Margaret Pamela Richardson Improvements in and relating to catheter control
WO2003105942A1 (en) * 2002-06-14 2003-12-24 Margaret Pamela Richardson Improvements in and relating to control of liquid flow into or out of a human or animal body
EP1383570A2 (en) * 2001-04-02 2004-01-28 The Hook Research Foundation Programmable flexible-tube flow regulator and use methods
GB2395128A (en) * 2002-11-14 2004-05-19 Europ Technology For Business Catheter control device
CN100361714C (en) * 2004-09-13 2008-01-16 毛爱民 Infusion pump capable of accurately controlling medicinal liquid flow
RU2534632C1 (en) * 2013-05-31 2014-12-10 Закрытое акционерное общество Научно-производственный комплекс "КБ ВЗЛЕТ" Controlled valve for clamping flexible pipeline of donated blood component separator and autoblood transfusion apparatus
EP1750793A4 (en) * 2004-05-28 2017-11-15 Carefusion Corporation Flow control and gas detection and gas removal in an intravenous fluid delivery system
WO2021216741A1 (en) * 2020-04-23 2021-10-28 Covidien Lp Catheter with valves

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WO1993010834A1 (en) * 1991-12-06 1993-06-10 Block Medical, Inc. Multiple dose control apparatus
US5445613A (en) * 1993-07-16 1995-08-29 Rocky Mountain Research, Inc. Condition detection system and clamp
WO1996034640A1 (en) * 1995-05-01 1996-11-07 Infusion Technologies Corporation Valve system and method for control of an infusion pump
EP1383570A2 (en) * 2001-04-02 2004-01-28 The Hook Research Foundation Programmable flexible-tube flow regulator and use methods
EP1383570A4 (en) * 2001-04-02 2006-12-27 Hook Res Foundation Programmable flexible-tube flow regulator and use methods
WO2003011375A3 (en) * 2001-07-26 2003-08-07 Niels Rahe-Meyer Method and devices for self-dosing and controlling the dosage of a liquid medicament
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WO2003011375A2 (en) * 2001-07-26 2003-02-13 Niels Rahe-Meyer Method and devices for self-dosing and controlling the dosage of a liquid medicament
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WO2003070314A1 (en) * 2002-02-22 2003-08-28 Gambro Lundia Ab Method of monitoring the operationality of a flow cut-off member and flow arresting system, for an extracorporeal fluid circuit
US7935072B2 (en) 2002-02-22 2011-05-03 Gambro Lundia Ab Method of monitoring the operationality of a flow cut-off member and flow arresting system, for an extracorporeal fluid circuit
WO2003105942A1 (en) * 2002-06-14 2003-12-24 Margaret Pamela Richardson Improvements in and relating to control of liquid flow into or out of a human or animal body
GB2389534A (en) * 2002-06-14 2003-12-17 Margaret Pamela Richardson Improvements in and relating to catheter control
GB2395128A (en) * 2002-11-14 2004-05-19 Europ Technology For Business Catheter control device
GB2395128B (en) * 2002-11-14 2005-11-16 Europ Technology For Business Urinary drainage catheter
EP1750793A4 (en) * 2004-05-28 2017-11-15 Carefusion Corporation Flow control and gas detection and gas removal in an intravenous fluid delivery system
CN100361714C (en) * 2004-09-13 2008-01-16 毛爱民 Infusion pump capable of accurately controlling medicinal liquid flow
RU2534632C1 (en) * 2013-05-31 2014-12-10 Закрытое акционерное общество Научно-производственный комплекс "КБ ВЗЛЕТ" Controlled valve for clamping flexible pipeline of donated blood component separator and autoblood transfusion apparatus
WO2021216741A1 (en) * 2020-04-23 2021-10-28 Covidien Lp Catheter with valves

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