Tube clamp, and tube clamp set for use with an infusion pump

Abstract

A tube clamp is disclosed for optional opening and closing of tubes such as infusion tubes, an infusion pump, an infusion tube set and the combination thereof, the tube clamp comprising means for opening or closing the tube clamp which interacts with a part of the infusion pump which is a lever for locking and unlocking a door in the pump, wherein an automatic opening and closing of the tube clamp can be realized without a relative movement of the tube clamp and the tube.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A tube clamp for selectively opening and closing a tube, comprising a shackle of generally U-shaped configuration, said shackle having first and second rigid legs provided with inside projections interacting with one another as pinch-off edges, and a flexible web interconnecting the legs and spreading the legs into a diverging position, said first leg terminating in a flexible spring latch which is configured to point in a direction of the second leg and formed with an inner ledge surface for engagement of a free end of the second leg, when the legs are squeezed together, said second leg having actuating means responsive to an outside force for moving the second leg into engagement with the ledge surface of the spring latch to thereby clamp the tube in conjunction with the pinch-off edges.  
     
     
         2 . The tube clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the second leg is formed with an inner undercut for engagement of the free end of the second leg.  
     
     
         3 . The tube clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the web and the spring latch are provided with openings for guiding the tube therethrough.  
     
     
         4 . The tube clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the outside force is applied in a vertical direction onto the second leg.  
     
     
         5 . The tube clamp of  claim 3 , wherein the actuating means is configured as an arched portion disposed at an outer surface of the second leg for interacting with a lever of the infusion pump.  
     
     
         6 . The tube clamp of  claim 5 , wherein the arched portion has a toothed surface for interacting with a complementary tooth surface of the rocking lever.  
     
     
         7 . The tube clamp of  claim 5 , wherein the tube is clamped by the pinch-off edges in response to the outside force in a liquid-tight manner.  
     
     
         8 . The tube clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the second leg is urged into a locked engagement with the ledge surface of the spring latch in response to the outside force.  
     
     
         9 . The tube clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the first leg is formed with a projection in prolongation of the spring latch, said projection being responsive to an outside force for moving the spring latch away from the second leg to reverse the clamped action on the tube.  
     
     
         10 . The tube clamp of  claim 9 , wherein said projection is configured as a stepped shoulder.  
     
     
         11 . The tube clamp of  claim 9 , wherein said projection is configured as an inclined surface.  
     
     
         12 . An infusion tube clamp comprising: 
 a shackle of generally U-shaped configuration, said shackle having first and second rigid legs provided with inside projections configured for interacting with one another as pinch-off edges; and    a flexible web interconnecting the legs and spreading the legs into a diverging position, said first leg terminating in a flexible spring latch which is configured to point in a direction of the second leg and formed with an inner ledge surface for engagement of a free end of the second leg, when the legs are squeezed together; said web and said spring latch are provided with openings for guiding a tube therethrough, said second leg having actuating means responsive to an outside force for moving the second leg into engagement with the ledge surface of the spring latch to thereby clamp the tube in conjunction with the pinch-off edges; and wherein the second leg is provided with means for application of a vertical force by a lever of the infusion pump for closing the tube clamp.    
     
     
         13 . The tube clamp of  claim 12 , wherein the means for application of a vertical force is an arched portion provided at the second leg.  
     
     
         14 . A kit comprising an infusion tube, a tube clamp and a tube, the tube clamp comprising: 
 a U-shaped shackle with first and second rigid legs, the legs provided with inside projections interacting with one another as pinch-off edges; and    a flexible web interconnecting the legs and spreading the legs into a diverging position, said first leg terminating in a flexible spring latch which is configured to point in a direction of the second leg and formed with an inner ledge surface for engagement of a free end of the second leg, when the legs are squeezed together, said second leg having actuating means responsive to an outside force for moving the second leg into engagement with the ledge surface of the spring latch to thereby clamp the tube in conjunction with the pinch-off edges.    
     
     
         15 . In combination, an infusion pump and an infusion tube set, the infusion pump comprising a lockable door for insertion and removal of a tube, said infusion tube set comprising a tube guided through the tube clamp for opening and closing the tube, wherein the infusion pump is provided with actuating means configured for so interacting with an arched surface of the tube clamp to thereby open respectively close the tube clamp.  
     
     
         16 . The combination of  claim 15 , wherein the actuating means is a lever.  
     
     
         17 . In combination, an infusion pump, an infusion tube set and a tube guided through a tube clamp, the infusion pump comprising a lockable door for insertion and removal of a tube, said tube guided through the tube clamp for opening and closing the tube when the tube clamp is engaged in a locking position; wherein the infusion pump is provided with an actuating member for one of closing or opening the tube clamp, and for cooperative engagement with a part of the tube clamp, and the infusion tube set for guiding the tube through the tube clamp for selectively opening and closing the tube; and wherein the tube clamp comprises a shackle of generally U-shaped configuration, said shackle having first and second rigid legs provided with inside projections interacting with one another as pinch-off edges, and a flexible web interconnecting the legs and spreading the legs into a diverging position, said first leg terminating in a flexible spring latch which is configured to point in a direction of the second leg and formed with an undercut to define an inner ledge surface for engagement of a free end of the second leg, when the legs are squeezed together, and wherein the web and the spring latch are provided with openings for guiding the tube therethrough; said second leg having actuating means responsive to a force exerted by the actuating member of the infusion pump for moving the second leg into engagement with the ledge surface of the spring latch to thereby clamp the tube in conjunction with the pinch-off edges.