Apparatus and method for preventing free flow in an infusion line

Abstract

An apparatus and method for preventing free flow through an infusion set utilizes an occluder disposed within the infusion set to selectively prevent flow therethrough. The occluder may be responsive to a pressure differential within the infusion set or may respond to compression of the infusion set. When a pair of occluders are used in sequence, an in-line pump may be formed.

1 - 81 . (canceled)  
   
   
       82 . A valve for controlling fluid flow, the valve comprising: 
 an elongate flexible infusion line configured for carrying liquids, the infusion line having a proximal portion, a middle portion, and a distal portion;    a first occluder disposed in the infusion line for selectively preventing flow of liquid from the proximal portion to the middle portion;    a second occluder disposed in the infusion line for selectively preventing flow of liquid from the middle portion to the distal portion; and    a first actuator associated with and upstream of the first occluder, adjacent the proximal portion of the infusion line for selectively applying force to the proximal portion of the infusion line to enable fluid flow from the proximal portion to the middle portion past the first occluder.    
   
   
       83 . The valve according to  claim 82 , further comprising: 
 a second actuator adjacent the middle portion of the infusion line and associated with the second occluder for selectively applying force to the middle portion of the infusion line to enable fluid flow from the middle portion to the distal portion past the second occluder.    
   
   
       84 . The valve according to  claim 83 , further comprising a drive means for moving the first actuator and the second actuator.  
   
   
       85 . The valve according to  claim 82 , wherein the infusion line is formed from a resilient material, and wherein application of force by the first actuator against the infusion line forms a flow channel between the infusion line and the first occluder.  
   
   
       86 . The valve according to  claim 83 , wherein the infusion line is formed from a resilient material, and wherein application of force by the second actuator against the infusion line forms a flow channel between the infusion line and the second occluder.  
   
   
       87 . The valve according to  claim 82 , further comprising a second force actuator disposed adjacent the first occluder for selectively applying force to the infusion line adjacent the first occluder to enable fluid flow past the first occluder.  
   
   
       88 . A valve for controlling fluid flow, the valve comprising: 
 an elongate flexible infusion line configured for carrying liquids, the infusion line having a proximal portion, and a distal portion;    a first occluder disposed in the infusion line for selectively preventing flow of liquid from the proximal portion toward the distal portion; and    a first actuator associated with and upstream of the first occluder adjacent the proximal portion of the infusion line for selectively applying force to the infusion line to enable fluid flow from the proximal portion toward the distal portion and past the first occluder.    
   
   
       89 . The valve for controlling fluid flow according to  claim 82 , wherein the valve further comprises a second occluder disposed downstream from the first occluder.  
   
   
       90 . The valve for controlling fluid flow according to  claim 89 , wherein the infusion line has a middle portion disposed between the first occluder and the second occluder, and wherein actuating the first actuator moves fluid into the middle portion.  
   
   
       91 . The valve for controlling fluid flow according to  claim 89 , further comprising: 
 a second actuator for selectively applying force to the middle portion of the infusion line to enable fluid flow from the middle portion to the distal portion past the second occluder.    
   
   
       92 . The valve for controlling fluid flow according to  claim 91 , wherein the second actuator applies a compressive force to the infusion line and thereby causes radial expansion to the infusion line adjacent the second occluder.  
   
   
       93 . The valve for controlling fluid flow according to  claim 91 , wherein the first actuator applies a compressive force to the infusion line and thereby causes radial expansion to the infusion set adjacent the first occluder.  
   
   
       94 . The valve according to  claim 91 , further comprising a drive means for moving the first actuator and the second actuator.  
   
   
       95 . The valve according to  claim 89 , wherein the infusion line is formed from a resilient material, and wherein application of force by the first actuator against the infusion line forms a flow channel between the infusion line and the first occluder.  
   
   
       96 . The valve according to  claim 91 , wherein the infusion line is formed from a resilient material, and wherein application of force by the second actuator against the infusion line forms a flow channel between the infusion line and the second occluder.  
   
   
       97 . The valve according to  claim 91 , further comprising a third force actuator associated with and disposed adjacent the first occluder and a fourth force actuator associated with and disposed adjacent the second occluder for applying force to the infusion line adjacent the first and second occluders to enable fluid flow past the occluders.  
   
   
       98 . A valve for controlling fluid flow, the valve comprising: 
 an elongate flexible infusion line configured for carrying liquids, the infusion line having a proximal portion, a middle portion and a distal portion;    a first occluder disposed in the infusion set for selectively preventing flow of liquid from the proximal portion to the middle portion and allowing flow when a predetermined pressure exists in the proximal portion;    a second occluder disposed in the infusion set for selectively preventing flow from the middle portion to the distal portion and allowing flow when a predetermined pressure exists in the middle portion wherein the predetermined pressure is different than the predetermined pressure at which flow is allowed past the first occluder; and    an actuator for applying a force to the middle portion to force fluid in the middle portion to pass the second occluder and flow into the distal portion.    
   
   
       99 . The valve according to  claim 98 , further comprising another actuator associated with and upstream of the first occluder for selectively applying force to the proximal portion of the infusion line to enable fluid flow from the proximal portion to the middle portion.  
   
   
       100 . The valve according to  claim 99 , further comprising a drive mechanism for moving the actuators.  
   
   
       101 . The valve according to  claim 82 , further comprising a third force actuator associated with and disposed adjacent the first occluder and a fourth force actuator associated with and disposed adjacent the second occluder for selectively applying force to the infusion line adjacent the first and second occluders to enable fluid flow past the first and second occluders.  
   
   
       102 . The valve according to  claim 91 , further comprising a third force actuator associated with and disposed adjacent the first occluder and a fourth force actuator associated with and disposed adjacent the second occluder for applying force to the infusion line adjacent the first and second occluders to create a flow channel between the infusion line and the occluders.  
   
   
       103 . The valve according to  claim 88 , further comprising a second force actuator associated with and disposed adjacent the first occluder for applying force to the infusion line adjacent the first occluder to enable fluid flow past the occluder.  
   
   
       104 . The valve according to  claim 88 , further comprising a second force actuator associated with and disposed adjacent the first occluder for applying force to the infusion line adjacent the first occluder to create a flow channel between the infusion line and the occluder.  
   
   
       105 . The valve according to  claim 98  further comprising a second actuator associated with and disposed adjacent the first occluder for applying force to the infusion line at the first occluder to enable fluid flow past the occluder.  
   
   
       106 . The valve according to  claim 98  further comprising a second actuator associated with and disposed adjacent the first occluder for applying force to the infusion line at the first occluder to create a flow channel around the first occluder.  
   
   
       107 . The valve according to  claim 99  further comprising a third actuator associated with and disposed adjacent the first occluder and a fourth actuator associated with and disposed adjacent the second occluder for applying force to the infusion line at the first and second occluders to allow flow around the occluders.