IV set with drip chamber access

Abstract

An IV set may include a coupling for connecting the IV set to a source of liquid and a drip chamber including an access orifice, a top end having an inlet orifice, a bottom end having an outlet orifice, and a sidewall extending between the top end and the bottom end. The IV set may also include a valve connected to the access orifice for selectively controlling access to the drip chamber through the access orifice and a tube connected to the outlet orifice of the drip chamber. Additionally, the IV set may include a filter that permits air to flow through the filter while restricting the flow of liquid and an access port connected to the access orifice of the drip chamber.

1 . An IV set comprising: 
 a drip chamber comprising an access orifice, a top end having an inlet orifice, a bottom end having an outlet orifice, and a sidewall extending between the top end and the bottom end, wherein the access orifice is disposed in the sidewall;    a coupling for connecting the IV set to a source of liquid;    a valve connected to the drip chamber for selectively controlling access to the drip chamber through the access orifice; and    a tube connected to the outlet orifice of the drip chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The IV set of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter connected to the access orifice of the drip chamber for permitting air to flow through the filter while restricting the flow of liquid.  
   
   
       3 . The IV set of  claim 1 , further comprising an access port connected to the access orifice.  
   
   
       4 . The IV set of  claim 3 , wherein the valve is disposed to control the flow of fluid through the access port.  
   
   
       5 . The IV set of  claim 3 , wherein the access port comprises a septum.  
   
   
       6 . The IV set of  claim 1 , wherein the access orifice is disposed in the sidewall at or proximate to an operable liquid height.  
   
   
       7 . The IV set of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure activated valve disposed to control the flow of liquid through the outlet orifice of the drip chamber.  
   
   
       8 . The IV set of  claim 1 , wherein the tube comprises a first end connected to the drip chamber and a second end, wherein the IV set further comprises a tube attachment device for disposing the second end of the tube proximate to the drip chamber.  
   
   
       9 . The IV set of  claim 1 , further comprising a manifold connected to the access orifice.  
   
   
       10 . An IV set comprising: 
 a drip chamber comprising an access orifice, a top end having an inlet orifice, a bottom end having an outlet orifice, and a sidewall extending between the top end and the bottom end, wherein the access orifice is disposed in the sidewall;    a coupling for connecting the IV set to a source of liquid;    a means for selectively controlling access to the drip chamber through the access orifice, wherein the control means is connected to the drip chamber; and    a tube in liquid communication with the outlet orifice of the drip chamber.    
   
   
       11 . The IV set of  claim 10 , further comprising a filter connected to the access orifice of the drip chamber for permitting air to flow through the filter while restricting the flow of liquid.  
   
   
       12 . The IV set of  claim 10 , further comprising an access port connected to the access orifice of the drip chamber.  
   
   
       13 . The IV set of  claim 12 , wherein the access port comprises a septum.  
   
   
       14 . The IV set of  claim 10 , wherein the venting orifice is connected to the sidewall at or proximate to an operable liquid height.  
   
   
       15 . The IV set of  claim 10 , further comprising a manifold connected to the access orifice.  
   
   
       16 . A method for priming an IV set, the method comprising: 
 connecting a coupling of the IV set to a source of liquid, wherein the IV set comprises a drip chamber comprising an access orifice, a top end having an inlet orifice, a bottom end having an outlet orifice, and a sidewall extending between the top end and the bottom end, wherein the access orifice is disposed in the sidewall, wherein the IV set further comprises a valve connected to the drip chamber for selectively controlling access to the drip chamber through the access orifice and a tube connected to the outlet orifice of the drip chamber; and    opening the valve to permit air to exit the drip chamber through the access orifice; and    filling the drip chamber with liquid.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the tube comprises a first end connected to the drip chamber and a second end, wherein the IV set further comprises a tube attachment device, the method further comprising the step of using the tube attachment device to dispose the second end of the tube proximate to the drip chamber.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the IV set further comprises a pressure activated valve disposed to control the flow of liquid through the outlet orifice of the drip chamber, the method further comprising the step of opening the pressure activated valve to permit the flow of liquid through the outlet orifice of the drip chamber when the pressure of the liquid within the drip chamber is greater than force of a biasing mechanism of the pressure activated valve.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the IV set further comprises an access port connected to the access orifice, the method further comprising connecting a second IV set to the access port.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of closing the valve to prevent air in the drip chamber from exiting through the access orifice.