Anti-free flow mechanism for enteral feeding pumps

Abstract

An anti-free-flow mechanism includes an occluder mechanism which is disposed along a segment of tubing and a mounting structure. The occluder mechanism is normally in a biased closed position, but may be moved into an open position by placement in the mounting structure. However, unless force is applied to keep the occluder mechanism in the mounting structure, the occluder will move relative to the mounting structure and return to the first, closed position.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A device comprising:
 an occluder mechanism configured to selectively occlude fluid flow in tubing of an enteral feeding infusion set, the occluder mechanism having a base and an actuator, the actuator being movable angularly towards the tubing to engage the tubing and thereby allow fluid flow through the tubing as a result of the engagement; and   a mounting structure configured to selectively and cooperatively engage the occluder mechanism; wherein when the occluder mechanism is cooperatively engaged with the mounting structure, the actuator is moved angularly towards the tubing to engage the tubing such that the occluder mechanism allows flow through the tubing, and when the occluder mechanism is not cooperatively engaged with the mounting structure, fluid flow through the tubing is prevented by the occluder mechanism.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the occluder mechanism is held in the mounting structure by tension in the tubing. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the mounting device is affixed to an infusion pump. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the occluder mechanism is biased to prevent fluid flow through the tubing. 
     
     
         25 . A system for selectively occluding flow through a tube comprising:
 a tubing segment;   an occluder mechanism, the occluder mechanism comprising:
 a base; 
 an occlusion member which engages the tubing to selectively prevent flow through the tubing; 
 an actuator attached to the base, the actuator being movable angularly towards the tubing to engage the tubing and thereby allow flow through the tubing as a result of the engagement. 
   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the actuator is biased away from the tubing to prevent flow through the tubing. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the actuator pivots towards the tubing to engage the tubing and thereby allow flow through the tubing. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the occlusion member comprises a slide which pinches the tubing closed to thereby prevent flow through the tubing. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the slide is attached to the actuator such that movement of the actuator moves the slide. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 25 , further comprising a mounting structure, wherein the occluder mechanism is moved into the mounting structure in a direction parallel to the tubing, and wherein mounting the base of the occluder mechanism in the mounting structure causes the mounting structure to engage the actuator and move the actuator into engagement with the tubing to thereby allow flow through the tubing. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the mounting structure has a tapered receiving structure for receiving the base of the occluder mechanism. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the mounting structure is a tapered receptacle and wherein the occluder mechanism is tapered and fits in the tapered receptacle such that movement of the occluder mechanism into the receptacle moves the actuator into engagement with the tubing.