Dual source parenteral infusion apparatus

Abstract

A dual parenteral solution apparatus for delivering predetermined volumes of two solutions at predetermined flow rates with increased accuracy. The apparatus has a shut-off valve in the supplementary solution supply system which is immediately activated when the supplemental solution supply is depleted.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A parenteral infusion apparatus for delivering parenteral solutions from two sources comprising a first drip chamber with a primary flow sensor means associated therewith for detecting liquid flow rate through the primary drip chamber, a supplemental solution drip chamber with supplemental solution flow sensor means associated therewith for detecting liquid flow rate through the supplemental solution drip chamber, the outlet of the supplemental solution drip chamber being connected with the primary drip chamber inlet by conduit means having a shut-off control system means associated therewith for terminating supplemental solution flow through the conduit when the measured flow detected in the supplemental solution drip chamber is less than the flow detected in the primary drip chamber. 
     
     
       2. The parenteral infusion apparatus of claim 1 wherein the supplemental solution drip chamber is remote from the primary drip chamber. 
     
     
       3. The parenteral infusion apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flow sensor means is a means for detecting passage of individual drops falling through the supplemental solution drip chamber. 
     
     
       4. The parenteral infusion apparatus of claim 3 wherein the supplemental solution flow sensor means comprises a light source for directing light through the path of drops falling in the supplemental solution drip chamber and a light collector means for focusing light transmitted through the supplemental solution drip chamber. 
     
     
       5. The parenteral infusion apparatus of claim 4 wherein the light is focused on a light sensor. 
     
     
       6. The parenteral infusion apparatus of claim 5 wherein the electrical signal from the light sensor is amplified and transmitted to a controller. 
     
     
       7. The parenteral infusion apparatus of claim 4 wherein the light is focused on the end of a fiber optics cable in optical communication with a light sensor means in a controller. 
     
     
       8. Ther parenteral infusion apparatus of claim 4 wherein the light source is a light-emitting diode. .Iadd. 
     
     
       9.  A parenteral infusion apparatus for delivering parenteral solutions from two sources comprising: a primary solution source;   a first conduit means for conducting solution supplied by said primary solution source;   a check valve located in said first conduit means;   a supplementary solution source;   a second conduit means for conducting solution supplied by said supplementary solution source;   an outlet conduit leading to a patient site;   a junction means for connecting said first conduit means and said second conduit means to said outlet conduit;   wherein the flow path of said primary solution includes said first conduit means, said check valve, said junction means, and said outlet conduit, and the flow path of said supplementary solution includes said second conduit means, said junction means, and said outlet conduit;   controller means, engaging said second conduit means, and including means for selectively occluding said second conduit means to terminate solution flow from said supplementary solution source, and further including a flow control valve means engaging said outlet conduit for controlling the flow therethrough; and   primary flow sensor means located in said primary solution flow path for detecting the liquid flow rate of solution therethrough, and supplementary flow sensor means located in said supplementary solution flow path between said supplementary solution source and said engagement of said second conduit means with said controller means for detecting the liquid flow rate of solution therethrough,   wherein said controller means is responsive to said flow sensor means for controlling said selectively occluding means and said flow control valve means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       10.  The parenteral infusion apparatus of claim 9, wherein said controller means for selectively occluding said second conduit means comprises a pinch valve engaging said second conduit means. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 
     
     
       11.  The parenteral infusion apparatus of claim 10, wherein said junction means comprises a "Y" connection. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. The parenteral infusion apparatus of claim 11, wherein said check valve is closed when said supplementary solution is flowing through said second conduit means, and said check valve opens in response to a reduction in back pressure when said second conduit means is occluded. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. The parenteral infusion apparatus of claim 12, wherein said primary flow sensor means includes a drop sensor opposing a drip chamber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. The parenteral infusion apparatus of claim 13, wherein said supplementary flow sensor means is connected to said second conduit means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. The parenteral infusion apparatus of claim 14, wherein said supplementary flow sensor means includes a second drop sensor opposing a second drip chamber connected to said outlet conduit. .Iaddend. 
     
     
        .Iadd.16.  A parenteral infusion apparatus for delivering parenteral solutions from two sources comprising: first tubing for delivering a primary solution;   second tubing for delivering a supplementary solution;   connective tubing leading to a patient site;   means for connecting said first tubing and said second tubing to said connective tubing;   wherein the flow path of said primary solution includes said first tubing, said connecting means, and said connective tubing, and the flow path of said supplementary solution includes said second tubing, said connecting means, and said connective tubing;   means, located in said flow path of said primary solution, for alternately allowing primary solution or supplementary solution to flow through said connective tubing; and   a controller, including means, located in said primary solution flow path, for sensing the flow of solution therethrough, and means, connected to said second tubing, for sensing the flow of said supplementary solution, and having a pinch valve for selectively occluding said second tubing and a flow control valve for adjusting the flow rate through said connective tubing. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. A parenteral infusion apparatus for delivering parenteral solutions from two sources comprising:   first conduit means for delivering a primary solution;   second conduit means for delivering a supplementary solution;   connective tubing leading to a patient site;   means for connecting said first conduit means and said second conduit means to said connective tubing;   a controller, including first sensor means for detecting liquid flow through said second conduit means, second sensor means for detecting liquid flow through said connective tubing, means, responsive to said first sensor, for selectively occluding said second conduit means, and means, responsive to said second sensor means, for adjusting the flow rate through said connective tubing; and   means, in fluid connection with said first conduit means, for alternately allowing primary solution or supplementary solution to flow through said   
     
     
        connective tubing. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18.  A parenteral infusion apparatus for delivering parenteral solutions from two sources comprising: a first conduit for delivering a primary solution;   a second conduit for delivering a supplementary solution and having a first flow sensor associated therewith;   a third conduit having a second flow sensor associated therewith;   a controller including a first valve engaging said second conduit and a flow control valve;   means for connecting said first, second and third conduits to said flow control valve; and   means, in fluid connection with said first conduit, for alternately allowing primary solution or supplementary solution to flow to said flow control valve,   wherein said controller is responsive to said first flow sensor for selectively occluding said second conduit and is responsive to said second flow sensor for adjusting said flow control valve. .Iaddend.