US2866457A - Apparatus for administration of parenteral fluids - Google Patents

Description

R. C. MOORE Dec. 30, 1958 APPARATUS FOR ADMINISTRATION OF PARENTERAL FLUIDS Filed Dec. 20, 1956 INVENTOR. Russell 6. Moore EC/(HOFF 5L /c/ ATTORNEYS M 4% A MEMnrn 0F THE Fl United States Patent APPARATUS FOR ADMINISTRATION OF PARENTERAL FLUIDS Russell C. Moore, Orinda, Calif., assignor t0 Cutter Laboratories, Inc., a corporation of California Application December 20, 1956, Serial No. 629,530

2 Claims. (Cl. 128214) This invention relates to the administration of parenteral fluids.

It has been usual heretofore to include in the apparatus employed in the administration of parenteral fluids suitable clamps or a multiple-way stopcock to permit of the administration of two or more fluids. For example, it is sometimes desirable to administer an anesthetic or other supplementary medication during the course of administration of a parenteral fluid. It will be obvious that a flow-controlling device such as a multiple-way stopcock must include a relatively complicated fluid passage system and is therefore expensive to manufacture and, additionally, is diflficult to clean and sterilize. Further, the operation of such a flow control device is relatively involved and unless the person handling the administration is quited skilled, more than one operator is usually required.

The present invention provides a simple apparatus assembly enabling supplemental medication to be added to an existing intravenous administration set-up. This apparatus is extremely simple and positive in its opera tion. With previous set-ups, the time lost in opening and closing of valves, shut off clamps and the like could be quite lengthy and frequently, in surgery, the time lost in such procedures is critical. In addition, a slight maladjustment can result in a loss of the fluid level in the drip chamber which is utilized to control the rate of flow of the parenteral fluid. All of difficulties and objections are overcome with the apparatus of the present invention.

It is in general the broad object of the present invention to provide a novel, simple and improved apparatus for the administration of parenteral fluids.

The invention includes other objects and features of advantage, some of which, together with the foregoing, will appear hereinafter wherein the present preferred form of administration apparatus is disclosed. In the drawing accompanying and forming a part hereof, Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section, showing an apparatus assembly embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a section taken along the line 22 in Figure 1, showing the construction of the check valve.

. Referring to the drawing, I have indicated at 6 a container for a suitable parenteral fluid, the latter being closed with a puncturable stopper, as is well-known in the art. A flow meter or drip meter, generally indicated at 7, is inserted through the stopper in the container 6 and provides a means for observing the rate of the flow of fluid from the container 6. A length of tubing 8 connects the outlet end of the drip meter to a check valve, generally indicated at 9. The other end of the check valve is connected by tubing 10 to a Y-connection, generally indicated at 11. The Y-connection includes a first inlet leg or passage 12, a second inlet leg or passage 13, and an outlet leg or passage 14, the latter being connected by a length of tubing 16 to an adapter 17, the latter being fitted within the hub 18 of a needle 19.

The second leg 13 is connected by a short length of tubing 21 to a second check valve, generally indicated Patented Dec. 30, 1958 ice by a screw clamp, generally indicated at 27. Unless it is desired to administer a supplementary fluid, the inlet 23 on the second check valve 22 is closed as by a sterile cover. If it is desired during the course of the administration of the parenteral fluid from container 6 to administer a supplementary fluid, for example, an anesthetic medication such as sodium pentothal, it is only necessary to uncover the inlet 23, insert the end 24 of syringe 26 and inject the supplementary medication into the fluid.

system. The injected material cannot pass check valve 9 nor can the fluid in the system pass the check valve 22. Thus, the two portions of the system are isolated, one from the other, by the two check valves, yet the supplementary material can be injected into the fluid system and to the patient. In place of a syringe, any other fluid feeding means can be employed.

As suitable check valves, any device well-known in the art can be utilized and one can use a ball-check or a flap check valve, as desired. That depicted is one which is well-known and which includes a disc 31 supported on several lugs 35 in spaced relation to the sidewalls 32 of check valve body 33' to permit free fluid flow in one direction. The disc is also spaced closely adjacent to the end of check valve inlet 34. If fluid flow reversal occurs, the disc is moved slightly upwardly to cover the end of the inlet 34 and so prevent the back-flow of fluid.

If the inlet end 23 of the second check valve 22 is exposed and if the length of tubing between the Y-connector 11 and needle 19 is unduly long, it is possible, under some circumstances, to aspirate air into the system. This can be avoided in either of two ways. Preferably, the overall length of tubing between the end of the needle 19 and the Y-connection is made relatively short so that the flow of fluid is incapable of aspirating air into the system past the check valve 22. If it is desired to provide a more positive check, check valve 22 can be maintained in closed position as by application of pressure from spring 25 so that it is only moved out of sealing position upon application of a positive external fluid force.

From the foregoing, I believe it will be apparent that I have provided a novel, simple, and-improved apparatus for the administration of parenteral fluids and particularly for the administration of supplementary medication.

I claim:

1. In a parenteral fluid administration set, a fluid container having an outlet, a drip meter connected to said outlet, a first check valve, a first fluid conduit connected first check valve, a Y-connection having a first and second at one end to said drip meter and at its other end to said inlet conduit and a common third outlet conduit, conduit means connecting the first check valve and the first inlet conduit, a second check valve connected to the second inlet conduit and having a movable valve member therein normally maintained in closed position and movable under positive fluid force application to permit fluid flow therethrough into the second inlet conduit and thence to the third outlet conduit.

2. In a parenteral fluid administration set, a fluid container having an outlet, a drip meter connected to said outlet, a first check valve, a first fluid conduit connected at one end to said drip meter and at its other end to said first check valve, a Y-connection having a first and second inlet conduit and a common third outlet conduit, conduit means conn:cting the first check valve and the first inlet conduit, a second check valve connected to the second inlet conduit and having a movable valve member therein normally maintained in closed position and movable under positive fluid force application to permit fluid flow therethrough into the second inlet conduit and thence to the third outlet conduit, the second check valve being adapted for connection to a hypodermic syringe whereby a liquid can be forced preferentially to the third outlet conduit.

References Cited in thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 181,940 Hovey et a1. Sept. 5, 1876

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