Importance

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Abstract

An intravenous infusion pumping system in which an independent and therefore disposable pump set cooperates with a rotor assembly block to produce a peristaltic action conveying a therapeutic solution drawn from a container into a patient. The pump set, which includes a flow line extending between the container and the patient, has a pump chamber interposed therein constituted by a precisely-dimensioned, flexible tube terminating in inlet and outlet connectors. The tube is looped in a block cavity to conform to an arcuate stator wall therein and is subjected to compression by a pair of diametrically-opposed rollers carried by the rotor, the rollers pressing the tube against the wall to occlude the tube and thereby trap the fluid therein. As the rotor turns, the points of occlusion are advanced to propel the fluid toward the outlet. To assure a pumping action in the proper direction, the inlet connector is provided with a flange having a predetermined size which is seated in a matching slot in an inlet socket in the block, the outlet connector having a flange of different size seated in a matching slot in an outlet socket, thereby precluding reversal of the pump chamber. To prevent air embolism, the transparent outlet connector is associated with a light beam detector that senses the presence of air in the flow therethrough to generate a signal which deactivates the pump.

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First Claim