Patent Publication Number: US-2023138463-A1

Title: Flow rate control regulator for fluid infusion

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a flow rate regulator for intravenous (IV) injection, and more specifically, to a flow rate regulator for IV injection that is capable of preventing an operating roller from rotating, in a state where a flow rate of an IV fluid is adjusted by the operating roller, to thus keep the flow rate of the IV fluid from being varied. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , an IV injection system for injecting an IV fluid into the vein includes an IV fluid bottle  1  in which the IV fluid is stored, an insertion needle  11  inserted into a sealing stopper of the IV fluid bottle  1  to allow the IV fluid from flowing out from the IV fluid bottle  1 , a drip chamber  12  fixed to the underside of the insertion needle  11  to allow the IV fluid from fall down therefrom in the form of drops (gtt)  12   a , an injection needle  14  inserted into the vein, a tube  13  serving as an IV fluid injection path for connecting the drip chamber  12  and the injection needle  14 , and an IV fluid flow regulator  15  mounted on the intermediate portion of the tube  13  to adjust the flow rate of the IV fluid. 
     Generally, the insertion needle  11 , the drip chamber  12 , the tube  13 , the injection needle  14 , and the IV fluid flow regulator  15  are made as a single set, and such a set is called an infusion set  10 . 
     After the IV fluid is injected into a patient&#39; body in a state where the infusion set  10  is connected to the IV fluid bottle  1 , if it is desired to continuously inject the IV fluid into the same patient, only the IV fluid bottle  1  in which the IV fluid is all consumed is exchanged with new one. 
     Further, the drops  12   a  falling down in the drip chamber  12  are the IV fluid drops like water drops, and so as to provide the drops  12   a  having given volumes, the insertion needle  11  and the drip chamber  12  are made. For example, if it is desired to make 20 drops per 1 cc of the IV fluid, the volume of one drop becomes 1/20 cc, and if it is desired to make 60 drops per 1 cc of the IV fluid, the volume of one drop becomes 1/60 cc. 
     If a cycle in which the drops fall from the drip chamber  12  is measured, the flow rate of the IV fluid injected through the infusion set  10  is calculated. 
     So as to inject the IV fluid into the patient&#39;s body, further, the flow rate of the IV fluid injected is prescribed according to the type of IV fluid, the types of drugs added to the IV fluid, the patient&#39;s condition, the type of the patient&#39;s disease, and the like, and through the IV fluid flow regulator  15 , accordingly, the IV fluid is injected at the prescribed flow rate. 
     In this case, if the flow rate of IV fluid injected does not conform to the prescribed flow rate, medical accidents may occur, and therefore, it is very important to accurately regulate the flow rate of IV fluid. The IV fluid flow regulator  15  has an operating part  15   a  for adjusting the sectional area of the IV fluid passing through the tube  13 , and through the operation of the operating part  15   a , the flow rate of IV fluid injected is controlled. 
     The IV fluid flow regulator  15  as shown in  FIG.  1    is called a roller clamp type flow regulator, and accordingly, it has the operating part  15   a  having a roller type. In specific, the tube  13  fittedly passes through a hole  15   b  penetrated up and down into the IV fluid flow regulator  15 , and the operating part  15   a  for pressurizing the tube  13  moves up and down along a long concave groove  15   c  formed on the IV fluid flow regulator  15 . 
     In this case, the hole  15   b  becomes narrow in width as it goes toward the bottom thereof, and as the operating part  15   a  moves down, it more strongly pressurizes the tube  13 . As the operating part  15   a  moves, the flow rate of IV fluid is measured at the moving position, and the movement of the operating part  15   a  is stopped at a desired flow rate, thereby finishing the control of the flow rate of IV fluid injected. 
     However, the roller clamp type IV fluid flow regulator  15  as shown in  FIG.  1    is configured to observe the drip chamber  12  whenever the roller type operating part  15   a  moves so as to measure the flow rate of IV fluid, so that such inconvenient measurements may be repeatedly needed and a degree of accuracy in the flow rate control may be deteriorated. 
     Further, the conventional fluid flow regulator is configured to move the roller type operating part up and down to control the flow rate of IV fluid injected, but after the operation of the operating part, no locking means for locking the operating part is provided so that if the operating part operates due to the patient&#39;s motions or mistakes, it may move unexpectedly to cause the flow rate of IV fluid to be varied from the set value, which undesirably leads medical accidents. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems occurring in the related art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a flow rate regulator for IV injection that is capable of allowing a roller holder for supporting an operating roller to be connected to a body to which an infusion tube is fitted to prevent the operating roller for regulating an amount of an intravenous fluid from moving at a regulated position thereof, and of allowing flow rate scales indicated on the body to discharge the intravenous fluid by set amount safely and accurately, thereby improving product performance, safety of use, and reliability. 
     Technical Solution 
     To accomplish the above-mentioned objects, according to the present invention, there is provided a flow rate regulator for intravenous injection, including: a body having a space portion penetratedly formed thereinto in an up and down direction to fittingly connect an infusion tube thereto and a roller connection hole formed on the front surface thereof; an operating roller fitted to the roller connection hole of the body, moving up and down along the roller connection hole, and pressurizing the infusion tube thereagainst to allow the flow rate of an intravenous fluid to be regulated; and a roller holder connected to the body to which the operating roller is fitted and supporting the operating roller thereagainst to prevent the operating roller from arbitrarily moving. 
     The body may include flow rate scales indicated thereon to check the flow rate of the intravenous fluid discharged through the infusion tube according to the movement of the operating roller. 
     The roller holder may include: a fitting part coupled to the roller connection hole; and a movement prevention part disposed at the front surface of the fitting part and coming into close contact with one side surface of the operating roller to prevent the operating roller from moving. 
     The fitting part may include: fitting pieces fitted to the roller connection hole and moving up and down along the roller connection hole; and locking pieces protruding outward from the ends of the fitting pieces locking pieces and locked onto the inside of the roller connection hole to prevent the roller holder from escaping from the roller connection hole. 
     The fitting pieces may come into close contact with both inner walls of the roller connection hole, respectively. 
     The movement prevention part may have the shape of ⊏ with a support hole formed at the inside thereof to allow the outer periphery of the operating roller to come into fittedly close contact therewith. 
     The movement prevention part may have a plurality of moving protrusions formed on the front surface thereof to easily move the roller holder along the roller connection hole so that the roller holder comes into close contact with the operating roller. 
     The roller holder may include: a connection part fitted to the roller connection hole and connected to the operating roller; and locking parts connected to the connection part and locked onto the outer surfaces of the body to prevent the roller holder from moving so that the operating roller becomes locked. 
     The connection part may include: a moving plate coming into close contact with the top surface of the body and having a fitting hole formed thereinto to fit an upward protruding portion of the operating roller; and connection stands disposed on both sides of the underside of the moving plate and having fixing grooves formed on the undersides thereof, fitted to the roller connection hole and the rotary shafts of the operating roller simultaneously, and moving the roller holder together with the operating roller. 
     The locking parts may be located at both sides of the connection part, respectively and have locking hooks disposed on the undersides thereof and locked onto the locking protrusions formed on the outer surfaces of the body to allow the roller holder is locked onto the body. 
     The locking parts may be flexibly connected to the connection part to rotate up and down gently with respect to the connection part. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     According to the present invention, the flow rate regulator for intravenous injection is configured to have the roller holder adapted to temporarily stop the movement of the operating roller along the body to which the infusion tube is fitted so that the operating roller for regulating the amount of the intravenous fluid is locked onto the body by means of the roller holder to prevent the arbitrary movement from the position, and even though the operating roller operates due to the patient&#39;s motions or mistakes, it does not easily move to allow the set amount of intravenous fluid to be consistently discharged, thereby preventing medical accidents from occurring and optimizing the efficiency of the product. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing an installation state of a conventional infusion set and an IV fluid flow regulator mounted on the infusion set. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective view showing a flow rate regulator for IV injection according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view showing the flow rate regulator for IV injection according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a front view showing the flow rate regulator for IV injection according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a cross sectional view showing the flow rate regulator for IV injection according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view showing a roller holder of the flow rate regulator for IV injection according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  7    is a front view showing the roller holder of  FIG.  6   . 
         FIG.  8    is an exploded perspective view showing a flow rate regulator for IV injection according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view showing a state before the flow rate regulator for IV injection of  FIG.  8    is locked. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view showing a state in which the flow rate regulator for IV injection of  FIG.  8    is locked. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view showing a state in which the roller holder of the flow rate regulator for IV injection of  FIG.  8    is coupled to an operating roller. 
         FIG.  12    is a front view showing the roller holder of the flow rate regulator for IV injection of  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  13    is a side view showing the roller holder of the flow rate regulator for IV injection of  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  14    is a cross sectional view showing the flow rate regulator for IV injection of  FIG.  8   . 
     
    
    
       
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 &lt;Explanations of reference numerals in the drawings&gt; 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 100: Body 
                 110: Space portion 
               
               
                   
                 120: Roller connection hole 
                 130: Locking projection 
               
               
                   
                 140: Flow rate scale 
                 200: Operating roller 
               
               
                   
                 210: Rotary shaft 
                 300, 301: Roller holder 
               
               
                   
                 310: Fitting part 
                 311: Fitting piece 
               
               
                   
                 312: Locking piece 
                 320: Movement prevention part 
               
               
                   
                 321: Support hole 
                 322: Moving protrusion 
               
               
                   
                 330: Connection part 
                 331: Moving plate 
               
               
                   
                 331a: Fitting hole 
                 332: Connection stand 
               
               
                   
                 332a: Fixing groove 
                 340: Locking part 
               
               
                   
                 341: Locking hook 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     MODE FOR INVENTION 
     The present invention may be modified in various ways and may have several exemplary embodiments. Specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this does not limit the invention within specific embodiments and it should be understood that the invention covers all the modifications, equivalents, and replacements within the idea and technical scope of the invention. 
     In the description, the thicknesses of the lines or the sizes of the components shown in the drawing may be magnified for the clarity and convenience of the description. Further, the terms as will be discussed later are defined in accordance with the functions of the present invention, but may be varied under the intention or regulation of a user or operator. Therefore, they should be defined on the basis of the whole scope of the present invention. 
     A term ‘and/or’ includes a combination of a plurality of relevant and described items or any one of a plurality of related and described items. When it is said that one element is described as being “connected” or “coupled” to the other element, one element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, but it should be understood that another element may be present between the two elements. In this application, terms, such as “comprise”, “include”, or ‘have”, are intended to designate those characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, elements, or parts which are described in the specification, or any combination of them that exist, and it should be understood that they do not preclude the possibility of the existence or possible addition of one or more additional characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, elements, or parts, or combinations thereof. 
     In the description, when it is said that a layer, a region, a pattern, or a structure is located “on” or “under” another layer, region, pattern, or structure, it means that one layer may come into contact with another layer as well as yet another layer may exist between the two layers. The relation between the layers is explained with reference to the drawings. 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective view showing a flow rate regulator for IV injection according to an embodiment of the present invention,  FIG.  3    is a perspective view showing the flow rate regulator for IV injection according to the present invention,  FIG.  4    is a front view showing the flow rate regulator for IV injection according to the present invention,  FIG.  5    is a cross sectional view showing the flow rate regulator for IV injection according to the present invention,  FIG.  6    is a perspective view showing a roller holder of the flow rate regulator for IV injection according to the present invention,  FIG.  7    is a front view showing the roller holder of  FIG.  6   ,  FIG.  8    is an exploded perspective view showing a flow rate regulator for IV injection according to another embodiment of the present invention,  FIG.  9    is a perspective view showing a state before the flow rate regulator for IV injection of  FIG.  8    is locked,  FIG.  10    is a perspective view showing a state in which the flow rate regulator for IV injection of  FIG.  8    is locked,  FIG.  11    is a perspective view showing a state in which the roller holder of the flow rate regulator for IV injection of  FIG.  8    is coupled to an operating roller,  FIG.  12    is a front view showing the roller holder of the flow rate regulator for IV injection of  FIG.  8   ,  FIG.  13    is a side view showing the roller holder of the flow rate regulator for IV injection of  FIG.  8   , and  FIG.  14    is a cross sectional view showing the flow rate regulator for IV injection of  FIG.  8   . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2  to  7   , a flow rate regulator for IV injection according to an embodiment of the present invention largely includes a body  100 , an operating roller  200 , and a roller holder  300 . 
     The body  100  has a space portion  110  penetratedly formed thereinto in an up and down direction to fittingly connect an infusion tube  13  thereto and a roller connection hole  120  formed on the front surface thereof to connect the operating roller  200  thereto. 
     In this case, the space portion  110  becomes inclined toward the bottom thereof to thus regulate the depth pressurized of the infusion tube  13  according to the movement of the operating roller  200 . 
     Further, the body  100  has locking projections  130  protruding from the outer surfaces thereof. 
     The body  100  includes flow rate scales  140  indicated on the side surface thereof to check the flow rate of an intravenous fluid discharged through the infusion tube  13  according to the movement of the operating roller  200 . 
     The operating roller  200  is fitted to the roller connection hole  120  of the body  100  and pressurizes the infusion tube  13  according to upward and downward movements thereof to allow the flow rate of the intravenous fluid to be regulated. 
     Further, the operating roller  200  has rotary shafts  210  disposed on both side surfaces thereof and fitted to the side surfaces of the roller connection hole  120  so that the operating roller  200  moves up and down along the roller connection hole  120 . 
     The roller holder  300  is fitted to the roller connection hole  120  of the body  100  and comes into close contact with one side of the operating roller  200  to support the operating roller  200  thereagainst so that the operating roller  200  is prevented from arbitrarily moving. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  6  and  7   , the roller holder  300  includes a fitting part  310  and a movement prevention part  320 . 
     The fitting part  310  is fitted to the roller connection hole  120  of the body  100  and moves up and down. 
     The fitting part  310  has fitting pieces  311  fitted to the roller connection hole  120  and moving up and down along the roller connection hole  120 . 
     Further, the fitting pieces  311  come into close contact with both inner walls of the roller connection hole  120 , respectively. 
     That is, the fitting pieces  311  fitted to the roller connection hole  120  come into close contact with both inner walls of the roller connection hole  120  so that unless the roller holder  300  is controlled by a manager, it does not easily move up and down along the roller connection hole  120 . 
     Further, the fitting part  310  has locking pieces  312  protruding outward from the ends of the fitting pieces  311  and thus locked onto the inside of the roller connection hole  120  so that the roller holder  300  is prevented from escaping from the roller connection hole  120 . 
     Further, the locking pieces  312  protrude outward from the ends of the fitting pieces  311  and are easily fitted to the inside of the roller connection hole  120 , and in this case, they have the shape of ∠, so that they do not easily escape from the roller connection hole  120 . 
     The movement prevention part  320  is disposed at the front surface of the fitting part  310  and comes into close contact with one side surface of the operating roller  200  to prevent the operating roller  200  from moving. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG.  4   , the movement prevention part  320  is disposed above the operating roller  200 . 
     That is, as the operating roller  200  moves down, the force of the operating roller  200  pressurizing the infusion tube  12  becomes gradually strong to decrease the amount of the intravenous fluid discharged, and accordingly, the operating roller  200  does not move down easily but moves up. As a result, the roller holder  300  is located above the operating roller  200 . 
     The movement prevention part  320  has the shape of ⊏ with a support hole  321  formed at the inside thereof to fit one side outer periphery of the operating roller  200  thereto and thus prevent the operating roller  200  from moving. 
     Further, the movement prevention part  320  has a plurality of moving protrusions  322  formed on the front surface thereof to easily move the roller holder  300  along the roller connection hole  120  so that the roller holder  300  comes into close contact with the operating roller  200  to prevent the operating roller  200  from moving. 
     In this case, the moving protrusions  322  protrude upward from the front surface of the movement prevention part  320 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  8  to  14   , a flow rate regulator for IV injection according to another embodiment of the present invention is configured to have a roller holder  301  with a connection part  330  and locking parts  340 . 
     The connection part  330  is fitted to the roller connection hole  120 , connected to the operating roller  200 , and moves together with the operating roller  200 . 
     The connection part  330  includes a moving plate  331  and connection stands  332 . 
     The moving plate  331  comes into close contact with the top surface of the body  100  and has a fitting hole  331   a  formed thereinto to fit an upward protruding portion of the operating roller  200  fitted to the roller connection hole  120  thereto. 
     That is, as the moving plate  331  comes into close contact with the body  100 , the operating roller  200  is fitted to the inside of the fitting hole  331   a , and accordingly, the moving plate  331  is movable according to the movement of the operating roller  200 . 
     The connection stands  332  are disposed vertically on both sides of the underside of the moving plate  331  and fitted to the roller connection hole  120  so that they are fitted to the rotary shafts  210  of the operating roller  200 , respectively, to move the roller holder  301  to move together with the operating roller  200 . 
     Further, the connection stands  332  have fixing grooves  332   a  formed on the undersides thereof to fit the rotary shafts  210  of the operating roller  200  thereto. 
     That is, the connection stands  332  are fitted between the roller connection hole  120  and the operating roller  200 , and accordingly, the rotary shafts  210  are fitted to the fixing grooves  332   a , so that the operating roller  200  and the roller holder  301  move simultaneously. 
     The locking parts  340  are connected to the connection part  330  and locked onto the locking projections  130  formed on the outer surfaces of the body  100  according to the rotation of the operating roller  200 , thereby preventing the roller holder  301  from moving to thus allow the operating roller  200  to be locked. 
     In this case, the locking parts  340  are located at both sides of the connection part  330 , respectively. 
     The locking parts  340  have locking hooks  341  disposed on the undersides thereof to be locked onto the locking protrusions  130  formed on the outer surfaces of the body  100  so that the roller holder  301  is locked onto the body  100 . 
     In this case, the locking hooks  341  are provided by incising portions of the locking parts  340  and then bending the incised portions downward. 
     Further, the locking parts  340  are flexibly connected to the connection part  330  and thus rotate up and down gently with respect to the connection part  330  to allow the roller holder  301  to be locked onto the body  100  or released from the locked state. 
     Now, an explanation of an operating state of the flow rate regulator for IV injection according to the present invention will be given below. 
     The operating roller  200  is connected to the roller connection hole  120  of the body  100  having the infusion tube  13  fitted thereto, and next, the roller holder  300  or  301  is fitted to the roller connection hole  120  to which the operating roller  200  is fitted, so that the operating roller  200  can be prevented from moving along the roller connection hole  120  by means of the roller holder  300  or  301 . 
     Next, the roller holder  300  or  301  fitted to the roller connection hole  120  serves to support the operating roller  200  or lock it onto the body  100 , and accordingly, the operating roller  200 , which is adjusted to a set amount of intravenous fluid, does not arbitrarily move unless it is controlled by the manager, so that the set amount of intravenous fluid is constantly discharged. 
     Further, the flow rate scales  140  are indicated on the side surface of the body  100 , and accordingly, the amount of intravenous fluid varied according to the movement of the operating roller  200  can be accurately checked by the manager, not by his or her eye measurement, so that it is possible to discharge the amount of intravenous fluid according to prescription, thereby maximizing the efficiency of a product. 
     In addition, the roller holder  300  or  301  is separately coupled to the roller connection hole  120  of the body  100  in a simple manner, and if necessary, accordingly, they can be detachably attached easily to the body  100 . 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.