Patent Publication Number: US-2023149628-A1

Title: Circular roller clamp assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/279,959, entitled “CIRCULAR ROLLER CLAMP ASSEMBLY,” filed on Nov. 16, 2021, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a gravity intravenous (IV) set or infusion pump flow control device, and in particular a circular roller clamp assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Flow controllers in the form of roller clamps are used in the medical field for IV applications. Typical roller clamps control a flow rate through an IV tube by clamping the tube in between a roller wheel and a linear housing having a relatively short length. This approach, for one, provides a limited range of flow rate control because the roller wheel is essentially too sensitive in that a small movement of the roller wheel or dimension change causes a large change in flow rate of the fluid through the tube. Thus, the relatively course flow rate change provided by a typical roller clamp makes it difficult to provide precise flow control. 
     Also, typical roller clamps have flow rate drifting issues based on slippage of the roller wheel, such as when fluid pressure in the tube causes the roller wheel to roll back from the adjusted position. Further, typical roller clamps are manual devices that require a user, such as a health care clinician, to adjust the roller clamp by hand. In addition, typical roller clamps are not reusable devices and are disposed of with the rest of the IV set when the IV set is thrown out. 
     Thus, it is desirable to provide an automated roller wheel assembly that provides a large range of flow control resolution, allows for simple motor connections and eliminates or minimizes roller wheel slippage. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one or more embodiments, a circular roller clamp assembly comprises: a semi-circular housing configured to receive a portion of an IV tube; a motor; a motor arm coupled to the motor; and a roller coupled to the roller arm, the roller configured to be movably received by a guide groove disposed in the semi-circular housing, wherein the circular roller clamp assembly is configured to regulate a flow rate of fluid flowing through the IV tube based on engagement of the roller with the IV tube via circumferential movement of the roller along the guide groove. 
     In one or more embodiments, an IV set comprises: an IV tube configured to be coupled to a fluid container; an infusion component coupled to the IV tube; and a circular roller clamp assembly coupled to the IV tube, the circular roller clamp assembly comprising: a semi-circular housing configured to receive the IV tube; a motor; a motor arm coupled to the motor; and a roller coupled to the roller arm, the roller configured to be movably received by a guide groove disposed in the semi-circular housing, wherein the circular roller clamp assembly is configured to regulate a flow rate of fluid flowing through the IV tube based on engagement of the roller with the IV tube via circumferential movement of the roller along the guide groove. 
     In one or more embodiments, a method of operating a circular roller clamp assembly comprises: pulling a roller coupled to an extendable motor arm radially outward from a guide groove disposed in a perimeter surface of a semi-circular housing of the circular roller clamp assembly; placing an IV tube between roller and the guide groove; releasing the roller wherein a biasing force of a spring of the motor arm contracts the motor arm radially inward towards the IV tube and the guide groove; pressing, by the roller, the IV tube against a varying sized tube channel disposed within the guide groove; rotating, by a motor, the motor arm in a first direction to move the roller towards a smaller sized portion of the tube channel to increase impingement of the IV tube by the roller and decrease a rate of fluid flow through the IV tube; and rotating, by the motor, the motor arm in a second direction to move the roller towards a larger sized portion of the tube channel to decrease impingement of the IV tube by the roller and increase the rate of fluid flow through the IV tube. 
     The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    depicts a perspective view of an example infusion set having a typical roller clamp. 
         FIG.  2    depicts a cross-section side view of the roller clamp of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    depicts a perspective view of an IV pole with a circular roller clamp assembly, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    depicts a perspective view of the IV pole with a circular roller clamp assembly of  FIG.  3   , according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    depicts a perspective view of the circular roller clamp assembly of  FIG.  3   , according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    depicts a front view of the circular roller clamp assembly of  FIG.  3   , according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    depicts a rear view of the circular roller clamp assembly of  FIG.  3   , according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    depicts a cross-section perspective view of the circular roller clamp assembly of  FIG.  3   , according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    depicts a cross-section perspective view of a motor arm of a circular roller clamp assembly, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a method of operating a circular roller clamp assembly, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description set forth below describes various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. Accordingly, dimensions are provided in regard to certain aspects as non-limiting examples. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology. 
     It is to be understood that the present disclosure includes examples of the subject technology and does not limit the scope of the appended claims. Various aspects of the subject technology will now be disclosed according to particular but non-limiting examples. Various embodiments described in the present disclosure may be carried out in different ways and variations, and in accordance with a desired application or implementation. 
     The present disclosure relates to a roller clamp and in particular to a roller clamp for use in gravity infusion. The roller clamp regulates the flow rate of a medical fluid (for example a solution of a drug to be administered to a patient, or blood) flowing through a tube. Typically, a standard infusion set is used to infuse the fluid. An example of a standard infusion set is shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     The infusion set includes a piercing spike  20  which may either be a sharp spike for piercing rubber stoppers or rounded and blunt for insertion into a bag. The spike contains one channel for fluid and optionally a second channel for venting. A vent  21  is usually present in the vicinity of the piercing spike to allow air to flow into the drop chamber  22 . The vent  21  may be provided with a bacterial filter to prevent bacteria from entering the equipment. 
     The drop chamber  22  has a drop generator  23  at the top of the drop chamber  22  that produces drops of a certain size. Drops from the drop generator  23  fall into the drop chamber  22  such that the drop chamber  22  is partially filled with liquid. This prevents air bubbles from entering the connector tube  24 , which would be harmful to a patient. A particle filter may be provided at the lower aperture of the drop chamber  22 . 
     The connector tube  24  connects the drop chamber  22  with the patient. The connector tube  24  is usually around 150 cm long and can be manufactured from PVC. The tube  24  is shown shortened in  FIG.  1    for clarity. The connector tube  24  typically has a continuous diameter throughout the length of the tube. 
     At the end of the connector tube  24  is a Luer fitting  25  which is standardized for connection to all other pieces of apparatus having a standard Luer cone. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the Luer fitting  25  can be fitted to a hypodermic needle (not shown) for infusing the medical fluid into the circulatory system of a patient (e.g., into a vein). 
     Between the drop chamber  22  and the Luer fitting  25  and engaging with the connector tube  24 , is a roller clamp  26 . The present disclosure is concerned with an improved roller clamp assembly, but a typical roller clamp  26  as known in the art will now be described for background information. 
     The roller clamp  26  illustrated in  FIG.  2    has two opposing side walls  27  having a pair of guide grooves  30  that are aligned with each other and face each other. A flow-regulating roller  28  is provided having axially-projecting shafts  29  protruding from the centers of each side of the roller  28 . The roller  28  is shown in outline for clarity. The shafts  29  of the roller  28  are captured by and seated in the guide grooves  30  so that the roller  28  can move up and down the guide grooves  30  as indicated by the arrows in  FIG.  2   . 
     The entire roller clamp  26  has four walls (see  FIG.  1   ) in an open-ended boxlike construction and is dimensioned and configured to receive the connector tube  24 . In use, the tube  24  passes through the roller clamp  26 , between the two opposing side walls  27 , the roller  28  and a guide wall  31  that is opposed to the roller  28 . 
     In the roller clamp  26 , the surface of the guide wall  31  converges along its length toward the position of the guide grooves  30  in the downward direction of the guide grooves  30  (e.g., in the direction of the arrows in  FIG.  2   ). This tends to urge the connector tube  24  within the roller clamp  26  toward the guide grooves  30  and thus toward roller  28 . 
     Thus, rolling the roller  28  downwardly along the guide grooves  30  in the direction of the gradually closer guide wall  31  in the direction of the arrows causes the roller  28  to impinge against the connector tube  24 . As the roller  28  impinges on the tube  24 , the tube  24  becomes squeezed, as it is a flexible material such as PVC, and the lumen of the infusion tube  24  therefore becomes smaller. In this way, by narrowing of the lumen, the flow rate of liquid passing through the connector tube  24  can be regulated. 
     Thus, the roller clamp  26  controls the flow rate through the infusion tube  24  by clamping the infusion tube  24  between the roller  28  and the guide wall  31 . As discussed above, this provides for a course flow rate change because a small movement of the roller  28  causes a large change in the flow rate of the fluid through the tube  24 . Also, the force of the fluid in the tube  24  exerts a biasing force against the roller  28 , which often leads to slippage of the roller  28  (e.g., the roller  28  rolls back) from the adjusted position. In addition, the roller clamp  26  requires manual adjustment and is not suitable for automated or processor controlled adjustment. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  3 - 9   , a circular roller clamp assembly  100  is shown mounted to an IV pole  190 . The circular roller clamp assembly  100  has a housing  110  having a semi-circular construction and is dimensioned and configured to receive tubing, such as connector tube  24  (see  FIG.  4   ). Two opposing side walls  112  define a guide groove  120  that receives a flow-regulating roller  130  that is disposed on an axially-projecting shaft  132  coupled to a motor arm  140  of a motor  150 . The shaft  132  is positioned outside outer peripheral walls  114  of the housing  110  so that the roller  130  can move circumferentially along and within the guide groove  120 . 
     Two inner peripheral walls  116  extend inward from the opposing side walls  112  and are disposed circumferentially within the guide groove  120 . For example, outer peripheral surfaces  118  of the inner peripheral walls  116  may form a base surface  122  (e.g., bottom surface) of the guide groove  120 . The inner peripheral walls  116  define a tube channel  160  having a varying width and/or depth along the circumferential path of the tube channel  160 . For example, a top end  162  of the tube channel  160  may have a narrow width W 1  and a bottom end  164  of the tube channel  160  may have a wide width W 2 . The inner peripheral walls  116  may be planar and angle inward from the base surface  122  until they intersect one another, thus causing the tube channel  160  to have a triangular shape (as shown in  FIG.  6   ). In aspects of the disclosure, the inner peripheral walls  116  may be curved (e.g., convex, concave) or any other suitable geometry. For example, the inner peripheral walls  116  may be concavely curved such that the tube channel  160  forms a U shape. 
     The motor  150  may be provided as a central axis of the housing  110 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  7   , the motor  150  may have a motor housing  151  disposed within a cavity  115  of the housing  110  and a cylindrical shaft  152  that is disposed within a central bore  111  of the housing  110  such that there is a peripheral gap  113  between the cylindrical shaft  152  and the central bore  111 . The peripheral gap  113  allows for unimpeded rotation of the cylindrical shaft  152  within the central bore  111 . Rotation of the cylindrical shaft  152  causes the motor arm  140  to rotate, which thus causes the shaft  132  and the roller  130  to move along the circumference of the housing  110 . A power interface  154  and a data interface  156  may be positioned on the motor  150  to receive power from a power source and to receive/send communications signals to and/or from processors and sensors. The power interface  154  and/or the data interface  156  may be wired or wireless. In aspects of the disclosure, the motor  150  may have its own power source (e.g., a battery) and/or a wireless communications interface. 
     As shown in  FIG.  9   , the motor arm  140  may include two arm sections  142 ,  144  and a spring  146 , where a first spring end  145  is coupled to the first arm section  142  and a second spring end  147  is coupled to the second arm section  144 . The arm sections  142 ,  144  may be slidably moveable relative to each other such that when the arm sections  142 ,  144  are moved in directions away from each other, the spring  146  stretches. The stretched spring  146  provides a biasing force F 1  on the arm sections  142 ,  144  to move the arm sections  142 ,  144  back towards an engaged position. 
     In use, the motor arm  140  may be pulled in an outward direction away from the cylindrical shaft  152  so that the roller  130  is completely outside of the guide groove  120 . Tube  24  may then be fed into the guide groove  120  such that the tube  24  follows the cylindrical path of the guide groove  120  from the top end  162  of the tube channel  160  to the bottom end  164  of the tube channel  160 . The motor arm  140  may then be released so that the motor arm  140  contracts (e.g., arm sections  142 ,  144  move closer towards each other due to biasing force F 1 ) and the roller  130  engages the tube  24 . Thus, the tube  24  passes through the roller clamp assembly  100 , between the two opposing side walls  112 , the roller  130  and the tube channel  160  that is opposed to the roller  130 . 
     Moving the roller  130  circumferentially along the guide groove  120  in the direction of the top end  162  of the tube channel  160  causes the roller  130  to impinge more forcefully against the tube  24  as less of the tube  24  fits within the narrower portion of the tube channel  160 . As the roller  130  impinges more forcefully on the tube  24 , the tube  24  is further squeezed, as it is a flexible material such as PVC, and the lumen (e.g., fluid flow path) of the infusion tube  24  therefore becomes smaller, thus reducing the fluid flow rate through the tube  24 . 
     Similarly, moving the roller  130  circumferentially along the guide groove  120  in the direction of the bottom end  164  of the tube channel  160  causes the roller  130  to impinge less forcefully against the tube  24  as more of the tube  24  fits within the wider portion of the tube channel  160 . As the roller  130  impinges less forcefully on the tube  24 , the tube  24  is less squeezed and the lumen of the infusion tube  24  becomes larger, thus increasing the fluid flow rate through the tube  24 . In this way, by narrowing and expanding the lumen of the tube  24 , the flow rate of liquid passing through the tube  24  can be regulated. 
     As an example, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the circular roller clamp assembly  100  may be mounted to IV pole  190  with the power interface  154  and data interface  156  connected to power wires and communications cables (not shown) disposed inside the IV pole  190 . A user (e.g., health care clinician) may pull the spring loaded motor arm  140  outward from the housing  110  and position IV tube  24  into the guide groove  120  along the tube channel  160 . The user may then release the motor arm  140  so that the biasing force F 1  of the spring  146  pulls the roller  130  inward against the IV tube  24 , pressing the IV tube  24  against the tube channel  160 . The motor  150  may communicate with an external flow sensor and rotate the motor arm  140  to position the roller  130  along the tube channel  160  to achieve the necessary compression of the IV tube  24  for the desired fluid flow rate through the IV tube  24 . In aspects of the disclosure, the motor  150  may be configured to be manually adjustable so that a user may manually select the position of the roller  130  for high resolution flow setpoint selection. 
     The circular geometry of the circular roller clamp assembly  100  significantly increases the length of the flow control channel (e.g., semi-circular tube channel  160  versus the linear channel through roller clamp  26 ), thus enabling a much larger flow control resolution. For example, the semi-circular tube channel  160  may have a 300% increase in length over the linear length of the roller clamp  26 . The circular geometry also allows for a simple motor  150  to be used to control the operation of the circular roller clamp assembly  100 . 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, the circular roller clamp assembly  100  may be configured to hang on a bracket attached to the IV pole  190 . According to aspects of the disclosure, the circular roller clamp assembly  100  may be configured to hang directly on an IV line (e.g., tube  24 ). According to aspects of the disclosure, the circular roller clamp assembly  100  may include a coupling mechanism on or adjacent a mounting surface  119  of the housing  110 . For example, the housing  110  may include one or more magnets within or on the mounting surface  119  or portions of the mounting surface  119  may be formed of a magnetic material, such that the circular roller clamp assembly  100  may be quickly and easily attached to any magnetic surface (e.g., metal pole, metal bed handrail, metal shelf). As another example, the coupling mechanism may be a clamping device configured to clamp to a desired surface (e.g., IV pole, bedrail, shelf, table). 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, the circular roller clamp assembly  100  may be configured to integrate with a smart controller. For example, the circular roller clamp assembly  100  may be integrated into a controller housing, where the controller may receive input from one or more sensors (e.g., downstream flow rate sensor) and send control signals to the motor  150  based on the sensor input and/or programmed parameters (e.g., flow settings input by a user or another processor). As another example, the circular roller clamp assembly  100  may include its own smart controller that can directly receive sensor information, determine a position of the roller  130  that will achieve the desired flow rate and/or send control signals to the motor  150  to position the roller  130  in the determined position. According to aspects of the disclosure, the circular roller clamp assembly  100  may communicate with internal or external sensors/controllers/processors via wired and/or wireless communications. 
     With reference to  FIG.  10   , a method  200  of operating a circular roller clamp assembly (e.g., circular roller clamp assembly  100 ) is provided. In step  210 , the roller (e.g., roller  130 ) is pulled away from the housing (e.g., housing  110 ). For example, a motor arm (e.g., motor arm  140 ) may be expandable via spring loaded slidable portions (e.g., arm sections  142 ,  144  and spring  146 ), thus allowing the roller coupled to the motor arm to be pulled with a force that exceeds the biasing force (e.g., biasing force F 1 ) of the spring. Tubing (e.g., IV tube  24 ) is placed or inserted into the housing such that the tubing is disposed within a housing channel (e.g., tube channel  160  within guide groove  120 ), in step  220 . 
     In step  230 , the roller is released to pull back and engage the tubing. For example, the release of the roller allows the biasing force of the spring to contract the motor arm, thus pulling the roller into the housing channel so that the roller engages and compresses the tubing into the housing channel. Control signals may be provided to the motor (e.g., motor  150 ) to direct the motor to move the roller to a specific position on the housing, in step  240 . For example, the motor may monitor sensor signals and adjust the roller position in order to change the fluid flow rate to a desired flow rate. Here, positioning the roller near a first end of the channel housing (e.g., top end  162  of the tube channel  160 ) may cause the roller to impinge the tubing to a great degree (e.g., zero or minimal fluid flow), while positioning the roller near a second end of the channel housing (e.g., bottom end  164  of the tube channel  160 ) may cause the roller to impinge the tubing to a very low degree (e.g., full or maximum fluid flow). 
     In step  250 , the roller may be moved along the housing channel by the motor to impinge the tubing at the desired level. For example, the roller may be moved from the second end of the channel housing to the first end of the channel housing so that a narrowing between the housing channel and the roller causes the roller to compress or squeeze the contacted portion of the tubing, thus causing the fluid flow rate in the tubing to change to a lower or blocked flow rate (e.g., from 250 ml/hr to 0 ml/hr). Similarly, moving the roller along the housing channel in the opposing direction will cause the fluid flow rate to change to a higher or open flow rate (e.g., from 0 ml/hr to 250 ml/hr). Thus, positioning the roller in various positions between the first and second ends of the channel housing will vary the fluid flow rate accordingly (e.g., 50 ml/hr, 100 ml/hr, 150 ml/hr, 200 ml/hr). 
     In one or more embodiments, a circular roller clamp assembly comprises: a semi-circular housing configured to receive a portion of an IV tube; a motor; a motor arm coupled to the motor; and a roller coupled to the roller arm, the roller configured to be movably received by a guide groove disposed in the semi-circular housing, wherein the circular roller clamp assembly is configured to regulate a flow rate of fluid flowing through the IV tube based on engagement of the roller with the IV tube via circumferential movement of the roller along the guide groove. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the guide groove comprises two opposing side walls extending radially inward from a perimeter surface of the semi-circular housing and a base surface disposed at an inward end of the side walls. In aspects of the disclosure, the semi-circular housing comprises two inner peripheral walls extending radially inward from the base surface of the guide groove and defining a tube channel configured to receive a portion of the IV tube. In aspects of the disclosure, the tube channel comprises a varying width from a first width at a first end to a second width at a second end, the second width being wider than the first width. In aspects of the disclosure, the tube channel comprises a varying depth from a first depth at a first end to a second depth at a second end, the second depth being deeper than the first depth. In aspects of the disclosure, the inner peripheral walls extend radially inward from the base surface of the guide groove at an acute angle and intersect with one another to define the tube channel as a triangular shape. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, a cylindrical shaft of the motor is disposed within a central bore of the semi-circular housing and a peripheral gap is disposed between the cylindrical shaft and the central bore, wherein the motor arm is coupled to an end of the cylindrical shaft, and wherein the cylindrical shaft is configured to rotate unimpeded within the central bore. In aspects of the disclosure, a power interface is disposed on the motor, the power interface configured to receive power from a power source. In aspects of the disclosure, a communications interface is disposed on the motor, the communications interface configured to one of send communications signals to one of a processor and a sensor and receive communications signals from one of a processor and a sensor. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the motor arm comprises: a first arm section; a second arm section movably coupled to the first arm section; and a spring having a first spring end coupled to the first arm section and a second spring end coupled to the second arm section, wherein the spring is configured to stretch to provide for opposing movement of the first arm section relative to the second arm section and to provide a biasing contracting force to pull the first arm section and the second arm section towards one another towards a base position. In aspects of the disclosure, the motor arm is configured to extend so that the roller is positioned outside of the guide groove for insertion of the IV tube into the guide groove, and wherein the motor arm is configured to contract due to the biasing force of the spring to pull the roller against the IV tube. In aspects of the disclosure, the semi-circular housing is configured to be mounted on an IV pole. In aspects of the disclosure, the circular roller clamp assembly comprises a magnetic coupler configured to mount to a magnetic surface. In aspects of the disclosure, the circular roller clamp assembly is configured to hang from the IV tube. 
     In one or more embodiments, an IV set comprises: an IV tube configured to be coupled to a fluid container; an infusion component coupled to the IV tube; and a circular roller clamp assembly coupled to the IV tube, the circular roller clamp assembly comprising: a semi-circular housing configured to receive the IV tube; a motor; a motor arm coupled to the motor; and a roller coupled to the roller arm, the roller configured to be movably received by a guide groove disposed in the semi-circular housing, wherein the circular roller clamp assembly is configured to regulate a flow rate of fluid flowing through the IV tube based on engagement of the roller with the IV tube via circumferential movement of the roller along the guide groove. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the guide groove comprises two opposing side walls extending radially inward from a perimeter surface of the semi-circular housing and a base surface disposed at an inward end of the side walls, the semi-circular housing comprises two inner peripheral walls extending radially inward from the base surface of the guide groove and defining a tube channel configured to receive a portion of the IV tube, and the tube channel comprises one of: a varying width from a first width at a first end to a second width at a second end, the second width being wider than the first width; and a varying depth from a first depth at the first end to a second depth at the second end, the second depth being deeper than the first depth. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the motor arm comprises: a first arm section; a second arm section movably coupled to the first arm section; and a spring coupled to the first arm section and to the second arm section, the spring configured to stretch to provide for opposing movement of the first arm section relative to the second arm section and to provide a biasing contracting force to pull the first arm section and the second arm section towards one another, wherein the motor arm is configured to extend so that the roller is positioned outside of the guide groove for insertion of the IV tube into the guide groove, and wherein the motor arm is configured to contract due to the biasing force of the spring to pull the roller against the IV tube. 
     In one or more embodiments, a method of operating a circular roller clamp assembly comprises: pulling a roller coupled to an extendable motor arm radially outward from a guide groove disposed in a perimeter surface of a semi-circular housing of the circular roller clamp assembly; placing an intravenous (IV) tube between roller and the guide groove; releasing the roller wherein a biasing force of a spring of the motor arm contracts the motor arm radially inward towards the IV tube and the guide groove; pressing, by the roller, the IV tube against a varying sized tube channel disposed within the guide groove; rotating, by a motor, the motor arm in a first direction to move the roller towards a smaller sized portion of the tube channel to increase impingement of the IV tube by the roller and decrease a rate of fluid flow through the IV tube; and rotating, by the motor, the motor arm in a second direction to move the roller towards a larger sized portion of the tube channel to decrease impingement of the IV tube by the roller and increase the rate of fluid flow through the IV tube. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the method comprises monitoring, by a sensor, the rate of fluid flow through the IV tube; and providing control signals from a processor to the motor to rotate the motor arm to adjust a position of the roller to change the rate of fluid flow to a determined rate. In aspects of the disclosure, the method comprises wherein positioning the roller at a smallest sized portion of the tube channel causes the roller to occlude the IV tube and prevent any fluid flow through the IV tube downstream of the occlusion; and wherein positioning the roller at a largest sized portion of the tube channel causes the roller to not impinge the IV tube and provide full fluid flow through the IV tube downstream of the roller. 
     It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the methods of processes disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based upon design or implementation preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes may be rearranged, or that all illustrated blocks be performed. In some implementations, any of the blocks may be performed simultaneously. 
     The present disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The disclosure provides various examples of the subject technology, and the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. 
     A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention. 
     The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. In one aspect, various alternative configurations and operations described herein may be considered to be at least equivalent. 
     As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the term “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each item of the list. The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection of at least one item; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrase “at least one of A, B, or C” may refer to: only A, only B, or only C; or any combination of A, B, and C. 
     A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as an “embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. A phrase such an embodiment may refer to one or more embodiments and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. A phrase such a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa. 
     In one aspect, unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. In one aspect, they are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain. 
     It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations or processes disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations or processes may be rearranged. Some of the steps, operations or processes may be performed simultaneously. Some or all of the steps, operations, or processes may be performed automatically, without the intervention of a user. The accompanying method claims, if any, present elements of the various steps, operations or processes in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented. 
     All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 
     The Title, Background, Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings and Abstract of the disclosure are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the Detailed Description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples and the various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter. 
     The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 101, 102, or 103, nor should they be interpreted in such a way.