Patent Description:
An infusion device of this kind comprises a housing having a receptacle for receiving an infusion line, a pump mechanism for delivering a medical fluid through an infusion line received in the receptacle, and a clamping mechanism having a clamping element being pivotably connected to the housing and being movable with respect to the housing between a clamping position for acting onto an infusion line received in the receptacle to locally pinch off the infusion line and a release position for allowing a flow through the infusion line.

An infusion device, in particular a volumetric (peristaltic) infusion device, serves to deliver a medical fluid, such as a medication or a nutritional solution for example for the enteral feeding, to a patient and for this, via its pump mechanism, acts onto an infusion line. The infusion line on one end may be connected for example to a container containing the medical solution and on its other end to the patient, the pump mechanism exerting a pumping force for example in a peristaltic fashion on the infusion line such that the medical solution is transported through the infusion line towards the patient.

For delivering a medical solution to the patient, an infusion set comprising the infusion line is placed on the infusion device, the infusion line being received in the receptacle of the infusion device. Herein, when placing an infusion line on an infusion device it is to be avoided that a medical solution flows through the infusion line towards the patient in an uncontrolled fashion (so-called free flow condition). For this, the infusion device comprises a clamping mechanism which shall stop a flow through the infusion line at the closing of a door of the infusion device (prior to the start of the actual infusion operation), which also allows to perform an integrity check, in particular a so-called OCS (occlusivity check system) test with which the correct functioning of the system, in particular the pumping mechanism is tested. For starting the infusion operation the clamping mechanism is opened such that a flow through the infusion line may take place controlled by the pump mechanism.

In an infusion device known from <CIT> a slide clamp acts onto an infusion line, the slide clamp being automatically closed for pinching off the infusion line when closing a door of the infusion device. For opening the slide clamp for conducting an infusion operation an opening mechanism by means of a finger acts onto the slide clamp, such that the pinching of the infusion line is released and a flow through the infusion line may take place.

In <CIT> a medical pump is disclosed comprising a holder for a hose clamp, wherein the hose clamp is separate from the pump. The hose clamp comprises two clamp portions movable relative to each other in order to clamp the hose due to a rotational movement of a second clamp portion relative to a first clamp portion. The hose is pinched between a rotative part and a fixed part.

Similar to this, the <CIT> refers to a transfusion safety device having a clamping mechanism, wherein a pair of arms of the clamping mechanism act as a scissor to pinch a tube.

The apparatus of <CIT> discloses a dedicated clamp mechanism distinct from the housing of an infusion device, wherein the clamp mechanism is a symmetrical sliding clamp, pinching a tube thanks to a elastic deformation of the slide clamp.

It is desirable to provide an infusion device which is compatible with different infusion lines of different manufacturers. It furthermore is desirable to provide an infusion device having a clamping mechanism of simple structure and constitution, which is easy and intuitive to use for a user, in particular a nurse in a hospital environment and which furthermore provides for a reliable pinching of an infusion line to prevent a free flow condition even after opening the door of the infusion device.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide an infusion which allows to provide for an easy and intuitive use for placing an infusion line on the infusion device, which may allow the use of different infusion lines on the infusion device and which enables a reliable pinching of the infusion line in order to prevent a free flow condition.

This object is achieved by means of an infusion device comprising the features of claim <NUM>.

Accordingly, the clamping mechanism comprises a base element arranged on the housing, the clamping element being movable with respect to the base element for sliding the clamping element onto the infusion line for pinching the infusion line in between a first clamping face of the clamping element and a second clamping face of the base element in the clamping position or for sliding the clamping element off the infusion line for allowing a flow through the infusion line in the release position.

The clamping mechanism hence comprises a base element which in principle is arranged stationary on the housing and which is not (actively) moved for transferring the clamping mechanism in between the clamping position and the release position. The clamping mechanism furthermore comprises a clamping element which is movable with respect to the base element and establishes a clamping of the infusion line in the clamping position by pinching off the infusion line in between a clamping face of the clamping element and a clamping face of the base element.

The pinching of the infusion line takes place by sliding the clamping element onto the infusion line such that the infusion line comes to rest in between the clamping face of the clamping element and the clamping face of the base element. The clamping element hence is moved with respect to the base element such that the clamping element slides onto the infusion line and in this way pinches of the infusion line in the clamping position.

Because of the sliding movement of the clamping element a relatively small force for actuating the clamping element is sufficient, nevertheless reliably achieving a pinching of the infusion line.

For in turn releasing the infusion line, the clamping element may be moved with respect to the base element in order to slide the clamping element off the infusion line such that the pinching of the infusion line is released and a fluid may flow through the infusion line in the release position.

The clamping of the infusion line hence takes place by means of the clamping element in a sliding fashion. The clamping element may be moved with respect to the base element in a tangential fashion such that the clamping element slides onto the infusion line while the base element remains stationary (except for possibly an adjustment movement of the base element for adjusting to tolerances in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the clamping element) during movement of the clamping element.

In one embodiment, the clamping face of the clamping element and the clamping face of the base element extend in parallel to each other in the clamping position of the clamping element. The clamping faces receive the infusion line in between themselves, wherein the distance between the clamping faces is so small that the infusion line is reliably pinched off when the clamping element is in the clamping position.

In one embodiment, the second clamping face extends, when viewed in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the pivot axis of the clamping element, along an extension direction, the clamping element being movable with respect to the base element for approaching the clamping face of the clamping element towards the clamping face of the base element along the extension direction. The movement direction of the clamping element hence corresponds to the extension direction of the base element, such that the clamping element is tangentially moved with respect to the base element in order to slide the clamping element onto the infusion line for pinching off the infusion line in between the base element and the clamping element in the clamping position.

The clamping face of the clamping element and/or the clamping face of the base element are curved, the curvature of the clamping faces conforming to a circumferential direction about the pivot axis of the clamping element. The radius of the curvature of the clamping face of the base element as well as the curvature of the radius of the clamping face of the clamping element hence may be defined by the distance of the respective clamping face to the pivot axis of the clamping element, wherein due to the slightly different distances the radius of curvature of the clamping face of the clamping element may slightly differ from the radius of curvature of the clamping face of the base element.

In one embodiment, the clamping element comprises a body and a jaw element pivotably arranged on the body, the jaw element forming the clamping face of the clamping element. The body of the clamping element is pivotably connected to the housing about the pivot axis of the clamping element. The jaw element herein at least by some margin is movable with respect to the body and may in one embodiment be pretensioned with respect to the body by means of an elastic pretensioning element, for example a spring element, a movement of the jaw element with respect to the body of the clamping element hence allowing for a compensation of tolerances in the system of the infusion pump, in particular the system of the clamping mechanism as well as tolerances of the infusion line, or an adjustment to infusion lines of different dimensions and different structural built.

In an analogous fashion to the jaw element of the clamping element, the base element may be pivotably connected to the housing and may, in one embodiment, be elastically pretensioned with respect to the housing by means of another elastic pretensioning element, for example in the shape of another spring element. Hence, also the base element may, in particular in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the clamping element, perform an adjustment movement for compensating tolerances or for adjusting to infusion lines of different dimensions and different structural built.

Because tolerances may be compensated for on the clamping element and/or the base element and an (automatic) adjustment to infusion lines of different dimensions and different structural built may be achieved, the clamping mechanism may be used in a versatile fashion for different infusion lines without the need for a particular adaption of the clamping mechanism by a user.

In one embodiment, the clamping mechanism furthermore comprises a locking element for locking the clamping element in the clamping position with respect to the housing such that the clamping mechanism is held by the locking element in its clamping position when the locking element acts together with the clamping element. The locking element may in particular serve to lock the clamping element when a closure element in the shape of a door of the infusion device is opened such that the clamping element remains in place when the closure element is opened. The locking element may be manually releasable such that a user may act onto the locking element for removing the infusion line from the clamping mechanism once the closure element in the shape of the door is opened.

When the closure element is closed the locking element, in one embodiment, does not act together with the clamping element and in particular does not lock the clamping element such that the clamping element may be moved towards the release position for conducting a regular infusion operation.

In one embodiment, the clamping mechanism comprises a spring element being formed and arranged to elastically pretension the clamping element with respect to the housing towards a position corresponding to the release position of the clamping element. The spring element, for example being formed by a leg spring, may for example be supported with one leg on the housing and with another leg on the clamping element to exert a force in between the housing and the clamping element towards the release position. The movement of the clamping element towards the release position hence is elastically supported by means of the spring element, such that the clamping element by action of the spring element may automatically be moved towards the release position. This in particular allows that a user may easily fit an infusion line into the clamping mechanism when placing the infusion line on the receptacle of the infusion device, making the placement of the infusion line on the infusion device easy and intuitive for the user.

In one embodiment, the movement of the clamping element to the clamping position may take place automatically when a closure element of the infusion device, also denoted as door, is closed. The closure element is for example pivotably arranged on the housing and, in a closed position, at least partially covers the receptacle. When closing the closure element the closure element, in one embodiment, may act onto the clamping element in order to move the clamping element to its clamping position. By acting onto the clamping element the clamping mechanism hence is actuated in order to transfer the clamping element from the release position towards the clamping position such that, when the closure element is closed, an infusion line received on the receptacle of the infusion device is automatically pinched off and a free flow condition through the infusion line is prevented.

Hence, when closing the closure element in the shape of the door of the infusion device, an infusion line received in the receptacle is automatically pinched off, hence preventing a free-flow condition and potentially allowing to conduct a pre-test such as an integrity test to check the integrity of the pumping mechanism.

To then conduct the infusion operation the clamping mechanism is opened by transferring the clamping element from the clamping position to the release position such that a medical solution may be delivered through the infusion line in a controlled fashion by means of the pump mechanism acting onto the infusion line.

In one embodiment, the closure element comprises a body and an actuation element, for example in the shape of a cam, which is movably arranged on the body. When closing the closure element the actuation element may for example act onto the clamping element such that, by action of the actuation element, the clamping mechanism is actuated and the clamping element is moved to the clamping position.

The actuation element may for example be connected with a handle which a user actuates when closing the closure element. By means of the handle the actuation element may be moved with respect to the body of the closure element, such that the actuation element when closing the closure element acts onto the clamping element for moving the clamping element from the release position to the clamping position.

In order to automatically open the clamping mechanism for an actual infusion operation (for example after a pre-test prior to the infusion operation has been conducted) the clamping mechanism may comprise an opening mechanism having for example a pin movable with respect to the housing by means of an electric motor or the like. By means of the pin the opening mechanism may act onto the clamping element in order to transfer the clamping element from the clamping position to the release position.

The clamping mechanism may in particular be non-releasably arranged on the housing such that the clamping mechanism may act onto different infusion lines received in the receptacle of the housing. Hence, the clamping element may be non-releasably connected to the housing, in contrast to arrangements in which a clamping mechanism is arranged on an infusion line and together with the infusion line is placed on an infusion device. This may allow the use of different infusion lines of different constitution and by different manufacturers on the infusion device.

An aspect of the disclosure relates to a method for operating an infusion device, the method comprising:.

Herein, the clamping element is moved with respect to a base element of the clamping mechanism arranged on the housing for sliding the clamping element onto the infusion line for pinching the infusion line in between a first clamping face of the clamping element and a second clamping face of the base element in the clamping position or for sliding the clamping element off the infusion line for allowing a flow through the infusion line in the release position.

The advantages and advantageous embodiments described above for the infusion device equally apply also to the method, such that in this regard it shall be referred to the above.

The idea underlying the invention shall subsequently be described in more detail with respect to the embodiments shown in the figures.

<FIG> shows, in a schematic view, an infusion device <NUM> having a housing <NUM> forming a receptacle <NUM> to receive an infusion set <NUM> comprising an infusion line <NUM> and, possibly, a pumping module in the shape of a pumping cassette or the like therein. The infusion device <NUM> comprises a pump mechanism <NUM> to, in a manner known per se, exert a pumping action onto the infusion line <NUM> and to in this way force a flow of a medical solution through the infusion line <NUM> to administer the medical solution to a patient.

It shall be noted that the infusion device <NUM> may be constituted to act on a pumping module of an infusion line <NUM> or directly on an infusion line <NUM>. In the latter case any conventional infusion line <NUM> without comprising a pumping module may be used on the infusion device <NUM>.

For conducting an infusion operation, the infusion set <NUM> is placed on the infusion device <NUM> such that it comes into operative connection with the pump mechanism <NUM>. Upon placing the infusion set <NUM> on the infusion device <NUM>, a closure element <NUM> in the shape of a door pivotably connected about a pivot axis <NUM> to the housing <NUM> is closed such that the infusion set <NUM> is securely held within the receptacle <NUM>. During an infusion operation, then, a pressure within the infusion line <NUM> is monitored via a pressure sensor <NUM>, for example to monitor a correct functioning of the device during the infusion and to possibly detect an occlusion condition stemming from an occlusion of the infusion line <NUM>.

It shall be noted that additional pressure sensors may be present. For example, one pressure sensor may be located upstream of the pumping mechanism <NUM>, and another pressure sensor may be located downstream of the pumping mechanism <NUM> in order to detect the pressure within the infusion set <NUM> upstream and downstream of the pumping mechanism <NUM>.

The infusion device <NUM> comprises a clamping mechanism, schematically indicated at reference numeral <NUM> in <FIG>, serving to pinch off the infusion line <NUM> upon placing the infusion line <NUM> in the receptacle <NUM> of the infusion device <NUM> in order to prevent a free-flow condition and to be able to for example perform a so-called occlusivity pre-test of the pumping mechanism <NUM>.

The clamping mechanism <NUM>, in the embodiment of <FIG>, is arranged downstream of the pumping mechanism <NUM> and a pressure sensor <NUM>, the clamping mechanism <NUM> being constituted to for example conduct a pressure-rise test or other tests prior to or during an infusion operation.

An embodiment of a clamping mechanism <NUM> shall subsequently be explained with reference to <FIG>.

The clamping mechanism <NUM> of <FIG> comprises a clamping element <NUM> pivotably connected to a housing portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> about a pivot axis <NUM> in a non-releasable fashion. The clamping element <NUM> can be moved with respect to the housing portion <NUM> in between a release position (<FIG>) and a clamping position (<FIG>) in order to, in the release position according to <FIG>, be able to place an infusion line <NUM> in between the clamping element <NUM> and a base element <NUM> of the clamping mechanism <NUM> and, in the clamping position according to <FIG>, locally pinch off the infusion line <NUM> in order to occlude the infusion line <NUM> to prevent a free flow of a medical solution through the infusion line <NUM> towards a patient.

The clamping element <NUM> of the clamping mechanism <NUM> comprises a body <NUM> and a jaw element <NUM> pivotably arranged, about a pivot axis <NUM>, on the body <NUM>. The body <NUM>, about the pivot axis <NUM>, is pivotably connected to the housing <NUM>. The jaw element <NUM> can be moved relative to the body <NUM> about its pivot axis <NUM> and is elastically pretensioned with respect to the body <NUM> by means of a pretensioning element <NUM> in the shape of a spiral pressure spring or the like.

The jaw element <NUM> forms a clamping face <NUM> which, in the clamping position of the clamping mechanism <NUM>, serves to act onto the infusion line <NUM> received within the clamping mechanism <NUM>.

The clamping mechanism <NUM>, in addition to the clamping element <NUM>, comprises a base element <NUM> which, about a pivot axis <NUM>, is pivotably arranged on the housing section <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and is elastically pretensioned with respect to the housing section <NUM> by means of a pretensioning element <NUM> in the shape of a spring element, in particular a spiral pressure spring or the like. The base element <NUM> forms a clamping face <NUM> on which the infusion line <NUM> is received, as shown in <FIG>, prior to closing the clamping mechanism <NUM> and which acts together with the clamping face <NUM> of the jaw element <NUM> of the clamping element <NUM> for pinching off the infusion line <NUM> in the clamping position, as it is shown in <FIG>.

The clamping element <NUM>, together with the base element <NUM>, serves to pinch off the infusion line <NUM> in a sliding fashion by slidingly moving onto the infusion line <NUM> when transferring the clamping element <NUM> from the release position (<FIG>) to the clamping position (<FIG>). For transferring the clamping mechanism <NUM> from the release position to the clamping position the clamping element <NUM> is moved about its pivot axis <NUM> and in this way is approached, with its clamping face <NUM> on the jaw element <NUM>, towards the clamping face <NUM> of the base element <NUM>. The approach movement herein takes place in a tangential fashion such that the jaw element <NUM> with its clamping face <NUM> slides onto the infusion line <NUM> placed on the base element <NUM> in order to pinch off the infusion line <NUM> in the clamping position (<FIG>).

Both the clamping face <NUM> of the jaw element <NUM> of the clamping element <NUM> and the clamping face <NUM> of the base element <NUM> are, in the shown embodiment, curved about the pivot axis <NUM> of the clamping element <NUM>. In the clamping position (<FIG>) the clamping face <NUM> of the jaw element <NUM> of the clamping element <NUM> and the clamping face <NUM> of the base element <NUM> extend substantially parallel to each other, the infusion line <NUM> being received in between the clamping faces <NUM>, <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Because both the jaw element <NUM> of the clamping element <NUM> and the base element <NUM> are elastically movable with respect to the body <NUM> of the clamping element <NUM> on the one hand and with respect to the housing section <NUM> of the housing <NUM> on the other hand by means of the respective pretensioning element <NUM>, <NUM>, tolerances in the system as well as differences in the structural built and dimension of infusion lines <NUM> received in the clamping mechanism <NUM> may be compensated for and adjusted to. This takes place automatically in a passive fashion by an adjustment of the position of the jaw element <NUM> and the base element <NUM> with respect to each other, allowing to use different infusion lines <NUM> on the infusion device <NUM>.

The clamping mechanism <NUM> furthermore comprises a locking element <NUM> pivotably arranged on the housing <NUM> via a pivot axis <NUM>. The locking element <NUM> serves to act together with the clamping element <NUM> in order to lock the clamping element <NUM> in its clamping position, in particular in a situation in which the closure element <NUM> in the shape of the door is opened in order to prevent an automatic transfer of the clamping mechanism <NUM> from the clamping position towards the release position upon opening the closure element <NUM>.

During regular operation of the infusion device <NUM> the locking element <NUM> is rendered inactive when the closure element <NUM> is closed, as shall be explained below.

The clamping mechanism <NUM>, in an open position of the closure element <NUM> in the shape of the door of the infusion device <NUM>, for example is in the release position as illustrated in <FIG>. In the open position the closure element <NUM> may for example be completely open (at an angle of about <NUM>° to the housing <NUM>). In this state an infusion set <NUM> can be placed on the infusion device <NUM> and the infusion line <NUM> can be received in between the clamping element <NUM> and the base element <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The clamping mechanism <NUM> comprises a spring element <NUM> in the shape of a leg spring which, with a first leg <NUM>, is supported on the housing <NUM> and with another, second leg <NUM> is connected to the clamping element <NUM>, the spring element <NUM> serving to pretension the clamping element <NUM> towards its release position. By means of the spring element <NUM> the clamping element <NUM> hence is held in the release position when the clamping mechanism <NUM> is released.

Upon closing the closure element <NUM> by pivoting it about its pivot axis <NUM> in a closing direction A the clamping mechanism <NUM> is automatically transferred to the clamping position of the clamping element <NUM>, as shown in the transition from <FIG>. Specifically, when closing the closure element <NUM> a user actuates a handle <NUM> connected to an actuation element <NUM> being pivotably arranged about a pivot axis <NUM> on a body <NUM> of the closure element <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, the handle <NUM> being constituted to actuate a locking mechanism for locking the closure element <NUM> in its closed position. For closing the closure element <NUM> the handle <NUM> in particular is moved in a moving direction B, and upon closing the closure element <NUM> the actuation element <NUM> linked to the handle <NUM> acts onto a front face <NUM> of the clamping element <NUM> for moving it towards its clamping position.

As shown in dashed lines in <FIG>, a detent element <NUM> is connected to the pivot axis <NUM> of the actuation element <NUM> such that the detent element <NUM> is rotated together with the actuation element <NUM> when actuating the handle <NUM>. The detent element <NUM> serves to lock the closure element <NUM> with respect to the housing <NUM> by engaging a locking bolt <NUM> which is stationary with respect to the housing <NUM>.

Both the detent element <NUM> and the locking bolt <NUM> are axially displaced with respect to the clamping mechanism <NUM> and the actuation element <NUM>, such that the detent element <NUM> and the locking bolt <NUM> do not interfere with the mechanics of the clamping mechanism <NUM>.

When closing the closure element <NUM> and when actuating the handle <NUM> as indicated in <FIG>, the detent element <NUM> is in a position in which the detent element <NUM> may be brought into engagement with the locking bolt <NUM> when closing the closure element <NUM>.

The actuation element <NUM> herein is in the corresponding position shown in <FIG>, such that the actuation element <NUM> acts onto the front face <NUM> of the clamping element <NUM> for moving the clamping element <NUM> towards its clamping position as visible in the transition from <FIG>.

When the closure element <NUM> has been closed, the handle <NUM> is rotated in a moving direction P as indicated in <FIG> such that the actuation element <NUM> is moved past the clamping element <NUM>, and the detent element <NUM> is brought into locking engagement with the locking bolt <NUM>, as this is shown in <FIG>. The closure element <NUM> hence is locked with respect to the housing <NUM> and hence is fixedly held in its closed position.

When the closure element <NUM> is closed, hence, the clamping mechanism <NUM> is automatically actuated such that the clamping element <NUM> assumes the clamping position of <FIG>. When closing the closure element <NUM>, hence, the infusion line <NUM> received in the receptacle <NUM> of the infusion device <NUM> is pinched off as illustrated in <FIG>, such that an occlusivity pre-test of the pumping mechanism may be performed.

Prior to starting an actual infusion operation, a pre-test may be conducted while the clamping mechanism <NUM> with its clamping element <NUM> is in the clamping position. In particular, a so-called pressure rise test may be conducted in order to perform a pre-test to check the integrity of the pumping mechanism <NUM>.

When the door is closed and when the actuation element <NUM> is moved to the non-actuated position of <FIG>, the actuation element <NUM> acts onto the locking element <NUM>, as this can be seen from <FIG>. In this way the locking element <NUM> is lifted off the clamping element <NUM> such that a locking recess <NUM> of the locking element <NUM> is not in engagement with a locking nose <NUM> formed on the body <NUM> of the clamping element <NUM>. The clamping element <NUM> hence can be moved in between the clamping position shown in <FIG> and the release position shown in <FIG>, the locking element <NUM> being rendered inactive.

For conducting the actual infusion operation the clamping mechanism <NUM> is opened by means of an opening mechanism <NUM> comprising a pin <NUM> which, in an electric fashion, can be moved with respect to the housing portion <NUM> in order to act onto the clamping element <NUM> with a tip <NUM> of the pin <NUM> and to in this way move the clamping element <NUM> to the release position of <FIG>. Liquid may hence flow through the infusion line <NUM> and may be delivered by the infusion device <NUM> towards a patient connected to the infusion line <NUM>.

The opening of the clamping mechanism <NUM> is initiated by the opening mechanism <NUM> which, with its pin <NUM>, serves to act onto the clamping element <NUM> to move the clamping element <NUM> towards the release position.

After termination of the infusion operation a user may again wish to open the closure element <NUM>, for which the user may grab the handle <NUM> to rotate the handle <NUM> together with the actuation element <NUM> about the pivot axis <NUM>, such that the actuation element <NUM> in this way acts onto the clamping element <NUM> to again move the clamping element <NUM> into the clamping position of <FIG>. This takes place by action of the end section <NUM> of the actuation element <NUM> onto the clamping element <NUM>, such that, when opening the closure element <NUM>, the clamping element <NUM> is again brought to its clamping position.

When the actuation element <NUM> is actuated, the end section <NUM> of the actuation element <NUM> is displaced with respect to the locking element <NUM> and no longer acts onto the locking element <NUM>, such that the locking element <NUM>, for example forced by an elastic pretensioning acting onto the locking element <NUM>, is moved into a locking position as shown in <FIG>. In this locking position the locking element <NUM> by means of its locking recess <NUM> engages with the locking nose <NUM> of the clamping element <NUM> such that the clamping element <NUM> is locked and held in the clamping position. When opening the closure element <NUM>, hence, the clamping element <NUM> remains in its clamping position and cannot move towards the release position. A free flow of liquid when opening the closure element <NUM> in the shape of the door hence is prevented.

If a user now wishes to remove the infusion line <NUM> from the infusion device <NUM>, the user, for example with a finger <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, may act onto the locking element <NUM> in order to lift the locking element <NUM> in a lifting direction L such that the recess <NUM> of the locking element <NUM> is disengaged from the locking protrusion <NUM> of the clamping element <NUM> and the clamping element <NUM> may be moved towards the release position, for example by a user pulling on the infusion line <NUM> placed in the clamping mechanism <NUM>.

Because the jaw element <NUM> is movably arranged on the body <NUM> of the clamping element <NUM> and the base element <NUM> is movably arranged on the housing portion <NUM>, tolerances in the system as well as differences in dimension and shape of different infusion lines <NUM> may be adapted to in an automatic fashion by a floating movement of the jaw element <NUM> and/or the base element <NUM> in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movement direction of the clamping element <NUM>, i.e., substantially along a virtual line C extending through the pivot axis <NUM> of the clamping element <NUM>, as illustrated in the enlarged view of <FIG>.

The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but may be implemented in an entirely different fashion.

By means of an infusion device of the described type the placement of the infusion line on the infusion device may become simple and intuitive.

Claim 1:
Infusion device (<NUM>), comprising:
- a housing (<NUM>) having a receptacle (<NUM>) for receiving an infusion line (<NUM>),
- a pump mechanism (<NUM>) for delivering a medical fluid through an infusion line (<NUM>) received in the receptacle (<NUM>), and
- a clamping mechanism (<NUM>) having a clamping element (<NUM>) being pivotably connected to the housing (<NUM>) about a pivot axis (<NUM>) and being movable with respect to the housing (<NUM>) between a clamping position for acting onto an infusion line (<NUM>) received in the receptacle (<NUM>) to locally pinch off the infusion line (<NUM>) and a release position for allowing a flow through the infusion line (<NUM>),
characterized in
that the clamping mechanism (<NUM>) comprises a base element (<NUM>) arranged on the housing (<NUM>), the infusion line (<NUM>) being received in between the clamping element <NUM> and the base element (<NUM>), the clamping element (<NUM>) being movable about its pivot axis (<NUM>) with respect to the base element (<NUM>) for sliding the clamping element (<NUM>) onto the infusion line (<NUM>) for pinching the infusion line (<NUM>) in between a first clamping face (<NUM>) of the clamping element (<NUM>) and a second clamping face (<NUM>) of the base element (<NUM>) in the clamping position or for sliding the clamping element (<NUM>) off the infusion line (<NUM>) for allowing a flow through the infusion line (<NUM>) in the release position, wherein the first clamping face (<NUM>) and/or the second clamping face (<NUM>) are curved about the pivot axis (<NUM>) of the clamping element (<NUM>) and,
wherein the clamping element (<NUM>) comprises a body (<NUM>) and a jaw element (<NUM>) pivotably arranged on the body (<NUM>), and the jaw element (<NUM>) being pretensioned with respect to the body (<NUM>) by means of an elastic pretensioning element (<NUM>) and / or wherein the base element (<NUM>) is pivotably connected to the housing (<NUM>) and is elastically pretensioned with respect to the housing (<NUM>) by means of another elastic pretensioning element (<NUM>).