Patent ID: 8118061

Claim:
A variable fluid flow controller for providing a selected flow rate of fluid to a patient, the controller comprising: a first manifold having an inlet connectable to a fluid source and a plurality of outlets; a plurality of valves, each valve having: an outlet and an inlet axially offset from each other, the inlets of the plurality of valves in fluid communication with the plurality of outlets of the first manifold; a first seal slidably disposable to a closed position intermediate the offset outlet and inlet of the valve for blocking fluid from flowing from the inlet to the outlet or to an open position on one side of both the offset outlet and inlet of the valve for permitting, fluid to flow through the valve; a switch operative to traverse the first seals of the plurality of valves to the open position and the closed position, the switch sequentially traversable from a first off position to a second prime position, a third flow rate position and a fourth flow rate position having a flow rate greater than a flow rate of the third flow rate position but lower than a flow rate of the second prime position, a flow rate being zero at the first off position; a plurality of flow restrictors, at least two of the plurality of flow restrictors defining different fluid flow rates, the plurality of flow restrictors in fluid communication with the outlets of the plurality of valves to provide the selected flow rate of fluid based on the position of the first seal; and a second manifold having a plurality of inlets in fluid communication with the plurality of flow restrictors and an outlet fluidically communicable with the patient.