Patent ID: 8545446

Claim:
A flow control system comprising: a tubing clamp comprising: a clamping mechanism configured for holding closed a first fluid line while a second fluid flows along a second fluid line from a second container, said first fluid line configured for delivering a flow of a first fluid; a drip chamber coupled with and between said second container and said second fluid line, said drip chamber comprising: a first end comprising an inlet; a second end comprising an outlet; a spike integrally coupled with said first end; a drip forming orifice coupled with said spike; a check valve disposed between and coupled with said spike and said drip forming orifice, said check valve configured for managing fluid flowing between said inlet and said outlet through an interior flow passage extending at least through said spike, said drip forming orifice and said check valve; an enclosing wall coupling said first end with said second end, said enclosing wall housing within at least said spike, said check valve and said drip forming orifice; and a sealable component configured for sealing closed said interior flow passage within said drip chamber when said second container is substantially empty, thereby obstructing said flow of said second fluid; a vacuum activated catch retainably coupled with said tubing clamp and coupled with said second fluid line, said vacuum activated catch comprising: a movable element coupled with said tubing clamp and configured for changing from a first shape to a second shape upon receipt of a deforming pressure, wherein when said movable element is in said first shape, said vacuum activated catch retains said tubing clamp in a closed position, and when said movable element is in said second shape, said vacuum activated catch releases said tubing clamp into an open position, thereby allowing said flow of said first fluid to commence within said first fluid line; and an infusion pump coupled with said first and second fluid lines, said infusion pump configured for drawing a vacuum in said second fluid line, thereby creating said deforming pressure when said second container is said substantially empty.