Abstract
A device for opening and closing an infusion tube clamp includes a slide link which is axially arranged to be movable on a flap and includes at least one projecting locking element for closing an infusion tube clamp. An infusion tube clamp includes a first clamping leg and a second clamping leg pivotally connected to each other at one end, and a keeper plate which is arranged on the first clamping leg. At the locking element, the slide link includes a slide link ramp at which a switching cam of the keeper plate is adapted to slide into a stress-free final closing position.
Claims
1. A closing mechanism of a tube clamp comprising a slide link which is configured to be movably arranged axially on a flap pivoted on a casing so as to pull the flap against the casing and to lock the same, by axially moving the slide link relative to the flap, wherein the tube clamp fixed in the casing has a first clamping leg and a second clamping leg, which are pivotably connected to each other at one end, wherein the slide link includes at least one locking element provided for closing the tube clamp while the slide link is axially moved, wherein an actuating element arranged on the first clamping leg is arranged between the slide link and the tube clamp for transmitting a clamping force from the locking element to the tube clamp and which has resilience of particular rigidity.
2. The closing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the closing mechanism is prepared and configured so that, when the flap is already closed, the slide link adopts a stress-applying or pressurizing position at which the actuating element is in pressurizing engagement with the tube clamp by the at least one locking element of the slide link and adopts a stress-free or pressure-free position which constitutes the position locking the flap and at which the actuating element is in pressure-less contact with the tube clamp so as to enable opening of the tube clamp while the flap is closed.
3. The closing mechanism according to claim 2, wherein a slide link ramp is formed at the at least one locking element) of the slide link to which a switching cam of the actuating element is slidingly adjacent such that, when the slide link is longitudinally displaced from the tensioning or pressurizing position in the direction of the stress-free or pressure-free position, the clamping force is continuously increasing and, upon reaching the stress-free or pressure-free position, slides off the slide link ramp.
4. The closing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking element is configured at the slide link in the form of an angular element.
5. The closing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element is V or U-shaped in cross-section.
6. An infusion pump comprising a pump casing to which a flap is hinged and which in the opened state releases access to the interior of the pump casing so as to enable insertion of a tube clamp into the pump casing and to enable insertion of a tube into the inserted tube clamp, the tube clamp comprising a closing mechanism comprising the features according to claim 1.
7. A method of opening and closing a tube clamp inserted in a pump using a closing mechanism according to claim 1, according to which the tube clamp is closed upon closing and/or opening the flap and is configured to be opened in a final closing position of the closing mechanism, the method comprising the steps of: closing the flap; and pressing a locking element of a slide link held to be axially movable at the flap against a switching cam of a keeper plate, thus causing the tube clamp to be closed, wherein: upon or shortly before reaching the final closing position of the closing mechanism, the switching cam slides off a slide link ramp arranged or configured on the slide link, thus causing an application of force to the keeper plate to stop, an actuator is configured to open the snap lug at the upper end of the tube clamp in the final closing position of the closing mechanism, in which the first clamping leg is latched with the second clamping leg, and upon opening of the flap by an inverse axial displacement of the slide link, the tube clamp is closed by force by the switching cam sliding onto the slide link ramp.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0026] The invention will be illustrated in detail with reference to the drawings in which one embodiment is exemplified.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the components of the device devoid of the casing;
[0028] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view across the device within the casing in a first closing position (open flap position);
[0029] FIG. 3 shows a top view onto the components in a first closing position (open flap position);
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view across the device within the casing in a second closing position (semi-opened flap position);
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a top view onto the components in a second closing position (semi-opened flap position);
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view across the device within the casing in a third closing position (closed flap position);
[0033] FIG. 7 shows a top view onto the components in a third closing position (closed flap position);
[0034] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view across the device within the casing in a fourth closing position (final flap position); and
[0035] FIG. 9 shows a top view onto the components in a fourth closing position (final flap position).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the components of a device according to the invention and, resp., a mechanism according to the invention for opening and closing an (infusion) tube clamp devoid of a complete casing of an (infusion) pump not shown in detail, preferably of the squeeze pump type. Accordingly, the device comprises a slide link or slide/locking bar 1 supported or adapted to be supported on a flap (cf. FIG. 4) of an infusion pump casing (cf. FIG. 4) that is connected to a handle/flap handle 4 via a lever joint 2. The handle 4 is pivotally coupled or adapted to be coupled to the flap of the infusion pump casing not shown in detail in the area of the lever joint 2 and is biased by means of a spring/handle spring 6 in a first pivoting direction (closing direction). A rotating/pivoting movement of the handle 4 is thus converted by the lever joint 2 into an axial movement of the slide link 1 along the flap. The slide link 1 may thus be displaced along its longitudinal axis 8 by pivoting the handle 4 at a transmission ratio determined corresponding to the design of the knee lever joint 2. By displacing the slide link 1 guide grooves 10 formed in the slide link 1 are engaged with pins/bolts preferably including rolls 12 that are arranged at the casing/infusion pump casing of the infusion pump casing. Due to said engagement, the slide link 1 and thus the flap (not shown in detail) on which the slide link 1 is supported can be pulled to the casing (equally not shown in detail). The slide link 1 includes an area at which a stop/locking element 16 is formed. The locking element 16 protrudes downwards, i.e. against the flap edge and preferably is configured at the slide link 1 in the form of a curved projection. In the area in which the (at least one) locking element 16 is configured, on the corresponding side of the infusion pump casing, i.e. directly opposed when the flap 14 is closed, an actuating element/keeper plate 18 which is adjacent to an infusion tube clamp 20 is disposed. The slide link 1 thus moves in its axial longitudinal direction, while the infusion tube clamp 20 and the pins 12 are arranged to be fixed/stationary on the casing. The keeper plate 18 is preferably hinged to the slide link 1, as shown in FIG. 1, such that the slide link 1 is axially movable relative to the keeper plate 18. Alternatively, the keeper plate 18 may as well be articulated/mounted to the pump casing or to the flap.
[0037] The infusion tube clamp 20 includes a first clamping leg 22 and a second clamping leg 24. The second leg 24 is disposed at the casing of the infusion pump and is connected to the first clamping leg 22 in a foldable/pivoted manner at a lower end. Since the keeper plate 18 is merely adjacent to the first clamping leg 22, also the keeper plate 18 is pivoted relative to the second clamping leg 24 and thus relative to the casing of the infusion pump. Moreover, the infusion tube clamp 20 includes a snap fit or lug 26 at its upper end so that the first clamping leg 22 can engage in the second clamping leg 24 in a clamp closing position.
[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view across the device in the casing in a first closing position (open flap position), more exactly speaking in a position in which the first clamping leg 22 has an angle of preferably 10 relative to the second clamping leg. This means that the flap is substantially closed, but the handle 4 has not yet been actuated. In this view, a switching cam 28 is visible which extends from the keeper plate 18 in the direction of the closed flap and is in contact with the stop/locking element 16. The keeper plate 18 incidentally includes a first keeper spring plate leg 30 and a second keeper spring plate leg 32 which are connected preferably adhesively to each other in U or V shape. The second keeper plate leg 32 is fastened to the first clamping leg 22 and is connected at a lower end to the first keeper plate leg 30 such that it is pivoting according to the spring principle. At the first keeper plate leg 30 the switching cam 28 is integrally arranged to project at a predetermined angle, preferably 90. At the second keeper plate leg 32 a wrap-around or eyelet 34 is formed which is preferably semicircular and engages in the first keeper plate leg 30 so as to delimit said opening angle. This means that the wrap-around 34 of the second keeper plate leg 32 engages with the first keeper plate leg 30 and keeps the same tensioned and prevents the keeper plate 18 from unfolding. Moreover, the wrap-around 34 may be in the form of a hinge for pivotal coupling to the slide link 1.
[0039] In the first closing position, it is further evident in which way the infusion tube 36 is located between the clamping legs 22 and 24 in an open/non-squeezed state. Furthermore, in this view also an actuator 38 for opening the snap lug 26 is visible. The actuator 38 may press from the bottom to the end of the snap lug 26 projecting from the infusion tube clamp 20 and in this way disengage the same as well as thus also open the infusion tube clamp 20, as will be illustrated in a later step. Between the two clamping legs 22 and 24 a clamping leg opening angle limiter 40 that is adapted to limit the relative opening angle is shown. In this context, it is outlined once again that the term bottom in the representation of FIG. 2 refers to direction pointing to the lower sheet end and hence to the direction in which the pivoting ends of the clamp 20 are located.
[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view onto the components in a first closing position (open flap position). In this view, the slide link 1 is shown in a non-actuated state while the flap 14K is substantially closed. The slide link 1 is not in contact with the pins 14 but already presses to the switching cams 28 of the keeper plate 18. The handle 4 is in a completely opened position extending to about 85 to 90 relative to a longitudinal axis 8 of the slide link 1, with the longitudinal axis 8 extending along the flap and, resp., the slide link 1. Clearly evident from this representation is the curved locking element (stop) 16 on the side of the slide link 1 in an area opposed to the infusion tube clamp 20 at the casing of the infusion pump 14g. The locking element 16 is in the form of a downwardly bent angle and thus projects from the bar-shaped slide link 1 like a tooth. On the side of the locking element 16 facing the keeper plate 18, a slide link ramp 40 is formed. Said slide link ramp 40 extends in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal axis toward the handle 4 and at one longitudinal end is outwardly curved/beveled/bent in the direction of the flap front.
[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view across the device in a second closing position (semi-open flap position). In this position the force transmission through the flap handle 4 has started. This means that the flap handle 4 adopts an angle relative to the slide link 1 that is smaller than its completely open position, preferably smaller than 85, relative to the longitudinal axis of the slide link 1. The slide link 1 moves along the longitudinal axis 8 and engages in the pins 12. The pins 12 thus are provided within the catch range of the slide link 1, especially of the longitudinal slits 10 formed on the same. By engagement of the slide link 1 with the pins 12, the slide link 1 and thus the flap 14k moves in the direction of the infusion pump casing 14g, i.e. in the closing direction of the flap 14k. By the movement of the flap 14k in the direction of the infusion pump casing 14g the slide link 1 presses the switching cam 28 and thus the keeper plate 18 with the first clamping leg 22 against the second clamping leg 24. The two legs 22 and 24 pivot/fold toward each other and start squeezing the infusion tube 36.
[0042] The opening angle of the two clamping legs shown in FIG. 4 in this position amounts to about 6. The snap lug 26 is not yet closed/engaged.
[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view onto the components in a second closing position (semi-open flap position). From this view it is clearly evident that the handle 4 is no longer in its completely opened position and the pins 12 are provided within the catch range of the guiding grooves/slits 10. Moreover, the slide link 1 has continued moving in the arrow direction along the longitudinal axis of the slide link 1 as compared to FIG. 3.
[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view across the device in a third closing position (closed flap position). The infusion tube clamp 20 is completely closed in this position. This means that the infusion tube 36 is completely squeezed by the two clamping legs 22 and 24 so that no infusion fluid can pass through the infusion tube. The keeper plate 18 is pressurized by the locking element 16. The snap lug 26 is provided in an engaged position. In this representation, the lateral view of the slide link ramp 42 at which the switching cam 28 starts sliding off the ramp 42 is evident. The flap 14k and thus the slide link 1 now are provided in a completely closed position relative to the infusion pump casing 14g.
[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view onto the components in a third closing position (closed flap position). The pins 12 slide into a slotted hole area of the respective guiding grooves/slits 10, the respective slotted hole area being oriented in parallel to the longitudinal axis 8 of the slide link 1. In this position, the switching cam 28 startsdue to the geometry thereofsliding off the slide link ramp 42. The geometry of the switching cam 28 comprises a surface which is oriented in parallel to the longitudinal axis 8, namely in a front area located in the direction of the handle 4, and then includes a beveling at its rear area.
[0046] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view across the device in a fourth closing position (flap end position), i.e. when the handle 4, the flap 14k and the slide link 1 are provided in a final closing position. The slide link 1 is displaced/shifted so far in the arrow direction/closing direction of the longitudinal axis 8 that the switching cam 28 has slid off the slide link ramp 42 so far that, when the snap lug 26 is opened by the actuator 38, the keeper plate 18 is no longer supported on the ramp and thus the first clamping leg 22 may unfold. The keeper plate 18 becomes so-to-speak low-stress/stress-relieved/stress-free and does no longer compress the two clamping legs 22 and 24. By opening the infusion tube clamp 20 the infusion tube is no more or minimally squeezed/clamped and thus infusion fluid can flow therethrough again.
[0047] FIG. 9 shows a top view onto the components in the fourth closing position (final flap position). In this case, it is especially evident that in the final closing position the handle 4 is in parallel to the slide link, the switching cam 28 has slid off the slide link ramp 42 and the keeper plate 18 thus is not pressed to abut against the one clamping leg.
[0048] For opening the flap 14k, the flap handle 4 is actuated. In this way, the slide link 1 is pulled against the arrow direction in FIG. 9. Thus, the switching cam 28 slides along the slide link ramp 42. Hence the infusion tube clamp 20 is closed again by force upon opening (opening operation) of the flap 14k and the flap 14k can be completely opened. Thus, the infusion tube clamp 20 is always automatically closed upon opening and closing of the flap 14.
