DRIP CHAMBER ANTI FREE FLOW DEVICE

摘要

A valve device (12) is disclosed which is incorporated into the lower portio n of a drip chamber for preventing the free flow of fluid through a tube assembly (16) when the tube assembly (16) is disengaged from a pump (14) of a fluid administration system (10), while permitting fluid flow when the tube assembly (16) is engaged around a rotor (24) of the pump (14). The valve device (12) comprises a valve body having a top component (54) sealingly engaged with a bottom component (56). The top component (54) is integrally formed with the lower portion of the drip chamber and defines a plurality of axial fluid passageways formed around a stationary plunger which seals again st an opening (82) formed at the upper portion of the bottom component (56). Th e opening (82) is in communication with a lumen (64) that extends into a hollo w tube assembly (16) which is attached to the bottom component (56) of the val ve body. The bottom component (56) further includes a flex joint made of a flexible material that is adapted to flex and pull the opening away from the plunger to establish fluid flow through the valve device (12).