Apparatus and method for preventing free flow in an infusion line

1. A method for controlling free flow in an infusion set mounted in an infusion pump, the method comprising:

selecting an infusion set having a proximal piece of tubing, a distal piece of tubing and a connector connecting the piece of tubing, the connector having an occluder attached thereto; and

engaging the tubing of the infusion set with a pumping mechanism of the pump so that the connector is disposed downstream from the pumping mechanism; and

pressing against one side of the tubing adjacent the occluder without pressing against an opposing side of the tubing to thereby allow flow past the occluder.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises positioning the infusion set so that the occluder is positioned in the proximal piece of the tubing.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises selecting a connector having a proximal section with the proximal piece of tubing of the infusion set being mounted over the proximal section, and positioning the occluder proximally from the proximal section of the connector.

4. A method for selectively controlling free flow through an infusion set, the method comprising:

forming an infusion set having tubing and an occluding mechanism disposed in the tubing which occludes fluid flow through the tubing in an ambient state; and

applying pressure to a single side the tubing to enable flow to pass the occluder and thereby enable fluid flow through the tubing.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the occluder comprises a valve.

6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the occluder is generally rigid and has a circular cross-section.

7. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the occluder comprises a sphere.

8. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the occluder is ellipsoidal.

9. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the occluder forms an oval.

10. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the occluder forms a disk.

11. A method for controlling flow of solution through an tube, the method comprising;

selecting flexible a tube;

disposing an occluder in the tube; and

compressing one side of the tube adjacent the occluder to open a flow channel between the occluder and an opposing side of the tube.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises placing a plurality of occluders in series and selectively moving solution past the occluders to form a valve.

13. A method for selectively controlling free flow in an infusion set, the method comprising:

selecting an infusion set having a proximal and a distal end; and

disposing a free standing occluder between the proximal end and distal end of the infusion set such that it selectively prevents flow through the infusion set, the occluder being unattached to an anchor.

14. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising:

placing the occluder-containing portion of the infusion set in a channel such that the channel compresses at least one of the sides of the infusion set thereby allowing flow past the occluder.

15. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising:

selecting an infusion set where the tubing expands outwardly in response to pressure within the infusion set.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises selecting a occluder such that flow occurs past the occluder when a predetermined pressure is obtained within the infusion set.

17. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises selecting an occluder which has a shape comprising at least one of the group consisting of spherical, disk-shaped, diamond-shaped, cylindrical, elliptical, oval-shaped, and egg-shaped.

18. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises selecting an occluder which has at least one cavity disposed therein.

19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein the method further comprises selecting an occluder which has a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the at least one cavity extends from the proximal end of the occluder to at least one side of the occluder.

20. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the infusion set has an inner wall, and wherein the infusion set has at least one protrusion disposed along the inner wall of the infusion set and adjacent the distal end of the occluder to prevent movement of the occluder towards the distal end of the infusion set.

21. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises placing the occluder-containing-portion of the infusion set in a recess such that the recess exerts a force against the infusion set thereby creating at least one flow channel around the occluder.

22. The method according to claim 21 , wherein the method further comprises selecting a recess which creates only one flow channel around the occluder.

23. The method according to claim 22 , wherein the method further comprises selecting a recess which is V-shaped.

24. The method according to claim 22 , wherein the method further comprises selecting a recess wherein the portion of the recess which contacts the occluder-containing-portion of the infusion set comprises two generally planar surfaces.

25. The method according to claim 24 , wherein the two generally planar surfaces are disposed at an acute angle relative to each other.

26. The method according to claim 22 , wherein the method further comprises selecting a recess which is generally U-shaped.

27. The method according to claim 22 , wherein the method further comprises selecting a recess which has a cross-sectional shape which comprises a generally rounded lower portion having two sides and two generally planar upper portions and wherein the two generally planar upper portions are connected to the two sides of the generally rounded lower portion, and wherein the two generally planar upper portions are disposed at an acute angle relative to each other.