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Adelberg Laboratories was the first to commercially introduce
a parallel acting clamp, which was named the Precision
V-Clamp in 1972. Advanced space technology made possible
for the first time flow rates through pinched PVC tubing,
which varied little with time. Precision flow rate control
was thereby attainable. Soon after the introduction of
the patented clamp, Abbot Laboratories and Baxter Healthcare
adapted and licensed this design for use with most of
their infusion sets. As a consequence of continual product
development, Adelberg Laboratories introduced their Model
II Precision V-Clamp, having enhanced performance and
offering superior resistance to unwanted stretch on the
tubing. The grip on the tubing and the adjustability of
the clamp was also dramatically improved with respect
to roller clamps then currently on the market.
The Precision V-Clamp was found to be far superior
to other roller clamps, as it is illustrated in the
3 articles below.
- Raish DW, Johnson KT and Roth C: Evaluation of
piggyback administration sets, Am J Hosp Pharm
34:1315-1323 (Dec) 1977.
- Demoruelle JL, Harrison WL and Flora RE: Flow rate
maintenance and output of intravenous fluid administration
sets, Am J Hosp Pharm 32:177-185 (Feb) 1975.
- Fonkalsrud EW, Carpenter K and Adelberg M: A New
Even-Flow Intravenous Infusion Clamp, Arch Surg
102:530-531 (May) 1971 .
A JAMA (Journal of American Medical Association) publication
in 1977 by Porter and Jick reported a large number of
preventable deaths in patients put on intravenous administration.
- Porter J and Jick H: Drug-related Deaths
Among Medical Inpatients, JAMA 237:879-881 (Feb) 1977.
These preventable deaths were attributed to pulmonary
edema (flooding of the lungs), and their morality incidence
was one in 1,500. A logical explanation is that the
clamps, then in use, had insecure clamping capability,
and when exposed to a small perturbation, were dislodged,
permitting a fluid-runaway condition. A large fraction
of clamps in use during the time of the death rate publication
offered very poor gripping of the tube. Improved gripping
was then one of several important needs.
Years later through continuing development of roller
clamp technology, improvements were again achieved by
the introduction of the patented Adelberg Model III
Precision V-Clamp. A variety of versions of this Model
III continue to enjoy substantial use for a wide range
of tube sizes and hardness.
As market demands became increasingly cost effective,
Adelberg Laboratories once again advanced their Precision
V-Clamp series with their newest patented Model IV.
Through advanced technology, Model IV offers a 20
to 30 percent price reduction without degradation
in performance of precision flow rate control over time.
Additional desirable attributes are also featured:
- Finer adjustment from low to high flow rate.
- Ease in effort to relocate the roller wheel, adjusting
flow rate.
- Assembly is available. (Model IV only)
Adelberg Laboratories continues to be the large-volume
market leader in clamp technology with an aggressive
development activity.
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