Infusion pump with independently controllable valves and low power operation and methods thereof

• US 10,006,454 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2015
• Issued: 06/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Hungerford, Roger L., Bui, Tuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Hall, Deanna K
• Application Number:
  US14/837,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20150361974A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 604118
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14 Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14228 with linear peristaltic action, i.e. comprising at least three pressurising members or a helical member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16813 by controlling the degree of opening of the flow line
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/082 the tubular flexible member being pressed against a wall by a number of elements, each having an alternating movement in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the tubular member and each having its own driving mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/065 and making use of computers
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/22 by means of valves F04B49/03 takes precedence

Abstract

An infusion pump is provided, including a specially programmed microprocessor, a flow sensor for measuring flow from a source of fluid through an output tubing, a pumping section including a plurality of fingers in operational relationship to the output tubing, an outlet valve associated with the output tubing, and a first actuator configured for sequentially displacing the plurality of fingers to displace fluid through the output tubing. An inlet valve is disposed between the pumping section and the source of fluid; and a second actuator is also included. For detection, by the flow sensor, of flow above a predetermined level, the microprocessor is configured for one of: closing the outlet valve independently of the inlet valve using the first actuator; and closing the inlet valve independently of the outlet valve using the second actuator.

Claims

1. An infusion pump, comprising:

a specially programmed microprocessor;

a flow sensor for measuring flow from a source of fluid through an output tubing;

a pumping section including a plurality of fingers in operational relationship to the output tubing, an outlet valve associated with the output tubing, and a first actuator, controlled by said microprocessor and operating both said outlet valve and said plurality of fingers to displace fluid through the output tubing;

an inlet valve disposed between the pumping section and the source of fluid operating separately from said first actuator and associated said outlet valve and said plurality of fingers; and

a second actuator, controlled by said microprocessor and operating said inlet valve, wherein for detection, by the flow sensor, of flow above a predetermined level stored in a memory of said microprocessor, the microprocessor is configured for one of;

closing the outlet valve independently of the inlet valve using the first actuator and closing the inlet valve independently of the outlet valve using the second actuator.

2. The infusion pump of claim 1, wherein in a gravity-feed mode the microprocessor:

controls the first actuator to maintain the plurality of fingers in respective fixed positions and to at least partially open the outlet valve such that a passageway is formed in the output tubing between the inlet and outlet valves;

and, controls the second actuator, using data from the flow sensor including flow measured by the flow sensor, to operate the inlet valve to establish flow to the output tubing at a desired flow rate;

and, in an active pumping mode, the microprocessor;

controls the second actuator to open and close the inlet valve; and

, controls the first actuator to operate the plurality of fingers to displace fluid through the output tubing at the desired flow rate.

3. An infusion pump, comprising:

a specially programmed microprocessor;

an output tubing in fluid communication with a source of fluid;

a flow sensor measuring flow;

a pumping section including a plurality of fingers, an outlet valve, and a first actuator, controlled by said microprocessor and controlling operation of the plurality of fingers and the outlet valve;

an inlet valve associated with the pumping section operating separately from said first actuator and associated said outlet valve and said plurality of fingers; and

a second actuator, controlled by said microprocessor and operating the inlet valve, wherein;

in a gravity-feed mode the microprocessor;

controls the first actuator to maintain the plurality of fingers in respective fixed positions and to at least partially open the outlet valve such that a passageway is formed in the output tubing past the outlet valve; and

controls the second actuator, using data from the flow sensor including flow measured by the flow sensor, to operate the inlet valve to establish flow through the output tubing at a desired flow rate; and

in an active pumping mode, the microprocessor;

controls the second actuator to open and close the inlet valve; and

, controls the first actuator to operate the plurality of fingers to displace fluid through the output tubing at the desired flow rate.

4. The infusion pump of claim 3, wherein the second actuator is for operating the inlet valve such that the inlet valve is continuously positionable between a fully open position and a fully closed position.

5. The infusion pump of claim 3, wherein:

when in the gravity-feed mode;

the inlet valve is fully opened or opened to within a specified portion of a fully opened position for the inlet valve; and

, the measured flow through the outlet tubing is less than the desired flow rate;

the microprocessor automatically switches operation of the infusion pump to the active pumping mode.

6. The infusion pump of claim 3, wherein:

the specially programmed microprocessor includes a memory element for storing the desired flow rate;

or, the specially programmed microprocessor is for receiving input including the desired flow rate;

or, the specially programmed microprocessor is for calculating the desired flow rate.

7. A method for infusing a fluid using an infusion pump including a specially programmed microprocessor, an output tubing in fluid communication with a source of fluid, a flow sensor, a pumping section including a plurality of fingers, an outlet valve, and a first actuator, controlled by the microprocessor and operating both said outlet valve and said plurality of fingers, an inlet valve in fluid communication with the source of fluid and in fluid communication with the pumping section;

and a second actuator, controlled by the microprocessor and operating said inlet valve, the method comprising;

measuring flow using the flow sensor;

sequentially displacing, using the specially programmed microprocessor and the first actuator, the plurality of fingers to displace fluid through the output tubing; and

,

for detection, by the flow sensor, of flow above a predetermined level;

closing, using the specially programmed microprocessor and the first actuator, the outlet valve independently of the inlet valve; and

, closing, using the specially programmed microprocessor and the second actuator, the inlet valve independently of the outlet valve.

8. A method for infusing a fluid using an infusion pump including a specially programmed microprocessor;

an output tubing in fluid communication with a source of fluid, a flow sensor, a pumping section including a plurality of fingers, an outlet valve, and a first actuator, controlled by the microprocessor and operating both said outlet valve and said plurality of fingers;

an inlet valve disposed between the source of fluid and the pumping section; and

a second actuator, controlled by the microprocessor and operating the inlet valve, the method comprising;

measuring flow using the flow sensor;

in a gravity-feed mode;

controlling, using the specially programmed microprocessor, the first actuator to maintain the plurality of fingers in respective fixed positions and to at least partially open the outlet valve such that a passageway is formed in the output tubing past the outlet valve; and

,

controlling, using the specially programmed microprocessor and data from the flow sensor including flow measured by the flow sensor, the second actuator to operate the inlet valve to establish flow in the output tubing at a desired flow rate; and

,

in an active pumping mode;

controlling, using the specially programmed microprocessor, the second actuator to open and close the inlet valve; and

,

controlling, using the specially programmed microprocessor, the first actuator to operate the plurality of fingers to displace fluid through the output tubing at the desired flow rate.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising controlling, using the specially programmed microprocessor, the second actuator to operate the inlet valve such that the inlet valve is continuously positionable between a fully open position and a fully closed position.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising, when in the gravity-feed mode and the inlet valve is fully opened or opened to within a specified portion of a fully opened position for the inlet valve, and the measured flow through the outlet tubing is less than the desired flow rate, automatically switching, using the microprocessor, the pump to the active pumping mode.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the specially programmed microprocessor includes a memory element and the method further comprises storing, in the memory element, the desired flow rate;

or, the method further comprises receiving, using the specially programmed microprocessor, input including the desired flow rate;

or, the method further comprises calculating, using the specially programmed microprocessor, the desired flow rate.