Fluid line occlusion detection system and methods

• US 10,022,495 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2016
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Halbert, Donald, Guerra, Jesse, Bollish, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenberg, Rebecca E
• Application Number:
  US15/045,875
• Publication Number:
  US 20160166767A1
• Time in Patent Office: 881 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/16863 Occlusion detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/16868 Downstream occlusion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14212 Pumping with an aspiration and an expulsion action
• 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 5/16827 controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/5086 for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile

Abstract

The systems, methods and articles described herein are directed to at least one pressure sensor along a downstream fluid line which senses fluid pressure and assists an occlusion detection feature in determining the presence of occlusions in the downstream fluid line. In addition, the system can dynamically adapt the occlusion detection feature based on a delivery of fluid, such as a bolus, in order to prevent the system from creating a false alarm regarding an occlusion of the downstream fluid line.

Claims

1. A method for dynamically adapting a fluid delivery system, the method comprising:

initiating, based on a programmed bolus of fluid for delivery to a patient, an occlusion detection feature which activates an alarm when detecting at least a fluid line pressure indicating an occlusion in a fluid line;

determining that a delivery of a bolus condition has commenced;

sensing a pressure of the fluid line at a location between the infusion pump and the patient;

increasing a maximum pressure limit that is compared to the sensed pressure;

lowering the maximum pressure limit over a predetermined time period after commencement of the delivery of the bolus condition;

delivering the programmed bolus of fluid to the patient; and

restoring the occlusion detection feature wherein the fluid line pressure indicating an occlusion in the fluid line is restored at a rate which prevents falsely activating the alarm.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rate includes an exponential decay rate.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the occlusion detection feature includes an occlusion detection program and an algorithm.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein a sensed fluid line pressure of the fluid line is input into at least one of the occlusion detection program and algorithm.

5. The method of claim 4, further including processing the occlusion detection program and the at least one algorithm with a processor of a programming module of the fluid delivery system.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the occlusion detection feature automatically dynamically adapts upon commencing the delivery of the bolus.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one pressure sensor senses the fluid line pressure of the fluid line.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the fluid line is a downstream fluid line extending between an infusion pump and the patient.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein dynamically adapting the occlusion detection feature includes processing an algorithm having at least information characterizing the programmed bolus and determining at least one of a maximum pressure and a decay rate.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein an occlusion detection program uses at least one of the maximum pressure and decay rate when monitoring the fluid line pressure at least during the delivery of the programmed bolus in order to prevent activation of a false occlusion alarm.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the maximum pressure limit is gradually lowered over a predetermined time period after commencement of the delivery of the bolus condition.