Drug pump systems and methods
First Claim
1. A drug pump for dispensing fluid to a patient comprising:
- a pump mechanism for pumping fluid;
a processor electrically connected to the pump mechanism;
a flash memory electrically connected to the processor for storing pump application information for control and operation of the pump mechanism;
a communication port electrically connected to the processor to permit transfer of pump application information to the flash memory from an exterior of the pump;
a communications cable sensor associated with the communications port, the communications cable sensor electrically connected with the processor, the communications cable sensor sending a signal to the processor indicative of the presence of a cable plugged into the communication port;
a reprogrammable memory electrically connected to the processor and separate from the flash memory for storing patient specific settings;
a keyboard electrically connected to the processor usable to enter the patient specific settings; and
a display electrically connected to the processor.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A menu driven reprogrammable drug pump is provided with a memory, such as flash memory, a display, a keyboard, and a communications port to allow a generic pump to be programmed with a desired pump application (therapy) program and patient specific settings. Programming and data transfer with another pump or a computer to and from the patient pump is by the communications port that allows local and/or remote communications with the pump. Flash memory stores the pump application program during use. Patient safety is provided by a cassette identification system, an occlusion detection system, and a latch/lock detection system. Automated testing of the pump is by a closed loop testing system.
-
Citations
43 Claims
-
1. A drug pump for dispensing fluid to a patient comprising:
-
a pump mechanism for pumping fluid;
a processor electrically connected to the pump mechanism;
a flash memory electrically connected to the processor for storing pump application information for control and operation of the pump mechanism;
a communication port electrically connected to the processor to permit transfer of pump application information to the flash memory from an exterior of the pump;
a communications cable sensor associated with the communications port, the communications cable sensor electrically connected with the processor, the communications cable sensor sending a signal to the processor indicative of the presence of a cable plugged into the communication port;
a reprogrammable memory electrically connected to the processor and separate from the flash memory for storing patient specific settings;
a keyboard electrically connected to the processor usable to enter the patient specific settings; and
a display electrically connected to the processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
16. A drug pump for dispensing fluid to a patient, the drug pump comprising:
-
a pump mechanism;
an external communication port;
a processor being in electrical communication with the pump mechanism and in electrical communication with the external communication port, the processor being programmed to communicate with an external processor via the external communications port; and
a sensor in electrical communication with the processor, the sensor configured to detect when a communication cable is connected to the external communication port and to send an electrical signal to the processor in response to detection of the communication cable.
-
-
21. A drug pump for dispensing fluid to a patient, the pump system comprising:
-
a pump mechanism for pumping fluid;
a microprocessor configured to control the pump;
memory internal to the pump and electronically connected to the microprocessor, the memory storing a boot program and a plurality of application programs, one of the application programs being a predetermined application program; and
wherein the boot program is configured to launch the predetermined application program and the application programs are configured to control operation of the pump. - View Dependent Claims (22, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
-
23. A method of operating a pump wherein the pump includes a microprocessor and memory in electrical communication with the microprocessor, the memory storing a boot program and a plurality of application programs, one of the application programs being a predetermined application program, the method comprising the steps of:
-
applying power to the microprocessor and the memory;
executing the boot program;
launching the predetermined execution program; and
executing the predetermined application program, wherein the predetermined execution program controls operation of the pump.
-
-
24. A drug pump for dispensing fluid to a patient, the pump comprising:
-
a pump mechanism;
a control system electrically connected to the pump mechanism, the control system including a processor and a keyboard, the keyboard being electrically connected to the processor, the processor being programmed to respond to predetermined keystrokes, the processor being further programmed with a plurality of access locks; and
wherein each access lock, when activated, prevents the processor from responding to a set of predetermined keystrokes.
-
-
27. A method of operating a drug pump comprising the steps of:
-
a) unlocking an access lock of a processor of a drug pump;
b) reprogramming a memory of the drug pump connected to the processor after the access lock is unlocked; and
c) after step b), automatically relocking the access lock.
-
-
28. A drug pump for dispensing fluid to a patient, the drug pump comprising:
-
a pump mechanism, the pump mechanism including a motor and a motor controller;
at least one sensor;
a serial communication device electrically connected to a communication port;
a processor; and
a data bus, the data bus providing electrical communication between the processor and the motor controller, the at least one sensor, and the serial communication device.
-
-
33. A control system configured to interface with a remote pump and a remote telephone, the control system including:
-
a control unit configured to interface and control the remote pump, the control unit having a serial communication port configured for data transmission according to the RS 232 standard;
a telephone; and
a modem configured to simultaneously transmit and receive voice and data information, the modem being operably connected to the telephone and to the serial communication port of the control unit. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 40)
-
-
38. A method of operating a local drug pump and a remote drug pump comprising the steps of:
-
connecting the local drug pump to a local digital simultaneous voice and data modem;
connecting the remote drug pump to a remote digital simultaneous voice and data modem;
connecting the local and remote modems; and
simultaneously sending voice information and pump data information between the modems.
-
-
39. A drug pump for dispensing fluid to a patient, the drug pump comprising:
-
a control module, a fluid reservoir and a fluid line in fluid communication with the reservoir, the reservoir having indicia, the control module having a latch to attach the reservoir to the control module;
a pump mechanism configured to pump fluid from the reservoir and through the fluid line;
an occlusion detector configured to detect an occlusion in the fluid line;
a latch sensor configured to detect the latch;
a reservoir identification sensor configured to identify the indicia on the reservoir; and
a processor electrically connected to the pump mechanism, the occlusion detector, the latch sensor, and the reservoir identification sensor, the processor configured to disable the pump mechanism upon detection of an occlusion, a failure to detect the latch, or a failure to detect the indicia.
-
-
41. A method of operating a drug pump comprising the steps of:
-
a) selecting a pump operating program from a plurality of different pump operating programs stored on the drug pump;
b) inputting patient specific settings to the drug pump;
c) pumping fluid to a patient with the drug pump;
d) linking the drug pump to a remote caregiver drug pump over a modem connection; and
e) inputting a further patient specific setting to the drug pump from the caregiver drug pump over the modem connection. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43)
-
Specification