Infusion pump for syringes

• US 20050177109A1
• Filed: 02/07/2005
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sidam SRL
• Original Assignee: Sidam Di Azzolini Graziano E. C. S.A.S.
• Inventors: Azzolini, Graziano
• Granted Patent: US 7,347,837 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/14 Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1407 Infusion of two or more substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1456 with a replaceable reservoir comprising a piston rod to be moved into the reservoir, e.g. the piston rod is part of the removable reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/23 by pivoting the containers about an axis
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/70 Drives therefor, e.g. crank mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/5011 portable during use, e.g. hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/50112 of the syringe or cartridge type

Abstract

An infusion pump for syringes, comprising a supporting structure, a support for a syringe, which can be rigidly associated with the syringe and can be associated with the supporting structure so that they can rotate alternately about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the syringe, and a first actuation for actuating the alternating rotation and a second actuation for actuating the sliding of the plunger of the syringe, which cooperate functionally with the first actuation.

Claims

1. A infusion pump for syringes, comprising:

a syringe with a plunger;

a supporting structure;

supporting means for supporting the syringe by way of rigid connection therewith, said supporting means being further connectable with said supporting structure so as to rotate alternately about a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to a second longitudinal axis of said syringe;

first actuation means for actuating the alternating rotation of said supporting means; and

second actuation means for actuating sliding of the plunger of said syringe, which cooperate functionally with said first actuation means.

2. The pump of claim 1, wherein said first axis lies on a substantially horizontal plane.

3. The pump according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means are adapted to perform alternating rotation about said first axis at an angle that is less than 2π

rad.

4. The pump of claim 1, comprising an auxiliary syringe with a plunger thereof;

locking means for locking the auxiliary syringe, said locking means being associated with said supporting structure; and

third means for actuating sliding of the plunger of said auxiliary syringe.

5. The pump of claim 4, wherein at least one of said first, second and third actuation means is of the automated type.

6. The pump of claim 4, comprising first sensing means for sensing presence of said syringe.

7. The pump of claim 6, comprising second sensing means for sensing presence of said auxiliary syringe.

8. The pump of claim 4, comprising first control means for controlling the sliding of the plunger of said syringe.

9. The pump of claim 8, comprising second control means for controlling the sliding of the plunger of said auxiliary syringe.

10. The pump of claim 4, wherein at least one of said second and third actuation means comprises pressure sensing means for sensing pressure applied to the plunger of said syringe and of said auxiliary syringe, respectively.

11. The pump of claim 10, wherein at least one of said second and third actuation means is of the linear type.

12. The pump of claim 10, wherein at least one of said first, second and third actuation means is of a mechanical type.

13. The pump of claim 10, wherein at least one of said first, second and third actuation means is of a pneumatic or hydraulic type.

14. The pump of claim 10, wherein at least one of said first, second and third actuation means is of an electrical type.

15. The pump of claim 10, wherein at least one of said first, second and third actuation means is of the electromechanical type.

16. The pump of claim 4, comprising ON/OFF control means for activating and deactivating operation thereof.

17. The pump of claim 4, wherein said ON/OFF control means are of a type selectable among a pedal and a pushbutton, and are foot actuatable.

18. The pump of claim 17, wherein said ON/OFF control means are adapted to convey an ON/OFF signal via any of a cable, wireless and infrared carrier.

19. The pump of claim 4, comprising an electronic control and monitoring unit, which is functionally associated with at least said first and second actuation means.

20. The pump of claim 19, wherein said electronic control and monitoring unit is an electronic controller.

21. The pump of claim 20, wherein said electronic control and monitoring unit is programmable.

22. The pump of claim 4, wherein said first actuation means comprise:

a shaft, which extends along said first axis and is supported for rotation by said supporting structure;

first motor means associated with said shaft; and

coupling means for coupling said supporting means to said shaft.

23. The pump of claim 22, wherein said syringe has a cylindrical body, said supporting means comprising a tubular element, adapted for insertion therein of the cylindrical body of said syringe and fixing means for fixing said tubular element that is rigidly coupled to said cylindrical body of the syringe.

24. The pump of claim 23, wherein said fixing means are of a type selectable among interlocking, adhesive-bonding or interference-coupling fixing means.

25. The pump of claim 23, wherein said fixing means comprise a longitudinal cut formed inside said tubular element, an inside diameter of said tubular element being substantially smaller than an outside diameter of said cylindrical body of the syringe.

26. The pump of claim 23, wherein said coupling means is of a type selectable among interlocking and/or contrast and/or friction coupling means.

27. The pump of claim 26, wherein said coupling means comprises a containment receptacle for containing said supporting means, which is formed in said shaft and is provided with cavities in which corresponding protrusions formed in said supporting means are insertable.

28. The pump of claim 27, comprising a stem, elastic means and a guide, said supporting means comprising a portion that has a contoured profile for mating with a head of said stem that is inserted so as to be axially slidable, with interposition of said elastic means, in said guide that is formed in said shaft at said containment receptacle, said head protruding into said containment receptacle, coupling between said head and said contoured portion being suitable to fix said supporting means to said shaft.

29. The pump of claim 28, wherein at least one of said first and second sensing means comprises a switch of the ON/OFF type.

30. The pump of claim 28, wherein said first sensing means are connected with said shaft.

31. The pump of claim 30, wherein an end of said stem that lies opposite said head protrudes externally from said shaft, said first sensing means being arranged proximate thereto, said stem being adapted to actuate said first sensing means.

32. The pump of claim 10, comprising:

a slider;

at least one of said second and third actuation means comprising straight guiding means, along which said slider is associated for alternate sliding;

a screw, which is substantially parallel to said straight guiding means, is supported for rotation by said supporting structure, and is coupled to a female thread formed in said slider;

second motor means, which are connected with said screw; and

a pusher, which is rigidly associated with said slider and is provided so as to make contact with the plunger of said syringe or of said auxiliary syringe, respectively.

33. The pump of claim 32, wherein at least one of said first and second motor means is of the step motor type.

34. The pump of claim 33, wherein at least one of said first and second motor means comprises an inverter.

35. The pump of claim 23, wherein said locking means comprise a receptacle for accommodating wings formed at an inlet end of said cylindrical body of the auxiliary syringe, and a clamp for locking said cylindrical body.

36. The pump of claim 32, wherein at least one of said first and second control means comprises position sensors selectable among proximity sensors, and switches, which are suitable to sense position of said slider, and sensors for detecting rotation of said screw.

37. The pump of claim 32, wherein said pressure sensing means comprise a load cell associated with said pusher.