Automated fluid flow control system

• US 20060004330A1
• Filed: 02/22/2005
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fresenius KABI USA LLC (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Original Assignee: Fluidnet Corporation (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Inventors: Kuba, Lawrence Michael, Carlisle, Jeffrey Alan
• Granted Patent: US 7,503,903 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/246
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1408 in parallel, e.g. manifolds, sequencing valves access sites A61M39/02; tube connectors A61M39/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14236 Screw, impeller or centrifugal type pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16813 by controlling the degree of opening of the flow line
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16877 Adjusting flow; Devices for setting a flow rate

Abstract

A device for control of fluid flow with closed loop quasi static adjustment of in-line pressure-based resistance. The disclosed device and methods of using the device provide for the ability to control a flow rate with a highly portable device; the ability for an operator to safely use the device with minimal training; the ability to automatically switch between a primary and secondary fluid; the ability to maintain a flow rate through a tubing set even when the control device is removed; and the ability to measure fluids introduced with a manual bolus injection.

Claims

1. A fluid control system comprised of a fluid pathway assembly and a separate flow control device by which fluid flow can be regulated manually by manipulation of a resistive control within the fluid pathway standing alone based on a visual indicator of flow within the fluid pathway or by automated and motorized adjustment of the same resistive control within the fluid pathway based on electronically sensed interactions between the fluid control device and an inline flow sensor within the fluid pathway.

2. The fluid control system of claim 1, wherein the fluid pathway assembly comprises:

a. a fluid source;

b. an inlet line;

c. in-line flow impeller;

d. a visual indicator of fluid flow;

e. a variable resistive component; and

f. an outlet line leading to a patient.

3. The fluid control system of claim 2, wherein flow control device comprises:

a. a power supply;

b. a sensor to detect movement of the in-line flow impeller within fluid pathway;

c. an integrated circuit means to interpret signals from the sensor for detecting movement of the in-line flow impeller;

d. means to mate removably with the fluid pathway;

e. a motor to modulate position of resistive control within fluid pathway assembly;

f. integrated circuit means to bidirectionally drive a motor that modulates the position of a resistive control within the fluid pathway; and

g. a digital display that indicates information, such as a desired flow rate setting or imputed actual flow rate.

4. The fluid control system of claim 3, wherein in the inline flow impeller contains a magnet and the flow control device contains electromagnetic sensors and integrated circuit elements to sense movement of in-line flow impeller.

5. The fluid control system of claim 4, wherein the integrated circuit elements create electromagnetic fields to cause movement of impeller

6. The fluid control system of claim 4, wherein the fluid flow rates are determined by the sensing of passive movement of the magnetized in-line flow impeller.

7. The fluid control system of claim 5, wherein the fluid flow rates are determined by the response of the in-line flow impeller to electromagnetic fields created by electromagnetic drive circuitry of the flow control device.

8. The fluid control system of claim 1, wherein the fluid pathway assembly further comprises a one-way check valve within the first inlet line.

9. The fluid control system of claim 8, further comprising a second inlet line attached to the fluid path assembly.

10. The fluid control system of claim 9, wherein the the one-way check valve allows fluid flow through the flow path exclusively.

11. The fluid control system of claim 8, where the in-line flow impeller creates a signal that indicates the source of fluid flow from the second inlet line.

12. The fluid control system of claim 9, wherein the flow control device adjusts flow resistance to achieve a flow rate for flow from the second inlet tube that is distinct from the flow rate target of the first inlet line.

13. The fluid control system of claim 9, where the fluid source for the second inlet line is a manually injected syringe wherein the integrated circuit means can yield a computation of amount of fluid delivered over time for the injection.

14. The fluid control system of claim 1, wherein the fluid pathway assembly can be separated from the flow control device and maintain the underlying flow rate.

15. The fluid control system of claim 1, wherein the variable resistive component has a high resolution.

16. The fluid control system of claim 1, wherein the the variable resistive component has a stable setting

17. The fluid control system of claim 1, wherein the variable resistive component has can be adjusted manually.

18. The fluid control system of claim 1, wherein the the variable resistive component has can be adjusted by a motorized fluid control device based upon the behavior of the in-line flow impeller as detected by the sensor.

19. A method for controlling the flow of fluid from a fluid source to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

a. arranging one or more fluid sources to be infused into a patient;

b. connecting the one or more fluid sources to a fluid administration device via a first fluid flow conduit, the fluid administration device comprising;

i. a fluid pathway assembly; and

ii. a flow control device.

c. predetermining a target fluid flow rate and a desired fluid flow rate which is tailored to each individual patient;

d. setting the flow control device in accordance with predetermined target flow rate and desired fluid flow rate such that the fluid administration device controls and monitors the flow of fluids from the one or more fluid sources into the patient; and

e. connecting the fluid administration assembly to a second conduit which permits flow of the fluid into the patient.