INFUSION ASSEMBLY THAT SIMULTANEOUSLY DELIVERS THERAPEUTIC FLUID TO PLURAL BODY SITES

• US 20060282040A1
• Filed: 08/18/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Inventors: Toman, Jason, Staunton, Doug
• Granted Patent: US 7,722,574 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/16 having provision for disinfection or sterilisation A61M39/143 takes precedence; methods or apparatus for disinfection or sterilisation A61L2/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/223 Multiway valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14216 Reciprocating piston type
• 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 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1684 by detecting the amount of infusate remaining, e.g. signalling end of infusion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16881 Regulating valves on-off valves, e.g. clamps A61M39/28

Abstract

An infusion assembly for delivering therapeutic fluid to plural body sites is provided. The assembly includes a positive displacement pump that discharges the therapeutic fluid. The assembly also includes a flow regulator valve including a valve housing that defines a pressure chamber, an inlet bore that opens into the pressure chamber, and first and second outlet passageways. The first and second outlet passageways extend, respectively, from separate first and second outlet openings to a first catheter and a second catheter through which the therapeutic fluid is directed to the body sites. A controller cyclically regulates the operation of the pump so that, in a first phase of each cycle, the pump is actuated so as to cause a fluid pulse to be presented through the inlet bore of the valve housing to the diaphragm and in a second phase of each cycle, the pump is not actuated.

Claims

1. An infusion assembly for delivering therapeutic fluid to plural body sites, said assembly including:

a positive displacement pump that discharges therapeutic fluid; and

a flow regulator valve, said valve having;

a valve housing that defines;

a pressure chamber;

an inlet bore that opens into said pressure chamber; and

first and second outlet passageways that extend respectively from separate first and second outlet openings to a first catheter and a second catheter through which the fluid is directed to the body sites;

a flexible diaphragm disposed in said pressure chamber over said inlet opening and said outlet openings that moves between a closed position and an open position, said diaphragm positioned to, when in the closed position, simultaneously seat over said first outlet opening and said second outlet opening so as to seal both said first outlet opening and said second outlet opening; and

a biasing member disposed against said diaphragm so as to normally hold said diaphragm in the closed position absent a fluid pulse from said inlet bore; and

a conduit for supplying discharged fluid from said pump through said valve housing inlet bore into said valve housing pressure chamber.

2. The infusion assembly of claim 1, further including a flow restrictor connected to each of said outlet passageways between said outlet opening and said catheter that extends from said outlet passageway.

3. The infusion assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said valve housing is shaped to have;

planar interior surface that defines a base of said pressure chamber;

first and second bosses that extend upwardly from said base of said pressure chamber towards said diaphragm; and

each of the outlet openings is formed in a separate one of said bosses; and

said diaphragm is positioned to, when in the closed position, abut said first and second bosses so as to seal said outlet openings closed.

4. The infusion assembly of claim 1, further including a controller for regulating the actuation of said pump, said controller configured to cyclically regulate the operation of said pump so that, in a first phase of each cycle, said pump is actuated so as to cause a fluid pulse to be presented through said inlet bore to said diaphragm and in a second phase of each cycle, said pump is not actuated.

5. The infusion assembly of claim 4, wherein said controller is further configured so that in the first phase of each pump cycle, said pump is actuated to output a series of fluid pulses.