SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING INFORMATION RELATING TO MEDICAL FLUIDS AND CONTAINERS THEREFOR

• US 20070197974A1
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Original Assignee: Mallinckrodt Incorporated (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Gibson, Chad
• Granted Patent: US 9,082,157 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/189
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14553 comprising a pressure jacket
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/17 with redundant control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/60 with identification means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/002 Packages specially adapted therefor, e.g. for syringes or needles, kits for diabetics needle protection, e.g. caps, A61M5/3202; for sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/007 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14546 Front-loading type injectors
• 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: A61M 5/14566 with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump
• 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 5/1785 comprising radioactive shield means syringe shields or holders for storage of radioactive sources G21F5/018
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3129 Syringe barrels A61M5/3205 and A61M5/50 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31511 Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod A61M5/5066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/44 having means for cooling or heating the devices or media
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 : for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

The present invention relates to management of information relating to medical fluids, containers therefor, and medical fluid administration devices for administering such medical fluids to patients. Data tags (e.g., RFID tags) are generally associated with containers of the invention and may be electromagnetically read from and/or written to using an electromagnetic device, for example, that may be associated with a medical fluid administration device of the invention.

Claims

1. A medical fluid administration device for supporting a syringe filled with a fluid between a plunger and a discharge tip from which the fluid is dispensed, the syringe having a data tag for storing data readable from the data tag and the administration device comprising:

a powerhead comprising a plunger drive adapted to be connectable to the plunger at the forward end;

an administration device control operatively connected to the powerhead; and

an electromagnetic device mounted on the powerhead and in electrical communications with the administration device control, the electromagnetic device adapted to read data from the data tag and comprising a plurality of antennas operative to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals respectively, to and from, the data tag to read data stored in the data tag.

2. The administration device of claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic device further comprises:

a plurality of tuning circuits electrically connected to respective antennas for tuning the respective antennas to a desired frequency; and

a driver circuit electrically connectable to the plurality of tuning circuits and the administration device control, the driver circuit providing drive signals to the plurality of tuning circuits causing the respective antennas to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals respectively, to and from, the RF data tag to read data stored in the data tag.

3. The administration device of claim 2 further comprising a switching circuit electrically connected between the driver circuit and the plurality of tuning circuits and operable to connect the plurality of antennas in different circuit configurations.

4. The administration device of claim 2 wherein the desired frequency is about 13.56 Megahertz.

5. The administration device of claim 1 wherein the powerhead comprises a forward end adapted to receive and support the syringe.

6. The administration device of claim 5 wherein the powerhead further comprises a mount adapted to receive and support the syringe;

7. The administration device of claim 6 wherein the mount comprises a pressure jacket for supporting the syringe and the plurality of antennas is mounted on the pressure jacket.

8. The administration device of claim 6 wherein the mount comprises a cradle and the plurality of antennas is supported by the cradle.

9. The administration device of claim 8 wherein the cradle further comprises a heater electrically connected to the administration device control.

10. The administration device of claim 1 wherein the plunger of the syringe is substantially wholly contained within the syringe.

11. The administration device of claim 1 wherein the syringe comprises a volume in excess of about 90 ml.

12. A method of using a medical fluid administration device comprising an electromagnetic device operable to read data from and/or write data to data tag, the data tag being readable by electromagnetic signals and being associated with a syringe having medical fluid disposed therein, the method comprising:

electrically connecting a plurality of antennas of the electromagnetic device to a plurality of respective tuning circuits; and

attempting RF communications between the electromagnetic device and the data tag, wherein the attempting comprises providing RF power to the plurality of tuning circuits.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

determining whether or not RF communications are or were established between the electromagnetic device and the data tag;

if determined unsuccessful, adjusting the plurality of tuning circuits; and

attempting additional RF communications between the device and the data tag, wherein the attempting additional RF communications comprises providing RF power to the plurality of tuning circuits.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising iterating the determining, the adjusting, and the attempting additional RF communications until determining that a successful RF communication has been established between the electromagnetic device and the data tag.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein a desired RF communication frequency is about 13.56 Megahertz.