Flow Control System and Method with Variable Pressure and Variable Resistance
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for maintaining a desired flow rate of a fluid from a fluid source along a fluid path, comprising:
- an inflatable bladder bearing against the fluid source to drive the fluid from the fluid source along the fluid path, the flow rate being responsive to varying pressure in said inflatable bladder;
an adjustable flow resistor for varying flow resistance in the fluid path, the flow rate being responsive to adjustment of said flow resistor;
a flow sensor for detecting an actual flow rate of the fluid;
a processor coupled to said adjustable flow resistor and said flow sensor for comparing the actual flow rate of the fluid with the desired flow rate of the fluid to determine a difference between the actual flow rate and the desired flow rate;
means for adjusting the flow resistor; and
means for varying the pressure in said inflatable bladder.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An infusion pump and method are provided which control flow rates with variable fluid pressure and variable series flow resistance.
54 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for maintaining a desired flow rate of a fluid from a fluid source along a fluid path, comprising:
-
an inflatable bladder bearing against the fluid source to drive the fluid from the fluid source along the fluid path, the flow rate being responsive to varying pressure in said inflatable bladder; an adjustable flow resistor for varying flow resistance in the fluid path, the flow rate being responsive to adjustment of said flow resistor; a flow sensor for detecting an actual flow rate of the fluid; a processor coupled to said adjustable flow resistor and said flow sensor for comparing the actual flow rate of the fluid with the desired flow rate of the fluid to determine a difference between the actual flow rate and the desired flow rate; means for adjusting the flow resistor; and means for varying the pressure in said inflatable bladder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method for maintaining a desired flow rate of a fluid flowing from a fluid source along a fluid path, comprising:
-
inflating an inflatable bladder that bears against the fluid source to drive the fluid from the fluid source along the fluid path, the flow rate being responsive to varying pressure in said inflatable bladder; determining an actual flow rate and comparing the actual flow rate to the desired flow rate; if the actual flow rate is not equal to the desired flow rate, adjusting one or both of pressure in the inflatable bladder and an adjustable flow resistor to reduce the difference between the actual flow rate and the desired flow rate; said adjustable flow resistor for varying flow resistance in the fluid path, the flow rate being responsive to adjustment of said flow resistor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification