Method And Apparatus For Occlusion Prevention And Remediation
First Claim
1. An occlusion prevention or remediation apparatus for a medication delivery device that communicates medication-containing liquid to a catheter line connected to a patient, the occlusion prevention or remediation device comprising a pulse generator that causes a pulse to form in medication-containing liquid in the catheter line downstream of the medication delivery device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter occlusion prevention or remediation system for use with catheter-based therapeutic or medical liquid delivery to a patient. The system is an adjunct to a catheter liquid delivery arrangement that typically includes an infusion pump hooked to the patient. The system includes a drive that displaces a pulse effector against liquid in a pulse chamber in fluid-flow communication with liquid in the catheter to create a pressure pulse that opens occlusions, breaks away occlusions being formed, and prevents occlusion formation. In one embodiment, the drive charges an accumulator that displaces the pulse effector during a period of low pump motor activity maximizing onboard battery life. In another embodiment, the drive is an actuator with an armature that displaces a plunger into the pulse chamber to form the pulse. The resultant pulses are of sufficient duration and pressure above working pressure to achieve occlusion prevention and remediation.
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Citations
40 Claims
- 1. An occlusion prevention or remediation apparatus for a medication delivery device that communicates medication-containing liquid to a catheter line connected to a patient, the occlusion prevention or remediation device comprising a pulse generator that causes a pulse to form in medication-containing liquid in the catheter line downstream of the medication delivery device.
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19. An occlusion prevention or remediation apparatus for a medication delivery device that communicates medication-containing liquid to a catheter line connected to a patient, the occlusion prevention or remediation device comprising:
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a pulse generator that causes a pulse to form in medication-containing liquid in the catheter line downstream of the medication delivery device; and a check valve disposed between the pulse generator and the medication delivery device. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An occlusion prevention or remediation apparatus for a medication delivery device that communicates medication-containing liquid to a catheter line connected to a patient, the occlusion prevention or remediation device comprising:
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a pulse generator that causes a pulse to form in medication-containing liquid in the catheter line downstream of the medication delivery device that includes a pressure pulse chamber holding medication-containing liquid, a displaceable pulse effector that generates a pulse in medication-containing liquid in the pressure pulse chamber when displaced, a drive, and an accumulator linked to the drive for storing energy from the drive and linked to the pulse effector for displacing the pulse effector using stored energy from the drive; and a check valve disposed between the pulse generator and the medication delivery device.
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25. A method of occlusion prevention or remediation comprising:
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(a) introducing a flow of liquid in a line of a catheter infusing a patient; and (b) perturbing the liquid in the catheter line with a plurality of pressure pulses. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification