ANTI-FREE-FLOW MECHANISM FOR ENTERAL FEEDING PUMPS

• US 20110082438A1
• Filed: 10/01/2010
• Published: 04/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zevex (Moog Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Zevex (Moog Incorporated)
• Inventors: Beck, Kent, Eggers, Philip
• Granted Patent: US 8,425,470 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0026 Parts, details or accessories for feeding-tubes external tubes from medical containers to a connector outside of the body A61M39/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0076 Feeding pumps A61M1/00, A61M5/142, A61M25/1018 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0482 Enteral feeding product
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/24 Check- or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/28 Clamping means for squeezing flexible tubes, e.g. roller clamps tube strippers A61M1/83
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7889 Sleeve

Abstract

An anti-free-flow mechanism includes an occluder mechanism which is disposed along a segment of tubing. The occluder mechanism is normally in a biased closed position, but may be moved into an open position by moving an engagement member into engagement with the tubing segment to deform the tubing segment and open a flow channel. Unless force is applied to keep the engagement member in contact with the tubing segment, the tubing will return to the first, closed position.

Claims

1. A fluid delivery set comprising:

a flexible tube having a bore therethrough;

a cassette body comprising;

a body portion;

a stop attached to the body portion, the stop being disposed in the tube bore so as to prevent flow through the tube; and

an actuator attached to the body, the actuator being bendable towards the stop to open fluid flow past the stop.

2. The fluid delivery set of claim 1, wherein the actuator extends generally parallel to the tube

3. The fluid delivery set of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises an arm.

4. The fluid delivery set of claim 3, wherein the arm extends generally parallel to the tube to a position adjacent the stop.

5. The fluid delivery set of claim 1, wherein the actuator is disposed outside of the tube.

6. The fluid delivery set of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises an arm extending along the tube and an actuation pad disposed adjacent the stop, the actuation pad being bendable towards the stop to thereby engage the tube and open a flow passage between the tube and the stop.

7. The fluid delivery set of claim 6, wherein the actuator pad presses against the stop from a single side to open a single fluid flow passage past the stop.

8. The fluid delivery set of claim 1, wherein the actuator extends outwardly from the body and bends to extend generally parallel to the tube.

9. The fluid delivery set of claim 1, wherein the actuator has a finger pad formed thereon to allow a user to manually press the actuator towards the stop and thereby allow flow past the stop.

10. The fluid delivery set of claim 1, wherein the cassette body comprises a first connector and a second connector attached to the body portion, and wherein the tube is attached to the first connector and the second connector to form a loop.

11. The fluid delivery set of claim 10, wherein the stop is attached to the first connector.

12. A system comprising the fluid delivery set of claim 1, and further comprising:

a pump;

a mounting structure disposed on the pump;

a pump door; and

wherein disposing the occluder in the mounting structure and closing the pump door moves the actuator and causes the actuator to open flow past the stop.

29. The cassette of claim 9, wherein the retention member slopes downwardly away from the body member and wherein the pump wall has a correspondingly sloped recess such that the retention member biases the cassette towards the pump.

13. A fluid delivery set comprising:

a flexible tube having a lumen therethough;

a cassette body comprising;

a body;

a stop attached to the body portion and disposed in the lumen, the stop contacting the tube to selectively prevent flow therethrough; and

an actuator disposed outside of the tube, the actuator being attached to the body and being bendable to press against the stop and thereby open flow past the stop.

14. The fluid delivery set of claim 13, wherein the actuator comprises an arm extending along the tube and having an end disposed adjacent the stop.

15. The fluid delivery set of claim 14, wherein the arm extends outwardly from the body and curves to extend generally parallel to the tube.

16. The fluid delivery set of claim 13, wherein the cassette body comprises a first connector and a second connector attached to the body, and wherein the tube is attached to the first connector and the second connector to form a loop.

17. The fluid delivery set of claim 16, wherein the stop is attached to the first connector.

18. A system comprising the fluid delivery set of claim 13, and further comprising a pump, wherein the tube is disposed in the pump to thereby pump fluid through the tube, and further comprising a mounting structure in the pump for receiving the cassette body.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein loading the cassette body in the mounting structure moves the actuator to thereby open flow past the stop.

20. A cassette for mounting on peristaltic pump, the cassette comprising:

a cassette body having at least one connector;

a flexible pump tube attached to the at least one connector; and

an angled engagement surface disposed on the cassette body at least partially disposed on a projection extending from the body and being disposed at an angle relative to the body.

21. The cassette of claim 20, wherein the engagement surface comprises a first sloped section and a second sloped section.

22. The cassette of claim 21, wherein the engagement surface comprises a third sloped section between the first sloped section and the second sloped section, the third sloped section being at a different angle than the first sloped section or the second sloped section.

23. The cassette of claim 21, wherein the second sloped section is disposed at substantially the same angle as the first sloped section and is disposed further away from the body than the first sloped section.

24. The cassette of claim 20, wherein the engagement surface has at least a portion thereof disposed at an angle of about 3 to about 15 degrees relative to the body member.

25. The cassette of claim 20, wherein the engagement surface is disposed at an angle of about 10 degrees or less relative to the body.

26. The cassette of claim 20, wherein the engagement surface comprises a first surface portion which is angled relative to the body, a second surface portion which is angled relative to the body and a third surface portion generally perpendicular to the first surface portion and the second surface portion.

27. The cassette of claim 26, wherein the first and second surfaces are disposed at an angle of about 15 degrees or less relative to the body member.

28. The cassette of claim 20, wherein the engagement surface is disposed on the same side of the body as the tube, and wherein loading the cassette in a pump places the tube in tension and biases the engagement surfaces into contact with a mounting structure on a pump.

30. A peristaltic pump system comprising:

a pump body having a base and a mounting structure mounted on the base, the mounting structure having a first engagement member defining a void; and

a cassette having a pump tubing segment, the cassette having a second engagement member adapted for engagement with the first engagement member of the mounting structure to thereby secure the cassette to the pump system when the pump tubing segment is in tension and the first and second engagement members are engaged, the second engagement member of the cassette being biased into engagement with the first engagement member of the mounting structure by the tension on the pump tubing segment, the second engagement member comprising a projection having a sloped front surface for engaging the void.

31. The pump system of claim 30, wherein the mounting structure comprises capture wall which defines a void at a bottom of the capture wall, and wherein the second engagement member comprises a projection disposed at the bottom of the cassette.

32. The pump system of claim 31, wherein the void has a first engagement surface oriented at a first angle and a second engagement surface disposed above the first engagement surface oriented at a different angle, and wherein the projection of the cassette has a first engagement surface complementary to the first engagement surface in the void and a second engagement surface complementary to the second engagement surface in the void.

33. The pump system of claim 31, wherein the capture wall has an upper portion disposed within 15 degrees of vertical, a middle portion disposed within 15 degrees of horizontal and a lower portion disposed within 15 degrees of vertical.

34. A pump system comprising:

a pump having a mounting structure;

a cassette comprising a cassette body including an engagement member forming a projection having an angled surface for engaging the mounting structure when the cassette is disposed in contact with the mounting structure;

a pump tubing segment attached to the cassette body such that when the pump tubing segment is placed in tension in the pump, the engagement member of the cassette is engaged with the pump such that the engagement member of the cassette is biased into engagement with the pump system by the tension on the pump tubing segment, the angled surface of the projection engages the mounting structure and holds the cassette in place.

35. The pump system of claim 34, wherein the angled projection has an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion, and wherein the middle portion is disposed at a different angle than the upper portion or the lower portion.

36. The feeding set cassette as set forth in claim 35, wherein the upper portion is angled within 10 degrees of vertical, the middle portion is angled within 10 degrees of horizontal and the lower portion is angled within 10 degrees of vertical.

37. A fluid delivery set, comprising:

a flexible tubing segment having a lumen extending therethrough;

a body having an occluder disposed within the tubing segment at a portion of the tubing segment to prevent fluid flow through the lumen, a connector to attaching the flexible tubing segment to another tube, and a deflectable actuator extending from the body and extending to a position adjacent the portion of the tubing segment containing the occluder, the deflectable actuator being movable between a first position wherein the actuator does not deform the portion of the tubing segment adjacent the occluder to a second position wherein the actuator deforms the tubing segment adjacent the occluder to open a flow path through the lumen between the tubing segment and the occluder.

38. The fluid delivery set according to claim 37, wherein the deflectable actuator comprises actuator pad formed thereon for engaging and distending the portion of the tubing segment adjacent the occluder.

39. The fluid delivery set according to claim 37, wherein the deflectable actuator is attached to the body and comprises a flex joint.

40. The fluid delivery set according to claim 37, wherein the actuator is tapered, being thicker at one end than an opposing end.

41. The fluid delivery set of claim 37, wherein the actuation pad includes a pair of projections forming a channel, a portion of which has a radius smaller than the radius of the occluder.

42. The fluid delivery set of claim 37 wherein the actuator comprises least one load distributor formed about the flex joint.

43. A fluid delivery set, comprising:

a tubing segment and a carrier connected to the tubing segment

an occluder disposed within the tubing segment to selectively prevent flow through the tubing segment;

an actuator formed extending from the carrier and movable between a first position wherein the actuator does not forcefully contact the tubing segment so as to distend the tubing segment and open flow around the occluder, and a second position wherein the actuator forcefully contacts the tubing segment and distends the tubing segment to thereby open flow around the occluder.

44. The fluid delivery set according to claim 43, wherein the actuator forms an arm and has an engagement member disposed adjacent an end of the arm.

45. The fluid delivery set according to claim 44 wherein the occluder defines at least one valve port in communication with a fluid communication channel.

46. A fluid delivery set for receipt about a peristaltic pump system with a base having a mounting plate about a side of the base that includes a rotor and a retainer to enable the delivery set to communicate fluid from a source to a patient, comprising:

a carrier supporting a substantially flexible tubing segment about a generally medial portion having an extensible peristalsis loop, the tubing segment having a lumen extending distally between an inflow end proximate a fluid source and an opposite outflow end;

an occluder received within the lumen and arranged nominally as an obstruction to fluid flow in the lumen to thereby form a valve with a portion of the tubing segment;

a deflectable actuator extending from the carrier proximate the occluder, the lumen primer including at least one actuation pad positioned to be biased against the valve when the lumen primer is deflected;

whereby the tubing segment is flexed by the at least one actuation pad against the occluder to establish at least one flow channel between the portion of the tubing segment and the occluder; and

wherein the carrier is received about the mounting plate to have the substantially flexible loop received about the rotor.

47. A cassette for a fluid delivery set, the cassette comprising:

a tubing segment;

an occluder disposed in a portion of the tubing segment to selectively prevent flow therethrough;

a cassette body connected to the tubing segment, the cassette body having an projection extending therefrom, at least a portion of the projection being disposed adjacent the portion of the tubing containing the connector, the projection being movable between a first position wherein the projection does not forcefully engage the tubing to distend the tubing adjacent the occluder to thereby open a flow channel between the portion of the tubing and the occluder and a second position wherein at least a portion of the projection forcefully engages the tubing and distends the tubing to open at least one flow path between the tubing and the occluder.

48. The cassette of claim 47, wherein the cassette body includes a connector and wherein the occluder is attached to and spaced apart from the connector to form a fluid flow port.

49. The cassette of claim 47, wherein the projection has an engagement member disposed along the projection for engaging the portion of the tubing section.

50. The cassette of claim 49, wherein the engagement member includes a plurality of rounded projections for engaging the portion of the tubing segment.

51. The cassette of claim 50 wherein the occluder has a radius and wherein engagement member includes a recess between the projections, at least a portion of the recess having a radius which is the same or smaller than the radius of the occluder.

52. A method for opening flow through a fluid delivery set, the method comprising:

selecting a fluid delivery set having a cassette with a cassette body, a tubing segment attached to the cassette body, an occluder disposed within the tubing segment and a projection extending from the cassette body; and

pressing on the projection to force at least of portion of the projection to forcefully engage and distend the tubing adjacent the occluder to thereby open a flow channel between the occluder and the tubing segment.

53. The method according to claim 52, wherein the projection has a pair of rounded projections extending therefrom and a recess between the rounded projections and wherein the method comprises forcing the recess over the a portion of the tubing segment and the occlude to distend the tubing segment and open the flow channel between the occluder and the tubing segment.

54. An device for selectively preventing flow through an infusion set, the device comprising:

an occluder having at least one body, the at least one body forming a stop for disposition in a tubing segment to selectively prevent flow therethrough and the at least one body forming an actuator, the actuator extending from the body to a position adjacent the stop.

55. A fluid delivery set comprising the device of claim 54, the fluid delivery set comprising a tubing segment, the stop being disposed in the tubing segment and the actuator extending along the occluder segment.

56. The fluid delivery set according to claim 55, wherein the actuator comprises an engagement member for engaging and deforming the tubing segment.

57. The fluid delivery set according to claim 55, wherein the at least one body comprises a first body comprising the stop and a second body comprising the actuator.

58. The fluid delivery set according to claim 57, wherein the first body is attached to the second body by at least one of the group consisting of press-fit, snap fit, bonding or adhesive.

59. The fluid delivery set according to claim 55, wherein the body comprises at least one projection having an angled face configured for engaging a recess on a peristaltic pump.

60. A fluid delivery system including the fluid delivery set of claim 59, wherein the pump comprises a recess having an angled surface for complementary receipt of the angled face of the projection of the body.

61. The fluid delivery system of claim 60, wherein the projection has and angled face disposed at 0 to 15 degrees from vertical and wherein the recess has an angled engagement surface which is disposed at 0 to 15 degrees in the opposite direction.

62. A fluid delivery cassette comprising:

a cassette body having a first connector and a second connector, at least one of the connectors having an occluder attached thereto;

a tubing segment attached to the first connector and the second connector, the occluder being disposed in the tubing segment; and

an actuator extending from the cassette body to a position on the outside of the tubing segment adjacent the occluder, the actuator being deflectable to forcefully engage the tubing segment with the occluder to open a flow channel past the occluder.

63. A fluid delivery cassette of claim 63, wherein the actuator comprises a bendable arm.

64. The fluid delivery cassette of claim 64, further comprising an engagement member disposed on the bendable arm for engaging and deforming the tubing segment.