MODULAR INFUSION SYSTEM

• US 20120078218A1
• Filed: 09/24/2010
• Published: 03/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: BARNES, ERIK
• Granted Patent: US 9,192,711 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1405 Patient controlled analgesia [PCA]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/16863 Occlusion detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3351 Controlling upstream pump pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3355 Controlling downstream pump pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/584 having a color code
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/587 Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/086 Docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1413 Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• 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 5/14232 Roller pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure

Abstract

A pump is disclosed that comprises a primary control unit comprising a first processor and one or more modular pumping units removably docked to the primary control unit. Each modular pumping unit comprises a pumping mechanism and a second processor configured to control the pumping mechanism and communicate with the first processor. The modular pumping unit is configured to manipulate a portion of a fluid delivery set to pump a fluid. The first processor and the second processor are configured to exchange one or more operating parameters when the modular pumping unit is docked to the primary control unit. The modular pumping unit is configured to pump the fluid after being undocked.

Claims

1. A pump comprising:

a primary control unit comprising a first processor; and

one or more modular pumping units removably docked to the primary control unit, each modular pumping unit comprising;

a pumping mechanism; and

a second processor configured to control the pumping mechanism and communicate with the first processor;

wherein the modular pumping unit is configured to manipulate a portion of a fluid delivery set to pump a fluid;

wherein the first processor and the second processor are configured to exchange one or more operating parameters when the modular pumping unit is docked to the primary control unit; and

wherein the modular pumping unit is configured to pump the fluid after being undocked.

2. The pump of claim 1, wherein the modular pumping unit further comprises:

at least one visual indicator coupled to the second processor, wherein the second processor is configured to provide information through the at least one visual indicator about at least one aspect of the operation of the modular pumping unit; and

at least one input element coupled to the second processor, wherein the second processor is configured to modify the operation of the modular pumping unit in response to actuation of the at least one input element.

3. The pump of claim 2, wherein the visual indicator comprises a display.

4. The pump of claim 2, wherein the second processor is configured to perform at least one operation of the pumping mechanism of the set of start, stop, pause, and resume in response to actuation of the at least one input element.

5. The pump of claim 1, wherein the modular pumping unit further comprises:

a first power source coupled to the second processor, wherein the first power source is configured to provide power to the second processor when the modular pumping unit is not docked to the primary control unit; and

a second power source that is removably coupled to the second processor and the pumping mechanism, wherein the second power source is configured to provide power to the second processor and the pumping mechanism when the modular pumping unit is not docked to the primary control unit.

6. The pump of claim 5, wherein the modular pumping unit is further configured to provide power to the pumping mechanism from the first power source when the modular pumping unit is not docked to the primary control unit.

7. The pump of claim 5, wherein the primary control unit is configured to charge the first power source when the modular pumping unit is docked to the primary control unit.

8. The pump of claim 5, wherein the modular pumping unit is further configured to charge the first power source from the second power source when the modular pumping unit is not docked to the primary control unit.

9. The pump of claim 5, wherein the modular pumping unit further comprises a docking connector coupled to the second processor and pumping mechanism, the docking connector configured to couple to the primary control unit when the modular pumping unit is docked to the primary control unit, and wherein the second power source is configured to removably couple to the docking connector.

10. The pump of claim 5, wherein the second power source comprises a communication module, wherein the communication module is configured to communicate wirelessly with a monitoring application operating on a processor.

11. The pump of claim 10, wherein the communication module is configured to communicate with the monitoring application over a cellular phone network.

12. The pump of claim 10, wherein the communication module is configured to communicate with the monitoring application over an Ethernet network.

13. The pump of claim 10, wherein the communication module is configured to communicate with the monitoring application over a short-range wireless network.

14. The pump of claim 10, wherein the communication module is configured to receive programming instructions and provide them to the second processor.

15. The pump of claim 1, wherein the primary control unit comprises a plurality of docking stations configured to accept a modular pumping unit, wherein a modular pumping unit may be docked and undocked in any docking station without affecting the operation of other modular pumping units that are docked in other docking stations of the same primary control unit.

16. The pump of claim 1, wherein:

the fluid comprises a medical fluid;

the fluid delivery set comprises a disposable intravenous (IV) set; and

the modular pumping unit is configured to pump IV fluids to a patient.

17. The pump of claim 16, wherein:

the IV set comprises a cassette;

the cassette comprises a pumping element;

the pumping element comprises the portion of the IV set that is manipulated by the modular pumping unit;

the cassette is configured to couple to the modular pumping unit;

the IV set comprises an upstream end configured to couple to a source of medical fluid and a downstream end configured to couple to a patient infusion device;

the cassette further comprises at least one pressure sensing feature fluidically coupled to at least one of an upstream side and a downstream side of the pumping element;

the modular pumping unit further comprises at least one pressure sensor coupled to the second processor, the pressure sensor configured to measure the pressure of the fluid within the pressure sensing feature.

18. The pump of claim 17, wherein the pumping mechanism comprises at least one positive displacement pumping chamber configured to create a partial vacuum at the upstream end of the IV set sufficient to draw fluid from a non-vented syringe.

19. The pump of claim 1, wherein the one or more operating parameters are programmed into the first processor and the first processor transfers the one or more operating parameters to the second processor.

20. The pump of claim 1, wherein the one or more operating parameters are programmed into the second processor and the second processor transfers the one or more operating parameters to the first processor when the modular pumping unit is docked to the primary control unit.

21. A method of delivering fluid, the method comprising the steps of:

coupling a modular pumping unit to a primary control unit;

coupling a cassette of a delivery set to the modular pumping unit;

coupling the delivery set to a source of fluid and to a receiver, such that manipulation of the cassette will transfer fluid from the source to the receiver;

configuring the modular pumping unit to manipulate the cassette, wherein the configuring is accomplished through the primary control unit;

starting the modular pumping unit, wherein the starting is accomplished through the primary control unit;

removing the modular pumping unit from the primary control unit; and

pumping the fluid from the source to the receiver.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the delivery set comprises an IV set;

the fluid comprises a medical fluid; and

the receiver is a patient.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of attaching a power source to the modular pumping unit.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of communicating wirelessly between the modular pumping unit and a monitoring application.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising the steps of:

stopping the modular pumping unit using a control element that is a part of the modular pumping unit;

adjusting the flow rate using the control element that are a part of the modular pumping unit; and

starting the modular pumping unit using the control element that are a part of the modular pumping unit.

26. A modular pumping unit comprising:

a pumping mechanism configured to manipulate a portion of a fluid delivery set to pump a fluid; and

a first processor configured to control the pumping mechanism;

wherein the modular pumping unit is configured to removably dock with a primary control unit comprising a second processor, the modular pumping unit further configured to pump the fluid while docked and undocked;

wherein the first processor is coupled to the second processor when the modular pumping unit is docked; and

wherein the first processor and the second processor are further configured to exchange programming including one or more operating parameters.

27. The modular pumping unit of claim 26, further comprising a first power source configured to provide power to at least the first processor when the modular pumping unit is undocked from the primary control unit.

28. The modular pumping unit of claim 27, wherein the first power source is further configured to provide power to the pumping mechanism when the modular pumping unit is undocked from the primary control unit.

29. The modular pumping unit of claim 27, further comprising a second power source removably coupled to the modular pumping unit, wherein the modular pumping unit is configured to draw power from the second power source while undocked from the primary control unit.

30. The modular pumping unit of claim 29, wherein the modular pumping unit is further configured to charge the first power source from the second power source when the modular pumping unit is not docked to the primary control unit.

31. The modular pumping unit of claim 29, further comprising a docking connector coupled to the first processor and the pumping mechanism, the docking connector configured to couple to the primary control unit when the modular pumping unit is docked to the primary control unit, the docking connector further configured to removably couple to the second power source.

32. The modular pumping unit of claim 29, wherein the second power source comprises a communication module, wherein the communication module is configured to communicate wirelessly with a monitoring application operating on a processor.

33. The modular pumping unit of claim 26, further comprising:

at least one visual indicator coupled to the first processor, wherein the first processor is configured to provide information through the at least one visual indicator about at least one aspect of the operation of the modular pumping unit; and

at least one input element coupled to the first processor, wherein the first processor is configured to modify the operation of the modular pumping unit in response to actuation of the at least one input element.

34. The modular pumping unit of claim 26, wherein:

the fluid comprises a medical fluid;

the fluid delivery set comprises a disposable IV set; and

the modular pumping unit is configured to pump IV fluids to a patient.

35. The modular pumping unit of claim 34, wherein:

the IV set comprises a cassette;

the cassette comprises a pumping element;

the pumping element comprises the portion of the IV set that is manipulated by the modular pumping unit;

the cassette is configured to couple to the modular pumping unit;

the IV set comprises an upstream end configured to couple to a source of medical fluid and a downstream end configured to couple to a patient infusion device;

the cassette further comprises at least one pressure sensing feature fluidically coupled to at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side of the pumping element;

the modular pumping unit further comprises at least one pressure sensor coupled to the first processor, the pressure sensor configured to measure the pressure of the fluid within the pressure sensing feature.