CASSETTES AND METHODS OF USING SAME

• US 20120191059A1
• Filed: 07/08/2010
• Published: 07/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Cummings, David Charles, Hariharesan, Seralaathan, Higgins, James Allen, Highley, Brian, Jedwab, Michael Rueben, Halbert, Alan P., Meyer, Russell Paul, Nelson, Andrew Peter, West, David Woodruff
• Granted Patent: US 8,986,252 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/14 Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6045 having complementary physical shapes for indexing or registration purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/281 Automatic tube cut-off devices, e.g. squeezing tube on detection of air
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14232 Roller pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/365 Air detectors A61M5/1684 takes precedence; in extracorporeal blood circuits A61M1/3626
• 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 disclosure provides cassettes and methods of using same for the delivery of fluids to a patient using fluid delivery systems. In a general embodiment, the cassettes of the present disclosure include a flexible tube, a housing having a recessed area and first and second ends for holding the flexible tube, and at least two additional components including, for example, different sensors, false reading components for sensors, anti-flow valve means, insertion guides, directional indicators, latch mechanisms, kink-prevention notches, etc. Such additional components provide the cassettes of the present disclosure with several advantages including, for example, quality control, efficiency of use, cost effectiveness, and safety of use.

Claims

1. A cassette comprising:

a flexible tube;

a housing; and

at least two components selected from the group consisting of an air-in-line sensor device, a false reading component for an air-in-line sensor device, an occlusion sensor device, a false reading component for an occlusion sensor device, a latch sensor device, a false reading component for a latch sensor device, anti-flow valve member, a projection located on a top surface of the housing, at least one notch on an edge of the housing, at least one tab member located on an exterior of the housing, a directional indicator on a surface of the housing, and combinations thereof.

2. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a recessed area that is so constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a pumping device.

3. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises first and second ends for holding the flexible tube.

4. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the cassette includes an air-in-line sensor device, the air-in-line sensor device comprises a detection chamber that is so constructed and arranged for receiving a portion of the flexible tube.

5. The cassette of claim 4, wherein the detection chamber comprises a window for allowing infra-red light transmission.

6. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the detection chamber comprises an infra-red blocking material.

7. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the cassette includes a false reading component for an air-in-line sensor device.

8. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the cassette includes an occlusion sensor device, wherein the occlusion sensor device comprises:

a tube comprising a material selected from the group consisting of opaque, infra-red reflective, and combinations thereof; and

a bias bump located adjacent to a portion of the tube.

9. The cassette of claim 8, wherein the tube expands or contracts in response to a fluid pressure therein.

10. The cassette of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the tube housing comprises an infra-red absorbing material.

11. The cassette of claim 8, wherein the cassette includes a false reading component for an occlusion sensor device.

12. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the cassette includes a latch sensor device.

13. The cassette of claim 12, wherein the cassette includes a false reading component for a latch sensor device.

14. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the cassette includes an anti-flow valve member, wherein the anti-flow valve member comprises:

an anti-flow valve mechanism that is biased against the flexible tube in a fluid non-delivery position to prevent flow therethough; and

a member operatively associated with the anti-flow valve mechanism to overcome the force-applying member bias to allow flow of fluid through the tube when the housing is engaged with a pump;

wherein the housing is configured and dimensioned for engagement with an infusion pump, during or after engagement the member assumes a fluid delivery position to allow flow of the fluid through the tube, while before or as the cassette is removed from the pump, the member assumes the fluid non-delivery position to prevent flow of fluid through the tubing.

15. The cassette of claim 14, wherein the anti-flow valve member comprises:

a base comprising a holding member for holding the tube in operative engagement with the base, a first clamping surface and supporting member for supporting a connector,

a clamping element having a second clamping surface engageable with the tube and moveable between an open position allowing flow of fluid through the tube and a closed position wherein the tube is occluded by the clamping element,

a connector for connecting the tube with a-port on a patient, the connector being removable from the pinch clamp assembly, and

a spring,

the connector is adapted to engage with the clamping element so as to hold the clamping element in the open position,

the clamping element is forced from the open to the closed position by the force of the spring as soon as the connector is removed from the assembly, and

the clamping element is adapted to be moved from the closed to the open position when the pinch clamp assembly is mounted to the enteral feeding or infusion pump and the connector is removed.

16. The cassette of claim 15, wherein the connector is selected from the group consisting of an enteral spike, an IV spike, an enteral feeding adapter, an IV luer lock adapter, another enteral or IV component, and combinations thereof.

17. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the cassette includes a notch on at least one edge of a housing, the notch has a shape selected from the group consisting of semi-circular, “

V”

-shaped, oblong, square, rectangular, and combinations thereof.

18. The cassette of claim 17, wherein the notch is so constructed and arranged to partially receive a tube when the cassette is inserted into a pumping device.

19. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the cassette comprises at least one tab member on a side wall of a cassette housing, the tab members are so constructed and arranged to work with ledges on an interior wall of a pumping device to guide the cassette during insertion into the pumping device.

20. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the cassette includes at least one directional indicator, the directional indicator is an indicator selected from the group consisting of letters, written indicators, logos, symbols, numbers, and combinations thereof, and wherein the directional indicator is applied to a wall of a housing of the cassette using a technique selected from the group consisting of etching, lasering, molding, forming, or a sticker or stickers that is adhered to a wall of a cassette housing, and combinations thereof, the directional indicator is indicative of a proper orientation of the cassette when the cassette is inserted into a pumping device.

21. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the cassette is made of a material that comprises at least one dark pigment.

22. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the cassette is made of a material that comprises at least one carbon black pigment.

23. A system for administering a medical fluid to an individual comprising:

a cassette comprising;

a flexible tube, a housing, and at least two components selected from the group consisting of an air-in-line sensor device, a false reading component for an air-in-line sensor device, an occlusion sensor device, a false reading component for an occlusion sensor device, a latch sensor device, a false reading component for a latch sensor device, anti-flow valve member, a projection located on a top surface of the housing, at least one notch on an edge of the housing, at least one tab member located on an exterior of the housing, a directional indicator on a surface of the housing, and combinations thereof;

a pump; and

a source of medical fluid, wherein the source of medical fluid is fluidly coupled to the cassette.

24. A method of using a cassette for administration of a medical fluid, the method comprising:

providing a cassette comprising;

a flexible tube, a housing, and

at least two components selected from the group consisting of an air-in-line sensor device, a false reading component for an air-in-line sensor device, an occlusion sensor device, a false reading component for an occlusion sensor device, a latch sensor device, a false reading component for a latch sensor device, anti-flow valve member, a projection located on a top surface of the housing, at least one notch on an edge of the housing, at least one tab member located on an exterior of the housing, a directional indicator on a surface of the housing, and combinations thereof;

inserting the cassette into a pumping device; and

pumping medical fluid through the cassette.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising:

removing an actuating portion of a cap and a hook portion of a luer from a cassette, the cassette comprising a flexible tube, a housing, and a valve arm having a tube blocking portion;

disconnecting the luer from the cap;

connecting the luer to a patient line; and

pumping fluid into the patient using the cassette.

26. A method of improving the safe use of an infusion pump for pumping fluid into a patient, the method comprising:

providing a cassette comprising;

a flexible tube, a housing, and

at least two components selected from the group consisting of an air-in-line sensor device, a false reading component for an air-in-line sensor device, an occlusion sensor device, a false reading component for an occlusion sensor device, a latch sensor device, a false reading component for a latch sensor device, anti-flow valve member, a projection located on a top surface of the housing, at least one notch on an edge of the housing, at least one tab member located on an exterior of the housing, a directional indicator on a surface of the housing, and combinations thereof.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

providing a cassette configured for use with the infusion pump, the cassette comprising a flexible tube, a housing, a valve arm having a tube blocking portion, a cap having an actuating portion configured to engage a portion of the valve arm, and a luer having a hook portion.