DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING AND METERING A FLUID FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES

• US 20150032055A1
• Filed: 11/06/2012
• Published: 01/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B Braun Melsungen AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: B Braun Melsungen AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Eberhard, Dietmar
• Granted Patent: US 10,300,192 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/152
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/332 Force measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3327 Measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14216 Reciprocating piston type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/486 Indicating injection pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 13/00 Pumps specially modified to deliver fixed or variable measured quantities
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/02 having movable cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/05 Pressure after the pump outlet
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/09 Flow through the pump
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/08 having tubular flexible members F04B43/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/16 Casings; Cylinders; Cylinder liners or heads; Fluid connections

Abstract

A device is described for supplying and metering a fluid for medical purposes, at least comprising one pump for pumping the fluid and at least one element through which the fluid is conveyed. At least one recess is provided in the element, which is tightly covered by a sensor component composed of a pressure sensitive material, wherein the material of the element is harder than that of the sensor component. The apparatus also has a force sensor with which pressure-induced changes of the sensor component in the region of the recess can be measured.

Claims

1-12. -12. (canceled)

13. Apparatus for supplying and metering a fluid for medical purposes, comprising:

a pump for pumping the fluid;

an element through which the fluid from the pump is delivered, wherein in the element at least one recess is provided which is tightly covered by a sensor component composed of a pressure sensitive material, wherein the material of the element is harder than that of the sensor component;

a force sensor with which pressure-induced changes of the sensor component in the region of the recess can be measured, the force sensor comprises a plunger which in the region of the recess is in direct contact with the surface of the sensor component.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the element is a tubular port through which the fluid is pumped toward or away from the pump.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the element is a flange to which tubular ports and/or cylinders for pumping the fluid are attached, wherein the fluid flows at least partially along the flange.

16. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the sensor component is composed of an elastomer.

17. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the sensor component is composed of silicon or a thermoelastic elastomer.

18. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the connection between the sensor component and the element is an injection-molded connection made by a two-component process.

19. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the sensor component is a tube which surrounds a tubular port with form-locking fit such that it tightly covers the recess from the outside.

20. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the sensor component is a tube which is attached with form-locking fit inside a tubular port such that it tightly covers the recess from inside.

21. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the sensor component has an elliptical cross-section, wherein a flat side of the sensor component is arranged in the region of the recess.

22. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the sensor component is a measurement membrane having a cross-section comprising at least two opposite-lying membrane sides which each are kinked inwards, while a membrane top side which connects the two membrane sides to each other is formed straight and is arranged in the region of the recess.

23. Apparatus according claim 13, wherein the element includes a planar flange and a valve plate having a cavity, wherein the fluid flows at least partially along the flange through the cavity, and the sensor component comprises a spiral-shaped labyrinth opposite the cavity to induce an initial flow.