COMBINATION LINEAR POTENTIOMETER AND SYRINGE THUMBPRESS DETECTION SENSOR AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20160136353A1
• Filed: 06/26/2014
• Published: 05/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Adams, Grant
• Granted Patent: US 9,861,740 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2205/332 Force measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1452 pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1458 Means for capture of the plunger flange

Abstract

A combined detectional and positional sensor for a syringe pump. The sensor can comprise a syringe thumbpress clamp that is pivotable so that an engagement pin deflects a linear membrane potentiometer first circuit thus providing a closed switch for detection of a syringe in the pump and a variable signal return for indication of plunger head position. Embodiments of the sensor can be used in relatively large syringe pumps and in relatively small syringe pumps, for example.

Claims

1. A syringe pump detectional and positional sensor comprising:

a syringe thumbpress clamp; and

a linear membrane potentiometer coupled to the syringe thumbpress clamp.

2. The syringe pump detectional and positional sensor of claim 1, wherein the syringe thumbpress clamp comprises a bottom portion and an arm projecting from the bottom portion, a projection on a distal end of the arm, a pivot ring fixedly attached to the bottom portion, a pressure arm fixedly attached to the pivot ring, and an engagement pin at a distal end of the pressure arm.

3. The syringe pump detectional and positional sensor of claim 1, wherein the linear membrane potentiometer has a first circuit and a second circuit, wherein the first circuit is deflectable.

4. A syringe pump detectional and positional sensor comprising:

a syringe thumbpress clamp comprising a bottom portion and an arm projecting from the bottom portion, a projection on a distal end of the arm, a pivot ring fixedly attached to the bottom portion, a pressure arm fixedly attached to the pivot ring, and an engagement pin at a distal end of the pressure arm; and

a linear membrane potentiometer comprising a first circuit and a second circuit, wherein the first circuit is deflectable.

5. A syringe pump detectional and positional sensor comprising:

a holder having an engagement pin;

a switch in contact with the engagement pin; and

a variable signal indicator in movable contact with the engagement pin.