Metering apparatus with downline pressure monitoring system

• US 4,394,862 A
• Filed: 08/25/1980
• Issued: 07/26/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Shim, Norm
• Primary Examiner(s): Truluck, Dalton L.
• Application Number:
  US06/180,939
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 128/214 E, 128/214 F, 128/214.2, 128/DIG. 12, 128/DIG. 13, 417/38, 417/412, 417/476, 417/477
• US Class Current: 604/67
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14232 Roller pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/13 Infusion monitoring

Abstract

Metering apparatus for metering the flow of fluid through an administration set includes a peristaltic-type metering pump which repeatedly and progressively compresses a section of vinyl tubing of the administration set to provide a desired flow rate. For improved metering accuracy the fluid is maintained under pressure downline of the metering pump by a downline occlusion station. A protective circuit responsive to the pressure in the tubing downline of the occlusion station stops the metering apparatus and sounds an alarm in the event the pressure in the tubing exceeds a predetermined level, as in the event of an occlusion, downline of the metering apparatus and upline of the patent.

Claims

1. A flow system for infusing a fluid from a supply reservoir into the human body, comprising, in combination:

a length of flexible-walled tubing extending from the supply reservoir to the body;

metering means continuously including at least one pressure member compressively engaged to the sidewall of said tubing for occluding the lumen thereof;

drive means for advancing the point of engagement of said pressure member along a segment of said tubing to urge fluid through said tubing;

downline pressurization means comprising a plunger spring-biased against said tubing downline of said tubing segment for continuously at least partially restricting the lumen of said tubing to increase the pressure of the fluid within said segment downline of said point of engagement;

pressure sensing means including a pressure transducer operatively engaging said tubing downline of said pressurization means for producing an output signal having a level continuously indicative of the downline pressure level in the tubing; and

pressure monitor circuit means responsive to said output signal for terminating operation of said drive means in the event said pressure level reaches a predetermined maximum level.

2. A flow system as defined in claim 1 wherein said pressure sensing means comprise a pressure transducer providing a continuous analog output signal.

3. A flow system as defined in claim 2 wherein said pressure monitor circuit means include a comparison amplifier providing a control signal upon said analog output signal reaching a predetermined reference level corresponding to said predetermined maximum pressure level.

4. Metering apparatus for infusing a fluid from a supply reservoir to the human body through a length of flexible-walled tubing, comprising, in combination:

metering means continuously including at least one pressure member compressively engaged to the sidewall of the tubing for occluding the lumen thereof;

drive means for advancing the point of engagement of said pressure member along a segment of the tubing to urge fluid through the tubing;

downline pressurization means comprising a plunger spring-biased against the tubing downline of said tubing segment for continuously at least partially restricting the lumen of the tubing to increase the pressure of the fluid within said segment downline of said point of engagement;

pressure sensing means including a pressure transducer operatively engaging the tubing downline of said pressurization means for producing an output signal having a level continuously indicative of the downline pressure level in the tubing; and

pressure monitor circuit means responsive to said output signal for terminating operation of said drive means in the event said pressure level reaches a predetermined maximum level.

5. Metering apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said pressure sensing means comprise a pressure transducer providing a continuous analog output signal.

6. Metering apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said pressure monitor circuit means include a comparison amplifier providing a control signal upon said analog output signal reaching a predetermined reference level corresponding to said predetermined maximum pressure level.