Fluid pressure monitoring system
First Claim
1. Pressure detection apparatus for use in a parenteral administration system of a type having a pump that cyclicly pumps a fluid through a feeding tube to a patient, each pumping cycle having a period of reduced fluid flow, and further having means for producing a control signal indicative of the timing of the period of reduced fluid flow in each pumping cycle, the apparatus comprising:
- pressure transducer means for measuring the pressure of the fluid the pump is pumping through the feeding tube to the patient and for producing a corresponding pressure signal;
comparator means, responsive to the control signal, for comparing the pressure signal to a prescribed threshold only during the periods of reduced fluid flow in the successive pumping cycles of the pump; and
alarm means for producing an alarm whenever the comparator means determines that the pressure signal exceeds the threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for detecting occlusions in a parenteral administration system of a type having a peristaltic pump for pumping a fluid through a feeding tube to a patient. A pressure transducer measures the cyclicly varying pressure of the fluid in the feeding tube and produces a corresponding pressure signal, and a comparator compares the pressure signal to a selected one of several thresholds, depending on the current stage of the pumping cycle. An occlusion alarm is actuated whenever the selected threshold is exceeded.
152 Citations
21 Claims
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1. Pressure detection apparatus for use in a parenteral administration system of a type having a pump that cyclicly pumps a fluid through a feeding tube to a patient, each pumping cycle having a period of reduced fluid flow, and further having means for producing a control signal indicative of the timing of the period of reduced fluid flow in each pumping cycle, the apparatus comprising:
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pressure transducer means for measuring the pressure of the fluid the pump is pumping through the feeding tube to the patient and for producing a corresponding pressure signal; comparator means, responsive to the control signal, for comparing the pressure signal to a prescribed threshold only during the periods of reduced fluid flow in the successive pumping cycles of the pump; and alarm means for producing an alarm whenever the comparator means determines that the pressure signal exceeds the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A parental administration system comprising:
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peristaltic pump means for cyclicly pumping a fluid through a feeding tube to a patient, each pumping cycle having a period of prescribed duration in which fluid flow is substantially reduced; means for producing a control signal indicative of the period of reduced fluid flow in each pumping cycle; pressure transducer means for measuring the pressure of the fluid being pumped through the feeding tube and for producing a corresponding pressure signal; comparator means, responsive to the control signal, for comparing the pressure signal to a prescribed threshold only during the periods of reduced fluid flow of the successive pumping cycles; and alarm means for producing an alarm whenever the comparator means determines that the pressure signal exceeds the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. Pressure detection apparatus for use in a parenteral administration system of a type having a pump that pumps a fluid through a feeding tube to a patient at a flow rate that varies in a cyclic fashion, and further having means for producing a control signal indicative of the stage of the variable flow rate in each pumping cycle, the apparatus comprising:
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pressure transducer means for measuring the pressure of the fluid the pump is pumping through the feeding tube to the patient and for producing a corresponding pressure signal; comparator means, responsive to the control signal, for comparing the pressure signal to a prescribed threshold that varies in accordance with pumping cycle of the pump; and alarm means for producing an alarm whenever the comparator means determines that the pressure signal exceeds the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A parenteral administration system comprising:
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peristaltic pump means for cyclicly pumping a fluid through a feeding tube to a patient, each pumping cycle having a period of prescribed duration in which fluid flow is substantially reduced; means for producing a control signal indicative of the timing of the period of reduced fluid flow in each pumping cycle of the peristaltic pump means; pressure transducer means for continuously measuring the pressure of the fluid being pumped through the feeding tube and for producing a corresponding pressure signal; comparator means, responsive to the control signal, for comparing the pressure signal to a first prescribed threshold at a prescribed time in each of the successive periods of reduced fluid flow and for comparing the pressure signal to a second prescribed threshold at other times, the second threshold being higher than the first threshold; and alarm means for producing an alarm whenever the comparator means determines that the pressure signal exceeds either of the two thresholds.
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14. A method for parenteral administration comprising steps of:
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cyclicly pumping a fluid through a feeding tube to a patient, each pumping cycle having a period of reduced fluid flow; producing a control signal indicative of the timing of the period of reduced fluid flow in each pumping cycle; measuring the pressure of the fluid being pumped through the feeding tube and producing a corresponding pressure signal; comparing the pressure signal to a prescribed threshold only when the control signal indicates a period of reduced fluid flow of the successive pumping cycles is occurring; and producing an alarm whenever the step of comparing determines that the pressure signal exceeds the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for detecting occlusions in a parenteral administration system of a type having a pump that pumps a fluid through a feeding tube to a patient at a flow rate that varies in cyclic fashion and further having means for producing a control signal indicative of the timing of the variable flow rate in each pumping cycle, comprising steps of:
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measuring the pressure of the fluid the pump is pumping through the feeding tube to the patient and producing a corresponding pressure signal; comparing the pressure signal to a prescribed threshold that varies in accordance with the control signal; and producing an alarm whenever the step of comparing determines that the pressure signal exceeds the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification