Infusion pump with improved contamination resistance
First Claim
1. An infusion pump for regulating fluid flow through the flow path of an IV tubing set having IV tubing, the infusion pump comprising:
- pumping means for pumping fluid through IV tubing placed in the infusion pump to regulate flow through the IV tubing;
a pump housing holding the pumping means, the pump housing including an upper surface having a tubing-receiving notch therein for receiving a portion of the IV tubing upstream from the pumping means, the notch having an open end through which IV tubing may be inserted and a closed end sized and adapted to closely grip the IV tubing around a substantial portion of its circumference; and
a door mounted on the pump housing for holding the IV tubing set in operable engagement with the pumping means, the door including a liquid-shedding surface positioned at a higher elevation than the pumping means and disposed under the upper surface of the pump housing and under the tubing-receiving notch when the door is closed, such that the liquid-shedding surface is adapted to engage the IV tubing along the side of the IV tubing opposite the closed end of the notch at an elevation below the upper surface of the pump housing and above the pumping means, so that liquid dripping down along the exterior of the IV tubing from above the tubing-receiving notch tends to be shunted away from the IV tubing along the upper surface or the liquid-shedding surface, thereby diverting such liquid away from the pumping means.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An infusion pump for regulating the administration of intravenous fluids to a patient. The infusion pump includes a pump housing for holding the pumping mechanism, and a door for holding the IV tubing set in operably position relative to the pumping mechanism. The upper surface of the pump housing has a notch formed therein, and the upper surface of the door is positioned under the notch when the door is closed. The notch is sized and shaped so as to closely grip the IV tubing assembly around a portion of its circumference, so that liquid dripping down along the exterior of the IV tubing set from above the notch tends to be shunted away from the IV tubing. Liquid dripping through the notch tends is diverted onto the upper surface of the door and away from the pumping mechanism.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An infusion pump for regulating fluid flow through the flow path of an IV tubing set having IV tubing, the infusion pump comprising:
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pumping means for pumping fluid through IV tubing placed in the infusion pump to regulate flow through the IV tubing; a pump housing holding the pumping means, the pump housing including an upper surface having a tubing-receiving notch therein for receiving a portion of the IV tubing upstream from the pumping means, the notch having an open end through which IV tubing may be inserted and a closed end sized and adapted to closely grip the IV tubing around a substantial portion of its circumference; and a door mounted on the pump housing for holding the IV tubing set in operable engagement with the pumping means, the door including a liquid-shedding surface positioned at a higher elevation than the pumping means and disposed under the upper surface of the pump housing and under the tubing-receiving notch when the door is closed, such that the liquid-shedding surface is adapted to engage the IV tubing along the side of the IV tubing opposite the closed end of the notch at an elevation below the upper surface of the pump housing and above the pumping means, so that liquid dripping down along the exterior of the IV tubing from above the tubing-receiving notch tends to be shunted away from the IV tubing along the upper surface or the liquid-shedding surface, thereby diverting such liquid away from the pumping means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An infusion therapy system for regulating fluid flow to a patient, the system comprising an IV tubing set having IV tubing, and an infusion pump for regulating fluid flow through the IV tubing set, the infusion pump comprising:
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pumping means for pumping fluid through the IV tubing to regulate flow through the IV tubing; a pump housing holding the pumping means, the pump housing including an upper surface having a tubing-receiving notch therein for receiving a portion of the IV tubing upstream from the pumping means, the notch having an open end through which IV tubing may be inserted and a closed end sized and adapted to closely grip the IV tubing around a substantial portion of its circumference; and a door mounted on the pump housing for holding the IV tubing set in operable engagement with the pumping means, the door including a liquid-shedding surface disposed at a higher elevation than the pumping means and so disposed under the upper surface of the pump housing and the tubing-receiving notch when the door is closed that the liquid-shedding surface engages the IV tubing along the side facing the open end of the tubing-receiving notch, such that liquid dripping down along the exterior of the IV tubing from above the tubing-receiving notch tends to be shunted away from the IV tubing along the upper surface and/or the liquid-shedding surface, thereby diverting such liquid away from the pumping means. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for preventing contamination of the pumping mechanism of an infusion pump of the type used to regulate fluid flow through an IV tubing set including IV tubing, the method comprising the following steps:
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providing an upper surface of the infusion pump with a notch therein for receiving a portion of the IV tubing upstream from the pumping mechanism, the notch being sized and adapted to closely grip the IV tubing around a substantial portion of its circumference; providing a liquid-shedding upper surface on a door of the type mounted on the infusion pump for holding the IV tubing set in operable engagement with the pumping mechanism of the infusion pump, the liquid-shedding upper surface of the door being disposed under the upper surface of the infusion pump and under the notch; dripping liquid down along the exterior of the IV tubing from above the notch; diverting liquid dripping downwardly along the exterior of the IV tubing along the upper surface of the infusion pump adjacent the notch in a direction generally outwardly relative to the pumping mechanism of the infusion pump; and diverting liquid along the liquid-shedding upper surface of the door such that the liquid tends to be shunted away from the IV tubing and the pumping mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification