Enteral feeding pump motor unit and method of use
First Claim
1. An enteral feeding pump motor unit for moving fluid through a tube of a delivery set at a desired rate, the motor unit comprising:
- rotatable platen means disposed for receiving a tube of the delivery set and rotating to apply a moving mechanical force to at least one side of the tube and thereby move fluid through the tube when a tube is received by the platen means;
optical sensing means disposed adjacent the platen means for sensing rotation rate of the platen means, and for producing a signal indicative of the rate, at least a portion of the optical sensing means being disposed on the platen means; and
control means responsive to the signal produced by the optical sensing means for signalling the platen means to modify the rotation period of the platen means to achieve fluid flow through the tube at the desired rate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An Enteral Feeding Pump Motor Unit and Method of Use are disclosed. The motor unit uses optical sensors to monitor the rotational period and position of a platen of the motor unit. If the rotational period is different from a predetermined desired period, a controller in communication with the optical sensors and the platen changes the rate at which the platen rotates so as to effectuate movement of a desired amount of fluid through a delivery set passing through the motor unit. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the optical sensors are disposed in an asymmetrical pattern to enable self-testing and to avoid ambiguous readings.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An enteral feeding pump motor unit for moving fluid through a tube of a delivery set at a desired rate, the motor unit comprising:
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rotatable platen means disposed for receiving a tube of the delivery set and rotating to apply a moving mechanical force to at least one side of the tube and thereby move fluid through the tube when a tube is received by the platen means; optical sensing means disposed adjacent the platen means for sensing rotation rate of the platen means, and for producing a signal indicative of the rate, at least a portion of the optical sensing means being disposed on the platen means; and control means responsive to the signal produced by the optical sensing means for signalling the platen means to modify the rotation period of the platen means to achieve fluid flow through the tube at the desired rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An enteral feeding pump motor unit for moving fluid through a tube of a delivery set at a desired rate, the motor unit comprising:
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rotatable platen means disposed for receiving a tube of the delivery set and rotating to apply a moving mechanical force to at least one side of the tube and thereby move fluid through the tube when a tube is received by the platen means; a motor casing disposed adjacent and generally parallel with the platen means; optical sensing means disposed adjacent the platen means for sensing rotation rate of the platen means, and for producing a signal indicative of the rate; and control means responsive to the signal produced by the optical sensing means for signalling the platen means to modify the rotation period of the platen means to achieve fluid flow through the tube at the desired rate; wherein the platen means comprises a downward sloping flange disposed about an outer perimeter of the platen means, and wherein the casing comprises an upwardly extending annular projection adjacent the flange of the platen means so as to form a labyrinth seal about the perimeter of the platen means.
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11. An enteral feeding pump motor unit for moving fluid through a tube of a delivery set at a desired rate, the motor unit comprising:
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rotatable platen means disposed for receiving a tube of the delivery set and rotating to apply a moving mechanical force to at least one side of the tube and thereby move fluid through the tube when a tube is received by the platen means; a motor casing disposed adjacent and generally parallel with the platen means, a plurality of localized sensor slots being formed in the casing below the platen means; optical sensing means disposed adjacent the platen means for sensing rotation rate of the platen means, and for producing a signal indicative of the rate; and control means responsive to the signal produced by the optical sensing means for signalling the platen means to modify the rotation period of the platen means to achieve fluid flow through the tube at the desired rate. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An enteral feeding pump motor unit for moving fluid through a tube of a delivery set at a desired rate, the motor unit comprising:
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rotatable platen means disposed to receive a tube of the delivery set and rotating to apply a moving mechanical force to at least one side of the tube and thereby move fluid through the tube, the platen means including a platen with an underside; optical sensing means including alternating light reflective surfaces and nonreflective surfaces and a plurality of sensors disposed adjacent said surfaces, at least a portion of the sensing means being disposed on the platen, such that the sensors and surfaces are in an asymmetrical relationship to one another and such that the plurality of sensors sense the rotation rate of the platen means and produce a signal indicative of the rate; and control means responsive to the signal produced by the plurality of sensors for signalling the platen means to modify the rotation period of the platen means to achieve fluid flow through the tube at the desired rate. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method for monitoring a rotation rate of a platen in an enteral feeding pump motor unit to ensure that a desired rotation rate is achieved, comprising:
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a) providing a plurality of optical sensors; b) positioning a plurality of reflective surfaces and nonreflective surfaces in an alternating pattern; c) positioning one of the said optical sensors and said reflective and nonreflective surfaces adjacent the platen and the other of said optical sensors and said reflective and nonreflective surfaces on the platen such that rotation of the platen causes movement of the reflective and nonreflective surfaces relative to the optical sensors; and d) detecting the movement with light reflective surfaces with the optical sensors so as to determine an actual rotation rate of the platen. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification