Method of providing uniform flow from an infusion device

• US 5,584,667 A
• Filed: 06/06/1995
• Issued: 12/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: David L. Davis
• Inventors: Davis, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thorpe, Timothy S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wicker, William
• Application Number:
  US08/473,402
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 128/DIG. 12, 604/153, 417/474, 417/478, 417/479, 417/53
• US Class Current: 417/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6072 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16831 Monitoring, detecting, signalling or eliminating infusion flow anomalies low-level float-valves causing cut-off A61M5/40; indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of flow in general G01P13/0066
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2203/0207 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/08 having tubular flexible members F04B43/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/082 the tubular flexible member being pressed against a wall by a number of elements, each having an alternating movement in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the tubular member and each having its own driving mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/065 and making use of computers

Abstract

An infusion device with a disposable administration set which is inexpensive to manufacture. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the disposable administration set has a plurality of elongated cam followers connected to a plate assembly, wherein the cam followers are displaced in a predetermined sequence and forced against a delivery tube by cam means driven by rotary drive means. The disposable administration set is injection molded as a single integral piece. The disposable administration set includes adjustment spacers disposed between the plate assembly and the cam followers which adjust the distance between them to keep the device accurate. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the cam means are configured to provide fluid delivery at a consistent and uniform rate.

Claims

1. A method for pumping fluid through a tube at a uniform rate, comprising the steps of:

depressing a cam follower with a cam member, said cam follower squeezing said tube; and

varying the cam rate so that the rate of tube depression by said follower offsets the changing cross section of the tube below said follower to achieve uniform fluid flow.

2. A method for pumping fluid through a tube at a uniform rate, comprising the steps of:

depressing a cam follower with a cam member, said cam follower squeezing said tube; and

varying the rate of depression of said cam follower such that said rate is inversely proportional to the volume of fluid which would be displaced by uniform incremental movements of the follower.