Method of delivering liquid to a patient via a disposable pumping cassette having a flow control & pressure monitoring member
First Claim
1. A method of delivering a fluid to a patient, comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a disposable pumping cassette having a pumping chamber, an inlet valve, and an outlet valve;
b. priming said cassette with the fluid to be administered to the patient;
c. coupling the cassette to an associated pump driver;
d. advancing a plunger of the associated pump driver to force the fluid through the cassette, past the outlet valve, and thus, to deliver the fluid to the patient;
e. providing an auxiliary flow control member on the cassette to control free fluid flow through the cassette and to monitor fluid pressure when the cassette is installed in the pump; and
f. monitoring the pressure of the fluid discharged from said outlet valve.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A disposable pumping cassette having an integral auxiliary flow control and pressure monitoring member is used for delivering a medicinal fluid to a patient. The pumping cassette includes an elastomeric member mounted in a rigid body having an inlet and an outlet. An inlet valve and an outlet valve on the cassette are opened, and the flow control is positioned to allow the medicinal fluid to flow freely through the cassette, priming it before the outlet is connected to the patient. The cassette is then coupled to an associated pump driver, closing the flow control to disable free fluid flow through the cassette, and the outlet of the cassette is coupled in fluid communication with the patient'"'"'s body. The medicinal fluid is drawn into a pumping chamber formed in the rigid body as a plunger of the associated pump driver is drawn up from the elastomeric membrane at a recess formed in the rigid body. The plunger is then advanced downwardly, forcing the elastomeric membrane into the pumping chamber to deliver the medicinal fluid to the patient. The pressure of the fluid delivered to the patient is monitored through contact of the auxiliary flow control member with the elastomeric membrane over an outlet channel of the cassette.
226 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of delivering a fluid to a patient, comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a disposable pumping cassette having a pumping chamber, an inlet valve, and an outlet valve; b. priming said cassette with the fluid to be administered to the patient; c. coupling the cassette to an associated pump driver; d. advancing a plunger of the associated pump driver to force the fluid through the cassette, past the outlet valve, and thus, to deliver the fluid to the patient; e. providing an auxiliary flow control member on the cassette to control free fluid flow through the cassette and to monitor fluid pressure when the cassette is installed in the pump; and f. monitoring the pressure of the fluid discharged from said outlet valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for controlling a flow of a fluid through a disposable cassette, said cassette having a housing in which a fluid path is defined adjacent a surface of an elastomeric membrane, said cassette further including a fluid path along which are disposed an inlet valve that is integral with the elastomeric membrane, a pumping chamber, and an outlet valve that is integral with the elastomeric membrane, comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a flow control member on the cassette, said flow control member being selectively moved to a free flow position to apply a force against the elastomeric member, thereby displacing the elastomeric membrane sufficiently to open the outlet valve so that the fluid flows freely through the cassette along the fluid path; b. enabling the flow control member to be moved to a pressure monitoring position in which the flow control member is in contact with the elastomeric membrane, but does not cause the outlet valve to open; and c. monitoring a pressure of the fluid discharged from the cassette in response to a force exerted by the fluid against the elastomeric membrane, said force being transmitted through the elastomeric membrane to the flow control member, which is adapted to convey the force to a pressure sensor disposed outside the cassette.
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Specification