Drug infusion pumping cassette latching mechanism
First Claim
1. Apparatus for engaging a pumping cassette at a predefined position within a pump chassis that is used to deliver fluids to a patient, comprising:
- (a) a pivotable member disposed at a side of a cavity within the pump chassis, said cavity being sized to receive a pumping cassette, said pivotable member being pivotally mounted to the pump chassis so as to pivot away from and towards the cavity and including a surface configuration that engages a portion of a pumping cassette in the predefined position within the cavity; and
(b) a spring coupled to said pivotable member, said spring applying a biasing force tending to pivot said pivotable member towards the cavity, so that as a pumping cassette is forced into the cavity, said pivotable member is pivoted away from the cavity, said biasing force causing said surface configuration of the pivotable member to engage the pumping cassette after it has been forced into the cavity, retaining the pumping cassette at the predefined position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a pump chassis (112), spring-loaded members (108a, 108b) engage a pumping cassette (114) to it in a predetermined position. The members each include pairs of latches (110a, 110b) that are each beveled to form a ramp so that the latches and associated members are forced outwardly to enable the pumping cassette to be seated within the pump chassis. The latches engage the pump cassette as it is seated, holding it securely. A release button (138) is attached to a spring-loaded shaft (144) that extends into the interior of the pump chassis. The shaft has a ramp formed on its inner end. When the user depresses the release button, the ramp rides under inwardly extending arms (162a, 162b) provided on the members, forcing the members and attached latches to move outwardly. As the members move outwardly, the pumping cassette is released and readily removed.
187 Citations
25 Claims
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1. Apparatus for engaging a pumping cassette at a predefined position within a pump chassis that is used to deliver fluids to a patient, comprising:
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(a) a pivotable member disposed at a side of a cavity within the pump chassis, said cavity being sized to receive a pumping cassette, said pivotable member being pivotally mounted to the pump chassis so as to pivot away from and towards the cavity and including a surface configuration that engages a portion of a pumping cassette in the predefined position within the cavity; and
(b) a spring coupled to said pivotable member, said spring applying a biasing force tending to pivot said pivotable member towards the cavity, so that as a pumping cassette is forced into the cavity, said pivotable member is pivoted away from the cavity, said biasing force causing said surface configuration of the pivotable member to engage the pumping cassette after it has been forced into the cavity, retaining the pumping cassette at the predefined position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for engaging a pumping cassette at a predefined position within a pump chassis that is used to deliver fluids to a patient, comprising:
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(a) a pair of opposed pivotable members disposed at opposite sides of a cavity within the pump chassis, said cavity being sized to receive a pumping cassette, each of said pair of opposed members being pivotally mounted to the pump chassis so as to pivot away from and towards the cavity and including a surface configuration that engages a portion of a pumping cassette, retaining the cassette in the predefined position within the cavity; and
(b) at least one spring coupled to said pair of opposed members, said at least one spring applying a biasing force tending to pivot said pair of opposed members towards the cavity, so that as a pumping cassette is forced into the cavity, the opposed members are pivoted outwardly, away from each other and from the cavity, said biasing force causing said surface configuration on each of the pair of opposed members to engage the pumping cassette after it has been forced into the cavity, retaining the pumping cassette at the predefined position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. Apparatus for retaining a pumping cassette at a predefined position within a pump chassis, comprising:
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(a) a pair of elongate members, each pivotally mounted by a pivot hinge to the pump chassis, and extending generally along opposite sides of a cavity that is sized to receive a pumping cassette, said pair of elongate members pivoting inwardly and outwardly of the cavity around the pivot hinge;
(b) a spring coupled to the pair of elongate members to apply a biasing force that tends to pivot the pair of elongate members towards each other and the cavity; and
(c) a pair of tabs disposed on each of the elongate members, said tabs having an angled surface that initially contacts a pumping cassette being pushed into the cavity, so that the pumping cassette slides along the angled surface, forcing the pair of elongate members apart as the pumping cassette is forced into the cavity, said pair of tabs engaging a pumping cassette to retain it within the cavity as the pumping cassette seats in the predefined position. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. Apparatus for engaging a pumping cassette at a predefined position within a pump chassis that is used to deliver fluids to a patient, comprising:
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(a) a pivotable member disposed at a side of a cavity within the pump chassis, said cavity being sized to receive a pumping cassette, said pivotable member being pivotally mounted to the pump chassis so as to pivot away from and towards the cavity and including a surface configuration that engages a portion of a pumping cassette in the predefined position within the cavity; and
(b) a biasing element coupled to said pivotable member, said biasing element applying a biasing force tending to pivot said pivotable member towards the cavity, so that as a pumping cassette is forced into the cavity, said pivotable member is pivoted away from the cavity, said biasing force causing said surface configuration of the pivotable member to engage the pumping cassette after it has been forced into the cavity, retaining the pumping cassette at the predefined position. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification