Multi-patient fluid dispensing

• US 6,306,117 B1
• Filed: 05/22/2000
• Issued: 10/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bayer Medical Care Inc. (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Uber, Arthur E. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Manahan, Todd E.
• Application Number:
  US09/575,809
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 604/151, 604/152, 604/131, 604/80, 604/82, 604/126
• US Class Current: 604/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16827 controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407

Abstract

A system for delivering sterile fluid to a patient, while preventing cross-contamination, in which flow interrupting means are provided which basically create regions where no fluid exists in the comprehensive or over-all quality of material that is flowing from a fluid source to a patient.

Claims

1. A disposable device for use with a system for delivering sterile fluid from a fluid source, to a plurality of patients, the disposable device comprising:

flow interrupting means for causing flow of the sterile fluid to be substantially discontinuous so that fluid free gaps exist in the disposable device

when there is substantially no forward flow, to preclude cross-contamination of the fluid source,

wherein the flow interrupting means comprises a receptacle having an inlet and an outlet,

the inlet being arranged to cause inflowing fluid to impinge on an internal surface of the receptacle at such an angle that the fluid flows along a wall of the receptacle,

the outlet being arranged to remove fluid collected in the receptacle.

2. The disposable device of claim 1, further comprising backflow prevention means.

3. The disposable device of claim 1, comprising means for cooperating with the system for preventing air flow through the disposable device into a patient.

4. A reusable fluid path element configured as part of a fluid delivery path for use with a system for delivering sterile fluid from a fluid source to a plurality of patients, the reusable element comprising:

an interface to connect the reusable fluid path element to the source of the sterile fluid;

tubing to conduct the fluid from the fluid source to a disposable portion of the fluid delivery path;

a mixing element provided along the fluid delivery path; and

a backflow valve provided downstream of the mixing element, the backflow valve helping prevent cross-contamination between said plurality of patients.

5. The reusable fluid path element of claim 4, further comprising a fluid assurance monitor provided along the fluid delivery path.

6. The reusable fluid path element of claim 4, further comprising a pump provided along the fluid delivery path that pumps the sterile fluid through the disposable portion at a predetermined pressure.

7. A disposable device for use with a system for delivering sterile fluid from a fluid source to a plurality of patients, the disposable device comprising a flow interrupter that causes flow of the sterile fluid to be substantially discontinuous so that fluid free gaps exist in the disposable device when there is substantially no forward flow, to preclude cross-contamination of the fluid source, wherein the flow interrupter comprises a receptacle having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being arranged to cause inflowing fluid to impinge on an internal surface of the receptacle at such an angle that the fluid flows along a wall of the receptacle, the outlet being arranged to remove fluid collected in the receptacle.

8. A disposable device for use with a system for delivering sterile fluid from a fluid source to a plurality of patients, the disposable device comprising:

a flow interrupter that causes flow of the sterile fluid to be substantially discontinuous so that fluid free gaps exist in the disposable device when there is substantially no forward flow, to preclude cross-contamination of the fluid source.

9. A disposable device according to claim 8, wherein said flow interrupter comprises a mechanical device that causes the flow to exist as discrete quantities.

10. A disposable device according to claim 9, wherein the mechanical device comprises a peristaltic flow mechanism.

11. A disposable device according to claim 8, wherein the system comprises a backflow valve that allows flow in a forward direction while substantially preventing flow in a backward direction.

12. A disposable device according to claim 8, wherein the flow interrupter comprises a hydrophobic surface over which the fluid is caused to flow.

13. A disposable device according to claim 8, wherein the flow interrupter comprises a receptacle having a generally funnel-shaped configuration.

14. A disposable device according to claim 8, wherein the flow interrupter comprises a valve for controlling fluid flow, wherein said valve is positively biased towards a flow interrupting position.

15. A disposable device according to claim 4, wherein the valve is shaped to create laminar fluid flow when passing fluid.