Methods and apparatus for delivering fluids to a patient

• US 6,358,237 B1
• Filed: 01/19/1999
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Assistive Technology Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Assistive Technology Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Leonard, Andrew, Caron, Paul, Paukovits, Dorothy A., Hoffner, Janet
• Primary Examiner(s): Seidel, Richard K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAYNARD, JENNIFER J
• Application Number:
  US09/233,282
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 604/151, 604/67, 604/131, 604/65, 604/500, 604/514, 604/516, 604/505, 604/118, 604/77-79
• US Class Current: 604/516
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0011 Feeding-tubes for delivery of nourishment to the mouth; Mouth pieces therefor breast-nipple shields A61J13/00; mouth pieces for drinking straws A47G21/185; straws to take medicine A61J7/0038, mouthpieces for tracheal tubes A61M16/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0076 Feeding pumps A61M1/00, A61M5/142, A61M25/1018 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0088 for sensing parameters related to the device
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0092 Valves on feeding tubes tube valves A61M39/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/76 for fluid level
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0053 Syringes, pipettes or oral dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0076 Medicament distribution means with pill counting devices A61J7/02; with time indication A61J7/04; containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0201 Cassettes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0202 with electronic control means or interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/022 Volume; Flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0258 by means of electric pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0279 Cannula; Nozzles; Tips; their connection means

Abstract

A system for delivering fluids which includes a pump (such as a peristaltic pump for example), a pump cartridge, a fluid reservoir, and a variety of fluid dispensers, including oral fluid dispensers. By providing a number of oral fluid dispensers, the one best suited for the needs of a particular application can be selected. The pump cartridge and/or the fluid dispensers may be disposable. The operation of the pump may be controlled based, at least in part, on the type of fluid dispenser being used. Further, a selectable mode can be used to further control the operation of the pump. The amount of fluids delivered over given periods of time may be monitored such that a reminder (such as an audio and/or visual alarm for example) may be provided if too much or too little fluid is delivered (and presumably consumed). The thresholds for such alarm conditions may be set and modified by a user. Further, the state of the fluid delivery system itself, as well as trends in fluid delivery, may be monitored.

Claims

1. In a system for delivering fluids via an oral dispenser to a patient, the oral dispenser being connected through a fluid delivery tube to a pumping station, the method comprising the steps, performed at the pumping station, of:

automatically sensing, in response to information provided by the dispenser, a type of the oral dispenser or a mode in which the dispenser is to operate so as to define sensed dispenser information;

setting, as an alarm threshold, a minimum or maximum volume per unit time threshold, wherein the minimum or maximum volume per unit time threshold, respectively, is based on the sensed dispenser information;

periodically determining a volume of fluids delivered by the pumping station through the dispenser; and

if the volume so determined is less than the minimum volume per unit time threshold or greater than the maximum volume per unit time threshold, activating an alarm.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the activating step comprises a step of providing a visual alarm indication.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the activating step comprises a step of generating an audible alarm indication.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the setting step comprises the steps of:

determining whether a limit/time button on the pumping station is being depressed;

if the limit/time button is being depressed, determining whether the alarm threshold reflects either minimum volume per unit time or maximum volume per unit time; and

if the alarm threshold reflects the maximum volume per unit time;

if an up key is depressed within a predetermined period of time after the limit/time button is initially depressed, incrementing the maximum volume per unit threshold by a predefined amount; and

if a down key is depressed within the predetermined period of time, decrementing the maximum volume per unit threshold by the predefined amount; and

if the alarm threshold reflects the minimum volume per unit time;

if the up key is depressed within a predetermined period of time after the limit/time button is initially depressed, incrementing the minimum volume per unit threshold by the predefined amount; and

if the down key is depressed within the predetermined period of time, decrementing the minimum volume per unit threshold by the predefined amount.

5. In a system for delivering fluids via an oral dispenser to a patient, the oral dispenser being connected through a fluid delivery tube to a pumping station, the method comprising the steps, performed at the pumping station, of:

automatically sensing, in response to information provided by the dispenser, a type of the oral dispenser or a mode in which the dispenser is to operate so as to define sensed dispenser information; and

setting, in response to the sensed dispenser information, pumping characteristics of a pump, contained within the pumping station, so as to controllably deliver the fluid to the patient in a predefined manner appropriate to the dispenser.

6. The method in claim 5 further comprising the steps of:

setting, as an alarm threshold, a minimum or maximum volume per unit time threshold, wherein the minimum or maximum volume per unit time threshold, respectively, is based on the sensed dispenser information;

periodically determining a volume of fluids delivered by the pumping station through the dispenser; and

if the volume so determined is less than the minimum volume per unit time threshold or greater than the maximum volume per unit time threshold, activating an alarm.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the activating step comprises a step of providing a visual alarm indication.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the activating step comprises a step of generating an audible alarm indication.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the setting step comprises the steps of:

determining whether a limit/time button on the pumping station is being depressed;

if the limit/time button is being depressed, determining whether the alarm threshold reflects either minimum volume per unit time or maximum volume per unit time; and

if the alarm threshold reflects the maximum volume per unit time;

if an up key is depressed within a predetermined period of time after the limit/time button is initially depressed, incrementing the maximum volume per unit threshold by a predefined amount; and

if a down key is depressed within the predetermined period of time, decrementing the maximum volume per unit threshold by the predefined amount; and

if the alarm threshold reflects the minimum volume per unit time;

if the up key is depressed within a predetermined period of time after the limit/time button is initially depressed, incrementing the minimum volume per unit threshold by the predefined amount; and

if the down key is depressed within the predetermined period of time, decrementing the minimum volume per unit threshold by the predefined amount.

10. In a system for delivering fluids via an oral dispenser to a patient, the oral dispenser being connected through a fluid delivery tube to a pumping station wherein said oral dispenser and said fluid delivery tube have substantially equal internal fluid pressures, the method comprising the steps, performed at the pumping station, of:

automatically sensing a change in said fluid pressure in said fluid delivery tube so as to automatically determine a type of the oral dispenser or a mode in which the dispenser is to operate;

setting, as an alarm threshold, a minimum or maximum volume per unit time threshold, wherein the minimum or maximum volume per unit time threshold, respectively, is based on said change in fluid pressure in said fluid delivery tube;

periodically determining a volume of fluids delivered by the pumping station through the dispenser; and

if the volume so determined is less than the minimum volume per unit time threshold or greater than the maximum volume per unit time threshold, activating an alarm.

11. In a system for delivering fluids via an oral dispenser to a patient, the oral dispenser being connected through a fluid delivery tube to a pumping station wherein said oral dispenser and said fluid delivery tube have substantially equal internal fluid pressures, the method comprising the steps, performed at the pumping station, of:

automatically sensing, in response to a change in said internal fluid pressure so as to automatically determine a type of the oral dispenser or a mode in which the dispenser is to operate; and

setting, in response to said change in internal pressure, pumping characteristics of a pump, contained within the pumping station, so as to controllably deliver the fluid to the patient in a predefined manner appropriate to the dispenser.