Pumping cartridge including a bypass valve and method for directing flow in a pumping cartridge

• US 6,416,293 B1
• Filed: 07/20/1999
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Bouchard, Clement D., Bryant, Robert J., Spencer, Geoff P., Gray, Lawrence B.
• Primary Examiner(s): FREAY, CHARLES GRANT
• Application Number:
  US09/357,610
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 417/53, 417/538, 417/392, 417/395, 417/313, 604/153, 604/151, 604/131, 604/246, 604/30, 604/403, 604/406, 604/407, 92/79, 92/78.R, 92/96, 137/599.14
• US Class Current: 417/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36222 Details related to the interface between cassette and machine
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362227 the interface providing means for actuating on functional elements of the cassette, e.g. plungers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36225 with blood pumping means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362261 at least one cassette surface or portion thereof being flexible, e.g. the cassette having a rigid base portion with preformed channels and being covered with a foil
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362262 Details of incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362264 the filter being a blood filter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362265 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362266 Means for adding solutions or substances to the blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3627 Degassing devices; Buffer reservoirs; Drip chambers; Blood filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/367 Circuit parts not covered by the preceding subgroups of group A61M1/3621
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3696 with means for adding or withdrawing liquid substances during the centrifugation, e.g. continuous centrifugation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/053 ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/123 with incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/125 with incorporated filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/14 Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/17 with redundant control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3396 Reservoirs being alternately filled and emptied for measuring flow rate or delivered volume
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/22 : Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/281 : Automatic tube cut-off devices, e.g. squeezing tube on detection of air
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14224 : Diaphragm type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14593 : the diaphragm being actuated by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16809 : by repeated filling and emptying of an intermediate volume pressure infusion using positive displacement pumps A61M5/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16813 : by controlling the degree of opening of the flow line
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16859 : Evaluation of pressure response, e.g. to an applied pulse
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/365 : Air detectors A61M5/1684 takes precedence; in extracorporeal blood circuits A61M1/3626
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/113 : in other functional devices, e.g. dialysers or heart-lung machines
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/427 : the force acting on the blood contacting member being hydraulic or pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/43 : using vacuum at the blood pump, e.g. to accelerate filling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/508 : Electronic control means, e.g. for feedback regulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/892 : Active valves, i.e. actuated by an external force
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 13/00 : Pumps specially modified to deliver fixed or variable measured quantities
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/0081 : systems, control, safety measures
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/067 : the fluid being actuated directly by a piston
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/073 : the actuating fluid being controlled by at least one valve
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/107 : the fluid being actuated directly by a piston
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/113 : the actuating fluid being controlled by at least one valve
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/065 : and making use of computers
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/24 : Bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/06 : Venting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87362 : Including cleaning, treating, or heat transfer feature

Abstract

Pumping cartridges are disclosed for use in pumping systems. One such cartridge includes a series of fluid flow paths therein and a bypass valve therein, the bypass valve can selectively block fluid flow along one or both of two fluid flow paths through the valve. In some embodiments, the pumping cartridges are removable from a reusable pump drive component. In some embodiments the pumping cartridges comprise a substantially rigid component having one or more channels and/or depressions therein covered by a membrane so that together the rigid component and the membrane define a series of fluid flow paths, pump chambers and fluidic valves, including a bypass valve.

Claims

1. A pumping cartridge comprising:

a first liquid flow path;

a second liquid flow path; and

a bypass valve in fluid communication with the first liquid flow path and the second fluid flow path, said bypass valve constructed and arranged to selectively permit liquid flow through

said first liquid flow path while restricting liquid flow through said second liquid flow path,

said second liquid flow path while restricting liquid flow through said first liquid flow path, and

to prevent liquid flow through both said first liquid flow path and said second liquid flow path.

2. The pumping cartridge of claim 1, wherein the pumping cartridge is disposable and is constructed and arranged to be coupled to a reusable component.

3. The pumping cartridge of claim 1, wherein the pumping cartridge comprises a first substantially rigid component and at least one flexible membrane disposed on the first component, the first component and the flexible membrane defining a bypass valving chamber forming the bypass valve.

4. The pumping cartridge of claim 3, wherein the bypass valving chamber includes three ports, two of which ports are occludable by the flexible membrane.

5. The pumping cartridge of claim 4, wherein the first liquid flow path enters the bypass valving chamber through a first port and exits the bypass valving chamber through a third occludable port, and wherein the second liquid flow path enters the bypass valving chamber through a second occludable port and exits the bypass valving chamber through the first port.

6. A pumping cartridge comprising:

a first component;

at least one membrane disposed on the first component, the first component and the membrane defining a bypass valving chamber, said bypass valving chamber including three ports, two of which ports are occludable by said flexible membrane;

a first fluid flow path entering the bypass valving chamber through a first port and exiting the bypass valving chamber through a third occludable port; and

a second fluid flow path entering the bypass valving chamber through a second occludable port and exiting the bypass valving chamber through said first port.

7. The pumping cartridge of claim 6, wherein the membrane is flexible.

8. The pumping cartridge of claim 6, wherein the membrane is elastic.

9. The pumping cartridge of claim 6, wherein the pumping cartridge is disposable and is constructed and arranged to be coupled to a reusable component.

10. The pumping cartridge of claim 9, wherein the first component is formed of a substantially rigid material.

11. The pumping cartridge of claim 10, wherein said first component has a depression therein, which depression in combination with the membrane forms the bypass valving chamber.

12. The pumping cartridge of claim 11, wherein the first component has a first side and a second side, the first side including the depression which in combination with the membrane forms the bypass valving chamber, and said second side including at least one groove or channel therein providing a liquid flow path.

13. The pumping cartridge of claim 12, wherein the first side of the first component includes at least one groove or channel providing a liquid flow path.

14. The pumping cartridge of claim 13, wherein the second side of the first component includes a membrane disposed thereon, which in combination with the first component provides at least one liquid flow path.

15. The pumping cartridge of claim 12, wherein the second occludable port and the third occludable port comprise holes within the first component, which holes are each located on a member that protrudes from a base of said depression.

16. The pumping cartridge of claim 15, wherein the first port is non-occludable and comprises a hole within the first component formed within the base of said depression.

17. The pumping cartridge of claim 6, wherein the bypass valving chamber includes two adjacent subchambers, the subchambers including a partition therebetween that forms a fluid-tight seal with the membrane when the pump chamber is coupled to the reusable component, which partition includes an opening therein allowing unrestricted fluid communication between the adjacent subchambers.

18. The pumping cartridge of claim 6, wherein the first port is in fluid communication with a line connecting the pumping cartridge to a body of a patient, the second occludable port is in fluid communication with a filter element included within the pumping cartridge, and the third occludable port is in fluid communication with an inlet valve or an outlet valve of at least one pump chamber included within the pumping cartridge, when the pumping cartridge is in operation.

19. A reusable system constructed and arranged for operative association with a removable pumping cartridge, which pumping cartridge providing at least two fluid flow paths therein and including a bypass valving chamber in fluid communication with a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path, the system including:

a pump housing component constructed and arranged to couple to said pumping cartridge; and

a valve actuator adapted to actuate said bypass valving chamber to selectively permit fluid flow through

said first fluid flow path while restricting fluid flow through said second fluid flow path,

said second fluid flow path while restricting fluid flow through said first fluid flow path, and

to prevent fluid flow through both said first fluid flow path and said second fluid flow paths, wherein

said actuator is disposed within said pump housing adjacent to and in operative association with said bypass valving chamber when said pumping cartridge is coupled to said pump housing.

20. The reusable system of claim 19, wherein the pump chamber includes a first component, and at least one flexible membrane disposed on the first component, the first component and the flexible membrane defining the bypass valving chamber, and wherein the valve actuator includes a force applicator, said force applicator constructed and arranged to alternatively (i) apply a force to at least a portion of said flexible membrane to restrict liquid flow through said first liquid flow path in said pump cartridge, (ii) apply a force to at least a portion of said flexible membrane to restrict liquid flow through said second liquid flow path in said pump cartridge, and (iii) apply a force to at least a portion of said flexible membrane to restrict liquid flow through both said first and said second liquid flow paths.

21. A reusable system constructed and arranged for operative association with a removable pumping cartridge, which pumping cartridge providing at least two liquid flow paths therein and including a first component, and at least one membrane disposed on the first component, where the first component and the membrane define a bypass valving chamber, said reusable system comprising:

a pump housing component constructed and arranged for operative association with said pumping cartridge by coupling to the pumping cartridge;

a valve actuator to actuate said bypass valving chamber, said actuator disposed adjacent to and in operative association with said bypass valving chamber when said pumping cartridge is coupled to said pump housing; and

a force applicator forming at least a part of said valve actuator, said force applicator constructed and arranged to alternatively (i) apply a force to at least a portion of said membrane to restrict liquid flow through a first liquid flow path through said bypass valving chamber while permitting liquid flow through a second liquid flow path through said bypass valving chamber, (ii) apply a force to at least a portion of said membrane to restrict liquid flow through said second liquid flow path through said bypass valving chamber while permitting liquid flow through said first liquid flow path through said bypass valving chamber, and (iii) apply a force to at least a portion of said membrane to restrict liquid flow through both said first and said second liquid flow paths.

22. The reusable system of claim 21, wherein the pump housing component includes an interface constructed and arranged for creating a fluid-tight seal with the pumping cartridge upon coupling.

23. The reusable system of claim 22, wherein the interface includes at least one depression in contact with and adjacent to the bypass valving chamber upon coupling of the pumping cartridge and the reusable component, said at least one depression forming a valve actuating chamber in contact with and adjacent to the bypass valving chamber.

24. The reusable system of claim 23, wherein the force applicator comprises a fluid supply system in fluid communication with the valve actuating chamber, the fluid supply system being constructed and arranged to pressurize the valve actuating chamber thereby applying a force to the membrane.

25. The reusable system of claim 21, further comprising a processor configured to control the operation of the valve actuator.

26. A method for directing flow in a pumping cartridge, said pumping cartridge including a bypass valving chamber, having three ports therein and two liquid flow paths therethrough, where at least a portion of which bypass valving chamber is formed from a membrane, the method comprising:

occluding a first port disposed in said bypass valving chamber with said membrane to restrict a flow of liquid through said bypass valving chamber along a first flow path while permitting liquid flow through said bypass valving chamber along a second liquid flow path;

occluding a second port disposed in said bypass valving chamber with said membrane to restrict a flow of liquid through said bypass valving chamber along said second flow path while permitting liquid flow through said bypass valving chamber along said first liquid flow path; and

occluding both said first and said second ports disposed in said bypass valving chamber with said membrane to restrict a flow of liquid along both said first and said second flow paths.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said membrane is flexible.

28. The method of claim 26, where the occluding steps comprise applying a force to the membrane causing the membrane to make a sealing contact with a port.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the force is applied to the membrane by bringing a fluid having a pressure greater than a pressure within the bypass valving chamber into contact with the membrane.

30. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of coupling the pumping cartridge in operative association with a reusable component.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein during the occluding steps, the ports are occluded so as to essentially prevent a flow of liquid through the ports.

32. The method of claim 26, wherein occluding the first port prevents a flow of liquid from a pump chamber, included within the pumping cartridge, through a filter element, included within the pumping cartridge, and to a body of a patient.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein occluding the second port prevents a flow of liquid from a body of a patient and to a pump chamber included within the pumping cartridge.