Methods and apparatus for delivering fluids

• US 6,537,244 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2001
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Assistive Technology Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Assistive Technology Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Caron, Paul, Hoffner, Janet, Paukovits, Edward J. Jr., Leonard, Andrew I. C., Paukovits, Dorothy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAYNARD, JENNIFER J
• Application Number:
  US09/835,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20010051788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 604/65, 604/67, 604/77-79, 604/118, 604/131, 604/151, 604/500, 604/505, 604/514, 604/516, 222/14, 222/52, 222/55, 222/61, 222/173-175, 222/608, 222/630, 222/251, 222/372, 222/394, 222/395, 222/491, 222/504, 222/544
• US Class Current: 604/65
• 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. Apparatus for delivering fluids to a recipient comprising:

an oral dispenser interconnected to a first end of a fluid delivery tube wherein said oral dispenser includes means for providing identifying information that specifies at least one of a type of said oral dispenser and a mode in which said oral dispenser is to operate;

said fluid delivery tube having a second end interconnected with a pumping station so as to transport a fluid supplied by said pumping station to said oral dispenser; and

said pumping station having a fluid pump with controllable pumping characteristics for supplying said fluid through said fluid delivery tube to said oral dispenser, wherein said pumping station includes means for automatically obtaining said identifying information directly from said oral dispenser and, in response to said identifying information, adjusts said controllable pumping characteristics of said fluid pump so as to controllably deliver said fluid to said recipient in a predefined manner appropriate for said oral dispenser.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for providing identifying information comprise predefined contact areas on said oral dispenser which provide said information to complementary contact areas located on said first end of said fluid delivery tube so as to transfer said identifying information therebetween, and wherein said second end connects to said pumping station for transferring said identifying information to said pumping station.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said predefined contact areas define said identifying information through at least one of electrical, optical and physical modalities.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a temperature at said predefined contact areas defines said identifying information.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a rate of flow of said liquid at said predefined contact areas defines said identifying information.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a rate of flow of air at said predefined contact areas defines said identifying information.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a pressure level at said predefined contact areas defines said identifying information.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for providing identifying information comprise a pressure sensor positioned on said oral dispenser which provides said identifying information to complementary means located on said first end of said fluid delivery tube for transferring said identifying information therebetween, and wherein said second end connects to said pumping station for transferring said identifying information to said pumping station.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said mode comprises negative pump pressure.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said mode comprises positive pump pressure.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said mode comprises free flow.

12. A system for delivering fluids to a recipient comprising:

an oral dispenser interconnected to a first end of a fluid delivery tube wherein said oral dispenser includes means for providing identifying information that specifies at least one of a type of said oral dispenser and a mode in which said oral dispenser is to operate;

said fluid delivery tube having a second end interconnected with a pumping station so as to transport a fluid supplied by said pumping station to said oral dispenser; and

said pumping station having a fluid pump with controllable pumping characteristics for supplying said fluid through said fluid delivery tube to said oral dispenser and an alarm, wherein said pumping station includes means for automatically obtaining said identifying information directly from said oral dispenser and, in response to said identifying information, adjusts said controllable pumping characteristics of said fluid pump so as to controllably deliver said fluid to said recipient in a predefined manner appropriate for said oral dispenser;

wherein said pumping station automatically;

(i) senses said identifying information from said oral dispenser so as to define sensed oral dispenser information;

(ii) sets, as an alarm threshold, a minimum or maximum volume per unit time threshold, wherein said minimum or maximum volume per unit time threshold, respectively, is based on said sensed oral dispenser information;

(iii) periodically determines a volume of fluids delivered by said pumping station through said oral dispenser; and

(iv) 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, activates an alarm.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said pumping station includes means for automatically adjusting said controllable pumping characteristics of said fluid pump so as to controllably deliver a predetermined measure of said fluid to said recipient.

14. (New claim) The system of claim 12 wherein said alarm comprises at least one of a visual and aural alarm.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein said pumping station comprises a limit/time button and up and down keys, and said pumping station:

(i) means for determining whether said limit/time button is being depressed;

(ii) if said limit/time button is being depressed, determines whether said alarm threshold reflects either minimum volume per unit time or maximum volume per unit time; and

(iii) if said alarm threshold reflects the maximum volume per unit time;

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

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

(iv) if said alarm threshold reflects said minimum volume per unit time;

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

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