Fluid delivery mechanism having a flush-back operation
First Claim
1. A device for providing a flow of liquid from a source of the liquid through a tube comprising:
- means for pinching-off a first section of the tube to define a metering chamber between the first section and a second pinched-off section of the tube downstream from the first section and the source of liquid;
a first means for pushing a first portion of the liquid in the metering chamber of the tube in a flow direction; and
a second means for directing a second portion of the liquid in the metering chamber through the pinched-off first section of the tube towards the source of the liquid;
such that the tube is re-opened using the liquid pushed towards the source of the liquid and through the pinched-off section of the tube thereby improving the accuracy of the flow of the liquid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an infusion pump 10 for providing a flow of a liquid through an tube 28. The infusion pump 10 includes at least two occluders 152, 162 having an open position and a closed position for releasably pinching-off the tube 28. A metering chamber is disposed between the two occluders 152, 162. A first plunger 72 and a second plunger 73 are provided, each plunger 72, 73 having an open position and a closed position for releasably compressing the metering chamber. In the method of the present invention, an occluder 152 releasably pinches-off the tube near the source of the liquid at a first location. The second occluder 162 releasably pinches-off the tube at a second location that is downstream from the source of the liquid 23 and the first location. The tube 28 is released at the first location and a plunger 72 compresses the tube 28 between the first location and the second location, thereby generating a flow of the liquid through the tube 28 in a direction towards the source of liquid 23.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A device for providing a flow of liquid from a source of the liquid through a tube comprising:
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means for pinching-off a first section of the tube to define a metering chamber between the first section and a second pinched-off section of the tube downstream from the first section and the source of liquid;
a first means for pushing a first portion of the liquid in the metering chamber of the tube in a flow direction; and
a second means for directing a second portion of the liquid in the metering chamber through the pinched-off first section of the tube towards the source of the liquid;
such that the tube is re-opened using the liquid pushed towards the source of the liquid and through the pinched-off section of the tube thereby improving the accuracy of the flow of the liquid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for infusing a liquid from a source of the liquid through a tube comprising:
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providing a tube for delivery of a liquid from a source of liquid;
drawing liquid from the source of liquid into a metering chamber in the tube;
occluding the tube at an upstream position of the metering chamber; and
compressing the tube to push a portion of the liquid in the metering chamber of the tube in a direction towards the source of the liquid and through the occluded section of the tube;
such that the tube is re-opened using the liquid pushed towards the source of the liquid and through the pinched-off section of the tube, thereby improving the accuracy of the flow of the liquid. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A device for re-opening a tube connected to a source of a liquid, the device comprising:
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means for drawing liquid from a source of liquid into a metering chamber in a tube;
means for releasably pinching off a section of the tube;
a first means for pushing a first portion of the liquid in the metering chamber of the tube in a flow direction; and
a second means for directing a second portion of the liquid in the metering chamber through the pinched-off section of the tube towards the source of the liquid;
such that the flow of the second portion of liquid re-opens the tube thereby improving the accuracy of the flow of the liquid. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of metering fluid in a tube comprising:
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drawing liquid from a source of liquid into a tube;
closing the tube in a first location;
downstream of the first location, compressing the tube to a first non-occluded position;
downstream of the tube compression, closing the tube in a second location to define a metering chamber in the tube between the first location and the second location;
releasing the tube in a first location;
decompressing the tube to a second non-relaxed position to cause a portion of the liquid drawn from the source of liquid to flow through the tube past the first location toward the source of liquid. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for re-opening a tube connected to a source of liquid following a delivery cycle comprising the steps of:
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providing a source of liquid for delivery;
drawing liquid from said source of liquid into a metering chamber in a flexible tube, said metering chamber defined by a downstream occluder in a closed position at a first end and an upstream occluder at a second end wherein said second end is closer to said source of liquid than said first end;
closing said upstream occluder after said drawing liquid from said source of liquid;
opening said downstream occluder and forcing a first portion of said drawn liquid in said metering chamber past said downstream occluder; and
,opening said upstream occluder and forcing a second portion of said drawn liquid in said metering chamber past said upstream occluder toward the source of liquid. - View Dependent Claims (38)
closing said downstream occluder following said forcing a first portion of said drawn liquid in said metering chamber past said downstream occluder and prior to said opening said upstream occluder and forcing a second portion of said drawn liquid in said metering chamber past said upstream occluder toward the source of liquid.
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Specification