Method of delivering fluid mixtures to multiple patients

• US 7,427,281 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2001
• Issued: 09/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Uber, Arthur E. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Desanto; Matthew F
• Application Number:
  US09/939,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20020026148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,583 Days
• Field of Search: 604 65- 67, 604/151, 604/82, 604/131, 604/246, 604533-539, 604/284, 604/171, 604/500, 604/508, 128/DIG.12, 128/DIG.13, 128/DIG.1, 600/431, 600/432
• US Class Current: 604/508
• 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

An injection apparatus for delivering fluid to multiple patients includes a first fluid source, a second fluid source, and a fluid path disposed between the first and second fluid sources and a patient. The fluid path includes a mixing device, a reusable portion for delivering fluid to multiple patients and a per-patient disposable portion removably connected to the reusable portion.

Claims

1. A method of delivering fluid to multiple patients, comprising:

(a) providing a fluid delivery system comprising a reusable fluid path and a plurality of per-patient disposable fluid paths, the reusable fluid path including

(i) a first fluid source;

(ii) a second fluid source;

(iii) a helical vane mixer adapted to mix fluids from the first and second fluid sources, the plurality of per-patient disposable fluid paths each including a first end connectable to a patient of the multiple patients and a second end connectable to the reusable fluid path;

(b) connecting the second end of a first per-patient disposable fluid path of the plurality of per-patient disposable fluid paths to the reusable fluid path and the first end of the first per-patient disposable fluid path to a first patient of the multiple patients to define a fluid path between the first and second fluid sources and the first patient;

(c) mixing the fluids from the first and second fluid sources to create a first mixture with a predetermined content for the first patient;

(d) delivering the first mixture to the first patient through the first per-patient disposable fluid path;

(e) disconnecting the first per-patient disposable fluid path from the reusable fluid path and the first patient;

(f) connecting a second per-patient disposable fluid path to the reusable fluid path and a second patient of the multiple patients;

(g) mixing the fluids from the first and second fluid sources to create a second mixture with a predetermined content for the second patient; and

(h) delivering the second mixture to the second patient through the second per-patient disposable fluid path.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reusable fluid path further comprises at least one metering device disposed between the first and the second fluid sources.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising a control device in communication with the metering device.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising a user interface connected to the control device.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising an electronic interface connecting the control device to a hospital information system.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one metering device comprises a peristaltic pump.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the reusable fluid path further comprises a fluid assurance device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first fluid source comprises a contrast source.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second fluid source comprises a diluent source.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivery of at least one of either the first or second mixture comprises the use of a rotary valve switch to select the delivery of fluids to a patient of the multiple patients.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the reusable fluid path further comprises a pressurizing pump.

12. A method of delivering fluid to multiple patients, comprising:

(a) providing a fluid delivery system comprising a reusable fluid path and a plurality of per-patient disposable fluid paths, the reusable fluid path including

(i) a first fluid source;

(ii) a second fluid source; and

(iii) a static mixer configured to mix the fluids from the first and second fluid sources to create a mixed fluid, the plurality of per-patient disposable fluid paths each including a first end connectable to a patient of the multiple patients and a second end connectable to the reusable fluid path;

(b) connecting the second end of a first per-patient disposable fluid path of the plurality of per-patient disposable fluid paths to the reusable fluid path and the first end of the first per-patient disposable fluid path to a first patient of the multiple patients to define a fluid path between the first and second fluid sources and the first patient;

(c) mixing the fluids from the first and second fluid sources to create a first mixture with a predetermined content for the first patient;

(d) delivering the first mixture to the first patient through the first per-patient disposable fluid path;

(e) disconnecting the first per-patient disposable fluid path from the reusable fluid path and the first patient;

(f) connecting a second per-patient disposable fluid path to the reusable fluid path and a second patient of the multiple patients;

(g) mixing the fluids from the first and second fluid sources to create a second mixture with a predetermined content for the second patient; and

(h) delivering the second mixture to the second patient through the second per-patient disposable fluid path.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the reusable fluid path further comprises at least one metering device.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising a control device in communication with the metering device.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising a user interface connected to the control device.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one metering device comprises a peristaltic pump.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the reusable fluid path further comprises a fluid assurance device.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the first fluid source comprises a contrast source.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the second fluid source comprises a diluent source.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the reusable fluid path further comprises a pressurizing pump.