In situ tubing measurements for infusion pumps
First Claim
1. A method of measuring tubing, the method comprising:
- loading tubing into a fixture;
compressing the tubing between opposed surfaces of the fixture;
receiving a signal indicative of compression of the tubing while compressing;
receiving a signal indicative of a contact length of the tubing against at least one of the opposed surfaces; and
calculating a diameter and a thickness of the tubing.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An infusion pump uses sensors and a computer program to detect tubing in a tube-loading section of the pump. The pump and the computer program also measures one or more of the tubing outer diameter, outer circumference, inner diameter, inner circumference, and tubing wall thickness. The infusion pump utilizes proximity sensors, such as an ultrasonic sensor, a capacitive sensor, or even an air-in-line sensor to detect proximity between two infusion pump surfaces, such as the surfaces that clamp the tubing in the pump, to determine thickness. At least one of the clamping surfaces is equipped with sensors to indicate contact length of the tubing with the surface. Using these measurements, the tubing wall thickness and inner diameter can be determined. Knowing the actual tubing inner diameter, increased volumetric accuracy is possible, up to a three or four percent improvement over present measurements.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of measuring tubing, the method comprising:
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loading tubing into a fixture; compressing the tubing between opposed surfaces of the fixture; receiving a signal indicative of compression of the tubing while compressing; receiving a signal indicative of a contact length of the tubing against at least one of the opposed surfaces; and calculating a diameter and a thickness of the tubing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for measuring a diameter and a thickness of tubing, the method comprising:
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loading tubing into a fixture; compressing the tubing between opposed surfaces of the fixture; generating and receiving a signal indicative of a distance between the opposed surfaces while compressing; generating and receiving a signal indicative of a contact length of the tubing against at least one of the opposed surfaces; and calculating an inner diameter and a thickness of the tubing. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. An infusion pump, comprising:
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a tubing clamping section comprising a movable portion and a stationary portion; a first sensor mounted on one of the movable portion or the stationary portion for detecting a distance between the movable portion and the stationary portion; at least one second sensor for detecting a contact length of tubing with at least one of the movable portion and the stationary portion; an inlet valve; an outlet valve; and a shuttle comprising a shuttle stationary portion and a shuttle moveable portion configured for squeezing a length of tubing between the shuttle stationary portion and the shuttle movable portion, wherein the shuttle moveable portion moves toward and away from the shuttle stationary portion to operate the infusion pump. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. An infusion pump, comprising:
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a housing; a tubing clamping section comprising a movable portion and a stationary portion, the tubing clamping section mounted on the housing; a first sensor mounted on one of the movable portion or the stationary portion for detecting a distance between the movable portion and the stationary portion; at least one second sensor for detecting a contact length of tubing with at least one of the movable portion and the stationary portion; and a positive displacement pump for manipulating the tubing to accurately deliver a medicament. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification