Uninterrupted flow pump apparatus and method

• US 8,153,083 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2009
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mallinckrodt Critical Care Finance Inc (Mallinckrodt plc), Mallinckrodt Pharma Ip Trading DAC (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Original Assignee: Therakos, Inc (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Briggs, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Nagpaul, Jyoti
• Application Number:
  US12/427,150
• Publication Number:
  US 20090209898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 604 601- 602, 422 99-101, 422500-501, 210/782
• US Class Current: 422/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/28 Peritoneal dialysis ; Other peritoneal treatment, e.g. oxygenation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/282 Operational modes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/288 Priming priming in extracorporeal blood circuits A61M1/3643
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3496 Plasmapheresis; Leucopheresis; Lymphopheresis A61M1/3472 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3683 using photoactive agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/113 in other functional devices, e.g. dialysers or heart-lung machines
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/268 the displacement member being flexible, e.g. membranes, diaphragms or bladders
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/37 Haemodialysis, haemofiltration or diafiltration
• 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: Y10T 436/106664 Blood serum or blood plasma standard or control

Abstract

This invention describes a method for pumping or delivering fluids utilizing a flexible vessel subject to controlled pressures within another pressure vessel. The pressure vessel can be sourced with positive and/or negative (e.g., vacuum) pressure.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing substantially stable flow of a biological fluid comprising:

an outer chamber adapted to contain a sealed flexible chamber adapted to contain fluid, said sealed flexible chamber comprising a fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and the exterior of said outer chamber and wherein said outer chamber is adapted to provide a space containing a pressure sensitive medium around said sealed flexible chamber;

a receiving container that is in fluid communication with said sealed flexible chamber; and

means for continuously increasing or decreasing the pressure in a uniform and controlled manner within said space around said sealed flexible chamber, wherein said means is operable to send fluid from said sealed flexible chamber to said receiving container, and is operable to send fluid from said receiving container to said sealed flexible chamber.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said biological fluid is pressure or flow sensitive.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said biological fluid comprises whole blood or blood components.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said biological fluid comprises a drug.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contents of said sealed flexible chamber are sterile.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sealed flexible chamber contains buffy coat.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sealed flexible chamber comprises more than one fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and said exterior of said outer chamber.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and said exterior of said outer chamber comprises at least one valve capable of controlling fluid flow through said fluid path.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising means for controlling said at least one valve capable of controlling fluid flow through said fluid path.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for controlling is a computer.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a load cell for monitoring one or more properties of fluid displaced into or out of said sealed flexible chamber.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for continuously increasing or decreasing pressure comprises a pressure reservoir.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pressure valve.

14. An apparatus for providing substantially stable flow of a biological fluid comprising:

an outer chamber adapted to contain a sealed flexible chamber, wherein said outer chamber is adapted to provide a space containing a pressure sensitive medium around said sealed flexible chamber;

said sealed flexible chamber adapted to contain fluid, wherein said sealed flexible chamber comprises a fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and an exterior of said outer chamber;

a receiving container that is in fluid communication with said sealed flexible chamber;

a pressure reservoir adapted for continuously increasing or decreasing the pressure in a uniform and controlled manner within said space around said sealed flexible chamber, wherein said pressure reservoir is operable to send fluid from said sealed flexible chamber to said receiving container, and is operable to send fluid from said receiving container to said sealed flexible chamber; and

a pressure valve adapted for continuously increasing or decreasing the pressure in a uniform and controlled manner within said space around said sealed flexible chamber.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said fluid is pressure or flow sensitive.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said biological fluid comprises whole blood or blood components.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said blood components comprise white blood cells, red blood cells or plasma.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said biological fluid comprises a drug.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said drug is selected from the group consisting of insulin, interferon and erythropoietin.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for monitoring said continuously increasing or decreasing said pressure within said space around said sealed flexible chamber.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said means for monitoring is a computer.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for monitoring the properties of fluid displaced into or out of said flexible chamber.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said means for monitoring is a computer.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said pressure sensitive medium comprises air.

25. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said pressure sensitive medium comprises a fluid.

26. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the contents of said sealed flexible chamber are sterile.

27. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said receiving container is in fluid communication with said sealed flexible chamber via a photoactivation element.

28. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said sealed flexible chamber comprises more than one fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and said exterior of said outer chamber.

29. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and said exterior of said outer chamber comprises at least one valve capable of controlling fluid flow through said fluid path.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising means for controlling said at least one valve capable of controlling fluid flow through said fluid path.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said means for controlling is a computer.

32. An apparatus for providing substantially stable flow of a biological fluid comprising:

an outer chamber adapted to contain a sealed flexible chamber adapted to contain fluid, said sealed flexible chamber comprising a fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and the exterior of said outer chamber and wherein said outer chamber is adapted to provide a space containing a pressure sensitive medium around said sealed flexible chamber;

a receiving container that is in fluid communication with said sealed flexible chamber via a sealed passageway; and

means for continuously increasing or decreasing the pressure in a uniform and controlled manner within said space around said sealed flexible chamber.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said sealed flexible chamber comprises more than one fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and said exterior of said outer chamber.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and said exterior of said outer chamber comprises at least one valve capable of controlling fluid flow through said fluid path.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising means for controlling said at least one valve capable of controlling fluid flow through said fluid path.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said means for controlling is a computer.

37. The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising a load cell for monitoring one or more properties of fluid displaced into or out of said sealed flexible chamber.

38. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said means for continuously increasing or decreasing pressure comprises a pressure reservoir.

39. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a pressure valve.