High flow rate infusion with extraction assist
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An infusion system, comprising:
- an infusion unit with heating plates and a slot opening to space between the heating plates;
a heat exchanger including a fluid container with an infusate flow path, the fluid container being slidably receivable into the slot for seating in contact with the heating plates;
a reservoir in the heat exchanger;
a manually-operable gate mounted to the heat exchanger, in fluid communication with the reservoir, and being manually moveable to a first state in which the reservoir is closed or to a second state causing infusate in the heat exchanger to be displaced to the reservoir; and
,a sensor for sensing the position of the gate, holes through the heating plates and a pneumatic subsystem for directing jets of air through the holes to move sides of the heat exchanger away from the heating plates when the second state of the gate is sensed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An infusion unit includes a heating unit with opposed heating plates. A heat exchanger has a fluid flow path receivable between the heating plates to which heat is conducted by contact with the heating plates. Infusate flowing under pressure through the fluid flow path is heated by conduction from the heating plates through the fluid container. When the flow of infusate is stopped or interrupted, infusate trapped in the heat exchanger is displaced to a reservoir in the heat exchanger. Displacement of the trapped infusate reduces friction between the fluid container and the heating plates, which assists in extraction of the heat exchanger from the heating unit.
59 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An infusion system, comprising:
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an infusion unit with heating plates and a slot opening to space between the heating plates; a heat exchanger including a fluid container with an infusate flow path, the fluid container being slidably receivable into the slot for seating in contact with the heating plates; a reservoir in the heat exchanger; a manually-operable gate mounted to the heat exchanger, in fluid communication with the reservoir, and being manually moveable to a first state in which the reservoir is closed or to a second state causing infusate in the heat exchanger to be displaced to the reservoir; and
,a sensor for sensing the position of the gate, holes through the heating plates and a pneumatic subsystem for directing jets of air through the holes to move sides of the heat exchanger away from the heating plates when the second state of the gate is sensed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a high flow rate infusion system including a heating unit with opposed heating plates and a slot opening to space between the heating plates, and a heat exchanger including a fluid container with an infusate flow path receivable into the slot, comprising:
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seating the heat exchanger in the heating unit with the fluid container between and in contact with the heating plates; conducting heat from the heating plates to the infusate flow path; causing infusate to flow through the infusate flow path; stopping the flow of infusate through the infusate flow path; displacing infusate trapped in the infusate flow path to a reservoir in the heat exchanger by introducing pressurized air between the fluid container and the heating plates; and extracting the heat exchanger from the heating unit.
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12. A heat exchanger for heating fluids in an infusion system, including:
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a flat fluid container with first and second ends and two edges; an infusate flow path in the fluid container; a housing attached to the fluid container at the first end; an inlet through the housing to the infusate flow path; an outlet from the infusate flow path through the housing; a bubble trap in the housing in fluid communication with the infusate flow path; a valve in the housing in fluid communication with the bubble trap and the outlet; a reservoir in the heat exchanger; and
,a manually-operable gate controlling fluid communication to the reservoir, the gate being manually moveable to a first state in which the gate blocks fluid communication to the reservoir or to a second state permitting infusate trapped in the heat exchanger to be displaced to the reservoir when the inlet and outlet are blocked. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification