Low cost disposable infusion pump
First Claim
1. A method for detecting an upstream occlusion in an infusion apparatus having a flexible tube, wherein the tube opens to fill with fluid from an upstream fluid source and is collapsed by an armature to pump fluid to a downstream patient, the method comprising:
- applying a first force to the armature to collapse the tube;
sensing the collapsing of the tube, wherein sensing the collapsing of the tube includes sensing a first position of the armature with the tube collapsed;
applying a second force to the armature to allow the tube to open;
sensing the opening of the tube, wherein sensing the opening of the tube includes sensing a second position of the armature with the tube open;
measuring the time required for the tube to move from a collapsed state to an open state; and
detecting an upstream occlusion when the time to move the tube from the collapsed state to the open state is greater than a reference time,wherein measuring the time required for the tube to move from the collapsed state to the open state includes measuring an elapsed time between sensing the first position of the armature and sensing the second position of the armature, and wherein detecting an upstream occlusion includes detecting an upstream occlusion when the elapsed time is greater than the reference time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a low cost, disposable, infusion pump. The infusion pump can include an integrated occlusion detector that detects both upstream and downstream occlusions in an infusion tube. In addition, the infusion pump can easily monitor flow rates through the infusion tube, and be quickly set to infuse at a pre-determined rate. An armature within the infusion pump works in concert with a pair of tubing pinchers to precisely control the movement of fluid within the tubing. Sensors mounted within the device detect the position of the armature and can determine if an occlusion has occurred in the tubing.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for detecting an upstream occlusion in an infusion apparatus having a flexible tube, wherein the tube opens to fill with fluid from an upstream fluid source and is collapsed by an armature to pump fluid to a downstream patient, the method comprising:
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applying a first force to the armature to collapse the tube; sensing the collapsing of the tube, wherein sensing the collapsing of the tube includes sensing a first position of the armature with the tube collapsed; applying a second force to the armature to allow the tube to open; sensing the opening of the tube, wherein sensing the opening of the tube includes sensing a second position of the armature with the tube open; measuring the time required for the tube to move from a collapsed state to an open state; and detecting an upstream occlusion when the time to move the tube from the collapsed state to the open state is greater than a reference time, wherein measuring the time required for the tube to move from the collapsed state to the open state includes measuring an elapsed time between sensing the first position of the armature and sensing the second position of the armature, and wherein detecting an upstream occlusion includes detecting an upstream occlusion when the elapsed time is greater than the reference time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for detecting an upstream occlusion in an infusion apparatus with a flexible tube that opens to fill with fluid from an upstream fluid source and is collapsed by an armature to pump fluid to a downstream patient, the apparatus comprising:
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a sensor that senses the collapsing and opening of the flexible tube by measuring movement of the flexible tube from the collapsed state to the open state, wherein the sensor is configured to sense a first position of the armature with the tube collapsed and to sense a second position of the armature with the tube open; a controller that activates and deactivates the armature to allow the flexible tube to open and fill with fluid and to collapse the flexible tube and pump fluid to the patient; a timer that measures the opening time of the tube to move from a collapsed state to an open state, wherein the opening time is the elapsed time between sensing the first position of the armature and sensing the second position of the armature; a reference opening time; and a control module that compares the opening time to the reference opening time, wherein an upstream occlusion is detected if the opening time is greater than the reference opening time. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method for detecting a downstream occlusion in an infusion apparatus having a flexible tube, wherein the tube opens to fill with fluid from an upstream fluid source and is collapsed by an armature to pump fluid to a patient, the method comprising:
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applying a predetermined compressive force with a permanent magnet to attract the armature to collapse the tube; applying a first force to the armature to allow the tube to open; sensing the opening of the tube, wherein sensing the opening of the tube includes sensing a first position of the armature with the tube open; applying a second force to the armature to collapse the tube; sensing the collapsing of the tube, wherein sensing the collapsing of the tube includes sensing a second position of the armature with the tube collapsed, measuring the time required for the tube to move from an open state to a collapsed state; and detecting a downstream occlusion when the time to move the tube from the open state to the collapsed state is greater than a reference time, wherein measuring the time required for the tube to move from the open state to the collapsed state includes measuring an elapsed time between sensing the first position of the armature and sensing the second position of the armature, and wherein detecting a downstream occlusion includes detecting a downstream occlusion when the elapsed time is greater than the reference time. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for detecting a downstream occlusion in an infusion apparatus with a tube that opens to fill with fluid from an upstream reservoir and is collapsed by an armature to pump fluid to a downstream patient, the apparatus comprising:
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a permanent magnet positioned to attract the armature to apply a predetermined compressive force to the flexible tube thereby collapsing the tube and pumping fluid to a patient; a sensor that senses the collapsing and opening of the flexible tube, wherein the sensor is configured to sense a first position of the armature with the tube open and to sense a second position of the armature with the tube collapsed; a timer that measures the time it takes for the tube to move from an open state to a collapsed state, wherein the measured time is the elapsed time between sensing the first position of the armature and sensing the second position of the armature; a reference collapsing time; and a control module that compares the measured time to move the tube from the open state to the collapsed state with the reference collapsing time, wherein a downstream occlusion is detected if the measured time is greater than the reference collapsing time. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification