Shuttle pump with controlled geometry

• US 8,382,447 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2009
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Wang, Zhengyan, Rai, Surya Pratap, Spang, Ronald H. Jr., Bojan, Peter, Zabel, David G., Carmichael, Joseph Allen, LaBedz, Ralph
• Primary Examiner(s): Kramer, Devon
• Assistant Examiner(s): GATZEMEYER, RYAN JON
• Application Number:
  US12/650,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20110158823A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 417/53, 417/474, 417/478, 417/479, 604/153, 92/92, 92/91, 92/90, 251/7
• US Class Current: 417/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/284 Lever clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14228 with linear peristaltic action, i.e. comprising at least three pressurising members or a helical member
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/082 the tubular flexible member being pressed against a wall by a number of elements, each having an alternating movement in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the tubular member and each having its own driving mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/12 having peristaltic action

Abstract

An infusion pump uses an improved shuttle mechanism to more reliably pump liquids in low volumes for medical and other purposes. The improved shuttle uses linear translation and wider, symmetric jaws to grasp infusate tubing and pump liquid infusate through the tubing. Adjustment of the linear motion allows a user to also adjust a pumping volume of the infusion pump. Other shuttles with wider jaws may also pump infusate using a rotary motion. In addition, more than one shuttle, such as two or three shuttles, may be used to approximate continuous pumping. A series of several smaller linear shuttles with sequential actuation may be used as a linear peristaltic pump for general peristaltic pump applications.

Claims

1. An infusion pump, comprising:

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,

wherein the shuttle stationary portion and the shuttle moveable portion each comprise a symmetrical shuttle groove for holding and squeezing the length of tubing, the shuttle groove symmetrical about a central axis of the shuttle groove and wherein at least one of the inlet valve and the outlet valve comprises a stationary portion and a moveable valve portion, the valve portions each having a valve groove and at least one transverse ridge and at least one transverse recess wherein a height of the at least one ridge above the valve groove is less than an outer diameter of the tubing and wherein the valve portions are configured so that the movable valve portion moves transversely to the length of tubing to occlude the tubing.

2. The infusion pump according to claim 1, wherein the shuttle stationary portion and the shuttle moveable portion each comprise a base and a radiused channel, and where the shuttle stationary portion and shuttle moveable portion each comprise a plurality of transverse alternating ridges and recesses, the ridges of one of the portions fitting into the recesses of the other for interengaged movement to squeeze the tubing.

3. The infusion pump according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the shuttle stationary portion and the shuttle moveable portion further comprises a plurality of extending fingers, wherein the fingers press against the tubing when the shuttle moveable portion moves toward the shuttle stationary portion.

4. The infusion pump according to claim 1, wherein the shuttle stationary portion and the shuttle moveable portion each comprise a base and a radiused channel, and where the shuttle stationary portion and shuttle moveable portion each comprise a plurality of transverse alternating ridges and recesses, the ridges formed at an angle to the base.

5. The infusion pump according to claim 1, wherein the infusion pump includes a plurality of shuttles, the plurality of shuttles configured within the infusion pump to move in sequence to squeeze the length of tubing and pump an infusate.

6. The infusion pump according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of shuttles comprises first and second shuttles, the second shuttle positioned upstream or downstream of the outlet valve.

7. The infusion pump according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the valves or the shuttle is driven by a linear actuator.

8. The infusion pump according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fixed fingers in at least one of the shuttle moveable portion and the shuttle stationary portion, each finger protruding from a ridge and extending beyond the ridge, each finger configured for contacting a portion of the circumference of the tubing.

9. The infusion pump according to claim 1, further comprising a linear actuator, wherein the shuttle is actuated by the linear actuator and wherein a volume of infusate pumped by the infusion pump is adjusted by adjusting a stroke of the linear actuator.