Automatic relay pump system and method
First Claim
1. A continuous medication infusion relay method comprising the steps of:
- discharging fluid contained in a first medication container through a fluid communication device at a reference pressure;
reducing the fluid pressure within the fluid communication device;
stopping the discharge of the fluid from the first medication container;
discharging fluid contained in a second medication container through the fluid communication device at a first rate until the pressure within the fluid communication device reaches a predetermined fraction of the reference pressure and then at a second rate, less than the first rate, until the fluid pressure reaches the reference pressure without creating a bolus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic pump relay system includes controllers coupled to drivers for sequentially discharging fluid from a plurality of medication containers into a coupler having a reflux barrier from which fluid is administered to a patient. The internal fluid pressure of the coupler is determined by a pressure sensing device or devices that provide signals to the controllers that, based at least on the sensor signals, cause the drivers to operate in reverse and forward directions so as to rapidly decrease and raise the fluid pressure within the coupler during a relay from an empty syringe to a filled syringe, thereby avoiding bolus formation and an interruption in infusion therapy. Independently operable syringes pumps are contemplated to be connected in relay fashion to form a modular system. An associated method is also disclosed wherein a fluid administration pressure is stored for use as a reference during a syringe changeover.
7 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A continuous medication infusion relay method comprising the steps of:
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discharging fluid contained in a first medication container through a fluid communication device at a reference pressure; reducing the fluid pressure within the fluid communication device; stopping the discharge of the fluid from the first medication container; discharging fluid contained in a second medication container through the fluid communication device at a first rate until the pressure within the fluid communication device reaches a predetermined fraction of the reference pressure and then at a second rate, less than the first rate, until the fluid pressure reaches the reference pressure without creating a bolus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification