Fluid delivery system and flow control therefor
First Claim
1. A system for delivering a fluid at a desired pulsatile flow profile from a reservoir to a delivery point associated with a patient, the system comprising:
- a delivery channel between the reservoir and the delivery point through which the fluid is delivered to the patient;
a pump including an actuator, the pump associated with the delivery channel for operatively delivering the fluid to the delivery point at an adjustable output rate;
a flow sensor physically separate from the pump and located along the delivery channel upstream or downstream from the pump for sensing a flow of the fluid in the delivery channel and for generating a flow rate signal indicative of a rate of flow of the fluid in the delivery channel, the flow sensor comprising a positive displacement flow sensor including;
(i) a housing in fluid communication with the delivery channel,(ii) at least two rotors positioned within the housing so as to rotate in response to the flow of the fluid in the delivery channel,(iii) a light source positioned outside the housing,(iv) an optical detector positioned outside the housing, and(v) at least a portion of the housing including a pattern that replicates a position of the at least two rotors relative to one another, the pattern being less reflective than the at least two rotors, wherein when the light source directs light at the housing, a reflection intensity detected by the optical detector varies as a function of an amount of the at least two rotors that is exposed to the light and a frequency of variations in reflection intensity denotes the rate of flow of the fluid in the delivery channel; and
a controller for controlling the pump, the controller causing adjustments to the output rate of the pump as a function of the flow rate signal such that the output flow rate has a generally pulsatile characteristic corresponding to the desired pulsatile flow profile.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid delivery system having a closed-loop control process for delivering a medical fluid to a patient. A fluid infusion system includes a pump for delivering a fluid to a patient via an administration tube. A flow sensor associated with the administration tube provides an indication of the actual flow rate of fluid in the administration tube. Such a flow sensor may comprise a positive displacement flow sensor constructed using micro-fabrication and/or micro-molding techniques. A reader reads the actual flow rate signal and provides an indication to a controller for controlling the pump. The flow rate information can also be used for providing status information, such as the existence of a blockage in the fluid delivery system.
377 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system for delivering a fluid at a desired pulsatile flow profile from a reservoir to a delivery point associated with a patient, the system comprising:
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a delivery channel between the reservoir and the delivery point through which the fluid is delivered to the patient; a pump including an actuator, the pump associated with the delivery channel for operatively delivering the fluid to the delivery point at an adjustable output rate; a flow sensor physically separate from the pump and located along the delivery channel upstream or downstream from the pump for sensing a flow of the fluid in the delivery channel and for generating a flow rate signal indicative of a rate of flow of the fluid in the delivery channel, the flow sensor comprising a positive displacement flow sensor including; (i) a housing in fluid communication with the delivery channel, (ii) at least two rotors positioned within the housing so as to rotate in response to the flow of the fluid in the delivery channel, (iii) a light source positioned outside the housing, (iv) an optical detector positioned outside the housing, and (v) at least a portion of the housing including a pattern that replicates a position of the at least two rotors relative to one another, the pattern being less reflective than the at least two rotors, wherein when the light source directs light at the housing, a reflection intensity detected by the optical detector varies as a function of an amount of the at least two rotors that is exposed to the light and a frequency of variations in reflection intensity denotes the rate of flow of the fluid in the delivery channel; and a controller for controlling the pump, the controller causing adjustments to the output rate of the pump as a function of the flow rate signal such that the output flow rate has a generally pulsatile characteristic corresponding to the desired pulsatile flow profile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13)
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6. A system for delivering a fluid at a desired flow rate from a reservoir to a delivery point associated with a patient, the system comprising:
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a delivery channel between the reservoir and the delivery point through which the fluid is delivered to the patient; a pump including an actuator, the pump associated with the delivery channel for operatively delivering the fluid to the delivery point at an adjustable output rate; a flow sensor located along the delivery channel physically separated upstream or downstream from the pump for optically sensing a flow of the fluid in the delivery channel and for generating a flow rate signal indicative of a rate of flow of the fluid in the delivery channel, the flow sensor comprising a positive displacement flow sensor including; (i) a housing in fluid communication with the delivery channel, (ii) at least two rotors positioned within the housing so as to rotate in response to the flow of the fluid in the delivery channel, (iii) a light source positioned outside the housing, (iv) an optical detector positioned outside the housing, and (v) at least a portion of the housing including a pattern that replicates a position of the at least two rotors relative to one another, wherein when the light source directs light at the housing, the optical detector detects a frequency the at least two rotors are exposed to the light and the frequency denotes the rate of flow of the fluid in the delivery channel; and a controller for controlling the pump, the controller providing a flow rate status signal indicative of a blockage in the delivery channel when the flow rate signal indicates the rate of flow of fluid in the delivery channel is less than a blockage threshold. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14)
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Specification