Software features for medical infusion pump

• US 8,694,331 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2009
• Issued: 04/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: DeBelser, David, Zalesky, Larry R., Kopp, Kevin Sean, Hetchler, Clinton Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HIEP VAN
• Application Number:
  US12/416,603
• Publication Number:
  US 20090270833A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,833 Days
• Field of Search: 705/2
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/16868 Downstream occlusion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16831 Monitoring, detecting, signalling or eliminating infusion flow anomalies low-level float-valves causing cut-off A61M5/40; indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of flow in general G01P13/0066
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection

Abstract

Various software features useable in a medical infusion pump are disclosed. In certain aspects, localized alarm and message handling systems are disclosed. In other aspects, variable intensity alarms are disclosed. In further aspects, cost tracking systems and methods for medical infusion pumps are disclosed. In still further aspects, methods and systems implementing a variable delay of pressure decay in a medical infusion pump are disclosed. In other aspects, methods and systems implementing a timed intermittent bolus by pressure are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of assessing downstream pressure in a medical infusion pump, the method comprising:

determining a downstream pressure at the end of a pump stroke in a medical infusion pump;

waiting a time period;

determining a downstream pressure at the end of the time period;

assessing the downstream pressure at the end of the time period, wherein the time period is adaptively determined at the end of each pump stroke based on a rate of decrease of downstream pressure from the medical infusion pump after one or more previous pump strokes; and

based on the assessing step, selectively actuating a subsequent pump stroke.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein waiting a time period includes monitoring the downstream pressure over the time period.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein assessing the downstream pressure at the end of the time period includes determining that the downstream pressure is below a maximum downstream pressure by at least a threshold amount.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, upon elapsing of a second time period in the absence of a pump stroke, triggering a downstream occlusion detection alarm.

5. A medical infusion pump configured for management of fluid pressure decay, the medical infusion pump comprising:

a pump mechanism configured to deliver fluids to a patient;

a memory;

a programmable circuit arranged to control the pump mechanism and operatively connected to the memory, the programmable circuit programmed to;

determine a downstream pressure while the pump mechanism is operating;

wait a time period;

determine a downstream pressure at the end of the time period, wherein the time period is adaptively determined based on a rate of decrease of downstream pressure from the medical infusion pump based on previous operation of the pump mechanism;

assess the downstream pressure at the end of the time period; and

based on the assessment, selectively delivering more fluid via the pump mechanism.

6. The medical infusion pump of claim 5, wherein waiting a time period includes monitoring the downstream pressure over the time period.

7. The medical infusion pump of claim 5, wherein the programmable circuit is further programmed to, upon determining the downstream pressure is below a maximum downstream pressure by at least a threshold amount, delivering additional fluid.

8. The medical infusion pump of claim 5, wherein the programmable circuit is further programmed to, upon determining that the downstream pressure is not below a maximum downstream pressure by at least a threshold amount, delaying a subsequent pump stroke at least until the downstream pressure is below a maximum downstream pressure by the threshold amount.

9. The medical infusion pump of claim 5, wherein the programmable circuit is further programmed to, upon determining that the downstream pressure is not below a maximum downstream pressure by at least a threshold amount, cancelling a subsequent pump stroke.

10. A method of delivering a fluid from a medical infusion pump, the method comprising:

pumping fluid from the medical infusion pump;

determining that a subsequent pump stroke will cause a downstream pressure to exceed a high pressure limit;

upon determining that a subsequent pump stroke will cause the downstream pressure to exceed the high pressure limit, pausing delivery of fluid for a time period; and

upon elapsing of the time period, rechecking the downstream pressure to determine whether it remains within a threshold of the high pressure limit that will result in a subsequent pump stroke causing the downstream pressure to exceed the high pressure limit.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising, upon determining whether the downstream pressure remains within a predetermined threshold of the high pressure limit, pausing pumping of fluid for a second time period.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the time period is adaptively determined by a rate of decrease of pressure downstream of the medical infusion pump.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the time period is adaptively determined by a rate of decrease of pressure downstream of the medical infusion pump during a preceding pump stroke.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the time period is adaptively determined by a rate of decrease of pressure downstream of the medical infusion pump during a preceding number of pump strokes.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the predetermined time period is user-adjustable.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the medical infusion pump delivers a maximum volume of fluid over a minimized length of time.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising pausing issuance of an occlusion alarm upon determining that a subsequent pump stroke will cause the downstream pressure to exceed the high pressure limit.

18. A medical infusion pump comprising:

a pump mechanism;

a memory;

a programmable circuit arranged to control the pump mechanism and operatively connected to the memory, the programmable circuit programmed to;

deliver fluid via the pump mechanism until it is determined that a subsequent pump stroke will cause a downstream pressure to exceed a high pressure limit;

upon determining that a subsequent pump stroke will cause the downstream pressure to exceed the high pressure limit, pause delivery of fluid via the pump mechanism for a time period; and

upon elapsing of the time period rechecking the downstream pressure to determine whether it remains within a threshold of the high pressure limit that will result in a subsequent pump stroke causing the downstream pressure to exceed the high pressure limit.

19. The pump of claim 18, wherein the pump mechanism delivers one or more pump strokes to deliver fluid.

20. The pump of claim 18, wherein the time period is adaptively determined by a rate of decrease of pressure downstream of the medical infusion pump during a preceding pump stroke.

21. The pump of claim 18, wherein the time period is adjustable based on settings stored in the memory.

22. The pump of claim 19, wherein the medical infusion pump delivers a maximum volume of fluid over a minimized length of time.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the programmable circuit is further programmed to pause issuance of an occlusion alarm upon determining that a subsequent pump stroke will cause the downstream pressure to exceed the high limit.

24. A method of delivering a fluid from a medical infusion pump, the method comprising:

initiating a pump mechanism for delivering fluid from the medical infusion pump until it is determined that a subsequent pump stroke will cause a downstream pressure to exceed a high pressure limit;

upon determining that a subsequent pump stroke will cause the downstream pressure to exceed the high pressure limit, pausing delivery of fluid for a time period;

upon elapsing of the time period, rechecking the downstream pressure to determine whether it remains within a threshold of the high pressure limit that will result in a subsequent pump stroke causing the downstream pressure to exceed the high pressure limit; and

if the downstream pressure is outside of the threshold, initiating the pump mechanism for delivering additional fluid from the medical infusion pump;

wherein the medical infusion pump delivers a maximum volume of fluid over a minimized length of time.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising, if the downstream pressure remains within the threshold of the high pressure limit, pausing delivery of fluid for a second time period.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the time period is adjustable based on settings stored in the memory.

27. A method of generating alarms in a medical infusion pump, the method comprising:

determining a severity level of an alarm based on an alarm event, an alarm event corresponding to a condition that indicates the need for an alarm;

selecting an alarm level from among a plurality of alarm levels, the alarm level selected based on the severity of the alarm and an alarm level criteria, each alarm level corresponding to at least one of a plurality of different predefined target groups to be notified by the alarm; and

activating the alarm in accordance with the selected alarm level.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

maintaining activation of the alarm for a predetermined time;

if the alarm event is not addressed during the predetermined time, selecting a second alarm level from among the plurality of alarm levels; and

activating the alarm in accordance with the second alarm level.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the second alarm level corresponds to a target group that is a superset of a target group associated with the alarm level.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the alarm levels are selected from a range of settings consisting of:

alarm volumes;

alarm sounds;

alarm duty cycle;

alarm target locations; and

color schemes.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the alarm level criteria are selected from the group consisting of:

duration of the alarm event;

significance of the alarm event; and

time of day.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein alarm events are selected from a group consisting of:

informational alarm events;

high importance alarm events;

pump faults;

battery warnings;

low fluid warnings;

damage warnings; and

messages.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein target groups are selected from a group consisting of:

healthcare providers within a close proximity to the medical infusion pump;

a patient associated with the medical infusion pump;

nurses attending to the patient;

doctors attending to the patient;

pharmacists providing fluidic drugs administered by the medical infusion pump;

and technicians.

34. The method of claim 27, further comprising prioritizing one or more alarm events based on a severity of each alarm event.

35. A medical infusion pump comprising:

a pump mechanism;

a memory;

a programmable circuit arranged to control the pump mechanism and operatively connected to the memory, the programmable circuit programmed to;

determine a severity level of an alarm based on an alarm event, an alarm event corresponding to a condition that indicates the need for an alarm;

select an alarm level from among a plurality of alarm levels, the alarm level selected based on the severity of the alarm and an alarm level criteria, each alarm level corresponding to at least one of a plurality a different predefined target groups to be notified by the alarm; and

activate the alarm in accordance with the selected alarm level.

36. The medical infusion pump of claim 35, wherein the alarm events are selected from a group consisting of:

informational alarm events;

high importance alarm events;

pump faults;

battery warnings;

low fluid warnings;

damage warnings; and

messages.

37. The medical infusion pump of claim 35, wherein the programmable circuit is further programmed to allow a user to associate an alarm event with one or more alarm levels.

38. The medical infusion pump of claim 35, wherein the programmable circuit is further programmed to allow a user to associate an alarm event with a target group.

39. The medical infusion pump of claim 35, wherein the programmable circuit is further programmed to allow a user to associate an alarm level with one or more target groups.

40. The medical infusion pump of claim 35, wherein the programmable circuit is further programmed to allow a user to define one or more themes, each theme associating one or more alarm events with corresponding alarm levels.

41. The medical infusion pump of claim 35, wherein the programmable circuit is further programmed to prioritize one or more alarm events based on a severity of each alarm event.

42. The medical infusion pump of claim 35, wherein the alarm levels are selected from a range of settings consisting of:

alarm volumes;

alarm sounds;

alarm duty cycle;

alarm target locations; and

color schemes.

43. The medical infusion pump of claim 35, wherein target groups are selected from a group consisting of:

healthcare providers within a close proximity to the medical infusion pump;

a patient associated with the medical infusion pump;

nurses attending to the patient;

doctors attending to the patient;

pharmacists providing fluidic drugs administered by the medical infusion pump; and

technicians.

44. A method of generating alarms in a medical infusion pump, the method comprising:

determining a severity level of an alarm based on an alarm event, an alarm event corresponding to a condition that indicates the need for an alarm;

selecting an alarm level from among a plurality of alarm levels, the alarm level selected based on the severity of the alarm and an alarm level criteria, each alarm level corresponding to at least one of a plurality of different predefined target groups to be notified by the alarm;

activating the alarm in accordance with the selected alarm level;

maintaining activation of the alarm for a predetermined time;

if the alarm event is not addressed during the predetermined time, selecting a second alarm level from among the plurality of alarm levels; and

activating the alarm in accordance with the second alarm level.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the alarm levels are selected from a range of settings consisting of:

alarm volumes;

alarm sounds;

alarm duty cycle;

alarm target locations; and

color schemes.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein target groups are selected from a group consisting of:

healthcare providers within a close proximity to the medical infusion pump;

a patient associated with the medical infusion pump;

nurses attending to the patient;

doctors attending to the patient;

pharmacists providing fluidic drugs administered by the medical infusion pump; and

technicians.

47. A method of assessing downstream pressure in a medical infusion pump, the method comprising:

determining a downstream pressure at the end of a pump stroke in a medical infusion pump;

waiting a time period;

determining a downstream pressure at the end of the time period;

assessing the downstream pressure at the end of the time period wherein the time period is user adjustable; and

selectively actuating a subsequent pump stroke based on the assessed downstream pressure.

48. A method of delivering a fluid from a medical infusion pump, the method comprising:

pumping fluid from the medical infusion pump until a downstream pressure reaches a high pressure limit;

upon reaching the high pressure limit, pausing delivery of fluid for a time period; and

upon elapsing of the time period, rechecking the downstream pressure to determine whether it remains within a threshold of the high pressure limit.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising pausing issuance of an occlusion alarm upon reaching the high pressure limit.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein if the downstream pressure remains within a threshold of the high pressure limit after rechecking the downstream pressure the occlusion alarm is issued.

51. The method of claim 48, further comprising, upon determining whether the downstream pressure remains within a predetermined threshold of the high pressure limit, pausing pumping of fluid for a second time period.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein the time period is adaptively determined by a rate of decrease of pressure downstream of the medical infusion pump.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the time period is adaptively determined by a rate of decrease of pressure downstream of the medical infusion pump during a preceding pump stroke.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein the time period is adaptively determined by a rate of decrease of pressure downstream of the medical infusion pump during a preceding number of pump strokes.

55. The method of claim 48, wherein the predetermined time period is user-adjustable.

56. The method of claim 48, wherein the medical infusion pump delivers a maximum volume of fluid over a minimized length of time.

57. A medical infusion pump comprising:

a pump mechanism;

a memory;

a programmable circuit arranged to control the pump mechanism and operatively connected to the memory, the programmable circuit programmed to;

deliver fluid via the pump mechanism until a downstream pressure reaches a high pressure limit;

upon reaching the high pressure limit, pause delivery of fluid via the pump mechanism for a time period; and

upon elapsing of the time period rechecking the downstream pressure to determine whether it remains within a threshold of the high pressure limit.

58. The pump of claim 57, wherein the programmable circuit is further programmed to pause issuance of an occlusion alarm upon reaching the high pressure limit.

59. The pump of claim 58, wherein the programmable circuit is further programmed to issue the occlusion alarm if the downstream pressure remains within the threshold of the high pressure limit when the downstream pressure is rechecked.

60. The pump of claim 57, wherein the pump mechanism delivers one or more pump strokes to deliver fluid.

61. The pump of claim 57, wherein the time period is adaptively determined by a rate of decrease of pressure downstream of the medical infusion pump during a preceding pump stroke.

62. The pump of claim 57, wherein the time period is adjustable based on settings stored in the memory.

63. The pump of claim 57, wherein the medical infusion pump delivers a maximum volume of fluid over a minimized length of time.