Cassettes and methods of using same

• US 8,986,252 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2010
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Cummings, David Charles, Halbert, Alan P., Hariharesan, Seralaathan, Higgins, James Allen, Highley, Brian, Jedwab, Michael Rueben, Meyer, Russell Paul, Nelson, Andrew Peter, West, David Woodruff
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hall, Deanna K
• Application Number:
  US13/384,126
• Publication Number:
  US 20120191059A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,720 Days
• Field of Search: 604/131, 417/477.2
• US Class Current: 604/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/14 Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6045 having complementary physical shapes for indexing or registration purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/281 Automatic tube cut-off devices, e.g. squeezing tube on detection of air
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14232 Roller pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/365 Air detectors A61M5/1684 takes precedence; in extracorporeal blood circuits A61M1/3626
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

The present disclosure provides cassettes and methods of using same for the delivery of fluids to a patient using fluid delivery systems. In a general embodiment, the cassettes of the present disclosure include a flexible tube, a housing having a recessed area and first and second ends for holding the flexible tube, and at least two additional components including, for example, different sensors, false reading components for sensors, anti-flow valve means, insertion guides, directional indicators, latch mechanisms, kink-prevention notches, etc. Such additional components provide the cassettes of the present disclosure with several advantages including, for example, quality control, efficiency of use, cost effectiveness, and safety of use.

Claims

1. A system for administering a medical fluid to an individual comprising:

a flexible tube;

a pumping device;

at least two cassettes each comprising a housing, wherein the cassettes are designed to be inserted into the pumping device, respectively;

a source of medical fluid, wherein the source of medical fluid is fluidly coupled to the cassette; and

an occlusion sensor device having infra-red sensors, wherein the first cassette comprises the tube comprising a material selected from the group consisting of opaque, infra-red reflective, and combinations thereof, and a bias bump located adjacent to a portion of the tube to prevent a sidewall of the tube located on the same side as the bias bump from expanding past the bias bump so that a sidewall of the tube opposite the bias bump can expand further toward the infra-red sensor than would be possible without the bias bump to increase the sensitivity of the occlusion detection when the first cassette is inserted in the pumping device;

wherein the second cassette includes a false reading component for the occlusion sensor device to reflect a sufficient and consistent amount of an emitted signal back to the occlusion sensor device such that the occlusion sensor device detects no change in the intensity of the reflected infra-red signal when the second cassette is inserted in the pumping device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a recessed area that is so constructed and arranged to receive a portion of the pumping device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises first and second ends for holding the flexible tube.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising an air-in-line sensor device having infrared-sensors, wherein the first cassette includes a detection chamber of the air-in-line sensor device so constructed and arranged for receiving a portion of the flexible tube,

wherein the second cassette includes a false reading component for the air-in-line sensor device to reflect a sufficient and consistent amount of an emitted signal back to the air-in-line sensor device such that the air-in-line sensor device detects no change in the strength of the reflected infra-red signal when the second cassette is inserted in the pumping device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the detection chamber comprises a window for allowing infra-red light transmission.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection chamber comprises an infra-red blocking material.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the tube expands or contracts in response to a fluid pressure therein.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the housing of the tube comprises an infra-red absorbing material.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a latch mechanism for securing the respective cassette within the pumping device, wherein the first cassette includes a latch sensor device having infra-red sensors, and the second cassette includes a false reading component for a latch sensor device to reflect a sufficient and consistent amount of an emitted signal back to the latch sensor device such that the latch sensor device detects no change in the intensity of the reflected infra-red signal when the second cassette is inserted in the pumping device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the cassette includes an anti-flow valve member, wherein the anti-flow valve member comprises:

an anti-flow valve mechanism that is biased against the flexible tube in a fluid non-delivery position to prevent flow therethough; and

a member operatively associated with the anti-flow valve mechanism to overcome the force-applying member bias to allow flow of fluid through the tube when the housing is engaged with the pump device;

wherein the housing is configured and dimensioned for engagement with an infusion pump as the pumping device, during or after engagement the member assumes a fluid delivery position to allow flow of the fluid through the tube, while before or as the cassette is removed from the pumping device, the member assumes the fluid non-delivery position to prevent flow of fluid through the tubing.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the cassette includes an anti-flow valve member, wherein the anti-flow valve member comprises:

a base comprising a holding member for holding the tube in operative engagement with the base, a first clamping surface and supporting member for supporting a connector,

a clamping element having a second clamping surface engageable with the tube and moveable between an open position allowing flow of fluid through the tube and a closed position wherein the tube is occluded by the clamping element,

a connector for connecting the tube with a-port on a patient, the connector being removable from the pinch clamp assembly, and

a spring,

the connector is adapted to engage with the clamping element so as to hold the clamping element in the open position,

the clamping element is forced from the open to the closed position by the force of the spring as soon as the connector is removed from the assembly, and

the clamping element is adapted to be moved from the closed to the open position when the pinch clamp assembly is mounted to the enteral feeding or infusion pump as the pumping device and the connector is removed.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the connector is selected from the group consisting of an enteral spike, an IV spike, an enteral feeding adapter, an IV luer lock adapter, another enteral or IV component, and combinations thereof.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the cassette includes a notch on at least one edge of the housing, the notch has a shape selected from the group consisting of semi-circular, “

V”

-shaped, oblong, square, rectangular, and combinations thereof.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the notch is so constructed and arranged to partially receive the tube when the cassette is inserted into the pumping device.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the cassette comprises at least one tab member on a side wall of the housing of the cassette, the tab members are so constructed and arranged to work with ledges on an interior wall of the pumping device to guide the cassette during insertion into the pumping device.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the cassette includes at least one directional indicator, the directional indicator is an indicator selected from the group consisting of letters, written indicators, logos, symbols, numbers, and combinations thereof, and wherein the directional indicator is applied to a wall of the housing of the cassette using a technique selected from the group consisting of etching, lasering, molding, forming, or a sticker or stickers that is adhered to a wall of the cassette housing, and combinations thereof, the directional indicator is indicative of a proper orientation of the cassette when the cassette is inserted into the pumping device.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the cassettes is made of a material that comprises at least one dark pigment.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the cassettes is made of a material that comprises at least one carbon black pigment.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the false reading component is made from a material selected from the group consisting of white paper, a metallic surface, infra-red reflective plastic, infra-red reflective glass, infra-red reflective paint, infra-red reflective tape, and combinations thereof.

20. A system for administering a medical fluid to an individual comprising:

a flexible tube;

a pumping device;

at least two cassettes each comprising a housing, wherein the cassettes are designed to be inserted into the pumping device, respectively;

a source of medical fluid, wherein the source of medical fluid is fluidly coupled to the cassette; and

an air-in-line sensor device having infrared-sensors,

wherein the first cassette includes a detection chamber of the air-in-line sensor device so constructed and arranged for receiving a portion of the flexible tube; and

wherein the second cassette includes a false reading component for the air-in-line sensor device to reflect a sufficient and consistent amount of an emitted signal back to the air-in-line sensor device such that the air-in-line sensor device detects no change in the strength of the reflected infra-red signal when the second cassette is inserted in the pumping device.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising an occlusion sensor device having infra-red sensors, wherein the first cassette comprises the tube comprising a material selected from the group consisting of opaque, infra-red reflective, and combinations thereof, and a bias bump located adjacent to a portion of the tube to prevent a sidewall of the tube located on the same side as the bias bump from expanding past the bias bump so that a sidewall of the tube opposite the bias bump can expand further toward the infra-red sensor than would be possible without the bias bump to increase the sensitivity of the occlusion detection when the first cassette is inserted in the pumping device;

and

wherein the second cassette includes a false reading component for the occlusion sensor device to reflect a sufficient and consistent amount of an emitted signal back to the occlusion sensor device such that the occlusion sensor device detects no change in the intensity of the reflected infra-red signal when the second cassette is inserted in the pumping device.