Intravenous pole integrated power, control, and communication system and method for an infusion pump

• US 10,143,795 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2015
• Issued: 12/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Chen, Howard Z.
• Primary Examiner(s): FLICK, JASON E
• Application Number:
  US14/828,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20160045659A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,205 Days
• Field of Search: 604131
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/17 with redundant control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6009 for matching patient with his treatment, e.g. to improve transfusion security
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6027 Electric-conductive bridges closing detection circuits, with or without identifying elements, e.g. resistances, zener-diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/82 Internal energy supply devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2207/00 Methods of manufacture, assembly or production
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/084 Supporting bases, stands for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1415 Stands, brackets or the like for supporting infusion accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

An infusion system includes an intravenous pole, a pump device, a power supply device, a computer processing device, and conduit. The intravenous pole includes a bottom portion adjacent a bottom end, an upper portion adjacent a top end, and a hollow shaft. The pump device is attached to the upper portion of the intravenous pole. The power supply device is attached to the bottom portion of the intravenous pole. The computer processing device is attached to the bottom portion of the intravenous pole. The conduit extends within the hollow shaft of the intravenous pole. The conduit connects the pump device, the power supply device, and the computer processing device.

Claims

1. An infusion system comprising:

an intravenous pole comprising a bottom portion adjacent a bottom end, an upper portion adjacent a top end, and a hollow shaft;

a pump device positioned on the upper portion of the intravenous pole, the pump device configured to be attached to the upper portion of the intravenous pole by a first mounting device;

a power supply device positioned on the bottom portion of the intravenous pole, the power supply device configured to provide energy to the pump device;

a computer processing device positioned on the bottom portion of the intravenous pole, the computing processing device configured to be attached to the bottom portion of the intravenous pole by a second mounting device;

a conduit extending within the hollow shaft of the intravenous pole, wherein the conduit connects the pump device, the power supply device, and the computer processing device; and

wherein the power supply device and the computer processing device comprise a single integrated bottom unit.

2. The infusion system of claim 1 wherein the intravenous pole comprises an antenna.

3. The infusion system of claim 1 further comprising a wireless communication device comprising the intravenous pole itself or attached to the bottom portion of the intravenous pole.

4. The infusion system of claim 1 further comprising a display device and an input device both attached to the upper portion of the intravenous pole.

5. The infusion system of claim 4, wherein the pump device, display device, and input device comprise a single integrated top unit.

6. The infusion system of claim 5, wherein the top integrated unit is positioned directly over the bottom integrated unit.

7. The infusion system of claim 1 wherein the power supply device comprises a plurality of redundant power supply devices.

8. The infusion system of claim 1 wherein the power supply device comprises a plurality of alternating current and direct current power supplies, a plurality of alternating current and direct current converter modules, and a plurality of batteries.

9. The infusion system of claim 1 wherein the computer processing device comprises a plurality of redundant computer processing devices.

10. The infusion system of claim 1 further comprising an alarm device attached to the bottom portion of the intravenous pole.

11. The infusion system of claim 10 wherein redundant alarm devices are attached to the bottom portion of the intravenous pole.

12. The infusion system of claim 1 wherein the conduit is retractable and extends from the hollow shaft through the top end on the intravenous pole.

13. The infusion system of claim 1 further comprising an impedance matching circuit comprising or attached to the intravenous pole.

14. The infusion system of claim 1, wherein the single integrated bottom unit is tapered such that a base portion is wider than a top portion.

15. A method of manufacturing, setting up, or using an infusion system comprising:

positioning a pump device on an upper portion, adjacent a top end, of an intravenous pole, the pump device attached by a first mounting device;

positioning a power supply device and a computer processing device on a bottom portion, adjacent a bottom end, of the intravenous pole, the power supply device attached by a second mounting device, wherein the power supply device and the computer processing device comprise a single integrated bottom unit; and

extending a conduit within a hollow shaft of the intravenous pole to connect the pump device, the power supply, and the computer processing device.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising powering the pump device and the computer processing device with the power supply device, and controlling the pump device with the computer processing device.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising transmitting or receiving signals using the intravenous pole as an antenna.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising attaching an impedance matching circuit to the intravenous pole.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising attaching a communication device to the bottom portion of the intravenous pole, and transmitting and receiving signals using the communication device.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising attaching an alarm device to the bottom portion of the intravenous pole, connecting the alarm device to the power supply device and the computer processing device with the conduit, powering the alarm device with the power supply device, and controlling the alarm device with the computer processing device.