Measuring valve health by pressure monitoring
First Claim
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1. A fluid infusion system for delivery of a fluid medicant to a patient, comprising:
- a fluid line through which fluid flows toward the patient;
a first valve configured to be positioned within a pump located along the fluid line, wherein the first valve opens to permit fluid flow through the fluid line and closes to prohibit fluid flow through the fluid line;
a first pressure sensor positioned along the fluid line, wherein the first pressure sensor measures fluid pressure at a location in the fluid line adjacent the first valve;
a processor coupled to the first pressure sensor, wherein the processor is configured to detect an occurrence of a first fluid pressure spike and a second fluid pressure spike at the first valve, and wherein the processor is configured to compare timing data between the first fluid pressure spike and the second fluid pressure spike in order to determine whether the first valve is functioning properly, and wherein the processor emits a signal indicative of whether the first valve is functioning properly.
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Abstract
A medical fluid infusion system includes a pump system configured to deliver a fluid drug to a patient. The system includes a pump, such as a piston pump, for driving fluid to a patient. One or more pressure sensors are configured to measure and detect changes in fluid pressure in a fluid flow line of the infusion system. The changes in fluid pressure, when detected, can be an indication of proper or improper functioning of a valve system of the pump system of the fluid infusion system.
7 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A fluid infusion system for delivery of a fluid medicant to a patient, comprising:
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a fluid line through which fluid flows toward the patient; a first valve configured to be positioned within a pump located along the fluid line, wherein the first valve opens to permit fluid flow through the fluid line and closes to prohibit fluid flow through the fluid line; a first pressure sensor positioned along the fluid line, wherein the first pressure sensor measures fluid pressure at a location in the fluid line adjacent the first valve; a processor coupled to the first pressure sensor, wherein the processor is configured to detect an occurrence of a first fluid pressure spike and a second fluid pressure spike at the first valve, and wherein the processor is configured to compare timing data between the first fluid pressure spike and the second fluid pressure spike in order to determine whether the first valve is functioning properly, and wherein the processor emits a signal indicative of whether the first valve is functioning properly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of detecting a condition of a valve system in a fluid infusion system with a valve actuator that moves from occluding to non-occluding positions, comprising:
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using a processor coupled to a pressure sensor to detect a change in fluid pressure that occurs in the fluid line at the valve system when the valve actuator moves from a non-occluding position to an occluding position, the change in pressure resulting in a pressure spike at the valve system; using the processor to obtain profile data related to the change in fluid pressure, the profile date relating to an expected time at which the pressure spike should occur; and using the processor to determine that a valve associated with the valve actuator has malfunctioned based upon the pressure spike not occurring at an expected time. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification