Flow set and a method for identifying the flow set for use with a pump

• US 20020177821A1
• Filed: 04/01/2002
• Published: 11/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caesarea Medical Electronics, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Caesarea Medical Electronics, Ltd.
• Inventors: Barak, Swi
• Granted Patent: US 7,384,408 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/251
• 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 5/1411 Drip chambers A61M5/162, A61M5/1689, A61M5/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14232 Roller pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1689 Drip counters

Abstract

A disposable flow set for use with a pump includes a first administration tube, at least one tube-segment having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the first administration tube, a second administration tube connected to the second end of the at least one tube-segment; and an identifying key member connected to the at least one tube-segment. The identifying key member includes a number of teeth that define a unique code, including a combination of location and width. The teeth fit into compatible niches located in the pump.

Claims

1. A disposable flow set comprising:

a first administration tube;

at least one tube-segment having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to said first administration tube;

a second administration tube connected to the second end of the at least one tube-segment; and

at least one identifying key member connected to the at least one tube-segment.

2. The disposable flow set of claim 1, further comprising a drip chamber connected to said first administration tube.

3. The disposable flow set of claim 1, further comprising a spike connected to said first administration tube.

4. The disposable flow set of claim 1, further comprising an anti-free-flow valve installed in the end of said second administration tube.

5. The disposable flow set of claim 1 wherein the at least one identifying key member comprises a number of teeth defining a unique code.

6. The disposable flow set of claim 5 wherein the unique code comprises a combination of location and width.

7. The disposable flow set of claim 5 wherein the teeth are adapted to be inserted into compatible niches in a pump.

8. The disposable flow set of claim 1 wherein the at least one identifying key member comprises a pressing-plate for pressing the at least one tube-segment against a pressure sensor of a pump, the pump adapted to use the sensed pressure to verify the existence of the flow set.

9. The disposable flow set of claim 8 wherein a door of the pump is adapted to press the pressing-plate.

10. The disposable flow set of claim 1 wherein the at least one tube-segment is bordered by a stopper in both ends, the stoppers being configured to install in fitted niches in a pump.

11. The disposable flow set of claim 1 wherein the length of the at least one tube-segment is between 81 millimeters and 83 millimeters.

12. The disposable flow set of claim 1 wherein the inside diameter of the at least one tube-segment is between 2.5 millimeters and 2.7 millimeters.

13. The disposable flow set of claim 1 wherein the diameter of said first and second administration tubes is between 1.1 millimeters and 1.3 millimeters.

14. The disposable flow set of claim 2, further comprising a controller in the inlet of the drip chamber, the controller operable to enable control of the volume of the drops entering the drip chamber.

15. The disposable flow set of claim 1 wherein the at least one tube-segment comprises a plurality of tube-segments.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising recognizing the first arrival of liquid to the anti-free-flow valve by sensing a rise of pressure in the one or more administration tubes.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the resistance of the anti-free-flow valve for air passing is significantly lower than the resistance of the anti-free-flow valve for liquid passing.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

removing the flow set from the pump after an injection procedure is completed;

providing a second flow set for use with the pump;

installing the second flow set in the pump; and

confirming that the second flow set is compatible for use with the pump.

16. A method of identifying a flow set for use with a pump, the flow set comprising one or more administration tubes and an anti-free-flow valve, and having a predetermined interior volume, the method comprising:

measuring the quantity of liquid flowing into the flow set;

measuring the pressure of liquid in the one or more administration tubes of the flow set;

comparing the volume of liquid used to fill the flow set with the interior volume of the flow set; and

if the volume of liquid used to fill the flow set is different than the interior volume of the flow set, stopping the operation of the pump or activating an alarm, or both.

20. A method of priming a flow set for use with a pump, the flow set comprising one or more administration tubes and an anti-free-flow valve, and having a predetermined interior volume, the method comprising:

pumping liquid into the flow set;

measuring the quantity of liquid flowing into the flow set;

measuring the pressure of liquid in the one or more administration tubes of the flow set;

recognizing the first arrival of liquid to the anti-free-flow valve, by sensing a rise of pressure in the one or more administration tubes;

obtaining the volume of liquid used to fill the flow set, from the measurement of liquid flow quantity until a pressure rise reaches a predetermined high;

comparing the volume of liquid used to fill the flow set with the interior volume of the flow set; and

if the volume of liquid used to fill the flow set is different than the interior volume of the flow set, stopping the operation of the pump or activating an alarm, or both.

21. A method for identifying a flow set for use with a pump, the flow set comprising a drip chamber, the method comprising:

pre-counting the number of drops, per a volume unit of liquid, which enters the drip chamber of the flow set;

when operating the pump, counting the drop number per supplied liquid unit; and

if the drop number per volume unit of supplied liquid is different than the pre-counted number of drops, stopping the operation of the pump or activating an alarm, or both.