Re-certification system for a flow control apparatus

• US 20050278054A1
• Filed: 05/25/2004
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardinal Health Ireland Unlimited Company (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Inventors: Gaines, Robert B., Price, Jeffrey E., Knauper, Chris
• Granted Patent: US 7,794,423 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/110
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/702 automatically during use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16804 Flow controllers

Abstract

A flow control apparatus adapted to load a re-certification feeding set is disclosed. The flow control apparatus comprises a sensor for sensing the loading of the re-certification feeding set to the flow control apparatus, and a software subsystem in operative association with the sensor that includes a re-certification procedure for verifying that at least one component of the flow control apparatus is functioning within a predetermined operational range. Also disclosed is a method for verifying that at least one component of a flow control apparatus is functioning within a predetermined operational range.

Claims

1. A flow control apparatus comprising:

a) a flow control apparatus adapted to load with a re-certification feeding set thereto,

b) a sensor for sensing the loading of said re-certification feeding set to said flow control apparatus, and

c) a software subsystem in operative association with said sensor, wherein said software subsystem comprises a re-certification procedure that is capable of verifying that at least one component of said flow control apparatus is functioning within a predetermined operational range.

2. The flow control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said software subsystem initiates said re-certification procedure upon sensing by said sensor of said re-certification feeding set being loaded to said flow control apparatus.

3. The flow control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said re-certification feeding set is in fluid flow communication with a fluid.

4. The flow control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said re-certification feeding set comprises a mounting member.

5. The flow control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said mounting member comprises at least one identification member.

6. A flow control apparatus comprising:

a) a flow control apparatus adapted to load with a re-certification feeding set thereto,

b) a sensor for sensing the loading of said re-certification feeding set to said flow control apparatus, and

c) a software subsystem in operative association with said sensor, wherein said software subsystem initiates a re-certification procedure upon sensing by said sensor that said re-certification feeding set is loaded to said flow control apparatus.

7. A process for verifying that at least one component of a flow control apparatus is functioning within a predetermined operational range comprising:

a) loading a re-certification feeding set to a flow control apparatus,

b) sensing said re-certification feeding set is loaded to said flow control apparatus, and

c) utilizing a software subsystem that comprises a re-certification procedure that is capable of verifying at least one component of said flow control apparatus is functioning within a predetermined operational range.

8. The process according to claim 7, wherein said at least one component is selected from the group consisting of audio, visual, mechanical and electronic systems.

9. The process according to claim 7 wherein said re-certification feeding set further comprises a mounting member, wherein said mounting member is sensed.