Optical Pressure Monitoring System

• US 20070151346A1
• Filed: 10/13/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zevex (Moog Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Zevex (Moog Incorporated)
• Inventors: Beck, Kent, Miles, Scott, Malmstrom, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,921,718 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/705
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0482 Enteral feeding product
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3351 Controlling upstream pump pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3355 Controlling downstream pump pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14232 Roller pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 9/0007 using photoelectric means G01L9/0076 takes precedence

Abstract

An optical pressure monitoring system includes a tube from an infusion set and an optical signal sensor disposed to detect changes in the diameter of the tube and thereby determine pressure changes within the tube. By selecting the position of the tube relative to the optical signal emitter and optical signal receiver, the optical signal sensor can both detect pressure changes and provide an integrity check for both the functioning of the optical signal sensor and the placement of the tube. By modifying the tube to exaggerate changes in tube diameter responsive to pressure changes, the sensitivity of the optical signal sensor can be increased.

Claims

1-25. -25. (canceled)

26. An adapter for disposition along an infusion set, the adapter comprising:

a first connector for attaching an upstream portion of an infusion set to a tube configured for engaging a pump rotor;

a second connector for attaching a downstream portion of an infusion set to the tube configured for engaging the pump rotor, the second connector being attached to the first connector; and

an abutment member disposed adjacent to the first connector and the second connector, the abutment member being configured for deflecting a portion of the tube into a nonlinear position.

27. The adapter according to claim 26, wherein the first connector is configured for receiving a tube of a known diameter at ambient pressure, and wherein the abutment member has a first portion having an end configured for engaging the tube, the first portion having an end having a cross-sectional diameter which is about ⅛

th the diameter of the tube, such that the end presses inwardly into the tube when the tube is attached to the first connector.

28. An infusion set for an enteral feeding pump comprising the adapter of claim 26, and further comprising an upstream tube connected to the first connector, a downstream tube connected to the downstream connector, and a tube having two ends, one end being attached to the first connector and the other end being attached to the second connector.

41. The adapter for disposition along an infusion set of claim 26, wherein the abutment member has a generally flat end configured for engaging a tube of an infusion set and flattening a portion of the tube of the infusion set.

42. The adapter for disposition along an infusion set of claim 26, wherein the abutment member is configured for pressing into a tube of the infusion set to thereby minimize radial expansion of the tube in one direction.

43. The adapter for disposition along an infusion set of claim 26, wherein the abutment member has a rounded end.

44. The adapter for disposition along an infusion set of claim 26, wherein the abutment member has a generally v-shaped cross-section.

45. An infusion set comprising the adapter of claim 26, an upstream tube portion, a downstream tube portion, and a central, elastomeric tube portion for engaging a motor unit, wherein the abutment member is disposed adjacent the central, elastomeric tube portion.

29-38. -38. (canceled)

39. An apparatus for monitoring pressure in an infusion set for administering a solution to a patient, comprising;

an optical signal sensor having an optical signal emitter and an optical signal receiver; and

a resilient tube positioned proximate said signal sensor, said optical signal emitter positioned to pass an optical signal at least partially over a surface of said tube to be received by said optical signal receiver.

46. The apparatus for monitoring pressure in an infusion set of claim 39, wherein the resilient tube is radially expandable between the optical signal emitter and the optical signal receiver so as to increasingly occlude a varying amount of signals between the optical signal emitter and the optical signal receiver as the tube expands.

47. The apparatus for monitoring pressure in an infusion set of claim 46, further comprising an abutment member disposed adjacent to the resilient tube to inhibit radial expansion of the tube in at least one direction.

48. The apparatus for monitoring pressure in an infusion set of claim 47, further comprising an adapter for connecting portions of the infusion set and wherein the abutment member is disposed on the adaptor.

49. The apparatus for monitoring pressure in an infusion set of claim 39, further comprising an enteral feeding pump and wherein the optical signal emitter and the optical signal receiver are disposed in the enteral feeding pump.

50. The apparatus for monitoring pressure in an infusion set of claim 39, wherein the resilient tube is disposed between the optical signal emitter and the optical signal receiver so as to obstruct only a portion of any optical signals transmitted from the optical signal emitter to the optical signal receiver.

40. An apparatus for monitoring pressure in an infusion set for administering a solution to a patient, comprising:

a housing;

an elongate flexible tube positioned within said housing;

an abutment member positioned within said housing engaging a surface of said elongate flexible tube for substantially preventing expansion of said elongate flexible tube in the direction of said abutment member; and

an optical signal sensor positioned adjacent said elongate flexible tube and opposite said abutment member for measuring expansion and contraction of said elongate flexible tube.

51. An apparatus for monitoring pressure in an infusion set of claim 40, wherein the housing comprises an enteral feeding pump.

52. An apparatus for monitoring pressure in an infusion set of claim 40, further comprising an adapter configured for nesting in the housing, the adapter forming said abutment member.

53. An apparatus for monitoring pressure in an infusion set of claim 40, wherein the optical signal sensor comprises an optical signal emitter and an optical signal receiver, and wherein the optical signal emitter and the optical signal receiver are disposed on opposing sides of the elongate flexible tube.

54. An apparatus for monitoring pressure in an infusion set of claim 53, wherein the housing comprises a pump and wherein the optical signal sensor is disposed in the pump.

55. An apparatus for monitoring pressure in an infusion set of claim 54, further comprising an adapter attached to the elongate flexible tube, and wherein the adapter is configured for nesting in the housing.