Multiple syringe pump

• US 4,563,175 A
• Filed: 12/19/1983
• Issued: 01/07/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Margaret Lafond
• Original Assignee: Margaret Lafond
• Inventors: LaFond, Margaret
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Application Number:
  US06/562,910
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 604/152, 604/154, 604/155, 604/191, 604/246, 128/DIG. 12
• US Class Current: 604/155
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1456 with a replaceable reservoir comprising a piston rod to be moved into the reservoir, e.g. the piston rod is part of the removable reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/12 Pressure infusion

Abstract

A multiple syringe pump, comprising a pump housing, two or more seating recesses therein to receive two or more syringes for delivering two or more different substances to a patient intravenously, such as nutritional elements in one and medication substances in another, and a corresponding plurality of drive mechanisms in said pump housing powered by an electrical source for connection to each of the two or more syringes seated in said pump housing to move the syringe plungers at a controlled rate in the direction to discharge the contents of the syringe cylinder. The discharge ports of the syringes are connected to respective discharge tubes which in turn lead to a Y-connector which has its common outlet port connected to a single tube leading to a patient for intravenous infusion of the respective substances. The seating recesses of the pump housing are of different sizes to accept different sized syringes. The drive mechanisms are operable and controllable separately, for operation at different rates of speed and to independently control rates of discharge of the contents of each of the syringes.

Claims

1. A multiple syringe pump, comprising a pump housing, first seating means of a first size to receive a first syringe therein, second seating means of a second different size to receive a second syringe therein, first drive means connectible to said first syringe to empty its contents at a first independently controlled rate of flow, second drive means connectible to said second syringe to empty its contents at a second independently controlled rate of flow, and control means to independently control said first and second drive means and the flow rate at which each respectively empties the syringe to which is is connected, whereby the said rate of flow from said first syringe may be different than the said rate of flow from said second syringe, said first drive means including a first motor, said second drive means including a second motor, said first motor being operable at one rate of speed, said second motor is operable at a different rate of speed, said first and second motors being operable at the same time to move said drive means in the direction to empty said syringes, and either of said first and second motors being additionally operable while the other is not operating.

2. A multiple syringe pump as set forth in claim 1, including said first and second syringes, said first syringe including a relatively large diameter cylindrical container of relatively long dimension, a piston of corresponding diameter slidably mounted therein for reciprocal movement between a fully inserted position at which point the syringe container is emptied and a fully retracted position at which point the syringe container is filled, a relatively long plunger rod connected to said piston of said first syringe extending outwardly from said cylindrical container thereof, said plunger rod of said first syringe being connectible to said first drive means, said first drive means being operable to drive said plunger rod in a direction to move said piston from said fully retracted position to said fully inserted position at a first rate of travel said second syringe including a relatively small diameter container of relatively short dimension, a piston of corresponding diameter slidably mounted therein for reciprocal movement between a fully inserted position at which the syringe container is emptied and a fully retracted position at which point the syringe container is filled, a relatively short plunger rod connected to said piston of said second syringe extending outwardly from said cylindrical container thereof, said plunger rod of said second syringe being connectible to said second drive means, said second drive means being operable to drive said plunger rod in a direction to move said piston from said fully retracted position to said fully inserted position at a second different rate of travel, said first and second rates of travel being independently determined by said control means.

3. A multiple syringe pump as set forth in claim 2, including a multiple syringe tube connecting member having first and second inlet ports and an outlet port, a first length of flexible tubing connected between said first syringe and said first inlet port of said connecting member, a second length of flexible tubing connected between said second syringe and said second inlet port of said connecting member, and a third length of flexible tubing connected at one end of said outlet port of said connecting member and at the opposite end to means for inserting into the vein of a patient to be fed intravenously.

4. A multiple syringe pump as set forth in claim 3, including a third seating means in said syringe pump housing to receive a third syringe, including said third syringe, said third syringe including a cylindrical container of a diameter smaller than that of said cylindrical container of said first syringe and having a length shorter than that of said container of said first syringe, a piston of corresponding diameter slidably mounted in said cylindrical container of said third syringe for reciprocal movement therein between a fully inserted position at which point said container is emptied and a fully retracted position at which point said container is filled, a plunger rod connected to said piston of said third syringe extending outwardly from said cylindrical container thereof, including third drive means connectible to said third syringe to empty its contents at a third independently controlled rate of flow, said third drive means including a third motor, said control means including means to independently control said third drive means and the flow rate at which said third drive means empties said third syringe at a third different rate of travel, said plunger rod of said third syringe being connectible to said third drive means, said third motor being operable independently of said first and second motors and when said first and second motors are not operating.

5. A multiple syringe pump as set forth in claim 4, including an electrical power source, wherein said first, second and third motors are electric motors, said first drive means includes a first motor circuit powered by said electrical power source, said first electric motor connected in said first motor circuit, a first linear drive mechanism connectible to said first electric motor to drive said plunger rod of said first syringe in a linear direction from the fully retracted position of its piston to the fully inserted position thereof, said second drive means includes a second motor circuit powered by said electrical power source, said second electric motor connected in said second motor circuit, a second linear drive mechanism connectible to said second electric motor to drive said plunger rod of said second syringe in a linear direction from the fully retracted position of its piston to the fully inserted position thereof, said third drive means includes a third motor circuit powered by said electrical power source, said third electric motor connected in said motor circuit, a third linear drive mechanism connectible to said third electric motor to drive said plunger rod of said third syringe in a linear direction from the fully retracted position of its piston to the fully inserted position thereof, said first and second drive mechanisms being operable in the same continuous direction from their fully retracted to their fully inserted positions during the same time periods, said third drive mechanism being operable independently when said first and second drive mechanisms are not operating.

6. A multiple syringe pump as set forth in claim 5, wherein said control means includes a first variable speed motor controller connected in said first motor circuit to control the speed of said first electric motor and accordingly the linear rate of speed of said first linear drive mechanism, a second variable speed motor controller connected in said second motor circuit to control the speed of said second electric motor and accordingly the linear rate of speed of said second linear drive mechanism, and a third variable speed motor controller connected in said third motor circuit to control the speed of said third electric motor and accordingly the linear rate of speed of said third linear drive mechanism, each operable during the same time period to empty said syringes simultaneously at different rates of flow and any one of said first, second and third motors being additionally operable while the others are not operating, the flow rate in each case being constant.

7. A multiple syringe pump as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first and second motors are electric motors, said first drive means includes a first electrical power source, a first motor circuit powered by said first electrical power source, said first electric motor connected in said first motor circuit, a first linear drive mechanism connectible to said first electric motor to drive said plunger rod of said first syringe in a linear direction from the fully retracted position of its piston to the fully inserted position thereof, said second drive means includes a second electrical power source, a second motor circuit powered by said second electrical power source, said second electric motor connected in said second motor circuit, a second linear drive mechanism connectible to said second electric motor to drive said plunger rod of said second syringe in a linear direction from the fully retracted position of its piston to the fully inserted position thereof, said first and second drive means driving said respective plunger rods in the same continuous direction from their fully retracted to their fully inserted positions during the same time periods.

8. A multiple syringe pump as set forth in claim 7, wherein said control means includes a first variable speed motor controller connected in said first motor circuit to control the speed of said first electric motor and accordingly the linear rate of speed of said first linear drive mechanism, and a second variable speed motor controller connected in said second motor circuit to control the speed of said second electric motor and accordingly the linear rate of speed of said second linear drive mechanism, both operable during the same time period to empty said syringes simultaneously at different rates of flow, the flow rate in each case being constant.

9. A multiple syringe pump as set forth in claim 7, including alarm means to indicate when at least one of said respective syringes are empty, comprising a first linear drive member included in said first linear drive mechanism operable for movement in a linear direction from the fully retracted position of the piston of said first syringe to the fully inserted position thereof at which point the syringe is empty, a first syringe-empty alarm circuit in parallel with said first motor circuit, a first syringe-empty audible alarm in said first syringe-empty alarm circuit, a first syringe-empty limit switch in said first syringe-empty alarm circuit positioned for engagement by said first linear drive member when it reaches the position corresponding to the fully inserted position of said piston of said first syringe indicating it is empty to thereupon complete said first syringe-empty alarm circuit thereby energizing said first syringe-empty audible alarm.

10. A multiple syringe pump as set forth in claim 9, including a second linear drive member included in said second linear drive mechanism operable for movement in a linear direction from the fully retracted position of the piston of said second syringe to the fully inserted position thereof at which point the syringe is empty, a second syringe-empty alarm circuit in parallel with said second motor circuit, a second syringe-empty audible alarm in said second syringe-empty alarm circuit, a second syringe-empty limit switch in said second syringe-empty alarm circuit positioned for engagement by said second linear drive member when it reaches the position corresponding to the fully inserted position of said piston of said second syringe indicating it is empty to thereupon complete said second syringe-empty alarm circuit thereby energizing said second syringe-empty audible alarm.

11. A multiple syringe pump as set forth in claim 10, wherein said second syringe-empty limit switch includes a movable contact connected in said second motor circuit, a first stationary contact connected in said second motor circuit, a second stationary contact connected in said second syringe-empty alarm circuit, said movable contact being normally in contact with said first stationary contact to normally complete said second motor circuit, said movable contact being moved into contact with said second stationary contact when said second syringe-empty limit switch is engaged by said second linear drive member and out of contact with said first stationary contact thereby interrupting said second motor circuit stopping said second electric motor and said second linear drive mechanism at the same time as said second syringe-empty alarm circuit and its audible alarm is energized.

12. A multiple syringe pump as set forth in claim 9, wherein said first syringe-empty limit switch includes a movable contact connected in said first motor circuit, a first stationary contact connected in said first motor circuit, a second stationary contact connected in said first syringe-empty alarm circuit, said movable contact being normally in contact with said first stationary contact to normally complete said first motor circuit, said movable contact being moved into contact with said second stationary contact when said first syringe-empty limit switch is engaged by said first linear drive member and out of contact with said first stationary contact thereby interrupting said first motor circuit stopping said first electric motor and said first linear drive mechanism at the same time as said first syringe-empty alarm circuit and its audible alarm is energized.

13. A multiple syringe pump, comprising a pump housing, first seating means to receive a first syringe therein, second seating means to receive a second syringe therein, first drive means connectible to said first syringe to empty its contents at a first independently controlled rate of flow, second drive means connectible to said second syringe to empty its contents at a second independently controlled rate of flow, and control means to independently control said first and second drive means and the flow rate at which each respectively empties the syringe to which it is connected, including said first and second syringes, said first syringe including a relatively large diameter cylindrical container of relatively long dimension, a piston of corresponding diameter slidably mounted therein for reciprocal movement between a fully inserted position at which point the syringe container is emptied and a fully retracted position at which point the syringe container is filled, a relatively long plunger rod connected to said piston of said first syringe extending outwardly from said cylindrical container thereof, said plunger rod of said first syringe being connectible to said first drive means, said first drive means being operable to drive said plunger rod in a direction to move said piston from said fully retracted position to said fully inserted position, said second syringe including a relatively small diameter container of relatively short dimension, a piston of corresponding diameter slidably mounted therein for reciprocal movement between a fully inserted position at which the syringe container is emptied and a fully retracted position at which point the syringe container is filled, a relatively short plunger rod connected to said piston of said second syringe extending outwardly from said cylindrical container thereof, said plunger rod of said second syringe being connectible to said second drive means, said second drive means being operable to drive said plunger rod in a direction to move said piston from said fully retracted position to said fully inserted position, including a multiple syringe tube connecting member having first and second inlet ports and an outlet port, a first length of flexible tubing connected between said first syringe and said first inlet port of said connecting member, a second length of flexible tubing connected between said second syringe and said second inlet port of said connecting member, and a third length of flexible tubing connected at one end to said outlet port of said connecting member and at the opposite end to means for inserting into the vein of a patient to be fed intravenously, including a third seating means in said syringe pump housing to receive a third syringe, including said third syringe, said third syringe including a cylindrical container of a diameter smaller than that of said cylindrical container of said first syringe and having a length shorter than that of said container of said first syringe, a piston of corresponding diameter slidably mounted in said cylindrical container of said third syringe for reciprocal movement therein between a fully inserted position at which point said container is emptied and a fully retracted position at which point said container is filled, a plunger rod connected to said piston of said third syringe extending outwardly from said cylindrical container thereof, including third drive means connectible to said third syringe to empty its contents at a third independently controlled rate of flow, said control means including means to independently control said third drive means and the flow rate at which said third drive means empties said third syringe, said plunger rod of said third syringe being connectible to said third drive means, wherein said first syringe includes a first outlet connector having a primary inlet port connected to the discharge end of said first syringe, an outlet port of said first outlet connector connected to said first length of flexible tubing, and an auxiliary inlet port of said first outlet connector, a gravity bag for positioning above said first syringe for backfilling thereof, a fourth length of flexible tubing connected between said gravity bag and said auxiliary inlet port of said first outlet connector of said first syringe.

14. A multiple syringe pump as set forth in claim 13, wherein said second syringe includes a second outlet connector having a primary inlet port connected to the discharge end of said second syringe, an outlet port of said second outlet connector connected to said second length of flexible tubing, and an auxiliary inlet port of said second outlet connector, a fifth length of flexible tubing connected between said third syringe and said auxiliary inlet port of said second outlet connector of said second syringe.

15. A multiple syringe pump, comprising a pump housing, first seating means to receive a first syringe therein, second seating means to receive a second syringe therein, first drive means connectible to said first syringe to empty its contents at a first independently controlled rate of flow, second drive means connectible to said second syringe to empty its contents at a second independently controlled rate of flow, and control means to independently control said first and second drive means and the flow rate at which each respectively empties the syringe to which it is connected, including said first and second syringes, said first syringe including a relatively large diameter cylindrical container of relatively long dimension, a piston of corresponding diameter slidably mounted therein for reciprocal movement between a fully inserted position at which point the syringe container is emptied and a fully retracted position at which point the syringe container is filled, a relatively long plunger rod connected to said piston of said first syringe extending outwardly from said cylindrical container thereof, said plunger rod of said first syringe being connectible to said first drive means, said first drive means being operable to drive said plunger rod in a direction to move said piston from said fully retracted position to said fully inserted position, said second syringe including a relatively small diameter container of relatively short dimension, a piston of corresponding diameter slidably mounted therein for reciprocal movement between a fully inserted position at which the syringe container is emptied and a fully retracted position at which point the syringe container is filled, a relatively short plunger rod connected to said piston of said second syringe extending outwardly from said cylindrical container thereof, said plunger rod of said second syringe being connectible to said second drive means, said second drive means being operable to drive said plunger rod in a direction to move said piston from said fully retracted position to said fully inserted position, including a multiple syringe tube connecting member having first and second inlet ports and an outlet port, a first length of flexible tubing connected between said first syringe and said first inlet port of said connecting member, a second length of flexible tubing connected between said second syringe and said second inlet port of said connecting member, and a third length of flexible tubing connected at one end to said outlet port of said connecting member and at the opposite end to means for inserting into the vein of a patient to be fed intravenously, wherein said first drive means

includes a first electrical power source, a first motor circuit powered by said first electrical power source, including a first electric motor connected in said first motor circuit, a first linear drive mechanism connectible to said first electric motor to drive said plunger rod of said first syringe in a linear direction from the fully retracted position of its piston to the fully inserted position thereof, said second drive means includes a second electrical power source, a second motor circuit powered by said second electrical power source, including a second electric motor connected in said second motor circuit, a second linear drive mechanism connectible to said second electric motor to drive said plunger rod of said second syringe in a linear direction from the fully retracted position of its piston to the fully inserted position thereof, including first alarm means to indicate when at least one of said respective syringes are near the empty mark but at a preselected mark before empty, comprising a first linear drive member included in said first linear drive mechanism operable for movement in a linear direction from the fully retracted position of the piston of said first syringe to a preselected position of such piston before it reaches the empty position thereof, a first alarm circuit connected in parallel with said first motor circuit, a first audible alarm in said first alarm circuit, a normally open first before-empty limit switch in said first alarm circuit, said first before-empty limit switch being positioned for engagement by said first linear drive member when it reaches said position corresponding to said preselected position of said piston of said first syringe before it reaches the empty position thereof whereupon said first before-empty limit switch is moved to the closed position to complete said first alarm circuit and energize said first audible alarm.

16. A multiple syringe pump as set forth in claim 15, including a second linear drive member included in said second linear drive mechanism operable for movement in a linear direction from the fully retracted position of the piston of said second syringe to a preselected position of such piston before it reaches the empty position thereof, a second alarm circuit connected in parallel with said second motor circuit, a second audible alarm in said second alarm circuit, a normally open second before-empty limit switch in said second alarm circuit, said second before-empty limit switch being positioned for engagement by said second linear drive member when it reaches said position corresponding to said preselected position of said piston of said second syringe before it reaches the empty position thereof whereupon said second before-empty limit switch is moved to the closed position to complete said second alarm circuit and energize said second audible alarm.