Systems and methods for cassette identification for drug pumps

• US 6,123,686 A
• Filed: 07/14/1997
• Issued: 09/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sims Deltec, Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, Jay Gregory, Olsen, James M., Hu, Jia
• Primary Examiner(s): STRIGHT, RONALD K
• Application Number:
  US08/892,191
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: 604/905, 604/283, 604/151-153, 604/250-254, 604/65-67, 604/31-34, 604/132, 604/246, 604/174, 604/131, 604/533-535, 604/500, 604/519, 128/DIG. 12, 128/DIG. 13, 128/DIG. 26, 128/912, 417/1, 417/12, 417/26, 417/28, 417/63, 417/279, 417/415, 417/419, 417/474, 417/477.2
• US Class Current: 604/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• 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 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6036 characterised by physical shape, e.g. array of activating switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6063 Optical identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14228 with linear peristaltic action, i.e. comprising at least three pressurising members or a helical member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2207/041 of flow
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2207/042 of pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2207/043 of time
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/065 and making use of computers
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 51/00 Testing machines, pumps, or pumping installations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/12 Pressure infusion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/13 Infusion monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/26 Cannula supporters

Abstract

The present invention concerns a pump provided with a control module and an attachable fluid reservoir cassette. The control module includes a pumping mechanism for pumping fluid from the fluid reservoir to the patient. The cassette is provided with appropriate indicia to identify differences between a plurality of cassettes. The control module further includes cassette indicia identification structure for identifying indicia on the cassette. One type of cassette identification system includes a projection extending from the cassette and structure associated with the control module which engages the projection. Another type of cassette identification system includes a light reflecting system which utilizes light from the control module and reflected off the cassette. Still other types of cassette identification systems utilize other non-contact switches or sensors to sense indicia on the cassette to identify the cassette from a plurality of cassettes.

Claims

1. A pump apparatus comprising:

a pump including a processor and a pumping mechanism for pumping fluid through a fluid tube;

a removable cassette mounted to the pump, the cassette including a fluid tube positioned adjacent to the pumping mechanism of the pump, the cassette including a light reflector;

a light emitter associated with a tube interface region of the pump, for directing light toward the light reflector, the light reflector positioned to reflect light back toward the tube interface region of the pump;

a light receiver associated with the tube interface region of the pump for receiving light reflected from the light reflector and for sending a signal to the processor indicative of the light being sensed.

2. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light reflector includes a prism arrangement.

3. The pump apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a second light receiver associated with the tube interface region of the pump.

4. The pump apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cassette includes a base plate, the fluid tube positioned between the base plate and the pumping mechanism.

5. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light reflector includes a light reflective patch.

6. The pump apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a second light emitter and a second light receiver associated with the tube interface region of the pump.

7. The pump apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cassette includes a base plate, the fluid tube positioned between the base plate and the pumping mechanism.

8. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cassette includes a base plate, the fluid tube positioned between the base plate and the pumping mechanism.

9. The pump apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cassette further includes a pair of hooks at one end of the base plate, and a loop at an opposite end of the base plate, the pair of hooks and the loop selectively engageable with the tube interface region of the pump to mount the cassette to the pump.

10. A pump apparatus comprising:

a pump including a processor and a pumping mechanism for pumping fluid through a fluid tube;

a removable cassette mounted to the pump, the cassette including a fluid tube positioned adjacent to the pumping mechanism of the pump, the cassette including a projection extending toward a tube interface portion of the pump;

the pump including two reciprocally mounted plungers at the tube interface portion of the pump, and two optical sensors, each of which is capable of sensing a portion of one of the plungers and sending a signal to the processor, the plungers being movable between first and second positions, the first position including the portion of the plunger positioned in a first position relative to the optical sensor, and the second position including the portion of the plunger positioned in a second position different from the first position, at least one of the plungers being moved by the projection.

11. The pump apparatus of claim 10, wherein the cassette includes a base plate, the fluid tube positioned between the base plate and the pumping mechanism.

12. The pump apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cassette further includes a pair of hooks at one end of the base plate, and a loop at an opposite end of the base plate, the pair of hooks and the loop selectively engageable with the tube interface region of the pump to mount the cassette to the pump.

13. The pump apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pump includes a third reciprocally mounted plunger, and a third optical sensor which is capable of sensing a portion of the third plunger.

14. The pump apparatus of claim 13, wherein all of the optical sensors are slotted optical sensors.

15. The pump apparatus of claim 10, wherein the two optical sensors are slotted optical sensors.

16. The pump apparatus of claim 15, wherein the cassette includes a base plate, the fluid tube positioned between the base plate and the pumping mechanism.

17. The pump apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pump includes a display interconnected to the processor, the processor including means for sending a display signal to the display indicative of the presence of the projection.

18. The pump apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor includes means for disabling the pumping mechanism until the processor receives the signal from the optical sensors indicative of the presence of the projection.

19. A method for pumping fluid comprising the steps of:

providing a control module having a pumping mechanism;

providing a cassette having a fluid tube;

providing a first sensor for electronically signaling to the control module that a predetermined cassette has been interconnected to the control module;

interconnecting the cassette to the control module, wherein the fluid tube is positioned adjacent to the pumping mechanism;

directing light from the control module toward the cassette after the cassette is interconnected to the control module;

reflecting the light from a reflector associated with the cassette in a direction back toward the control module;

after the reflected light has been sensed by the first sensor, sending an electronic signal to the control module that a predetermined cassette has been interconnected to the control module; and

pumping fluid through the fluid tube with the pumping mechanism.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

providing a second sensor;

sensing reflected light with the second sensor;

before the step of sending an electronic signal to the control module that a predetermined cassette has been interconnected to the control module, comparing the amount of light sensed by the first sensor and the second sensor; and

based on the results of the comparing step, creating a signal for sending to the control module identifying the cassette as a particular predetermined cassette.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of modulating the light directed from the control module.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the cassette includes a base plate, and the step of interconnecting the cassette to the control module includes the step of positioning the fluid tube between the pumping mechanism and the base plate.

23. A method for pumping fluid comprising the steps of:

providing a control module having a pumping mechanism;

providing a cassette having a fluid tube;

providing at least two optical sensors on the control module for signaling to the control module that a predetermined cassette has been interconnected to the control module;

providing at least two reciprocally mounted members on the control module;

interconnecting the cassette to the control module, wherein the fluid tube is positioned adjacent to the pumping mechanism;

moving with a projection on the cassette at least one of the reciprocally mounted members on the control module;

sensing movement of any of the reciprocally mounted members of the control module with the optical sensors;

after movement of the reciprocally mounted members has been sensed by the optical sensors, sending a signal to the control module that a predetermined cassette has been interconnected to the control module; and

pumping fluid through the fluid tube with the pumping mechanism.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the moving step comprises the step of only moving one reciprocally mounted member.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the cassette includes a base plate, and the step of interconnecting the cassette to the control module includes the step of positioning the fluid tube between the pumping mechanism and the base plate.