Drug pump systems and methods

• US 6,475,180 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2001
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sims Deltec, Inc.
• Inventors: Blomquist, Michael L., Peterson, Thomas L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mendez, Manuel
• Application Number:
  US09/795,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20010031944A1
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 604/30, 604/31, 604/65, 604/66, 604/67, 604/151, 604/152, 604/153, 604/154, 604/155, 604/131, 365/185.33, 128/DIG.12, 128/DIG.13
• US Class Current: 604/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1405 Patient controlled analgesia [PCA]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14208 with a programmable infusion control system, characterised by the infusion program
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3576 with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/59 Aesthetic features, e.g. distraction means to prevent fears of child patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/60 with identification means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/70 with testing or calibration facilities
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/702 automatically during use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/02 Equipment for testing the apparatus
• 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 5/16827 controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16831 Monitoring, detecting, signalling or eliminating infusion flow anomalies low-level float-valves causing cut-off A61M5/40; indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of flow in general G01P13/0066
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2203/0208 Power
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/05 Pressure after the pump outlet
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/09 : Flow through the pump
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/10 : Inlet temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/503 : of gas in a liquid flow, e.g. gas bubbles
• 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 2207/70 : Warnings
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2207/701 : Sound
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/082 : the tubular flexible member being pressed against a wall by a number of elements, each having an alternating movement in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the tubular member and each having its own driving mechanism
• 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: F04D 15/0088 : Testing machines
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/003 : Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 : for medicine
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/02 : with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 : delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 : for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades

Abstract

A menu driven reprogrammable drug pump is provided with a memory, such as flash memory, a display, a keyboard, and a communications port to allow a generic pump to be programmed with a desired pump application (therapy) program and patient specific settings. Programming and data transfer with another pump or a computer to and from the patient pump is by the communications port that allows local and/or remote communications with the pump. Flash memory stores the pump application program during use. Patient safety is provided by a cassette identification system, an occlusion detection system, and a latch/lock detection system. Automated testing of the pump is by a closed loop testing system.

Claims

1. A drug pump for dispensing fluid to a patient, the drug pump comprising:

a control module, and a cassette, the cassette including a pressure plate including two hooks at one end and a loop at an opposite end, a fluid reservoir and a fluid line in fluid communication with the reservoir, the pressure plate having indicia, the control module having two pins and a latch to attach the hooks and the loop, respectively, of the pressure plate to the control module, the fluid line positioned between the pressure plate and the control module;

a pump mechanism on the control module configured to pump fluid from the reservoir and through the fluid line, the pump mechanism engaging the fluid line against the pressure plate;

an occlusion detector on the control module configured to detect a pressure level in the fluid line;

a latch sensor on the control module configured to detect the latch in the latched state;

a cassette identification sensor on the control module configured to detect the indicia on the pressure plate;

a processor within the control module electrically connected to the pump mechanism, the occlusion detector, the latch sensor, and the cassette identification sensor, the processor configured to disable the pump mechanism upon detection of, a pressure level in the fluid line above or below a predetermined operating range, a failure to detect the latch in the latched state, or a failure to detect the indicia;

memory electrically connected to the processor wherefrom the processor retrieves stored data to control and operate the pump mechanism; and

a port electrically connected to the processor and adapted to selectively mate with a cable for effecting communication between the pump and a device external of the pump, the port being further adapted to selectively mate with a remote patient dose cord to enable the patient to control the amount of fluid to be pumped by the pump or to mark an event for storage in the memory.

2. The drug pump of claim 1, further comprising a lock for locking the cassette to the control module, and a lock sensor configured to detect the lock, the processor configured to disable the pump mechanism upon a failure to detect the lock.

3. The drug pump of claim 1, wherein the device external to the pump comprises a computer for controlling the operation of the pump adapted to selectively mate with the port.

4. The drug pump of claim 1, further comprising:

communicative means for simultaneously enabling voice communication between the patient and a caregiver and data communication between the pump and the device external to the pump.

5. The drug pump of claim 1, wherein the device external to the pump comprises a modem.

6. The drug pump of claim 1, further comprising a keyboard electrically connected to the processor for enabling input of patient specific settings for control and operation of the pump mechanism.