Apparatus and method of intravenous fluid infusion
First Claim
1. A therapy infusion apparatus for delivery of a therapeutic fluid to a patient, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a flexible therapy bag, b) a moveable surface comprising an inflatable bladder which can apply force to an outside surface of the therapy bag, wherein the inflatable bladder is inflatable by a fluid, c) an exit port in said therapy bag comprising a memory unit storing information relating to at least one of identification of a patient and name of medication which therapy bag will allow fluid to exit in a delivery direction from said flexible therapy bag under pressure, and d) an adjustable, fluid control element located along said delivery direction, after said exit port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An infusion system packaged in a light weight nylon portable mesh container, which is also the pump of the system, includes a removable therapy bag holding the Rx to be infused into the patient. A bladder within the pump is inflatable to provide pressure onto the therapy bag to aid in the discharge of the Rx. When filling the therapy bag, the pharmacist, using his computer to comply with standards, simultaneously programs an EPROM with data specifying the Rx as well as instructions for dispensing the Rx. In one embodiment of the invention, the EPROM fits into a docking receptacle in the pump, while in a second embodiment the EPROM is integral with the therapy bag. A microcomputer mounted in the pump is programmed to control the flow of the Rx to the patient, reading the data from the EPROM in generating the control signals. The microcomputer cyclically drives a fluid control module which outputs a fixed amount of Rx for each cycle of operation. Three fluid control modules are disclosed; a cavity which deliver a bolus of Rx for each rotor rotation, or a shuttling longitudinally displaceable “cork” positioned in the output connector of the therapy bag, or a squeezed tube. Flow is monitored, and alarm interrupts to the microcomputer are provided for flow failure generating appropriate alarms. An alarm shuts down system operation and alerts the patient by means of visual messages on the microcomputer display and by an audible alarm. A buffer memory in the pump stores data relevant to such a mishap for later examination to determine responsibility and cause. Data is tied to a real-time clock (date and time).
218 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A therapy infusion apparatus for delivery of a therapeutic fluid to a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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a) a flexible therapy bag, b) a moveable surface comprising an inflatable bladder which can apply force to an outside surface of the therapy bag, wherein the inflatable bladder is inflatable by a fluid, c) an exit port in said therapy bag comprising a memory unit storing information relating to at least one of identification of a patient and name of medication which therapy bag will allow fluid to exit in a delivery direction from said flexible therapy bag under pressure, and d) an adjustable, fluid control element located along said delivery direction, after said exit port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification