Flow condition sensor assembly for patient infusion device
First Claim
1. A device for delivering fluid to a patient, comprising:
- A) an exit port assembly adapted to connect to a transcutaneous patient access tool;
B) a flow path extending from the exit port assembly; and
C) a flow condition sensor assembly including, a resilient diaphragm having opposing first and second surfaces, with the first surface positioned against the flow path, a chamber wall positioned adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm and defining a sensor chamber adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm, and at least one sensor arranged to provide a threshold signal when the second surface of the diaphragm expands into the chamber in response to at least one predetermined fluid flow condition occurring in the flow path, wherein the sensor comprises a switch positioned within the chamber such that the second surface of the diaphragm closes the switch upon expanding into the chamber in response to the predetermined fluid flow condition within the flow path.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for delivering fluid to a patient including an exit port assembly adapted to connect to a transcutaneous patient access tool, a flow path extending from the exit port assembly, and a flow condition sensor assembly including a resilient diaphragm having opposing first and second surfaces. The first surface of the diaphragm is positioned against the flow path, and a chamber wall is positioned adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm and defines a sensor chamber against the second surface of the diaphragm. At least one sensor is arranged to provide a threshold signal when the second surface of the diaphragm expands into the chamber in response to at least one predetermined fluid flow condition occurring in the flow path.
772 Citations
86 Claims
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1. A device for delivering fluid to a patient, comprising:
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A) an exit port assembly adapted to connect to a transcutaneous patient access tool;
B) a flow path extending from the exit port assembly; and
C) a flow condition sensor assembly including, a resilient diaphragm having opposing first and second surfaces, with the first surface positioned against the flow path, a chamber wall positioned adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm and defining a sensor chamber adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm, and at least one sensor arranged to provide a threshold signal when the second surface of the diaphragm expands into the chamber in response to at least one predetermined fluid flow condition occurring in the flow path, wherein the sensor comprises a switch positioned within the chamber such that the second surface of the diaphragm closes the switch upon expanding into the chamber in response to the predetermined fluid flow condition within the flow path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
a dispenser for causing fluid through the flow path to the exit port assembly;
a local processor connected to the dispenser and programmed to cause fluid flow to the exit port assembly based upon flow instructions;
a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving flow instructions from a separate, remote control device and delivering the flow instructions to the local processor; and
a housing containing the flow path, the exit port assembly, the dispenser, the local processor, and the wireless receiver, wherein the housing is free of user input components for providing flow instructions to the local processor.
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33. A system including a fluid delivery device according to claim 32, and further comprising a remote control device separate from the fluid delivery device and including:
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a remote processor;
user interface components connected to the remote processor for allowing a user to provide flow instructions to the remote processor; and
a transmitter connected to the remote processor for transmitting the flow instructions to the receiver of the fluid delivery device.
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34. A device according to claim 1, further comprising:
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a dispenser for causing fluid through the flow path to the exit port assembly;
a local processor connected to the dispenser and programmed to cause fluid flow to the exit port assembly based upon flow instructions, and further programmed to provide flow information;
a wireless transmitter connected to the local processor for transmitting the flow information from the local processor to a separate, remote control device; and
a housing containing the flow path, the exit port assembly, the dispenser, the local processor, and the wireless transmitter, wherein the housing is free of user output components for providing the flow information from the local processor to a user.
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35. A system including a fluid delivery device according to claim 34 and further comprising a remote control device separate from the fluid delivery device and including:
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a remote processor;
user output components connected to the remote processor for allowing a user to receive flow information; and
a receiver connected to the remote processor for receiving the flow information from the transmitter of the fluid delivery device.
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36. A system according to claim 35, wherein the remote control device includes an alarm connected to the remote processor.
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37. A device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly includes multiple sensor chambers positioned against the second surface of the diaphragm.
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38. A device according to claim 37, wherein the sensor assembly includes at least one of the sensors in each chamber.
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39. A device according to claim 37, wherein each of the sensor chambers of the sensor assembly has a predetermined volume.
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40. A device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly includes a second diaphragm positioned against the flow path.
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41. A device according to claim 40, wherein the sensor assembly includes a second chamber assembly positioned against the second diaphragm.
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42. A device according to claim 41, wherein the sensor assembly includes a second sensor arranged to provide a threshold signal when the second diaphragm expands into the second chamber.
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43. A device for delivering fluid to a patient, comprising:
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A) an exit port assembly adapted to connect to a transcutaneous patient access tool;
B) a flow path extending from the exit port assembly; and
C) a flow condition sensor assembly including, a resilient diaphragm having opposing first and second surfaces, with the first surface positioned against the flow path, a chamber wall positioned adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm and defining a sensor chamber adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm, and at least one sensor arranged to provide a threshold signal when the second surface of the diaphragm expands into the chamber in response to at least one predetermined fluid flow condition occurring in the flow path, wherein the flow condition sensor assembly further comprises at least two laminated layers and the diaphragm is positioned between two of the layers. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47)
a first layer;
a second layer received against the first layer, the second and the first layers including at least one groove defining a passageway of the flow path, the second layer including an opening in fluid communication with the passageway, and wherein the resilient diaphragm is received on the second layer covering the opening; and
a third layer received over the diaphragm on the second layer, the third layer including the chamber wall defining the chamber over the diaphragm and in alignment with the opening of the second layer.
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45. A device according to claim 44, wherein one of the second and the third layers defines a recess receiving the diaphragm, and wherein the recess has a depth about equal to a thickness of the diaphragm such that the diaphragm is secured in a substantially fluid-tight manner between the second and the third layers.
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46. A device according to claim 45, wherein a length and a width of the recess are greater than a length and a width of the diaphragm.
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47. A device according to claim 43, wherein the sensor is responsive to one of contact, pressure, light, magnetism, strain, and density.
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48. A device for delivering fluid to a patient, comprising:
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an exit port assembly adapted to connect to a transcutaneous patient access tool;
a flow path extending from the exit port assembly; and
a flow condition sensor assembly including, a resilient diaphragm having opposing first and second surfaces, with the first surface positioned against the flow path, a chamber wall positioned adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm and defining a sensor chamber adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm, and at least one sensor arranged to provide a threshold signal when the second surface of the diaphragm expands into the chamber in response to at least one predetermined fluid flow condition occurring in the flow path; and
a processor connected to the sensor of the sensor assembly, wherein the processor is programmed to receive the threshold signal from the sensor when the device is primed. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A device for delivering fluid to a patient, comprising:
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A) a flow path extending from the exit port assembly;
B) a flow condition sensor assembly including, a resilient diaphragm having opposing first and second surfaces, with the first surface positioned against the flow path, a chamber wall positioned adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm and defining a sensor chamber adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm, wherein the flow condition sensor assembly further comprises at least two laminated layers and the diaphragm is positioned between two of the layers, and at least one sensor arranged to provide a threshold signal when the second surface of the diaphragm expands into the chamber by a predetermined amount; and
C) a processor connected to the sensor and programmed to provide a signal indicative of an undesired flow condition upon receiving the threshold signal from the sensor for more than a predetermined maximum period or for less than a predetermined minimum period. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57)
a first layer;
a second layer received against the first layer, the second and the first layers including at least one groove defining a passageway of the flow path, the second layer including an opening in fluid communication with the passageway, and wherein the resilient diaphragm is received on the second layer covering the opening; and
a third layer received over the diaphragm on the second layer, the third layer including the chamber wall defining the chamber over the diaphragm and in alignment with the opening of the second layer.
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55. A device according to claim 54, wherein one of the second and the third layers defines a recess receiving the diaphragm, and wherein the recess has a depth about equal to a thickness of the diaphragm such that the diaphragm is secured in a substantially fluid-tight manner between the second and the third layers.
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56. A device according to claim 55, wherein a length and a width of the recess are greater than a length and a width of the diaphragm.
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57. A device according to claim 53, wherein the sensor comprises a path way extending through the sensor chamber, and an optical transmitter and an optical receiver positioned at opposite ends of the path way.
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58. A device for delivering fluid to a patient, comprising:
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A) a flow path extending from the exit port assembly;
B) a flow condition sensor assembly including, a resilient diaphragm having opposing first and second surfaces, with the first surface positioned against the flow path, a chamber wall positioned adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm and defining a sensor chamber adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm, and at least one sensor arranged to provide a threshold signal when the second surface of the diaphragm expands into the chamber by a predetermined amount, wherein the sensor comprises a switch positioned within the chamber such that the second surface of the diaphragm closes the switch upon expanding into the chamber by the predetermined amount; and
C) a processor connected to the sensor and programmed to provide a signal indicative of an undesired flow condition upon receiving the threshold signal from the sensor for more than a predetermined maximum period or for less than a predetermined minimum period. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84)
a dispenser for causing fluid to flow through the flow path;
a local processor connected to the dispenser and programmed to cause fluid flow based upon flow instructions;
a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving flow instructions from a separate, remote control device and delivering the flow instructions to the local processor; and
a housing containing the flow path, the dispenser, the local processor, and the wireless receiver, wherein the housing is free of user input components for providing flow instructions to the local processor.
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76. A system including a fluid delivery device according to claim 75, and further comprising a remote control device separate from the fluid delivery device and including:
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a remote processor;
user interface components connected to the remote processor for allowing a user to provide flow instructions to the remote processor; and
a transmitter connected to the remote processor for transmitting the flow instructions to the receiver of the fluid delivery device.
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77. A device according to claim 58, further comprising:
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a dispenser for causing fluid to flow through the flow path;
a local processor connected to the dispenser and programmed to cause fluid flow through the flow path based upon flow instructions, and further programmed to provide flow information;
a wireless transmitter connected to the local processor for transmitting the flow information from the local processor to a separate, remote control device; and
a housing containing the flow path, the dispenser, the local processor, and the wireless transmitter, wherein the housing is free of user output components for providing the flow information from the local processor to a user.
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78. A system including a fluid delivery device according to claim 77 and further comprising a remote control device separate from the fluid delivery device and including:
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a remote processor;
user output components connected to the remote processor for allowing a user to receive flow information; and
a receiver connected to the remote processor for receiving the flow information from the transmitter of the fluid delivery device.
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79. A device according to claim 58, wherein the sensor assembly includes multiple sensor chambers positioned against the second surface of the diaphragm.
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80. A device according to claim 79, wherein the sensor assembly includes at least one of the sensors in each chamber.
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81. A device according to claim 79, wherein each of the sensor chambers of the sensor assembly has a predetermined volume.
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82. A device according to claim 58, wherein the sensor assembly includes a second diaphragm positioned against the flow path.
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83. A device according to claim 82, wherein the sensor assembly includes a second chamber assembly positioned against the second diaphragm.
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84. A device according to claim 83, wherein the sensor assembly includes a second sensor arranged to provide a threshold signal when the second diaphragm expands into the second chamber.
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85. A device for delivering fluid to a patient, comprising:
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A) a flow path extending from the exit port assembly;
B) a flow condition sensor assembly including, a resilient diaphragm having opposing first and second surfaces, with the first surface positioned against the flow path, a chamber wall positioned adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm and defining a sensor chamber adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm, and at least one sensor arranged to provide a threshold signal when the second surface of the diaphragm expands into the chamber by a predetermined amount, wherein the sensor comprises a circuit having a lead positioned on the second surface of the diaphragm and a lead positioned on the chamber wall such that the leads come together and close the circuit when the second surface of the diaphragm expands into the chamber by the predetermined amount; and
C) a processor connected to the sensor and programmed to provide a signal indicative of an undesired flow condition upon receiving the threshold signal from the sensor for more than a predetermined maximum period or for less than a predetermined minimum period.
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86. A device for delivering fluid to a patient, comprising:
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A) a flow path extending from the exit port assembly;
B) a flow condition sensor assembly including, a resilient diaphragm having opposing first and second surfaces, with the first surface positioned against the flow path, a chamber wall positioned adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm and defining a sensor chamber adjacent the second surface of the diaphragm, and at least one sensor arranged to provide a threshold signal when the second surface of the diaphragm expands into the chamber by a predetermined amount, wherein the sensor comprises a circuit having leads positioned on the chamber wall and a conductive layer positioned on the second surface of the diaphragm such that the conductive layer contacts the leads to close the circuit when the second surface of the diaphragm expands into the chamber in response to the predetermined fluid flow condition; and
C) a processor connected to the sensor and programmed to provide a signal indicative of an undesired flow condition upon receiving the threshold signal from the sensor for more than a predetermined maximum period or for less than a predetermined minimum period.
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Specification