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Publication Number
US-11666513-B2
Publication Date
2023-06-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
A medical pump, comprising: a fluid housing having a plurality of intake openings, sealed by at least one intake valve, and an outlet opening sealed by an outlet valve; a piston which is sealing the fluid housing and connected to a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism pulls the piston to draw fluid from one of the plurality of intake openings and pushes the piston to discharge the fluid into the outlet opening; and a selecting valve enclosing at least two tubes, each providing fluid to one of the plurality of intake openings, wherein the selecting valve closes one of the at least two tubes while opening another of the at least two tubes.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an enteral feeding system that includes a disposable system portion and a non-disposable reusable portion. The disposable system portion has a disposable fluid chamber with at least one intake opening connected to at least two disposable inlet tubes, each connected to at least two fluid bags, and the chamber includes a one-way intake valve sealing each respective intake opening and a one-way outlet valve sealing an outlet opening.
A piston disposed in the disposable fluid chamber has an end portion configured as an easy to mount mechanism for connecting to and detaching from a non-disposable reciprocating drive bracket connected to a non-disposable drive mechanism. The reciprocating drive bracket transfers reciprocal motion of the non-disposable drive mechanism to pull the piston to move the piston up and to push the piston to move the piston down within the disposable fluid chamber.
The disposable fluid chamber and the at least two disposable inlet tubes are detachable from the housing via the easy to mount mechanism for connecting and detaching at least part of the disposable system portion. The non-disposable portion includes the reciprocating drive bracket, the drive mechanism, the housing, and a selecting valve that encloses the at least two disposable inlet tubes.
The selecting valve closes one of the at least two disposable inlet tubes while opening another of the at least two disposable inlet tubes, and the selecting valve is not in contact with the fluids in the at least two disposable inlet tubes. The system further provides pump controller software and controller-based control, including cycle-based pumping control for at least one of the pumping rate, stroke, or duty cycle, and addresses feeding interruptions and clogging by detecting reflux, gastric residual volume, and clog by electrical current changes of a motor and/or a pressure sensor detecting increased pump back pressure or increased drive current.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent claim directed to an enteral feeding system having a disposable fluid chamber with multiple disposable inlet tubes and one-way valves, a detachable piston end portion to a non-disposable reciprocating drive bracket, and a non-fluid-contact selecting valve that switches which inlet tube is opened or closed. The claim further integrates the structural separation of disposable and non-disposable portions and the control aspect of cycle-based pumping control.
Disposable chamber with detachable multi-tube one-way intake and one-way outlet
A disposable fluid chamber including at least one intake opening connected to at least two disposable inlet tubes connected to at least two fluid bags, a one-way intake valve sealing a respective intake opening, and an outlet opening sealed by a one-way outlet valve.
Detachable piston easy to mount mechanism to non-disposable reciprocating drive bracket
A piston disposed in the disposable fluid chamber with an end portion external to the disposable fluid chamber designed as an easy to mount mechanism for connecting to and detaching from a non-disposable reciprocating drive bracket connected to a non-disposable drive mechanism, wherein the reciprocating drive bracket transfers reciprocal motion to pull the piston upward and push the piston downward within the disposable fluid chamber.
Detachable disposable system portion via easy to mount mechanism
The disposable fluid chamber and the at least two disposable inlet tubes are detachable from a housing via the easy to mount mechanism for connecting and detaching at least part of the disposable system portion.
Selecting valve switching opened and closed inlet tubes without fluid contact
A non-disposable reusable portion including a selecting valve enclosing the at least two disposable inlet tubes, wherein the selecting valve closes one of the at least two disposable inlet tubes while opening another of the at least two disposable inlet tubes, and wherein the selecting valve is not in contact with the fluids in the at least two disposable inlet tubes.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on combining a disposable multi-inlet, one-way valve fluid chamber with a detachable piston, a non-disposable reciprocating drive bracket and drive mechanism, and a non-fluid-contact selecting valve that switches which disposable inlet tube is opened versus closed.
Stated Advantages
Pump controller software and controller-based control, including cycle-based pumping control for at least one of the pumping rate, stroke, or duty cycle.
Addresses feeding interruptions and clogging by detecting reflux, gastric residual volume, and clog by electrical current changes of a motor and/or a pressure sensor detecting increased pump back pressure or increased drive current.
Documented Applications
Enteral feeding system.
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