Systems, apparatus, and methods for fluid infusion
Inventors
LANE, Andrew W. • Robertson, Galen C. • CARLSEN, Savannah K. • Titkemeyer, Robert W. • Oltmans, Luke D.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11744936-B2
Publication Date
2023-09-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
In some embodiments, a system can include a fluid delivery assembly and a drive assembly. The fluid delivery assembly is configured to be releasably mechanically and, optionally, electrically coupled to the drive assembly. When the fluid delivery assembly is releasably coupled to the drive assembly, the drive assembly can control delivery of fluid from the fluid delivery assembly (e.g., to a patient). For example, the drive assembly can be releasably coupled to the fluid delivery assembly to control delivery of fluid from the fluid delivery assembly to provide continuous (e.g., non-pulsatile) fluid flow from the fluid delivery assembly.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a portable system for rapid fluid infusion using a releasably mechanically coupled disposable fluid delivery assembly and a reusable drive assembly. The fluid delivery assembly includes a fluid delivery assembly housing, a drive mechanism, at least one reservoir, at least one piston, fluid inlet tubing, and fluid outlet tubing, with the reservoir, piston, and at least a portion of the drive mechanism disposed within the fluid delivery assembly housing.
The drive assembly includes a drive assembly housing, a power storage component, a motor, and a drive transfer mechanism operatively coupled to the motor and operated based on power provided by the power storage component. The drive transfer mechanism is reversibly couplable to the drive mechanism of the fluid delivery assembly so that the motor controls movement of the at least one piston via the drive mechanism.
The system is configured to support substantially continuous non-pulsatile flow and higher achievable pressures, including pressures suitable for peripheral IVs. It contrasts single-syringe infusion approaches that can create pulsatile pressure and zero-flow refilling intervals with a pump architecture using reservoirs and pistons within the disposable fluid delivery assembly.
Additional disclosed aspects include optional integration of a warmer assembly, sensing and control related to flow, temperature, and pressure, and disposable tubing add-ons such as spikes, air or blood filtration, and optional oxygenation. Multiple mechanical-drive embodiments are described for the reusable drive assembly, and the system is also described as usable in non-handheld configurations.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set is grounded primarily in one independent claim that defines the overall system architecture. The coverage includes 1 independent claim and dependent refinements that specify coupling, alignment, retention, and fluid-delivery architecture using multiple reservoirs and pistons with one-way valves.
Disposable fluid delivery assembly with reservoir-piston tubing and internal drive mechanism
A fluid delivery assembly including a fluid delivery assembly housing, a drive mechanism, at least one reservoir, at least one piston, fluid inlet tubing, and fluid outlet tubing, where the drive mechanism controls movement of the at least one piston such that fluid is drawn into the at least one reservoir via the fluid inlet tubing and fluid is delivered from the at least one reservoir via the fluid outlet tubing, with the reservoir, piston, and at least a portion of the drive mechanism disposed within the fluid delivery assembly housing.
Reusable drive assembly with powered motor and reversible drive transfer mechanism
A drive assembly including a drive assembly housing, a power storage component, a motor, and a drive transfer mechanism operatively coupled to the motor, where the motor operates based on power provided by the power storage component, with the power storage component, the motor, and at least a portion of the drive transfer mechanism disposed within the drive assembly housing.
Reversibly couplable drive transfer mechanism for motor-controlled piston movement
The drive transfer mechanism is reversibly couplable to the drive mechanism of the fluid delivery assembly to control movement of the at least one piston via the drive mechanism under the control of the motor.
Electrical coupling for data transfer between assemblies
The system includes electrical connections between the fluid delivery assembly and the drive assembly to enable data transfer.
Alignment features that prevent relative rotation during motor operation
Alignment features on the fluid delivery assembly and the drive assembly reversibly engage to prevent the fluid delivery assembly from rotating relative to the drive assembly while the motor operates.
Retention mechanisms preventing separation during motor operation
Retention mechanisms reversibly couple the fluid delivery assembly to the drive assembly to prevent separation during motor operation.
Cross-coupled two-reservoir/two-piston operation using first and second syringe
A fluid delivery assembly uses two reservoirs and two pistons implemented by a fluid pump with a first syringe and a second syringe, arranged so the first syringe alternates between drawing and delivering fluid while the second syringe alternates in the opposite manner, with the pump housed inside the housing.
One-way valves preventing backflow and preventing flow between first and second syringe
An assembly of one-way valves stops fluid from flowing back toward the fluid pump from the patient and prevents fluid from flowing between the first syringe and the second syringe.
Across the independent system definition and dependent refinements, the claims center on a disposable fluid delivery assembly with internal piston-based fluid inlet and outlet tubing and a reusable motorized drive assembly whose drive transfer mechanism reversibly couples to control piston movement. Additional claim coverage specifies coupling-related features and narrows fluid-delivery operation using two reservoirs and syringes with opposite draw and deliver timing and one-way valves.
Stated Advantages
Provides substantially continuous non-pulsatile flow.
Enables higher achievable pressures suitable for peripheral IVs.
Documented Applications
Rapid fluid infusion for a patient using a peripheral IV.
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