Flex-stroke infusion pump
Inventors
Eitan, Boaz • Shtoltz, Ram • Rasowsky, Amir • Pesach, Gidi • OVADIA, Nir
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12011567-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
An infusion pump including a plunger, a proximal valve located proximally to the plunger, a distal valve located distally to the plunger, and a controller configured to trigger the position of the plunger, such that both in its upper position and its lower position, the plunger squeezes a section of an infusion tube, such that opposite sides of an inner surface of the section do not contact one another.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an infusion pump comprising a plunger, a proximal valve located proximally to the plunger, and a distal valve located distally to the plunger, with a controller configured to control infusion fluid delivery to a subject and infusion fluid intake from a reservoir. During infusion fluid intake, the controller controls closing the distal valve and opening the proximal valve while moving the plunger to an upper squeezing position to partially squeeze an infusion tube to facilitate intake of fluid into the infusion tube.
After intake, the controller provides a wait period while the plunger remains at the upper squeezing position so that time is provided for recovery of the infusion tube such that the infusion tube engages with the plunger. For infusion fluid delivery, the controller controls closing the proximal valve and opening the distal valve while the plunger is at the upper squeezing position, and then lowers the plunger from the upper squeezing position to a lower squeezing position.
At both the upper squeezing position and the lower squeezing position, the plunger is configured to squeeze a section of the infusion tube such that opposite sides of an inner surface of the section do not contact one another. The controller further sets the duration of the wait period as a function of a maximum no-flow time between infusion fluid intake and infusion fluid delivery or as a function of flow rate of the infusion fluid delivery to the subject.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims that share the same infusion pump architecture and core control logic for intake, tube recovery, and delivery using upper and lower squeezing positions that prevent opposite sides of the inner surface from contacting. The two independent claims differ in how the wait period duration is set: one as a function of a maximum no-flow time, and the other as a function of flow rate of delivery.
Dual-valve intake and delivery with tube recovery wait at upper squeezing position
Controlling infusion fluid intake by closing the distal valve, opening the proximal valve, moving the plunger to an upper squeezing position to partially squeeze an infusion tube to facilitate intake, and providing a wait period after intake during which the plunger remains at the upper squeezing position to provide time for recovery of the infusion tube such that the infusion tube engages with the plunger.
Two-position squeezing that prevents inner-surface side contact during delivery
Controlling infusion fluid delivery by closing the proximal valve and opening the distal valve while the plunger is at the upper squeezing position and lowering the plunger from the upper squeezing position to a lower squeezing position, wherein at both the upper squeezing position and the lower squeezing position the plunger is configured to squeeze a section of the infusion tube such that opposite sides of an inner surface of said section do not contact one another.
Wait period duration set as function of maximum no-flow time
Setting a duration of the wait period as a function of a maximum no-flow time between the infusion fluid intake and the infusion fluid delivery.
Wait period duration set as function of infusion delivery flow rate
Setting a duration of the wait period as a function of flow rate of the infusion fluid delivery to the subject.
Across both independent claims, the inventive coverage is directed to coordinating proximal/distal valve states with moving the plunger to an upper squeezing position for intake followed by a wait period for infusion tube recovery and engagement, and then performing delivery by lowering to a lower squeezing position while ensuring that opposite sides of the inner surface of the squeezed section do not contact. The independent claims further distinguish timing control of the wait period by setting it either as a function of a maximum no-flow time or as a function of delivery flow rate.
Stated Advantages
Prevents tube degradation/bottoming by preventing opposite sides of the inner surface from contacting one another during squeezing in both upper and lower positions.
Enables essentially constant delivery without reliance on flow-compensation algorithms.
Documented Applications
Infusion pump control for infusion fluid intake from a reservoir and infusion fluid delivery to a subject.
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