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Publication Number
US-12186528-B2
Publication Date
2025-01-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
A tube cassette (22) for receiving infusion tubing is shaped to define a locking surface (26). A pump (20) includes a latch (28) which engages with the locking surface and locks the cassette in a preset position with respect to the pump. A mechanical stop (38) in the pump stops motion of the cassette in a first direction, such that the cassette has moved past the preset position. Until motion of the cassette is stopped by the mechanical stop, the latch allows motion of the cassette past the preset position in the first direction. The latch automatically moves from an open position to a cassette-withdrawal-inhibiting position upon engagement of the latch with the locking surface, and subsequently locks the cassette in the preset position by pushing the cassette in a second direction, from past the preset position to the preset position. Other applications are also described.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an infusion pump fluid-delivery system that delivers a fluid to a subject through infusion tubing. The pump uses a removable tube cassette shaped to define a locking surface, and the tube cassette is removably coupled to the pump by a latch. When the tube cassette is coupled to the pump, the latch engages the locking surface and locks the tube cassette in a preset position with respect to the pump.
A mechanical stop disposed within the pump stops motion of the tube cassette in a first direction. The mechanical stop is positioned so that when motion in the first direction is stopped, the tube cassette has moved past the preset position in the first direction. The latch is configured to allow the tube cassette to move past the preset position in the first direction until the mechanical stop stops the motion.
Upon engagement of the latch with the locking surface, the latch automatically moves from an open position to a cassette-withdrawal-inhibiting position. Subsequently, the latch locks the tube cassette in the preset position by pushing the tube cassette in a second direction opposite the first direction, from past the preset position to the preset position. The resulting coupling is described as mitigating meta-stable connection effects and reducing delivery errors, including bolus delivery risk, by tightly fixing the cassette to the pressing-surface distance.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is clm-00001. It defines three main inventive features: a tube cassette with a locking surface, a pump latch that engages the locking surface and transitions to a cassette-withdrawal-inhibiting position, and a mechanical stop that enables controlled over-travel past a preset position before the latch pushes the cassette back to the preset position.
Removable tube cassette with locking surface
A tube cassette configured to receive the infusion tubing, the tube cassette shaped to define a locking surface.
Pump latch engages locking surface and locks cassette in preset position
A pump comprising a latch, wherein the tube cassette is configured to be removably coupled to the pump and the latch is configured to engage with the locking surface and lock the tube cassette in a preset position with respect to the pump when the tube cassette is coupled to the pump.
Mechanical stop enabling over-travel past preset position then latch-driven locking
A mechanical stop disposed within the pump, positioned to stop motion of the tube cassette in a first direction such that when motion in the first direction is stopped by the mechanical stop the tube cassette has moved past the preset position in the first direction, and wherein the latch is configured to allow motion of the tube cassette past the preset position until the mechanical stop stops the motion, automatically move from an open position to a cassette-withdrawal-inhibiting position upon engagement with the locking surface, and subsequently lock the tube cassette in the preset position by pushing the tube cassette in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Sequential rotational latch motion across open and withdrawal-inhibiting positions
The apparatus includes a latch whose operation includes sequential rotational movement through defined rotational directions to reach an open position, transition to a cassette-withdrawal-inhibiting position, and return to the initial position after pushing the tube cassette past and to a preset position.
Curvature/radius constraint between latch axis and locking surface geometry
The latch includes a lower latch surface and the lower locking surface includes a curvature radius substantially equal to the distance from the latch’s axis of rotation to the lower latch surface.
Dual upper and lower locking surfaces with corresponding latch surfaces
The apparatus includes lower and upper locking surfaces on a tube cassette and corresponding lower and upper latch surfaces that engage to inhibit cassette withdrawal and then push the tube cassette in a second direction.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on a removable tube cassette with a locking surface coupled to a pump latch, combined with an internal mechanical stop that permits controlled over-travel past a preset position and then triggers automatic transition to a cassette-withdrawal-inhibiting state followed by latch-driven pushing to return and lock the cassette in the preset position. Dependent claims further constrain latch motion sequencing, geometric relationships, and dual locking-surface cooperation.
Stated Advantages
Mitigates meta-stable connection effects.
Reduces delivery errors, including bolus delivery risk, by tightly fixing the cassette–pressing-surface distance.
Documented Applications
An infusion pump fluid-delivery system for delivering fluid to a subject through infusion tubing.
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