Infusion pump with valve compensation

Inventors

Eitan, Boaz • Rasowsky, Amir • Pesach, Gidi • Shtoltz, Ram

Assignees

Eitan Medical Ltd

Abstract

An infusion pump (100) includes a plunger (110) configured to squeeze a section of an infusion tube (150). A proximal valve (120), proximal to the plunger, ascends to allow infusion fluid intake from a reservoir to the infusion tube and descends to inhibit infusion fluid intake from the reservoir to the infusion tube. A distal valve (125), distal to the plunger, ascends to allow infusion fluid flow past the distal valve, and descends to inhibit infusion fluid flow past the distal valve. A controller (141) controls the plunger, proximal valve, and distal valve by initiating descending of the plunger concurrently with or prior to the ascending of the distal valve, such that the descending of the plunger compensates for suction produced by the ascending of the distal valve, thereby reducing backflow of fluid from the subject. Other applications are also described.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to an infusion pump architecture in which a plunger squeezes a section of an infusion tube, while a proximal valve located proximally to the plunger alternately allows infusion fluid intake from a reservoir and inhibits that intake by ascending and descending. A distal valve located distally to the plunger alternately allows infusion fluid flow past the distal valve and inhibits that flow by ascending and descending. A controller controls the plunger, proximal valve, and distal valve to control infusion fluid intake from the reservoir and infusion fluid delivery to a subject.

The core control refinement is that initiating descending of the plunger occurs prior to the ascending of the distal valve, such that the descending of the plunger compensates for suction produced by the ascending of the distal valve. This compensation reduces backflow of fluid from the subject when the distal valve ascends and produces suction. The described arrangement coordinates plunger motion with distal-valve motion to counteract suction-driven backflow effects associated with valve transitions.

Further refinements specify coordinated valve and plunger motion patterns supporting infusion performance, including pulsatory versus continuous motion. The pump can include a force sensor that measures pressure in the portion of the infusion tube extending between the proximal valve and the distal valve, and the controller uses the measured pressure to set a rate of descending of the plunger. Distal-valve squeezing behavior is also described at a lower position and at a maximum upper position, including that at both positions the distal valve squeezes a section of the infusion tube, with quantified ranges for inner tube cross-sectional openness and corresponding valve motion constraints.

Claims Coverage

The partial content includes two independent claims: an infusion pump control claim with compensatory plunger descent, and a distal-valve squeezing claim with lower and upper position tube squeezing. Across these claims, controller-based coordination of the plunger and valves, together with distal-valve behavior during motion, defines the coverage. Dependent claims further add rate, pressure-sensing, continuous motion, sequencing, and quantitative tube squeezing and open-area constraints.

Overall, the independent claim coverage centers on an infusion pump that alternately enables and inhibits intake and downstream flow via proximal and distal valves, with a controller coordinating a plunger relative to distal-valve suction. In the second independent claim, distal-valve motion between a lower position and a maximum upper position is characterized by squeezing the tube at both positions.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications