Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12318576-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
An infusion pump includes upstream and downstream valves, a pressing surface disposed between the valves which presses on an infusion tube, a pressure sensor which measures pressure within the infusion tube, and a controller. In response to the pressure, the controller determines that there is an occlusion in the infusion tube downstream of the downstream valve, and in response thereto, toggles the upstream valve and the downstream valve. The toggling includes sequentially, (a) while the upstream valve remains closed, isolating a segment of the infusion tube between the valves by closing the downstream valve, (b) while the downstream valve remains closed, reducing pressure in the isolated segment by opening the upstream valve, (c) while the downstream valve remains closed, closing the upstream valve, and (d) while the upstream valve remains closed, reducing pressure downstream of the downstream valve by opening the downstream valve. Other applications are also described.
Core Innovation
An apparatus is provided for use with an infusion tube and a fluid reservoir, including an infusion pump with an upstream valve, a downstream valve, a pressing surface disposed between the upstream and downstream valves, and a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure within the infusion tube. The pressing surface presses on the infusion tube when the infusion pump is coupled to the infusion tube. A controller measures pressure within the infusion tube while the upstream valve is closed and the downstream valve is open to determine that there is an occlusion downstream of the downstream valve.
Upon determining that there is an occlusion, the controller toggles the upstream valve and the downstream valve according to a sequential toggling sequence. The sequence isolates a segment of the infusion tube between the upstream and downstream valves by closing the downstream valve while the upstream valve remains closed, then causes infusion fluid to flow upstream toward the fluid reservoir by opening the upstream valve while the downstream valve remains closed, thereby reducing pressure in the isolated segment.
Subsequently, while the downstream valve remains closed, the controller closes the upstream valve, and then while the upstream valve remains closed it opens the downstream valve to cause infusion fluid to flow upstream toward the upstream valve, thereby reducing pressure downstream of the downstream valve. The toggling can be repeated, and alert generation can be withheld until after the toggling completes. Stop criteria can be based on a predetermined number of toggling cycles and/or a predetermined amount of time and/or pressure decrease thresholds.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 defines the core claim coverage around detecting downstream occlusion using a pressure sensor under specific valve states, and responding by a sequential valve toggling operation to reduce occlusion-related pressure. The dependent claims further refine stopping, alert timing, and operational conditions with respect to measured pressure and repeating toggling.
Downstream occlusion detection from pressure measured under specific valve states
In response to measured pressure measured while the upstream valve is closed and the downstream valve is open, determine that there is an occlusion in the infusion tube downstream of the downstream valve.
Sequential upstream/downstream valve toggling to reduce downstream occlusion pressure
In response to the determination that there is an occlusion, toggle the upstream valve and the downstream valve, comprising: isolating a segment of the infusion tube between the upstream and downstream valves by closing the downstream valve while the upstream valve remains closed; causing infusion fluid to flow upstream toward the fluid reservoir by opening the upstream valve while the downstream valve remains closed, thereby reducing pressure in the isolated segment; closing the upstream valve while the downstream valve remains closed; and causing infusion fluid to flow upstream toward the upstream valve by opening the downstream valve while the upstream valve remains closed, thereby reducing pressure downstream of the downstream valve.
Pressing surface between upstream and downstream valves while press-coupled to the tube
A pressing surface disposed between the upstream and downstream valves and configured to press on the infusion tube when the infusion pump is coupled to the infusion tube.
Occlusion alert generation withheld until after toggling
Withhold generating an occlusion alert until after a subsequent toggling action, then generate an alert to the user indicating the occlusion.
Stop toggling based on a pressure-decrease threshold
Repeatedly measure the pressure and stop the toggling once a threshold pressure decrease caused by the toggling is detected.
Stop toggling when a pressure value passes below a threshold
Stop the toggling when a pressure value detected during the repeated measuring of the pressure passes below a threshold.
The claim set centers on measuring pressure in an infusion tube under specific upstream/downstream valve positions to determine downstream occlusion, and then executing a sequential toggling sequence of the upstream and downstream valves to reduce downstream occlusion pressure. The refinements include repeating toggling with stop criteria based on measured pressure or pressure decrease thresholds, and withholding occlusion alert generation until after toggling completes.
Stated Advantages
Reduce pressure in the isolated segment by causing infusion fluid to flow upstream by opening the upstream valve.
Reduce pressure downstream of the downstream valve by causing infusion fluid to flow upstream toward the upstream valve by opening the downstream valve.
Withhold occlusion alert generation until after a subsequent toggling action.
Stop repeating toggling based on a threshold pressure decrease and/or a pressure value passing below a threshold.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
Interested in licensing this patent?