Systems, apparatus, and methods for fluid infusion
Inventors
LANE, Andrew W. • Robertson, Galen C. • Steele, Savannah K. • Titkemeyer, Robert W. • Oltmans, Luke D. • Hanlon, Matthew J. • Cooper, Scott
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12465678-B2
Publication Date
2025-11-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
In some embodiments, a system can include a fluid delivery assembly and a motor drive assembly. The fluid delivery assembly is configured to be releasably mechanically and, optionally, electrically coupled to the motor drive assembly. When the fluid delivery assembly is releasably coupled to the motor drive assembly, the motor drive assembly can control delivery of fluid from the fluid delivery assembly (e.g., to a patient). For example, the motor 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 portable IV fluid infusion system includes a reusable motor drive assembly and a releasable disposable fluid delivery assembly. The motor drive assembly includes a pump motor and a recirculation motor, and provides control of a pump dispensing fluid with a substantially continuous/non-pulsatile flow while also controlling a valve to transition between a fluid dispensing configuration and a fluid recirculation configuration. The fluid delivery assembly includes a fluid pump, a valve, and torque receiving mechanisms that actuate the fluid pump and the valve in response to torque transmission from the motor drive assembly.
A releasable mechanical coupling couples the disposable fluid delivery assembly to the reusable motor drive assembly in a way that simultaneously engages a first torque transmission mechanism to a first torque receiving mechanism and engages a second torque transmission mechanism to a second torque receiving mechanism. The coupling includes a non-mating orientation and a transition to a mating orientation, where torque transmission rotation causes rotation of the torque receiving mechanisms while a housing of the fluid delivery assembly remains coupled to a housing of the motor drive assembly.
The system includes air sensors and pressure sensing to enable control of recirculation. An air detection portion detects air in a tube and the controller controls the recirculation motor to transition the valve to redirect fluid/air to a recirculation chamber when air is detected. Pressure sensing includes flexible diaphragms and pressure transducers, or alternatives using trapped air in a dead-end tube with indirect pressure inference via pump motor electrical load. Optionally, the system includes warming with an elongated heating element and a warmer drive assembly or warmer power source, along with temperature sensing.
Claims Coverage
The provided excerpt identifies three independent claims: clm-00001, clm-00011, and clm-00017. Across these independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on a reusable motor drive assembly and a removably coupled fluid delivery assembly with dual torque transmission for pump dispensing and valve recirculation, plus sensor-driven recirculation switching and specified coupling, retention, and placement features.
Dual-motor torque transmission and exterior-surface coupling
A motor drive assembly including a pump motor, a first torque transmission mechanism operably coupled to and rotatable by the pump motor, a recirculation motor, and a second torque transmission mechanism operably coupled to and rotatable by the recirculation motor, where the first torque transmission mechanism and the second torque transmission mechanism form a portion of an exterior surface of the motor drive assembly.
Removably coupled pump dispensing and valve recirculation actuation by torque receiving mechanisms
A fluid delivery assembly including a fluid pump, a first torque receiving mechanism operably coupled to the fluid pump such that rotation of the first torque receiving mechanism causes the fluid pump to dispense fluid, a valve, and a second torque receiving mechanism operably coupled to the valve such that rotation of the second torque receiving mechanism causes the valve to transition between a fluid dispensing configuration and a fluid recirculation configuration, where the first torque receiving mechanism and the second torque receiving mechanism form a portion of an exterior surface of the fluid delivery assembly.
Non-mating-to-mating torque interface during removably coupled engagement
The fluid delivery assembly is removably coupled to the motor drive assembly such that the first torque transmission mechanism is coupled to the first torque receiving mechanism in a non-mating orientation and the second torque transmission mechanism is coupled to the second torque receiving mechanism, with the first torque transmission mechanism configured to mate with the first torque receiving mechanism while a housing of the fluid delivery assembly remains coupled to a housing of the motor drive assembly.
Retention-portion coupling with hook defining a channel allowing rotation relative to a rod
The motor drive assembly includes a first retention portion with a rod, and the fluid delivery assembly includes a first retention mechanism and a second retention mechanism, where the first retention mechanism includes a hook defining a channel and the rod is at least partially disposed within the channel such that the fluid delivery assembly is rotatable with respect to the rod.
Sensor and electrical-connection placement relative to a first end for air and pressure sensing
The motor drive assembly includes an electrical connection, an air sensor, and a pressure sensor positioned with respect to the motor drive assembly at no more than 50% of the length away from the first end, and the fluid delivery assembly includes an electrical connection, a tube aligned with the air sensor, and a pressure diaphragm configured to contact the pressure sensor, each positioned with respect to the fluid delivery assembly at no more than 50% of the length away from the first end.
Springs and pin/hole pin alignment torque transmission through exterior plates
The first torque transmission mechanism includes a first plate, a plurality of pins, and a plurality of springs disposed within respective recesses and configured to urge the pins toward an extended configuration, and the first torque receiving mechanism includes a second plate defining a plurality of holes configured to receive the pins.
Controller-controlled valve transition in response to at least one air sensor sensing air in a tube
A controller controls operation of the recirculation motor to transition the valve between a fluid dispensing configuration and a fluid recirculation configuration in response to the at least one air sensor sensing a presence of air in the tube.
Common-axis rotation upon removable mating of torque transmission and torque receiving mechanisms
The first torque transmission mechanism and the first torque receiving mechanism rotate about a common axis when the transmission mechanism is removably mated with the receiving mechanism.
Across the independent claims, the patent protects a portable system in which a reusable motor drive assembly provides two torque paths for pump dispensing and valve recirculation to mechanically actuate a releasable disposable fluid delivery assembly. The removability is characterized by simultaneous coupling with a non-mating-to-mating transition while housings remain coupled, and includes pins/plates, retention coupling, air and pressure sensing placement, and sensing-driven recirculation switching.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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