The present invention relates to pressure monitoring systems in pumps. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pressure monitoring system for medical pumps such as feeding pumps and infusion pumps which allows for more accurate pressure measurement in a fluid delivery tube while utilizing inexpensive components. The pressure monitoring system isolates the pressure measurement from environmental effects such as movement of the pump or, more importantly, external forces applied to the pump such as a user grasping the pump.
Medical pumps such as peristaltic pumps are commonly used to deliver fluids. In medical applications, peristaltic pumps and fluid delivery systems are used to deliver medication, nutrition, and other fluids to a patient. In these applications, it is important to monitor the pressure inside of the delivery tubing. Typically, pressure is measured and monitored before and after the pumping motor. This allows the pump to determine if a blockage is present in the tubing or if the pressure in the tubing is outside of a safe working range. Measuring the pressure may also enable the pump to more accurately determine the rate of fluid delivery.
It has been difficult to accurately measure the pressure in the delivery tubing. For medical applications, a disposable tubing set is loaded into the pump and used for a relatively short period of time. This requires that the pressure monitoring system does not interfere with the loading and unloading of the tubing. Existing pressure monitoring systems have experienced inaccuracies due to the inconsistent loading or placement of the tubing or due to external forces which are applied to the pump such as when a user grabs or moves the pump.
There is a need for a pressure monitoring system for fluid delivery pumps which more accurately measures the fluid pressure inside of the tubing. There is a need for such a system which overcomes inconsistencies in tubing placement, and which is not affected by environmental conditions such as movement or forces applied to the pump.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved pressure monitoring system.
According to one aspect of the invention, a pressure monitoring system is provided which allows the infusion tubing to be easily loaded and unloaded from the pump. The tubing is simply placed in a channel in the pump and the door is closed. No additional latch mechanisms are necessary.
According to another aspect of the invention, a pressure monitoring system is provided where the pressure readings are isolated from external forces acting on the pump, and acting on the pump door in particular. The pressure monitoring system thus provides a more consistent and reliable measurement of the pressure within the tubing.
These and other aspects of the present invention are realized in a pressure monitoring system as shown and described in the following figures and related description.
Various embodiments of the present invention are shown and described in reference to the numbered drawings wherein:
It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. The embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly show each element and aspect of the invention in a single figure, and as such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate the various details of the invention in greater clarity. Similarly, not every embodiment need accomplish all advantages of the present invention.
The invention and accompanying drawings will now be discussed in reference to the numerals provided therein so as to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention. The drawings and descriptions are exemplary of various aspects of the invention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims.
Turning now to
The cassette 18 is typically loaded into the pump 10 by placing the loop of pump tubing 34 over the pump rotor 38, stretching the pump tubing, and placing the cassette body 22 into a nesting area 42. The pump includes pressure monitoring channels 46. The pressure monitoring channels 46 receive the pump tubing 34 to monitor the pressure therein. It is typically desired to monitor the pressure inside the tubing both upstream and downstream from the pump rotor 38. This allows the pump 10 to more accurately determine the fluid delivery rate and allows the pump to determine if a blockage or overpressure situation has occurred.
The pump door 14 has pedestals 58 formed thereon which are formed in alignment with the pressure monitoring channels 46. The pedestals 58 extend downwardly from the inside of the door 14. The bottoms of pedestals 58 have a tubing contacting surface 62 and channel contacting surfaces 66. When the door 14 is closed, the tubing contacting surface 62 contacts the top of the tubing 34 and compresses the tubing slightly, pressing the tubing against the pressure sensor 50. When the door 14 is closed, the channel contacting surfaces 66 contact the top of the channels 46 and rest against the channel, preventing the pedestals 58 from moving towards the tubing 34 and further compressing the tubing. The door 14 is pivotably attached to the pump 10 via a hinge 70 and is secured close with a latch or catch 74.
The pressure sensor configuration shown is advantageous in allowing for more consistent pressure measurements. The tube 34 is held against the pressure sensor 50 with a consistent amount of preload by the projection 58. The projection 58 is held against the channel with a consistent amount of preload by the slightly bent door 14, but is prevented from moving further towards the channel 46 and tube 34 by the channel contacting surfaces 66. In this manner, the tube 34 is held in a consistent position where it is unaffected by external influences such as movement of the pump or pressure placed on the pump door. Thus, the pressure sensing is more accurate where the pump is used in an ambulatory (carried with the person) application, where the pump is moved about with a hospital bed, or where a person must move the pump around.
It will be appreciated that various aspects of the invention may be combined together. Thus, for example, in accordance with principles of the present invention, a pressure monitoring system for a pump may include: a pump having a pressure monitoring channel; a tubing disposed in the pressure monitoring channel; a pressure sensor disposed in communication with the tubing to monitor the pressure in the tubing; a pump door; and a projection disposed on the inside of the pump door, the projection engaging the tubing and the pressure monitoring channel when the pump door is closed, and wherein closing the door causes a portion of the door adjacent the projection to bend outwardly and thereby bias the projection towards the pressure monitoring channel. The pressure monitoring system may also include the projection having a channel contacting surface which contacts the channel when the door is closed to thereby prevent further movement of the projection towards the channel; the channel contacting surface contacting an upper surface adjacent the channel; and/or the projection having a tubing contacting surface on the bottom thereof, the tubing contacting surface contacting the tubing and compressing the tubing when the door is closed; or combinations thereof.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a pressure monitoring system may include: a pump having a channel therein for receiving a flexible tubing; a tubing disposed in the channel; a pressure sensor disposed in communication with the tubing; a pump door; a projection on the pump door; and wherein, when the pump door is closed: the projection is moved adjacent the channel; the projection compresses the tubing into the channel; the projection contacts a pump surface to stop movement of the projection towards the tubing; and the projection is biased towards the tubing. The pressure monitoring system may further include a portion of the door adjacent the projection being bent outwardly when the door is closed to thereby bias the projection towards the tubing; the projection having a tubing contacting surface for contacting the surface and a channel contacting surface which contacts the channel to thereby stop movement of the projection towards the tubing; the projection having first and second channel contacting surfaces, and the first channel contacting surface contacting a first side of the channel and the second channel contacting surface contacting a second side of the channel opposite the first side; and/or channel contacting surface contacting a surface adjacent the top of the channel; or combinations thereof.
In according with an aspect of the invention, a pressure monitoring system may include a channel; a flexible tube disposed in the channel, the flexible tube being expandable due to pressure; a pressure sensor disposed in communication with the tube; a projection disposed in contact with the channel and in contact with the tube to hold the tube in the channel. The pressure monitoring system may also include: the projection having a channel contacting surface which contacts the channel to prevent movement of the projection towards the channel; the projection having a tube contacting surface which holds the tube in the channel; the tube contacting surface pressing the tube against the pressure sensor; the tube contacting surface extending into the channel; the channel being part of a pump; the projection being formed as part of a pump door; the projection having an interference fit between the pump door and the channel, causing the pump door to bend when the pump door is closed; the projection being biased towards the channel; and/or a channel contacting surface and preventing movement of the projection towards the channel; or combinations thereof.
There is thus disclosed an improved pressure monitoring system. It will be appreciated that numerous changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/388,977, filed Oct. 1, 2010 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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61388977 | Oct 2010 | US |