Infusion device with disposable elements

Abstract

An infusion device with a disposable administration set which is inexpensive to manufacture. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the disposable administration set has a plurality of elongated cam followers connected to a plate assembly, wherein the cam followers are displaced in a predetermined sequence and forced against a delivery tube by cam means driven by rotary drive means. The disposable administration set is injection molded as a single integral piece. The disposable administration set includes adjustment spacers disposed between the plate assembly and the cam followers which adjust the distance between them to keep the device accurate. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the cam means are configured to provide fluid delivery at a consistent and uniform rate.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] This invention relates generally to a medication infusion device for administering fluid to patients and more particularly to an improved, ambulatory infusion device with a disposable administration set which is inexpensive to manufacture, convenient to operate and which ensures fluid delivery at a consistent and uniform rate.[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art[0004] As a result of the ongoing need for improved health care, there is a continuous effort with regard to administering intravenous fluid to patients. As is well known, medication dispensers and infusion devices are used for infusion of predetermined amounts of medication into the body of a patient. Various types of medication dispensers employing different techniques for a variety of applications are known to exist. Some existing infusion devices utilize a series of diaphragms which roll up and down inside cylinders in response to pistons located within the cylinders. Such devices,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The device provides a cost-effective, reliable, and accurate method for delivering intravenous fluids at a consistent rate, reducing the risk of operator errors and occlusions, while minimizing the complexity and cost of maintenance and replacement.

Problems solved by technology

During the time that the downstream side finger completely squeezes the feeding tube, while the pumping portion of the tube is filling from an upstream supply, the flow of fluid to the patient is completely obstructed.

Completely obstructing the flow of medication for periods of time and providing pulsatile flow is often a clinically unsatisfactory and undesirable condition since a patient is deprived of medication for periods of time.

Additionally, fluid is delivered at non-uniform rates.

This may also result in an occluded tubing, so that the patient may be deprived of needed medication for several hours.

This solution is undesirable in view of the numerous parts involved.

Infusion devices utilizing piston valves and cylinders are also known to provide uniform flow; however, they do so at the expense of crude valving techniques and complex mechanisms.

The disposable diaphragms, however, are flimsy and thus require a very complex loading mechanism.

This has limited advantages, since the cam followers, which are not a part of the disposable assembly, are not renewed with each replacement.

Such an occlusion detection technique is undesirable in view of the complexities and cost involved.

These springs, of course, must be stiff enough to be unyielding as the cams squeeze the delivery tube.

These practices are not possible in a clinical environment.

The pump of the infusion device is non-functional when loaded with an alien disposable administration set.

Alien administration sets may have characteristics which are not suitable for safe operation of the fluid delivery system, and may operate outside of specified tolerance limits.

The pump will not operate with a standard piece of delivery tube, because it requires an administration set with cam followers and a pressure plate.

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