Patents by Inventor Robert D. Butterfield

Robert D. Butterfield has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10837436
    Abstract: A pumping mechanism includes a plurality of peristaltic pumping actuators to compress adjacent portions of a first portion of an at least partially compressible pumping element having an inlet that is upstream of an outlet. The plurality of pumping actuators further reciprocate at a common drive frequency with a first phase offset between each adjacent pair of pumping actuators. The pumping mechanism also includes one compensation actuator to compress a second portion of the compressible pumping element disposed between the first portion and the outlet. The compensation actuator reciprocates at an optimal displacement and at a modulation frequency that is an integer multiple of the fundamental drive frequency and with a second phase offset between the compensation actuator and the adjacent pumping actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: CAREFUSION 303, INC.
    Inventors: Robert D. Butterfield, Daniel Abal
  • Patent number: 9561322
    Abstract: An integrated pump module is disclosed that includes a rigid housing having a fluid outlet, a fluid reservoir within the housing, and a pumping segment coupled between the fluid reservoir and the fluid outlet. The pumping segment is configured to cause fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir to the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: CAREFUSION 303, INC.
    Inventors: Erik Barnes, Robert D. Butterfield
  • Patent number: 9514279
    Abstract: A medication delivery monitoring device is disclosed. The device includes a user interface configured to receive input information, and a sensor configured to measure a plurality of fluid state parameters of a fluid delivery channel through which the medication is delivered by a vascular access device (VAD) to an infusion site region of the patient. The device also includes a processor configured to determine a state of the infusion site region based on the plurality of measured fluid state parameters and the input information, and an output device configured to provide a communication regarding the state of the infusion site region. Methods and computer-readable mediums for monitoring medication delivery are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: CAREFUSION 303, INC.
    Inventors: Robert D. Butterfield, Brian Stock, Melissa Strait, Harry Dudley, Stephen Rosenthal
  • Patent number: 9227025
    Abstract: An infusion data communication system provides a communication link among a fluid container, an infusion pump, and a patient through which identification data may be communicated. Data devices are located at the fluid container and the patient and conduct low frequency RF energy at a low power level containing the data into the medical fluid. The data-laden RF energy propagates through the medication fluid to data readers at the infusion pump which receives the RF energy and reads the data. A comparison is made to verify that the right medication is mounted to the infusion pump for administration to the right patient. RFID devices may be used for the data devices and readers. Pump programming data may also be propagated to the infusion pump from the container RFID tag. The RFID device at the patient may be writable and may be used to store a patient MAR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Butterfield, David L. Schlotterbeck
  • Patent number: 9163623
    Abstract: A pumping mechanism is disclosed that includes a plurality of peristaltic pumping actuators configured to selectively and sequentially compress adjacent portions of a first portion of an at least partially compressible pumping element having an inlet that is upstream of an outlet. The plurality of pumping actuators are further configured to reciprocate at a common drive frequency with a first phase offset between each adjacent pair of pumping actuators. The pumping mechanism also includes at least one compensation actuator arranged to selectively compress a second portion of the at least partially compressible pumping element that is disposed between the first portion and the outlet. The at least one compensation actuator is configured to reciprocate at an optimal displacement and at a modulation frequency that is an integer multiple of the fundamental drive frequency and with a second phase offset between the at least one compensation actuator and the adjacent pumping actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Butterfield, Daniel Abal
  • Patent number: 9039656
    Abstract: A system and method determine when fluid is not flowing properly from a secondary infusion source during a secondary infusion. The system includes an upstream pressure sensor and a processor programmed to receive signals from the sensor and analyze the signals to determine if secondary fluid flow is proper. The processor samples the output signals from the upstream pressure sensor and analyzes the sampled signals to determine if a pressure rise in the infusion line has occurred when the secondary infusion is initiated. If a pressure rise, indicating that fluid from the secondary container has begun flowing into the infusion line, has not been detected, the processor is programmed to provide a signal indicating that attention should be given to the infusion set up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: CAREFUSION 303, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Vanderveen, Robert D. Butterfield
  • Publication number: 20140324019
    Abstract: An infusion data communication system provides a communication link among a fluid container, an infusion pump, and a patient through which identification data may be communicated. Data devices are located at the fluid container and the patient and conduct low frequency RF energy at a low power level containing the data into the medical fluid. The data-laden RF energy propagates through the medication fluid to data readers at the infusion pump which receives the RF energy and reads the data. A comparison is made to verify that the right medication is mounted to the infusion pump for administration to the right patient. RFID devices may be used for the data devices and readers. Pump programming data may also be propagated to the infusion pump from the container RFID tag. The RFID device at the patient may be writable and may be used to store a patient MAR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Robert D. Butterfield, David L. Schlotterbeck
  • Patent number: 8777894
    Abstract: An infusion data communication system provides a communication link among a fluid container, an infusion pump, and a patient through which identification data may be communicated. Data devices are located at the fluid container and the patient and conduct low frequency RF energy at a low power level containing the data into the medical fluid. The data-laden RF energy propagates through the medication fluid to data readers at the infusion pump which receives the RF energy and reads the data. A comparison is made to verify that the right medication is mounted to the infusion pump for administration to the right patient. RFID devices may be used for the data devices and readers. Pump programming data may also be propagated to the infusion pump from the container RFID tag. The RFID device at the patient may be writable and may be used to store a patient MAR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Butterfield, David L. Schlotterbeck
  • Patent number: 8771228
    Abstract: A system and method of accurately pumping a fluid using tubing of variable inner diameter and material is disclosed. The disclosed pump comprises a pumping mechanism configured to compress and release a portion of a flexible tube to cause fluid to flow along the flexible tube, a gauging apparatus, and a vacuum apparatus. The gauging apparatus is configured to determine the inner diameter of the flexible tube, which value is used in calibrating the pumping rate of the pump. The vacuum apparatus is configured to reduce the ambient pressure in a volume surrounding the portion of the flexible tube, thereby causing the flexible tube to fully expand to its original outside diameter when the flexible tube is released by the pumping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Butterfield
  • Publication number: 20140142545
    Abstract: A system and method determine when fluid is not flowing properly from a secondary infusion source during a secondary infusion. The system includes an upstream pressure sensor and a processor programmed to receive signals from the sensor and analyze the signals to determine if secondary fluid flow is proper. The processor samples the output signals from the upstream pressure sensor and analyzes the sampled signals to determine if a pressure rise in the infusion line has occurred when the secondary infusion is initiated. If a pressure rise, indicating that fluid from the secondary container has begun flowing into the infusion line, has not been detected, the processor is programmed to provide a signal indicating that attention should be given to the infusion set up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: CAREFUSION 303, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy W. VANDERVEEN, ROBERT D. BUTTERFIELD
  • Patent number: 8672875
    Abstract: A system and method determine when fluid is not flowing properly from a secondary infusion source during a secondary infusion. The system includes an upstream pressure sensor and a processor programmed to receive signals from the sensor and analyze the signals to determine if secondary fluid flow is proper. The processor samples the output signals from the upstream pressure sensor and analyzes the sampled signals to determine if a pressure rise in the infusion line has occurred when the secondary infusion is initiated. If a pressure rise, indicating that fluid from the secondary container has begun flowing into the infusion line, has not been detected, the processor is programmed to provide a signal indicating that attention should be given to the infusion set up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Vanderveen, Robert D. Butterfield
  • Patent number: 8585649
    Abstract: A tubular pumping element for pumping a liquid is disclosed. The tubular pumping element includes an outer shell that has a bore with an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends of the bore. There is a flow path for the liquid from the inlet through the bore to the outlet. A support element is located within the bore of the outer shell. An elastic sleeve is located over the support element and has a plurality of expandable portions. The support element includes a plurality of fluid passages each coupled to a respective port on the surface of the support element under one of the plurality of expandable portions of the elastic sleeve. Introduction of a driving fluid into one of the fluid passages causes the expandable portion of the elastic sleeve that is proximate to the respective port to expand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Butterfield
  • Publication number: 20130149172
    Abstract: A pumping mechanism is disclosed that includes a plurality of peristaltic pumping actuators configured to selectively and sequentially compress adjacent portions of a first portion of an at least partially compressible pumping element having an inlet that is upstream of an outlet. The plurality of pumping actuators are further configured to reciprocate at a common drive frequency with a first phase offset between each adjacent pair of pumping actuators. The pumping mechanism also includes at least one compensation actuator arranged to selectively compress a second portion of the at least partially compressible pumping element that is disposed between the first portion and the outlet. The at least one compensation actuator is configured to reciprocate at an optimal displacement and at a modulation frequency that is an integer multiple of the fundamental drive frequency and with a second phase offset between the at least one compensation actuator and the adjacent pumping actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Butterfield, Daniel Abal
  • Patent number: 8359338
    Abstract: A system and method for creating, managing and loading selected configuration datasets used to program a patient care device to have a selected behavior is provided. A common configuration database includes medical treatment guidelines and device operating characteristics for a plurality of patient care device types. A processor operatively connected to the configuration database is programmed to construct at least one device-specific configuration dataset for a selected device behavior from the common configuration database and load the device-specific dataset into the memory of a patient care device. Further, the device-specific configuration datasets may contain device communication information, including communication protocols and data structures, for a plurality of patient care devices types and behaviors to enable communication between patient care devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Butterfield, Kathleen M. Jordan
  • Patent number: 8323007
    Abstract: A pump having a disposable fluid contacting portion which defines a fluid inlet and outlet and a fluid path there between is presented. The pump includes a drive portion configured to engage the disposable portion to cause fluid to be moved from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The disposable portion is configured to be selectively coupled to the drive portion. The disposable portion includes a driven membrane which forms a portion of the fluid path, and the drive portion includes a drive membrane. The two membranes are vacuum coupled to each other, whereby movement of the drive membrane causes the driven membrane to move, causing fluid to be pumped through the disposable portion. The pump has particular utility in the medical field for moving fluid from a source to a patient. The pump may include features such as an air-trap, bubble detection, fluid flow controls, and pressure detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Butterfield
  • Patent number: 8281041
    Abstract: A system and method for processing keystrokes made while operating a medical device to prevent keypad entry errors. The key press-to-press time is monitored and a subsequent key press rejected if the actual key press-to-press time is shorter than a key press-to-press limit. The actual key inactive time between the release of a key and the subsequent press of a key is compared to an inactive time limit. The subsequent key press is rejected if the actual inactive time is shorter than the inactive time limit. Alerts are provided and further key presses are ignored until the operator presses a CLEAR key. The active time of a key press is monitored and compared to an active time limit. If the actual key press active time exceeds the key press active time limit, an alert is provided but the key press is recognized. An adaptive approach is disclosed in which key presses of an operator are monitored and timing limits modified in accordance with the keying patterns of that operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Butterfield
  • Publication number: 20120179131
    Abstract: A system and method of accurately pumping a fluid using tubing of variable inner diameter and material is disclosed. The disclosed pump comprises a pumping mechanism configured to compress and release a portion of a flexible tube to cause fluid to flow along the flexible tube, a gauging apparatus, and a vacuum apparatus. The gauging apparatus is configured to determine the inner diameter of the flexible tube, which value is used in calibrating the pumping rate of the pump. The vacuum apparatus is configured to reduce the ambient pressure in a volume surrounding the portion of the flexible tube, thereby causing the flexible tube to fully expand to its original outside diameter when the flexible tube is released by the pumping mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Butterfield
  • Publication number: 20120179130
    Abstract: An integrated pump module is disclosed that includes a rigid housing having a fluid outlet, a fluid reservoir within the housing, and a pumping segment coupled between the fluid reservoir and the fluid outlet. The pumping segment is configured to cause fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir to the fluid outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Barnes, Robert D. Butterfield
  • Publication number: 20120157919
    Abstract: A tubular pumping element for pumping a liquid is disclosed. The tubular pumping element includes an outer shell that has a bore with an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends of the bore. There is a flow path for the liquid from the inlet through the bore to the outlet. A support element is located within the bore of the outer shell. An elastic sleeve is located over the support element and has a plurality of expandable portions. The support element includes a plurality of fluid passages each coupled to a respective port on the surface of the support element under one of the plurality of expandable portions of the elastic sleeve. Introduction of a driving fluid into one of the fluid passages causes the expandable portion of the elastic sleeve that is proximate to the respective port to expand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventor: ROBERT D. BUTTERFIELD
  • Publication number: 20120141306
    Abstract: A pump having a disposable fluid contacting portion which defines a fluid inlet and outlet and a fluid path there between is presented. The pump includes a drive portion configured to engage the disposable portion to cause fluid to be moved from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The disposable portion is configured to be selectively coupled to the drive portion. The disposable portion includes a driven membrane which forms a portion of the fluid path, and the drive portion includes a drive membrane. The two membranes are vacuum coupled to each other, whereby movement of the drive membrane causes the driven membrane to move, causing fluid to be pumped through the disposable portion. The pump has particular utility in the medical field for moving fluid from a source to a patient. The pump may include features such as an air-trap, bubble detection, fluid flow controls, and pressure detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Butterfield