Abstract: The present invention provides a modular system for mounting one or more medical devices on an IV pole at a patient's bedside. The system comprises a support plate, and at least one modular interconnection receptacle adapted to be detachably mounted on the support plate and adapted to receive a medical device. In one embodiment, the interconnection receptacle has electrical connection means serving as an electrical conduit between the medical device and a monitor. The means for attaching the medical device to the interconnection receptacle has a greater retention force than the means for attaching the interconnection receptacle to the support plate. Thus, in response to a threshold force on the patient line connected to the medical device, the interconnection receptacle breaks free of the support plate while the medical device remains attached to the interconnection receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stand-alone, in-line device and method for detecting whether a fluid is being properly supplied to a patient, including means for delivering a test pulse of the fluid through conduit means to the patient with the test pulse being distinguishable from the normal delivery pattern and with the test pulse creating a pressure wave response in the conduit means. The device and method also includes means for determining the area between a baseline and at least a portion of a pressure versus time curve representing the pressure wave response, and means responsive to the magnitude of the area for detecting whether the fluid is being improperly supplied by the conduit means to the patient. Preferably, the device and method also includes means for diverting and accumulating a predetermined volume of the upstream flow from the infusion source for use as the test pulse.

Abstract: A drug infusion system includes a plurality of infusion pump modules and a central management unit interconnected with the infusion pump modules to provide centralized control. The central management unit includes a touch screen for communicating with a user, the touch screen including an arrangement for enabling the user to initiate the display of a menu of infusion-rate-related parameters and selectively assign values for any of the parameters in the menu while an infusion rate value is automatically calculated according to the values so assigned. One embodiment enables temporary transfer from a titrate screen to a calculator screen with which the values are assigned, and a separate set of values is preserved for each infusion pump module.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump equipped with a series of rollers eccentrically mounted upon a drive shaft, the pump also includes an elastomeric fluid delivery tube supported to extend in a direction parallel with the axis of the drive shaft. Each roller has a generally cylindrical outer surface equipped with a concentric annular rim that projects radially outwardly beyond the cylindrical surface and is rounded and smoothly tapered when viewed in longitudinal section. The rims of successive rollers are equally spaced and the rim diameter of each eccentric roller is sufficiently large to occlude a section of the tube when that roller is at its perigee with respect to the tube, at which time the adjacent cylindrical surface of the same roller also engages the tube but causes only limited non-occlusive deformation of that tube. The apparatus is particularly useful as a blood pump.

Abstract: A package having a peelable lid with a controlled tearing guide, comprising a bottom tray having an inner surface defining a receptacle for an object to be packaged and a continuous rim extending around the periphery of the tray and projecting into the interior of the tray at least once at a given point on the periphery to define two compartments in the tray joined by a channel; (b) a lid extending over the bottom tray and having a peripheral edge portion continuously overlying the peripheral rim of the bottom tray and having a predetermined tear line overlying the inward projecting portion of the rim; (c) a heat seal coating applied to the interior surface of the lid in contact with the continuous rim of the bottom tray for heat sealing the lid to the bottom tray; and (d) a controlled tearing guide on the lid for guiding the tear line across one compartment of the tray so that the other compartment of the tray is not exposed when the lid is selectively torn open along the predetermined tear line.

Abstract: A tubular conduit formed of resilient, flexible, thermoplastic material having an intermediate portion with at least one enlarged section that has a flow passage of substantially greater cross-sectional area, and a wall portion of lesser thickness and lower resistance to deformation, than found in the remainder of the conduit. The method of making the collapsible conduit, involving the steps of reshaping a preformed thermoplastic tube by molding it under heat and internal pressure, and the utilization of such a formed conduit in a linear peristaltic pump, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dispenser comprising a base and a reel rotatably mounted on the base. An elongated flexible member which is to be dispensed is wound on the reel, and a housing is provided for the reel and the flexible member. Interlocking members on the reel and the housing hold the reel against rotation in the housing. The reel has first and second sets of radially extending fingers at the periphery of the reel, with the first set of fingers being inclined relative to the second set of fingers. The flexible member is wound on the reel between the first and second sets of fingers.

Abstract: An infusion system for infusing a fluid into a patient comprising an infusion device for delivering the fluid in both a normal delivery pattern and a test pulse and a conduit for conducting the fluid from the infusion device to the patient. The test pulse creates a pressure wave response in the conduit. Abnormal infusion can be detected by determining the area between a baseline and at least a portion of a pressure versus time curve representing the pressure wave response.

Abstract: A calibration device to be used in calibrating a separate catheter of the type having a catheter tube through which light can be propagated to an end portion of the catheter tube, includes a calibration element defining a cavity extending along a cavity axis to an open end that has a size and shape adapted to receive the end portion of the catheter tube for calibration purposes. A body of resiliently deformable material with which to hold the catheter tube and thereby retain the end portion within the cavity is retained in generally fixed proximity with the open end of the cavity by a retainer member, and a channel-defining portion of the body of resiliently deformable material defines a longitudinally-opening channel generally aligned with the cavity axis that has a size and shape adapted to receive the catheter tube in an interference fit.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprising a main body having an inlet connectable to a source of liquid under pressure, an outlet, a passage extending through the main body from the inlet to the outlet and a surface outside of the passage. A flexible diaphragm confronts the surface and is coupled to the main body to at least partially define a sensing chamber. The main body has a port extending from the passage to the sensing chamber to provide communication between liquid under pressure in the passage and the sensing chamber. The port has a transverse cross section with at least one dimension which is no greater than about 0.060 inch.

Abstract: A clamp apparatus useful for controlling the flow of fluid through a flexible conduit which comprises: a resilient pad element adapted to aid in at least partially occluding the conduit; and a force system structured to be moved to at least partially occlude the flexible conduit such that when the force system is activated the flexible conduit contacts both the resilient pad element and the force system and the resilient pad element moves in response to the activation of the force system, provided that the force system is adapted to maintain the flexible conduit in at least one state of partial occlusion.