Abstract: A peristaltic pump unit (18) has a flexible infusate line (28) which is repeatedly compressed by a flat plate like pusher (30). Transverse valve plates (32, 34), on either side of the pusher (30), operate sequentially to close the line in front of and behind the pusher. A resistive pressure sensor (50), between the two valves, provides signals to a microprocessor (46) which provides the system monitoring capabilities. Consistency in dose rate is provided by arranging for the flexible line (28) to be received in an elongate groove or channel (58) which acts to restrain sideways bulging of the line as it is being compressed by the pusher.

Abstract: A two part medical infusion pump comprises a first portion incorporating a pump mechanism, a pump control system, and a tube support, and further comprising a second portion arranged for detachable mounting to the first portion. The second portion carries a fluid-containing cassette and an associated fluid delivery tube. The tube support is arranged to be automatically moved out of a path of the fluid delivery tube as the first and second portions are moved towards an engagement position. The pump mechanism is arranged to compress the fluid delivery tube against the tube support of the first portion when the second portion is in the engagement position, such that controlled delivery of the fluid in the cassette to a patient is affected.

Abstract: An infusion pump and method of operating an infusion pump in which the user of the infusion pump is prompted to input a number of infusion parameters, which include a dose mode, a drug dose, a drug amount, and a drug volume. After the parameters are input by the user, the infusion pump automatically calculates an infusion rate corresponding to the desired drug dose input by the user. The infusion pump, which includes a fluid pump, may round the calculated infusion rate to conform it to a flow rate which the fluid pump can deliver. If the infusion rate is rounded, the infusion pump calculates the actual drug dose from the rounded infusion rate and displays the actual dose on a visual display to allow the user of the infusion pump to determine how much the actual dose varies from the intended dose input by the user. After the actual dose is determined, the infusion pump continuously infuses the patient with the drug at the displayed infusion rate.

Abstract: An infusion pump, suitable for medical applications, has a movable carriage which is arranged gradually to depress the plunger of a syringe. The carriage moves along a fixed rod at a rate determined by the rotation of a lead screw. Any excess pressure in the infusion line produces a back-pressure on the plunger which causes an axial force to be exerted on the carriage and thus on the lead screw. When this force exceeds a predetermined value, indicative of an occlusion of he infusion line, the lead screw will move axially so compressing a spring and causing a clutch to become decoupled, causing infusion to cease and an alarm to sound.