Abstract: A connector for structurally and electronically interconnecting modular electronic components which permits as single connection to provide both electrical communication and structural support between the modular components is disclosed. The interconnector may be a separate component from the housing for the electronic components or may be integrated therein.

Abstract: A device for holding an IV tube in a pumping apparatus and for selectively occluding the tube when the door of the pumping apparatus is opened, to prevent free flow of fluid in the tube. The device consists of a base member to which the IV tube is attached or through which it passes, and a slide clamp which slides relative to the base member and relative to the tube. The IV tube is passed through an elongated aperture in the slide clamp, and the slide clamp is slidingly mounted on the base member. The aperture in the slide clamp has a relatively open hole at one end, through which the tube passes when the slide clamp is in one position, allowing fluid to flow through the tube. The aperture also has a relatively constricted slot at the other end, through which the tube passes when the slide clamp is in a second position, preventing fluid flow through the tube.

Abstract: A method for testing for patency at a venous access site during intravenous infusion of a medical solution includes the steps of occluding an intravenous injection tube upstream from the venous access site and monitoring the time and fluid pressure within the tube while the fluid pressure within the tube is varied by external contact with the tube. An apparatus for practicing the method of the invention includes a housing formed with a tube receiving portion for holding a portion of the tube in contact with an occluder finger, a fluid moving finger and a pressure transducer. The fluid moving finger is adapted to contact the tube so as to achieve a testing base pressure in the fluid, after occlusion by the occluder finger. A sequence of pressure drops are then effected by moving the fluid moving finger in stepped increments.

Abstract: A self priming tubing set for infusing a medical solution from an infusion device to a patient includes a supply tube, an air/particle filter, and a restrictor tube. The air/particle filter is adapted to remove air, particularly air contained in the supply tube at the initiation of fluid flow. The air/particle filter also removes particles from the medical solution. The restrictor tube is adapted to reduce the pressure of the medical solution from the delivery pressure of the infusion device to about a mean venous pressure of the patient. The length and inside diameter of the restrictor tube are calibrated to achieve a desired pressure drop dependent on design criteria of the system. The tubing set also includes a slide clamp for closing fluid flow from the supply tube and a connector for connection to a patient interface such as a hypodermic needle or cannula.

Abstract: An IV infusion method and apparatus includes a plurality of fluid pumps mounted within a portable support housing and coupled to an IV tube. Each separate fluid pump is adapted to deliver fluid at a substantially constant delivery pressure predetermined by the characteristics of the pump. Each fluid pump includes an elastomeric membrane stretched into its region of nonlinear elasticity over a contour surface. Check valves located between the pumps and the IV tube control sequential dispensing of fluids from the pumps. The method and apparatus are especially adapted to a SASH process.

Abstract: A self priming tubing set for infusing a medical solution from an infusion device to a patient includes a supply tube, an air/particle filter, and a restrictor tube. The air/particle filter is adapted to remove air, particularly air contained in the supply tube at the initiation of fluid flow. The air/particle filter also removes particles from the medical solution. The restrictor tube is adapted to reduce the pressure of the medical solution from the delivery pressure of the infusion device to about a mean venous pressure of the patient. The length and inside diameter of the restrictor tube are calibrated to achieve a desired pressure drop dependent on design criteria of the system. The tubing set also includes a slide clamp for closing fluid flow from the supply tube and a connector for connection to a patient interface such as a hypodermic needle or cannula.

Abstract: A pumping system is provided for administering a secondary treatment fluid to a patient intravenously in cooperation with a primary treatment fluid administration set already in place. The system includes a self-contained pumping unit having a pumping chamber and a secondary treatment fluid reservoir integral therewith. A secondary fluid line extending from the unit merges with a primary fluid line at a fitting for delivery of the fluids carried in the primary and secondary lines to the patient via a combined IV line.

Abstract: An apparatus for infusing TPN fluids to a patient includes a source of fluid, a pump for infusing fluid from the source to the patient, and a computer for controlling the operation of the pump. During the operation of the apparatus the infusion rate of the pump is varied according to an infusion regimen that is based on the volume of fluid to be infused and the time during which the fluid is to be infused. This regimen is characterized by a trifurcated ramp up region having interrelated incremental rates of infusion which transition the pump from a zero rate of infusion to a steady state rate of infusion. The infusion regimen is also characterized by a period of steady state infusion which follows the ramp up region, and a ramp down region in which the infusion rate is decremented from the steady state rate based on the remaining volume of fluid to be infused to the patient and the remaining time for infusing this remaining volume of fluid.

Abstract: A linear peristaltic pump for pumping fluid through a resilient tube has a pair of pumping fingers, a pair of pinching fingers, and a strain gauge to monitor pressure inside the tube. The first pumping finger squeezes the tube at a first location, and the second pumping finger squeezes the tube at a second location. Additionally, the first pumping finger is configured and operated to displace approximately twice the fluid volume displaced by the second pumping finger. The first pinching finger occludes the tube upstream to the first pumping finger and the second pinching finger occludes the tube between the first and second pumping fingers. To monitor dimensional changes in the outer diameter of the tube and thereby indicate pressure inside the tube, the strain gauge is mounted on the pump between the second pinching finger and first pumping fingers. Finally, a leaf spring and photoelectric sensor are associated with the first pumping finger to indicate when the finger is in its fully withdrawn position.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining whether an IV infusion set has infiltrated the tissue of a patient includes a pump for pumping fluid through the IV set into the patient and a pressure transducer operably engaged with the IV set between the pump and patient. The pressure transducer is electrically connected to a microprocessor, and the microprocessor is electrically connected to the motor of the pump to control the pump to alternately withdraw from and infuse into the patient a predetermined volume of fluid.This predetermined volume of fluid is withdrawn from the patient by the pump at a preselected withdrawal pressure, while the pump infuses the predetermined volume of fluid into the patient at a preselected infusion pressure. The microprocessor measures both the time period for infusing the predetermined volume of fluid and the time period for withdrawing the predetermined volume of fluid. Based upon these time periods, the microprocessor evaluates whether the IV set has infiltrated the patient's tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for infusing multiple fluid medicaments to a patient includes a base for supporting a plurality of pumping chambers. Each pumping chamber has a housing and a flexible membrane attached to the housing to establish a contractible fluid chamber between the housing and the membrane for holding a fluid medicament. Separate IV lines extend in fluid communication from each of the pumping chambers and each line is individually engageable with a flow controller which is mounted on the base. An electronic controller is mounted on the base and is operatively connected with each of the flow controllers to individually open each IV line at a predetermined time, and for a predetermined period of time, to establish a sequence for infusing fluids to the patient from the separate pumping chambers.

Abstract: A fluid pump for infusing medical fluids to a patient includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port. The housing further includes a substantially hemispherically shaped surface which is circumscribed by a periphery. An elastomeric membrane is attached to the periphery of the surface and is stretched over the surface to place the membrane in its region of nonlinear elasticity. With this combination, a potential fluid chamber is established between the surface of the housing and the stretched membrane.In operation, fluid is injected through the inlet port and into the potential chamber between the housing and the elastomeric membrane to fill the chamber with the desired medical fluid. A fluid line is connected to the outlet port of the pump and a flow restrictor is coupled with the fluid line to control the flow of fluid from the chamber. Fluid flows from the chamber as a result of the nonlinear contraction of the elastomer membrane.

Abstract: A device for pumping fluid through a resilient tube has a platen for holding the tube and a pumping mechanism for squeezing the tube against the platen. The pumping mechanism includes a first pumping finger which squeezes the tube at a first location and a second pumping finger which squeezes the tube at a second location. For their respective alternating pumping actions, the first finger is configured and operated to displace approximately twice the fluid volume displaced by the second pumping finger. A valve means is also mounted on the base and is positioned to alternately occlude the tube upstream from the first and second pumping fingers during the pumping action of the first pumping finger and to occlude the tube between the first and second locations upstream from the second pumping finger during the pumping action of the second pumping finger.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for actuating the fingers of a peristaltic pump has a base, and a drive member reciprocally mounted on the base. A jointed arm is pivotally attached at one end to the drive member and at the other end to a fixed point on the base. A rotary cam actuator is mounted on the base to urge against the arm to reciprocate the drive member.

Abstract: A ball valve device for controlling fluid flow has a stainless steel ball positioned in the lumen of an I.V. tube. The outer diameter of the ball is equal to the inner diameter of the I.V. tube, so that the outer surface of the ball establishes a fluid seal with the inner surface of the tube. A latex sheath surrounds the tube in the proximity of the ball to provide resilience and memory for the tube. Inserts are positioned in the lumen both upstream and downstream from the ball to hold the ball in position under the sheath. Each insert is formed with a lumen for fluid flow, and has a tapered surface adjacent to the ball, which prevents the ball from forming a seal with the insert.

Abstract: A multiline check valve assembly has an elongated body which defines a fluid passageway and which is formed with a plurality of valve cavities that are in fluid communication with the fluid passageway. Each valve cavity has a resilient valve element disposed within the cavity and each valve element rests in the cavity with one end against a protrusion disposed in the cavity for centering the element within the cavity. The resilient valve element is biased to urge its other end against a valve seat that surrounds an opening to the valve cavity to create a fluid tight seal with the valve seat and close the opening. In addition, an access port is formed circumferentially around both the valve seat and opening to establish a fluid communication path through the access port to the fluid passageway in the body when the valve element is separated from the valve seat.