Abstract: A substance delivery device engages with a reservoir, and includes a pump that draws therapeutic substance from the reservoir into a pump chamber of the delivery device without changing the internal dimensions of the reservoir. The volume of the therapeutic substance within the pump chamber varies in response to changes in the internal dimensions of the pump chamber. An orientation sensor generates an output indicating an orientation of the delivery device with respect to gravity. Control circuitry drives the pump to: calculate a volume of the substance within the reservoir, draw the substance into the pump chamber in response to (i) the calculated volume, in combination with (ii) an output from the orientation sensor that the delivery device is in an orientation that allows the substance to be drawn from the reservoir, and deliver the substance from the pump chamber to the subject. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for use with a pump. The method includes, (a) placing liquid in a tube coupled to the pump, (b) injecting an air bubble into the tube in a manner that does not increase pressure within the tube, and such that there is a predetermined volume of liquid between the air bubble and the pump, (c) using the pump to advance the air bubble along the tube to the bubble detector of the pump, (d) using the pump, assessing accuracy of the pump by automatically measuring the volume of liquid pumped to advance the air bubble to the bubble detector, and (e) using the pump to continue advancing the air bubble along the tube, past the bubble detector, and using the pump to measure a volume of the air bubble. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including a therapeutic substance reservoir (24) configured to hold a therapeutic substance (22), and an electromechanical pumping assembly (26). The pumping assembly is shaped to define a pump chamber (28) having (a) a therapeutic substance inlet (30), and (b) a therapeutic substance outlet (32). The pumping assembly includes a plunger (34) disposed such that therapeutic substance in the pump chamber is in direct contact with the plunger, and control circuitry (36) configured to drive the plunger to (a) draw the therapeutic substance into the pump chamber during a first pumping phase, and (b) deliver the therapeutic substance from the pump chamber in a plurality of discrete motions of the plunger during a second pumping phase.

Abstract: An infusion pump (100) includes a plunger (110) configured to squeeze a section of an infusion tube (150). A proximal valve (120), proximal to the plunger, ascends to allow infusion fluid intake from a reservoir to the infusion tube and descends to inhibit infusion fluid intake from the reservoir to the infusion tube. A distal valve (125), distal to the plunger, ascends to allow infusion fluid flow past the distal valve, and descends to inhibit infusion fluid flow past the distal valve. A controller (141) controls the plunger, proximal valve, and distal valve by initiating descending of the plunger concurrently with or prior to the ascending of the distal valve, such that the descending of the plunger compensates for suction produced by the ascending of the distal valve, thereby reducing backflow of fluid from the subject. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An infusion pump includes upstream and downstream valves, a pressing surface disposed between the valves which presses on an infusion tube, a pressure sensor which measures pressure within the infusion tube, and a controller. In response to the pressure, the controller determines that there is an occlusion in the infusion tube downstream of the downstream valve, and in response thereto, toggles the upstream valve and the downstream valve. The toggling includes sequentially, (a) while the upstream valve remains closed, isolating a segment of the infusion tube between the valves by closing the downstream valve, (b) while the downstream valve remains closed, reducing pressure in the isolated segment by opening the upstream valve, (c) while the downstream valve remains closed, closing the upstream valve, and (d) while the upstream valve remains closed, reducing pressure downstream of the downstream valve by opening the downstream valve. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An infusion pump includes inlet and outlet valves and a squeezing element configured to squeeze a fluid line coupled to the infusion pump. A method includes at least one round of valve operation check prior to initiation of a delivery session of fluid to a subject, and subsequently, after an intake phase and before a delivery phase of at least one infusion pump cycle, determining for the at least one pump cycle, an absolute amount of air in the fluid line. The valve operation check and the determining of the amount of air each include: (A) closing the inlet valve to confine a section of the fluid line between the inlet and outlet valves; (B) squeezing the confined section; (C) measuring the pressure within the confined section; and (D) subsequently, relieving the pressure in the confined section. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method for measuring a size of a fluid-filled conduit in a fluid-delivery device includes (A) isolating a segment of the fluid-filled conduit by occluding a first site of the fluid-filled conduit and a second site of the fluid-filled conduit (B) iteratively increasing pressure within the isolated segment, by incrementally squeezing a portion of the isolated segment of the fluid-filled conduit, (C) for each iteration of squeezing, measuring an increase in force exerted by the isolated segment of the fluid-filled conduit, associated with a respective pressure change during that incremental squeezing, and (D) measuring an indication of the size of the conduit when an increase in force exerted by the isolated segment, measured in response to an incremental squeezing of the portion of the isolated segment of the fluid-filled conduit, passes above a threshold value. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device for pumping fluid through a conduit, the pump including: one or more sensors to detect a parameter associated with the fluid; a circuit to (a) receive from the sensor a first signal indicative of one or more characteristics associated with the fluid; and (b) to determine if an occlusion is indicated based on a signal analysis of the first signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for use with a pump. The method includes, (a) placing liquid in a tube coupled to the pump, (b) injecting an air bubble into the tube in a manner that does not increase pressure within the tube, and such that there is a predetermined volume of liquid between the air bubble and the pump, (c) using the pump to advance the air bubble along the tube to the bubble detector of the pump, (d) using the pump, assessing accuracy of the pump by automatically measuring the volume of liquid pumped to advance the air bubble to the bubble detector, and (e) using the pump to continue advancing the air bubble along the tube, past the bubble detector, and using the pump to measure a volume of the air bubble. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods, circuits, devices, assemblies, systems and associated computer executable code for monitoring medical conduits, sensing and measuring parameters of fluids (liquid and/or gas) within medical conduits and/or processing sensed/measured parameters of fluids within medical conduits. The present invention further includes medical infusion devices and/or systems including the monitoring, sensing, measuring and analyzing devices and methods described herein.

Abstract: An infusion pump including a plunger, a proximal valve located proximally to the plunger, a distal valve located distally to the plunger, and a controller configured to trigger the position of the plunger, such that both in its upper position and its lower position, the plunger squeezes a section of an infusion tube, such that opposite sides of an inner surface of the section do not contact one another.

Abstract: A substance delivery device engages with a reservoir, and includes a pump that draws therapeutic substance from the reservoir into a pump chamber of the delivery device without changing the internal dimensions of the reservoir. The volume of the therapeutic substance within the pump chamber varies in response to changes in the internal dimensions of the pump chamber. An orientation sensor generates an output indicating an orientation of the delivery device with respect to gravity. Control circuitry drives the pump to: calculate a volume of the substance within the reservoir, draw the substance into the pump chamber in response to (i) the calculated volume, in combination with (ii) an output from the orientation sensor that the delivery device is in an orientation that allows the substance to be drawn from the reservoir, and deliver the substance from the pump chamber to the subject. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An infusion pump includes inlet and outlet valves and a squeezing element configured to squeeze a fluid line coupled to the infusion pump. A method includes at least one round of valve operation check prior to initiation of a delivery session of fluid to a subject, and subsequently, after an intake phase and before a delivery phase of at least one infusion pump cycle, determining for the at least one pump cycle, an absolute amount of air in the fluid line. The valve operation check and the determining of the amount of air each include: (A) closing the inlet valve to confine a section of the fluid line between the inlet and outlet valves; (B) squeezing the confined section; (C) measuring the pressure within the confined section; and (D) subsequently, relieving the pressure in the confined section. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including a therapeutic substance reservoir (24) configured to hold a therapeutic substance (22), and an electromechanical pumping assembly (26). The pumping assembly is shaped to define a pump chamber (28) having (a) a therapeutic substance inlet (30), and (b) a therapeutic substance outlet (32). The pumping assembly includes a plunger (34) disposed such that therapeutic substance in the pump chamber is in direct contact with the plunger, and control circuitry (36) configured to drive the plunger to (a) draw the therapeutic substance into the pump chamber during a first pumping phase, and (b) deliver the therapeutic substance from the pump chamber in a plurality of discrete motions of the plunger during a second pumping phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device for pumping fluid through a conduit, the pump including: one or more sensors to detect a parameter associated with the fluid; a circuit to (a) receive from the sensor a first signal indicative of one or more characteristics associated with the fluid; and (b) to determine if an occlusion is indicated based on a signal analysis of the first signal.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods, circuits, devices, assemblies, systems and associated computer executable code for monitoring medical conduits, sensing and measuring parameters of fluids (liquid and/or gas) within medical conduits and/or processing sensed/measured parameters of fluids within medical conduits. The present invention further includes medical infusion devices and/or systems including the monitoring, sensing, measuring and analyzing devices and methods described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is an infusion pump which may include a native pumping mechanism to drive fluids through a functionally associated conduit, at least one native sensor to sense a physical characteristic of the fluid within the conduit and computing circuitry having a decalibration test mode to determine whether the infusion pump is decalibrated. The computing circuitry may be adapted to receive output from at least one native sensor during the decalibration test mode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device including a therapeutic component to provide one or more therapeutic functionalities during whilst in therapeutic mode, and may further enter into a device sleep mode (DSM), a transceiver configured to provide the medical device with wireless connectivity and which may further transition into a transceiver sleep mode (TSM) substantially concurrent with transition into DSM, the transceiver may intermittently transition between TSM and a scan mode, during which scan mode the transceiver may listen for a wireless packet addressed to the transceiver, and a localization module which may emit a discovery signal upon receipt of the wireless packet addressed to the transceiver.

Abstract: An intravenous pump system includes an intravenous pump having an air bubble detector, a separate air trap module and a patient line. The air trap module is connectable to a set interface upon which the pump can operate. The air trap module includes an air chamber capable of receiving fluids and air, a plurality of valves controlling the flow of the fluids and air, and an air vent. The patient line is connectable to the air trap module and to a patient. The air trap module includes an actuator to control the state of the valves to enable, at least during a venting mode, the pump to push air out of the air chamber via the vent without disconnecting the patient from the patient line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device for pumping fluid through a conduit, the pump including: one or more sensors to detect a parameter associated with the fluid; a circuit to (a) receive from the sensor a first signal indicative of one or more characteristics associated with the fluid; and (b) to determine if an occlusion is indicated based on a signal analysis of the first signal.