Abstract: A first portable medical device is adapted for use in an interlocking system for interlocking the first medical device to a second medical device. The first device includes a housing having opposite sides, a selective element, a blocking element, and an optional clamp mechanism. At least one of the opposite sides includes a matable element to detachably attach a second medical device. The selective element restricts the attachment of the second device to only one side of the first device. The blocking element prevents a third medical device from attaching to the first and second devices once the first and second devices are attached. The clamp restricts the attachment of the second device to only one side of the first device when the clamp is attached to a support member. The clamp permits slide-ratcheting axial movement of a clamp shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for configuring the backlight brightness level. The backlight brightness level can be configured at the drug library and/or at the medical device, thereby improving the flexibility a user has in changing backlight parameters. A method and apparatus for managing a power saving mode allows the user to configure the power saving program at the drug library and/or at the medical device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for configuring the backlight brightness level. The backlight brightness level can be configured at the drug library and/or at the medical device, thereby improving the flexibility a user has in changing backlight parameters. A method and apparatus for managing a power saving mode allows the user to configure the power saving program at the drug library and/or at the medical device.

Abstract: A differential pressure based flow sensor assembly and method of using the same to determine the rate of fluid flow in a fluid system. The sensor assembly comprises a disposable portion, and a reusable portion. A flow restricting element is positioned along a fluid flow passage between an inlet and an outlet. The disposable portion further has an upstream fluid pressure membrane and a downstream fluid pressure membrane. The reusable portion has an upstream fluid pressure sensor and a downstream fluid pressure sensor. The upstream fluid pressure sensor senses the upstream fluid pressure at a location within the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the flow restricting element. The downstream fluid pressure sensor senses the downstream fluid pressure at a location within the fluid flow passage between the flow restricting element and the outlet. The process utilizes output of the sensors to calculate the flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for configuring the backlight brightness level. The backlight brightness level can be configured at the drug library and/or at the medical device, thereby improving the flexibility a user has in changing backlight parameters. A method and apparatus for managing a power saving mode allows the user to configure the power saving program at the drug library and/or at the medical device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for configuring the backlight brightness level. The backlight brightness level can be configured at the drug library and/or at the medical device, thereby improving the flexibility a user has in changing backlight parameters. A method and apparatus for managing a power saving mode allows the user to configure the power saving program at the drug library and/or at the medical device.

Abstract: A method for dynamically adjusting the screen brightness of a pump screen display. The method includes providing a medical pump including an internal clock and a screen display having a first screen brightness and a second screen brightness. The method further includes providing a medication management unit operatively connected to the medical pump and transmitting configuration instructions from the medication management unit to the medical pump. The configuration instructions include instructions to display the first screen brightness during the daytime hours and instructions to display the second screen brightness during the nighttime hours. The method also includes determining a time of day using the internal clock of the pump and displaying the first or second screen brightness according to the time of day determined by the internal clock of the pump.

Abstract: A method and pump that accurately senses air in a fluid delivery line pulses or activates and deactivates the air sensor(s) multiple times during the pumping phase of the fluid delivery cycle and can generate alarms based upon a single indication or a cumulative indication of air in the line. The pump can include multiple air sensors spaced along the delivery line so that the method can use the multiple signals therefrom to distinguish real moving air bubbles from false positives and/or air bubbles adhered to the inner wall of the line.

Abstract: A method for dynamically adjusting the screen brightness of a pump screen display. The method includes providing a medical pump including a screen display having a first screen brightness and a second screen brightness. The method further includes providing a medication management unit operatively connected to the medical pump where the medication management unit is configured to transmit operating instructions to the medical pump. The operating instructions transmittable from the medication management unit to the medical pump include instructions to display the first screen brightness during daytime hours and instructions to display the second screen brightness during nighttime hours. The method also includes determining a time of day using the medication management unit and transmitting from the medication management unit to the medical pump instructions to display the first or second screen brightness.

Abstract: A medication management system (MMS) includes a medication management unit (MMU) associated with a medical device. The MMU downloads a medication order to the medical device only if information from a first input matches information from a second input. The medical device receives delivery information only from the MMU. The medication order is performed only after delivery data validation. The MMU also determines drug-drug incompatibility. The MMU can modulate (start, stop, and dynamically adjust) medication order performance. The medical device wirelessly receives a patient ID to automatically associate with the patient. During delivery, the medical device caches an updated drug library to replace an existing one. The medical device displays a patient picture for validation. The MMU evaluates the performance of medical devices and caregivers based medical device feedback. The MMU adjusts the output of medical device information conveyed to a caregiver.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for controlling at least one infusion pump wherein the system comprises a first channel for delivering a first fluid, a second channel for delivering a second fluid, a first input for receiving channel sequence data wherein the channel sequence data identifies the sequence for delivering the first fluid from the first channel and the second fluid from the second channel, a second input for receiving first delivery data for the first channel and the second delivery data for the second channel, and a processor for controlling delivery of the first fluid from the first channel and the second fluid from the second channel according to the channel sequence data, the first delivery data, and the second delivery data.

Abstract: A medication management system (MMS) includes a medication management unit (MMU) associated with a medical device. The MMU downloads a medication order to the medical device only if information from a first input matches information from a second input. The medical device receives delivery information only from the MMU. The medication order is performed only after delivery data validation. The MMU also determines drug-drug incompatibility. The MMU can modulate (start, stop, and dynamically adjust) medication order performance. The medical device wirelessly receives a patient ID to automatically associate with the patient. During delivery, the medical device caches an updated drug library to replace an existing one. The medical device displays a patient picture for validation. The MMU evaluates the performance of medical devices and caregivers based medical device feedback. The MMU adjusts the output of medical device information conveyed to a caregiver.

Abstract: A medical pump includes a chassis having a fixed seat, and a main carriage having a carriage footing for receiving a fluid delivery device and restricting its movement. An actuator automatically moves the main carriage between open and closed positions to engage the fluid delivery device to the seat. The seat establishes the position of both the main carriage and fluid delivery device in the closed position. The actuator is connected to the main carriage by a rear carriage assembly having a manual release element for disengaging the actuator from rear carriage assembly and thereby from the main carriage. A processing unit detects jam conditions by processing carriage position data and electrical load data from the actuator.

Abstract: A medical pump includes a chassis having a fixed seat, and a main carriage having a carriage footing for receiving a fluid delivery device and restricting its movement. An actuator automatically moves the main carriage between open and closed positions to engage the fluid delivery device to the seat. The seat establishes the position of both the main carriage and fluid delivery device in the closed position. The actuator is connected to the main carriage by a rear carriage assembly having a manual release element for disengaging the actuator from rear carriage assembly and thereby from the main carriage. A processing unit detects jam conditions by processing carriage position data and electrical load data from the actuator.

Abstract: A medical pump includes a chassis having a fixed seat, and a main carriage having a carriage footing for receiving a fluid delivery device and restricting its movement. An actuator automatically moves the main carriage between open and closed positions to engage the fluid delivery device to the seat. The seat establishes the position of both the main carriage and fluid delivery device in the closed position. The actuator is connected to the main carriage by a rear carriage assembly having a manual release element for disengaging the actuator from rear carriage assembly and thereby from the main carriage. A processing unit detects jam conditions by processing carriage position data and electrical load data from the actuator.

Abstract: A syringe holder includes a body with a syringe retainer, an elongated finger and a stop member connected to the body. The finger inserts longitudinally into a socket on a pump without the aid of tools and permits the holder to move in multiple planes. The stop member limits such movement. The stop member can include a clip for releasably clamping onto a portion of a pump. The syringe retainer can include a hole in the body and may optionally include an adaptor mounted in or extending into the hole for detachably attaching a syringe. The syringe holder can be incorporated into a tube set assembly or an infusion system.

Abstract: A medication management system (MMS) includes a medication management unit (MMU) associated with a medical device. The MMU downloads a medication order to the medical device only if information from a first input matches information from a second input. The medical device receives delivery information only from the MMU. The medication order is performed only after delivery data validation. The MMU also determines drug-drug incompatibility. The MMU can modulate (start, stop, and dynamically adjust) medication order performance. The medical device wirelessly receives a patient ID to automatically associate with the patient. During delivery, the medical device caches an updated drug library to replace an existing one. The medical device displays a patient picture for validation. The MMU evaluates the performance of medical devices and caregivers based medical device feedback. The MMU adjusts the output of medical device information conveyed to a caregiver.

Abstract: A medical pump with an improved continuity low flow delivery system and method for use with a pumping chamber, for example in a cassette, is disclosed. The pump includes a pump drive for exerting a force on the pumping chamber and a sensor for sensing the force/pressure exerted by the pump drive on the pumping chamber. The pump drive position sensor senses the position of the pump drive. The medical pump also includes a processing unit and a memory having a programming code adapted to calculate the rate of change of the sensed force/pressure values and determine whether the rate of change of the sensed force/pressure values meets a rate of change threshold. Once the rate of change threshold is met, the programming code is adapted to calculate a remaining pump drive travel value for determining how much farther the pump drive should travel before the end of an effective pump cycle.

Abstract: A medication management system (MMS) includes a medication management unit (MMU) associated with a medical device. The MMU downloads a medication order to the medical device only if information from a first input matches information from a second input. The medical device receives delivery information only from the MMU. The medication order is performed only after delivery data validation. The MMU also determines drug-drug incompatibility. The MMU can modulate (start, stop, and dynamically adjust) medication order performance. The medical device wirelessly receives a patient ID to automatically associate with the patient. During delivery, the medical device caches an updated drug library to replace an existing one. The medical device displays a patient picture for validation. The MMU evaluates the performance of medical devices and caregivers based medical device feedback. The MMU adjusts the output of medical device information conveyed to a caregiver.

Abstract: A medical pump for use with a tube set having a slack portion includes a pump housing and a pumping mechanism to meter fluid into the outlet line from the inlet line. A tube snap or a tube snap set is located on the pump housing remote from the pumping mechanism to gather and hold a slack portion between first and second tube snaps. In addition or alternatively, a tube hanger can be attached to the pump housing to allow insertion of a slack portion between the tube hanger and the pump housing.