Abstract: Intelligent systems are disclosed for monitoring of enteral feeding pumps. The systems include a structure with a pivot mechanism, a fluid pump, a force-responsive electrical component, and an optional computing device. The pivot mechanism moves in response to force. The fluid pump moves feeding fluid, and the force-responsive electrical component changes electrical properties in response to force and alters resistance in the presence of an obstruction. The optional computing device can transmit an alert to a healthcare provider, for example, via smartphone. The force-responsive electrical component provides an electrical response in proportion to tension on a conduit and decreases resistance when there is an obstruction in the conduit. The systems sends an alert signal when the electrical response indicates an obstruction in the conduit.

Abstract: A flow selector valve assembly for an enteral feeding pump system (i.e., an enteral feeding pump system including a fluid delivery set with first and second feeding tubes, an enteral feeding pump and a pinching mechanism for regulating the flow of nutrient formula or water out of the first and second feeding tubes), and a twin port adapter for use in the valve assembly. The twin port adapter includes a body configured to receive the first and second feeding tubes therein, and a feeding tube guide rotatably connected to the body and configured to secure the first and second feeding tubes within the body.

Abstract: A flow sensor system for detecting the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system. The flow sensor system includes a channel configured to retain the conduit therein, a heat source disposed at a first location at a first portion of the conduit, and a heat detector disposed at a second location at a second portion of the conduit. The heat source may include an IR LED, and the heat detector may include a thermopile sensor. A method for using the flow sensor system to detect the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flow selector valve assembly for an enteral feeding pump system (i.e., an enteral feeding pump system including a fluid delivery set with first and second feeding tubes, an enteral feeding pump and a pinching mechanism for regulating the flow of nutrient formula or water out of the first and second feeding tubes), and a twin port adapter for use in the valve assembly. The twin port adapter includes a body configured to receive the first and second feeding tubes therein, and a feeding tube guide rotatably connected to the body and configured to secure the first and second feeding tubes within the body.

Abstract: A flow sensor system for detecting the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system. The flow sensor system includes a channel configured to retain the conduit therein, a heat source disposed at a first location at a first portion of the conduit, and a heat detector disposed at a second location at a second portion of the conduit. The heat source may include an IR LED, and the heat detector may include a thermopile sensor. A method for using the flow sensor system to detect the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Enteral feeding pump systems valves assemblies therefor and related fluid flow control methods. The system includes a disposable fluid delivery set with an integral peristaltic tube section and an enteral feeding pump. The system may also include a pinching mechanism for regulating the flow of nutrient formula or water out of the fluid delivery set. Also disclosed is a flow selector valve assembly for an enteral feeding pump system, the valve assembly including a tube adapter having two input flexible tubing channels and one output tubing channel and being configured to position the flexible tubing channels in relation with a receiver. The receiver has an eccentric bearing that is moveable between a first position in which neither of the input flexible tubing channels is compressed, and a second position in which the eccentric bearing compresses one of the input flexible tubing channels therein to prevent flow therethrough.

Abstract: A flow selector valve assembly for an enteral feeding pump system (i.e., an enteral feeding pump system including a fluid delivery set with first and second feeding tubes, an enteral feeding pump and a pinching mechanism for regulating the flow of nutrient formula or water out of the first and second feeding tubes), and a twin port adapter for use in the valve assembly. The twin port adapter includes a body configured to receive the first and second feeding tubes therein, and a feeding tube guide rotatably connected to the body and configured to secure the first and second feeding tubes within the body.

Abstract: Enteral feeding pump systems valves assemblies therefor and related fluid flow control methods. The system includes a disposable fluid delivery set with an integral peristaltic tube section and an enteral feeding pump. The system may also include a pinching mechanism for regulating the flow of nutrient formula or water out of the fluid delivery set. Also disclosed is a flow selector valve assembly for an enteral feeding pump system, the valve assembly including a tube adapter having two input flexible tubing channels and one output tubing channel and being configured to position the flexible tubing channels in relation with a receiver. The receiver has an eccentric bearing that is moveable between a first position in which neither of the input flexible tubing channels is compressed, and a second position in which the eccentric bearing compresses one of the input flexible tubing channels therein to prevent flow therethrough.

Abstract: A flow sensor system for detecting the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system. The flow sensor system includes a channel configured to retain the conduit therein, a heat source disposed at a first location at a first portion of the conduit, and a heat detector disposed at a second location at a second portion of the conduit. The heat source may include an IR LED, and the heat detector may include a thermopile sensor. A method for using the flow sensor system to detect the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An analyzer includes an analytical unit, the analytical unit including at least a mixing wheel, a piercing system, a reading cell and a hydraulic system, a rack holding system holding homogeneous racks, each of the homogeneous racks including sample tubes, a robotic arm to pick up any one of homogeneous racks and load sample tubes from it into the mixing wheel, and a system handler processor, the analytical unit, the rack holding system and the robotic arm communicatively linked by the system handler processor.

Abstract: Enteral feeding pump systems valves assemblies therefor and related fluid flow control methods. The system includes a disposable fluid delivery set with an integral peristaltic tube section and an enteral feeding pump. The system may also include a pinching mechanism for regulating the flow of nutrient formula or water out of the fluid delivery set. Also disclosed is a flow selector valve assembly for an enteral feeding pump system, the valve assembly including a tube adapter having two input flexible tubing channels and one output tubing channel and being configured to position the flexible tubing channels in relation with a receiver. The receiver has an eccentric bearing that is moveable between a first position in which neither of the input flexible tubing channels is compressed, and a second position in which the eccentric bearing compresses one of the input flexible tubing channels therein to prevent flow therethrough.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an enteral feeding pump system. A method of directing flow for a coil includes drawing fluid from a source and delivering fluid, the coil including input and output check valves to prevent a back flow of fluid.

Abstract: An enteral pump system for delivering medical fluids unidirectionally includes a disposable fluid delivery set having a repeatable compression portion and an enteral feeding pump. The repeatable compression portion is helically coiled around a central axis to define a cylindrical shape. The compression portion is configured to pump a large volume of medical fluids per stroke. The compressing portion includes at least two adjacent tubing walls joined around the central axis for repeatable compression. The enteral feeding pump is configured to repeatedly and reliably compress the compression portion of the fluid delivery set along the central axis. In operation, the compression portion is repeatably compressed without distortion along the central axis by the enteral feeding pump to flow unidirectionally through the fluid delivery set.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an enteral feeding pump system. A method of directing flow for a coil includes drawing fluid from a source and delivering fluid, the coil including input and output check valves to prevent a back flow of fluid.

Abstract: An enteral pump system for delivering medical fluids unidirectionally includes a disposable fluid delivery set having a repeatable compression portion and an enteral feeding pump. The repeatable compression portion is helically coiled around a central axis to define a cylindrical shape. The compression portion is configured to pump a large volume of medical fluids per stroke. The compressing portion includes at least two adjacent tubing walls joined around the central axis for repeatable compression. The enteral feeding pump is configured to repeatedly and reliably compress the compression portion of the fluid delivery set along the central axis. In operation, the compression portion is repeatably compressed without distortion along the central axis by the enteral feeding pump to flow unidirectionally through the fluid delivery set.

Abstract: A head gatch alarm system reduces medical risk for aspirational pneumonia when an angle of the head gatch section is outside a predetermined range. The system includes an inclinometer and a pump. The inclinometer is attached to the head gatch section for sensing an angle of the head gatch section. The inclinometer includes an RF receiver and RF transmitter for sending and receiving signals to a pump. An alarm or other means for alerting a medical professional is in communication with the inclinometer or the pump. The pump includes an RF transmitter and RF receiver for two way RF communication between the pump and the inclinometer. In operation, the alarm is triggered and the pump is turned off when the head gatch section is positioned outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating an infrared drip sensor in an enteral pump system to reduce false alarm conditions. The method consists of the following steps: optically coupling a infrared beam emitter with an infrared beam detector along an infrared beam path that extends through a drip chamber and intersects the drip path; monitoring the output signal of the infrared beam detector to detect pulses; monitoring the pulses for an interruption thereof; and running an infrared beam power update routine when an interruption is detected in the pulses, the infrared beam power update routine consisting of incrementally increasing a power level of the infrared beam until the power level of the infrared beam is sufficient to re-establish an output signal at the infrared beam detector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating an infrared drip sensor in an enteral pump system to reduce false alarm conditions. The method consists of the following steps: optically coupling a infrared beam emitter with an infrared beam detector along an infrared beam path that extends through a drip chamber and intersects the drip path; monitoring the output signal of the infrared beam detector to detect pulses; monitoring the pulses for an interruption thereof; and running an infrared beam power update routine when an interruption is detected in the pulses, the infrared beam power update routine consisting of incrementally increasing a power level of the infrared beam until the power level of the infrared beam is sufficient to re-establish an output signal at the infrared beam detector.