Apparatuses and methods for providing IV infusion administration

Abstract

An infusate cassette is described for use with an IV infusion system which controls the process of administering a drug to a patient. The cassette and other aspects of the infusion system may include disposable components, external redundant volume tracking, air removal and automated purge and prime capabilities, component removal lockout mechanisms, and / or redundant automated anti-free flow devices. An IV manifold comprising an imbedded high cracking pressure anti-free flow valve is also described for use with the infusion system. The cassette, IV manifold, and other aspects of the infusion system may be provided with quality assurance mechanisms for use with integrated IV infusion.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 308592, filed July 31, 2001, and U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 378046, filed May 16, 2002, two are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. technical field [0002] The present invention relates generally to administering fluids to patients by intravenous (IV) infusion and, more particularly, to various aspects of IV fluid delivery systems including infusion cassettes, infusion drug containers, and various quality assurance measures. Background technique [0003] Mechanical control of the infusion of a fluid from a reservoir directly into a patient is a useful procedure in drug delivery. An electromechanically controlled infusion process typically provides more consistent and accurate dosing or infusion than manual injection. By maintaining precise control over the flow rate of the drug, electromechanically controlled infusion devices can ensure that the drug concen...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, detecting volume based on internal effects has the following problem: If the components within the infusion device are inconsistent with each other, the calculated volume of the infused drug may be incorrect, although there may be a coincidence with the operation of the device

[0009] There are also drawbacks to the efficiency and safety of all the above devices

Such a disadvantage is that known drug infusion devices do not provide low-cost handling of those elements that come into direct contact with the drug

These parts in the above devices, such as drug pump cassettes, can be large and bulky, and therefore expensive and awkward to replace after a single patient use

[0010] Another disadvantage of the above devices is that some of their components, such as the drug container, cannot be replaced during an infusion, i.e. while the pump mechanism is working, without introducing air into the system

[0011] Infusion pumps mistakenly delivering strong pain relievers like morphine have killed patients

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