Multi-purpose capacitive sensor for fluid pumps

Abstract

A method may include: measuring a first-side capacitance value from a first-side capacitor of an infusion pump; measuring a second-side capacitance value from a second-side capacitor of the infusion pump; and measuring a center capacitance value from a center capacitor of the infusion pump. The method may include determining a total side capacitance value by obtaining the sum of the first-side capacitance value and the second-side capacitance value. The method may also include comparing the total side capacitance value with the center capacitance value. The method may further include detecting the presence of air in a fluid delivery tube connected to the infusion pump when the center capacitance value differs from the total side capacitance value. Related methods and articles of manufacture are also disclosed, including apparatus and computer program products.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 975,422, filed February 12, 2020, entitled “Multipurpose Capacitive Sensor for Fluid Pumps,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The subject matter described in this article generally relates to the distribution of fluids, and more specifically, to pump systems for infusion devices used to deliver fluid drugs. Background Technology

[0004] Fluid pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) treat patients by delivering medications or other fluids to them. These pumps may include a compartment for the infusion set and a door providing access to and securing the compartment. The infusion set may include a fluid delivery line, such as an intravenous line or other administration device. During pump use, air can become trapped in the fluid delivery line of the infusion set, which, if unmonitored, can pose a high risk of air entering the patient's bloodstream, leading to air embolism or other medical complications. Detecting air within the fluid delivery line can be difficult. Sensors and detection methods can often be unreliable, difficult to assemble, expensive, and require significant device resources (e.g., power, processing time, memory, network bandwidth, etc.). Summary of the Invention

[0005] Systems, methods, and articles are provided for detecting the presence of air within the fluid delivery tube of a fluid pump (e.g., an infusion pump), said articles comprising computer program products.

[0006] According to some aspects, an infusion pump system can detect the presence of air within a fluid delivery tube coupled to the infusion pump for delivering a drug to a patient. The infusion pump system may include a gate, a base, and a capacitor system. The gate may include a first side portion, a second side portion, and a central portion positioned between the first and second side portions. The base may include a first side electrode, a second side electrode, and a central electrode positioned between the first and second side electrodes. The fluid delivery tube may be positioned between the central electrode and the central portion of the gate. The capacitor system may include: a first side capacitor formed by the first side electrode and the first side portion; a second side capacitor formed by the second side electrode and the second side portion; and a central capacitor formed by the central portion, the fluid delivery tube, and the central electrode. The presence of air within the fluid delivery tube can be detected when the total side capacitance value differs from the central capacitance value of the central capacitor. The total side capacitance value may be the sum of the first side capacitance value of the first side capacitor and the second side capacitance value of the second side capacitor.

[0007] In some aspects, the presence of air within the fluid delivery tube is detected when the center capacitance is less than the total capacitance. In some aspects, the gate comprises a metallic material. In some aspects, the base comprises a substrate, and a first side electrode, a second side electrode, and a center electrode are etched into the substrate. In some aspects, the substrate is a printed circuit board.

[0008] In some aspects, the door is parallel to the base. In some aspects, the lateral distance between the first side electrode and the first side portion of the door is less than the center distance between the central electrode and the central portion of the door. In some aspects, the infusion pump system includes a fluid delivery pipe and an infusion pump.

[0009] According to several aspects, a method is provided. The method may include measuring a first-side capacitance value from a first-side capacitor of an infusion pump. The first-side capacitor may be formed by a first-side portion of a gate of the infusion pump and a first-side electrode of the infusion pump. The method may also include measuring a second-side capacitance value from a second-side capacitor of the infusion pump. The second-side capacitor may be formed by a second-side portion of a gate and a second-side electrode of the infusion pump. The method may also include determining a total side capacitance value by obtaining the sum of the first-side capacitance value and the second-side capacitance value. The method may also include measuring a central capacitance value from a central capacitor of the infusion pump. The central capacitor may be formed by a central portion of a gate, a central electrode of the infusion pump, and a fluid delivery tube coupled to the infusion pump for delivering a drug to a patient. The method may also include comparing the total side capacitance value with the central capacitance value. The method may also include detecting the presence of air within the fluid delivery tube when the central capacitance value differs from the total side capacitance value. The method may also include, upon detecting the presence of air within the fluid delivery tube, informing the patient that air exists within the fluid delivery tube and / or stopping the flow of the drug within the fluid delivery tube.

[0010] In some aspects, the method further includes determining that the center capacitance value is less than the total side capacitance value. The method may also include detecting the presence of air within the fluid delivery tube based on the determination that the total side capacitance value is less than the center capacitance value.

[0011] In some aspects, the instructions include playing a sound via the display of the infusion pump and flashing one or more lights.

[0012] In some aspects, detecting the presence of air further includes: determining the volume of air present within the fluid delivery tube based on a central capacitance value. In some aspects, detecting the presence of air further includes determining that the volume of air is greater than or equal to a threshold volume of air. In some aspects, detecting the presence of air further includes determining the volume of a first air bubble within the fluid delivery tube based on a central capacitance value. In some aspects, detecting the presence of air further includes: determining that the volume of the first air bubble is greater than or equal to a threshold volume of air; and, after determining that the volume of the first air bubble is greater than or equal to the threshold volume of air, informing the patient that air is present in the fluid delivery tube and / or stopping the flow of medication within the fluid delivery tube.

[0013] In some aspects, detecting the presence of air further includes: determining that the volume of the first bubble is less than a threshold volume of air; determining the second volume of the second bubble of air in the fluid delivery tube based on a second central capacitance value; determining the total volume of air in the fluid delivery tube by obtaining the sum of the volumes of the first bubble and the second bubbles of the second bubble; and, after determining that the total volume is greater than or equal to the threshold volume of air, instructing the patient that air is present in the fluid delivery tube and / or stopping the flow of the drug in the fluid delivery tube.

[0014] Implementations of the present subject matter may include methods consistent with those described herein, as well as articles of art comprising tangibly embodied machine-readable media operable to cause one or more machines (e.g., computers, etc.) to perform one or more operations embodying the described features. Similarly, computer systems are also described, which may include one or more processors and one or more memories coupled to one or more processors. Memory that may include non-volatile computer-readable or machine-readable storage media may contain one or more programs, encode one or more programs, store one or more programs, etc., which cause one or more processors to perform one or more of the operations described herein. Methods consistent with one or more embodiments of the present subject matter may be implemented by one or more data processors residing in a single computing system or multiple computing systems. Such multiple computing systems may be connected and able to exchange data and / or commands or other instructions via one or more connections including, for example, connections to a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless wide area network, local area network, wide area network, wired network, etc.), direct connections between one or more of the multiple computing systems, etc.

[0015] Details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings and from the claims. While certain features of the currently disclosed subject matter are described for illustrative purposes with respect to a pump system for detecting the presence of air in the fluid delivery line of an infusion pump, it should be readily understood that such features are not intended to be limiting. The claims appended to this disclosure are intended to define the scope of the protected subject matter. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the specification, help to explain some principles associated with the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings,

[0017] Figure 1 A system diagram illustrating a pump system according to some exemplary embodiments is provided;

[0018] Figure 2 An example compartment of a pump according to some exemplary embodiments is schematically depicted;

[0019] Figure 3A Another example compartment of a pump according to some exemplary embodiments is depicted;

[0020] Figure 3B Another example compartment of a pump with a fluid delivery pipe is depicted according to some exemplary embodiments;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram depicting a pump system according to some exemplary embodiments is provided;

[0022] Figure 5 A flowchart is depicted according to some exemplary embodiments for detecting the presence of air in the fluid delivery tube of a pump;

[0023] Figure 6 A flowchart depicting an unacceptable amount of air in the fluid delivery line of a pump, according to some exemplary embodiments;

[0024] Figure 7 A block diagram of a computing system according to some exemplary embodiments is provided;

[0025] Figure 8A A front view of a patient care system according to some exemplary embodiments is depicted;

[0026] Figure 8B An enlarged view depicting a portion of a patient care system according to some exemplary embodiments; and

[0027] Figure 8CA perspective view of a pump according to some exemplary embodiments is depicted.

[0028] In practice, similar reference marks represent similar structures, features, or elements. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) treat patients by delivering medications or other fluids to them. These pumps may include a compartment for the infusion set and a door providing access to and securing the compartment. The infusion set may include a fluid delivery line, such as an intravenous (IV) line or other administration device. During pump use, air can become trapped in the fluid delivery line of the infusion set, which, if unmonitored, can pose a high risk of air entering the patient's bloodstream, leading to air embolism or other medical complications. Detecting air within the fluid delivery line can be difficult, and detection methods are often unreliable, difficult to assemble, expensive, and require significant power. The pump system described herein simplifies pump system assembly and reduces resource requirements by reliably detecting the presence of air in the delivered medication (or other fluid) via the pump.

[0030] For example, a pump system may include three capacitors (or capacitive sensors, etc.), each defined by electrodes positioned on and / or within a compartment and at least a portion of a door to the compartment, said door being made of metal and / or another conductive material. The capacitor system may include one, two, three, four, five, or more capacitors. For example, the capacitor system may include a central capacitor and two side capacitors positioned on opposite sides of the central capacitor. A fluid delivery tube may be positioned within the central capacitor (e.g., between the electrodes and the door), while there may be no space or a very small space (e.g., less than 10 mm, 5 mm, 3 mm, 1 mm, etc.) between the electrodes and the doors of the two side capacitors. Therefore, the fluid delivery tube may define the dielectric material of the central capacitor.

[0031] When the capacitance of the central capacitor does not match the total capacitance of the two side capacitors and / or is not within the range of the total capacitance of the two side capacitors, the pump system can detect the presence of air in the fluid delivery tube. For example, the capacitance can be determined at least in part based on the dielectric constant of the material located within each capacitor. Thus, when air enters the fluid delivery tube, the dielectric constant of the material located within the central capacitor (e.g., a fluid drug) changes, causing the capacitance of the central capacitor to change, while the capacitances of the two side capacitors remain constant. Comparing the total capacitance of the two side capacitors with the capacitance of the central capacitor allows the pump system to reliably detect air in the tubing. Based on the measured capacitances of the central and side capacitors, the pump system described herein can additionally and / or alternatively detect the presence of an infusion set in the infusion pump, measure whether the infusion pump gate is properly closed during use, and / or detect when different types of drugs are injected into the infusion set.

[0032] Some examples of infusion pumps may employ a pair of ultrasonic elements or sensors (e.g., transducers), comprising a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter emits ultrasonic signals, and the receiver receives them. The transmitter and receiver can be expensive, unreliable, and require significant power to operate. For example, as mentioned above, the infusion pump may include a compartment for the infusion unit, and a door providing access to and security for the compartment. The transmitter and receiver can be attached to various parts of the infusion unit. As an example, the transmitter may be attached to the door, and the receiver may be attached to the infusion unit and / or elsewhere within the compartment, or vice versa. Mounting one of these components to the door while the other is mounted to the compartment can be unreliable because the wires connecting these components or to external components can bend when the door is opened and closed, and replacement can be costly (especially in wearable devices). Furthermore, the material of the moving component (e.g., ceramic) may vibrate during use due to the movement of at least one component, causing the component to crack and allowing moisture to enter. This can be particularly problematic in non-hospital environments, where there may be more movement of the device and inconsistencies in its use. The pump system described herein can reliably detect the presence of air, for example, by providing redundancy in capacitance measurements. The pump system described herein can also and / or alternatively consume minimal power and simplify assembly. For example, the pump system described herein can be integrally formed or at least partially integrally formed with the pump compartment (e.g., with a door), thereby simplifying assembly and reducing the likelihood of mechanical failure.

[0033] Some examples of infusion pumps can alternatively use optical sensors to detect the presence of air in the fluid delivery tube of the infusion unit. However, optical sensors are only feasible in limited situations, such as when the fluid passing through the delivery tube is transparent. Using optical sensors can also require significant power to drive an optimal transmitter that communicates with the sensor. The pump system described herein can be used with any type of fluid passing through the delivery tube because the pump system measures capacitance based on the dielectric constant of the fluid within the delivery tube. The pump system also consumes a minimal amount of power.

[0034] Other examples of infusion pumps may include a single capacitor (which may be very large) to detect the presence of air in the fluid delivery tubing of the infusion unit. However, using only a single capacitor can lead to unreliable measurements because they will be susceptible to environmental changes (e.g., variations in temperature, humidity, and air pressure). The pump system described herein compares measurements of two capacitors (e.g., the capacitance of the central capacitor versus the total capacitance of the two side capacitors), which increases the reliability and stability of the pump system. The pump system described herein may also include relatively small capacitors capable of measuring small changes in capacitance, for example, in the pico-farad range.

[0035] Figure 1 A system diagram illustrating a pump system 100 according to some exemplary embodiments is provided. (Reference) Figure 1 The pump system 100 may include a fluid reservoir 120, a pump (also referred to herein as a "delivery device") 122, a fluid delivery conduit 106 connecting the fluid reservoir 120 and the pump 122, a network 105, an accessory system 102, and a display 154. In some exemplary embodiments, the display 154 and / or the accessory system 102 may be formed part of the pump 122 and / or may be located within the housing of the pump 122.

[0036] Display 154 may be part of pump 122 or may be separately connected as part of a client device. Display 154 may also include a user interface. The user interface may be part of the display screen of display 154 that presents information to the user, and / or the user interface may be separate from the display screen. For example, the user interface may be a portion of one or more buttons or a display screen configured to receive input from the user. The client device may be a mobile device, such as a smartphone, tablet computer, wearable device, etc. However, it should be understood that the client device may be any processor-based device, including, for example, a desktop computer, laptop computer, workstation, etc. Through display 154, the user can configure certain parameters of pump 122, such as air-in-line threshold, rate limit, alarm limit, etc. Additionally, in some examples, through display 154, the user can configure various medication regimens with default settings and safety parameters (e.g., setting limits on medication dosage).

[0037] Accessory system 102 may include alarms, lights (e.g., LEDs), sound sources, and / or other indicators. These indicators may indicate to the user one or more measurements, thresholds, or other detected events related to pump 122. For example, an indicator may indicate to the user the presence of air in fluid delivery line 106. As mentioned above, accessory system 102 may be part of pump 122 and / or display 154, or may be separately coupled to pump 122, for example, via network 105.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, pump 122, display 154, and / or accessory system 102 can be communicatively connected via network 105. Network 105 can be any wired and / or wireless network, including, for example, public land mobile network (PLMN), local area network (LAN), virtual local area network (VLAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet, etc.

[0039] Pump 122 can be any type of pump configured to move fluid from fluid reservoir 120 (e.g., reservoir, dripper, syringe, etc.) through a catheter or other tube (e.g., fluid delivery tube 106) to a destination (not shown) (e.g., a patient). Pump 122 can be an infusion pump, anesthesia delivery pump, infusion pump, and / or patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump configured to deliver medication to a patient. However, it should be understood that pump 122 can be any infusion device configured to deliver substances (e.g., fluids, nutrients, drugs, etc.) to a patient's circulatory system or epidural space via, for example, intravenous infusion, subcutaneous infusion, arterial infusion, epidural infusion, etc. Additionally and / or alternatively, pump 122 can be an infusion device configured to deliver substances (e.g., fluids, nutrients, drugs, etc.) to a patient's digestive system via a nasogastric tube (NG), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube (PEG), nasojejunal tube (NJ), etc. In addition, pump 122 may be part of a patient care system that includes one or more additional pumps.

[0040] Pump 122 may include compartment 130, controller 108, and processing circuitry system 104. As described in more detail below, compartment 130 may include one or more capacitors, processing circuitry system 104 may process capacitance measured by one or more capacitors, and controller 108 may control processing circuitry system 104 and / or communicate with one or more other systems (e.g., accessory system 102 and display 154).

[0041] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the compartment 130 of pump 122, and Figures 3A to 3B An example compartment 130 of pump 122 consistent with an embodiment of the present subject is described. Compartment 130 includes a door 132 and a base 134. Door 132 may be coupled (e.g., pivotally coupled) to base 134, or to another portion of pump 122 providing an inlet to base 134. For example, door 132 may be opened (e.g., pivoted away from base) or otherwise removed from pump 122 to provide an inlet to the internal volume 146 of base 134 and / or compartment 130. In some embodiments, door 132 is spring-loaded such that door 132 is biased toward another portion of base 134 or compartment 130 to help ensure that door 132 remains closed in use. Internal volume 146 may be positioned between at least a portion of base 134 and at least a portion of door 132 when door 132 is closed. In use, at least a portion of fluid delivery conduit 106 may be positioned within internal volume 146 of compartment 130 (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 3B ).

[0042] The base 134 may include one or more (e.g., two) infusion guides 135 (see...) Figure 3A and Figure 3B Infusion guides 135 are positioned on opposite sides of the base 134. Infusion guides 135 extend from the base 134 toward the internal volume 146. Infusion guides 135 are spaced apart from each other and help position the fluid delivery tube 106 within the internal volume 146. Infusion guides 135 laterally secure and / or position the fluid delivery tube 106 within the compartment 130.

[0043] The base 134 may include one or more electrodes, such as one, two, three, or more electrodes. For example, the base 134 includes a first side electrode 136, a center electrode 137, and a second side electrode 138. The center electrode 137 is positioned between the first side electrode 136 and the second side electrode 138. The center electrode 137 is positioned such that the fluid delivery tube 106 is positioned along and / or in contact with the center electrode 137, and the fluid delivery tube 106 is not positioned along and / or in contact with the first side electrode 136 and the second side electrode 138. Therefore, the first side electrode 136 and the second side electrode 138 may be spaced apart from the center electrode 137 on opposite sides of the center electrode 137.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first side electrode 136, the center electrode 137, and the second side electrode 138 may be integrally formed with the base 134 and / or separately coupled to the base 134. For example, the base 134 may include or form a substrate 139, such as a printed circuit board (PCB). The first side electrode 136, the center electrode 137, and the second side electrode 138 may be etched in the substrate 139 and exposed to the internal volume 146. Etching the electrodes in the substrate 139 can help simplify the manufacture of the pump system 100 (e.g., compartment 130) and reduce the cost of producing the pump system 100.

[0045] refer to Figures 2 to 3A and Figure 3B The door 132 includes a first side portion 132A, a central portion 132B, and a second side portion 132C. The central portion 132B is positioned between the first side portion 132A and the second side portion 132C. The first side portion 132A and the second side portion 132C may be spaced apart from each other by the central portion 132B on opposite sides of the central portion 132B. The first side portion 132A, the central portion 132B, and the second side portion 132C may be integrally formed. The first side portion 132A and the second side portion 132C may each include a protrusion that extends inward toward the internal volume 146 by an amount greater than that of the central portion 132B. The protrusion of each of the first side portion 132A and the second side portion 132C may have the same length as each of the infusion guides 135.

[0046] The first side portion 132A (e.g., a protrusion of the first side portion), the central portion 132B, and the second side portion 132C (e.g., a protrusion of the second side portion) may each include an internal surface, such as the first side surface 141A, the central surface 141B, and the second side surface 141C. The first side surface 141A, the central surface 141B, and the second side surface 141C may each face inward toward the internal volume 146 of the compartment 130.

[0047] In some embodiments, door 132 comprises a conductive material, such as a metal. In some embodiments, at least a portion of door 132 comprises a conductive material, for example, at the first side surface 141A, the central surface 141B, and the second side surface 141C.

[0048] As mentioned above, compartment 130 can be closed or opened (e.g., door 132 can be closed and / or opened relative to base 134). Door 132 can be closed relative to base 134 of compartment 130 when at least a portion of door 132 (e.g., first side surface 141A, center surface 141B, and second side surface 141C) is substantially parallel to at least a portion of base 134 (e.g., first side electrode 136, center electrode 137, and second side electrode 138).

[0049] When compartment 130 is closed, at least a portion of door 132 is separated from at least a portion of base 134 by a certain distance. For example, a first side surface 141A may be spaced apart from a first side electrode 136 by a gap having a lateral distance 143, a central surface 141B may be spaced apart from a central electrode 137 by a gap having a center distance 148, and a second side surface 141C may be spaced apart from a second side electrode 138 by a gap having a lateral distance 143. In some embodiments, the lateral distance 143 may be approximately 0.1 mm. In other embodiments, the lateral distance 143 is approximately 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm, 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm, 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm, or greater. In some embodiments, the center distance 148 may be approximately 30 times the size of the lateral distance 143. For example, in some embodiments, the center distance 148 is approximately 3 mm, or approximately equal to the diameter of the fluid delivery tube 106. In other embodiments, the center distance 148 is approximately 2.0 mm to 2.5 mm, 2.5 mm to 3.0 mm, 3.0 mm to 3.5 mm, 3.5 mm to 4.0 mm, or greater.

[0050] In some embodiments, such as when compartment 130 is closed, compartment 130 forms a capacitor system. For example, when door 132 is closed relative to base 134, the compartment forms a first-side capacitor 140 (also referred to herein as "C1"), a central capacitor 142 (also referred to herein as "C2"), and a second-side capacitor (also referred to herein as "C3"). The first-side capacitor 140 may be defined by a first-side electrode 136 and a first-side portion 132A of the door (e.g., a protrusion of the first portion). The central capacitor 142 may be defined by a central electrode 137 and a central portion 132B of the door 132. In some embodiments, the central capacitor 142 may also include a fluid delivery tube 106 when the fluid delivery tube 106 is positioned within compartment 130. The second-side capacitor 144 may be defined by a second-side electrode 138 and a second-side portion 132C of the door 132. In some embodiments, power is supplied to each of the first side electrode 136, the center electrode 137, and the second side electrode 138, which causes a potential difference between the first side electrode 136, the center electrode 137, and the second side electrode 138 and the corresponding portions 132A, 132B, and 132C of the gate.

[0051] In some embodiments, the controller 108 of pump 122 measures the capacitance of a first-side capacitor 140, a second-side capacitor 144, and a center capacitor 142. The first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144 are connected in series to obtain the sum of the capacitances measured from each of the first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144. When there is no air in the portion of the fluid delivery pipe 106 in compartment 130, the total capacitance measured from the first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144 is approximately equal to the capacitance measured from the center capacitor 142.

[0052] In some embodiments, the controller 108 of pump 122 measures the capacitance value of each of the first-side capacitor 140, the second-side capacitor 144, and the center capacitor 142 at various time increments (e.g., per second, per minute, per hour, etc.), and the capacitance values ​​at each time increment can be compared. As described herein, capacitance can be measured simultaneously from the center capacitor 142 as well as from the first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144. In some embodiments, depending on the desired sensitivity and / or resolution of the measurement results (e.g., depending on the type of fluid), the running average of the measured values ​​can be compared. For example, the running average of the measured capacitance values ​​can be determined using the following equation, where t is the measurement time interval, C is the capacitance value, and a is the weight applied to each capacitance value or the average capacitance value:

[0053] Equation 1: C t =a*C t-1 +(1-a)*C measured

[0054] Generally, capacitance can be considered a function of the separation between the two plates of a capacitor. Figures 2 to 3B In the example shown, the two plates of the capacitor contain corresponding portions of each pair of electrodes and gate 132. In this example, the capacitance of the first side capacitor 140 and the second side capacitor 144 is a function of at least the lateral distance 143, and the capacitance of the center capacitor 142 is a function of at least the center distance 148. Therefore, as the lateral distance 143 and / or the center distance 148 increases, the capacitance of each capacitor decreases. Alternatively, as the lateral distance 143 and / or the center distance 148 decreases, the capacitance of each capacitor increases.

[0055] When dielectric material is inserted between the two plates of a capacitor (e.g., in a fluid delivery tube 106 with fluid 109), the capacitance of the capacitor with the inserted dielectric material will change. For example, introducing a dielectric material with a dielectric constant greater than 1.0 will increase the capacitance of the capacitor. The air positioned between the two plates of the first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144 has a dielectric constant approximately equal to 1.0, while a tube completely filled with a drug or other fluid typically has a dielectric constant approximately equal to 80.0. Therefore, as described above, to compensate for the difference in dielectric constant of the dielectric material positioned in each of the first-side capacitor 140, the second-side capacitor 144, and the central capacitor 142, the two plates of the first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144 are positioned closer to each other than the two plates of the central capacitor 142. In other words, the first-side portion 132A and the first-side electrode 136, and the second-side portion 132C and the second-side electrode 138 are positioned closer to each other than the central portion 132B and the central electrode 137. This makes the total capacitance of the first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144 approximately equal to the capacitance of the center capacitor 142.

[0056] The multiple capacitors described herein provide more reliable and / or accurate detection of air present within the fluid delivery tube 106. Figure 3BAn example of compartment 130 is shown, in which a portion of fluid delivery tube 106 is inserted, and a bubble 107 is positioned within fluid 109 within that portion of fluid delivery tube 106. Because bubble 107 has a lower dielectric constant than the surrounding fluid 109, the capacitance of the central capacitor 142, as measured by controller 108, will decrease or otherwise change. The capacitances of the first and second side capacitors 140 and 144 remain constant when the material (e.g., air) positioned within the first and second side capacitors 140 does not change. Therefore, controller 108 can detect the presence of bubble 107 within a portion of fluid delivery tube 106 when controller 108 detects a change (e.g., a decrease) in the capacitance of central capacitor 142 and / or when the measured capacitance of central capacitor 142 is not the same as the total capacitance of the first and second side capacitors 140 and 144. The redundancy of the set of capacitances compared to each other helps increase the reliability of the pump system, for example, when detecting the presence of air within fluid delivery tube 106. This can help prevent or reduce the likelihood of air embolism or other complications caused by air entering the patient's bloodstream. Additionally and / or alternatively, the capacitances measured at the first side capacitor 140, the second side capacitor 144, and the central capacitor 142 are affected in the same way (e.g., by the same measurement errors) when external environmental changes occur. Since the combination of the capacitances of the first side capacitor 140 and the second side capacitor 144 is compared with the capacitance of the central capacitor 142, errors can be offset and / or otherwise balanced.

[0057] In a similar manner, particularly when the second material has a dielectric constant different from that of the original fluid located within a portion of the fluid delivery tube 106, the pump system 100 can determine whether a second fluid has been inserted into a portion of the fluid delivery tube 106. For example, because the second fluid has a different dielectric constant than the original fluid 109, the capacitance of the central capacitor 142, as measured by the controller 108, will decrease, increase, or otherwise change. Therefore, when the controller 108 detects a change in the capacitance of the central capacitor 142 (e.g., a decrease or increase) and / or when the measured capacitance of the central capacitor 142 is not the same as the total capacitance of the first side capacitor 140 and the second side capacitor 144, the controller 108 can detect the presence of a second fluid within a portion of the fluid delivery tube 106. This example is particularly applicable when administering multiple drug regimens to a patient using the same pump 122 and / or tube 106.

[0058] Similarly, pump system 100 can determine the presence of an infuser (e.g., a fluid-filled tube 106) within compartment 130 of pump 122. For example, because the fluid 109 within fluid delivery tube 106 has a different dielectric constant than air (which would be located within central capacitor 142 if fluid 109 were not present in fluid delivery tube 106), the capacitance of central capacitor 142, as measured by controller 108, will increase or otherwise change when fluid 109 is introduced into fluid delivery tube 106. Therefore, when controller 108 detects a change in the capacitance of central capacitor 142 (e.g., a decrease or increase) and / or when the measured capacitance of central capacitor 142 is not the same as the total capacitance of first-side capacitor 140 and second-side capacitor 144, controller 108 can detect the presence of fluid 109 and / or tube 106 within compartment 130. This configuration can help detect, for example, when any blockage or other obstruction exists in fluid delivery tube 106 upstream of compartment 130.

[0059] In some embodiments, the pump system 100 (e.g., controller 108) may additionally and / or alternatively detect whether the door 132 of the compartment 130 is properly closed. For example, the controller 108 may measure the capacitance of a first-side capacitor 140 and a second-side capacitor 144. When the door 132 is closed, the capacitance of the first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144 may be relatively high (at least partly due to the smaller lateral distance 143), while when the door is open, the capacitance of the first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144 may be relatively low (at least partly due to the larger lateral distance 143). In other words, capacitance is inversely proportional to the distance between the electrodes and corresponding portions of the door 132. Therefore, the controller 108 may detect when the capacitance of the first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144 is within an acceptable range indicating that the door 132 is open and / or closed.

[0060] For example, when door 132 is closed, the capacitance of the first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144 may be approximately 8 to 12 picofarads, 10 to 14 picofarads, or 12 to 16 picofarads, or greater. Therefore, when the capacitance of the first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144 is approximately 8 to 12 picofarads, 10 to 14 picofarads, or 12 to 16 picofarads, or greater, the pump system 100 (e.g., controller 108) can detect that door 132 is closed. When door 132 is open, the capacitance of the first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144 may be approximately 0.1 to 0.3 picofarads, 0.2 to 0.4 picofarads, or 0.3 to 0.5 picofarads, etc. Therefore, when the capacitance of the first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144 is approximately 0.1 to 0.3 picofarads, 0.2 to 0.4 picofarads, or 0.3 to 0.5 picofarads, the pump system 100 (e.g., controller 108) can detect that the door 132 is open. This configuration eliminates or reduces the need for separate sensors (e.g., magnetic, optical, or electromechanical sensors) for detecting when the door 132 of the compartment 130 is closed, thereby reducing the overall cost of the pump system.

[0061] Figure 4 A schematic circuit diagram illustrating the pump system 100, consistent with the implementation scheme of the current topic. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the pump system 100 includes three capacitors (e.g., a first side capacitor 140, a center capacitor 142, and a second side capacitor 144). Each capacitor is formed by parallel plates. For example, the first side capacitor (C1) 140 is defined by a gate 132 and a first side electrode 136, the second side capacitor (C3) 144 is defined by a gate 132 and a second side electrode 138, and the center capacitor (C2) 142 is defined by a gate 132 and a center electrode 137. The first side electrode 136, the center electrode 137, and the second side electrode 138 are positioned on and / or etched onto a substrate 139, such as a printed circuit board. As mentioned above, the first side electrode 136 and the second side electrode 138 are connected in series.

[0062] The capacitance signals from the first-side capacitor 140, the center capacitor 142, and the second-side capacitor 144 are then processed by the processing circuitry system 104. The processing circuitry system includes an amplifier or other offset compensation component (3), a first capacitor-to-digital converter (e.g., pF-to-code converter) (4), a second capacitor-to-digital converter (e.g., pF-to-code converter) (5), and a differentiator (6). Figure 4As shown, the total capacitance signal from the first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144 is directly transmitted to the first capacitance digitizer (4) and the differentiator (6) for conversion into a digital signal. The capacitance signal from the center capacitor is amplified (3) before being transmitted to the second capacitance digitizer (5) and the differentiator (6) for conversion into a digital signal. The capacitance signal from the center capacitor 142 is transmitted to the amplifier (3) to ensure that the output value of the total capacitance signal from the first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144 is equal to the output value of the capacitance signal from the center capacitor 142. The controller 108 can adjust the capacitance signal from the center capacitor 142 via the amplifier (3) to compensate for one or more factors, such as environmental factors (e.g., temperature, humidity, air pressure, etc.), the dielectric constant of the material located within the center capacitor, etc., so that the total capacitance measured from the first-side capacitor 140 and the second-side capacitor 144 is balanced with the capacitance measured from the center capacitor 142. Therefore, the pump system 100 described herein can reliably detect air in the fluid delivery line 106, detect the presence of an infusion unit in the pump 122, measure whether the door 132 of the pump 122 is properly closed during use, and / or detect when different types of drugs are injected into the infusion unit, while eliminating the effects of any environmental changes during the use of the pump 122.

[0063] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a process 560 for detecting the presence of air in a fluid delivery tube connected to a pump for delivering a drug to a patient is provided.

[0064] In step 562, the pump (e.g., pump 122) may measure and / or record a first-side capacitance value from a first-side capacitor (e.g., first-side capacitor 140) of the infusion pump (e.g., pump 122), for example via a controller (e.g., controller 108), and in step 564, the pump may measure a second-side capacitance value from a second-side capacitor (e.g., second-side capacitor 144) of the infusion pump. As mentioned above, the infusion pump may include a compartment (e.g., compartment 130). The compartment may include a door (e.g., door 132) and at least one electrode (e.g., first-side electrode 136, second-side electrode 138, and center electrode 137) positioned within the compartment. The first-side capacitor may be formed by at least a portion of the door (e.g., a first-side portion (e.g., first-side portion 132A)) and the first-side electrode. The second-side capacitor may be formed by at least another portion of the door (e.g., a second-side portion (e.g., second-side portion 132C)) and the second-side electrode. In some embodiments, the first-side capacitance and / or the second-side capacitance may be approximately 15 pF. In other embodiments, the first-side capacitance and / or the second-side capacitance may be approximately 15 fF to 15 pF, 15 fF to 50 fF, 50 fF to 0.1 pF, 0.1 pF to 1.0 pF, 1.0 pF to 10 pF, or greater. The controller may detect the location of a door, fluid conduit, or other characteristics of the medical device. After detection, the controller may begin collecting measurement results. In some embodiments, the frequency of the measurement set may be a statically configured value or may be performed based on a dynamically established frequency. The dynamic frequency may be determined based on the pump's programming parameters (e.g., flow rate, drug to be administered), the type of administration device inserted into the pump, or other characteristics that can be detected or accessed by the controller.

[0065] In step 566, the pump can determine the total side capacitance value. For example, the pump can obtain the sum of the first and second side capacitance values, for instance, via a controller. In some embodiments, the controller can obtain the sum of the first and second side capacitance values ​​at various time increments (e.g., per second, per minute, per hour, etc.). In some embodiments, the controller records the total capacitance value. In some embodiments, the total side capacitance value can indicate whether the pump's compartment door is properly closed. For example, when the total side capacitance value is high, such as approximately 8 to 12 picofarads, 10 to 14 picofarads, or 12 to 16 picofarads or greater, the pump can determine that the door is properly closed. Alternatively, when the total capacitance value is low, such as approximately 0.1 to 0.3 picofarads, 0.2 to 0.4 picofarads, or 0.3 to 0.5 picofarads, the pump can determine that the door is improperly closed, open, or at least partially open.

[0066] In step 568, the pump may, for example, measure and / or record the central capacitance value from the central capacitor (e.g., central capacitor 142) of the infusion pump via a controller. The central capacitor may be formed by at least a portion of the gate (e.g., a central portion (e.g., central portion 132B)) and a central electrode within the compartment. In some embodiments, the central capacitor may be formed by the central portion of the gate, the central electrode, and a fluid delivery tube coupled to the pump for delivering medication to the patient. The fluid delivery tube defines a dielectric material positioned between the central electrode and the central portion of the gate. The central capacitor may be positioned between a first-side capacitor and a second-side capacitor. In some embodiments, the central capacitance value may be approximately equal to the total capacitance value (e.g., the sum of the first-side capacitance value and the second-side capacitance value). For example, the central capacitance value may be approximately 15 pF. In other embodiments, the capacitance values ​​of the first side and / or the second side may be approximately 15fF to 15pF, 15fF to 50fF, 50fF to 0.1pF, 0.1pF to 1.0pF, 1.0pF to 10pF, or greater.

[0067] As described, capacitance values ​​can represent the values ​​detected at a specific time. In some embodiments, values ​​can be generated based on a set of measurements. For example, the value of a side capacitor can be generated as a moving average based on a predetermined number of measurements collected from the corresponding side capacitor.

[0068] In step 570, the pump may, for example, compare the total side capacitance value with the center capacitance value via a controller. In some embodiments, air is not present in the fluid delivery tube when the total side capacitance value is approximately equal to or within the range of the measured center capacitance value (e.g., within 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, or 5%). Similarly, when the center capacitance value and the total side capacitance value are approximately equal to or within each other's ranges, the pump (e.g., via a controller) may determine the presence of an infusion unit (e.g., a fluid delivery tube filled with medication) within the pump compartment. In some embodiments, air may be present in the fluid delivery tube when the total side capacitance value is greater than or exceeds the range of the measured center capacitance value (e.g., greater than 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, or 5%). This range may be a parameter programmed to the pump by the user via a user interface; the range may be a static value configured for the pump, or the range may be a dynamic value generated based on one or more values ​​detectable or accessible by the pump.

[0069] In step 572, the pump may detect the presence of air in the fluid delivery tube when the center capacitance value does not correspond to (e.g., differs by at least a threshold amount) the total side capacitance value. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the pump may detect the presence of air in the fluid delivery tube when the total side capacitance value is greater than or exceeds the range of the measured center capacitance value.

[0070] In step 574, based on the determination that air is present within the fluid delivery tube, the pump may adjust one or more operating elements associated with fluid delivery. For example, the pump may adjust the user interface, lights, or audio components to present a human-perceptible indication of the presence of air within the fluid delivery tube. As another example, the pump may deactivate the pumping mechanism or engage with an occluder to prevent medication from flowing from the fluid delivery tube to the patient. In some embodiments, the pump may communicate, for example, via the pump's display or a separate client device with a local or wireless accessory system (e.g., accessory system 102) to indicate the presence of air within the fluid delivery tube (e.g., an amount of air greater than a threshold) and / or that the pump is preventing medication from flowing to the patient. For example, the pump may display indicators such as alarms, text, flashing lights, etc.

[0071] Figure 6 A flowchart 600 illustrates a process for detecting the amount of air in a fluid delivery tube that is greater than a threshold amount, the fluid delivery tube being connected to a pump for delivering a drug to a patient.

[0072] In step 602, the pump may, for example via a controller, detect the presence of air within the fluid delivery tube using one or more of the methods described herein. The air within the fluid delivery tube may contain one or more air bubbles, such as a first bubble, a second bubble, etc. In some embodiments, the pump may determine a first volume of the first air bubble within the fluid delivery tube, based at least on the central capacitance value measured from the central capacitor. For example, with the pump door closed, the pump may measure and determine the total capacitance of the first and second side capacitors. When the fluid delivery tube is fully filled with fluid, the pump may assume that the capacitance of the central capacitor is approximately equal to the total capacitance of the first and second side capacitors. Once the fluid delivery tube is inserted into the pump, the pump measures and records the maximum value of the central capacitance of the central capacitor over a period of time. The maximum value of the central capacitance when the fluid delivery tube is fully filled with fluid may be stored as the central capacitance value. Therefore, the capacitance value measured and / or determined during fluid delivery (e.g., the total capacitance of the central and / or side capacitors) may indicate the presence of air proportional to the known total volume of fluid within the fluid delivery tube. For example, a change in the central capacitance value may be proportional to a change in the volume of fluid within the fluid delivery tube. When air is present in the fluid delivery tube, the reduction in the fluid volume within the tube corresponds to the volume of each air bubble (e.g., a first volume) within the fluid delivery tube. In some embodiments, the first volume of the first bubble may be approximately 1 ml. In other embodiments, the first volume of the first bubble may be approximately 0.01 ml to 0.05 ml, 0.05 ml to 0.10 ml, 0.10 ml to 0.50 ml, or 0.50 ml to 1 ml, or greater.

[0073] In step 604, the pump may, for example via a controller, determine whether a first volume of the first bubble is greater than a threshold volume. In some embodiments, the threshold volume is approximately 1 ml. In other embodiments, the threshold volume may be approximately 0.01 ml to 0.05 ml, 0.05 ml to 0.10 ml, 0.10 ml to 0.50 ml, or 0.50 ml to 1 ml, or greater. The threshold volume may be equivalent to an acceptable amount of air passing through the fluid delivery tube without causing air embolism or other complications due to air entering the patient's bloodstream. The threshold may be a parameter programmed to the pump by the user via a user interface, a parameter included in patient information received by the pump, a static value configured for the pump, or a dynamic value generated based on one or more values ​​detectable or accessible by the pump.

[0074] If the pump determines that the first volume of the first bubble corresponds to (e.g., greater than or equal to) a threshold volume, then in step 606, the pump may adjust one or more operating elements associated with fluid delivery. For example, the pump may adjust a user interface, lights, or audio components to present a human-perceptible indication of the presence of air within the fluid delivery tube. As another example, the pump may deactivate the pumping mechanism or engage with a stopper to prevent the drug from flowing from the fluid delivery tube to the patient. In some embodiments, the pump may communicate with a local or wireless accessory system, for example via the pump's display or a separate client device, to indicate to the patient the presence of an unacceptable amount of air (e.g., an air volume greater than the threshold volume) within the fluid delivery tube and / or that the pump is preventing the drug from flowing to the patient. For example, the pump may display indicators such as alarms, text, flashing lights, etc.

[0075] If the pump determines that the first volume of the first bubble is less than a threshold volume, the pump may store the first volume of the first bubble at an initial value for the total air volume. The pump may, for example, use a controller to detect another air bubble present in the fluid delivery tube using one or more methods described herein. In some embodiments, at step 608, based at least on the central capacitance value measured from the central capacitor, the pump may determine the additional volume of subsequent air bubbles in the fluid delivery tube (e.g., after bubbles previously detected by the method). The additional volume of the subsequent bubbles may be determined in the same or similar manner as the first volume of the first bubble. In some embodiments, the additional volume of the subsequent bubbles may be approximately 1 ml. In other embodiments, the volume of the subsequent bubbles may be approximately .01 ml to .05 ml, .05 ml to .10 ml, .10 ml to .50 ml, or .50 ml to 1 ml, or greater.

[0076] The pump may, for example, combine the current total air volume with the additional volume of subsequent bubbles via a controller to generate a new total air volume value. In step 610, the pump may, for example, determine via the controller whether the total air volume is greater than or equal to a threshold volume. If the pump determines that the total volume is less than the threshold volume, then the pump stores the new total volume and returns to step 608 to continue monitoring for additional bubbles in the fluid delivery tube.

[0077] If the pump determines that the total volume of the bubbles (e.g., the total volume of the first bubble and any accumulated subsequent bubble volume) exceeds a threshold, the method proceeds to step 606, as described above. Therefore, the pump can reliably and accurately detect the presence of air (e.g., unacceptable amounts of air) within the fluid delivery tube. This can help prevent or reduce the likelihood of air embolism or other medical complications in the patient.

[0078] Figure 7 Describe a block diagram of the computational system 500, consistent with the implementation scheme of the current topic. (Reference) Figure 1 and Figure 7 The computing system 500 can be used to implement the pump 122, accessory system 102, display 154 and / or any of its components.

[0079] like Figure 7 As shown, computing system 500 may include processor 510, memory 520, storage device 530, and input / output device 540. Processor 510, memory 520, storage device 530, and input / output device 540 may be interconnected via system bus 550. Processor 510 is capable of processing instructions for execution within computing system 500. Such executed instructions may implement one or more components, such as pump 122. In some exemplary embodiments, processor 510 may be a single-threaded processor. Alternatively, processor 510 may be a multi-threaded processor. Processor 510 is capable of processing instructions stored in memory 520 and / or storage device 530 to present graphical information of a user interface provided via input / output device 540.

[0080] Memory 520 is a computer-readable medium, such as volatile or non-volatile, that stores information within computing system 500. Memory 520 may store data structures representing, for example, a database of configuration objects. Storage device 530 provides persistent storage for computing system 500. Storage device 530 may be a floppy disk device, hard disk device, optical disk device, or magnetic tape device, or other suitable persistent storage device. Input / output device 540 provides input / output operations for computing system 500. In some exemplary embodiments, input / output device 540 includes a keyboard and / or pointing device. In various embodiments, input / output device 540 includes a display unit for displaying a graphical user interface.

[0081] According to some exemplary embodiments, input / output device 540 may provide input / output operations for network devices. For example, input / output device 540 may include an Ethernet port or other networking port to communicate with one or more wired and / or wireless networks (e.g., local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet).

[0082] In some exemplary embodiments, computing system 500 can be used to execute various interactive computer software applications that can be used to organize, analyze, and / or store data in various formats. Alternatively, computing system 500 can be used to execute software applications. These applications can be used to perform various functions, such as planning functions (e.g., generating, managing, and editing spreadsheet documents, word processing documents, and / or any other objects), computing functions, communication functions, etc. Applications may include various plug-in functions or may be standalone computing products and / or functions. Once activated within an application, the function can be used to generate a user interface provided via input / output device 540. The user interface can be generated by computing system 500 and presented to the user (e.g., on a computer screen monitor, etc.).

[0083] In some exemplary embodiments, pump 122 (e.g., as...) Figures 8A to 8C The pump 22 shown in the image may be part of the patient care system 20. Figures 8A to 8C This describes an exemplary implementation of patient care system 20, but other types of patient care systems may be implemented. (See reference...) Figure 8A The patient care system 20 may include pump 22 and additional pumps 24, 26, and 28. Although a large volume pump (LVP) is shown, other types of pumps may be implemented, such as small volume pumps (SVP), infusion pumps, anesthesia delivery pumps, and / or patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps configured to deliver medications to the patient. Pump 22 may be any infusion device configured to deliver substances (e.g., fluids, nutrients, medications, etc.) to the patient's circulatory system or epidural space via, for example, intravenous infusion, subcutaneous infusion, arterial infusion, epidural infusion, etc., or pump 22 may be an infusion device configured to deliver substances (e.g., fluids, nutrients, medications, etc.) to the patient's digestive system via a nasogastric tube (NG), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube (PEG), nasojejunal tube (NJ), etc. In some embodiments, one or more of pumps 22, 24, 26, and 28 may include compartment 130 as described herein.

[0084] like Figure 8AAs shown, each of pumps 22, 24, 26, and 28 can be fluidly connected to upstream fluid lines 30, 32, 34, and 36, respectively. Furthermore, each of the four pumps 22, 24, 26, and 28 can also be fluidly connected to downstream fluid lines 31, 33, 35, and 37, respectively. The fluid lines can be any type of fluid conduit, such as a fluid delivery pipe (e.g., fluid delivery pipe 106), through which fluid can flow. At least a portion of one or more of the fluid lines can be constructed using a multi-layer configuration as described herein. In some embodiments, each of pumps 22, 24, 26, and 28 can use the same fluid line. In such embodiments, as described above, the pump system can detect when various types of fluid are flowing through the fluid lines.

[0085] Fluid supplies 38, 40, 42, and 44, which may take various forms but are shown in this case as bottles, are inverted and suspended above the pump. Fluid supplies may also be in the form of bags, syringes, or other types of containers. The patient care system 20 and the fluid supplies 38, 40, 42, and 44 are all mounted to a roller rack or intravenous (IV) bar 46.

[0086] Individual pumps 22, 24, 26, and 28 can be used to infuse each fluid from the fluid supply into the patient. Pumps 22, 24, 26, and 28 can be flow control devices that act on the corresponding fluid lines to move fluid from the fluid supply through the fluid lines to the patient 48. Because individual pumps are used, each pump can be individually set to the pumping or operating parameters required to infuse the fluid from the corresponding fluid supply into the patient at a specific rate prescribed by a physician for a particular medical fluid. Such medical fluids may include pharmaceuticals, nutrients, or other fluids.

[0087] Typically, medical fluid delivery devices have a higher efficiency than... Figure 8A More parts are shown. Many devices have check valves, drippers, valved ports, connectors, and other devices well known to those skilled in the art. These other devices are not included in the figures to maintain clarity. Furthermore, it should be noted that... Figure 8A The accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale, and the distances have been reduced for clarity. In actual setups, the distances between bottles 38, 40, 42, and 44 and pumps 22, 24, 26, and 28 would likely be much greater.

[0088] For reference Figure 8BThis image shows an enlarged view of the front of the patient care system 20. The pump 22 may include a front door 50 (e.g., door 132) and a handle 52, which is operated to lock the door in a closed position for operation, and to unlock and open the door to access the internal pumping and sensing mechanisms and load the application device for the pump. The door provides an entrance to the pump's compartment (e.g., compartment 130). When the door is open, tubing (e.g., fluid delivery tubing 106) can be connected to the pump, as shown in the image. Figure 8C In the middle. When the door is closed, the pipe engages with the pumping mechanism, upstream and downstream pressure sensors, and other pump equipment. In some embodiments, when the door is closed, the door may form at least one (e.g., three) capacitors with a compartmentalized base. The capacitors can be used to detect the presence of air in the fluid line, as described herein. In this embodiment, a display 54 (e.g., display 154), such as an LED display, is located in a plan view on the door and can be used to visually convey various pump-related information, such as warning indications (e.g., alarm messages). Display 54 may also be part of or coupled to pump 22. Control keys 56 are provided for programming and controlling the operation of the pump as needed. Pump 22 also includes audio alarm equipment in the form of a speaker (not shown).

[0089] In the illustrated embodiment, the programming module 60 is attached to the left side of pump 22. In some embodiments, the programming module 60 is integrated into pump 22. Other devices or modules comprising another pump may be attached to the right side of pump 22, such as... Figure 8A As shown in the diagram. In such systems, each attached pump represents a pump channel for the entire patient care system 20. In one embodiment, a programming module is used to provide an interface between the pump 22 and external devices, as well as to provide most of the operator interface for the pump 22.

[0090] Programming module 60 includes display 62 for visually conveying various information, such as operating parameters of pump 22, as well as warning indications and alarm messages. Programming module 60 may additionally and / or alternatively communicate with accessory system 102 to, for example, indicate to the patient that the presence of air has been detected in at least one fluid line. Programming module 60 may additionally and / or alternatively display an indication to the patient on display 54 that the presence of air has been detected in at least one fluid line. Programming module 60 may also include a speaker to provide an audible alarm, for example, when the presence of air has been detected in at least one fluid line. In this embodiment, the programming module or any other module also includes various input devices, including control keys 64 and barcode or other scanners or readers for scanning information from electronic data tags relating to infusion, patient, caregiver, or other sources. The programming module also has a communication system (not shown) that can communicate with external devices such as medical facility servers or other computers, and with portable processors such as handheld portable digital assistants (PDAs) or laptop computers, or other information devices that caregivers may have, to transmit information and download the drug database to the programming module or pump.

[0091] The communication system can take the form of a radio frequency (RF) system, such as an infrared optical system, a Bluetooth system, or other wired or wireless systems. The barcode scanner and communication system can alternatively be integrated into pump 22, for example, without using a programming module, or in addition to being integrated into the pump, they can also be integrated into the programming module. Furthermore, the information input device does not require hardwired connection to the medical device and can transmit information wirelessly.

[0092] Figure 8B Includes a second pump 26 connected to the programming module 60. (e.g.) Figure 8A As shown, more pump modules can be connected. Additionally, other types of modules can be connected to pump modules or programming modules.

[0093] Turn now Figure 8C The image shows pump 22 in a 3D view with front door 50 open, revealing upstream fluid line 30 and downstream fluid line 31 operatively engaged with pump 22. Pump 22 acts directly on pipe 66 (also called pump section), which connects upstream fluid line 30 to downstream fluid line 31 to form a flow from the respective fluid supply unit 38. Figure 8AA continuous fluid conduit extends to the patient 48, and a pump acts on the fluid passing through the continuous fluid conduit to move the fluid downstream to the patient. Specifically, a pumping mechanism 70 acts as a flow control device for the pump to move fluid through the conduit. Upstream and downstream fluid lines and / or pipes 66 may be coupled to a pump housing or canister configured to be coupled to the pump 22, such as the type described in pending U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 827,775, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0094] The type of pumping mechanism can vary and may, for example, be multiple finger pumping mechanisms. For instance, the pumping mechanism may be of the "four-finger" type, comprising an upstream blocking finger 72, a primary pumping finger 74, a downstream blocking finger 76, and a secondary pumping finger 78. The "four-finger" pumping mechanism and the mechanisms used in other linear peristaltic pumps are operated by means of cams following the pumping fingers and valve fingers 72, 74, 76, 78, pressing sequentially on segments of the fluid conduit. Pressure is applied in the sequential positions of the conduit, operating from the upstream end of the pumping mechanism towards the downstream end. At least one finger is always pressed forcefully enough to block the conduit. In practice, a finger will not retract without blocking the fluid delivery tube until the next finger in sequence has blocked it; therefore, there is no direct fluid path from the fluid supply to the patient at any given time. The operation of peristaltic pumps comprising four fingers is well known to those skilled in the art, and further operational details are not provided here.

[0095] In this particular implementation scheme Figure 8C Further shown is a downstream pressure sensor 82 included in pump 22 at a location downstream of the pumping mechanism. The downstream pressure sensor 82 is mounted to and located near and downstream of the flow control device 70. The downstream pressure sensor is located downstream of the flow control device, i.e., at the patient 48 ( Figure 8A The location between the fluid supply and the flow control device allows verification of the correct fluid supply and pump connection before any fluid is pumped to the patient.

[0096] Still referencing Figure 8C The upstream pressure sensor 80 may also be included in the pump 22. The upstream pressure sensor is assigned to the flow control device or pumping mechanism 70, and in this embodiment, it is further configured as a component of the pump 22. The upstream pressure sensor is mounted to the flow control device 70 and is located near and upstream of it relative to the flow control device. The upstream pressure sensor is located upstream of the flow control device, i.e., at the fluid supply 38 (… Figure 8AThe location between the fluid supply and the flow control device allows verification of the correct fluid supply connection to the correct pump before any fluid is pumped to the patient. In embodiments where the source is a syringe, the flow control device 70 can be configured to press the plunger of the syringe to deliver an infusion according to programmed parameters.

[0097] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuit systems, integrated circuit systems, specially designed ASICs, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various aspects or features may be contained in embodiments within one or more computer programs that can be executed and / or interpreted on a programmable system, which includes at least one programmable processor, which may be dedicated or general-purpose, coupled to receive and transmit data and instructions from and to a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. The programmable system or computing system may include clients and servers. Clients and servers are geographically separated and typically interact via a communication network. The client-server relationship is established by means of computer programs running on respective computers and having a client-server relationship with each other.

[0098] These computer programs, also referred to as programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or code, contain machine instructions for a programmable processor and can be implemented in high-level programming and / or object-oriented programming languages ​​and / or in assembly / machine language. As used herein, the term "machine-readable medium" refers to any computer program product, device, and / or apparatus for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, such as a disk, optical disk, memory, and programmable logic device (PLD), containing machine-readable media that receive machine instructions as machine-readable signals. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor. Machine-readable media may store such machine instructions non-volatilely, for example, like non-volatile solid-state memory or magnetic hard disk drive or any equivalent storage medium. Machine-readable media may alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions volatilely, for example, in a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

[0099] To provide interaction with the user, one or more aspects or features of the subjects described herein can be implemented on a computer having a display device, a keyboard, and pointing devices, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), or light-emitting diode (LED) monitor for displaying information to the user, and a pointing device such as a mouse or trackball, thereby allowing the user to provide input to the computer. Other types of devices can also be used to provide interaction with the user. For example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual, auditory, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, voice, or tactile input. Other possible input devices include touchscreens or other touch-sensitive devices such as single-point or multi-point resistive or capacitive tracking pads, speech recognition hardware and software, optical scanners, optical pointers, digital image capture devices, and associated interpretation software, etc.

[0100] In the above description and in the claims, phrases such as "at least one" or "one or more" may appear, preceded by a list of combinations of elements or features. The term "and / or" may also appear in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implied or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it is used, this phrase means any one of the listed elements or features individually, or any one of the listed elements or features in combination with any of the other listed elements or features. For example, the phrases "at least one of A and B"; "one or more of A and B"; and "A and / or B" respectively mean "A alone, B alone, or A and B together." Similar interpretations are also intended for lists containing three or more items. For example, the phrases "at least one of A, B, and C"; "one or more of A, B, and C"; and "A, B, and / or C" respectively mean "A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together." In the foregoing and the claims, the term “based on” means “at least partially based on”, thus also allowing for features or elements not listed.

[0101] As used herein, a “user interface” (also referred to as an interactive user interface, graphical user interface, or UI) can refer to a web-based interface that includes data fields and / or other control elements for receiving input signals or providing electronic information and / or for providing information to a user in response to any received input signals. Control elements may include dial pads, buttons, icons, selectable areas, or other perceptible markings presented via the UI, which initiates data exchange with the device presenting the UI when interacted with (e.g., clicked, touched, selected, etc.). The UI may be implemented entirely or partially using technologies such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Flash™, Java™, .NET™, web services, or Rich Site Summary (RSS). In some implementations, the UI may be contained within a separate client (e.g., a fat client, a multi-functional client) configured to communicate (e.g., send or receive data) according to one or more of the described aspects. Communication may be to or from a medical device or server with which it communicates.

[0102] As used herein, the terms "determine" or "determine out" encompass a wide range of actions. For example, "determine out" can include calculation, operation, processing, derivation, generation, acquisition, lookup (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), confirmation, etc., performed by hardware components without user intervention. Furthermore, "determine out" can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), etc., performed by hardware components without user intervention. "Determine out" can also include distinguishing, selecting, picking, building, etc., performed by hardware components without user intervention.

[0103] As used herein, the terms “provide” or “provide” encompass a wide range of actions. For example, “provide” can include storing a value in a location on a storage device for later retrieval, transmitting a value directly to a receiver via at least one wired or wireless communication medium, or referencing a transmitted or stored value. “Provide” can also include encoding, decoding, encryption, decryption, verification, and inspection via hardware components.

[0104] As used herein, the term "message" encompasses a wide variety of formats used for transmitting (e.g., sending or receiving) information. A message may contain a machine-readable collection of information such as an XML document, a fixed-field message, a comma-separated message, etc. In some implementations, a message may contain signals for transmitting one or more representations of the information. Although stated in the singular, it should be understood that a message may be combined, sent, stored, received, etc., in multiple parts.

[0105] As used herein, the term "correspondence" or "corresponding to" refers to a structural, functional, quantitative, and / or qualitative correlation or relationship between two or more objects, datasets, information, etc., preferably where said correspondence or relationship can be used to transform one or more of the two or more objects, datasets, information, etc., so as to present them as identical or equivalent. Correspondence can be evaluated using one or more of the following: threshold, value range, fuzzy logic, pattern matching, machine learning evaluation models, or combinations thereof.

[0106] In any implementation, generated or detected data may be forwarded to a “remote” device or location, where “remote” means a location or device other than the location or device where the program is executed. For example, a remote location could be another location in the same city (e.g., an office, laboratory, etc.), another location in a different city, another location in a different state, another location in a different country, etc. Thus, when an item is indicated as being “remote” to another item, this means that the two items may be in the same room but separate, or at least in different rooms or different buildings, and may be at least one mile, ten miles, or at least one hundred miles apart. “Transmitting” information means transmitting data representing said information as electrical signals through a suitable communication channel (e.g., a private or public network). “Forwarding” an item means any method of moving said item from one location to another, whether physically transporting said item or otherwise (where possible), and at least in the case of data, includes physically transporting a medium carrying said data or transmitting said data. Examples of transmission media include radio or infrared transmission channels and network connections to another computer or networked device, as well as the Internet or information including email transmissions and records on websites, etc.

[0107] Depending on the desired configuration, the subject matter described herein may be embodied in systems, devices, methods, and / or articles of art. The embodiments set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all embodiments consistent with the subject matter described herein. Rather, the embodiments are merely examples of aspects consistent with the described subject matter. Although some variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. Specifically, additional features and / or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the embodiments described above may involve various combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features and / or combinations and sub-combinations of several other features disclosed above. Furthermore, the logical flows depicted in the accompanying drawings and / or described herein do not necessarily require the specific order or sequence shown to achieve the desired results. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An infusion pump system for detecting the presence of air within a fluid delivery tube, the fluid delivery tube being coupled to an infusion pump for delivering a drug to a patient, the infusion pump system comprising: Doors, which include: First side section; The second side section; and The central portion is positioned between the first side portion and the second side portion; The base includes: First side electrode; Second side electrode; and The center electrode is positioned between the first side electrode and the second side electrode. A fluid delivery tube, wherein the fluid delivery tube is positioned between the central electrode and the central portion of the gate; and A capacitor system, comprising: A first-side capacitor is formed by a first-side electrode and a first-side portion; A second-side capacitor, which is formed by a second-side electrode and a second-side portion; and A central capacitor, which consists of a central portion, a fluid delivery tube, and a central electrode. When the total side capacitance value differs from the center capacitance value of the center capacitor, air is detected within the fluid delivery tube. The total side capacitance value is the sum of the first side capacitance value of the first side capacitor and the second side capacitance value of the second side capacitor. The lateral distance between the first side electrode and the first side portion of the door is less than the center distance between the central electrode and the central portion of the door. The door is made of metal.

2. The infusion pump system according to claim 1, wherein, The presence of air in the fluid delivery tube was detected when the center capacitance value was less than the total side capacitance value.

3. The infusion pump system according to claim 1, wherein, The base includes a substrate, and wherein the first side electrode, the second side electrode, and the center electrode are etched into the substrate.

4. The infusion pump system according to claim 3, wherein, The substrate is a printed circuit board.

5. The infusion pump system according to claim 1, wherein, The door is parallel to the base.

6. The infusion pump system according to claim 1, further comprising: Infusion pump.

7. The infusion pump system of claim 1, further comprising a controller, the controller including at least one data processor and at least one memory storing instructions, the instructions causing operations including the following when executed by the at least one data processor: Measure the capacitance value of the first-side capacitor from the first-side capacitor; Measure the capacitance value of the second-side capacitor from the second-side capacitor; The total side capacitance value is determined by summing the first side capacitance value and the second side capacitance value. Measure the center capacitance value from the center capacitor; as well as The total side capacitance value is compared with the center capacitance value.

8. The infusion pump system according to claim 7, wherein, The operation further includes: It was determined that the center capacitance value is less than the total side capacitance value; and The presence of air in the fluid delivery tube is detected based on the determination that the total side capacitance value is less than the center capacitance value.

9. The infusion pump system according to claim 8, wherein, The operation further includes: Indicate to the patient that there is air in the fluid delivery tube, the indication including playing one or more sounds and lights.

10. The infusion pump system according to claim 8, wherein, The operation further includes: The flow of the drug in the fluid delivery tube is stopped after the presence of air is detected in the fluid delivery tube.

11. The infusion pump system according to claim 8, wherein, The operation further includes: The volume of air inside the fluid delivery tube is determined based on the central capacitance value.

12. The infusion pump system according to claim 11, wherein, The operation further includes: Determine that the volume of air is greater than a threshold volume of air; after determining that the volume of air is greater than the threshold volume, indicate to the patient that there is air in the fluid delivery tube and / or stop the flow of the drug in the fluid delivery tube.

13. The infusion pump system according to claim 8, wherein, The operation further includes: The volume of the first air bubble in the fluid delivery tube is determined based on the central capacitance value.

14. The infusion pump system according to claim 13, wherein, The operation further includes: Determine that the volume of the first bubble is greater than or equal to a threshold volume of air; after determining that the volume of the first bubble is greater than or equal to the threshold volume of air, indicate to the patient that air is present in the fluid delivery tube and / or stop the flow of the drug in the fluid delivery tube.

15. The infusion pump system according to claim 13, wherein, The operation further includes: It was determined that the volume of the first bubble was less than the threshold volume of air; The second volume of the second air bubble in the fluid delivery tube is determined based on the second center capacitance value. The total volume of air in the fluid delivery tube is determined by summing the volume of the first bubble and the second volume of the second bubble; and After determining that the total volume of the first bubble and the second bubble is greater than or equal to the threshold volume of air, the patient is informed that air is present in the fluid delivery tube and / or the flow of the drug in the fluid delivery tube is stopped.

16. A system comprising: At least one data processor; as well as At least one memory that stores instructions, which, when executed by at least one data processor, cause operations including the following: The capacitance value of the first side is measured from the first side capacitor of the infusion pump, which is formed by the first side portion of the gate of the infusion pump and the first side electrode of the infusion pump; The capacitance value of the second side is measured from the second side capacitor of the infusion pump, which is formed by the second side portion of the gate and the second side electrode of the infusion pump; The total side capacitance value is determined by summing the first side capacitance value and the second side capacitance value. The central capacitance value is measured from the central capacitor of the infusion pump, which is formed by the central portion of the gate, the central electrode of the infusion pump, and the fluid delivery tube connected to the infusion pump for delivering the drug to the patient; Compare the total side capacitance value with the center capacitance value; The presence of air in the fluid delivery tube is detected when the center capacitance value differs from the total side capacitance value. as well as Upon detecting the presence of air within the fluid delivery tube, the patient is informed of the air presence within the fluid delivery tube and / or the flow of medication within the fluid delivery tube is stopped. The lateral distance between the first side electrode and the first side portion of the door is less than the center distance between the center electrode and the center portion of the door.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein, The operation further includes: It was determined that the center capacitance value is less than the total side capacitance value; and The presence of air in the fluid delivery tube is detected based on the determination that the total side capacitance value is less than the center capacitance value.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein, The instructions include playing a sound via the display of the infusion pump and flashing one or more lights.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein, Detecting the presence of air further includes: The volume of air present in the fluid delivery tube is determined based on the central capacitance value.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein, Detecting the presence of air further includes: Determine if the volume of air is greater than or equal to the threshold volume of air.

21. The system according to claim 17, wherein, Detecting the presence of air further includes: The volume of the first air bubble in the fluid delivery tube is determined based on the central capacitance value.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein, Detecting the presence of air further includes: Determine that the volume of the first bubble is greater than or equal to a threshold volume of air; after determining that the volume of the first bubble is greater than or equal to the threshold volume of air, indicate to the patient that air is present in the fluid delivery tube and / or stop the flow of the drug in the fluid delivery tube.

23. The system according to claim 21, wherein, Detecting the presence of air further includes: It was determined that the volume of the first bubble was less than the threshold volume of air; The second volume of the second air bubble in the fluid delivery tube is determined based on the second center capacitance value. The total volume of air in the fluid delivery tube is determined by summing the volume of the first bubble and the second volume of the second bubble; and Once a threshold volume of air is determined to be greater than or equal to the total volume, the patient is informed that air is present in the fluid delivery tube and / or the flow of the drug within the fluid delivery tube is stopped.

24. The system according to claim 17, wherein, The door is made of metal.

25. The system according to claim 17, wherein, The first side electrode, the second side electrode, and the center electrode are etched into the substrate.

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein, The substrate is a printed circuit board.

27. The system according to claim 17, wherein, The gate is parallel to the first side electrode, the second side electrode, and the center electrode.

28. The system of claim 17, further comprising: Fluid delivery tube; as well as Infusion pump.

29. A non-volatile computer-readable storage medium comprising program code, said program code causing operations including the following when executed by at least one data processor: The capacitance value of the first side is measured from the first side capacitor of the infusion pump, which is formed by the first side portion of the gate of the infusion pump and the first side electrode of the infusion pump; The capacitance value of the second side is measured from the second side capacitor of the infusion pump, which is formed by the second side portion of the gate and the second side electrode of the infusion pump; The total side capacitance value is determined by summing the first side capacitance value and the second side capacitance value. The central capacitance value is measured from the central capacitor of the infusion pump, which is formed by the central portion of the gate, the central electrode of the infusion pump, and the fluid delivery tube connected to the infusion pump for delivering the drug to the patient; Compare the total side capacitance value with the center capacitance value; The presence of air in the fluid delivery tube is detected when the center capacitance value differs from the total side capacitance value; and Upon detecting the presence of air within the fluid delivery tube, the patient is informed of the air presence within the fluid delivery tube and / or the flow of medication within the fluid delivery tube is stopped. in, The lateral distance between the first side electrode and the first side portion of the gate is less than the center distance between the center electrode and the center portion of the gate.

30. An apparatus comprising: A device for measuring the capacitance value of a first-side capacitor from a first-side capacitor of an infusion pump, the first-side capacitor being formed by a first-side portion of a gate of the infusion pump and a first-side electrode of the infusion pump; A device for measuring the capacitance value of a second-side capacitor from a second-side capacitor of an infusion pump, the second-side capacitor being formed by a second-side portion of a gate and a second-side electrode of the infusion pump; A device for determining the total side capacitance value by obtaining the sum of the first side capacitance value and the second side capacitance value; A device for measuring the central capacitance value from the central capacitor of an infusion pump, the central capacitor being formed by a central portion of a gate, a central electrode of the infusion pump, and a fluid delivery tube coupled to the infusion pump for delivering medication to a patient; A device used to compare the total side capacitance value with the center capacitance value; A device for detecting the presence of air in a fluid delivery tube when the center capacitance value differs from the total side capacitance value; as well as A device used to indicate to the patient the presence of air in the fluid delivery tube and / or to stop the flow of medication within the fluid delivery tube after detecting the presence of air within it. The lateral distance between the first side electrode and the first side portion of the door is less than the center distance between the center electrode and the center portion of the door.

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