Controllable pumping tube

Abstract

A medical pumping system is provided. The medical pumping system includes a fluid pump having a fluid inlet connection, a fluid outlet connection, an actuator, and a backing surface. A tube of an intravenous set is disposed between the fluid inlet connection and the fluid outlet connection of the fluid pump and between the actuator and the backing surface, and a bond contact interface. The tube and the actuator are coupled together through the bond contact interface. The actuator is configured to actively pull a portion of the tube to an open position during a pump cycle. Further provided are a medical pump and an infusion set.

Description

Controllable pumping fittings

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 110,179, filed November 5, 2020, entitled “CONTROLLABLE PUMPING TUBING,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to medical fluid pumps, and in particular to controllable pumping fittings. Background Technology

[0004] In typical medical fluid pump designs, such as infusion or dialysis pumps, the pump tubing section and pump actuation components (e.g., plungers, upstream plugs, and downstream plugs) are not always in contact with the tubing during the filling phase. Ideally, the tubing should immediately return to its shape after being unloaded from the actuator. However, no known elastomeric tubing material exhibits instantaneous tubing rebound without time or deformation recovery delay, especially at low temperatures and high flow rates. This slow tubing recovery results in a reduced volume of fluid drawn into the tubing section. To compensate for this unwanted volume and improve pump flow rate accuracy, a measurement phase must be introduced to actually measure the fluid volume in the tubing section, followed by cam-based speed adjustments to compensate for the volume with a feedback loop mechanism. This contact between the pump tubing section and the pump moving parts is passive tubing control, and flow rate accuracy depends almost entirely on the elasticity of the tubing material.

[0005] For these reasons, there is a need to provide an active fitting control that improves fluid delivery accuracy and volume control under non-standard operating conditions, thereby eliminating fitting wall sticking problems in flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fittings, avoiding lateral friction damage on thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) fittings, and eliminating the need for a feedback loop during the measurement phase. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One or more embodiments provide a medical pumping system including a fluid pump. The fluid pump includes a fluid inlet connection, a fluid outlet connection, an actuator, and a backing surface. The medical pumping system also includes tubing of an intravenous infusion kit disposed between the fluid inlet and outlet connections of the fluid pump and between the actuator and the backing surface, as well as an adhesive contact interface. The tubing and the actuator are coupled together via the adhesive contact interface. The actuator is configured to actively pull a portion of the tubing to an open position during pump cycles.

[0007] One or more embodiments provide a medical pump including a fluid inlet connection, a fluid outlet connection, and actuators configured to compress a portion of an intravenous infusion tubing. One of the actuators is coupled to a first adhesive contact interface, and the actuator includes the first adhesive contact interface. A backing surface opposite the actuator is also provided, wherein one of the backing surfaces is coupled to a second adhesive contact interface, and the backing surface includes the second adhesive contact interface. The first and second adhesive contact interfaces are configured to engage with a first portion and a second portion of the tubing.

[0008] One or more embodiments provide an infusion kit including a fluid inlet tube configured to connect to a fluid inlet of a fluid pump, a fluid outlet tube configured to connect to a fluid outlet of the fluid pump, and a pump tube section connecting the fluid inlet tube and the fluid outlet tube. The pump tube section includes a first adhesive contact interface configured to connect to an actuator of the fluid pump, the first adhesive contact interface being configured to allow the tube to be actively pulled to an open position during pump circulation, and a second adhesive contact interface configured to connect to a backing surface of the fluid pump, the second adhesive contact interface being configured to hold the tube in place during pump circulation.

[0009] The above and other features, aspects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become clearer from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and form a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary patient care system having four fluid infusion pumps according to some aspects of this disclosure, each fluid infusion pump being connected to a corresponding fluid supply source for pumping the contents of the fluid supply source to the patient.

[0012] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of an infusion pump system according to aspects of this disclosure.

[0013] Figure 3 illustrates the pump cycle of the infusion pump system of Figure 2 according to aspects of this disclosure.

[0014] Figure 4 illustrates another pump cycle of the infusion pump system of Figure 2 according to aspects of this disclosure.

[0015] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an infusion pump system according to aspects of this disclosure.

[0016] Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the bonding interface assembly according to aspects of this disclosure.

[0017] Figure 7 illustrates a method for operating an infusion pump system according to aspects of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The detailed descriptions below depict various configurations of the subject matter and are not intended to represent the only configuration in which the subject matter can be practiced. The detailed descriptions include specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the subject matter. Therefore, dimensions regarding certain aspects are provided as non-limiting examples. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject matter can be implemented without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject matter.

[0019] It should be understood that this disclosure includes examples of the subject matter and does not limit the scope of the appended claims. Various aspects of the subject matter will now be disclosed based on specific, but not limiting, examples. The various embodiments described in this disclosure may be practiced in different ways and variations, and in accordance with their intended applications and implementations.

[0020] Referring now in more detail to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding elements in several views, Figure 1 illustrates a patient care system 20 having four infusion pumps 22, 24, 26, and 28, each fluidly connected to upstream fluid lines 30, 32, 34, and 36, respectively. Each of the four infusion pumps 22, 24, 26, and 28 is also fluidly connected to downstream fluid lines 31, 33, 35, and 37, respectively. The fluid lines can be any type of fluid conduit through which fluid can flow, such as an IV administration kit. It should be understood that any of a variety of pump mechanisms can be used, including infusion pumps. It should also be understood that the infusion pump is one example of a medical fluid pump, and other medical fluid pumps or pumping systems may include aspects of active fitting control.

[0021] Fluid supply sources 38, 40, 42, and 44 can take various forms, but in this case are shown as bottles, which are inverted and suspended above the pump. Fluid supply sources can also take the form of bags or other types of containers, including syringes. The patient care system 20 and fluid supply sources 38, 40, 42, and 44 are mounted on rollers, IV poles 46, desktops, etc.

[0022] Individual infusion pumps 22, 24, 26, and 28 are used to infuse each fluid from the fluid supply source into the patient. The infusion pumps are flow control devices that act on the corresponding fluid lines to move fluid from the fluid supply source 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 a specific medical fluid from the corresponding fluid supply source into the patient at a specific rate prescribed by the clinician for that fluid. Such medical fluids may include drugs or nutrients or blood or other fluids. Infusion pumps 22, 24, 26, and 28 are controlled by controller 60.

[0023] Fluid supply sources 38, 40, 42, and 44 are respectively connected to electronic data tags 81, 83, 85, and 87, or to electronic transmitters. Any device or component associated with the infusion system may be equipped with an electronic data tag, reader, or transmitter.

[0024] Typically, medical fluid delivery kits have more parts than those shown in Figure 1. Many include check valves, drip chambers, valves with injection ports, connectors, and other devices well known to those skilled in the art. These other devices are not included in the figures for the sake of clarity.

[0025] Turning now to Figure 2, an infusion pump 22 with a body 27 is shown in perspective, with the front door 50 open, showing the upstream fluid line 30 and the downstream fluid line 31 operatively engaged with the pump 22. The infusion pump 22 acts directly on a tube 66 that connects the upstream fluid line 30 to the downstream fluid line 31 to form a continuous fluid conduit extending from a respective fluid supply source 38 (Figure 1) to the patient 48, through which the pump acts on the fluid to move the fluid downstream to the patient. Specifically, a pumping mechanism 70 acts as a flow control device for the pump to move the fluid through the conduit. The upstream and downstream fluid lines and / or tube 66 may be coupled to a pump housing or casing configured to connect to the pump 22.

[0026] The type of pumping mechanism can vary and, for example, can be a multi-finger pumping mechanism. For instance, the pumping mechanism can be of the "four-finger" type and includes an upstream occlusion finger 72, a main pumping finger 74, a downstream occlusion finger 76, and a secondary pumping finger 78. The "four-finger" pumping mechanism, and the mechanisms used in other linear peristaltic pumps, operate by means of cams that follow the pumping fingers and valve fingers 72, 74, 76, and 78 in sequence to press sections of the fluid conduit. Pressure is applied to successive positions of the conduit, starting from the upstream end of the pumping mechanism and acting towards the downstream end. At least one finger is always pressed firmly enough to occlude the conduit. In practice, a finger will not retract from the occlusion until the next finger in the sequence has occluded the conduit; therefore, there is never a direct fluid path from the fluid supply source to the patient. The operation of peristaltic pumps including four-finger pumps is well known to those skilled in the art, and further operational details are not provided herein.

[0027] Figure 2 further illustrates a downstream pressure sensor 82 included in pump 22, located downstream of the pumping mechanism. The downstream pressure sensor 82 is mounted on and positioned adjacent to the flow control device 70 and downstream of it. This downstream location, between the patient 48 (Figure 1) and the flow control device, allows verification of the correct fluid supply source and pump connection before any fluid is pumped into the patient.

[0028] Referring again to Figure 2, an 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, is further configured as a component of the pump 22. The upstream pressure sensor is mounted on the flow control device 70 and is positioned adjacent to and upstream of the flow control device. The upstream pressure sensor's location upstream of the flow control device, i.e., between the fluid supply source 38 (Figure 1) and the flow control device, allows verification of the correct fluid supply source and pump connection before any fluid is pumped to the patient.

[0029] Pump 22 or a portion thereof may also be equipped with electronic data tags or a data transmitter. For example, as shown in Figure 2, pump 22 may be equipped with data tag 89 or reader device 90 for providing or receiving infusion data. The data reader device may include an RFID reader (or receiver) or other wireless device compatible with the data tags associated with the fluid container. The data transmitter may send interrogation signals to electronic data tags 81, 83, 85, 87 associated with the fluid container to obtain infusion data from these tags. Although referred to as a data transmission device, RFID tag, or RFID repeater, the data transmission device may also receive or read data and may also be writable.

[0030] Typically, medical fittings are single-use products, discarded after a single use. Medical fittings can be formed from any suitable material, such as soft PVC, silicone, thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) (ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) + polypropylene (PP)), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic styrene elastomer (TPS) (styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) / styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene (SEBS) / styrene-isoprene-rubber (SIS) / styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEPS)) and blends thereof with polyolefins, and thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) (polyether ester) rubber. As shown in Figure 2, medical fitting 66 can be inserted into pump 22 or otherwise engaged by the pump. Pump 22 can include any of the following: a high-volume pump, a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump, a portable pump, or an insulin pump, which drives the fitting section to deliver medications, nutrients, or other medical fluids to the patient in a controlled manner. When the pump door 50 is closed, the medical fitting 66 is compressed. As the pump door 50 closes, the medical fitting 66 is confined within the gap 54 and is in direct contact with the upstream force sensor 80. As described above, there are many sources of variation when measuring the force on the medical fitting 66 via the sensor 80.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, pump 22 has three consecutive stages, including charging 22a, measuring 22b, and delivery 22c. In the charging stage 22a, fluid is drawn from fluid supply sources 38, 40, 42, and 44 through fitting 66 in a fluid flow FF, and the upstream occlusion finger 72 and the main pumping finger 74 disengage from fitting 66, while the downstream occlusion finger 76 is forced into fitting 66. This allows fluid to flow into fitting 66 until a blockage occurs in fitting 66 caused by the downstream occlusion finger 76. In the measuring stage 22b, the upstream occlusion finger 72 is forced into fitting 66, blocking fitting 66 and preventing further fluid flow from fluid supply sources 38, 40, 42, and 44, the main pumping finger 74 engages with fitting 66, and the downstream occlusion finger 76 remains forced into fitting 66. During the delivery phase 22c, the main pumping finger 74 is pressed into the fitting 66, and the downstream blocking finger 76 disengages from the fitting 66, causing the fluid downstream of the upstream blocking finger 72 in the fitting to flow out of the fitting 66 in the downstream direction.

[0032] During the drug delivery process 22c, when the upstream occlusion finger 72 is raised to intentionally open the fluid path from the fully occluded position in the filling phase 22a, the fitting 66 needs to perform a mechanoelastic response to rapidly rebound and draw in sufficient fluid volume over a sub-second timescale, especially at high flow rates of up to 1200 mL / hr at low temperatures of 5 to 10 degrees Celsius. However, commonly used fitting materials, such as PVC, TPE, TPU, and silicone, typically harden and lose elasticity at low temperatures, thus reducing the elasticity of the fitting 66.

[0033] Furthermore, the widely used PVC pipe fitting material 66 is known for its surface tackiness, primarily due to the exudation of small-molecule plasticizers on both the inner and outer surfaces of the fitting. This tackiness can be amplified at flow rates as low as 0.1 mL / hr and at the higher end of the application temperature range (5°C to 40°C), potentially causing the inner fitting walls to adhere to each other, delaying or even preventing opening.

[0034] Based on the two application scenarios mentioned above, either fitting 66 cannot open a sufficient inner diameter (ID) orifice at low temperatures with high flow rates, or its opening is delayed at high temperatures with low flow rates. Both of these situations may result in insufficient delivery volume.

[0035] In another application scenario, some pipe fitting materials (such as TPE) lack sufficient lubricity on the outer surface of the fitting. As a result, hundreds of thousands of opening and closing cycles can damage the fitting surface due to wear of the metal plug material.

[0036] Turning now to Figure 4, in some aspects of this disclosure, the active delivery pump system 100 can eliminate the measurement phase 22b and therefore requires only two consecutive phases, the filling phase 22a and the delivery phase 22c. Here, the elimination of the volume measurement phase 22b is due to improved flow delivery accuracy, thus eliminating the need for a feedback loop mechanism design. The delivery pump system 100 includes an adhesive contact interface 110 disposed between the fitting 66 and each of the upstream occlusion finger 72, the main pumping finger 74, the downstream occlusion finger 76, and the backing surface 120 (e.g., the inner surface of the door 50). The adhesive contact interface 110 connects the fitting 66 to each of the upstream occlusion finger 72, the main pumping finger 74, the downstream occlusion finger 76, and the backing surface 120, thereby allowing the fitting 66 to move in unison with the connected surfaces. The adhesive contact interface 110 ensures that the fitting 66 and the pump actuators 72, 74, 76 remain in contact at all times. Therefore, the compression and recovery of fitting 66, as well as the opening and closing of the plug, can be completely controlled in real time by actuators 72, 74, and 76. The motion pattern generated by fitting 66 together with actuators 72, 74, and 76 can prevent fitting 66 from colliding during filling and can reduce surface damage caused by lateral friction on fitting 66.

[0037] In some aspects of this disclosure, any combination of the occlusion finger 72, the main pumping finger 74, and the downstream occlusion finger 76 may have an adhesive contact interface 110 connecting it to the fitting 66. For example, the occlusion fingers 72, 76 may not have an adhesive contact interface 110, while the main pumping finger 74 does.

[0038] As an example of the function of the adhesive contact interface 110, during the drug delivery process 22c, when the upstream occlusion finger 72 is raised to intentionally open the fluid path from its fully occluded position in the filling phase 22a, the tubing 66 is also pulled upward by being connected to the upstream occlusion finger 72 via the adhesive contact interface 110 between the tubing and the upstream occlusion finger. Therefore, the tubing 66 does not need to perform a mechanoelastic response to rapidly rebound and draw in sufficient fluid volume within a sub-second timeframe. Similarly, when the main pumping finger 74 and the downstream occlusion finger 76 are pulled upward during the pumping cycle, the portion of the tubing 66 connected to each of the main pumping finger 74 and the downstream occlusion finger 76 via the adhesive contact interface 110 will also be pulled upward or pulled out. Furthermore, the adhesive contact interface 110 between the backing surface 120 and the fitting 66 prevents the fitting 66 from being pulled out of position in the pump system 100 (e.g., pull-out gap 54) by the pulling motion of any of the upstream occlusion finger 72, the main pumping finger 74, and the downstream occlusion finger 76.

[0039] The adhesive contact interface 110 can be constructed in various ways. According to some aspects of this disclosure, the fitting 66 may include a magnetic coating on the inner surface and / or the outer surface of the fitting 66. The upstream occlusion finger 72, the main pumping finger 74, and the downstream occlusion finger 76 may be magnetic actuators. Thus, the magnetic attraction between the magnetic coating of the fitting 66 and the magnetic actuators 72, 74, 76 causes the fitting 66 to adhere to and move in unison with the magnetic actuators 72, 74, 76.

[0040] In some aspects of this disclosure, the magnetic material may be inserted into the wall of the tube 66, rather than having a magnetic coating on the surface of the tube 66. In some aspects of this disclosure, the material forming the tube 66 may include magnetic properties. For example, the magnetic material may be introduced as an additive into the tube 66 material during the extrusion process of forming the tube 66 and subsequently magnetized.

[0041] In some aspects of this disclosure, magnetic material is formed on the tube 66 (e.g., magnetic material is coated on a surface, magnetic ink is printed on a surface) or formed within the tube material (e.g., a magnet inserted into the tube wall, magnetic material extruded into the tube material), and any one or all of the upstream occlusion finger 72, the main pumping finger 74, and the downstream occlusion finger 76 can be an inductive magnetic actuator. Herein, the inductive magnetic actuator can switch magnetic polarity, thereby alternating between attracting and repelling the magnetic material in the tube 66. Therefore, the inductive magnetic actuator will not need to be physically attached to the tube 66.

[0042] As shown in the schematic layout of pump 200 in Figure 5, activation of the pump fingers (e.g., inductive magnetic actuators 72, 74, 76) may additionally or alternatively include adjusting the strength of the generated magnetic field based on, for example, the pumping setup. For example, if the tube (e.g., tube 66) has a larger diameter, the attraction surface can be closer to the pumping fingers than with a tube having a smaller diameter. In this case, it may be desirable to conserve resources, such as electrical energy, required for pumping and activating the magnet to reduce the aforementioned wear. In this case, the amount of electrical energy supplied to generate the inductive field can be reduced, and the amount of electrical energy can be increased to generate a larger field for the smaller diameter tube. As another example, different tubes 66 may include more or less magnetic material. With more magnetic material in the tube, it may be desirable to conserve resources, such as electrical energy, required for pumping and activating the magnet to reduce the aforementioned wear. With more magnetism or more magnetic material in the tube, the tube may require a smaller magnetic field than a tube with less magnetic properties. Identification information can be detected by the pump when the tube is inserted into the pump (e.g., pump 22). The pump can retrieve the configuration for activating magnetism from a data source accessible to the pump. This retrieval can be based on identification information, such as retrieving the configuration from a memory location using identification information. The pump controller (e.g., controller 60) can send control messages to the magnetism regulator and motor regulator via a bus. The magnetism regulator can cause a change in power (e.g., lower power magnetic field, higher power magnetic field) or a change in power polarity (e.g., switching polarity) from the power source based on the control messages.

[0043] In some aspects of this disclosure, the adhesive contact interface 110 may include mechanical clamping to a pre-attached support on the tubing 66. For example, as shown in FIG6, a rigid tubing interface 130 (e.g., injection-molded rigid plastic) may be bonded to the tubing 66 with adhesive 135 during intravenous (IV) kit assembly and attached to the backing surface 120 to hold the movement of the tubing 66 during pumping cycles. Similarly, a rigid tubing interface 132 having a pressure bar 134 may be bonded to the tubing 66 with adhesive 135. The actuator interface 136 may be attached to any one of the upstream occlusion finger 72, the main pumping finger 74, and the downstream occlusion finger 76 and linked to the pressure bar 134. The connection between the tubing interface 130 and the backing surface 120, and the link between the pressure bar 134 of the tubing interface 132 and the actuators 72, 74, 76, may be readily attached and detached for loading and unloading steps of the tubing 66 from the pump system 100.

[0044] In some aspects of this disclosure, any one of the upstream occlusion finger 72, the main pumping finger 74, the downstream occlusion finger 76, and the backing surface 120 may include an adhesive contact interface 110 configured as a suction device to provide vacuum suction on the surface of the tube 66. For example, the main pumping finger 74 may be coupled to the tube 66 via vacuum suction, in which case the main pumping finger 74 pushes the tube 66 downward during delivery phase 22c and pulls the tube 66 upward during filling phase 22a. Vacuum suction may be activated during each pumping phase 22a, 22c, or vacuum suction may be activated only during filling phase 22a when the main pumping finger 74 is pulled away from the tube 66, since the main pumping finger 74 physically pushes the tube 66 downward during delivery phase 22c without vacuum suction. For the backing surface 120, vacuum suction can be activated at any time during the entire time that the tube 66 is loaded into the pump system 100, but only when the pump system 100 is running and only when the actuators 72, 74, 76 are pulled away from the tube 66.

[0045] In some aspects of this disclosure, the adhesive contact interface 110 may include an adhesive material (e.g., such as VELCRO) attached to the fitting 66. TM The tube 66 comprises hook and loop patches; adhesive patches, and corresponding adhesive materials attached to actuators 72, 74, 76 or backing surfaces 120. In this document, adhesive materials can be attached to the tube 66 during IV kit assembly, and at any time before the tube 66 is loaded into the pump system 100, adhesive materials can be attached to any of the actuators 72, 74, 76 and backing surfaces 120. Therefore, when the tube 66 is loaded into the pump system 100, the tube 66 can be pressed down onto the backing surfaces 120 to engage the corresponding adhesive materials on each surface. Furthermore, when it is necessary to replace the tube 66 or an IV kit to which the tube 66 is part, the tube 66 can simply be pulled off the backing surfaces 120 and the actuators 72, 74, 76 and discarded.

[0046] In some aspects of this disclosure, the adhesive contact interface 110 allows actuators 72, 74, 76 to be connected to the fluid flow portion of the pump housing, rather than to the pipe 66. The pump housing may already have a backing surface that holds the fluid flow portion in place. The adhesive contact interface 110 can connect any type of actuator to the fluid flow portion of the housing.

[0047] According to some aspects of this disclosure, Figure 7 illustrates a method 200 for operating an infusion pump system. In step 210, an IV kit tube (e.g., fitting 66) is placed or loaded into a fluid flow pump (e.g., pump system 100). In step 220, an adhesive contact interface (e.g., adhesive contact interface 110) on the IV kit tube is aligned and / or engaged with adhesive contact interfaces (e.g., adhesive contact interface 110) on one or more actuators (e.g., upstream occlusion finger 72, main pumping finger 74, downstream occlusion finger 76) and on mating surfaces (e.g., backing surface 120) opposite the actuators. In step 230, the fluid flow pump is caused to perform a pump cycle.

[0048] In step 240, a charging portion of the pump cycle (e.g., charging phase 22a) is performed, causing the first actuator (e.g., upstream occlusion finger 72) to move or be positioned in a non-occluded position, the second actuator (e.g., downstream occlusion finger 76) to move or be positioned in an occluded position, and the third actuator (e.g., main pumping finger 74) to move or be positioned in a non-pumping position. Here, as the first and third actuators move outward from the IV kit tube, the adhesive contact interface between the IV kit tube and the first and third actuators actively causes the IV kit tube to fully open, independent of the passive elastic response of the IV kit tube itself. In step 250, fluid flow from a fluid source (e.g., fluid supply source 38) via an inlet pipe (e.g., upstream fluid line 30) into the IV kit tube (e.g., fluid flow FF), past the position of the first actuator, and to the occlusion in the IV kit tube at the position of the second actuator.

[0049] In step 260, the delivery portion of the pump cycle (e.g., delivery phase 22c) is performed, causing the first actuator to move or be positioned in the occluded position, the second actuator to move or be positioned in the unoccluded position, and the third actuator to move to the pumping position (e.g., press-in into the IV kit tube). Similarly, as the second actuator moves outward from the IV kit tube, the adhesive contact interface between the IV kit tube and the second actuator actively causes the previously occluded IV kit tube to fully open at the second actuator position, independent of the passive elastic response of the IV kit tube itself. In step 270, some or all of the fluid contained in the IV kit tube between the first and second actuators flows downstream from the second actuator position to the outlet tube (e.g., downstream fluid line 31) and to the fluid recipient (e.g., patient 48). In step 280, the system returns to step 230 to perform another pump cycle. The method ends in step 290 when the infusion is complete or the pump stops.

[0050] As used herein, the terms “control” or “controllable” encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, a “controllable” device may include sending one or more messages to adjust the operating state or functional elements of the device. The message may include specific instructions that will be executed by the device’s processor to render the change. “Controllability” may include storing values ​​in a location in a storage device for subsequent retrieval by the controlled device, sending values ​​directly to the controlled device via at least one wired or wireless communication medium, sending or storing references to values, etc. For example, a control message may include a value that adjusts the power level of a power source from the controlled device. As another example, a control message may activate or deactivate structural elements of the controlled device, such as lights, audio playback devices, motors, locks, pumps, displays, or other components of the device described herein. “Controllability” may include indirectly controlling the device by adjusting configuration values ​​used by the controlled device. For example, a control message may include a threshold value for a device characteristic (e.g., temperature, rate, frequency, etc.). This threshold may be stored in a memory location and referenced by the controlled device during operation.

[0051] According to some aspects of this disclosure, the pump assembly includes a fluid flow pump, a pipe path configured to receive a fluid tube, and a pipe size measurement assembly. The pipe size measurement assembly includes a processor, a transmitter spaced apart from the pipe path and configured to generate a emission into the pipe path, and a collector spaced apart from the pipe path, the collector being configured to receive the emission from the transmitter, wherein the pipe size measurement assembly is further configured to measure the outer diameter (OD) of the tube received in the path, said measurement being at least partially based on the emission.

[0052] In some aspects of this disclosure, a medical pumping system includes a fluid pump comprising a fluid inlet connection, a fluid outlet connection, an actuator, and a backing surface; a tube of an intravenous injection kit disposed between the fluid inlet connection and the fluid outlet connection of the fluid pump, and between the actuator and the backing surface; and an adhesive contact interface wherein the tube and the actuator are coupled together via the adhesive contact interface, and wherein the actuator is configured to actively pull a portion of the tube to an open position during pump cycles.

[0053] In some aspects of this disclosure, the adhesive contact interface includes a hook-and-loop patch connected to an actuator and a hook-and-loop patch connected to a tube. In some aspects of this disclosure, the adhesive contact interface includes an adhesive patch connected to an actuator and an adhesive patch connected to a tube. In some aspects of this disclosure, the adhesive contact interface includes an actuator interface connected to an actuator and a fitting interface connected to a tube, the fitting interface including a pressure bar sized and shaped to link to the actuator interface. In some aspects of this disclosure, the fitting interface includes an arcuate portion connected to the tube by adhesive, and each of the actuator interface and the pressure bar is V-shaped.

[0054] In some aspects of this disclosure, the bonding contact interface includes at least a portion of the actuator containing a magnet and a magnetic material coated on the tube. In some aspects of this disclosure, the bonding contact interface includes at least a portion of the actuator containing a magnet and magnetic ink printed on the tube. In some aspects of this disclosure, the bonding contact interface includes at least a portion of the actuator containing a magnet and one or more magnets disposed within the wall of the tube. In some aspects of this disclosure, the bonding contact interface includes at least a portion of the actuator containing a magnet and at least a portion of the tube containing a magnetic material. In some aspects of this disclosure, the bonding contact interface includes at least a portion of the actuator containing a magnet and a tube comprising an elastic material substrate and a magnetic material additive formed together. In some aspects of this disclosure, the bonding contact interface includes at least a portion of the actuator containing a magnetic sensor, and at least a portion of the tube is magnetic, wherein the actuator is configured to switch magnetic polarity to alternately attract and repel magnetic tube portions. In some aspects of this disclosure, the bonding contact interface includes at least a portion of the actuator containing a vacuum interface, wherein the actuator is coupled to the tube by vacuum suction.

[0055] In some aspects of this disclosure, the medical pumping system further includes an additional adhesive contact interface, wherein the tubing and the backing surface are joined together via the additional adhesive contact interface, the additional adhesive contact interface being configured to prevent the tubing from being pulled away from the backing surface. In some aspects of this disclosure, the medical pumping system further includes a plurality of actuators including an upstream occlusion finger, a downstream occlusion finger, and a main pumping finger, as well as a first adhesive contact interface, a second adhesive contact interface, and a third adhesive contact interface, wherein the first adhesive contact interface connects the upstream occlusion finger to a first portion of the tubing, the second adhesive contact interface connects the downstream occlusion finger to a second portion of the tubing, and the third adhesive contact interface connects the main pumping finger to a third portion of the tubing.

[0056] In some aspects of this disclosure, a medical pump includes a fluid inlet connection, a fluid outlet connection, and an actuator configured to compress a portion of an intravenous infusion tubing, wherein one of the actuators is coupled to a first adhesive contact interface and the actuator includes the first adhesive contact interface, and a backing surface opposite the actuator, wherein one of the backing surfaces is coupled to a second adhesive contact interface and the backing surface includes the second adhesive contact interface, wherein the first and second adhesive contact interfaces are configured to engage with a first portion and a second portion of the tubing.

[0057] In some aspects of this disclosure, the first adhesive contact interface and the second adhesive contact interface each include one of a hook and loop patch, an adhesive patch, a rigid actuator interface, a magnet, a sensor, and a vacuum source. In some aspects of this disclosure, the actuator is configured to actively pull a portion of the tube to an open position during pump cycles via engaging the first adhesive contact interface to a first portion of the tube, and wherein a backing surface is configured to hold the tube in place during pump cycles via engaging the second adhesive contact to a second portion of the tube. In some aspects of this disclosure, the medical pump further includes an actuator comprising a plurality of actuators including an upstream occlusion finger, a downstream occlusion finger, and a main pumping finger, wherein the first adhesive contact interface engages the upstream occlusion finger to the first portion of the tube, a third adhesive contact interface engages the downstream occlusion finger to a third portion of the tube, and a fourth adhesive contact interface engages the main pumping finger to a fourth portion of the tube.

[0058] In some aspects of this disclosure, the infusion kit includes a fluid inlet tube configured to connect to a fluid inlet of a fluid pump, a fluid outlet tube configured to connect to a fluid outlet of the fluid pump, and a pump tube section connecting the fluid inlet tube and the fluid outlet tube. The pump tube section includes a first adhesive contact interface and a second adhesive contact interface configured to connect to an actuator of the fluid pump. The first adhesive contact interface is configured to actively pull the tube to an open position during pump circulation, and the second adhesive contact interface is configured to connect to a backing surface of the fluid pump and to hold the tube in place during pump circulation.

[0059] In some aspects of this disclosure, the first adhesive contact interface and the second adhesive contact interface each include one of the following: hook and loop patch, adhesive patch, rigid tube interface, magnetic coating, magnetic ink, magnet embedded in tube wall, and magnetic additive mixed with elastic material to form pump tube section.

[0060] It should be understood that any particular order or hierarchy of the block diagrams in the disclosed process method is an illustration of exemplary methods. Based on design or implementation preferences, it should be understood that a particular order or hierarchy of the process block diagrams may be rearranged, or all illustrated block diagrams may be executed. In some implementations, any block diagram may be executed simultaneously.

[0061] This disclosure is provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. This disclosure provides various examples of the subject matter, and the subject matter is not limited to these examples. Numerous modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other aspects.

[0062] Unless otherwise expressly stated, elements referred to in the singular are not intended to mean "one and only one," but rather "one or more." Unless otherwise expressly stated, the term "some" refers to one or more. Masculine pronouns (e.g., his) include feminine and neuter genders (e.g., her and its), and vice versa. The use of titles and subtitles (if any) is for convenience only and does not limit the invention.

[0063] The term "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example or illustration." Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or superior to other aspects or designs. In one respect, the various alternative configurations and operations described herein may be considered at least equivalent.

[0064] As used herein, the phrase "at least one" preceding a series of items (any items separated by the term "or") modifies the listed items as a whole, not each of the listed items individually. The phrase "at least one" does not require the selection of at least one of the items; rather, the phrase allows for the inclusion of at least one of any one item, and / or at least one of any combination of items, and / or at least one of each item. For example, the phrase "at least one of A, B, or C" could refer to: only A, only B, or only C; or any combination of A, B, and C.

[0065] For example, phrases like "aspect" do not imply that such an aspect is essential to the present subject matter, or that such an aspect applies to all configurations of the present subject matter. Disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations or one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. For example, phrases like "aspect" may refer to one or more aspects, or vice versa. For example, phrases like "embodiment" do not imply that such an embodiment is essential to the present subject matter, or that such an embodiment applies to all constructions of the present subject matter. Disclosure relating to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments or one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. For example, phrases like "embodiment" may refer to one or more embodiments, or vice versa. For example, phrases like "configuration" do not imply that such a configuration is essential to the present subject matter, or that such a configuration applies to all configurations of the present subject matter. Disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. For example, phrases like "configuration" may refer to one or more configurations, or vice versa.

[0066] As used herein, the terms "determine" or "determine" encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, "determine" can include performing calculations, operations, processing, deriving, generating, obtaining, searching (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), and ascertaining via hardware components without user intervention. Furthermore, "determine" can include receiving (e.g., receiving information) and accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory) via hardware components without user intervention. "Determine" can also include parsing, selecting, picking, and building via hardware components without user intervention.

[0067] As used herein, the terms “provide” or “supply” encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, “providing” can include storing a value in a location on a storage device for later retrieval, sending a value directly to a recipient via at least one wired or wireless communication medium, sending or storing a reference to a value, and so on. “Providing” can also include encoding, decoding, encrypting, decrypting, acknowledging, verifying, inserting, etc., via hardware components.

[0068] As used herein, the term "message" encompasses a wide variety of formats used to transmit (e.g., send or receive) information. A message can include a collection of machine-readable information, such as an XML document, a fixed-field message, a comma-separated message, etc. In some implementations, a message can include signals for transmitting one or more representations of information. Although stated in the singular, it should be understood that a message can consist of multiple parts, be sent, stored, received, etc.

[0069] In one respect, unless otherwise stated, all measurements, numerical values, ratings, positions, sizes, dimensions, and other specifications set forth in this specification, including those in the appended claims, are approximate, not precise. In another respect, they are intended to have a reasonable range consistent with the functions they pertain to and with the custom of the art to which they belong.

[0070] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the disclosed steps, operations, or processes is an illustration of exemplary methods. It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations, or processes can be rearranged based on design preferences. Some steps, operations, or processes may be performed simultaneously. Some or all of the steps, operations, or processes may be performed automatically without user intervention. The appended method claims (if any) present the elements of various steps, operations, or processes in an exemplary order and are not intended to limit one to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0071] All structural and functional equivalents of the elements throughout the various aspects described in this disclosure are known to or will be known hereafter to those skilled in the art, as expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be covered by the claims. Furthermore, the disclosure herein is not intended to be made public, whether or not such disclosure is expressly recited in the claims. No claim element shall be construed in accordance with 35 U.S.SC §(f) unless it is expressly stated using the phrase “means for…” or, in the case of a method claim, using the phrase “for the step of…”. Moreover, with regard to the scope of the terms “comprising,” “having,” etc., such terms are intended to indicate openness in a manner similar to the term “including,” as interpreted when “comprising” is used as a transitional term in the claims.

[0072] In any embodiment, 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. Therefore, when one item is indicated as being “remote” to another item, it means that the two items may be in the same space but separate, or at least in different spaces or different buildings, and may be at least one mile, ten miles, or at least one hundred miles apart. “Communication” information refers to the transmission of data representing that information as an electrical signal through a suitable communication channel (e.g., a private or public network). “Forwarding an item” refers to any means of moving the item from one location to another, whether by physically transporting the item or otherwise (where possible), and at least in the case of data, includes physically transporting the medium carrying the data or the communication data. Examples of communication 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.

[0073] Some embodiments include implementation on a single computer, or across a network of computer networks, or across a network of computer networks (e.g., across a network cloud, across a local area network, on a handheld computer device, etc.). The computer may be a virtual machine or a physical machine hosted by another computer. In some embodiments, one or more steps described herein are implemented on a computer program. Such a computer program performs one or more steps described herein. In some embodiments, implementation of the method includes various data structures, categories, and modifiers described herein, encoded on a computer-readable medium and transmitable over a communication network.

[0074] The software, network, Internet, cloud, or other storage and computer network implementations of the present invention can be implemented using standardized programming techniques, which are particularly suitable for enabling one or more devices to perform the various allocation, calculation, identification, scoring, access, generation, or discarding steps described.

[0075] The title, background, summary, description of the drawings, and abstract of this disclosure are incorporated herein by reference and are provided as illustrative examples rather than as limiting descriptions. This application is filed on the understanding that they are not intended to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Furthermore, in the detailed description, it will be apparent that the description provides illustrative examples, and various features are combined in various embodiments to simplify the disclosure. This approach to disclosure should not be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than those expressly stated in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the appended claims, the subject matter of the invention lies in all features of fewer than those required for a single disclosure configuration or operation. The appended claims are thus incorporated into the detailed description, wherein each claim is independently claimed as a separate subject matter.

[0076] The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein, but rather to conform to the full scope consistent with the language claims and to include all legal equivalents. Nevertheless, none of the claims are intended to include subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirements of 35 U.S.SC § 101, 102, 103, nor should they be interpreted in this manner.

Claims

1. A medical pumping system, comprising: fluid pump, The fluid pump includes: a fluid inlet connector; a fluid outlet connector; an actuator; and a backing surface; a tube of an intravenous injection kit disposed between the fluid inlet connector and the fluid outlet connector of the fluid pump, and between the actuator and the backing surface; and an adhesive contact interface disposed between the tube and the actuator, the adhesive contact interface including a tube interface coupled to the tube; an actuator interface coupled to the actuator; and an additional adhesive contact interface, wherein the tube and the backing surface are coupled together via the additional adhesive contact interface, the additional adhesive contact interface being configured to prevent the tube from being pulled away from the backing surface, wherein the tube interface includes a lever sized and shaped to link to the actuator interface, the lever being disposed between the tube and the actuator interface, wherein the tube and the actuator are coupled together via the adhesive contact interface, and wherein the actuator is configured to actively pull a portion of the tube to an open position during pump circulation.

2. The medical pumping system according to claim 1, wherein, The fitting interface includes an arcuate portion connected to the tube by an adhesive, and each of the actuator interface and the pressure bar is V-shaped.

3. The medical pumping system according to claim 1, wherein, The additional adhesive contact interface includes: a hook-and-loop patch attached to the backing surface; and a hook-and-loop patch attached to the tube.

4. The medical pumping system according to claim 1, wherein, The additional adhesive contact interface includes: an adhesive patch attached to the backing surface; and an adhesive patch attached to the tube.

5. The medical pumping system according to claim 1, wherein, The additional adhesive contact interface includes: at least a portion of the backing surface containing the magnet; and a magnetic material coated on the tube.

6. The medical pumping system according to claim 1, wherein, The additional adhesive contact interface includes: at least a portion of the backing surface containing the magnet; and magnetic ink printed on the tube.

7. The medical pumping system according to claim 1, wherein, The additional adhesive contact interface includes: at least a portion of the backing surface containing a magnet; and one or more magnets disposed within the wall of the tube.

8. The medical pumping system according to claim 1, wherein, The additional adhesive contact interface includes: at least a portion of the backing surface containing a magnet; and at least a portion of the tube containing a magnetic material.

9. The medical pumping system according to claim 1, wherein, The additional adhesive contact interface includes: at least a portion of the backing surface containing the magnet; and a tube comprising an elastic material substrate and a magnetic material additive formed together.

10. The medical pumping system according to claim 1, wherein, The additional adhesive contact interface includes: at least a portion of the backing surface containing a magnetic sensor; and at least a portion of the tube is magnetic, wherein the backing surface is configured to switch magnetic polarities to alternately attract and repel the magnetic tube portion.

11. The medical pumping system according to claim 1, wherein, The additional adhesive contact interface includes at least a portion of the backing surface containing a vacuum interface, wherein the backing surface is connected to the tube by vacuum suction.

12. The medical pumping system according to claim 1, further comprising: The actuator comprises multiple actuators, including: an upstream blocking finger; a downstream blocking finger; a main pumping finger; and a first adhesive contact interface, a second adhesive contact interface, and a third adhesive contact interface, wherein the first adhesive contact interface connects the upstream blocking finger to a first portion of the pipe, the second adhesive contact interface connects the downstream blocking finger to a second portion of the pipe, and the third adhesive contact interface connects the main pumping finger to a third portion of the pipe.

13. A medical pump comprising: fluid Inlet connector; Fluid outlet connection; An actuator configured to compress a portion of an intravenous infusion tubing, wherein the actuator includes an upstream occlusion finger coupled to a first adhesive contact interface, and the upstream occlusion finger includes the first adhesive contact interface; and a backing surface opposite the actuator, wherein one of the backing surfaces is coupled to a second adhesive contact interface, and the backing surface includes the second adhesive contact interface, wherein the first and second adhesive contact interfaces are configured to be coupled to a first portion and a second portion of the tubing, respectively; the actuator is coupled to the... An actuator interface and a fitting interface are configured to connect to the tube, the fitting interface including a lever sized and shaped to link to the actuator interface, the lever being disposed between the tube and the actuator interface, wherein the upstream occlusion finger is configured to actively pull a portion of the tube to an open position via a connection to a first portion of the tube through a first adhesive contact interface during pump circulation, and wherein the backing surface is configured to hold the tube in place via a connection to a second portion of the tube through a second adhesive contact interface during pump circulation.

14. The medical pump according to claim 13, wherein, Each of the second adhesive contact interfaces includes one of the following: hook and loop patch, adhesive patch, rigid actuator interface, magnet, sensor, and vacuum source.

15. The medical pump according to claim 13, further comprising: in, The actuator is a plurality of actuators, including: a downstream blocking finger; and a main pumping finger, wherein a third adhesive contact interface connects the downstream blocking finger to a third portion of the tube, and a fourth adhesive contact interface connects the main pumping finger to a fourth portion of the tube.

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