Enteral feeding pump docking station with integrated flush module

Abstract

To provide a docking station for removable connection to an enteral feeding pump which enables automatic flushing.SOLUTION: A docking station 14 may have: a valve seat configured to receive a switchable flow valve 24 of an administration set; a flush controller; an actuator connected to the flush controller and configured to releasably mate with the switchable flow valve when the switchable flow valve is received by the valve seat; and data communication means by which data signals transmitted by the enteral feeding pump are input to the flush controller of the docking station when the enteral feeding pump is connected to the docking station.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for flushing an administration set with a flushing fluid after the administration set has been used to deliver nutritional fluid to a user. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0002] Programmable enteral feeding pumps are used to perform controlled delivery of nutritional fluids to users. In a typical arrangement, the enteral feeding pump accepts a disposable administration set comprising flexible tubing with tubing segments designed to be engaged by the pumping mechanism of the enteral feeding pump. One end of the flexible tubing connects to a source of nutritional fluid, and the other end of the flexible tubing is arranged to deliver the nutritional fluid directly to the user's gastrointestinal tract. Highly viscous nutritional fluids, such as breast milk, tend to collect on the inner walls of the flexible tubing and clog the flow path. As a result, the actual delivery of nutritional fluid to the user may be reduced relative to the prescribed or intended delivery.

[0003] It is known to flush administration set tubing by forcing a flushing fluid, such as water, through the tubing. For example, a flushing operation may be recommended before and / or after a feeding operation is performed. Manual flushing may be performed by positioning a syringe filled with flushing fluid at one end of the tubing and injecting the flushing fluid into and through the tubing to flush any nutritional solution residue from the tubing. This type of manual flushing operation is tedious and requires the administration set to be disconnected from the pump, the source of nutritional solution, and the user's feeding port or feeding tube.

[0004]

[0004] Automatic flushing devices are known in which the pumping mechanism of an enteral feeding pump is used to push flushing fluid through the tubing of an administration set. U.S. Patent No. 7,896,859, along with International Publication No. WO 2005 / 115501, describe a device in which an administration set has a feed tube branch and a flush tube branch that are joined to a pump tubing section at a switchable flow valve. The feed tube branch is connected to a source of nutritional solution, while the flush tube branch is connected to a source of flushing fluid. The pump tubing section and flow valve are mountable into a programmable enteral feeding pump, which includes an electric valve actuator for switching the flow valve between a feed position, a flush position, and a shut-off position, whereby either nutritional solution or flushing fluid can be selected for pumping through the pump tubing section, or no flow is allowed through the valve so that the valve can be unloaded from the pump. The disclosed device adds weight and complexity to the enteral feeding pump, which is undesirable in a pump intended for ambulatory use.

[0005] What is needed is a device that facilitates flushing of enteral feeding administration sets without the drawbacks discussed above. Summary of the Invention

[0006]

[0006] The present disclosure provides a docking station for removable connection to an enteral feeding pump that enables automatic flushing of an administration set loaded into the enteral feeding pump. The docking station generally includes a valve seat configured to receive a switchable flow valve of the administration set, a flush controller, and an actuator connected to the flush controller and configured to releasably mate with the switchable flow valve when the switchable flow valve is received by the valve seat. and a data communication means for receiving a data signal transmitted by the enteral feeding pump when the enteral feeding pump is connected to the docking station and inputting the data signal to a flush controller of the docking station. In operation, the flush controller may receive a flush command transmitted by the enteral feeding pump and transmit a control signal to the actuator for switching the switchable flow valve to the flush position in response to the flush command.

[0007] A method of flushing tubing of an enteral feeding administration set according to the present disclosure may generally include the steps of connecting an enteral feeding pump to a docking station, connecting a flush tubing branch of the administration set to a flushing fluid source, loading a pump tubing portion of the administration set into the enteral feeding pump, mating a flow valve of the administration set with an actuator of the docking station, receiving a user flush command, operating the actuator to move the flow valve to a flush position in response to the user flush command, and operating the enteral feeding pump to pump flushing fluid from the flushing fluid source through the flush tubing branch, the flow valve, and the pump tubing portion. The flush command may be input by a user via a user interface of the enteral feeding pump.

[0008]

[0008] The present disclosure further provides an enteral feeding pump system that may include an administration set, an enteral feeding pump, and a docking station. The administration set may include a feed tube branch connectable to a source of nutrient solution, a flush tube branch connectable to a source of flushing solution, a flow valve connected to the feed tube branch and the flush tube branch, and a pump tube segment connected to the flow valve, the flow valve having a feed position that allows flow communication between the feed tube branch and the pump tube segment and prevents flow communication between the flush tube branch and the pump tube segment, and the flow valve having a flush position that allows flow communication between the flush tube branch and the pump tube segment and prevents flow communication between the feed tube branch and the pump tube segment. The enteral feeding pump may be configured to receive the pump tube segment and may include a pumping mechanism that acts on the pump tube segment to pump liquid through the pump tube segment in a flow direction away from the flow valve. The docking station may include an actuator configured to mate with the flow valve, the actuator selectively operable to switch the flow valve between the feed position and the flush position when the flow valve is mated with the actuator.

[0009]

[0009] The present disclosure also provides a switchable flow valve suitable for use with liquids having relatively high viscosities. The flow valve generally includes a hollow valve housing including a food inlet port, a flush inlet port, and an outlet port, and a valve body received by the valve housing. The valve body may be rotatable about a valve axis relative to the valve housing, and the valve body may include a flow path having an input end and an output end. The passage area of ​​the output end of the flow path may be larger than the passage area of ​​the input end of the flow path. The valve body may have a rotational feed position in which the input end of the flow path faces the food inlet port and the output end of the flow path faces the outlet port to enable communication between the food inlet port and the outlet port through the flow path. The valve body may also have a rotational flush position in which the input end of the flow path faces the flush inlet port and the output end of the flow path faces the outlet port to enable communication between the flush inlet port and the outlet port through the flow path. The flow path may have a straight wall extending linearly from the input end to the output end and a curved wall branching off from the straight wall along a curved path from the input end to the output end.

[0010] The nature and mode of operation of the present disclosure are now described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: This is more fully described in the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]

[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an enteral feeding pump system formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]

[0012] FIG. 2 is another exploded perspective view of the enteral feeding pump system of FIG. 1 from a rear perspective, with the nutritional and flushing fluid sources omitted. [Figure 3]

[0013] FIG. 1 is an unexploded perspective view showing the enteral feeding pump of the system connected to the system's docking station and the administration set of the system loaded into the enteral feeding pump and docking station, with the enteral feeding pump door omitted. [Figure 4]

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an enteral feeding pump with the front of the pump housing removed to show the internal structure of the pump. [Figure 5]

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an infusion pump and a docking station. [Figure 6]

[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the docking station. [Figure 7]

[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a valve actuator of the docking station. [Figure 8]

[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the valve actuator. [Figure 9]

[0019] FIG. 2 is another exploded perspective view of the valve actuator. [Figure 10]

[0020] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a switchable flow valve of an administration set received in a valve seat of a docking station, the flow valve not yet mated with a valve actuator. [Figure 11]

[0021] 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, showing the flow valve mated with the valve actuator. [Figure 12]

[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flow valve. [Figure 13]

[0023] FIG. [Figure 14]

[0024] 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 12, showing the flow valve in the supply position. [Figure 15]

[0025] FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 but showing the flow valve in the flush position. [Figure 16]

[0026] FIG. 1 is a state diagram generally illustrating control of an infusion pump system by software in an enteral feeding pump, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17]

[0027] 10 is another state diagram illustrating control of an infusion pump system to perform a method of flushing tubing of an administration set according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012]

[0028] 1 and 2 illustrate an enteral feeding pump system 10 formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The enteral feeding pump system 10 generally includes an enteral feeding pump 12, a docking station 14, and an administration set 16. The system 10 may further include a source of nutritional fluid 17 and a source of flushing fluid 18. When the enteral feeding pump 12 is connected to the docking station 14 and the administration set 16 is loaded into the enteral feeding pump 12 and the docking station 14, as described below, the enteral feeding pump can be operated by a user to selectively perform a feeding operation or a flushing operation. While the docking station 14 may provide other functionality, such as recharging the battery that powers the enteral feeding pump 12, the present disclosure is directed to the flushing functionality.

[0013]

[0029] The administration set 16 may be configured to selectively allow feeding and flushing operations. The administration set 16 may include a feeding tube branch 20 connectable to a nutrient solution source 17, a flush tube branch 22 connectable to a flushing fluid source 18, a flow valve 24 connected to the feeding tube branch 20 and the flush tube branch 22, and a pump tubing segment 26 connected to the flow valve 24. The flow valve 24 allows flow communication between the feeding tube branch 20 and the pump tubing segment 26 and controls the flow communication between the feeding tube branch 20 and the pump tubing segment 26 and the flushing fluid source 18. The flow valve 24 may have a supply position in which it prevents flow communication between the supply tube branch 20 and the pump tube portion 26. The flow valve 24 may further have a flush position in which it allows flow communication between the flush tube branch 22 and the pump tube portion 26 and prevents flow communication between the supply tube branch 20 and the pump tube portion 26. The flow valve 24 is switchable between the supply and flush positions to selectively enable supply and flushing operations.

[0014]

[0030] The administration set 16 may include a cassette 28 for loading a segment of the pump tubing portion 26 into the enteral feeding pump 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the pump tubing portion 26 may have a pumping segment 26B disposed between an upstream segment 26A connected to the flow valve 24 and a downstream segment 26C. As will be appreciated, the downstream segment 26C may be in communication with the patient or user during a normal feeding operation in which the enteral feeding pump 12 is used to pump a nutritional liquid from the source 17 through a feeding tube, such as a gastrostomy tube, to the user. The pumping segment 26B may be disposed to extend through the cassette 28 and is positioned opposite a pumping mechanism 30 of the pump 12 when the cassette 28 is loaded into the pump. The pumping mechanism 30 acts on the pumping segment 26B of the pump tubing portion 26 to pump liquid through the pump tubing portion 26 in a flow direction away from the flow valve 24. Pumping mechanism 30 may be a linear peristaltic pumping mechanism as illustrated in FIG. 4, or may take other forms such as a rotary peristaltic pumping mechanism or a curved peristaltic pumping mechanism.

[0015]

[0031] The supply tube branch 20, the flush tube branch 22, and the upstream segment 26A and downstream segment 26B of the pump tube section 26 may be PVC tubing or other suitable tubing. The pumping segment 26B may be made from soft PVC, silicone, or other suitable material so as to resiliently deform when acted upon by the pumping mechanism 30. The end of the supply tube branch 20 releasably connects to the nutrient solution source 17, and the end of the flush tube branch 22 releasably connects to the flushing solution source 18.

[0016]

[0032] As the nutritional solution is pumped through the administration set 16, the inner walls of the tubing can become lined with residual material, especially if the nutritional solution has a high viscosity. As described in more detail below, the docking station 14 has an integrated flush module that interfaces with the enteral feeding pump 12 and the flow valve 24 of the administration set 16 and automatically configures the system 10 to flush the tubing of the administration set 16 with flushing fluid from the source 18 to remove residual material, allowing the administration set to continue functioning efficiently and accurately as more nutritional fluid is pumped through the administration set in subsequent feeding operations.

[0017]

[0033] The enteral feeding pump 12 and the docking station 14 may include respective mechanical connections to enable the enteral feeding pump 12 to be securely but releasably connected to the docking station 14. For example, the enteral feeding pump 12 may have a nut 32 accessible through an opening in an end face of the pump housing for mating with a threaded stud 33 protruding from an opposing end face of the docking station housing. The threaded stud 33 may be manually rotatable relative to the docking station housing by means of a wheel or dial 35, as shown in FIG. 2 .

[0018]

[0034] Reference is now also made to the schematic diagram of FIG. 5 to further describe enteral feeding pump 12 and docking station 14.

[0019]

[0035] The enteral feeding pump 12 is connected to the docking station 14 when the enteral feeding pump 12 and the docking station 14 are connected end-to-end as shown in FIG. The docking station 14 may include an electrical connection port 36 configured to releasably mate with a corresponding electrical connection port 37. The electrical connection port 36 of the enteral feeding pump 12 may include a configuration of connectors (e.g., pins and / or sockets), and the electrical connection port 37 on the docking station 14 may have a complementary configuration of connectors that can releasably mate with the connector of port 36. The docking station 14 may further include an external power and data connection port 39 to which AC power and USB may be connected to the docking station 14. When the connectors of ports 36 and 37 are mated, external power is supplied from port 39 of the docking station 14 to the feeding pump 12, output voltage is supplied from the feeding pump 12 to the docking station 14, a USB line 41 of the docking station 14 is linked with a USB line 42 of the feeding pump 12, and an internal data communication line 43 of the docking station 14 is linked with an internal data communication line 44 of the feeding pump 12. Enteral feeding pump 12 may include a power supply circuit 46, a battery charging circuit 48, a battery pack 50, a voltage regulator 52, and a voltage monitoring circuit 54, as shown, for example, in FIG.

[0020]

[0036] The enteral feeding pump 12 may also include a pump controller 56 that functions as a central processing unit for the pump 12. The pump controller 56 may include, for example, a digital microcontroller or digital microprocessor and associated circuitry. The USB line 42 and data communication line 44 of the feeding pump 12 may be connected to the pump controller 56 through a communication interface 58. The pump controller 56 may be connected to a motor driver 60 that is arranged to drive a motor 62 of the pumping mechanism 30. The pump controller 56 is programmed to send motor control commands to the motor driver 60 that operate the motor 62 so that the pumping mechanism 30 delivers a desired flow rate of nutritional fluid to the user.

[0021]

[0037] The pump 12 may have other components connected to the pump controller 56, such as an audio speaker 63 for providing audible signals to the user, and a user interface 64 including a touch screen 66 and / or control button overlay 68 for displaying information to the user and allowing the user to input pump control commands and operational information. The pump 12 may also have various sensors connected to the pump controller 56 to provide feedback signals regarding the pump's operational status. Such sensors may include a door sensor 70 for detecting whether a door 72 of the pump 12 is open or closed, a set type detector 74 configured to determine the type of administration set 16 currently loaded into the pump, an occlusion sensor 76 disposed to detect occlusions in the pump tubing segment 26 at locations upstream and downstream from the pumping mechanism 30, and an air-in-line sensor 78 disposed to detect air bubbles in the fluid being transmitted through the pump tubing segment 26 ... 6 or may include one or more memory modules 80 connected to an integrated on-board pump controller 56 .

[0022]

[0038] 6 generally includes a valve seat 82 configured to receive the switchable flow valve 24 of the administration set 16. The docking station 14 also includes a flush controller 84, e.g., a digital microcontroller or digital microprocessor and associated circuitry, and an actuator 86 connected to the flush controller, the actuator configured to releasably mate with the switchable flow valve 24 when the switchable flow valve is received by the valve seat 82. As described in more detail below, the flush controller 84 is configured to send control signals to the actuator 86 to switch the flow valve 24 between its delivery and flush positions.

[0023]

[0039] When the enteral feeding pump 12 is connected to the docking station 14, data communication is enabled between the pump controller 56 and the flush controller 84. In the illustrated embodiment, the data communication line 43 of the docking station 14 transmits data signals to and from the flush controller 84. When the enteral feeding pump 12 is connected to the docking station 14, the data communication line 44 of the pump 12 is linked to the data communication line 43 of the docking station, thereby establishing a hard-wired connection for transmitting data signals between the pump controller 56 and the flush controller 84. As a non-limiting example, the data communication lines 43, 44 may be RS-232 data transmission lines. Instead of or in addition to using hard-wired connections, wireless connections may be used. For example, a wireless signal transceiver may be linked to the pump controller 56 and another wireless signal transceiver may be linked to the flush controller 84 to enable wireless data communication between the controller 56 and the controller 84.

[0024]

[0040] An embodiment of the actuator 86 is shown in detail in FIGS. 7-11. The actuator 86 may include an electric motor 88 and a coupler element 90 driven by the motor 88 to rotate about a valve switching axis 91. The motor 88 may be operably connected to the flush controller 84 via a motor driver circuit 87, as shown in FIG. 5. The coupler element 90 may be configured to mate with the switchable flow valve 24 such that motor-driven rotation of the coupler element 90 about the valve switching axis 91 switches the flow valve 24 between its supply and flush positions. The coupler element 90 may be configured to mate with the switchable flow valve 24 only when the coupler element 90 and the flow valve 24 are in a single, predetermined rotational orientation relative to each other about the valve switching axis 91. The coupler element 90 may be linearly displaceable relative to the motor 88 along a valve switching axis 91 between a retracted position ( FIG. 10 ) and an extended position ( FIG. 11 ), and the coupler element 90 mates with the flow valve 24 when the coupler element 90 is in the extended position and the coupler element and flow valve 24 are in a single, predetermined rotational orientation. For example, the tip portion 90A of the coupler element 90 and the corresponding recess 24A of the flow valve 24 may have complementary shapes that allow the tip portion 90A to mate within the recess 24A only when the coupler element 90 and flow valve 24 are in a single, predetermined rotational orientation relative to each other about the valve switching axis 91. In the illustration, the complementary shapes are those of circular segments, but other shapes are possible, including, but not limited to, triangles or trapezoids. Irregular patterns of mating protrusions and recesses may also be used. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a male tip or protrusion may be provided on either the coupler element 90 or the flow valve 24, and a mating female recess may be provided on either the flow valve 24 or the coupler element 90. The coupler element 90 may further include a radially enlarged flange portion 90B extending from the tip portion 90A.

[0025]

[0041] The coupler element 90 may be spring biased toward the extended position by a spring 92. For example, the spring 92 may be embodied as a coil spring having one end that seats against an axially constraining surface and an opposite end that engages against the underside of the coupler element 90.

[0026]

[0042] The docking station 14 may further include a sensor for detecting operational information and transmitting the information to the flash controller 84. The docking station 14 may have a proximity sensor 94 disposed to detect the presence of the switchable flow valve 24 in the valve seat 82. The proximity sensor 94 may be connected to the flash controller 84 and may provide a proximity signal to the flash controller indicating that the flow valve 24 is received by the valve seat 82. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupler element 90 may include a reflective surface 96, and the proximity sensor 94 may be an optical proximity sensor disposed to emit light toward the reflective surface 96 and detect a portion of the emitted light after reflection from the reflective surface 96. 6 , when the switchable flow valve 24 is not received by the valve seat 82, the coupler element 90 is biased by the spring 92 to a default position in which the flange portion 90B of the coupler element 90 abuts the upper inner surface of the valve seat 82. When the coupler element 90 is in the default position, the reflective surface 96 is at the furthest distance from the proximity sensor 94, causing the proximity sensor 94 to record the lowest proximity signal value, indicating the absence of the flow valve 24. When the switchable flow valve 24 is received by the valve seat 82 but the coupler element 90 and the flow valve 24 are not in a single, predetermined rotational orientation relative to each other about the valve switching axis 91, the flow valve 24 presses the coupler element 90 down to its retracted position against the bias of the spring 92, as shown in FIG. When the coupler element 90 is in the retracted position, the reflective surface 96 is at the closest distance from the proximity sensor 94, resulting in the proximity sensor 94 recording the highest proximity signal value, indicating that the flow valve 24 is present but not mated with the coupler element 90. When the switchable flow valve 24 is received by the valve seat 82 and the coupler element 90 and flow valve 24 are in a single, predetermined rotational orientation relative to one another about the valve switching axis 91, the coupler element 90 is biased upward by the spring 92 to its extended position in mating engagement with the flow valve 24, as shown in FIG. 11 . When the coupler element 90 is in the extended position, the reflective surface 96 is at an intermediate distance from the proximity sensor 94, resulting in the proximity sensor 94 recording an intermediate signal value between the minimum and maximum signal values. The intermediate proximity signal value indicates that the flow valve 24 is present in the valve seat 82 and mated with the coupler element 90.

[0027]

[0043] Proximity sensor 94 may be embodied by other types of proximity sensors, including, but not limited to, magnetic proximity sensors and capacitive proximity sensors.

[0028]

[0044] The docking station 14 may have another sensor for measuring the rotational position of the coupler element 90 about the valve switching axis 91. For example, the docking station 14 may include an optical encoder 98 connected to the flash controller 84, which measures the rotational position of the coupler element 90 about the valve switching axis and provides a rotational position signal to the flash controller indicating the measured rotational position of the coupler element. For example, an encoder disk 100 may be connected to the coupler element 90 to rotate together with the coupler element 90 about the valve switching axis 91, and the optical encoder 98 may be arranged to detect the rotational position of the encoder disk 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the encoder disk 100 is connected to the coupler element 90 by a valve seat 82. As shown in the figure, the valve seat 82 may include multiple legs 83 that extend through an opening 93 in the coupler element 90 and into an opening 101 in the encoder disk 100. In the illustrated arrangement, the valve seat 82 rotates with the coupler element 90 about the valve switching axis 91 and transmits rotational motion to the encoder disk 100. The present disclosure is not limited to the particular arrangement shown, and encoder disk 100 may be connected to coupler element 90 in other ways for coupled rotation therewith without departing from the present disclosure. A magnetic encoder and corresponding encoder disk may be used in place of optical encoder 98 and encoder disk 100.

[0029]

[0045] The flash controller 84, proximity sensor 94, and optical encoder 98 may be provided on a circuit board 102 mounted in a fixed position within the housing of the docking station 14. The underside of the encoder disk 100 may abut the upper end of the motor 88, thereby limiting downward movement of the encoder disk 100, and the upper side of the encoder disk 100 may be engaged by the end of the spring 92.

[0030]

[0046] Instead of using a second sensor or encoder 98 to measure the rotational position of the coupler element 90 about the valve switching axis 91, the proximity sensor 94 and the reflective surface 96 , may be adapted to perform this function. For example, the reflective surface 96 may include a localized feature (not shown) that affects the reflected light detected by the proximity sensor 94 when the coupler element 90 is in a rotational position about the valve switching axis 91 that corresponds to the flush position of the switchable flow valve 24, whereby a proximity signal indicates when the switchable flow valve 24 is in the flush position. The localized feature may be, for example, a gap, a light-absorbing region, or a light-dispersing region that attenuates the reflected light. Similarly, the reflective surface 96 may include another localized feature that affects the reflected light detected by the proximity sensor 94 when the coupler element 90 is in a rotational position about the valve switching axis 91 that corresponds to the feed position of the switchable flow valve 24, whereby a proximity signal indicates when the switchable flow valve 24 is in the feed position.

[0031]

[0047] The switchable flow valve 24 is shown in more detail in Figures 12-15. The flow valve 24 may include a hollow valve housing 104 and a valve body 106 received by the valve housing 104, the valve body 106 being rotatable relative to the valve housing 104 about a valve switching axis 91. The valve housing 104 may include a food inlet port 108 connectable to the feed tube branch 20, a flush inlet port 110 connectable to the flush tube branch 22, and an outlet port 112 connectable to the pump tubing portion 26. The valve body 106 may include a flow path 114 having an input end 116 and an output end 118.

[0032]

[0048] As shown in FIG. 14 , the valve body 106 can have a rotational feed position in which the input end 116 of the flow passage 114 faces the food inlet port 108 of the valve housing 104 and the output end 118 of the flow passage 114 faces the outlet port 112 of the valve housing 104 to enable flow communication between the food inlet port 108 and the outlet port 112 through the flow passage 114.

[0033]

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 15 , the valve body 106 can have a rotational flush position in which the input end 116 of the flow path 114 faces the flush inlet port 110 of the valve housing 104 and the output end 118 of the flow path 114 faces the outlet port 112 of the valve housing 104 to enable flow communication between the flush inlet port 110 and the outlet port 112 through the flow path 114.

[0034]

[0050] The rotational flush position of the valve body 106 is angularly spaced from the rotational feed position of the valve body 106 by a switching angle SA. The switching angle SA can be less than 90 degrees. In one embodiment, the switching angle is approximately 45 degrees.

[0035]

[0051] The flow path 114 may have a straight wall 120 that extends linearly from the input end 116 to the output end 118 and a curved wall 122 that branches off from the straight wall 120 along a curved path from the input end 116 to the output end 118. The passage area (i.e., cross-sectional area for flow) at the output end 118 may be larger than the passage area at the input end 116.

[0036]

[0052] When the flow valve 24 is in the supply position (FIG. 14), the disclosed configuration of the flow valve 24 provides a straight flow path across the flow valve for the nutrient fluid from the nutrient fluid source 17. This configuration is advantageous for reducing stagnation of the nutrient fluid as it passes through the flow valve and for maintaining a steady delivery rate when pumping relatively high viscosity nutrient fluids. When the flow valve 24 is in the flush position (FIG. 15), the configuration of the flow valve 24 provides a tortuous flow path across the flow valve for flushing fluid from the flushing fluid source 18, the flushing fluid having a lower viscosity than the nutrient fluid and not tending to stagnate as the flow path changes direction through the flow valve. To the extent that nutrient fluid may collect along the curved wall 122 during pumping in the supply position, the flow valve 24 is switched to the flush position. , and is easily flushed when the flushing liquid is pumped through the flow valve.

[0037]

[0053] Operation of the docking station 14 in conjunction with the enteral feeding pump 12 and administration set 16 to perform a flush operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0038]

[0054] 16 illustrates the state transitions of the pump 12 controlled through programming instructions executed by the pump controller 56. The pump 12 may start in a FlushIdle state 200. The pump controller 56 may command the execution of a homing routine for the flow valve 24 on the docking station 14 with a Pump::HOME_VALVE command, described below with reference to FIG. 17, so that the docking station 14 can determine the feed and flush positions of the flow valve 24. From the FlushIdle state 200, the pump 12 may transition to a Pumping state 210, which is characterized by operation of the pumping mechanism 30. Within the Pumping state 210, the pump 12 may be in a Feeding sub-state 212 or a Flushing sub-state 214, depending on whether the flush valve 24 is in the feed or flush position. While pump 12 is in Pumping state 210, a user may input a Pause command by means of user interface 64 to suspend operation of pumping mechanism 30 and transition pump 12 to Paused state 220. The user may then input a Resume command by means of user interface 64 to transition pump 12 from Paused state 220 to Pumping state 210.

[0039]

[0055] Based on either user input or the pump software program, the pump controller 56 may initiate a feeding operation. The pump controller 56 may prepare for a feeding operation by switching the flow valve 24 to its feeding position or by sending a SET_VALVE_TO_FOOD command to the flush controller 84 to confirm that the flow valve 24 is already in its feeding position. The pump controller 56 may wait for a VALVE_SET_TO_FOOD signal from the flush controller 84 before transitioning to the Feeding substate 212. Once the flow valve 24 is in the feeding position, the pump controller 56 may transition the pump 12 to the Feeding substate 212 by operating the motor 62 so that the pumping mechanism 30 delivers the desired amount of nutrient liquid to the user at the desired flow rate. As described above, this pumping can be paused and resumed. When delivery of the programmed amount is complete, the pump controller 56 may stop the pumping mechanism 30, and the pump 12 may transition back to the FlushIdle state 200 to await another command.

[0040]

[0056] A user or pump software program may similarly instruct pump controller 56 to initiate a flushing operation. In this case, pump controller 56 may send a SET_VALVE_TO_FLUSH command to flush controller 84 to switch flow valve 24 to its flush position or to confirm that flow valve 24 is already in its flush position. Pump controller 56 may wait for a VALVE_SET_TO_FLUSH signal from flush controller 84 before transitioning to Flushing sub-state 214. Once flow valve 24 is in the flush position, pump controller 56 may transition pump 12 to Flushing sub-state 214 by operating motor 62 such that pumping mechanism 30 delivers a desired amount of flushing fluid through administration set 16. As described above, this pumping can be paused and resumed. When the programmed amount of flushing fluid has been pumped, pump controller 56 may stop pumping mechanism 30, and pump 12 transitions back to FlushIdle state 200 to await another command. obtain.

[0041]

[0057] 17, state transitions associated with the enteral feeding pump system 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described. Initially, the enteral feeding pump system 10 is in a UserActions state 300 before the administration set 16 is connected by the user to the pump 12 and docking station 14. An initial SetUnloaded substate 310 indicates that the cassette 28 has not yet been loaded into the pump 12 and the flow valve 24 has not yet been loaded into the docking station 14. When the user initially loads the cassette 28 into the pump 12, the substate transitions from the SetUnloaded substate 310 to a SetLoadedInPump substate 320. Thereafter, when the user loads the flow valve 24 onto the valve seat 82, the substate transitions from the SetLoadedInPump substate 320 to a SetLoaded substate 340, indicating that the administration set 16 is fully loaded and connected to the pump 12 and docking station 14. Alternatively, when the user first loads the flow valve 24 onto the valve seat 82, the substate transitions from the SetUnloaded substate 310 to the SetLoadedInValve substate 330. Thereafter, when the user loads the cassette 28 into the pump 12, the substate transitions from the SetLoadedInValve substate 330 to the SetLoaded substate 340. Thus, the cassette 28 and flow valve 24 may be loaded in any order. The loading of the cassette 28 into the pump 12 may be confirmed by signals from the set type detector 74 and the door sensor 70 to the pump controller 56. The loading of the flow valve 24 on the valve seat 28 may be confirmed by a proximity signal from the proximity sensor 94 to the flush controller 84. When the system is in the SetLoaded substate 340, it is ready for either a dispense operation or a flush operation, depending on the rotational position of the flow valve 24.

[0042]

[0058] Initially, the docking station 14 may be in a ValveStateUnknown state 400 in which the valve actuator 86 is in an Idle substate 410 with the electric motor 88 switched off and the rotational position of the flow valve 24 is unknown. When a user inputs a START_FLUSH command to the pump controller 56 by means of the user interface 64 to initiate a flushing operation, the pump controller 56 is configured to send a HOME_VALVE command to the flush controller 84 of the docking station 14 to turn on the electric motor 88 and enter a Homing substate 420 for determining the position of the flow valve 24. In the Homing substate 420, the system enters a HomeToFlush substate in which the motor 88 is commanded by the flush controller 84 to rotate the flow valve 24 about the valve switching axis 91 until a FLUSH_POS_DETECTED signal is received from the encoder 98 and / or the proximity sensor 94 indicating that the flow valve 24 is in the flush position. The system then enters a HomeToFood substate in which the motor 88 is commanded by the flush controller 84 to rotate the flow valve 24 about the valve switching axis 91 until a FOOD_POS_DETECTED signal is received from the encoder 98 and / or proximity sensor 94 indicating the flow valve 24 is homed in the feed position. At this point, the motor 88 is stopped and the docking station 14 transitions to the ValveHomed state 500 and enters the AtFood substate 510. When the docking station 14 is in the ValveHomed state 500, the position of the flow valve 24 can be switched between the feed and flush positions by issuing the SET_VALVE_TO FEED and SET_VALVE_TO_FLUSH commands, respectively, as described above in connection with FIG. 16 . While the Homing routine described above sets the flow valve 24 to the feed position as the home position, the Homing routine can instead be programmed to set the flow valve 24 to the flush position as the home position.

[0043]

[0059] Assuming the flow valve 24 is home in the supply position, the pump controller 56 may issue a SET_VALVE_TO_FLUSH command to the flush controller 84, as described above, to cause the flush controller 84 to transmit a control signal to the actuator 86 to switch the flow valve 24 from the supply position to the flush position in response to a flush command. The docking station 14 transitions to the TurningToFlush sub-state 520 while the motor 88 is energized to rotate the flow valve 24 until a FLUSH_POS_DETECTED signal is received from the encoder 98 and / or proximity sensor 94 indicating the flow valve 24 is in the flush position. The docking station 14 then transitions to the AtFlush sub-state 530 where the flow valve 24 is in the flush position and the system is ready for a flush operation. At this point, the pumping mechanism motor 62 may be driven according to the Flushing sub-state 214 to pump flushing fluid from the flushing fluid source 18 sequentially through the flush tube branch 22, the flow valve 24, and the pump tubing segment 26 to flush out any residual nutritional fluid in the administration set 16. As discussed above with reference to FIGURE 16, the flushing operation may continue until a predetermined amount of flushing fluid has been pumped through the administration set 16, at which point the pump controller 56 may automatically terminate the flushing operation by ceasing operation of the pumping mechanism 30. During the flushing operation, the user may pause or terminate the flushing operation by means of the user interface 64.

[0044]

[0060] Once flushing is complete, pump controller 56 issues a SET_VALVE_TO_FOOD command to flush controller 84, causing flush controller 84 to transmit a control signal to actuator 86 to switch flow valve 24 from the flush position to the feed position so that pump 12 is ready for a feed operation. Docking station 14 transitions to TurningToFeed substate 540 while motor 88 is energized to rotate flow valve 24 until a FEED_POS_DETECTED signal is received from encoder 98 and / or proximity sensor 94 indicating flow valve 24 is in the feed position. Docking station 14 then transitions back to AtFood substate 510.

[0045]

[0061] As will be appreciated from this disclosure, the enteral feeding pump 12 remains compact and mechanically simple in facilitating a lightweight design for ambulatory use, yet automatic flushing is available via the docking station 14. Homing and orientation of the flow valve 24 is performed automatically, making the system extremely easy to use.

[0046]

[0062] Although this disclosure describes exemplary embodiments, the detailed description is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure to the particular forms described. The disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of the described embodiments, as may be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A docking station for removable connection to an enteral feeding pump, said docking station comprising: a valve seat configured to receive a switchable flow valve of an administration set installed in the enteral feeding pump; A flash controller; an actuator connected to the flush controller, the actuator configured to releasably mate with the switchable flow valve when the switchable flow valve is received by the valve seat; and and a data communication means, wherein the data communication means inputs a data signal transmitted by the enteral feeding pump to the flush controller of the docking station when the enteral feeding pump is connected to the docking station, thereby causing the flush controller to receive a flush command transmitted by the enteral feeding pump and transmit a control signal to the actuator in response to the flush command to switch the switchable flow valve to a flush position.

2. 2. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a motor and a coupler element driven by the motor to rotate about a valve switching axis, the coupler element configured to mate with the switchable flow valve only when the coupler element and the switchable flow valve are in a single, predetermined rotational orientation relative to each other about the valve switching axis.

3. 3. The docking station of claim 2, wherein the coupler element is linearly displaceable relative to the motor along the valve switching axis between a retracted position and an extended position, and the coupler element mates with the switchable flow valve when the coupler element is in the extended position and the coupler element and the switchable flow valve are in the single predetermined rotational orientation.

4. The docking station of claim 3 , wherein the coupler element is spring biased toward the extended position.

5. 5. The docking station of claim 4, wherein the coupler element is urged against a spring bias toward the retracted position when the switchable flow valve is received by the valve seat and the coupler element and the switchable flow valve are not in the single predetermined rotational orientation.

6. 2. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a proximity sensor connected to the flash controller, the proximity sensor providing a proximity signal to the flash controller indicating that the switchable flow valve is received by the valve seat.

7. 4. The docking station of claim 3, further comprising a proximity sensor connected to the flash controller, the proximity sensor providing a proximity signal to the flash controller indicating that the switchable flow valve is received by the valve seat, the coupler element including a reflective surface, and the proximity sensor being an optical proximity sensor arranged to emit light toward the reflective surface and detect a portion of the emitted light after reflection from the reflective surface.

8. 8. The docking station of claim 7, wherein the reflective surface includes localized features that affect reflected light detected by the proximity sensor when the coupler element is in a rotational position about the valve switching axis that corresponds to the flush position of the switchable flow valve, whereby the proximity signal indicates when the switchable flow valve is in the flush position.

9. 2. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising an encoder connected to the flash controller, the encoder measuring a rotational position of the coupler element about the valve switching axis and providing a rotational position signal to the flash controller indicative of the measured rotational position of the coupler element.

10. 1. A method of flushing tubing of an enteral feeding administration set, the tubing having a feeding tube branch, a flush tube branch, a pump tube segment, and a flow valve connected to the feeding tube branch, the flush tube branch, and the pump tube segment, the flow valve having a flush position in which the flow valve allows flow communication between the flush tube branch and the pump tube segment and prevents flow communication between the feeding tube branch and the pump tube segment, the method comprising: connecting the enteral feeding pump to a docking station; connecting the flush tube branch to a source of flushing fluid; loading the pump tubing segment into the enteral feeding pump; mating the flow valve with an actuator of the docking station; receiving a user flash command; operating the actuator to move the flow valve to the flush position in response to the user flush command; and operating the enteral feeding pump to pump flushing fluid from the flushing fluid source through the flush tube branch, the flow valve, and the pump tube portion.

11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the flow valve is rotatable about a valve switching axis to or from the flush position, the actuator includes a coupler element configured to mate with the flow valve only when the coupler element and the flow valve are in a single, predetermined rotational orientation relative to one another about the valve switching axis, and the step of mating the flow valve with the actuator includes spring-biasing the coupler element along the direction of the valve switching axis, and automatically rotating the coupler element until the coupler element and the flow valve are in the single, predetermined rotational orientation and the coupler element is pushed by the spring bias into mating engagement with the flow valve.

12. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the flush command is input via a user interface of the enteral feeding pump.

13. 1. An enteral feeding pump system, comprising:

1. An administration set comprising a feeding tube branch connectable to a source of nutrient solution, a flush tube branch connectable to a source of flushing solution, a flow valve connected to the feeding tube branch and the flush tube branch, and a pump tube segment connected to the flow valve, the flow valve having a feeding position that allows flow communication between the feeding tube branch and the pump tube segment and prevents flow communication between the flush tube branch and the pump tube segment, the flow valve being configured to an administration set having a flush position that allows flow communication between the branch and the pump tubing portion and prevents flow communication between the supply tube branch and the pump tubing portion; an enteral feeding pump configured to receive the pump tube segment, the enteral feeding pump including a pumping mechanism acting on the pump tube segment to pump liquid through the pump tube segment in a flow direction away from the flow valve; and a docking station including an actuator configured to mate with the flow valve, the actuator selectively operable to switch the flow valve between the feed position and the flush position when the flow valve is mated with the actuator.

14. 14. The enteral feeding pump system of claim 13, wherein the docking station includes a flush controller connected to the actuator for issuing operating commands to the actuator to switch the flow valve between the supply position and the flush position.

15. 15. The enteral feeding pump system of claim 14, wherein the enteral feeding pump includes a pump controller connected to the pumping mechanism for issuing operating commands to the pumping mechanism.

16. 16. The enteral feeding pump system of claim 15, further comprising data communication means for establishing data communication between the enteral feeding pump and the flush controller of the docking station when the enteral feeding pump is connected to the docking station, whereby the flush controller receives a flush command sent by the enteral feeding pump and, in response to the flush command, sends a control signal to the actuator to switch the switchable flow valve to a flush position.

17. 17. The enteral feeding pump system of claim 16, wherein the enteral feeding pump and the docking station each include a respective threaded member, the threaded members configured to mate with one another to removably connect the enteral feeding pump to the docking station.

18. 1. A flow valve, comprising: a hollow valve housing including a food inlet port, a flush inlet port, and an outlet port; a valve body received by the valve housing, the valve body being rotatable relative to the valve housing about a valve axis, the valve body including a flow passage having an input end and an output end; the valve body has a rotational feed position in which the input end of the flow passage faces the food inlet port and the output end of the flow passage faces the outlet port to allow communication between the food inlet port and the outlet port through the flow passage; the valve body has a rotational flush position in which the input end of the flow passage faces the flush inlet port and the output end of the flow passage faces the outlet port to allow communication between the flush inlet port and the outlet port through the flow passage; A flow valve, wherein the passage area of ​​the output end of the flow path is larger than the passage area of ​​the input end of the flow path.

19. The flow path has a straight wall extending linearly from the input end to the output end, and a 20. The flow valve of claim 18, further comprising: a curved wall branching off from the straight wall along a curved path to the output end.

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