Intravenous set with pump interface for rapid infusion with reusable driver

Abstract

The IV infusion set includes at least one infusion component, a first IV tubing coupled to the infusion component, a second IV tubing, and a disposable pump head. The pump head includes an inlet port coupled to the first IV tubing, an outlet port coupled to the second IV tubing, and a drive interface configured to be coupled to a first end of a drive shaft. The drive interface is configured to be rotated by rotation of the drive shaft, which has a second end coupled to a driver to increase fluid flow rate through the IV infusion set. An IV set assembly and methods of use are also provided.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to intravenous (IV) sets, and more particularly to a pump interface and reusable driver for rapid infusion with an IV set. [Background technology]

[0002] Medical procedures often involve the infusion of medical fluids (e.g., blood, plasma, saline) into patients using an IV catheter, commonly referred to as an "IV set," which is connected to a fluid source, such as an IV blood bag, via an arrangement of flexible tubing and fittings. During surgery, medical fluids may be needed quickly and at significantly increased flow rates, as shorter time to transfusion has been associated with a reduced risk of mortality in trauma patients. Typical IV sets use cylindrical hand pumps, which are manually squeezed to increase fluid flow, resulting in muscle fatigue and / or insufficient fluid flow.

[0003] For these reasons, it is desirable to provide an IV set with a pump interface powered by a reusable mechanical driver to minimize muscle fatigue and to rapidly increase the amount of fluid being pumped through the IV set.

[0004] A statement presented in the Background Art section should not be considered prior art merely because it is mentioned in or associated with the Background Art section. The Background Art section may include information that describes one or more aspects of the subject technology. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In one or more embodiments, an IV infusion set includes at least one infusion component, a first IV tubing coupled to the infusion component, a second IV tubing, and a disposable pump head including an inlet port coupled to the first IV tubing, an outlet port coupled to the second IV tubing, and a drive interface configured to be coupled to a first end of a drive shaft, the drive interface configured to be rotated by rotation of the drive shaft, the second end of which is coupled to a driver, to increase fluid flow rate through the IV infusion set.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, an IV set assembly includes at least one infusion component, a first IV tubing coupled to the infusion component, a second IV tubing, a driver, a drive shaft, and a disposable pump head including an inlet port coupled to the first IV tubing, an outlet port coupled to the second IV tubing, and a drive interface configured to couple to a first end of the drive shaft, the driver configured to rotate a second end of the drive shaft when the first end of the drive shaft is coupled to the drive interface to increase fluid flow from the outlet port through the second IV tubing.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, a method of using an IV set assembly includes connecting a first end of the IV set to a fluid container, connecting a second end of the IV set to a catheter inserted into a patient, flowing fluid from the fluid container to the patient at a first fluid flow rate, connecting a driver to a drive interface of a pump head of the IV set via a drive shaft, operating the driver to rotate the drive shaft and the drive interface of the pump head, and flowing fluid from the fluid container to the patient at a second fluid flow rate greater than the first fluid flow rate based on the rotation of the drive interface of the pump head.

[0008] It is understood that other configurations of the subject technology will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, and that various configurations of the subject technology have been shown and described by way of example. As will be understood, the subject technology is capable of other different configurations and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary patient care system having four fluid infusion pumps each connected to a respective fluid supply for pumping the contents of the fluid supply to a patient. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a top view of a typical assembled IV infusion set with a hand pump. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an IV set having a pump head according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pump head of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pump head of an IV set according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pump head of an IV set according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a driver according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 8 is a perspective view of an IV set having the pump head of FIG. 5 and the driver of FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 8 is a perspective view of the driver of FIG. 7 and the pump head of FIG. 5 connecting the infusion pump to a patient, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The detailed description set forth below describes various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. Accordingly, dimensions are provided with respect to particular embodiments as non-limiting examples. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology.

[0012] It should be understood that the present disclosure includes examples of the subject technology and does not limit the scope of the appended claims. Various aspects of the subject technology will be disclosed according to specific, but non-limiting examples. The various embodiments described in this disclosure can be implemented in different ways and with modifications according to a desired application or implementation.

[0013] Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like or corresponding elements among the several views, a patient care system 20 is shown in FIG. 1 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 may be any type of fluid conduit, such as an IV administration set, through which fluid may flow. It should be understood that any of a variety of pumping mechanisms, including syringe pumps, may be used.

[0014] Fluid supplies 38, 40, 42, and 44, which may take a variety of forms and are shown in this case as bottles, are inverted and suspended above the pumps. The fluid supplies may also take the form of bags or other types of containers, including syringes. Both the patient care system 20 and the fluid supplies 38, 40, 42, and 44 may be mounted to roller stands, IV poles 46, tabletops, etc.

[0015] Separate infusion pumps 22, 24, 26, and 28 are used to infuse each of the fluids from the fluid supplies into the patient. The infusion pumps are flow control devices that act on the respective fluid lines to move the fluid from the fluid supplies through the fluid lines to the patient 48. Because separate pumps are used, each pump can be individually set to the pumping or operating parameters needed to infuse a particular medical fluid from its respective fluid supply into the patient at a particular rate prescribed by a physician for that fluid. Such medical fluids may include medications or nutrients or other fluids. The infusion pumps 22, 24, 26, and 28 are controlled by a pump control unit 60.

[0016] Fluid supplies 38, 40, 42, and 44 are each connected to an electronic data tag 81, 83, 85, and 87, respectively, or to an electronic transmitter. Any device or component associated with the infusion system may be equipped with an electronic data tag, reader, or transmitter.

[0017] A typical infusion set may also be a gravity set, which does not require the use of an infusion pump. For example, any of fluid supplies 38, 40, 42, and 44 may be connected directly to patient 48 via a gravity IV set, with gravity causing fluid to flow through the infusion set and into patient 48 without the aid of a pump.

[0018] Typically, medical fluid administration sets have more components than are shown in FIG. 1, such as those shown in FIG. 2. IV sets may be formed from any combination of infusion components and tubing. Typically, the infusion components and tubing are disposable products that are used once and then discarded. The infusion components and tubing may be formed from any suitable material (e.g., plastic, silicone, rubber), many or all of which are transparent or translucent to allow visualization of the fluid flow or level therein.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, IV set 120 may include drip chamber 130, hand pump 140, and roller clamp 150, connected together by tubing 160. IV set 120 may also include Y-site 170 having a Y-junction with needleless connector 175 and a Luer lock connector 180 at the end of IV set 120. Luer lock connector 180 may be used, for example, to connect to a catheter inserted into a patient. IV set 120 may include additional infusion components and may be formed from any combination of components and tubing 160.

[0020] In use, IV set 120 is connected to an IV fluid bag (e.g., a blood bag) via drip chamber 130, and luer lock connector 180 is connected to a catheter placed in a patient's vein. Thus, fluid flows from the fluid bag through drip chamber 130 to hand pump 140, through the rest of IV set 120, and out luer lock connector 180. When hand pump 140 is squeezed, a volume of fluid contained within body 142 of hand pump 140 is forced downstream through IV set 120 via outlet port 144. When hand pump 140 is released (e.g., squeezing stops), body 142 of hand pump 140 re-expands and draws in a new volume of fluid via inlet port 146. This squeezing cycle can be repeated as often as necessary to move fluid from one or more fluid bags into the patient as quickly as possible.

[0021] Hand pump 140 is a typical flexible cylinder that is continuously squeezed by a user with one hand and released before actuating or squeezing again. However, the smooth cylindrical shape of hand pump 140 does not provide an ergonomic shape for gripping by hand and does not provide internal features to promote downstream fluid flow. Additionally, the geometry of a squeezable cylinder is often uncomfortable for extended use and can quickly cause fatigue in the user's hands. Additionally, depending on the material from which hand pump 140 is made, hand pump 140 may take a long time to recoil and / or require extra squeezing strength to operate.

[0022] Frequently, there is a need to rapidly deliver intravenous fluids and / or blood. The subject technology facilitates rapid infusion of fluids / blood into a patient by including a pump interface (e.g., a pump head) on a disposable IV set. The pump head can be interfaced with a powered driver (e.g., a reusable driver) that turns the pump and delivers the fluid. The pump head and driver can be configured to achieve almost any target flow rate (e.g., greater than 15 L / hr).

[0023] Typical infusion pumps are limited to 999 ml / hr (e.g., 91.44 cm H2O (36 in. H2O)) under normal gravity, with a flow range of 1-5 L / hr depending on the catheter used. A pressure cuff can increase the pressure up to 300 mmHg, increasing the flow rate to 4-8 L / hr. The subject technology can exceed all of these flow rates.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a disposable pump head is incorporated into an IV set. A pump interface can be engaged by a powered driver that provides a rotational input to the pump head. The pump head then delivers fluid downstream through the remainder of the IV set to the patient at a rapidly increased flow rate. This reduces or eliminates fatigue in the user's hands from pumping fluid, such as with a cylindrical hand pump 140, and rapidly speeds up the infusion rate at which new fluid is delivered to the patient. Also, unlike a cylindrical hand pump 140, the pump head and powered driver provide increased fluid flow by rotating the driver interface more quickly rather than requiring the user to manually squeeze the hand pump more quickly by hand, and provides a more continuous fluid flow as opposed to a burst of fluid flow.

[0025] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the pump head can be configured to be driven by any suitable drive shaft (e.g., a hexagonal shaft similar to a power screwdriver). For example, the pump head can be driven by an Intraosseous Driver, available from Becton Dickinson & Company. Here, a disposable pump head can be configured to interface with the Intraosseous Driver. In embodiments of the present disclosure, a disposable interface key can be included with the IV set, the disposable interface key configured to function with one or more specific power drivers. In embodiments of the present disclosure, any suitable pump (e.g., vane, peristaltic, gear, piston) can be used.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3 , an IV set 200 including a pump head 210 is provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, IV set 200 may include spike 220, drip chamber 230, roller clamp 150, and pump head 210 connected by tubing 160. IV set 200 may also include a Y-site 170 having a Y-junction with needleless connector 175 and, for example, a Luer lock connector 180 for connection to a catheter inserted into a patient. IV set 200 may include additional infusion components and may be formed from any combination of components and tubing 160.

[0027] Pump head 210 may be formed from any suitable material (e.g., polymer, rubber, plastic) configured to contact medical fluids (e.g., saline, blood, plasma). The material of pump head 210 may be flexible or inflexible, and may be any single material or combination of materials selected or designed to provide the desired amount of flexibility / inflexibility and life cycle use.

[0028] 4 , in embodiments of the present disclosure, pump head 210 can include an inlet port 212, an outlet port 214, and a drive interface 216. Inlet port 212 and outlet port 214 can be configured to accept first and second tubing ends 162 and 164, respectively. For example, pump head 210 can be added to an existing IV set 200 by cutting IV tubing 160 at a desired location relative to pump head 210 and then inserting first tubing end 162 into inlet port 212 and second tubing end 164 into outlet port 214. As another example, a pre-cut length of IV tubing 160 can be connected to pump head 210 during manufacture / assembly of IV set 200. In embodiments of the present disclosure, pump head 210 can slidably move over IV tubing 160, or IV tubing 160 can be inserted into one of inlet / outlet ports 212 / 214 and removed from the other of the inlet / outlet ports 212 / 214, thereby allowing a portion of IV tubing 160 to extend through pump head 210. Pump head 210 can be disposed of along with IV set 200 upon completion of use and / or end of life of IV set 200 or any of the components of IV set 200. For example, pump heads 210, 210a, 210b can be manufactured and / or disposed of as low-cost disposable components.

[0029] 5 illustrates one embodiment of a pump head 210a. The pump head 210a can include an inlet port 212a, an outlet port 214a, and a drive interface 216a. The inlet port 212a and the outlet port 214a can be configured to accept the first and second tubing ends 162 and 164, respectively. For example, the pump head 210a can be added to an existing IV set 200 by cutting the IV tubing 160 at the desired location on the pump head 210a and then inserting the first tubing end 162 into the inlet port 212a and the second tubing end 164 into the outlet port 214a. As another example, a pre-cut length of IV tubing 160 can be connected to the pump head 210a during manufacture / assembly of the IV set 200. In embodiments of the present disclosure, pump head 210a can slidably move over IV tubing 160, or IV tubing 160 can be inserted into one of inlet port 212a / outlet port 214a and removed from the other of inlet port 212a / outlet port 214a, thereby allowing a portion of IV tubing 160 to extend through pump head 210a. Pump head 210a can be disposed of along with IV set 200 upon completion of use and / or end of life of IV set 200 or any of the components of IV set 200.

[0030] 6 illustrates one embodiment of a pump head 210b. The pump head 210b can include an inlet port 212b, an outlet port 214b, and a drive interface 216b. The inlet port 212b and the outlet port 214b can be configured to accept the first and second tubing ends 162 and 164, respectively. For example, the pump head 210b can be added to an existing IV set 200 by cutting the IV tubing 160 at the desired location on the pump head 210b and then inserting the first tubing end 162 into the inlet port 212b and the second tubing end 164 into the outlet port 214b. As another example, a pre-cut length of IV tubing 160 can be connected to the pump head 210b during manufacture / assembly of the IV set 200. In embodiments of the present disclosure, pump head 210b can slidably move over IV tubing 160, or IV tubing 160 can be inserted into one of inlet port 212b / outlet port 214b and removed from the other of inlet port 212b / outlet port 214b, thereby allowing a portion of IV tubing 160 to extend through pump head 210b. Pump head 210b can be disposed of along with IV set 200 upon completion of use and / or end of life of IV set 200 or any of the components of IV set 200.

[0031] The drive interfaces 216, 216a, 216b may be sized and shaped to accept any suitable drive shaft (e.g., a hexagonal shaft, a star-shaped shaft). For example, the drive interfaces 216, 216a, 216b may be configured to accept one end of the drive shaft 218, such as that shown in the pump head 210b of FIG. 6. The other end of the drive shaft 218 may be accepted by the driver interface 252 of the driver 250 (see FIG. 7). In embodiments of the present disclosure, the drive shaft 218 may be coupled to the drive interfaces 216, 216a, 216b as an integral component of the pump heads 210, 210a, 210b during manufacture / assembly of the IV set 200. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the drive shaft 218 may be coupled to the drive interfaces 216, 216a, 216b before the IV set 200 is placed into use. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the drive shaft 218 may be coupled to the drive interface 216, 216a, 216b only as needed after the IV set 200 is put into use. For example, one end of the drive shaft 218 may be coupled to the driver 250, and the other end of the drive shaft 218 may be inserted into the drive interface 216, 216a, 216b only when a high flow rate through the pump head 210, 210a, 210b is needed, and may be removed from the drive interface 216, 216a, 216b when a normal flow rate through the IV set 200 is desired. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the drive shaft 218 may be part of the pump head 210, 210a, 210b or of the driver 250, such that the driver 250 and the pump head 210, 210a, 210b directly interface. In aspects of the present disclosure, the drive shaft 218 may be a separate disposable component that may be provided along with the IV set 200 .

[0032] 7, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, driver 250 can be a rechargeable device configured to be charged by charging assembly 254. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, driver 250 has a power cord and can be powered by plugging it into a power source (e.g., a wall outlet). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, driver 250 can be configured to clip onto any suitable structure (e.g., an IV pole, a hospital bed). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, driver 250 can be configured to operate at a fixed speed and / or variable speeds.

[0033] 8, pump heads 210, 210a, 210b can be part of an IV set 300. IV set 300 can include fluid bag 190, drip chamber 130, pump heads 210, 210a, 210b, roller clamp 150, Y-junction 170 with needleless port 175, and Luer connector 180, all connected together by IV tubing 160.

[0034] In embodiments of the present disclosure, pump heads 210, 210a, 210b may be passive in-line devices when not activated (e.g., not powered by driver 250), whereby fluid from fluid bag 190 is received into inlet ports 212, 212a, 212b via drip chamber 130, and the fluid passes through pump heads 210, 210a, 210b and exits outlet ports 214, 214b, 214b at a flow rate controlled by either gravity, the amount of fluid in fluid bag 190, and / or roller clamp 150. In use, when the drive shaft 218 is coupled to the drive interface 216, 216a, 216b and rotated by the driver 250, the amount of fluid remaining upstream of the pump heads 210, 210a, 210b from the passive flow stage can be forced very rapidly through the pump heads 210, 210a, 210b and out the outlet ports 214, 214b, 214b over multiple revolutions of the drive shaft 218.

[0035] This rotation of drive shaft 218 creates a suction effect upstream in IV set 300, thereby allowing more fluid to flow rapidly (e.g., more rapidly than gravity would allow) from fluid bag 190 / drip chamber 130 into pump heads 210, 210a, 210b. Thus, continued rotation of drive shaft 218 rapidly draws all of the fluid from fluid bag 190 and forces it into the desired recipient (e.g., the patient's arm).

[0036] In embodiments of the present disclosure, pump heads 210, 210a, 210b can be disposable components of IV set 300. For example, pump heads 210, 210a, 210b can be integral components of IV set 300, and pump heads 210, 210a, 210b can be coupled in-line to drip chamber 130 and roller clamp 150 via IV tubing 160. Thus, pump heads 210, 210a, 210b are only used for the life of IV set 300 (e.g., 24 hours, 72 hours, 7 days), after which pump heads 210, 210a, 210b are disposed of along with their associated IV set 300. In embodiments of the present disclosure, pump heads 210, 210a, 210b may be coupled in-line anywhere within IV set 300, such as directly to fluid bag 190 instead of drip chamber 130, or near luer connector 180.

[0037] In use, an IV set 300 having disposable pump heads 210, 210a, 210b is connected to a fluid container (e.g., fluid bag 190) containing a medical fluid (e.g., blood). In an inactive state, pump heads 210, 210a, 210b have stationary drive interfaces 216, 216a, 216b and / or drive shafts 218, thus allowing fluid to flow through IV set 300 at a rate set by a flow controller (e.g., roller clamp 150). When a more rapid fluid flow is required, drive interfaces 216, 216a, 216b are rotated by drive shaft 218, which is coupled to driver 250, thus forcing fluid through IV set 300 more rapidly.

[0038] 9, an IV set 400 having pump heads 210, 210a, 210b may be coupled to a fluid source 38, an infusion pump 260 system having two infusion pumps 262 and a controller 264, and a catheter 270 inserted into a patient 280. Here, if the maximum fluid flow rate from the infusion pump system 260 is not sufficient, the pump heads 210, 210a, 210b may be actuated (e.g., driven by a driver 250) to push fluid more rapidly. For example, the IV set 400 may be quickly disconnected from the infusion pump system 260 before using the pump heads 210, 210a, 210b, and / or the infusion pump system 260 may be set to neutral to allow unimpeded fluid flow from the fluid source 38 before using the pump heads 210, 210a, 210b.

[0039] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the pump heads 210, 210a, 210b and / or the driver 250 may include any suitable fasteners for coupling the pump heads 210, 210a, 210b and / or the driver 250 to an IV pole 46, a bed (e.g., a hospital bed), a stretcher (e.g., a rollable ambulance stretcher), a surgical table, etc. For example, the fasteners may be cradles, hangers, hooks, Velcro®, adhesive, and / or other suitable fasteners. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the pump heads 210, 210a, 210b may be configured to simply attach along an IV set (e.g., IV set 400) via IV tubing (e.g., IV tubing 160). Here, the pump hands 210, 210a, 210b may be positioned to maximize accessibility and / or to keep the pump heads 210, 210a, 210b out of certain work areas (e.g., directly above the patient).

[0040] In embodiments of the present disclosure, medication can be rapidly administered to a patient via pump heads 210, 210a, 210b, which push the medication through the IV line at the same speed as the drive shaft 218 is rotating.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, an IV infusion set includes at least one infusion component, a first IV tubing coupled to the infusion component, a second IV tubing, and a disposable pump head including an inlet port coupled to the first IV tubing, an outlet port coupled to the second IV tubing, and a drive interface configured to be coupled to a first end of a drive shaft, the drive interface configured to be rotated by rotation of the drive shaft, the second end of which is coupled to a driver, to increase fluid flow rate through the IV infusion set.

[0042] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive shaft is provided as a removable component that is separate from the rest of the IV infusion set. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive shaft is a removable component that is pre-coupled to the pump head. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive shaft is an integral part of the pump head, the drive shaft being configured to be removably coupled to the driver. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive shaft is an integral part of the driver, the drive shaft being configured to be removably coupled to the pump head. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive interface is configured to accept a hexagonal drive shaft. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive interface is configured to accept a star-shaped drive shaft. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one infusion component includes a fluid connector configured to be coupled to a fluid container and a luer lock connector configured to be coupled to a catheter inserted into a patient.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, an IV set assembly includes at least one infusion component, a first IV tubing coupled to the infusion component, a second IV tubing, a driver, a drive shaft, and a disposable pump head including an inlet port coupled to the first IV tubing, an outlet port coupled to the second IV tubing, and a drive interface configured to couple to a first end of the drive shaft, the driver configured to rotate a second end of the drive shaft when the first end of the drive shaft is coupled to the drive interface to increase fluid flow from the outlet port through the second IV tubing.

[0044] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive shaft is removably coupled to the drive interface and the driver, respectively. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive shaft is an integral part of the pump head, and the drive shaft is removably coupled to the driver. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive shaft is an integral part of the driver, and the drive shaft is removably coupled to the pump head. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive shaft is one of hexagonal and star-shaped. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the driver includes a fastener configured to couple the driver to one of an IV pole, a bed, a stretcher, and a surgical table, and the pump head includes a fastener configured to couple the pump head to one of an IV pole, a bed, a stretcher, and a surgical table. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one infusion component includes a fluid connector configured to couple to a fluid container and a luer lock connector configured to couple to a catheter inserted into a patient.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, a method of using an IV set assembly includes connecting a first end of the IV set to a fluid container, connecting a second end of the IV set to a catheter inserted into a patient, flowing fluid from the fluid container to the patient at a first fluid flow rate, connecting a driver to a drive interface of a pump head of the IV set via a drive shaft, operating the driver to rotate the drive shaft and the drive interface of the pump head, and flowing fluid from the fluid container to the patient at a second fluid flow rate greater than the first fluid flow rate based on the rotation of the drive interface of the pump head.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method includes operating a driver to rotate a drive shaft and a drive interface of a pump head at one of a fixed speed and a variable speed. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method includes one of securing a fastener of the driver to one of an IV pole, a bed, a stretcher, and a surgical table, and securing a fastener of the pump head to one of an IV pole, a bed, a stretcher, and a surgical table. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method includes one of connecting an IV set to an infusion pump and operating the infusion pump to flow fluid from a fluid container to a patient at a first fluid flow rate, setting the infusion pump to neutral to provide unimpeded fluid flow through the infusion pump before operating the driver to flow fluid from the fluid container to the patient at a second fluid flow rate, and disconnecting the IV set from the infusion pump. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first fluid flow rate is less than or equal to 999 ml / hr and the second fluid flow rate is greater than 15 l / hr.

[0047] It is understood that any particular order or hierarchy of blocks in the disclosed process methods is an example of an example approach. Based on design or implementation preferences, it is understood that the particular order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes may be rearranged, or all of the illustrated blocks may be performed. In some implementations, any of the blocks may be performed simultaneously.

[0048] This disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. This disclosure provides various examples of the subject technology, and the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications of these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

[0049] Reference to a singular element is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather "one or more." The term "some" refers to one or more unless specifically stated otherwise. Masculine pronouns (e.g., his) include feminine and neuter (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention.

[0050] The word "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 advantageous over other aspects or designs. In one aspect, various alternative configurations and operations described herein may be considered at least equivalent.

[0051] As used herein, the phrase "at least one of," following a list of items, when followed by the word "or" to separate any of those items, modifies the list as a whole and not each item in the list. The phrase "at least one of" does not require the selection of at least one item; rather, the phrase allows for the inclusion of at least one of any one of the items, and / or at least one of any combination of the items, and / or at least one of each of the items. Illustratively, the phrase "at least one of A, B, or C" can refer to A only, B only, or C only, or any combination of A, B, and C.

[0052] The use of a phrase such as "aspect" does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Disclosure of an aspect can apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. An aspect can provide one or more examples. A phrase such as "aspect" may refer to one or more aspects, and vice versa. A phrase such as "embodiment" does not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Disclosure of an embodiment can apply to all embodiments, or one or more examples. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as "embodiment" may refer to one or more embodiments, and vice versa. A phrase such as "configuration" does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Disclosure of a configuration can apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A configuration can provide one or more examples. A phrase such as a configuration may refer to one or more configurations, and vice versa.

[0053] As used herein, the terms "determine" or "determining" encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, "determining" can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, generating, obtaining, looking up (e.g., looking up a table, database, or another data structure), ascertaining, etc., via a hardware element without user intervention. Also, "determining" can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), etc., via a hardware element without user intervention. "Determining" can also include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, etc., via a hardware element without user intervention.

[0054] As used herein, the terms "provide" or "providing" encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, "providing" can include storing a value at a location on a storage device for subsequent retrieval, transmitting a value directly to a recipient via at least one wired or wireless communication medium, transmitting or storing a reference to a value, etc. "Providing" can also include encoding, decoding, encrypting, decrypting, authenticating, verifying, inserting, etc. via a hardware element.

[0055] In one aspect, unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, sizes, dimensions, and other specifications set forth herein, including those in the claims that follow, are approximate and not exact, and are intended to have a reasonable range consistent with the function to which they relate and the practice in the art to which they pertain.

[0056] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations, or processes disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based on design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations, or processes may be rearranged. Some of the 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 accompanying method claims, if any, present elements of the various steps, operations, or processes in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0057] All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later become known to those skilled in the art are intended to be expressly incorporated herein by reference and encompassed by the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be made available to the public, regardless of whether such disclosure is expressly recited in the claims. No element of a claim is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for," or, in the case of a method claim, unless the element is recited using the phrase "step for." Furthermore, to the extent terms such as "include," "have," and the like are used, such terms are intended to be inclusive in the same manner as the term "comprise," as "comprise" would be interpreted when used as a transitional phrase in a claim.

[0058] The "Title," "Background," "Summary," "Brief Description of the Drawings," and "Abstract" of this disclosure are hereby incorporated into this disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, and not as a limiting description. This disclosure is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Additionally, in the "Detailed Description," it is recognized that the description provides illustrative examples, and that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed structure or operation. The following claims are hereby incorporated into this "Detailed Description," with each claim standing on its own as separately claimed subject matter.

[0059] The claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments described herein, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the language of the claims and encompass all legal equivalents. However, none of the claims are intended to, and should not be construed as, encompassing subject matter that does not satisfy the requirements of 35 U.S.C. §§ 101, 102, or 103.

Claims

1. 1. An intravenous (IV) infusion set comprising: at least one injection component; a first IV tube connected to the infusion component; a second IV tube; A disposable pump head, comprising: an inlet port coupled to the first IV tube; an outlet port coupled to the second IV tube; a drive interface configured to be coupled to a first end of a drive shaft, a drive interface configured to be rotated by rotation of the drive shaft, the drive shaft having a second end coupled to a driver to increase fluid flow rate through the IV infusion set; and 1. An intravenous (IV) infusion set comprising:

2. The IV infusion set of claim 1 , wherein the drive shaft is provided as a removable component that is separate from the remainder of the IV infusion set.

3. 10. The IV infusion set of claim 1, wherein the drive shaft is a removable component pre-connected to the pump head.

4. 10. The IV infusion set of claim 1, wherein the drive shaft is an integral part of the pump head, the drive shaft being configured to be removably coupled to the driver.

5. 10. The IV infusion set of claim 1, wherein the drive shaft is an integral part of the driver and the drive shaft is configured to be removably coupled to the pump head.

6. The IV infusion set of claim 1 , wherein the drive interface is configured to receive a hexagonal drive shaft.

7. The IV infusion set of claim 1 , wherein the drive interface is configured to receive a star drive shaft.

8. The at least one injection component comprises: a fluid connector configured to be coupled to a fluid container; a luer lock connector configured to be coupled to a catheter inserted into a patient; 10. The IV infusion set of claim 1, comprising:

9. 1. An intravenous (IV) set assembly comprising: at least one injection component; a first IV tube connected to the infusion component; a second IV tube; Driver and A drive shaft; A disposable pump head, comprising: an inlet port coupled to the first IV tube; an outlet port coupled to the second IV tube; a drive interface configured to be coupled to a first end of the drive shaft, a drive interface, the driver configured to rotate a second end of the drive shaft when the first end of the drive shaft is coupled to the drive interface to increase fluid flow through the second IV tube from the outlet port; and a pump head including: An intravenous (IV) set assembly comprising:

10. 10. The IV set assembly of claim 9, wherein the drive shaft is removably coupled to the drive interface and the driver, respectively.

11. 10. The IV set assembly of claim 9, wherein the drive shaft is an integral part of the pump head, and the drive shaft is removably coupled to the driver.

12. 10. The IV set assembly of claim 9, wherein the drive shaft is an integral part of the driver, the drive shaft being removably coupled to the pump head.

13. 10. The IV set assembly of claim 9, wherein the drive shaft is one of a hexagonal and a star shape.

14. the driver includes a fastener configured to couple the driver to one of an IV pole, a bed, a stretcher, and a surgical table; and the pump head includes a fastener configured to connect the pump head to one of an IV pole, a bed, a stretcher, and a surgical table.

10. The IV set assembly of claim 9, wherein the IV set assembly is one of:

15. The at least one injection component comprises: a fluid connector configured to be coupled to a fluid container; a luer lock connector configured to be coupled to a catheter inserted into a patient; 10. The IV set assembly of claim 9, comprising:

16. 1. A method of using an intravenous (IV) set assembly, comprising: connecting a first end of an IV set to a fluid container; connecting a second end of the IV set to a catheter inserted into a patient; flowing fluid from the fluid container to the patient at a first fluid flow rate; connecting a driver to a drive interface of a pump head of the IV set via a drive shaft; operating the driver to rotate the drive shaft and the drive interface of the pump head; flowing fluid from the fluid container to the patient at a second fluid flow rate greater than the first fluid flow rate based on rotation of the drive interface of the pump head; A method comprising:

17. operating the driver to rotate the drive shaft and the drive interface of the pump head at one of a fixed speed and a variable speed; 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

18. securing the driver fastener to one of an IV pole, a bed, a stretcher, and a surgical table; securing a fastener of the pump head to one of an IV pole, a bed, a stretcher, and a surgical table; 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising one of:

19. connecting the IV set to an infusion pump; operating the infusion pump to flow the fluid from the fluid container to the patient at the first fluid flow rate; before operating the driver to flow the fluid from the fluid container to the patient at the second fluid flow rate; setting the infusion pump in neutral to provide unimpeded fluid flow through the infusion pump; disconnecting the IV set from the infusion pump; 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first fluid flow rate is less than or equal to 999 ml / hr and the second fluid flow rate is greater than 15 l / hr.

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