Enteral nutrition pump docking station with integrated flash module

Abstract

A docking station for removable connection to an enteral feeding pump allows for automatic flushing of an administration set loaded into the enteral feeding pump. The docking station may have a valve seat configured to receive a switchable flow valve of the 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. In operation, the flush controller may receive a flush command transmitted by the enteral feeding pump and transmit a control signal to the actuator to switch the switchable flow valve to a flush position in response to the flush command.

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for flushing an administration set with a flushing liquid after the administration set has been used to deliver a nutrient solution to a user.

Background Art

[0002]

[0002] Programmable enteral nutrition pumps are used to effect a controlled delivery of a nutrient solution to a user. In a typical arrangement, the enteral nutrition pump receives a disposable administration set that includes a flexible tube having a tube segment designed to be engaged by the pumping mechanism of the enteral nutrition pump. One end of the flexible tube is connected to a nutrient solution source, and the other end of the flexible tube is arranged to deliver the nutrient solution directly to the user's gastrointestinal tract. Highly viscous nutrient solutions, such as breast milk, tend to accumulate on the inner wall of the flexible tube and clog the flow path. As a result, the actual delivery of the nutrient solution to the user can be reduced relative to the prescribed or intended delivery.

[0003]

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

[0004]

[0004] Automatic flushing devices are known in which the pumping mechanism of an enteral nutrition pump is used to extrude a flushing fluid through the tube of an administration set. U.S. Patent No. 7,896,859, together with International Publication No. 2005 / 115501, describes an apparatus in which the administration set has a supply tube branch and a flush tube branch that merge into the pump tube portion with a switchable flow valve. The supply tube branch is connected to a nutrient solution source, while the flush tube branch is connected to a flushing fluid source. The pump tube portion and the flow valve are loadable into a programmable enteral nutrition pump that includes an electric valve actuator for switching the flow valve between a supply position, a flush position, and a shut-off position, whereby either the nutrient solution or the flushing fluid can be selected to be pumped through the pump tube portion, or flow through the valve is disabled so that the valve can be unloaded from the pump. The disclosed apparatus adds weight and complexity to the enteral nutrition pump, which is undesirable in a pump intended for ambulatory use.

[0005]

[0005] What is needed is an apparatus that facilitates flushing of an enteral nutrition administration set without the above-described drawbacks.

Summary of the Invention

[0006]

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

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

[0008]

[0008] The present disclosure further provides an enteral nutrition pump system that may include an administration set, an enteral nutrition pump, and a docking station. The administration set may include a supply tube branch connectable to a nutrient solution source, a flush tube branch connectable to a flushing solution source, a flow valve connected to the supply tube branch and the flush tube branch, and a pump tube portion connected to the flow valve. The flow valve has a supply position that allows flow communication between the supply tube branch and the pump tube portion and prevents flow communication between the flush tube branch and the pump tube portion. The flow valve has a flush position that allows flow communication between the flush tube branch and the pump tube portion and prevents flow communication between the supply tube branch and the pump tube portion. The enteral nutrition pump may be configured to receive the pump tube portion and may include a pumping mechanism that acts on the pump tube portion to pump liquid in a flow direction away from the flow valve through the pump tube portion. The docking station may include an actuator configured to mate with the flow valve. The actuator is selectively operable to switch the flow valve between the supply 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 a relatively high viscosity. 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 cross-sectional area of the output end of the flow path may be larger than the cross-sectional area of the input end of the flow path. The valve body may have a rotational supply 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 from the straight wall along a curved path from the input end to the output end.

[0010]

[0010] The nature and mode of operation of the present disclosure will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

[0011] A perspective exploded view showing an enteral nutrition pump system formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2

[0012] Another perspective exploded view showing the enteral nutrition pump system of FIG. 1 from a rear perspective, with the nutrient solution source and the flushing solution source omitted.

Figure 3

[0013] A perspective view, not exploded, showing the enteral nutrition pump of the system connected to the docking station of the system and the administration set of the system loaded into the enteral nutrition pump and the docking station, with the door of the enteral nutrition pump omitted.

Figure 4

[0014] A perspective view of an enteral nutrition pump with the front part of the pump housing removed to show the internal structure of the pump.

Figure 5

[0015] A schematic block diagram of an infusion pump and a docking station.

Figure 6

[0016] A cross-sectional view of the docking station.

Figure 7

[0017] A perspective view of the valve actuator of the docking station.

Figure 8

[0018] An exploded perspective view of the valve actuator.

Figure 9

[0019] Another exploded perspective view of the valve actuator.

Figure 10

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

Figure 11

[0021] A view similar to FIG. 10, with the flow valve fitted with the valve actuator.

Figure 12

[0022] A perspective view of the flow valve.

Figure 13

[0023] An exploded perspective view of the flow valve.

Figure 14

[0024] A cross-sectional view taken along line 14 - 14 of FIG. 12 showing the flow valve in the supply position.

Figure 15

[0025] A view similar to FIG. 14, showing the flow valve in the flush position.

Figure 16

[0026] A state diagram generally illustrating the control of an infusion pump system by software in an enteral nutrition pump according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 17

[0027] Another state diagram illustrating the control of an infusion pump system for performing a method of flushing a tube of a dosing set, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012]

[0028] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an enteral nutrition pump system 10 formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The enteral nutrition pump system 10 generally includes an enteral nutrition pump 12, a docking station 14, and a dosing set 16. The system 10 may further include a nutrient solution source 17 and a flushing solution source 18. The enteral nutrition pump 12 is connected to the docking station 14 and, as described below, when the dosing set 16 is loaded onto the enteral nutrition pump 12 and the docking station 14, the enteral nutrition pump can be operated by a user to selectively perform a supply operation or a flushing operation. The docking station 14 may provide other functionality, such as recharging a battery for powering the enteral nutrition pump 12, but the present disclosure relates to the flushing functionality.

[0013]

[0029] The administration set 16 can be configured to selectively enable the supply and flushing operations. The administration set 16 can include a supply tube branch 20 connectable to the nutrient solution source 17, a flush tube branch 22 connectable to the flushing solution source 18, a flow valve 24 connected to the supply tube branch 20 and the flush tube branch 22, and a pump tube portion 26 connected to the flow valve 24. The flow valve 24 can have a supply position that enables the flow valve to allow flow communication between the supply tube branch 20 and the pump tube portion 26 and prevents flow communication between the flush tube branch 22 and the pump tube portion 26. The flow valve 24 can further have a flush position that enables the flow valve to allow 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 position and the flush position to selectively enable the supply operation and the flushing operation.

[0014]

[0030] The administration set 16 may include a cassette 28 for loading a segment of the pump tube portion 26 into the enteral nutrition pump 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pump tube portion 26 may have a pumping segment 26B disposed between an upstream segment 26A and a downstream segment 26C connected to the flow valve 24. As will be appreciated, the downstream segment 26C may communicate with a patient or user during normal nutritional supplementation operations in which the enteral nutrition pump 12 is used to pump a nutrient solution from a source 17 through a nutrition 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 the 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 tube portion 26 to pump liquid through the pump tube portion 26 in a flow direction away from the flow valve 24. The 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 portion 26 may be PVC tubes or other suitable tubes. The pumping segment 26B may be made of soft PVC, silicone, or other suitable material so as to elastically deform when acted upon by the pumping mechanism 30. The end of the supply tube branch 20 is releasably connected to the nutrient solution source 17, and the end of the flush tube branch 22 is releasably connected to the flushing solution source 18.

[0016]

[0032] When the nutrient solution is pumped through the administration set 16, especially when the nutrient solution has a high viscosity, the inner wall of the tube can become lined with residual material. As described in more detail below, the docking station 14 interfaces with the enteral nutrition pump 12 and the flow valve 24 of the administration set 16 to automatically configure the system 10 to flush the tube of the administration set 16 with a flushing fluid from the source 18 to remove the residue, so that the administration set can continue to function efficiently and accurately when more nutritional fluid is pumped through the administration set during subsequent supply operations, and has an integrated flush module.

[0017]

[0033] The enteral nutrition pump 12 and the docking station 14 may each include respective mechanical connection members to enable the enteral nutrition pump 12 to be securely but releasably connected to the docking station 14. For example, the enteral nutrition pump 12 may have a nut 32 accessible through an opening in the end face of the pump housing to engage a threaded stud 33 protruding from the 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] Now, to further describe the enteral nutrition pump 12 and the docking station 14, reference is also made to the schematic view of FIG. 5.

[0019]

[0035] The enteral nutrition pump 12 may include an electrical connection port 36 configured to releasably mate with a corresponding electrical connection port 37 on the docking station 14 when the enteral nutrition pump 12 and the docking station 14 are connected end-to-end as shown in FIG. 3. The electrical connection port 36 of the enteral nutrition 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 connectors 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 supply pump 12, output voltage is supplied from the supply pump 12 to the docking station 14, the USB line 41 of the docking station 14 is linked to the USB line 42 of the supply pump 12, and the internal data communication line 43 of the docking station 14 is linked to the internal data communication line 44 of the supply pump 12. The enteral nutrition pump 12 may include, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a power supply circuit 46 and a battery charging circuit 48, a battery pack 50, a voltage regulator 52, and a voltage monitoring circuit 54.

[0020]

[0036] The enteral nutrition 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 a digital microprocessor and associated circuitry. The USB line 42 and the data communication line 44 of the supply 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 arranged to drive the motor 62 of the pumping mechanism 30. The pump controller 56 is programmed to send motor control commands to the motor driver 60 to operate the motor 62 such 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 that provides an audible signal to the user, and a user interface 64 that includes a touch screen 66 and / or a control button overlay 68 for displaying information to the user and enabling the user to input pump control commands and operating information. The pump 12 may also have various sensors connected to the pump controller 56 to provide feedback signals regarding the pump operating state. Such sensors may include a door sensor 70 for detecting whether the door 72 of the pump 12 is open or closed, a set type detector 74 configured to determine the type of the administration set 16 currently loaded in the pump, an occlusion sensor 76 disposed to detect an occlusion in the pump tube portion 26 at upstream and downstream positions from the pumping mechanism 30, and an air-in-line sensor 78 disposed to detect air bubbles in the liquid transmitted through the pump tube portion 26. The pump 12 may also include one or more memory modules 80 connected to the pump controller 56 or an integrated on-board pump controller 56.

[0022]

[0038] The docking station 14, further illustrated in FIG. 6, generally comprises a valve seat 82 configured to receive the switchable flow valve 24 of the administration set 16. The docking station 14 also comprises a flash controller 84, such as a digital microcontroller or a digital microprocessor and associated circuitry, and an actuator 86 connected to the flash controller, the actuator being configured to releasably engage the switchable flow valve 24 when the switchable flow valve is received by the valve seat 82. As described in more detail below, the flash controller 84 is configured to transmit a control signal to the actuator 86 to switch the flow valve 24 between its supply position and its flash position.

[0023]

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

[0024]

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

[0025]

[0041] The coupler element 90 can be spring-biased toward the extended position by a spring 92. For example, the spring 92 can be embodied as a coil spring having one end seated against an axially restricted surface and an opposite end engaged against the lower side of the coupler element 90.

[0026]

[0042] The docking station 14 may further include sensors for detecting operating 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 the flash controller with a proximity signal 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 embodied as an optical proximity sensor disposed to emit light toward the reflective surface 96 and detect a portion of the light emitted after reflection from the reflective surface 96. As can be understood from FIG. 6, when the switchable flow valve 24 is not received by the valve seat 82, the coupler element 90 is biased by a spring 92 to a default position where the flange portion 90B of the coupler element 90 abuts against 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 greatest distance from the proximity sensor 94, and as a result, the proximity sensor 94 records 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, as shown in FIG. 10, pushes down the coupler element 90 to its retracted position against the biasing of the spring 92. When the coupler element 90 is in the retracted position, the reflective surface 96 is at the closest distance from the proximity sensor 94, and as a result, the proximity sensor 94 records the highest proximity signal value indicating the presence of the flow valve 24 but its non-engagement with the coupler element 90. When the switchable flow valve 24 is received by the valve seat 82 and 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 is biased upward by a spring 92 to its extended position where it engages and mates with the flow valve 24, as shown in FIG. 11.When the coupler element 90 is in the extended position, the reflecting surface 96 is at an intermediate distance from the proximity sensor 94, and as a result, the proximity sensor 94 records an intermediate signal value between the minimum signal value and the maximum signal value. The intermediate proximity signal value indicates that the flow valve 24 is present on the valve seat 82 and is engaged with the coupler element 90.

[0027]

[0043] The proximity sensor 94 can 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 around the valve switching axis 91. For example, the docking station 14 may include an optical encoder 98 connected to the flash controller 84. The encoder measures the rotational position of the coupler element 90 about the valve switching axis and provides a rotational position signal indicating the measured rotational position of the coupler element to the flash controller. For example, the encoder disk 100 may be connected to the coupler element 90 so as to rotate integrally 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 the valve seat 82. As shown in the figure, the valve seat 82 may include a plurality of legs 83 extending through the opening 93 of the coupler element 90 into the opening 101 of the encoder disk 100. In the illustrated arrangement, the valve seat 82 rotates with the coupling element 90 about the valve switching axis 91 and transmits the rotational movement to the encoder disk 100. The present disclosure is not limited to the specific arrangement shown, and the encoder disk 100 may be connected to the coupler element 90 in other ways for rotation coupled to the coupler element without departing from the present disclosure. A magnetic encoder and a corresponding encoder disk may be used instead of the optical encoder 98 and the encoder disk 100.

[0029]

[0045] The flash controller 84, the proximity sensor 94, and the optical encoder 98 can be provided on a circuit board 102 attached at a fixed position within the housing of the docking station 14. The lower side of the encoder disk 100 can abut against the upper end of the motor 88, thereby restricting downward movement of the encoder disk 100, and the upper side of the encoder disk 100 can 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 shaft 91, the proximity sensor 94 and the reflective surface 96 can be adapted to perform this function. For example, the reflective surface 96 can include a local feature (not shown) that affects the reflected light detected by the proximity sensor 94 when the coupler element 90 is at a rotational position around the valve switching shaft 91 corresponding to the flash position of the switchable flow valve 24, whereby the proximity signal indicates when the switchable flow valve 24 is in the flash position. The local feature can be, for example, a gap, a light absorption region, or a light dispersion region that attenuates the reflected light. Similarly, the reflective surface 96 can include another local feature that affects the reflected light detected by the proximity sensor 94 when the coupler element 90 is at a rotational position around the valve switching shaft 91 corresponding to the supply position of the switchable flow valve 24, whereby the proximity signal indicates when the switchable flow valve 24 is in the supply position.

[0031]

[0047] The switchable flow valve 24 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 12-15. The flow valve 24 may include a hollow valve housing 104 and a valve body 106 received by the valve housing 104, and the valve body 106 is rotatable about a valve switching axis 91 with respect to the valve housing 104. The valve housing 104 may include a food inlet port 108 connectable to the supply tube branch 20, a flash inlet port 110 connectable to the flash tube branch 22, and an outlet port 112 connectable to the pump tube 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 may have a rotational supply position in which the input end 116 of the flow path 114 faces the food inlet port 108 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 food inlet port 108 and the outlet port 112 through the flow path 114.

[0033]

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 15, the valve body 106 may have a rotational flash position in which the input end 116 of the flow path 114 faces the flash 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 flash inlet port 110 and the outlet port 112 through the flow path 114.

[0034]

[0050] The rotational flash position of the valve body 106 is angularly spaced from the rotational supply position of the valve body 106 by a switching angle SA. The switching angle SA may 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 of the output end 118 (i.e., the cross-sectional area for the flow) may be larger than the passage area of 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 solution from the nutrient solution source 17. This configuration reduces the stagnation of the nutrient fluid as it passes through the flow valve and is advantageous for maintaining a stable delivery flow rate when pumping a relatively high-viscosity nutrient fluid. When the flow valve 24 is in the flush position (FIG. 15), the configuration of the flow valve 24 provides a bent flow path across the flow valve for the flush solution from the flush solution source 18. The flush solution has a lower viscosity than the nutrient solution and does not tend to accumulate when the flow path changes direction through the flow valve. To the extent that the nutrient fluid can accumulate along the curved wall 122 during pumping at the supply position, when the flow valve 24 is switched to the flush position and the flush solution is pumped through the flow valve, it is easily flushed.

[0037]

[0053] Here, the operation of the docking station 14 in combination with the enteral nutrition pump 12 and the administration set 16 for performing the flush operation according to the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

[0038]

[0054] FIG. 16 illustrates the state transitions of pump 12 controlled through programming instructions executed by pump controller 56. Pump 12 may start in the 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 the Pump::HOME_VALVE command, described below with reference to FIG. 17, whereby the docking station 14 may determine the supply position and the flush position of the flow valve 24. From the FlushIdle state 200, pump 12 may transition to a Pumping state 210 characterized by the operation of the pumping mechanism 30. Within the Pumping state 210, 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 supply position or the flush position. While pump 12 is in the Pumping state 210, the user may input a Pause command by means of the user interface 64 to temporarily stop the operation of the pumping mechanism 30 and transition pump 12 to the Paused state 220. The user may then input a Resume command by means of the user interface 64 to transition pump 12 from the Paused state 220 to the Pumping state 210.

[0039]

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

[0040]

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

[0041]

[0057] Now, referring to FIG. 17, the state transitions associated with the enteral nutrition pump system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are described. First, the enteral nutrition pump system 10 is in the UserActions state 300 before the administration set 16 is connected to the pump 12 and the docking station 14 by the user. The initial SetUnloaded sub-state 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 first loads the cassette 28 into the pump 12, the sub-state transitions from the SetUnloaded sub-state 310 to the SetLoadedInPump sub-state 320. Then, when the user loads the flow valve 24 into the valve seat 82, the sub-state transitions from the SetLoadedInPump sub-state 320 to the SetLoaded sub-state 340, indicating that the administration set 16 is fully loaded and connected to the pump 12 and the docking station 14. Alternatively, when the user first loads the flow valve 24 into the valve seat 82, the sub-state transitions from the SetUnloaded sub-state 310 to the SetLoadedInValve sub-state 330. Then, when the user loads the cassette 28 into the pump 12, the sub-state transitions from the SetLoadedInValve sub-state 330 to the SetLoaded sub-state 340. Thus, the cassette 28 and the flow valve 24 can be loaded in any order. The loading of the cassette 28 into the pump 12 can 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 in the valve seat 28 can be confirmed by a proximity signal from the proximity sensor 94 to the flash controller 84. When the system is in the SetLoaded sub-state 340, depending on the rotational position of the flow valve 24, it is ready for the supply operation or the flushing operation.

[0042]

[0058] Initially, the docking station 14 can be in the ValveStateUnknown state 400 where the valve actuator 86 is in the Idle sub-state 410 with the switch of the electric motor 88 turned off and the rotational position of the flow valve 24 is unknown. When the 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 switch on the electric motor 88 and send a HOME_VALVE command to the flush controller 84 of the docking station 14 to start a Homing sub-state 420 for determining the position of the flow valve 24. In the Homing sub-state 420, the system enters the HomeToFlush sub-state commanded by the flush controller 84 for the motor 88 to rotate the flow valve 24 about the valve switching shaft 91 until a FLUSH_POS_DETECTED signal indicating that the flow valve 24 is in the flush position is received from the encoder 98 and / or the proximity sensor 94. Then, the system enters the HomeToFood sub-state commanded by the flush controller 84 for the motor 88 to rotate the flow valve 24 about the valve switching shaft 91 until a FOOD_POS_DETECTED signal indicating that the flow valve 24 is home at the supply position is received from the encoder 98 and / or the proximity sensor 94. At this point, the motor 88 is stopped, the docking station 14 transitions to the ValveHomed state 500 and enters the AtFood sub-state 510. When the docking station 14 is in the ValveHomed state 500, the position of the flow valve 24 can be switched between the supply position and the flush position by issuing the SET_VALVE_TO_FEED command and the SET_VALVE_TO_FLUSH command respectively, as described above in relation to FIG. 16. The above-described Homing routine sets the flow valve 24 to the supply position as the home position, but the Homing routine can be programmed to set the flow valve 24 to the flush position as the home position instead.

[0043]

[0059] Assuming that the flow valve 24 is in the home position at the supply position, the pump controller 56 can issue the SET_VALVE_TO_FLUSH command to the flash controller 84 as described above to cause the actuator 86 to transmit a control signal to switch the flow valve 24 from the supply position to the flash position in response to the flash 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 indicating that the flow valve 24 is in the flash position is received from the encoder 98 and / or proximity sensor 94. Next, the docking station 14 transitions to the AtFlush sub-state 530 where the flow valve 24 is in the flash position and the system is ready for the flushing operation. At this point, the pumping mechanism motor 62 can be driven according to the Flushing sub-state 214 to pump the flushing liquid sequentially from the flushing liquid source 18 through the flush tube branch 22, the flow valve 24, and the pump tube portion 26 to wash away the residual nutrient solution in the administration set 16. As described above with reference to FIG. 16, the flushing operation can continue until a predetermined amount of flushing liquid is pumped through the administration set 16, at which point the pump controller 56 can automatically end the flushing operation by stopping the operation of the pumping mechanism 30. During the flushing operation, the user can pause or end the flushing operation by means of the user interface 64.

[0044]

[0060] Once the flushing is complete, the pump controller 56 issues a SET_VALVE_TO_FOOD command to the flush controller 84, and causes the flush controller 84 to transmit a control signal to the actuator 86 to switch the flow valve 24 from the flush position to the supply position so that the pump 12 is ready for the supply operation. The docking station 14 transitions to the TurningToFeed sub-state 540 while the motor 88 is energized to rotate the flow valve 24 until a FEED_POS_DETECTED signal indicating that the flow valve 24 is in the supply position is received from the encoder 98 and / or the proximity sensor 94. As a result, the docking station 14 returns to the AtFood sub-state 510.

[0045]

[0061] As can be understood from the present disclosure, the enteral nutrition pump 12 remains compact and mechanically simple in promoting a lightweight design for walking use, but automatic flushing is available via the docking station 14. The homing and orientation of the flow valve 24 are automatically performed, making the system very user-friendly.

[0046]

[0062] While the present disclosure describes exemplary embodiments, the modes for carrying out the invention are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure to the specific forms described. The present disclosure is intended to encompass alternative forms, modifications, and equivalents of the described embodiments that may fall within the scope of the appended claims. (1) According to a first aspect of the present invention, a docking station is a docking station for a removable connection to an enteral nutrition pump, the docking station comprising a valve seat configured to receive a switchable flow valve of an administration set loaded in the enteral nutrition pump, a flush controller, and an actuator connected to the flush controller and configured to releasably engage the switchable flow valve when the switchable flow valve is received by the valve seat, and data communication means, wherein, when the enteral nutrition pump is connected to the docking station by the data communication means, a data signal transmitted by the enteral nutrition pump is input to the flush controller of the docking station, whereby the flush controller receives a flush command transmitted by the enteral nutrition pump and transmits a control signal for switching the switchable flow valve to a flush position to the actuator in response to the flush command. (2) According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the actuator includes a motor and a coupling element driven by the motor to rotate about a valve switching axis, the coupling element being configured to engage the switchable flow valve only when the coupling element and the switchable flow valve are in a single predetermined rotational orientation relative to each other about the valve switching axis. (3) According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the coupling element is linearly displaceable relative to the motor along the valve switching axis between a retracted position and an extended position, and the coupling element engages the switchable flow valve when the coupling element is in the extended position and the coupling element and the switchable flow valve are in the single predetermined rotational orientation. (4) According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the coupler element is spring-biased toward the extended position. (5) According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the coupler element is such that 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, it is pressed against the spring bias toward the retracted position. (6) According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, it further comprises a proximity sensor connected to the flash controller, and the proximity sensor provides a proximity signal indicating that the switchable flow valve is received by the valve seat to the flash controller. (7) According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, it further comprises a proximity sensor connected to the flash controller, the proximity sensor provides a proximity signal indicating that the switchable flow valve is received by the valve seat to the flash controller, the coupler element includes a reflective surface, and the proximity sensor is an optical proximity sensor arranged to emit light toward the reflective surface and detect a part of the emitted light after reflection from the reflective surface. (8) According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect, the reflective surface includes local features that affect the reflected light detected by the proximity sensor when the coupler element is in a rotational position centered on the valve switching axis corresponding to the flash position of the switchable flow valve, whereby the proximity signal indicates when the switchable flow valve is in the flash position. (9) According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, it further comprises an encoder connected to the flash controller, the encoder measures the rotational position of the coupler element centered on the valve switching axis, and provides a rotational position signal indicating the measured rotational position of the coupler element to the flash controller. (10) According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a method for flushing a tube of an enteral nutrition administration set includes a supply tube branch, a flush tube branch, a pump tube portion, and a flow valve connected to the supply tube branch, the flush tube branch, and the pump tube portion. The flow valve has a flush position that enables flow communication between the flush tube branch and the pump tube portion and prevents flow communication between the supply tube branch and the pump tube portion. The method for flushing a tube of an enteral nutrition administration set includes connecting an enteral nutrition pump to a docking station, connecting the flush tube branch to a flushing liquid source, loading the pump tube portion into the enteral nutrition pump, fitting the flow valve with an actuator of the docking station, receiving a user flush command, operating the actuator to move the flow valve to the flush position in response to the user flush command, and operating the enteral nutrition pump to pump flushing liquid from the flushing liquid source through the flush tube branch, the flow valve, and the pump tube portion. (11) According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect, the flow valve is rotatable about a valve switching axis to or from the flush position, the actuator includes a coupler element, and the coupler element is configured to fit with the flow valve only when the coupler element and the flow valve are in a single predetermined rotational orientation relative to each other about the valve switching axis. The step of fitting 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 biasing to fit and engage with the flow valve. (12) According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect, the flash command is input via the user interface of the enteral nutrition pump. (13) According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, an enteral nutrition pump system includes an administration set including a supply tube branch connectable to a nutrient solution source, a flush tube branch connectable to a flushing solution source, a flow valve connected to the supply tube branch and the flush tube branch, and a pump tube portion connected to the flow valve. The flow valve has a supply position that enables flow communication between the supply tube branch and the pump tube portion and prevents flow communication between the flush tube branch and the pump tube portion. The flow valve has a flash position that enables flow communication between the flush tube branch and the pump tube portion and prevents flow communication between the supply tube branch and the pump tube portion. The enteral nutrition pump is configured to receive the pump tube portion and includes a pumping mechanism that acts on the pump tube portion to pump liquid in a flow direction away from the flow valve through the pump tube portion. The docking station includes an actuator configured to fit with the flow valve. The actuator is selectively operable to switch the flow valve between the supply position and the flash position when the flow valve is fitted with the actuator. (14) According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the thirteenth aspect, the docking station includes a flash controller connected to the actuator for issuing an operation command to the actuator to switch the flow valve between the supply position and the flash position. (15) According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the fourteenth aspect, the enteral nutrition pump includes a pump controller connected to the pumping mechanism for issuing an operation command to the pumping mechanism. (16) According to a 16th aspect of the present invention, in the 15th aspect, when the enteral nutrition pump is connected to the docking station, it further comprises data communication means for establishing data communication between the enteral nutrition pump and the flash controller of the docking station, whereby the flash controller receives a flash command transmitted by the enteral nutrition pump and, in response to the flash command, transmits a control signal to the actuator to switch the switchable flow valve to the flash position. (17) According to a 17th aspect of the present invention, in the 16th aspect, the enteral nutrition pump and the docking station each include respective threaded members, and the threaded members are configured to fit together to removably connect the enteral nutrition pump to the docking station. (18) According to an 18th aspect of the present invention, the flow valve comprises a hollow valve housing including a food inlet port, a flash inlet port, and an outlet port, and a valve body received by the valve housing, the valve body being rotatable about a valve axis relative to the valve housing, the valve body including a flow path having an input end and an output end, the valve body having a rotational supply 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 so as to enable communication between the food inlet port and the outlet port through the flow path, the valve body having a rotational flash position in which the input end of the flow path faces the flash inlet port and the output end of the flow path faces the outlet port so as to enable communication between the flash inlet port and the outlet port through the flow path, and the passage area of the output end of the flow path being larger than the passage area of the input end of the flow path. (19) According to a 19th aspect of the present invention, in the 18th aspect, the flow path has a straight wall extending linearly from the input end to the output end and a curved wall branching from the straight wall along a curved path from the input end to the output end.

Claims

1. A docking station for a removable connection to an enteral nutrition pump, the docking station comprising: a valve seat configured to receive a switchable flow valve of an administration set loaded in the enteral nutrition pump; a flash controller; an actuator connected to the flash controller and configured to releasably engage the switchable flow valve when the switchable flow valve is received by the valve seat; data communication means, by which, when the enteral nutrition pump is connected to the docking station, a data signal transmitted by the enteral nutrition pump is input into the flash controller of the docking station, whereby the flash controller receives a flash command transmitted by the enteral nutrition pump and transmits a control signal to the actuator for switching the switchable flow valve to a flash position in response to the flash command; the actuator includes a motor and a coupling element driven by the motor to rotate about a valve switching axis, the coupling element being configured to engage the switchable flow valve only when the coupling element and the switchable flow valve are in a single predetermined rotational orientation relative to each other about the valve switching axis; the coupling element is linearly displaceable relative to the motor along the valve switching axis between a retracted position and an extended position, the coupling element being configured to engage the switchable flow valve when the coupling element is in the extended position and the coupling element and the switchable flow valve are in the single predetermined rotational orientation, the docking station.

2. The docking station according to claim 1, wherein the coupling element is spring-biased towards the extended position.

3. The coupling element is such that when the switchable flow valve is received by the valve seat and the coupling element and the switchable flow valve are not in the single predetermined rotational orientation, it is pressed against the spring bias toward the retracted position, the docking station according to claim 2.

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

5. The docking station according to claim 1, further comprising a proximity sensor connected to the flash controller, the proximity sensor providing a proximity signal indicating that the switchable flow valve is received by the valve seat to the flash controller, the coupling element including a reflective surface, the proximity sensor being an optical proximity sensor arranged to emit light toward the reflective surface and detect a part of the emitted light after reflection from the reflective surface.

6. The reflective surface includes local features that affect the reflected light detected by the proximity sensor when the coupling element is in a rotational position centered on the valve switching axis corresponding to the flash position of the switchable flow valve, whereby the proximity signal indicates when the switchable flow valve is in the flash position, the docking station according to claim 5.

7. The docking station according to claim 1, further comprising an encoder connected to the flash controller, the encoder measuring the rotational position of the coupling element about the valve switching axis and providing a rotational position signal indicating the measured rotational position of the coupling element to the flash controller.

Images