Medical pump
The peristaltic pump design addresses sterility and efficiency issues by using a spring plunger and camshaft mechanism with bistable door catch and optical sensors, ensuring reliable fluid injection and reduced contamination.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- デカ プロダクツ リミティド パートナーシップ
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing peristaltic pumps face challenges in maintaining sterility and efficient fluid injection while requiring continuous occlusion, leading to potential contamination risks and operational inefficiencies.
The pump design incorporates a spring plunger, camshaft, lever, and lift cam mechanism, along with a torsion spring and bevel gears, to achieve a bistable door catch and shaft spring actuation, enabling controlled tube occlusion and release, and a modular system with integrated optical sensors for sterility assurance.
The design ensures reliable sterility maintenance and efficient fluid injection by minimizing contact between the fluid and pump components, while allowing for controlled occlusion and release, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing contamination risks.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to medical pumps. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to medical pumps, such as peristaltic pumps, that inject fluid into a patient's body.
Background Art
[0002] Peristaltic pumps are used in a variety of applications, including medical applications. In medical applications, peristaltic pumps are used to inject fluid into a patient's body and typically have the advantage of isolating the medical fluid being injected into the patient while maintaining sterility. Some peristaltic pumps operate by compressing or squeezing a single flexible tube, thereby preventing the injected fluid from contacting the pump or internal pump mechanism. The mechanical mechanism of the peristaltic pump pinches a portion of the tube and pushes the fluid trapped inside the tube in the direction of the patient. There are rotary peristaltic pumps and finger-type peristaltic pumps.
[0003] Rotary peristaltic pumps typically move liquid through a flexible tube disposed within an arcuate raceway. Rotary peristaltic pumps are generally made of two to four rollers disposed on a roller carrier that is rotationally driven by a motor. A typical rotary peristaltic pump has a rotor assembly with pinch rollers that apply pressure to the tube against an opposing surface at spaced locations along the flexible tube. As the tube is occluded, pressure rises on the front side of the squeezed area and drops on the back side of that area, thereby pushing the liquid through the tube as the rotor assembly moves the pinch rollers along the tube. In order to operate, there must always be an occlusion zone, that is, at least one of the rollers must always be compressing the tube.
[0004] Finger-type peristaltic pumps are constructed from a series of fingers that periodically move to press a flexible tube against an opposing surface, flattening it. These fingers move essentially vertically, forming a occluded zone that moves the fluid from upstream to downstream. The most commonly used finger pumps are linear, meaning the opposing surfaces are flat and the fingers are parallel. In this case, the fingers are controlled by a series of cams positioned front to back, each cooperating with the finger. These cams may be arranged helically offset on a shared shaft that is rotationally driven by a motor. There are also rotary-finger peristaltic pumps that attempt to combine the advantages of roller pumps with those of finger pumps. In this type of pump, the opposing surfaces are not flat but arc-shaped, and the fingers are positioned radially inward from the opposing surfaces. In this case, the fingers are actuated using a shared cam with multiple knobs positioned at the center of the arc. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pump for treating a patient includes a spring plunger, a camshaft, a lever, a shaft, and a lift cam. The spring plunger is biased in a direction acting relative to a tube. The camshaft actsuates the spring plunger. The lever is movable between a closed position and an open position. The shaft is coupled to the lever and has a central axis at the center along the length of the shaft. The shaft is coupled to the lever so as to rotate about the central axis in accordance with the operation of the lever. The lift cam is pivotally coupled to the shaft. The lift cam pivots about a lift cam axis. The lift cam axis of the lift cam is parallel to the central axis of the shaft. As the lift cam rotates in accordance with the shaft actinguating the lever to the open position, it engages with the spring plunger and lifts the spring plunger away from the camshaft.
[0006] The pump may include a torsion spring that biases the lift cam to rotate toward the spring plunger, a first bevel gear coupled to the lever that rotates when the lever is actuated, and a second bevel gear positioned on the shaft to rotate with the shaft. The first bevel gear can engage with the second bevel gear. The lift cam may include an arched outer surface configured to engage with the spring plunger. The pump may include a spring that biases the shaft to rotate along its central axis, which is offset from the lift cam axis. The pump may include a shaft spring coupled to the shaft. The shaft spring can actuate the lever to an open or closed position. The shaft spring can actuate the lever with an overcenter action. The lift cam can actuate the end effector toward the tube when lifting the spring plunger away from the camshaft, and the lift cam can actuate the end effector toward the shaft when lifting the spring plunger away from the camshaft.
[0007] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a pump for treating a patient includes a door, a door catch, a latching thread, and a hook cam. The door has an open position and a closed position. The door catch latches the door when it is in the closed position. The latching thread latches and releases the door catch. The latching thread includes a cam follower, and the hook cam engages with the cam follower. The hook cam includes a hook that acts on the latching thread to release the door catch.
[0008] A locking thread may include a thread base that acts toward and away from the shaft, and a pawl coupled to the thread base. The thread base may be coupled to a cam follower. The pawl may be pivotably coupled to the thread base, for example, on the axis of the cam follower. A thread spring may be coupled to the pawl to bias it. The thread spring may bias the pawl toward the shaft, and / or the thread spring may bias the pawl away from the shaft. The pump may include a block, which is configured to allow the thread base to slide back and forth within a channel in the block. A thread spring may be coupled to the block. The pawl may be pivotably coupled to the thread base adjacent to the cam follower of the locking thread, and / or the pawl may be pivotably coupled to each side of the cam follower of the locking thread. The pump may include a pin, in which the claws are pivotally coupled to the pin on each side of the cam follower of the hook thread, the cam follower rotates around the pin, the pin defines the pin axis, the hook cam rotates around the cam axis, and the pin axis is parallel to the cam axis.
[0009] The pump may include a shaft, which is positioned along the camshaft such that the hook cam rotates with the shaft. The pump may include a block on which a threaded base slides internally, an anchor coupled to the block, and a spring coupled to the pawl and anchor. The anchor may be a pin.
[0010] The pump may include a shaft on which a hook cam is positioned, and a lever coupled to the shaft. When the lever is in the closed position, the hook cam can engage with a cam follower. When the lever is operated to the open position, the hook cam can rotate so that the hook of the hook cam engages with the cam follower of the locking thread and pulls the locking thread toward the shaft. The hook cam may define a recessed space configured to receive the locking thread when the locking thread is fully actuated toward the hook cam. The door catch may be operable between a hooked position and a locked position.
[0011] The pump may include a spring coupled to the door catch, where the spring pushes the door catch so that it is bistable in either the hooked or locked position. When the door catch is between the hooked and locked positions, the spring can bias the door catch towards the position closer to it. This stability can be achieved by the overcentering action of the spring.
[0012] The door catch may include a door catch hold. The latching thread may include a claw pivotably coupled to the latching thread. The hook cam can be actuated to stay on the latching thread and to retract the latching thread toward the hook cam. The claw of the latching thread can engage the door catch hold and actuate the door catch from the locked position to the hooked position. The hook cam can be actuated to stay on the latching thread and to retract the latching thread toward the hook cam. The block can be actuated so that the end of the claw is away from the thread base, with the end of the claw opposite the pivotable coupling.
[0013] A door catch may include a channel, a pin catch, a door catch, and a door catch anchor. The channel pivots the door catch. The pin catch hooks onto the pin. The door catch retainer holds the engagement with the claw of the latch thread. The door catch anchor may be coupled to the door catch spring to make the door catch bistable.
[0014] In some embodiments of this disclosure, a pump for treating a patient includes a carriage housing, a carriage, and a pivot. The carriage is located within the carriage housing and receives a slide clamp. The carriage is pivotable within the housing, and the housing includes a tube retainer that holds the tube when pivoting within the carriage housing. The pivot causes the carriage to pivot around an axis and may be a gear connector.
[0015] The pump may include a chock pivotably coupled to the carriage housing so as to engage with a slot in the carriage to stop the carriage from rotating in a first pivotal direction. A chock spring may be coupled to the carriage housing and the chock to bias the chock relative to the carriage. The pump may include a lifter pin configured to act in response to the closing of a door on the pump, and a lift configured to be coupled to the chock and to receive the lifter pin. The lifter pin may include a lifter spring that raises the lift when a predetermined force is applied to the lifter pin from the closed door.
[0016] The pump may include a chock pivotably coupled to the carriage housing so as to engage with a slot in the carriage to stop the carriage from rotating in a first pivotal direction. The lever is actuated from an open position to a closed position. A shaft may be coupled to the lever and the carriage. When the chock engages with the slot in the carriage, it can prevent the lever from moving from the open position to the closed position when the carriage cannot rotate in the first pivotal direction.
[0017] The pump may include a coupling on the shaft, which, when a stopper engages with a slot in the carriage, allows the lever to move a predetermined distance from an open position to a closed position. The carriage may further include a cover configured to cover the opening in the carriage housing when the carriage is rotatably positioned in a fluid flow position.
[0018] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus includes a carriage housing and a pivot. The carriage housing includes a carriage rotatable within the carriage housing and one or more tube retainers offset from the axis of rotation of the carriage. At least one tube retainer receives and holds a fluid tube in a substantially fixed position while the carriage rotates within the carriage housing. A pivot mechanism may be coupled to the carriage, and the pivot mechanism may be connected to a rotating device to rotate the carriage about an axis in response to the rotation of the rotating device. The carriage housing may receive tube clamps so as to rotate within the carriage housing by the carriage, and the fluid tube is held by at least one tube retainer, and as the carriage rotates about an axis, the tube clamps tighten or loosen the tube depending on the direction of rotation of the carriage. One or more tube retainers may include each tube retainer assigned to a position assigned vertically through at least a portion of the top and bottom of the carriage housing, respectively. The apparatus may include light-emitting elements and optical sensors.
[0019] The carriage housing may include a window to receive light from the light-emitting element and, once the tube clamp is received within the carriage housing, to pass at least a portion of the received light through the carriage housing to the sensor. The portion of the received light may include a pattern defined by one or more holes in the tube clamp.
[0020] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, a pump for treating a patient includes a lever, a shaft, and a shaft spring. The lever may be operable between a closed position and an open position. The shaft may be coupled to the lever and may have a central axis at the center along the length of the shaft. The shaft may be coupled to the lever so as to rotate about the central axis in accordance with the operation of the lever. A shaft spring may be coupled to the shaft so as to actuate the lever between an open position and a closed position in an overcenter action. A first bevel gear may be coupled to the lever, which rotates when the lever is actuated. A second bevel gear may be positioned on the shaft so as to rotate with the shaft, where the first bevel gear engages with the second bevel gear.
[0021] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus includes a substantially flat body portion and a head portion. The substantially flat body portion is inserted into a housing and has a curved slot within the body portion. The curved slot has a receiving portion at one end of the body portion and a closing portion at the other end of the body portion that is narrower than the receiving portion. The head portion spans the substantially flat body portion and is configured to increase the amount of force applied to the body portion during insertion into the housing. A stationary fluid tube is received in the receiving portion and the curved slot is positioned such that the tube moves across the closing portion as the body portion rotates in a first direction about an axis that spans the body portion.
[0022] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the slide clamp includes a body, in which the body defines a curved slot configured to receive a clampable tube. The curved slot includes a flow portion and a occluding portion. The slide clamp can rotate within a carriage. The slide clamp may include a stabilizer coupled to the body. The slide clamp may include a thumb rest coupled to the body. The thumb rest may include an extension, which may include a plurality of slide clamp identification holes.
[0023] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the carriage assembly includes a carriage housing and a carriage. The carriage housing may have an opening, and the carriage may be configured to be located within the carriage housing and to rotate along a pivot axis. The carriage may be able to receive slide clamps as disclosed herein. The carriage housing may include a window to determine identification according to a plurality of slide clamp identification holes of the slide clamp. The carriage assembly may be located within a peristaltic pump. Rotation of the carriage from a first rotational position to a second rotational position allows the tube to be positioned from the closed portion to the flow portion within the arched slot. When the carriage is in the second position, a cover of the carriage housing may cover the opening of the carriage housing. The carriage may include a slide clamp retainer configured to hold the slide clamp within the carriage. The slide clamp retainer may include a spring body and a retainer hook.
[0024] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the modular pump system includes a central unit and a medical device assembly. The central unit includes a first central unit connector, a central unit switchable power supply circuit, and a first signal generation circuit. The first central unit connector has power pins and communication pins. The central unit switchable power supply circuit is coupled to the power pins of the first central unit connector. The switchable power supply circuit can switch between a power-on mode in which power is applied to the power pins of the first central unit connector and a power-off mode in which no power is applied to the power pins of the first central unit connector. The first signal generation circuit can generate a first signal on the communication pins of the first central unit connector.
[0025] The medical device assembly includes a first medical device connector, a module detection controller, and a power receiving circuit. The first medical device connector may have power pins and communication pins. The first medical device connector can be connected to a first central unit connector, thereby allowing the power pins of the first medical device connector to be connected to the power pins of the first central unit connector, and the communication pins of the first medical device connector to be connected to the communication pins of the first central unit connector. The module detection controller can passively indicate a request to receive power via the power pins of the first medical device connector. The power receiving circuit can be coupled to the module detection controller to provide power to the module detection controller. The power receiving circuit can be coupled to the power pins of the first medical device connector and the communication pins of the first medical device connector. The power receiving circuit can supply power to the module detection circuit from the power pins, using the power applied to the power pins of the first medical device connector, which is received via the power pins of the first central unit connector, when the switchable power supply circuit is in power-off mode, from the signals on the communication pins, and when the switchable power supply circuit is in power-on mode.
[0026] The module detection controller can passively indicate a request to receive power by changing the impedance coupled to the communication pin, by changing the resistance coupled to the communication pin, and / or by activating the resistor coupled to the communication pin.
[0027] The module detection controller enables current to flow through a resistor to ground, thereby adding a resistance to the communication pin and thereby being able to passively indicate a request to receive power. The module detection controller can be coupled to the resistor via an open-drain driver pin, and the open-drain driver pin can activate the resistor by entering a low-impedance mode. The low-impedance mode can be implemented by a transistor in an active mode.
[0028] The first central unit can switch to the power-on mode when the module detection controller of the medical device assembly passively requests power for the module detection controller from the power pin of the first central unit connector to the power pin of the first medical device connector.
[0029] The medical device assembly can include a second medical device connector having a power pin and a communication pin. The medical device assembly can further include a second signal generation circuit configured to generate a second signal at the communication pin of the second medical device connector. The second signal generation circuit can generate the second signal after the central unit switchable power circuit switches to the power-on mode. The second signal generation circuit can generate the second signal after the module detection controller passively indicates a request to receive power. The medical device assembly can include a detection circuit for detecting a passive request to communicate power from the power pin of the first medical device connector to the power pin of the second medical device connector. The medical device assembly can include a crossbar switch that connects the power pin of the first medical device connector to the power pin of the second medical device connector. When the detection circuit detects a passive request to communicate power to the power pin of the second medical device connector, the crossbar switch can be closed.
[0030] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the center unit includes a left center unit connector, a left switchable power supply circuit, a right center unit connector, a right switchable power supply circuit, one or more signal generation circuits, a left load detection circuit, and a right load detection circuit. The left center unit connector has a left power pin and a left communication pin. The left switchable power supply circuit is coupled to the power pin of the first center unit connector. The left switchable power supply circuit switches between a power-on mode in which power is applied to the left power pin of the left center unit connector and a power-off mode in which no power is applied to the left power pin of the left center unit connector. The right center unit connector has a right power pin and a right communication pin. The right switchable power supply circuit is coupled to the power pin of the right center unit connector. The right switchable power supply circuit switches between a power-on mode in which power is applied to the right power pin of the right center unit connector and a power-off mode in which no power is applied to the right power pin of the right center unit connector. One or more signal generation circuits can generate signals on the left communication pin of the left center unit connector and / or the right communication pin of the right center unit. The left load detection circuit can detect passive indications of power requests from medical device assemblies connected to the left side. The left switchable power supply circuit can switch to power-on mode when the left load detection circuit detects passive indications of power requests from medical device assemblies connected to the left side. The right load detection circuit can detect passive indications of power requests from medical device assemblies connected to the right side. The right switchable power supply circuit can switch to power-on mode when the right load detection circuit detects passive indications of power requests from medical device assemblies connected to the right side.
[0031] The left load detection circuit can detect a change in impedance of the left communication pin of the left-center unit connector and determine that a passive power request has been received from the medical device assembly connected to the right side. The left load detection circuit can detect an increase in impedance of the left communication pin of the left-center unit connector and determine that a passive power request has been received from the medical device assembly connected to the right side. The left load detection circuit can detect an increase in resistance of the left communication pin of the left-center unit connector and determine that a passive power request has been received from the medical device assembly connected to the right side.
[0032] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the medical device assembly comprises a left medical device connector having a left power pin and a left communication pin; a right medical device connector having a right power pin and a right communication pin; a module detection controller configured to passively indicate a request to receive power via the left power pin of the left medical device connector or to passively indicate a request to receive power via the right power pin of the right medical device connector; a power receiving circuit coupled to the module detection controller to provide power to the module detection controller, wherein the power receiving circuit is coupled to the power pin of the left medical device connector and the left communication pin of the left medical device connector and supplies power to the module detection circuit from a received signal from either the left communication pin of the left medical device connector or the right communication pin of the right medical device connector; a left signal generating circuit configured to generate a left signal at the left communication pin of the left medical device connector when active; a right signal generating circuit configured to generate a right signal at the right communication pin of the right medical device connector when active; and a crossbar switch connecting the left power pin of the left medical device connector to the right power pin of the right medical device connector.
[0033] The power receiving circuit can supply power to the module detection controller only when the received signal is received via either the left communication pin or the right communication pin. The module detection controller can passively indicate a request to receive power via the left communication pin when the received signal is received from the left communication pin. The module detection controller is configured to passively indicate a request to receive power via the left power pin when the received signal is received from the left communication pin, or to passively indicate a request to receive power via the right power pin when the received signal is received from the right communication pin, via the right communication pin. The module detection controller can passively indicate a request to receive power via the left power pin when the received signal is received from the left communication pin, and passively indicate a request to receive power via the right power pin when the received signal is received from the right communication pin. The module detection controller can provide only one request to receive power, where the one request to receive power is either a request to receive power via the left power pin or a request to receive power via the right power pin. The left signal generation circuit can be coupled to the module detection controller, and the left signal generation circuit is operationally coupled to the module detection controller.
[0034] The module detection controller can instruct the left signal generation circuit to generate a left signal at the left communication pin when a received signal is received via the right communication pin of the right medical device connector. The module detection controller can be configured to instruct the right signal generation circuit to generate a right signal at the right communication pin when a received signal is received via the left communication pin of the left medical device connector. The module detection controller can be configured to generate only one of the right and left signals by instructing only one of the right and left signal generation circuits. The right and left signal generation circuits can be integrated together with the module detection controller in the semiconductor device.
[0035] The module detection controller can be configured to passively indicate a request to receive power via the left power supply pin of the left medical device connector by adding a first resistor to the left communication pin of the left medical device connector. The module detection controller can be configured to passively indicate a request to receive power via the left power supply pin by activating the first resistor coupled to the left communication pin. The module detection controller can be configured to passively indicate a request to receive power via the left power supply pin by allowing current to flow through the first resistor to ground, thereby adding resistance to the left communication pin. The module detection controller can be coupled to the first resistor via the left open-drain driver pin when the left open-drain driver pin activates the resistor by entering low-impedance mode. The module detection controller can be configured to passively indicate a request to receive power via the right power supply pin of the right medical device connector by adding a second resistor to the right communication pin of the right medical device connector. The module detection controller can be configured to passively indicate a request to receive power via the right power supply pin by activating the second resistor coupled to the right communication pin. The module detection controller can be configured to allow current to flow through a second resistor to ground, thereby adding a second resistor to the right communication pin, and thereby passively indicating a request to receive power via the right power pin. The module detection controller can be coupled to the second resistor via the right open-drain driver pin, which activates the second resistor by entering another low-impedance mode.
[0036] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the circuit comprises a bus interface configured to interface with a bus, a bus transceiver configured to receive bus reception signals and output bus transmission signals, and a transceiver circuit that operationally communicates with the bus interface and the bus transceiver, the transceiver circuit having an RF switch and a signal detection circuit, wherein the RF switch has an on-mode and an off-mode, the RF switch is configured to receive a common carrier signal from the bus interface and to couple the common carrier signal to ground when in the on-mode, the RF switch is operationally coupled to the bus transmission signal of the bus transceiver so as to switch between on-mode and off-mode according to the bus transmission signal, and the signal detection circuit is configured to generate a bus reception signal according to the common carrier signal.
[0037] The common carrier signal may be a spread-spectrum signal. The signal detection circuit may be a logarithmic power detector configured to detect the common carrier signal. The signal detection circuit may include a comparator configured to compare the output from the logarithmic power detector to generate a bus receive signal, a splitter coupled to the bus interface, and / or a comparator configured to receive the output from the logarithmic power detector to compare it with a reference voltage and thereby generate a bus receive signal. The RF switch may be a load FET and / or a pin diode.
[0038] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the modular pump system comprises a first bus interface configured to interface with a bus, a common carrier signal generator configured to generate a common carrier signal on the bus, a first bus transceiver configured to receive a first bus receive signal and output a first bus transmit signal, and a first transceiver circuit that operationally communicates with the first bus interface and the first bus transceiver, comprising a first RF switch and a first signal detection circuit, wherein the first RF switch has an on-mode and an off-mode, and is configured to receive a common carrier signal from the first bus interface and to couple the common carrier signal to ground when in the on-mode, and is operationally coupled to the bus transmit signal of the first bus transceiver so as to switch between on-mode and off-mode according to the bus transmit signal, and the first signal detection circuit is configured to generate a bus receive signal according to the common carrier signal. A medical device assembly comprising: a central unit comprising a first transceiver circuit; a second bus interface configured to interface with a bus to receive a common carrier signal; a second bus transceiver configured to receive a bus receive signal and output a bus transmit signal; and a second transceiver circuit that operationally communicates with the second bus interface and the second bus transceiver, the second having a second RF switch and a second signal detection circuit, wherein the second RF switch has an on-mode and an off-mode, and the second RF switch is configured to receive a common carrier signal from the second bus interface and to couple the common carrier signal to ground when in the on-mode, and the second RF switch is operationally coupled to the second bus transmit signal of the second bus transceiver so as to switch between on-mode and off-mode according to the bus transmit signal, and the second signal detection circuit is configured to generate a bus receive signal according to the common carrier signal.
[0039] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the modular pump system comprises a central unit comprising: a first bus interface configured to interface with a bus; a common carrier signal generator configured to generate a common carrier signal on the bus; a first bus transceiver configured to receive a first bus receive signal and output a first bus transmit signal; and a first transceiver circuit that operationally communicates with the first bus interface and the first bus transceiver, the first transceiver circuit having a first signal detection circuit and being operationally coupled to the first bus transmit signal of the first bus transceiver to switch the common carrier signal on or off according to the bus transmit signal, the first signal detection circuit being configured to generate a bus receive signal according to the common carrier signal; and a central unit configured to interface with the bus to receive a common carrier signal. The medical device assembly comprises a second bus interface, a second bus transceiver configured to receive bus reception signals and output bus transmission signals, and a second transceiver circuit that operationally communicates with the second bus interface and the second bus transceiver, the second having a second RF switch and a second signal detection circuit, wherein the second RF switch has an on-mode and an off-mode, the second RF switch is configured to receive a common carrier signal from the second bus interface and to couple the common carrier signal to ground when in the on-mode, the second RF switch is operationally coupled to the second bus transmission signal of the second bus transceiver so as to switch between on-mode and off-mode according to the bus transmission signal, and the second signal detection circuit is configured to generate a bus reception signal according to the common carrier signal.
[0040] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a modular pump system comprises a plurality of medical device assemblies configured to be physically coupled together, one of which comprises a first transceiver coil coupled to a first end, a second transceiver coil coupled to a second end, a transmission line coupled to the first and second transceiver coils and configured to provide electromagnetic communication between the first and second transceiver coils, and a resonator magnetically coupled to one of the first and second transceiver coils. The resonator may be a split-ring resonator. The transmission line may be an embedded stripline. The first transceiver coil, the second transceiver coil, the transmission line and the resonator may be embedded in a printed circuit board having a ground plane.
[0041] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the modular pump system comprises: a first medical device assembly comprising: a first transceiver coil coupled to a first end; a second transceiver coil coupled to a second end; a first transmission line coupled to the first and second transceiver coils, configured to provide electromagnetic communication between the first and second transceiver coils; and a first resonator magnetically coupled to one of the first and second transceiver coils; and a second medical device assembly comprising: a third transceiver coil coupled to a first end; a fourth transceiver coil coupled to a second end; a second transmission line coupled to the third and fourth transceiver coils, configured to provide electromagnetic communication between the third and fourth transceiver coils; and a second resonator magnetically coupled to one of the third and fourth transceiver coils. The first and second medical device assemblies are configured to be coupled to each other in a spaced-out relationship, where the first transceiver coil of the first medical device assembly is adjacent to the third transceiver coil of the second medical device assembly. The first transmit / receive coil may be approximately 4 millimeters from the third transmit / receive coil. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth transmit / receive coils may include a surrounding magnetic shield.
[0042] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the pump includes a lever, a shaft, a pin, an interlock arm, and a gripper finger. The lever is operable between a closed position and an open position. The shaft has a central axis along its length and is coupled to the lever to act in accordance with the lever's movement. The pin is positioned at a predetermined distance from the shaft's central axis and acts in accordance with the shaft's rotation, at least partially along a path around the shaft's central axis. The interlock arm is pivotally connected to the pump and has a catch formed by a first finger, a second finger, and a catch well. The first and second fingers are connected to the catch well. The gripper fingers positioned on the interlock arm form an end effector configured to actuate the slide clamp.
[0043] The interlock arm can pivot around a pivot to receive a pin and thereby actuate a gripper finger toward or away from the carriage. The gripper finger can be positioned on the first finger of the interlock arm. The first and second fingers can guide the pin to the catchwell. The gripper finger can grip the flange of the slide clamp assembly. A door fixing arm can be operatively coupled to the shaft to pull the door toward the pump. A tube shutter can be used to open when the slide clamp assembly is inserted into the pump carriage.
[0044] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a pump for treating a patient includes a lever, a first link mechanism, a second link mechanism, a spring, a track, a shaft, and a first bevel gear and a second bevel gear. The lever is operable between a closed position and an open position. The first link mechanism is coupled to the lever. The second link mechanism is coupled to the first bevel gear. The spring is coupled to the first and second link mechanisms. The track is configured to guide the first and second link mechanisms. The shaft has a central axis at the center along the length of the shaft. The second bevel gear is coupled to the first bevel gear and the shaft and is configured to rotate the shaft. The spring may be a torsion spring having a first end coupled to the first link mechanism and a second end coupled to the second link mechanism. The first link mechanism may include a guide for guiding the first link mechanism along the track. The second link mechanism may include a guide for guiding the second link mechanism along the track.
[0045] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the slide clamp assembly includes an upper housing, a lower housing, a backstop, a pipe fitting, and first and second links. The upper housing has a first end and a second end. The lower housing has a first end and a second end. The backstop is positioned between the upper housing and the lower housing. The backstop is located at or near the first end of the upper housing and the first end of the lower housing. The pipe fitting is coupled to the first end of the upper housing and is configured to allow a tube to pass through the first end of the upper housing and the first end of the lower housing. The pipe fitting is further configured to allow a tube to pass adjacent to the backstop. The first link is located within the track. The second link is coupled to one of the second end of the upper housing and the second end of the lower housing. The first and second links can be coupled to each other. The track can be defined by the upper housing and the lower housing. The first link can pivot within the track. The first link may include a plunger at the end adjacent to the backstop, which, when actuated toward the backstop, blocks the fluid flow through the tube. The first link may include a flange configured to connect to an end effector. The second link may include a shutter aperture. The upper or lower housing may include a housing aperture configured to align with the shutter aperture of the second link when the first and second links are positioned in an unclosed position. The upper or lower housing may include an identification aperture configured to align with the shutter aperture of the second link when the first and second links are positioned in an unclosed position. The second link may include a notch configured to align at least partially with the housing aperture of at least one of the upper or lower housing when the second link is in a closed position. The shutter aperture of the second link may at least partially align with the housing aperture when the second link is in a closed position. The second link may include an identification aperture.The first and second links can be configured to be bistable in position. The upper and lower housings can have finger grooves formed for user operation of the first link.
[0046] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a slide clamp assembly includes a housing, a slide clamp, and a pipe fitting. The housing may have an upper and a lower section. The slide clamp has a curved slot pivotally positioned between the upper and lower sections of the housing, with one end of the curved slot being open. The pipe fitting is positioned to allow a tube to pass through the curved slot. The slide clamp assembly may be configured such that the rotation angle of the slide clamp relative to the housing via a pivot corresponds to the occlusion or non-occlusion of fluid flowing through the tube. The slide clamp may include a notch. The notch may be configured to cooperate with the end effector of a gripper finger. The slide clamp may include an exposed portion extending away from the housing. The exposed portion defines an identifying aperture.
[0047] The housing can define a recess configured for user operation of the slide clamp along the pivot. The upper and lower sides can at least partially enclose the slide clamp. The housing can be adjacent to only one side of the slide clamp. An identification aperture can be positioned above the slide clamp.
[0048] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the slide clamp assembly includes a backstop and a plunger. The backstop positions the tube adjacent to the backstop. The plunger acts the tube relative to the backstop by acting the plunger linearly toward the backstop and by rotating the plunger at least partially along an axis. The plunger can be coupled to a guide configured to act toward and away from the backstop along a track, the guide being pivotably coupled to the track.
[0049] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the slide clamp assembly includes a housing and a link mechanism. The housing has a housing aperture. The link mechanism is rotatably coupled to the housing and has a first position and a second position. The link mechanism may include an opening configured to align with the housing aperture to indicate that the link mechanism is in the first position. The link mechanism may include a second opening configured to align with the housing aperture to indicate that the link mechanism is in the second position. The opening may be an identification aperture. The second opening may be a position aperture configured to indicate that the link mechanism is in the second position.
[0050] The carriage may include an image sensor having an image sensor aperture configured to align with the housing aperture when the slide clamp assembly is fully inserted into the carriage. The image sensor may be configured to detect misalignment of the housing aperture with respect to the image sensor aperture. The image sensor can detect misalignment when the number detected from either the first or second aperture does not correspond to a valid value in a set of valid values. A processor configured to interface with the image sensor.
[0051] These and other embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of various embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0052] [Figure 1] This shows a front view of a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0053] [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with the door open and the lever in the open position.
[0054] [Figure 3]Figure 1 shows an enlarged view of the open door of the peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0055] [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with the door open and a slide clamp loaded into the carriage of the peristaltic pump.
[0056] [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows the peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, after the slide clamp has been loaded into the carriage and the door has been closed, but before the lever has been closed.
[0057] [Figure 6] Figure 1 shows the rear of the pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with the rear housing, wiring, and electronic circuit board removed.
[0058] [Figure 7] Figure 6 shows a pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, but the motor has been removed.
[0059] [Figure 8] Figure 7 shows a pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, but from a different angle.
[0060] [Figure 9] Figure 7 shows a pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, but it is shown from the rear of the pump at an upward angle.
[0061] [Figure 10] Figure 1 shows a front view of a mechanical assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, including a shaft coupled to the lever of the pump, with the lever in the open position.
[0062] [Figure 11] Figure 10 shows a mechanical assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with the lever in the closed position.
[0063] [Figure 12] Figure 10 shows a rear view of the mechanical assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with the lever in the open position.
[0064] [Figure 13] Figure 10 shows a rear view of the mechanical assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with the lever in the closed position.
[0065] [Figure 14] This is a cross-sectional view of the peristaltic pump shown in Figure 1, illustrating the lift cam when the lever is in the closed position, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0066] [Figure 15] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a peristaltic pump, showing a lift cam when the lever is between the closed and open positions, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0067] [Figure 16] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a peristaltic pump showing the lift cam when the lever is in the open position, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0068] [Figure 17] Figure 1 shows an enlarged view of the locking thread of the mechanical assembly of the peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the lever is in the closed position.
[0069] [Figure 18] Figure 1 shows an enlarged view of the locking thread of the mechanical assembly of the peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the lever is between the closed and open positions.
[0070] [Figure 19] Figure 1 shows an enlarged view of the locking thread of the mechanical assembly of the peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the lever is in the open position.
[0071] [Figure 20] Figure 1 shows the door catch and latch thread of a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the front of the pump.
[0072] [Figure 21] An example of a locking thread for a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.
[0073] [Figure 22] Figure 1 shows the door catch and locking thread of a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the rear of the pump, with the claws of the locking thread in the locked position.
[0074] [Figure 23] Figure 1 shows the door catch and locking thread of a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the rear of the pump, with the claws of the locking thread in the retracted position.
[0075] [Figure 24] Figure 1 shows a portion of a block housing a door catch and a retaining thread for a peristaltic pump, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0076] [Figure 25] Figure 1 shows a door catch for a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0077] [Figure 26] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the hook cam is in a non-engaged position.
[0078] [Figure 27] Figure 26 shows a cross-sectional view according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the hook cam is partially acting toward the cam follower of the latching thread.
[0079] [Figure 28]Figure 26 shows a cross-sectional view according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the hook is coupled to the cam follower of the latching thread and the hook cam is fully actuated so as to completely retract the latching thread.
[0080] [Figure 29] Figure 1 shows the hook cam of a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0081] [Figure 30] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a coupling that connects the main shaft and the upper shaft of the peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0082] [Figure 31] Figure 30 is an exploded view of the coupling according to one embodiment of this disclosure, but shown from a different viewing angle.
[0083] [Figure 32] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating a gear that operates the carriage by the operation of the main shaft, with the door open and the lifter pin acting toward the open door.
[0084] [Figure 33] Figure 32 shows the same cross-sectional view as in one embodiment of the present disclosure, but the door is closed, which causes the lifter pin to move away from the door in order to compress the spring that operates the lift.
[0085] [Figure 34] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the peristaltic pump, illustrating a cross-sectional view of a carriage assembly with the door open and the lever open, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0086] [Figure 35] Figure 34 shows the same cross-sectional view as in one embodiment of the present disclosure, but the door is closed, and the stopper is activated as a result.
[0087] [Figure 36] Figure 35 shows the same cross-sectional view as in one embodiment of the present disclosure, but the carriage is in a rotational position brought about by closing the lever.
[0088] [Figure 37] Figure 1 shows the carriage assembly of the peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the bottom side of the carriage.
[0089] [Figure 38] Figure 1 shows the carriage assembly of the peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from above the carriage.
[0090] [Figure 39] Figure 1 shows the carriage assembly of a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the bottom of the carriage assembly, with the bottom portion of the carriage housing removed for clarity.
[0091] [Figure 40-41] Figure 1 shows a diagram of the carriage of a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0092] [Figure 42] Figure 1 shows the carriage of a peristaltic pump with its upper portion removed, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0093] [Figure 43-48] The following are some diagrams of a slide clamp that can be inserted into the carriage of the peristaltic pump shown in Figure 1, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0094] [Figure 49-53] A sequence of events is shown in which the slide clamps in Figures 43 to 48 are inserted into the carriage assembly of the peristaltic pump in Figure 1, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0095] [Figure 54] Figure 1 shows a carriage assembly to which the sensor board of the peristaltic pump is attached, as shown from above, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0096] [Figure 55] Figure 54, the same figure as in one embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown, but the sensor board is transparent to show the LED and the corresponding slide clamp ID sensor.
[0097] [Figure 56] The carriage assembly is shown from an angled, lower viewpoint to more clearly view the LED and the light pipe for the LED of the slide clamp ID sensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0098] [Figure 57] An optical pipe used in the carriage assembly of the peristaltic pump shown in Figure 1, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown.
[0099] [Figure 58] A flowchart illustrating a method using the peristaltic pump shown in Figure 1, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown.
[0100] [Figure 59] Figure 1 shows a circuit for a peristaltic pump that drives the LED of a slide clamp ID sensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0101] [Figure 60] Figure 1 shows a circuit of a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating the arrangement of LEDs in a slide clamp ID sensor.
[0102] [Figure 61] Figure 1 shows a circuit for a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which detects light received after light from an LED has passed through the slide clamp ID hole in the expanded portion of the slide clamp.
[0103] [Figure 62] A flowchart illustrating a method for using data from the optical sensor shown in Figure 61 to identify a slide clamp, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown.
[0104] [Figure 63] An alternative embodiment of the peristaltic pump of Figure 1 is shown, in which an alternative lift cam, an alternative mechanical coupling mechanism between the shaft and the carriage, and an alternative door catch are used according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0105] [Figure 64] Another diagram of the peristaltic pump in Figure 63 is shown to illustrate the operation of the lift cam according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0106] [Figure 65] Figure 63 shows a cross-sectional view of the lift cam of a peristaltic pump when the lever is in the open position, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0107] [Figure 66-72] Figure 63 shows the lift cam of the peristaltic pump from various observation angles according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0108] [Figure 73] Figure 63 shows the peristaltic pump from a rear view, illustrating the connecting bar between the door catch and the linear ratchet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0109] [Figure 74] Figure 63 shows a peristaltic pump to provide another view of the connecting bar between the door catch and the linear ratchet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0110] [Figure 75] Figure 63 shows an enlarged view of the interaction between the overcenter spring and the door catch, along with the connecting bar of the peristaltic pump, with the door catch in the open position and the lever also open.
[0111] [Figure 76] Figure 75 shows an enlarged view of the same embodiment as in this disclosure, but the door catch is in the door closed position.
[0112] [Figure 77] This is an enlarged view of the same figure as Figure 75, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, but the door catch is in the door closed position and the lever is in the closed position.
[0113] [Figure 78-84] Figure 63 shows several diagrams of the door catch of a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0114] [Figure 85] This shows an enlarged view of a linear ratchet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the door is open and the lever is also open.
[0115] [Figure 86] This shows an enlarged view of a linear ratchet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the door is closed and the lever is open.
[0116] [Figure 87] This shows an enlarged view of a linear ratchet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the door is closed and the lever is closed.
[0117] [Figures 88-89] Figure 63 shows a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with some parts removed to illustrate the mechanical coupling mechanism between the shaft and the carriage, with the door catch, door, and lever in the open position.
[0118] [Figure 90-91] Figure 63 shows a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with some parts removed to illustrate the mechanical coupling mechanism between the shaft and the carriage, with the door and door catch in the closed position and the lever in the open position.
[0119] [Figure 92] Figure 63 shows a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in which some parts have been removed to show the mechanical coupling mechanism between the shaft and the carriage, with the lever in the open and closed positions and the door and door catch in the closed position.
[0120] [Figure 93] Figure 63 shows a peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with some parts removed to show the mechanical coupling mechanism between the shaft and the carriage, with the door, door catch and lever in the closed position.
[0121] [Figures 94-96] Figure 63 shows the brakes on the peristaltic pump from several perspectives according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0122] [Figures 97-98] An alternative embodiment of the peristaltic pump of Figure 1 is shown, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in which an alternative mechanical assembly between the lever and the main shaft is used, and an alternative carriage is used.
[0123] [Figure 99-101] Figures 97 and 98 show alternative mechanical assembly portions of the peristaltic pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0124] [Figure 102-105] Several figures of a slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure are shown.
[0125] [Figure 106] Figures 102 to 105 show cross-sectional views of a slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0126] [Figures 107-109]Figures 102–105 show several diagrams of the slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with the upper housing removed.
[0127] [Figure 110-114] Figures 102 to 105 show some figures of the lower housing of the slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0128] [Figures 115-119] Figures 102 to 105 show some figures of the upper housing of the slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0129] [Figure 120-124] Figures 102-105 show several diagrams of the first link of a slide clamp assembly having a plunger, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0130] [Figures 125-129] Figures 102 to 105 show some diagrams of the second link of the slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0131] [Figure 130-133] Figures 102 to 105 show several diagrams of the pipe fittings of the slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0132] [Figures 134-138] Figures 102 to 105 show the slide clamp assembly inserted into the carriage according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0133] [Figure 139] Figures 102-105 show a perspective view of the internal mechanism of the carriage when the end effector is engaged with the flange of the slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0134] [Figure 140]Figures 102-105 show a perspective view of the internal mechanism of the carriage when the end effector is engaged with the flange of the slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0135] [Figure 141] This shows the front view of a carriage orifice having a cooperative surface according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0136] [Figure 142] The image shows the front view of a carriage orifice having a cooperative surface when a slide clamp assembly is inserted and the tube shutter is retracted, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0137] [Figures 143-146] Several figures of a slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure are shown.
[0138] [Figure 147] Figures 143 to 146 show cross-sectional views of a slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0139] [Figure 148-150] Figures 143–146 show several diagrams of the slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with the upper housing removed.
[0140] [Figures 151-155] Figures 143 to 146 show some diagrams of the upper housing of the slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0141] [Figure 156-160] Figures 143 to 146 show some figures of the lower housing of the slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0142] [Figures 161-165]Figures 143–146 show several diagrams of the first link of a slide clamp assembly having a plunger, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0143] [Figure 166-170] Figures 143 to 146 show several diagrams of the second link of the slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0144] [Figures 171-174] The following are some figures of a clamping slide clamp assembly having a slide clamp with a curved slot according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0145] [Figures 175-178] Figures 171 to 174 show some of the slide clamps of the clamping slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0146] [Figure 179-181] Figures 171 to 174 show several diagrams of the housing of the clamping slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0147] [Figures 182-184] Figures 171 to 174 show the state in which the clamp slide assembly carriage is inserted according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0148] [Figure 185] Figures 171 to 174 show a perspective view of the internal mechanism of the carriage when the end effector is engaged with the flange of the clamping slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0149] [Figure 186] Figures 171 to 174 show a perspective view of the internal mechanism of the carriage when the end effector is engaged with the flange of the clamping slide clamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0150] [Figure 187] A block diagram of a modular pump system having a central unit and a plurality of medical device assemblies, coupled together, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown.
[0151] [Figure 188] A block diagram of a modular pump system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, illustrating the power supply circuit of the system.
[0152] [Figure 189] This diagram shows the state of the central unit power supply circuit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0153] [Figure 190] This diagram shows the state of a medical device assembly power supply circuit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0154] [Figure 191A-B] A timing diagram is shown illustrating the power-on sequence of a modular pump system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, showing how two medical device assemblies are coupled to a central unit.
[0155] [Figure 192A-C] A block diagram of a modular pump system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.
[0156] [Figure 193A-J] This diagram shows a circuit for a modular pump system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0157] [Figure 194] A block diagram of a communication circuit for a modular pump system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.
[0158] [Figure 195] This diagram shows a circuit interfaced within the communication bus of a modular pump system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0159] [Figure 196] One embodiment of the present disclosure shows an antenna design for coupling a module to another module in order to extend the communication bus of a modular pump system.
[0160] [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0161] Figure 1 shows a front view of the pump 100. The pump 100 may be a standalone device that connects directly to an IV pole (not shown) by, for example, using a clamp (not shown). Furthermore or alternatively, the pump 100 may be modular so that one or more pumps 100 can be connected to a central unit and / or other medical devices. While peristaltic pumps 100 are described throughout this specification, further embodiments may include syringe pumps or other pump types where applicable or obvious to those skilled in the art.
[0162] The pump 100 includes a pump housing 158 and a door 102 coupled to the pump housing 158. The door 102 is pivotally coupled to the pump 100 so that an infusion set having a slide clamp 152 (see Figures 39-44) and a tube 216 (see Figures 4 and 5) can be loaded and secured into the pump 100 by the door 102 (more details will be described later). A hole 106 is provided so that the door 102 can be closed without pinching the tube 216. Kinking or pinching in the tube 216 may obstruct the fluid flow within the tube 216.
[0163] The pump 100 includes a button panel 110 with buttons 112 for user input and a screen 108. The screen 108 provides visual information, such as menus and status information, which a caregiver can use to program and interact with the control software of the pump 100 using the buttons 112. In some embodiments, the screen 108 may be a touchscreen configured to receive user input via user touch. The pump 100 also includes a lever 104 which can be used to open and lock the door 102, as will be described in more detail later.
[0164] The pump 100 also includes a light bar 162. The light bar 162 can be illuminated based on the status of the pump 100. For example, the light bar 162 can flash green when the pump 100 is injecting fluid into the patient's body, and can flash red when the pump 100 is not operating, is in an error state, or is malfunctioning. The light bar 162 can flash yellow when an obstruction is detected and intervention is needed to remove the obstruction, for example.
[0165] Figure 2 shows the peristaltic pump 100 of Figure 1 with the door 102 open and the lever 104 in the open position. When the lever 104 is closed and the door 102 is properly closed, the door catch 114 holds the door 102 in the closed position by holding the retainer 164. The retainer 164 may be a pin that interacts with the pin catch 166. As shown in Figure 2, when the lever 104 is moved to the open position, the door catch 114 releases the retainer 164. The door 102 may be spring-loaded so that it swings open when the door catch 114 releases the retainer 164.
[0166] By operating the lever 104 to the open position, the spring-loaded plunger 116 also retracts. The operation of the spring-loaded plunger 116 allows the tube 216 to be loaded into the raceway 168. However, by operating the spring-loaded plunger 116 to enter the raceway 168, the spring-loaded plunger 116 may close the raceway 168, making it more difficult or impossible to insert the tube 216 into the raceway 168.
[0167] Figure 3 shows a magnified view of the door 102 of the peristaltic pump 100 (see Figure 1) in the open position. In Figure 3, the carriage assembly 160 is also clearly visible. The slide clamp 152 (see Figures 39 to 44) can be inserted into the carriage assembly 160 so that the carriage 150 holds the slide clamp 152. The slide clamp retainer 170 can hold the slide clamp 152 within the carriage 150. Figure 4 shows the slide clamp 152 loaded into the carriage 150 of the peristaltic pump 100. The door 102 can then be closed with the slide clamp 152 inserted into the door 102, as shown in Figure 5. The door 102 can be opened again because the lever 104 is still in the open position and the door catch 114 is not locking the door 102. When the lever 104 is moved downward to the closed position, the door 102 is locked by the door catch 114.
[0168] Figure 6 shows the rear view of pump 100 from Figure 1, with the rear housing, wiring, and electronic circuit board removed. However, in Figure 6, the motor 172 and brace 174 are visible. Figure 7 shows pump 100 as shown in Figure 6, but with the motor 172 and brace 174 removed for further clarity.
[0169] Figure 7 shows a camshaft 190, on which a plunger cam 184, an inlet valve cam 186, and an outlet valve cam 188 are arranged. The plunger cam follower 192 pivots along the pivot shaft 202 (see Figure 14) as the plunger cam follower 192 follows the plunger cam 184. The inlet valve 198 pivots along the pivot shaft 202 (see Figure 14) as the inlet valve cam follower 194 follows the inlet valve cam follower 194. The outlet valve 200 also pivots along the pivot shaft 202 (see Figure 14) as the outlet valve cam follower 196 follows the outlet valve cam 188.
[0170] An inlet valve torsion spring 204 biases the inlet valve cam follower 194 toward the inlet valve cam 186 and toward the tube 216. An outlet valve torsion spring 206 biases the outlet valve cam follower 196 toward the outlet valve cam 188. In addition, a pair of plunger torsion springs 208 bias the plunger cam follower 192 toward the plunger cam 184, and therefore the spring-loaded plunger 116 also biases toward the tube 216. Figure 8 shows the pump 100 as shown in Figure 7, but from a different angle, and Figure 9 shows the pump 100 as shown in Figure 7, but from the rear of the pump 100 at an upward angle.
[0171] The main shaft 118 is actuated by the operation of the lever 104. A shaft spring 182 is shown, which pulls the main shaft 118 to one of two positions, which, depending on the angle of the main shaft 118, causes the lever 104 to act toward either the open or closed position. That is, the shaft spring 182 causes the lever 104 to act in an overcenter action with respect to the force that the shaft spring 182 exerts on the main shaft 118. Due to the mechanical coupling between the main shaft 118 and the lever 104, the force exerted by the shaft spring 182 on the main shaft 118 is also exerted on the lever 104. This overcenter action biases the main shaft 118 such that the lever 104 is biased toward either the closed or open position, depending on whether the lever 104 is between the intermediate and closed positions or between the intermediate and open positions.
[0172] Referring to Figures 10 to 13, Figure 10 shows a front view of the mechanical assembly 210, which includes a main shaft 118 coupled to a lever 104, with the lever 104 in the open position; Figure 11 shows the mechanical assembly 210 of Figure 10 with the lever 104 in the closed position; Figure 12 shows a rear view of the mechanical assembly 210 of Figure 10 with the lever 104 in the open position; and Figure 13 shows a rear view of the mechanical assembly 210 of Figure 10 with the lever 104 in the closed position. The mechanical assembly 210 can be found inside the pump 100 in Figure 1.
[0173] Lever 104 is coupled to a first bevel gear 122, which rotates as a result of the movement of lever 104. In other words, lever 104 is coupled to the first bevel gear 122 and acts on the first bevel gear 122. The first bevel gear 122 is coupled to a second bevel gear 124, which is coupled to the main shaft 118. As a result of the combined action of lever 104, the main shaft 118 rotates around its central axis.
[0174] Generally, the upper shaft 298 rotates together with the main shaft 118. However, the upper shaft 298 is not directly coupled to the main shaft 118, and in some environments, it may rotate independently of the main shaft 118. A more detailed explanation of environments in which the upper shaft 298 rotates independently of the main shaft 118 will be provided later with reference to Figures 31 and 32.
[0175] The rotation of the main shaft 118 causes the lift cam 120 to rotate. The rotation of the lift cam 120 causes the spring plunger 116, the inlet valve 198, and the outlet valve 200 to move away from the tube 216 and out of the raceway 168. That is, the spring plunger 116, the inlet valve 198, and the outlet valve 200 retract away from the tube 216 and into the end effector port 214 (see Figures 2 to 4). Further details of the lift cam 120 will be described later.
[0176] Referring to Figures 10 to 13, as shown in Figures 10 and 12, when the lever 104 is in the open position, the locking thread 132 is configured to allow the door catch 114 to open and close the door 102 (see Figure 1) freely without locking it. However, the door catch 114 is biased to either hold the door 102 or release it. When the lever 104 is in the closed position (see Figures 11 and 13), the locking thread 132 allows the door 102 (see Figure 1) to close by allowing the door catch 114 to receive the retainer 164 (see Figure 4). However, when the lever 104 is in the closed position and the door 102 is closed, the locking thread 132 locks the door 102 by preventing the door catch 114 from releasing the retainer 164 (see Figure 4) after the door 102 has been locked by the locking thread 132. Details of the locking thread 132 will be described later.
[0177] As also shown in Figures 10 to 13, the carriage assembly 160 can be seen. The carriage housing 148 receives the slide clamp 152 into the carriage 150 so that it rotates within it. When the lever 104 is in the open position as shown in Figure 10, the gear 212 rotates the carriage 150 so that the slide clamp 152 can be inserted into the carriage 150. After the slide clamp 152 is inserted, when the lever 104 is operated to the closed position (shown in Figures 11 and 13), the carriage 150 rotates and the slide clamp 152 rotates, eliminating the kink in the tube 216, thereby allowing the fluid to flow through the tube 216. Details of the carriage assembly 160 will be described later.
[0178] Please refer to Figures 14 to 16 for the following explanation of the operation of the lift cam 120. Figures 14 to 16 all show cross-sectional views along the same plane. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the peristaltic pump 100 showing the lift cam 120 when the lever 104 is in the closed position. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the peristaltic pump 100 showing the lift cam 120 when the lever 104 is between the closed and open positions, and Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the peristaltic pump 100 showing the lift cam 120 when the lever 104 is in the open position.
[0179] As shown in Figure 14, the lift cam 120 is positioned on the main shaft 118 so as to rotate along the lift cam pin 130. The axis of the lift cam pin 130 is offset from the central axis of the main shaft 118. The lift cam 120 is biased counterclockwise by the cam lifter torsion spring 126 as shown in Figure 14, but those skilled in the art will know how to configure the pump 100 for clockwise bias.
[0180] In Figure 14, the lift cam 120 is not engaged with the spring plunger 116, and the position of the spring plunger 116 is based on the rotational position of the plunger cam 184 and / or the filling volume of the tube 216. The spring plunger 116 includes an end effector 128 that engages with the tube 216 located within the raceway 168.
[0181] In Figure 14, the end effector 128 of the spring plunger 116 is shown in the extended position, thereby protruding from the end effector port 214 (and thus engaging with the tube 216). The seal 218 prevents fluid from flowing in or out through the end effector port 214, even when the end effector 128 is fixed to the spring plunger 116.
[0182] As can be easily seen in Figure 15, when the lever 104 is moved toward the open position, the main shaft 118 rotates and the lift cam 120 engages with the spring plunger 116. Because the outer surface 220 of the lift cam 120 frictionally engages with the spring plunger 116, the lift cam 120 rotates when the lever 104 is moved toward the open position as shown in Figure 15.
[0183] Figure 16 shows the lever 104 in the fully open position, with the lift cam 120 fully lifting the spring-loaded plunger 116 so that the end effector 128 fully retracts into the end effector port 214. In Figure 16, the retraction of the spring-loaded plunger 116 makes the tube 216 visible. The plunger cam follower 192 is also acting to move away from the plunger cam 184 so that it no longer contacts the plunger cam 184. The lift cam 120 similarly acts on the inlet valve 198 and the outlet valve 200. That is, the lift cam 120 also engages with the inlet valve 198 and the outlet valve 200, which are also spring-loaded.
[0184] Referring to Figures 17 to 19, Figure 17 shows an enlarged view of the locking thread 132 of the mechanical assembly 210 of the peristaltic pump 100 in Figure 1 when the lever 104 is in the closed position. Figure 18 shows an enlarged view of the locking thread 132 when the lever 104 is between the closed and open positions, and Figure 19 shows an enlarged view of the locking thread 132 when the lever 104 is in the open position.
[0185] Figure 17 shows the lever 104 in the closed position, and therefore the locking thread 132 is in the extended position. When the locking thread 132 is in the extended position, the thread cam follower 176 contacts the hook cam 144, causing the claw 134 to move away from the main shaft 118. That is, the hook cam 144 engages with the thread cam follower 176 in such a way that it extends the thread cam follower 176 as far away from the main shaft 118 as possible. Thus, Figure 17 shows the state in which the hook cam 144 has actuated the locking thread 132 to its fully extended position.
[0186] When the locking thread 132 is in the extended position, the door 102 and door catch 114 can initially be released, but as soon as the door catch 114 is moved to the closed position (for example, when the door 102 is closed), the door catch holder 234 of the door catch 114 engages between the claw 134 and the thread base 136. That is, when the door catch 114 rotates to the locked position, the locking thread 132 is in the extended (or locked) position and is therefore prevented from being released.
[0187] Figure 18 shows lever 104 in a partially actuated position with the hook 146 of hook cam 144 engaged on thread cam follower 176. Hook cam 144 includes a retraction space 238 so that thread cam follower 176 can be pulled toward main shaft 118. Figure 19 shows lever 104 in a fully open position such that the hook 146 of hook cam 144 has fully retracted the locking thread 132. When the claw 134 is pushed toward hook cam 144, the claw 134 pulls the door catch 114 toward the open position (or unlocked position), thereby opening the door 102.
[0188] Referring to Figures 2, 19, and 25, when the lever 104 is moved from the closed position to the open position, the claw 134 pulls the door catch retainer 234, causing the door catch 114 to rotate along the channel 236 of the door catch retainer 234, thereby rotating the pin catch 166 to a position where it no longer engages with the retainer 164 of the door 102. Since the door 102 can be opened in a spring-loaded manner, once the door catch 114 is no longer engaged with the retainer 164 of the door 102, the door 102 can swing open.
[0189] Referring again to Figure 19, the latching thread 132 is connected to a door catch spring 224, which is connected to a door catch anchor 232. The door catch spring 224 pushes the door catch anchor 232, thereby causing the door catch 114 to act in an "overcenter" manner. The overcenter action of the door catch spring 224 makes the door catch 114 bistable in the locked or open position. As shown in Figure 19, when the claw 134 is in the retracted position, the claw 134 is free to move away from the door catch holder 234 (see Figure 25), so the door catch 114 can move freely between the open position and the locked (or closed) position.
[0190] Figure 20 shows the door catch 114 and locking thread 132 of the peristaltic pump 100 from Figure 1, viewed from the front of the pump 100. The door catch interface 222 separates the outer part of the door catch 114, where the pin catch 166 protrudes outward from the door catch interface 222, from the inner part of the door catch 114 on which the locking thread 132 operates. Figure 21 shows the locking thread 132, which includes a thread base 136 and a claw 134 pivotally coupled to the thread base 136 around the axis of a thread cam follower 176. The thread cam follower 176 is fixed to both the thread base 136 and the claw 134 via a thread pin 178. A thread spring 142 is coupled to the claw 134. The thread base 136 slides back and forth within the block 138 of the door catch interface 222, as shown in Figure 22.
[0191] Figure 22 shows the door catch 114 and locking thread 132 of the peristaltic pump 100 from Figure 1, viewed from the rear of the pump 100. The claw 134 of the locking thread 132 is in the locked position. The thread spring 142 is connected to the claw 134 and to the anchor pin 140 of the block 138. The thread spring 142 biases the claw 134 toward the thread base 136 and the locking thread 132 toward the door catch retainer 234. However, the position of the thread base 136 within the block 138 is controlled by the hook cam 144 (see Figure 19).
[0192] Figure 23 shows the door catch 114 and the locking thread 132, with the claw 134 of the locking thread 132 in the retracted position. As can be easily seen in Figure 23, the door catch retainer 234 is pulled back by the claw 134. In this position, the locking thread 132 is pulled back because the lever 104 is actuated in the open position, and the claw 134 is lifted away from the door catch retainer 234, so that the door catch retainer 234 can move freely between the two positions shown in Figures 22 and 23. The force of the door catch spring 224 on the door catch anchor 232 pushes the door catch retainer 234 to one of the positions shown in Figures 22 and 23.
[0193] Figure 24 shows the door catch 114 and a portion of the block 138 that houses the latching thread 132 for the peristaltic pump 100 in Figure 1. An anchor pin 140 on the upper portion of the block 138, which is secured to the bottom portion of the block 138 by a screw 240, is also shown in the exploded view. As can be easily seen in Figure 24, the door catch retainer 234 is operable between two positions. Figure 25 shows the door catch 114 which is rotatable along a pivot defined by a channel 236. The channel 236 can accept any device that makes the door catch 114 pivotable, such as a pin, flange or projection on the door catch interface 222.
[0194] Referring to Figures 26 to 28, Figure 26 shows a cross-sectional view of the peristaltic pump 100 of Figure 1 with the hook cam 144 in the unhooked position, and Figure 27 shows a cross-sectional view of Figure 26, but with the hook cam 144 partially acting toward the cam follower of the locking thread 132. Figure 28 also shows a cross-sectional view of Figure 26, but with the hook cam 144 fully acting so that the hook 146 is coupled to the cam follower of the locking thread 132 and the locking thread 132 is completely retracted.
[0195] As can be seen in the consecutive Figures 26, 27, and 28, the hook 146 of the hook cam 144 grips the thread cam follower 176, retracting the locking thread 132. As the claw 134 is pulled back, the door catch retainer 234 retracts within the claw 134. Then, as shown in Figure 28, the door catch 114 becomes disengaged. When the door 102 is fully opened as shown in Figure 28, the door catch retainer 234 can move freely between the open and closed positions. The door catch spring 224 pushes the door catch anchor 232 so that the door catch 114 is bistable between the positions shown in Figure 26 and Figure 28. Also, it is easily observable in Figure 28 that the block 138 lifts the claw 134 when it retracts due to the hook cam 144 despite the thread spring 142. In other words, the surface of block 138 provides a camming action to the claw 134 such that the claw 134 is lifted when the locking thread 132 is retracted by the hook cam 144. The thread spring 142 biases the claw 134 toward the thread base 136. Figure 29 shows the hook cam 144 in an enlarged view to show a retraction space 238 that allows a portion of the claw 134 to retract closer to the main shaft 118.
[0196] Figure 30 shows an exploded view of the coupling 242 that connects the main shaft 118 to the upper shaft 298 of the peristaltic pump 100 in Figure 1, and Figure 31 is an exploded view of the coupling 242 in Figure 30, but shown from a different viewing angle.
[0197] Referring to both Figures 30 and 31, the coupling 242 includes an intermediate connector 250, a first connector 282, and a second connector 284. The embodiments shown herein show a hook cam 144 and the first connector 282 integrated together. The intermediate connector 250 is fixedly coupled to the main shaft 118. The hook cam 144 rotates around the main shaft 118 (see Figure 19). The second connector 284 is fixedly coupled to the upper shaft 298 (see Figure 19).
[0198] The intermediate connector 250 includes a first flange 252 that can interact with either a first fastener 256 or a second fastener 258 of the first connector 282. The intermediate connector 250 also includes a second flange 254 that can interact with a third fastener 260 or a fourth fastener 262 of the second connector 284. The first flange 252 engages with the first fastener 256 of the first connector 282, and when the lever 104 is moved from the closed position to the open position, the rotation of the main shaft 118 rotates the intermediate connector 250 (via direct coupling), pressing the first flange 252 against the first fastener 256, thereby acting on the hook cam 144 to retract the locking thread 132. Similarly, the second flange 254 engages with the third fastener 260, and when the lever 104 is moved from the closed position to the open position, the rotation of the main shaft 118 causes the intermediate connector 250 to rotate (via direct coupling), pressing the second flange 254 against the third fastener 260, and causing the second connector 284 to rotate together with the main shaft 118, and because the upper shaft 298 is directly coupled to the second connector 284, the interaction of the second flange 254 with the third fastener 260 causes the main shaft 118 and the upper shaft 298 to rotate together with each other when the lever 104 is moved from the closed position to the open position.
[0199] The first shaft spring 246 torsion biases the intermediate connector 250 relative to the first connector 282, and the second shaft spring 248 torsion biases the intermediate connector 250 relative to the second connector 284. The coupling 242 causes the main shaft 118 to continue rotating by a predetermined amount when the gear 212 is locked, thereby keeping the upper shaft 298 stationary. As will be described in more detail later, the chocks 154 of the carriage assembly 160 (see Figure 33) can prevent the carriage 150 from rotating, and can also prevent the gear 212 (see Figures 32 and 33) from rotating. Since the gear 212 is fixedly coupled to the upper shaft 298, when the gear 212 is prevented from rotating, the upper shaft 298 is also prevented from rotating.
[0200] In other words, if a user attempts to operate the lever 104 to the closed position while the door 102 is open, the lever 104 will quickly spring back to the open position when the user releases their hand from the lever 104, thus preventing the user from closing the lever 104 to maintain it in the closed position. Rather than completely stopping any movement of the lever 104 when a user attempts to operate the lever 104 to the closed position while the door 102 is open, the coupling 242 provides spring resistance until the lever 104 reaches the fully closed position. The main shaft 118 is not shown in Figures 30 and 31, but as described above, the main shaft 118 is rotationally separated from the upper shaft 298, thereby allowing them to rotate independently. When the door 102 is open, the coupling 242 allows a predetermined amount of movement of the lever 104 toward the closed position until the lever 104 is fully closed, or, in other embodiments, the coupling 242 prevents any additional movement. When the door 102 is closed, the upper part of the main shaft 118 is not locked, and the lever 104 can move freely to the closed position.
[0201] When door 102 is open and the user attempts to operate lever 104 from the open position to the closed position, the main shaft 118 continues to rotate. Since the main shaft 118 is coupled to the intermediate connector 250, the intermediate connector 250 rotates as a result of the operation of lever 104. However, the gear 212 is locked because door 102 is open, thereby locking the upper shaft 298. Therefore, the second connector 284 does not rotate, and the first connector 282 also does not rotate because the hook cam 144 cannot overcome the biasing force of the door catch spring 224 that holds the latch thread 132 in the retracted position. Referring to Figures 30 and 31, in this situation, the intermediate connector 250 rotates because it is connected to the main shaft 118, and the first connector 282 and the second connector 284 remain stationary when the user attempts to close lever 104 with door 102 open. The hook cam 144 does not rotate in this situation because it is fixedly connected to the first connector 282. The first flange 252 moves away from the first retainer 256, thereby charging the first shaft spring 246, and the second flange 254 moves away from the third retainer 260, thereby charging the second shaft spring 248. When the user releases their hand from the lever 104, the charging of the first shaft spring 246 and the second shaft spring 248 causes the lever 104 to open quickly. Alternatively, if the user attempts to close the door 102 while holding the lever 104 in the fully closed position against the biasing forces of the first shaft spring 246 and the second shaft spring 248, the lifter pin 226 is activated, causing the lifter spring 228 to push the lift 156. However, because the wheel chock 154 (see Figure 33) is locked by force (via the first shaft spring 246 and the second shaft spring 248), the lifter spring 228 cannot overcome the force required to lift the lift 156 and release the carriage 150 (as will be described in more detail later).Nevertheless, the locking thread 132 overcomes the spring 224 (through the assistance of the door 102 which brings the door catch 114 into operation), thereby allowing the hook cam 144 to rotate so that the first stopper 256 locks again with the first flange 252. However, as soon as the user releases their hand from the lever 104, the lever 104 quickly releases, and the charge of the second shaft spring 248 causes the hook cam 144 to quickly retract the locking thread 132 again.
[0202] Figure 32 shows a cross-sectional view of the peristaltic pump 100 of Figure 1. The gear 212 can actuate the carriage 150 by the operation of the main shaft 118. That is, the gear 212 connects the main shaft 118 to the carriage 150 (see Figures 34 to 36), thereby allowing the carriage 150 (see Figures 34 to 36) to rotate. The rotation of the carriage 150 causes the tube 216 to be either in a closed or open position within the slide clamp 152. Figures 32, 34, and 35 correspond to the state in which the carriage 150 is positioned to close the tube 216 within the slide clamp 152, while Figure 36 corresponds to the state in which the carriage 150 is positioned to open the tube 216 within the slide clamp 152. Figure 33 shows the lifter pin 226 in a position that can correspond to either Figure 35 or Figure 36.
[0203] Figure 32 shows the lifter pin 226 in a position that prevents the carriage 150 from rotating when the user attempts to close the lever 104 while the door 102 is open. Figure 33 shows the lifter pin 226 in a position that allows the carriage 150 to rotate in response to the user closing the lever 104 while the door 102 is closed.
[0204] When door 102 is open as shown in Figure 32, the lifter pin 226 protrudes from the hole (see Figures 2-4 for a clear view of the end of the lifter pin 226), ensuring that the carriage 150 is locked and prevented from rotating in direction 608 as shown in Figure 34. As shown in Figure 34, the chock 154 is positioned in the groove of the notch 268, thereby preventing the carriage 150 from rotating to the position shown in Figure 36. That is, the chock 154 locks the carriage 150. When door 102 is open as shown in Figure 32, the chock 154 engages with the notch 268 as shown in Figure 34. Because door 102 is open, the lifter pin 226 is not pushing the lift 156 through the lifter spring 228. Since carriage 150 is coupled to gear 212, which is mechanically coupled to the main shaft 118, the above prevents the lever 104 from operating toward the closed position. This feature prevents the user from operating the lever 104 to close the door 102 while it is open. Closing the door 102 operates the stopper 154 (via the lifter pin 226) to exit the notch 268.
[0205] Figure 33 shows the same cross-sectional view as Figure 32, but with the door 102 closed, thereby acting to move the lifter pin 226 away from the door 102 in order to compress the lifter spring 228 that operates the lift 156. That is, as shown in Figure 33, when the door 102 is closed, it pushes the end of the lifter pin 226 (see Figures 2-4), thereby acting the lifter pin 226 in the direction indicated by arrow 604 in Figure 33. The lifter pin collar 230 is fixedly coupled to the lifter pin 226, and therefore, when the door 102 is closed to the position shown in Figure 33, both the lifter pin collar 230 and the lifter pin 226 move in the direction of arrow 604.
[0206] As described above, when the door 102 is closed, it abuts against the end of the lifter pin 226 (see Figures 2-4), thereby acting the lifter pin 226 in the direction of arrow 604, as shown in Figures 32 and 33. As the lifter pin 226 acts away from the door 102, the lifter pin collar 230 also moves away from the door 102, thereby compressing the lifter spring 228 against the lift 156. The compression of the lifter spring 228 applies force to the lifter pin 226, thereby acting the lift 156 away from the door 102, as the lift 156 is coupled to the chock 154, as shown in Figures 34-36. The chock 154 is pivotally coupled to the carriage assembly 160 via a chock pivot 606.
[0207] As shown in Figure 32, when the door 102 is open, the lifter pin 226 acts to move away from the lift 156 so that the chock 154 engages with the notch 268, as shown in Figure 34. Figure 34 shows a cross-sectional view of the peristaltic pump 100 of Figure 1, as does Figure 34, which shows a cross-sectional view of the carriage assembly 160 with the door 102 open and the lever 104 open. As shown in Figure 33, when the door 102 is closed, causing the lift 156 to move away from the carriage 150, the compression of the lifter spring 228 on the lift 156 coupled to the chock 154 also causes the chock 154 to move away from the carriage 150, as shown in Figure 35. Figure 35 shows the same cross-sectional view as Figure 34, but with the door 102 closed, thereby causing the chock 154 to move out of the notch 268.
[0208] In other words, the actuation of the lift 156 away from the carriage 150 activates the chock 154, allowing the carriage 150 to rotate freely. When the chock 154 is lifted away from the lift 156, it cannot engage with the notch 268 of the carriage 150, as shown in Figure 35, and therefore the carriage 150 can rotate freely. When the chock 154 engages with the notch 268 of the carriage 150, as shown in Figure 34, the carriage 150 cannot rotate to the position shown in Figure 36. When the lever 104 is closed, the carriage 150 can rotate to the position shown in Figure 36 in the direction 608, indicated by the clockwise arrow in Figures 34 and 35. Figure 36 is the same cross-sectional view as Figure 35, but shows the carriage 150 in the rotated position brought about by the closing of the lever 104.
[0209] As shown in Figure 34, the slide clamp retainer 170 includes a retainer hook 286 and a spring body 288. The slide clamp retainer 170 allows the slide clamp 152 to snap into the carriage 150 and provides resistance when the slide clamp 152 is pulled out from the carriage 150.
[0210] Figure 37 shows the carriage assembly 160 of the peristaltic pump 100 of Figure 1 from the bottom side of the carriage 150, and Figure 38 shows the carriage assembly 160 of the peristaltic pump 100 of Figure 1 from the top side of the carriage 150. Figure 37 shows the gear connector 290 that mechanically connects the carriage 150 to the main shaft 118. The carriage assembly 160 includes the carriage housing 148, the chock 154, the chock spring 180, the gear connector 290, and the window 264. The window 264 allows light (e.g., generated by an LED) to shine through it. A sensor on the other side of the window 264 can detect which part of the window 264 is closed and / or which part of the window 264 is shining light through it. The slide clamp ID hole 294 of the slide clamp 152 may indicate a binary number that can be used to identify the slide clamp 152 and / or the set to which the slide clamp 152 is mounted. As shown in Figure 37, when the carriage 150 is in the closed position, the cover 266 blocks the entrance to the carriage assembly 160 (see also Figure 37).
[0211] Figure 39 shows the carriage assembly 160 of the peristaltic pump 100 of Figure 1, viewed from the bottom side of the carriage assembly 160, with the bottom portion of the carriage housing 148 removed for clarity. As shown, the cover 266 is readily visible as blocking the inlet of the carriage assembly 160, thereby preventing any insertion of anything into the carriage 150 while the carriage 150 is rotated to the closed position. The fluid portion 270 of the slide clamp 152 is located above the carriage assembly hole 292, thereby allowing fluid to flow through the tube 216. The carriage assembly hole 292 holds the tube 216 so that when the carriage 150 is in the open position, the tube 216 is positioned between the closing portions 272 of the slide clamp 152. This requires that the slide clamp 152 be loaded onto and removed from the carriage 150 by the user only when the slide clamp 152 is blocking the tube 216.
[0212] After the slide clamp 152 is secured within the carriage 150 and the door 102 is closed, the carriage 150 rotates by the operation of the lever 104 to the closed position so that the carriage assembly hole 292 holds the tube 216, allowing the tube 216 to be located within the fluid portion 270 of the slide clamp 152. Once the tube 216 is positioned within the fluid portion 270, the fluid can flow easily through the tube 216. Figures 40 and 41 show illustrations of the carriage 150 of the peristaltic pump 100 of Figure 1. The notch 268 is easily visible as the cover 266.
[0213] Figure 42 shows the carriage 150 with its upper portion removed to reveal the guide surface 149 of the carriage 150. The guide surface 149 is configured so that the stabilizer 278 of the slide clamp 152 allows the tube 216 to slide within the curved slot 151 of the slide clamp 152 due to the insertion force applied to the thumb rest 280, which will be described in more detail later.
[0214] Figures 43–48 show several diagrams of a slide clamp 152 that can be inserted into the carriage 150 of the peristaltic pump 100 of Figure 1. The slide clamp 152 includes a body 296 that defines an arched slot 151 that receives a tube 216 inside. The arched slot 151 includes a closure portion 272 and a flow portion 270. The slide clamp 152 also includes a stabilizer 278. The stabilizer 278 facilitates the insertion of the slide clamp 152 into the carriage 150. A thumb rest 280 is shown that provides a friction area for a person to push the slide clamp 152 into the carriage 150. As can be easily seen in Figure 43, the thumb rest 280 includes an extension 274. Within the extension 274 is a slide clamp ID hole 294 for light to identify the slide clamp 152. In Figure 43, the slide clamp ID hole 294 is easily seen. In Figure 45, the back surface 276 is easily seen.
[0215] Figures 49 to 53 show a sequence of events in which the slide clamp 152 shown in Figures 43 to 48 is inserted into the carriage assembly 160 of the peristaltic pump 100 shown in Figure 1. The carriage 150, as shown in Figures 49 to 53, is shown with its top removed to easily observe the interaction between the stabilizer 278 and the guide surface 149. The stabilizer 278 and the guide surface 149 interact with each other to prevent the slide clamp 152 from being inserted into the carriage at an angle that clamps the tube 216.
[0216] First, before inserting the slide clamp 152 of the dosing set, the user can position the tube 216 at any location within the arc-shaped slot 151. If the user positions the tube 216 within the end of the occlusion portion 272 of the arc-shaped slot 151, the carriage 150 can accept the slide clamp 152, and the tube 216 is occluded within the arc-shaped slot 151 without moving or repositioning the tube 216.
[0217] However, if the user partially positions the tube 216 within the fluid portion 270 or between the fluid portion 270 and the end of the occluded portion 272, the carriage assembly 160 repositions the tube 216 to the end of the occluded portion 272 when the slide clamp 152 is inserted into the carriage 150.
[0218] Figure 49 shows the initial insertion of the slide clamp 152 with the tube 216 inside the fluidized section 270. As can be seen in the sequence of events in Figures 49 to 53, as the slide clamp 152 is inserted, the tube 216 slides within the end of the occluded section 272 as shown in Figure 34. During this process, the stabilizer 278 and the guide surface 149 interact with each other to prevent the tube 216 from being pinched or damaged by forces perpendicular to the centerline of the arc-shaped slot 151.
[0219] In other words, when the user presses the thumb rest 280, the guide surface 149 guides the clamp 152 to its fully inserted position within the carriage 150, as shown in Figure 53, while adjusting the angle of the slide clamp 152 to transmit the force from the thumb rest 280 to the tube 216 so that the tube 216 receives a force substantially parallel to the centerline of the arched slot 151. When the user attempts to insert the slide clamp 152 and tries to rotate it counterclockwise (from the viewpoint shown in Figures 49 to 53), the stabilizer 278 comes into contact with the guide surface 149 and is therefore guided by the guide surface 149. Thus, the stabilizer 278 of the slide clamp 152 prevents the tube 216 from being pinched or damaged by the interaction between the carriage 150 and the slide clamp 152. The stabilizer 278 and the guide surface 149 reduce the transmission of the user's force pressing the slide clamp 152 to the tube 216. This force pushes the tube perpendicular to the centerline of the arc-shaped slot 151, thereby trapping the tube 216 within the channel defined by the hole 106 (see Figure 2) when the tube 216 is moved perpendicular to the centerline of the arc-shaped slot 151, thus clamping the tube 216.
[0220] Figure 54 shows a top view of the carriage assembly 160 of the peristaltic pump 100 of Figure 1, to which the sensor board 161 is coupled. Figure 55 shows the same figure as Figure 54, but the sensor board 161 is shown to be transparent to reveal a group of LEDs 165 which are part of the slide clamp ID sensor 163. The slide clamp ID sensor 163 includes LEDs 165 used to generate light, which may be visible light, invisible light, infrared light, near-infrared light, ultraviolet light, narrowband light, broadband light, or any preferred combination thereof, within the optical portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The slide clamp ID sensor 163 also includes an optical sensor 153, which may be a linear array of photosensitive elements, such as a 128 grayscale detector. Furthermore, as can be easily seen in Figure 56, the slide clamp ID sensor 163 includes an optical pipe 155.
[0221] LED 165 emits light that passes through the inside of the light pipe 155 on the side of the carriage assembly 160 opposite to the side to which the sensor board 161 is coupled. FIG. 57 shows a light pipe 155 including a light receiving side aperture 167 that receives light from the LED 165 (FIG. 56) and a transmission aperture 157 that transmits light through a window 264 of the carriage assembly 160 (see FIG. 37 for the bottom side window 264) on the bottom side of the carriage assembly 160. When the slide clamp 152 is within the carriage 150 and the carriage 150 is positioned at the lever closed position when the lever 104 is closed (as shown in FIG. 39), the light passes through the slide clamp ID hole 294 of the extension portion 274 (see FIG. 43).
[0222] Referring again to FIGS. 55 and 56, as can be readily seen, by using the light pipe 155, a single sensor board 161 can accommodate the LED 165 and the optical sensor 153. The sensor board 161 also includes a rotational sensor 169 that can be a rotary encoder coupled to the end of the upper shaft 298 (see FIG. 11).
[0223] FIG. 58 shows a flowchart diagram of a method 400 of using the peristaltic pump 100 of FIG. 1. The method 400 can include acts 401-415. Act 401 is to operate the lever 104 to the open position by the user. That is, if the lever 104 was previously closed, the user can operate to open the lever 104, whereby the door 102 is opened as described above, which is shown as act 402 in the method. Act 402 is to open the door 102 and rotate the carriage 150 to a position where it receives the slide clamp 152 in response to the operation of the lever 104 to the open position (see FIG. 34). At this position, if the carriage 150 already contains a slide clamp 152 (for example, from a previous treatment), the user can remove this slide clamp 152 and replace it with a new clamp 152, which is because in act 402, the carriage 150 has rotated to a position where the user can remove or insert the slide clamp 152. Act 403 is to operate the spring plunger 116, the inlet valve 198, and the outlet valve 200 to the retracted position in response to the operation of the lever 104 to the open position. This facilitates the easy insertion of the tube 216 into the raceway 168 without being obstructed by one or more of the spring plunger 116, the inlet valve 198, and / or the outlet valve 200.
[0224] Act 404 is for the user to move the slide clamp 152 to the closed position on the tube 216. Act 404 is optional, which is because during act 405, the user will insert the slide clamp 1 into the carriage 150, and as described above with reference to FIGS. 49-53, the tube 216 can be automatically moved to the closed position in the arcuate slot 151 during the insertion of the clamp 152 into the carriage 150.
[0225] Action 406 prevents the user from attempting to operate the lever 104 to the closed position while the door 102 remains open. Action 407 allows the user to close the door 102. Action 408 releases the carriage 150 in response to the closing of the door 102. Action 409 allows the user to operate the lever 104 to the closed position. Action 410 rotates the carriage 150 in response to the operation of the lever 104 to the closed position, positioning the tube 216 within the slide clamp 152 in the unclosed position. Action 411 releases the spring plunger 116, inlet valve 198, and outlet valve 200 from their retracted positions in response to the operation of the lever 104 to the closed position. That is, the lift cam 120 (or 302) ceases to interact with the spring plunger 116, inlet valve 198, and outlet valve 200. Action 412 illuminates multiple LEDs 165 at multiple predetermined locations on the slide clamp 152, such as the slide clamp ID hole 294. Action 413 determines whether each of the multiple predetermined locations on the slide clamp 152 is optically blocked or not by detecting illumination from the multiple LEDs 165. Action 414 generates a binary number based on the predetermined locations on the slide clamp 152. Action 415 allows or denies the pump 100 to enable infusion therapy based on the binary number.
[0226] Figure 59 shows the driver circuit 338 of the peristaltic pump 100 in Figure 1, which drives the LED 165 of the slide clamp ID sensor 163. The driver circuit includes an operational amplifier U15 placed in a negative feedback loop to the drive transistor Q3. The operational amplifier U15 drives its output so that a target voltage is achieved. This target voltage controls the base of transistor Q3, thereby controlling transistor Q3 to a constant current through resistor R163. This makes the current flowing from terminal 3 to terminal 2 of transistor Q3 substantially constant.
[0227] Figure 60 shows the LED circuit 339 of the peristaltic pump 100 in Figure 1, illustrating the arrangement of LEDs 165 of the slide clamp ID sensor 163. The LED_SETID_SINK_F_INT pin is coupled to the output of the circuit in Figure 59, which has the same label. A constant current causes LEDs D1, D2, and D3 to generate optical signals that are detected through the optical pipe 155. LEDs D1, D2, and D3 may be LEDs 165 as shown in Figures 55 and 56.
[0228] Figure 61 shows a photosensor circuit 340 of the peristaltic pump 100 of Figure 1, which detects light received after light from LED 165 has passed through the slide clamp ID hole 294 of the extension 274 of slide clamp 152. The photosensor circuit of Figure 61 uses a linear detector shown as IC U3. In some embodiments of this disclosure, IC U3 may be part number TSL1401CCS manufactured by ams AG at Tobelbader Strasse 308141, Premstaetten, Austria. However, any suitable photosensor 153 may be used, including, but not limited to, other linear photosensors. IC U3 may be the photosensor 153 shown in Figure 55. The output of IC U3 is processed by an analog-to-digital converter (not shown), which in some given embodiments is incorporated within the processor, and then transmitted to the processor via pin 6 of IC U3. However, the analog-to-digital converter may be a separate integrated circuit from the processor.
[0229] Figure 62 shows a flowchart 1000 illustrating how data from the optical sensor shown in Figure 61 is used to identify the slide clamp 152. The presence or absence of a hole on the slide clamp 152 can include 10 locations, each corresponding to 10 bits, so that each can identify 10 different codes, each corresponding to the model number of the infusion set connected to the slide clamp 152. The 10 codes may have a Hamming distance of 4 relative to each other. Also, if any code is shifted to the left or right, the shifted code has a Hamming distance of 3 if the shift is less than 3, and a Hamming distance of 2 if the shift is 3 or greater. The codes may have even numbers of 1s and 0s, for example, 6 / 4 or 8 / 2. The codes may have at least 6 transitions from 1 to 0 or 0 to 1.
[0230] This method includes actions 1001 to 1014. Action 1001 is to perform a self-test on the light sensor while the door is open. The light sensor can be 128 pixels wide, and each bit can be 11 pixels wide or more. Action 1002 is to generate a dust map while the door remains open. Action 1003 is to calibrate the light sensor. Action 1004 is to insert the slide clamp. Action 1005 is to close the door. Action 1006 is to close the lever. Action 1007 is to illuminate the LED. Action 1008 is to read the image from the light sensor. The PI controller can control the exposure so that the average image intensity is in the midrange or other predetermined value, or close to it. Action 1009 is to downsample the image. For example, each grayscale value in the image can be downsampled from 12 bits to 8 bits. Action 1010 is to verify the image. For example, the variance and mean must be within the predetermined range being verified. Action 1011 performs edge detection on the image to generate an edge detection image. Edge detection can be performed using a modified Prewitt kernel with a kernel function {-1,-2,-3,0,3,2,1}. Action 1012 generates a convolution image by convolving the edge detection image with a correlation template. Action 1013 identifies edge transitions using the convolution image. The region with the highest intensity can be considered the center of the bit. The position is then based on a certain distance to the left or right of where the value is expected to be. That is, the original image is sampled by a threshold using the bit index to determine whether the position is "1" or "0". Each value is, in some given embodiments, the average of five pixels centered on the sample point. Action 1014 identifies the slide clamp. A lookup table can be used to correlate the value with the IV set part number.
[0231] Generally referring to the drawings, Figures 63 to 96 show alternative embodiments of the peristaltic pump 100 of Figure 1, in which an alternative lift cam 121, an alternative mechanical coupling mechanism between the shaft and the carriage 150, and an alternative door catch 308 are used, and the whole is referenced as peristaltic pump 300.
[0232] Figure 63 shows a rear view of the peristaltic pump 300 with the rear cover removed. The lift cam 302 is shown, and the lift cam 302 includes a flange 304. The flange 304 restricts the movement of the lift cam 302 toward the spring plunger 116. Figure 64 shows another view of the peristaltic pump 300 of Figure 63 to show the operation of the lift cam 120 by showing the lever 104 in the open position. The lift cam 302 has rotated to the lifted position, but as shown in Figure 64, the flange 304 prevents the lift cam 302 from sliding beneath the spring plunger 116. Figure 65 shows a cross-sectional view of the lift cam 120 of the peristaltic pump 300 of Figure 63 when the lever 104 is in the open position. As shown in Figure 65, the flange 304 prevents the lift cam 302 from sliding beyond a predetermined rotation angle. The lift cam 302 is biased by the cam lifter torsion spring 126 in the direction of arrow 311. Figures 66 to 72 show the lift cam 120 of the peristaltic pump 300 of Figure 63 from various viewing angles.
[0233] Figure 73 shows the peristaltic pump 300 of Figure 63 from a rear view, showing the door catch connecting bar 306 between the door catch 308 and the linear ratchet 309. The door catch spring 310 is connected to the door catch connecting bar 306 and the linear ratchet 309. The door catch connecting bar 306 is pivotally connected to the frame 312 and can therefore swing back and forth. The door catch spring 310 operates using an overcenter action as described above, thereby making the door catch 308 bistable. Figure 74 shows the peristaltic pump 300 of Figure 63 to provide another view of the door catch connecting bar 306 between the door catch 114 and the linear ratchet 309. As shown in Figure 74, the central span of the door catch connecting bar 306 is rotatably connected to the frame 312, thereby causing the linear ratchet 309 to change state in response to the operation of the door catch 308. The linear ratchet 309 can be in a ratched or non-ratched state. In the ratched state, the linear ratchet 309 can act as a lock preventing the rotation of the carriage 150. In other words, the linear ratchet 309 in the peristaltic pump 300 performs the locking action that is performed by the chock 154 in the peristaltic pump 100 in Figure 1. The linear ratchet 309 also includes a chock 318 that locks the main shaft 118 via the carriage connecting bar 335 rather than acting directly on the carriage 150.
[0234] Figure 75 shows an enlarged view of the interaction between the door catch spring 310 and the door catch 308. Figure 75 also shows the door catch connecting bar 306 of the peristaltic pump 300 of Figure 63, with the door catch 308 of door 102 in the open position and the lever 104 in the open position. As can be seen, the door catch spring 310 includes a ball 314 that interacts with a socket 315 forming a ball bearing 316. When door 102 is open, the door catch 308 may be in a position such that the door catch connecting bar 306 acts on the linear ratchet 309 to a ratcheted state. In the ratcheted state, the linear ratchet 309 prevents the main shaft 118 from rotating when the user attempts to close the lever, thereby preventing the user from closing the lever 104 while door 102 remains open. Figure 76 shows the same enlarged view as Figure 75, but with the door catch 308 in the door closed position and the lever 104 in the open position. When the user closes the door 102, the door catch 308 is activated, which in turn activates the door catch spring 310, which in turn activates the door catch connecting bar 306, which disengages the linear ratchet 309. That is, at this point, the door 102 is closed, so the user can close the lever 104. Figure 77 is an enlarged view of the same figure 76, but shows the lever 104 after it has been moved to the closed position. As described above, when the lever 104 was moved to close, the linear ratchet 309 was in the disengaged position, so the lever 104 can be closed.
[0235] Figures 78–84 show several diagrams of a door catch 308, including a socket 315 that receives a ball 314 from a door catch spring 310. The door catches 308 in Figures 78–84 operate similarly to the door catch 308 shown in Figure 25, except that the door catch 308 has a socket 315 that connects to the door catch spring 310 instead of a door catch anchor 232 as shown in Figure 25. The door catch 308 includes a door catch 114. The door catch 308 includes a pin catch 166, a door catch retainer 234, and a channel 236 that allows the door catch 308 to pivot.
[0236] Figure 85 shows an enlarged view of the linear ratchet 309 when the door 102 is open and the lever 104 is open. The linear ratchet 309 includes a toothed connecting bar 317 and a chock 318, the chock 318 being able to rotate along pivots 319, 320, thereby engaging or disengaging from the toothed connecting bar 317. The chock 318 is coupled to the connecting bar 325 through a chock hole 321. The connecting bar 325 is able to slide through the chock hole 321.
[0237] The chock 318 includes a pivotable end, which is connected to pivots 319 and 320, and is configured such that an engaging end, such as a tooth 341 (see Figures 90 to 92), can pivot to engage or disengage the toothed connecting bar 317. The door catch connecting bar 306 can rotate around the shaft 329. Since the door catch connecting bar 306 is slidably engaged with the chock hole 321, the movement of the door catch connecting bar 306 around the shaft 329 raises or lowers the teeth 341 of the chock 318, thereby engaging or disengaging the toothed connecting bar 317.
[0238] As shown in Figure 85, the door catch 114 is in the open door 102 position, which causes the door catch spring 310 to pivot along the spring pivot 322. Since the door catch spring 310 is coupled to the door catch connecting bar 306 via the door catch spring hole 323 (see Figure 77), when the door catch spring 310 is actuated to the door open position, the connecting bar 325 rotates along arrow 324, thereby actinguating the connecting bar 325 coupled to the chock 318. The teeth 341 of the chock 318 actuate in the direction of arrow 326. This engaged state of the chock 318 means that the chock 318 pivots so that the teeth 341 of the chock 318 engage with the toothed connecting bar 317, preventing the user from closing the lever. That is, when the teeth 341 engage with the toothed connecting bar 317, the linear ratchet 309 is locked.
[0239] Figure 86 shows an enlarged view of the linear ratchet 309 when the door 102 is closed and the lever 104 is open. The teeth 341 of the chock 318 are actuated in the direction of arrow 330 by the rotation of the door catch connecting bar 306 in the direction indicated by arrow 331. The actuated teeth 341 of the chock 318 away from the toothed connecting bar 317 disengage the chock 318 from the toothed connecting bar 317, thereby disengaging the linear ratchet 309. As shown in Figure 87, when the linear ratchet 309 is disengaged, the user can close the lever 104. That is, Figure 87 shows an enlarged view of the linear ratchet 309 when the door 102 is closed and the lever 104 is also closed.
[0240] Figures 88 and 89 show the peristaltic pump 300 of Figure 63, with some parts removed to show the mechanical coupling mechanism between the main shaft and the carriage 150, with the door catch 308, door 102, and lever 104 in the open position. The mechanical coupling mechanism includes a toothed coupling bar 317 coupled to the main shaft 118 via a first pin pivot 332. The toothed coupling bar 317 is connected at only one end (i.e., via the first pin pivot 332). The mechanical coupling mechanism also includes a carriage coupling bar 335, one end of which is connected to the main shaft 118 via a second pin pivot 333 and the carriage shaft collar 336 via a third pin pivot 334.
[0241] As described above, when the door catch 114 is in the door open position, the teeth 341 of the stopper 318 engage with the toothed connecting bar 317. As can be seen in Figure 88, in this position, the toothed connecting bar 317 is locked by the stopper 318, preventing the main shaft 118 from rotating in direction 337. Therefore, when a user attempts to close the lever 104, the toothed connecting bar 317 cannot be actuated toward the main shaft 118. This prevents the user from closing the lever 104 before the door 102 is closed.
[0242] Figures 90 and 91 show the peristaltic pump 300 of FIG. 63 with some parts removed to show the mechanical coupling mechanism between the shaft and the carriage 150, where the door 102 and the door catch 308 are in the closed position and the lever 104 is in the open position. As can be seen, the teeth 341 of the detent 318 are actuated to move away from the toothed connecting bar 317, whereby the toothed connecting bar 317 can retreat towards the main shaft 118. Thus, the user can then operate the lever 104 to the closed position.
[0243] Figure 92 shows the peristaltic pump 300 of FIG. 63 with some components removed to show the mechanical coupling mechanism between the shaft and the carriage 150, where the lever 104 is between the open and closed positions while the door 102 and the door catch 114 are in the closed position. Since the main shaft 118 is partially rotated in the direction 337 by the actuation of the lever 104, the carriage connecting bar 335 pulls the carriage shaft collar 336 to rotate together with the carriage collar 336 to rotate together with the attached carriage 150. Figure 93 shows the peristaltic pump 300 of FIG. 63 when the lever 104 is closed. As can be seen, the carriage shaft collar 336 is fully rotated so that the carriage 150 is in the position as shown in FIG. 36 at this time.
[0244] Figures 94 to 96 show the detent 318 of the peristaltic pump 300 of FIG. 63 from several viewpoints. Figure 96 shows a cross-sectional view of the detent 318 along the view shown in FIG. 94. In Figure 96, the teeth 341 that engage with the teeth of the toothed connecting bar 317 shown above in FIGS.. 73 to 93 are shown.
[0245] Figures 97 and 98 show alternative embodiments of the peristaltic pump 1020 in which an alternative mechanical assembly 1021 is used between the lever 104 and the main shaft 118. Figures 97 and 98 also show one embodiment of the peristaltic pump 1020 in which an alternative carriage 1036 is used. The peristaltic pump 1020 provides elasticity between the lever 104 and the main shaft 118 via a spring 1026. In some predetermined embodiments, the spring 1026 is a torsion spring.
[0246] As shown in Figure 97, when in operation, the spring 1026 provides elasticity to bias the first coupling mechanism 1022 and the second coupling mechanism 1024 outward toward the end of the track 1028 via its end. When the end of the spring 1026 remains at the end of the rack 1028, the track 1028 moves when the lever 104 is actuated and moves the second coupling mechanism 1024. That is, when the spring 1026 maintains the first coupling mechanism 1022 and the second coupling mechanism 1024 at their maximum distance from each other on the track 1028, the first coupling mechanism 1022 and the second coupling mechanism 1024 remain at a predetermined distance from each other at their respective ends on the track 1028. However, when the door is open, the main shaft 118 (see Figure 98) is effectively locked and therefore cannot rotate. Thus, the spring 1026 can be compressed as described later. Guide 1034 is configured to guide coupling mechanisms 1022 and 1024 along track 1028. Each of coupling mechanisms 1022 and 1024 includes guide 1034 which maintains coupling mechanisms 1022 and 1024 in a predetermined position on track 1028.
[0247] Referring now to Figure 99, when the lever 104 is actuated, the first coupling mechanism 1022 applies force to the spring 1026, but when the second coupling mechanism 1024 is locked (for example, because the carriage is locked as the door 102 is open), as the spring 1026 is compressed, the first coupling mechanism 1022 moves closer to the second coupling mechanism 1024 as guided by the track 1028. Finally, the first coupling mechanism 1022 engages with the second coupling mechanism 1024, in which case the lever 104 is stopped by a hard stop.
[0248] Lever 104 can pivot to actuate the first coupling mechanism 1022. When the main shaft 118 is not locked, this actuate also actsuate the second coupling mechanism 1024. As shown in Figures 100 and 101, actinguate the second coupling mechanism 1024 causes the first bevel gear 1030 to rotate, which in turn causes the second bevel gear 1032 to rotate. The second bevel gear 1032 is attached to the main shaft 118. The lower portion of the shaft can extend from the second bevel gear 1032 by being attached to it (not shown in Figures 100 and 101). When the main shaft 118 cannot rotate and thereby compress the spring 1026, the first coupling mechanism 1022 slides along the track 1028. Furthermore or alternatively, when the main shaft 118 cannot rotate, the second coupling mechanism 1024 slides along the track.
[0249] Figures 102 to 105 show some diagrams of a slide clamp assembly 1038 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The slide clamp assembly 1038 includes an upper housing 1040 and a lower housing 1042. A tube 1046 is connected to the slide clamp assembly 1038 via a pipe fitting 1044. The slide clamp assembly 1038 can block the fluid flow through the tube 1046 or allow the fluid to flow freely through the tube 1046.
[0250] An unbound or bound fluid flow can be brought into the tube 1046 via the operation of the first link 1052 and the second link 1050. Figures 102 and 103 show the slide clamp assembly 1038 in the bound position, and Figures 104 and 105 show the slide clamp assembly 1038 in the unbound position. When the slide clamp assembly 1038 is in the bound position as shown in Figures 102 and 103, the user can push the first link 1052 via the finger groove 1062 to actuate the second link 1050 and the first link 1052 to the unbound position as shown in Figures 104 and 105. Similarly, when the slide clamp assembly 1038 is in the unbound position as shown in Figures 104 and 105, the user can push the flange 1058 to actuate the second link 1050 and the first link 1052 to the bound position as shown in Figures 102 and 103.
[0251] The slide clamp assembly 1038 also includes a housing aperture 1048, which can be used to detect the shape of the identification aperture 1060, to determine whether the slide clamp assembly 1038 is properly or improperly loaded, and to determine the shape of the slide clamp assembly 1038 (e.g., closed vs. open position). Identification can be performed using optical recognition of the pattern of the identification aperture 1060 as described herein. Figure 106 shows a cross-sectional view of the slide clamp assembly 1038 showing a pivot post 1054, around which the second link 1050 can pivot. When the first link 1052 and the second link 1050 are in the closed position as shown in Figure 106, the plunger 1064 closes the tube 1046 by wedge-tightening it between the plunger 1064 and the backstop 1066. A shutter aperture 1056 is shown that blocks or allows light to pass through, depending on whether the slide clamp assembly 1038 is in a closed or open position.
[0252] The second link 1050 pivots around the pivot post 1054. The first link 1052 is connected to the second link 1050 via a ball bearing 1068 (see Figure 107). The first link 1052 is guided within the track 1072 by the guide 1070 when in operation. Figure 108 shows the slide clamp assembly 1038 with the upper housing 1040 removed while in the closed position, and Figure 109 shows the slide clamp assembly 1038 with the upper housing 1040 removed while in the unclosed position. As shown in Figure 108, when the first link 1052 is in the closed position, the plunger 1064 is relatively close to the backstop 1066, and when the second link 1050 is in the unclosed position, the plunger 1064 is at a predetermined distance from the backstop 1066. The second link 1050 and the first link 1052 are coupled to each other via a ball bearing 1068. Guide 1070 positions the first link 1052 such that the rotation of the second link 1050 along the pivot post 1054 results in the linear motion of guide 1070 along the track 1072, as shown in Figures 110–114. Figures 108 and 109 also show how the position of the shutter aperture 1056 is positioned differently based on the position of the second link 1050. Figures 110–114 show several diagrams of the lower housing 1042 of the slide clamp assembly 1038, including the track 1072. Note the identification aperture 1060, which can be used to identify the slide clamp assembly 1038 as described herein.
[0253] The first link 1052 includes a first contact surface 1114 and a third contact surface 1118. The second link 1050 includes a second contact surface 1116 and a fourth contact surface 1020. As shown in Figure 108, when the slide clamp assembly 1038 is in the closed position, the first contact surface 1114 contacts the second contact surface 1116. As shown in Figure 109, when the slide clamp assembly 1038 is in the unclosed position, the third contact surface 1118 contacts the fourth contact surface 1120. In some embodiments, the movement of the first link 1052 can be restricted by the secondary guide 1074 limiting the range of motion that the secondary guide 1074 can move within the secondary track 1076 (see Figure 119). Referring again to Figures 108 and 109, in some predetermined embodiments of the present disclosure, the compliance of the tube 1046 can cause the slide clamp assembly 1038 to be bistable, with one stable configuration being the closed position as shown in Figure 108 and the other stable configuration being the unclosed configuration as shown in Figure 109 (Figures 108 and 109 show the hole 1122 in which the tube 1046 is positioned (see Figure 107)). In alternative embodiments, one or more springs can be used to bias the second link 1050 and the first link 1052 into the two bistable configurations.
[0254] Figures 115–119 show several views of the upper housing 1040 of the slide clamp assembly 1038. A track 1072 is shown that can guide the movement of the first link 1052 via a secondary guide 1074 (see Figures 108 and 109 along with Figures 115–119). Figures 120–124 show several views of the first link 1052 of the slide clamp assembly 1038 with a plunger 1064, and Figures 125–129 show several views of the second link 1050 of the slide clamp assembly 1038. Figures 130–133 show several views of the pipe fitting 1044 of the slide clamp assembly 1038.
[0255] Figures 134 to 138 show the slide clamp assembly 1038 inserted into the carriage 1036. In Figure 134, the slide clamp assembly 1038 is in an un-closed position. When the slide clamp assembly 1038 is inserted into the alternative carriage 1036, the cooperating surface 1094 interacts with the second link 1050, acting on both the second link 1050 and the first link 1052 to position the slide clamp assembly 1038 in the closed position shown in Figures 135 and 136. As shown in Figure 136, the slide clamp assembly 1038 acts to be in the closed position before being inserted into the alternative carriage 1036. Thus, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the peristaltic pump 1020 is configured to accept only the slide clamp assembly 1038 in the closed position. Furthermore, if the slide clamp assembly 1038 is not in the closed position before insertion, the peristaltic pump 1020 acts to bring the slide clamp assembly 1038 into the closed position before acceptance (in some predetermined embodiments, before partial acceptance; in other predetermined embodiments, before or during full acceptance).
[0256] Figure 137 shows a fully inserted slide clamp assembly 1038 with the gripper fingers 1086 engaged with the flange 1058. As shown, a tube shutter 1078 is also shown which operates when the slide clamp assembly 1038 engages. A shaft coupler 1080 is coupled to the shaft of the peristaltic pump 1020. The shaft coupler 1080 can be coupled to the main shaft 118 directly, via one or more gears or coupling mechanisms, through another shaft, or through any other mechanical mechanism known to those skilled in the art.
[0257] Once the slide clamp assembly 1038 is fully inserted into the carriage 1036, the user can actuate the lever 104, thereby rotating the shaft coupler 1080 along the pin 1082. The interlock arm 1084 includes a second finger 1088 and a first finger 1090, and the actuation of the pin 1082 into the catchwell 1124 acts the interlock arm 1084, thereby acting the gripper finger 1086. The gripper finger 1086 engages with the flange 1058, and the actuation of the gripper finger 1086 acts the first link 1052 and the second link 1050 into an un-closed position by pulling the flange 1058 away from the slide clamp assembly 1038. Figure 139 shows a perspective view of the internal mechanism of the carriage 1036 when the end effector 1092 is engaged with the flange 1058 of the slide clamp assembly 1038, and Figure 140 shows a perspective view of the internal mechanism of the carriage 1036 when the end effector 1092 is engaged with the flange 1058 of the slide clamp assembly 1038 in the unclosed position. The end effector 1092 can apply force to the flange 1058, thereby acting the slide clamp assembly into the unclosed position as shown in Figure 140. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first finger 1090 and the second finger 1088 can be combined and integrated as a single structure, for example, forming a loop around a pin 1082. The pin 1082 may be an extension, a roller wheel, a roller bearing, a cam, a rotating cam, a wheel, a sliding projection, or any suitable device known to those skilled in the art.
[0258] Figures 134 to 138 also show the operation of the tube shutter 1078. Figure 141 shows the front view of the carriage orifice including the cooperating surface 1094 and the tube shutter 1078. Figure 142 shows the front view of the carriage orifice with the slide clamp assembly 1038 inserted and the tube shutter 1078 open.
[0259] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the shaft coupler 1080 can be rotated (clockwise as seen in Figure 138) to actuate the slide clamp assembly 1038 to the closed position, provided that the gripper finger end effector 1092 is of a suitable shape and is suitably configured, as shown in Figure 138. In even further embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in Figure 138, when the user pulls the slide clamp assembly 1038 out of the carriage, the carriage wall actsuate the first link 1050 and the second link 1052 to the closed position.
[0260] Figures 143 to 146 show some illustrations of other embodiments of the slide clamp assembly 1038. The slide clamp assembly 1038 in Figures 143 to 146 is similar to the slide clamp assembly 1038 in Figures 102 to 105 described above, but alternative features are described here, or these alternative features will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in the relevant field.
[0261] As shown in Figure 143, the upper housing 1040 has an identification aperture 1060. Figure 144 shows the housing aperture 1048 on the lower housing 1042. Open and closed fluid flow can be performed through the tube 1046 via the operation of the first link 1052 and the second link 1050. Figures 143 and 144 show the slide clamp assembly 1038 in the closed position, and Figures 145 and 146 show the slide clamp assembly 1038 in the open position. When the slide clamp assembly 1038 is in the closed position as shown in Figures 143 and 144, the user can push the first link 1052 via the finger groove 1062 to actuate the second link 1050 and the first link 1052 to the open position as shown in Figures 145 and 146. Similarly, when the slide clamp assembly 1038 is in the unclosed position as shown in Figures 145 and 146, the user can push the flange 1058 to operate the second link 1050 and the first link 1052 to the closed position as shown in Figures 143 and 144.
[0262] The slide clamp assembly 1038 also includes a housing aperture 1048, which can be used to detect the configuration of the identification aperture 1060, to determine whether the slide clamp assembly 1038 is properly or improperly loaded, and can be used to determine the configuration of the slide clamp assembly 1038 (e.g., closed vs. open position) using an optical sensor as described herein. Figure 147 shows a cross-sectional view of the slide clamp assembly 1038 showing a pivot post 1054, around which the second link 1050 can pivot. When the first link 1052 and the second link 1050 are in the closed position as shown in Figure 166, the plunger 1064 closes the tube 1046 by wedge-tightening it between the plunger 1064 and the backstop 1066.
[0263] The second link 1050 pivots around the pivot post 1054. The first link 1052 is connected to the second link 1050 via a hinge 1126. When operating, the first link 1052 is guided within the track 1072 by a guide 1070. Figure 148 shows the slide clamp assembly 1038 with the upper housing 1040 removed while in the closed position, and Figure 149 shows the slide clamp assembly 1038 with the upper housing 1040 removed while in the unclosed position. As shown in Figure 150, when the first link 1052 is in the closed position, the plunger 1064 is relatively close to the backstop 1066, and when the second link 1050 is in the unclosed position as shown in Figure 149, the plunger 1064 is at a predetermined distance from the backstop 1066. The second link 1050 and the first link 1052 are connected to each other via a ball bearing 1068. Guide 1070 positions the first link 1052 such that the rotation of the second link 1050 along the pivot post 1054 becomes the linear motion of guide 1070 along the track 1072.
[0264] In some embodiments, the slide clamp assembly 1038 includes a notch 1096 configured to use optical recognition to determine when the slide clamp assembly 1038 is in a closed or open position. As shown in Figure 150, the notch 1096 aligns with the housing aperture 1048 so that optical recognition determines that the slide clamp assembly 1038 is inserted into the carriage 1036 and is in a closed position.
[0265] Figures 151–155 show several views of the upper housing 1040 of the slide clamp assembly 1038. In the embodiments shown in Figures 151–155, the pipe fitting 1044 is integrated with the upper housing 1040. In some embodiments, the tube 1046 may include a snap-fit adapter 1130 (see Figure 148) configured to interact with the pipe fitting 1044 of Figures 151–155. Figures 156–160 show several views of the lower housing 1042 of the slide clamp assembly 1038 of Figures 143–146. As shown in Figures 157 and 158, the lower housing 1042 includes a secondary track 1076. The secondary track 1076 is configured such that the flange 1128 of the second link 1050 provides a guide and, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, stops the movement of the second link 1050 in one (or both) directions of operation. Figures 161 to 165 show some diagrams of the first link 1052 of the slide clamp assembly 1038 having a plunger 1064, and Figures 166 to 170 show some diagrams of the second link 1050 of the slide clamp assembly 1038 shown in Figures 143 to 146.
[0266] Figures 171 to 174 show several diagrams of a clamping slide clamp assembly 1100 having a slide clamp 1104 with a curved slot 1110. Figures 171 and 172 show the clamping slide clamp assembly 1100 when the slide clamp 1104 is in the closed position. The slide clamp 1104 can pivot around the pivot post 1054. Figures 173 and 174 show the clamping slide clamp assembly 1100 in the unclosed position. The user can actuate the slide clamp 1104 to move the clamping slide clamp assembly 1100 to either the closed or unclosed position.
[0267] Figures 175–178 show several views of the slide clamp 1104 of the clamping slide clamp assembly 1100. Based on the pivoting of the slide clamp 1104 relative to the housing 1102 via the pivot hole 1108, the tube 1046 can be positioned between the narrow or wider portions within the arched slot 1110. As shown in Figures 175–178, the slide clamp 1104 includes a notch 1112 that can be engaged by the end effector 1092 of the gripper finger 1086. Figures 179–181 show several views of the housing 1102 of the clamping slide clamp assembly 1100. The housing 1102 is located above the slide clamp 1104 and below the slide clamp 1104, enclosing both, and in some embodiments, it can be integrated as a single piece that partially encloses the slide clamp 1104. The pivot hole 1108 of the slide clamp 1104 engages with the pivot post 1106 and pivots relative to it.
[0268] Figures 182–184 show the clamping slide clamp assembly 1100 inserted into the carriage 1036. As shown in Figure 182, when the clamping slide clamp assembly 1100 is inserted, the notch 1112 approaches the end effector 1192 of the gripper finger 1086 and can engage with it. As shown in Figure 182, the alternative carriage 1036 also includes a light sensor 1132. Figure 183 shows the fully inserted clamping slide clamp assembly 1100, with the slide clamp 1104 in the closed position. Figure 184 shows the gripper finger 1086 acting to move the slide clamp 1104 to the unclosed position in order to treat a patient. Here, the identification aperture 1060 is aligned so that it can identify the clamping slide clamp assembly 1100. A shutter can also be used as part of the alternative carriage 1036 along with the clamping slide clamp assembly 1100.
[0269] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the shaft coupler 1080 can be rotated (clockwise as seen in Figure 184) to actuate the clamping slide clamp assembly 1100 to the closed position, provided that the gripper finger end effector 1092 is of a suitable shape and is suitably configured, as shown in Figure 184. In even further embodiments of the present disclosure, when a user pulls the clamping slide clamp assembly 1100 out of the carriage in Figure 184, the carriage wall actsuate the slide clamp 1104 to the closed position.
[0270] Figure 187 shows a block diagram of a modular pump system 500 having a central unit 502 and a plurality of medical device assemblies 504 coupled together. One or more of the medical device assemblies 504 may be peristaltic pumps 100 or 300 as shown and described herein. Furthermore or otherwise, the medical device assemblies 504 may include syringe pumps 100, battery packs, micropumps, or other medical devices.
[0271] The central unit 502 provides power to the medical device assembly 504. The central unit 502 includes a left central unit connector 506 and a right central unit connector 508. The left center unit connector 506 and the right center unit connector 508 may each include power pins, communication pins, and one or more ground pins. The center unit 502 provides power to the connected medical device assembly 504 via the activated left center unit connector 506 and / or via the activated right center unit connector 508.
[0272] All medical device assemblies 504 include a left medical device connector 510 and a right medical device connector 512, which allow the medical device assemblies 504 to be connected to the modular pump system 500 from the left or right side to receive power and communicate using a common bus. Furthermore, connected medical device assemblies 504 can be configured to receive power from the central unit 502 to supply power to downstream connected medical device assemblies 504. For example, a medical device assembly 504 connected to the immediate right of the central unit 502 can subsequently be configured to supply power to another medical device assembly 504 connected to its right.
[0273] Figure 188 shows a block diagram of the modular pump system 500, illustrating the power supply circuit of the modular pump system 500. The modular pump system 500 includes a central unit 502 and one or more medical device assemblies 504. Figure 188 shows one medical device assembly 504, but one or more medical device assemblies 504 can be mounted to the right of the medical device assembly 504 shown in Figure 188 and / or to the left of the central unit 502. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 187, multiple medical device assemblies 504 can be connected in series together to the left or right of the central unit 502.
[0274] The central unit 502 includes a main electronic circuit 583, which includes a CPU 585. The main electronic circuit 583 includes additional functions other than the power supply circuit shown in Figure 188. The medical device assembly 504 includes a module electronic circuit 579, which includes a CPU 581. The module electronic circuit 579 includes an electric motor for pumping fluid, a power supply circuit, and other electronic circuits.
[0275] The modular pump system 500 is configured such that each medical device assembly 504 can be coupled to either the right central unit connector 508 of the central unit 502, the left central unit connector 506 of the central unit 502, or the left medical device connector 510 or right medical device connector 512 of another medical device assembly 504 (not shown in Figure 188) to establish sufficient communication before receiving power via the power pins. For example, the right power pin 578 is not supplied with power until after the medical device assembly 504 is connected to the right central unit connector 508 via the left medical device connector 510. Initially, the medical device assembly 504 can be sufficiently powered by itself using signals received via the communication pin 584. The medical device assembly 504 can request power by using signals received via the communication pin 584 to power the medical device assembly in a manner that allows it to passively request power from the device (e.g., the central unit or the medical device assembly 504) via the communication pin 584. Subsequently, when using a system as shown in Figure 188, the medical device assembly 504 can receive power from the central unit 502 via the left power pin 582.
[0276] When power is supplied to the central unit 502, the central unit controller 526 can turn on the left signal switch 556 to apply the signal generated by the left signal generation circuit 530 to the left communication pin 576 of the left medical device connector 510. After power is supplied, the central unit controller 526 can also switch the right signal switch 562 to the ON position to apply the signal from the right signal generation circuit 536 to the right communication pin 580 of the right central unit connector 508. In further embodiments of the present disclosure, the left signal generation circuit 530 and the right signal generation circuit 536 can be combined into a single circuit that generates a single signal to be applied to both the left communication pin 576 and the right communication pin 580. Alternatively, enable / disable circuits can be used instead of switches 556 and 562, in which case the central unit controller 526 can signal the signal generation circuits 530 and 536 to enable or disable them.
[0277] The central unit controller 526 is coupled to a left load detection circuit 546 and a right load detection circuit 548. The left load detection circuit 546 is configured to detect passive indications of power requests from medical device assemblies 504 connected to the left side (none of which are shown in Figure 188). The right load detection circuit 548 is configured to detect passive indications of power requests from medical device assemblies 504 connected to the right side (one of which is shown in Figure 188). The central unit controller 526 keeps the left power switch 558 open until a power request is received from a medical device assembly 504 connected to the left side, and similarly keeps the right power switch 560 open until a power request is received from a medical device assembly 504 connected to the right side. The left load detection circuit 546 and the right load detection circuit 548 may be current sensing circuits in some embodiments. However, any circuit known to those skilled in the art can be used to detect passive indications of power requests. In some embodiments of this disclosure, passive indication of power demand may be a change in impedance, for example, the coupling of a resistor to the communication pin 584. Load detection can be performed by monitoring current, voltage, frequency response, attenuation rate, RC constant, etc., or any combination thereof.
[0278] As described above, the right load detection circuit 548 may be a current sensor in some embodiments. Therefore, if the signal from the right signal generation circuit 536 is a voltage waveform (for example, a rectangular waveform), the right load detection circuit 548 can monitor the current of the right signal generation circuit 536 and determine whether an impedance change (for example, a decrease in resistance) has occurred in the load impedance detected by the right load detection circuit 548.
[0279] As described above, after power is turned on, the central unit controller 526 switches the right signal switch 562 to the ON position, applying the signal from the right signal generation circuit 536 to the right communication pin 580 of the right central unit connector 508. When the medical device assembly 504 is first coupled to the central unit 502, a signal is received from the right signal generation circuit 536 through the right communication pin 580 of the right central unit connector 508 and via the left communication pin 584 of the left medical device connector 510. The signal is used by the power receiving circuit 554 to initially supply power to the power receiving circuit 554. That is, the power receiving circuit 554 may use energy harvesting, such as a rectifier or charge pump, to supply power to itself.
[0280] The power receiving circuit 554 supplies power to the module detection controller 528. When the module detection controller 528 determines that a signal is present on the left communication pin 584, it signals the left load switch 566 to close, thereby coupling the left resistor 540 to the left communication pin 584. That is, the left load switch 566 is closed, thereby connecting the left resistor 540 to the left communication pin 584. This change in impedance is detected by the right load detection circuit 548 of the central unit 502 and communicated to the central unit controller 526. The central unit controller 526 interprets this change in impedance as a passive power request. Therefore, the central unit controller 526 switches the right power switch 560 on, thereby the right power circuit 534 supplies power to the right power pin 578 through the right central unit connector 508 via the left power pin 582 of the left medical device connector 510. Then, by closing switch 573, the crossbar bus 571 can be supplied with receivable power by the power receiving circuit 554. The power is received by the power receiving circuit 554 and then used to power the module electronics 579 by closing switch 577. The power receiving circuit 554 can use its power to power the module detection controller 528. In some embodiments, switch 577 can be replaced with a diode or other circuit to allow power to flow to the module electronics 579 whenever power is supplied to the crossbar bus 571.
[0281] After determining that power is being supplied from the left power supply pin 582, the module detection controller 528 can be configured, as seen in Figure 188 and in this example, to accept another medical device assembly 504 on its right side. The module detection controller 528 can set the frequency of the right signal generator circuit 536 to half the frequency it receives through the right signal generator circuit 536 of the central unit 502. The module detection controller 528 then monitors the load on the right communication pin 588 by closing the right signal switch 570 and monitoring the right load detection circuit 552. Note that the load detection circuit 550 performs the same function, however, on the other side of the medical device assembly 504. When the module detection controller 528 detects or has detected a passive power request, the module detection controller 528 can close the right crossbar switch 575 of the crossbar 572, thereby supplying power downstream, i.e., to the right as shown in Figure 188. Furthermore, if, for example, a medical device assembly 504 is connected to the other side of the central unit 502 from the one shown in Figure 188, a right resistor 542 is also coupled to a right load switch 568 used to passively request power.
[0282] The central unit controller 526 generates a fixed frequency using signal generation circuits 530 and 536, and each medical device assembly 504 reduces the frequency transmitted downstream by half. Therefore, each medical device assembly 504 coupled to the modular pump system 500 can determine its position relative to the central unit 502 by monitoring the frequency of the incoming signal at its respective communication pins 584 and 588, since the frequency of the signal generated by 530 and 536 is predetermined and known to all medical device assemblies 504. For example, the frequency values of the signals generated by 530 and 536 can be stored in the non-volatile memory within the module electronic circuit 579. The module detection controller 528 can also use the module detection controller 528 to determine which side of the central unit 502 a medical device assembly 504 is located on by monitoring the frequency of the first incoming signal. By monitoring the frequency of the first incoming signal, the medical device assembly 504 knows how many other medical device assemblies 504 (if any) are located between it and the central unit 502. Therefore, the location of the medical device assembly 504 can be used as a bus communication address to communicate with other medical device assemblies and / or the central unit 502, for example, using on-off keying modulation signals that carry Controller Area Network ("CAN") protocol signals.
[0283] Figure 189 shows power-on state diagram 590 of the central unit 502 power supply circuit shown in Figures 97 and 98. States 592, 594, and 596 show the left power supply circuit of the central unit 502, which can supply power to the mounted medical device assembly 504 via the left central unit connector 506. States 598, 600, and 602 show the right power supply circuit of the central unit 502, which can supply power to the mounted medical device assembly 504 via the right central unit connector 508. Note that the two sides of power-on state diagram 590 occur in parallel and may not be synchronized with each other in some embodiments.
[0284] In state 592, indicated as Power Up, power is supplied to the circuitry of the central unit 502, for example, when the user turns on the power switch and / or plugs the central unit 502 into an AC outlet. Subsequently, the system enters state 594, which is indicated as Left Detect. In state 594, the left reference clock (e.g., signal generation circuit 530 in Figure 188) is turned on (e.g., switch 556 is closed), and the left bus power supply (e.g., left power supply circuit 532) remains off (e.g., switch 558 remains open). The left reference clock can be generated and / or controlled by the signal generation circuit 530, which is coupled to the left communication pin 576 of the left central unit connector 506. The left bus power supply is the left power supply circuit 532, which can supply power to the left power supply pin 574 of the left central unit connector 506. As will be described in more detail later, the left reference clock signal is monitored via the left load detection circuit 546 to detect whether an impedance change indicates a passive power request from the medical device assembly 504 connected to the left side. For example, the medical device assembly 504 connected to the left side can indicate a power request by changing the resistance to the communication pin 588 of the right medical device connector 512, which is coupled to the left communication pin 576 of the left central unit connector 506, for example by grounding (for example, sinking) the resistor.
[0285] As shown in Figure 189, state 594 remains in itself unless a passive power request is detected, as indicated by the "LEFT LOAD DETECT NOT ASSERTED" transition. In state 594, if the left signal detects a left load for 100 milliseconds, it is interpreted as a passive power request, and state 594 then transitions to state 596. This transition is indicated in state diagram 590 by the "LEFT LOAD DETECT ASSERTED FOR 100 ms" transition. In state 596, the central unit 502 switches to left power-on mode and applies power to the left power pin 574 of the left central unit connector 506 (indicated by "LEFT BUS POWER=ON"). As long as a passive power request is detected, the central unit 502 will continue to supply power, which is indicated in state diagram 590 as the "LEFT LOAD DETECT ASSERTED" transition. Left bus power = ON indicates that the left power switch 558 is closed and the left power circuit 532 is connected to the left power pin 574 of the left central unit connector 506.
[0286] The right side of the power-on state diagram 590 operates similarly to the left side of the power-on state diagram 590. The two sides of the power-on state diagram 590 can operate independently and / or in parallel. As shown in Figure 189, states 598, 600, and 602 indicate the right power supply circuit of the central unit 502, which can supply power to the mounted medical device assembly 504 via the right central unit connector 508.
[0287] In state 598, indicated as Power Up, power is supplied to the circuit, for example, when the user turns on the power switch and / or plugs the central unit 502 into an AC outlet. Subsequently, the system enters state 600, which is indicated as Right Detect. In state 600, the right reference clock (e.g., signal generation circuit 536 in Figure 188) is on, and the right bus power (e.g., right power supply circuit 534) remains off or unconnected via the right power switch 560. The right reference clock can be generated and / or controlled by the signal generation circuit 536, which is coupled to the communication pin 588 of the right central unit connector 508. The right bus power is the right power supply circuit 534, which can supply power to the right power supply pin 578 of the right connector 508. The right reference clock signal is monitored via the right load detection circuit 548 to detect whether an impedance change indicates a passive indication of a power request from the medical device assembly 504 connected to the right side. For example, a medical device assembly 504 connected to the right side may add resistance to the communication pin 580 of the right medical device connector 510, which is coupled to the right communication pin 580 of the right central unit connector 508, to indicate a power requirement, for example, by grounding a resistor.
[0288] As shown in Figure 189, state 600 remains in itself unless a passive power request is detected, and is indicated by the "RIGHT LOAD DETECT NOT ASSERTED" transition. In state 600, if the right signal detects a load for 100 milliseconds, it is interpreted as a passive power request, and state 600 then transitions to state 602. This transition is indicated in state diagram 590 by the "RIGHT LOAD DETECT ASSERTED FOR 100 ms" transition. In state 602, the central unit switchable power supply circuit switches to the power-on module and applies power to the power pins of the right central unit connector 508 (indicated by "RIGHT BUS POWER = ON"). As long as a passive power request is detected and is indicated in state diagram 590 as the "RIGHT LOAD DETECT ASSERTED" transition, the right power supply circuit 534 continues to supply power. Right bus power = ON indicates that the right power supply switch 560 is closed and the right power supply circuit 534 is connected to the right power supply pin 578 of the right center unit connector 508.
[0289] Figure 190 shows a state diagram 612 of the power supply circuit of medical device assembly 504. State diagram 612 includes states 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, and 626. Within each state of state diagram 612, Table 1 defines the output values as follows. [Table 1-1] [Table 1-2] [Table 1-3]
[0290] First, we enter state 614. In state 614, the medical device assembly 504 is isolated from all power sources, such as when it is placed inside a cabinet. States 616, 618, and 620 correspond to the left side of the medical device assembly 504 being connected to the central unit 502 or another medical device assembly 504 on its left side. Similarly, states 622, 624, and 626 correspond to the right side of the medical device assembly 504 being connected to the central unit 502 or another medical device assembly 504.
[0291] When the left connector 510 detects a signal from the left communication pin 584, a transition occurs from state 614 to state 616, "LEF REF CLOCK IS PRESENT IMMEDIATELY". In state 616, "L LOAD En" is set to "1", which means that the left resistor 540 is coupled to the left communication pin 584 (for example, by closing switch 566). If no power is detected after 4 milliseconds from either the left power pin 582 or the right power pin 586, as indicated by the "LEFT AND RIGHT POWER ARE NOT PRESENT FOR 4 ms" transition, state 616 continues to transition back to itself. However, if no left clock signal is detected via the left communication pin 584 for at least 4 milliseconds, the medical device assembly 504 transitions from state 616 to 614 with a transition labeled "LEFT REF CLOCK IS NOT PRESENT FOR 4 ms".
[0292] As indicated by "LEFT OR RIGHT BUS POWER IS PRESENT FOR 32 ms", once power is received from the left power supply pin for at least 32 milliseconds, state 616 transitions to state 618. In state 618, "L BUS POWER En" is set to ON, which closes the left crossbar switch 573, thereby supplying power to the common bus 571. In some embodiments, in state 618, switch 577 is closed to supply power to the module electronics 579. Also in state 618, "R Ref Clock Out" turns on the right clock at half the frequency received via the left communication pin 584. That is, switch 570 is closed while signal generator 544 generates a square wave at half the frequency received via the left communication pin 584. Additionally, a "Pulse to uP" CkIn signal is sent to the CPU 581 (the connection is not explicitly shown in Figure 188, but it may be a wired connection), thereby letting the CPU 581 know that a clock signal has been received via the left communication pin 584. A "Dir To uP" signal is set to 0, which is sent to the CPU 581, allowing the CPU 581 to determine from which direction the signal is being received. In this exemplary embodiment, a value of 0 indicates that the signal is coming from the left communication pin 584, but the specific logical value used can be changed.
[0293] If the left clock is absent for 4 milliseconds, the medical device assembly 504 transitions from state 618 to 614 via a transition labeled "LEFT REF CLOCK IS NOT PRESENT FOR 4ms". If neither the left nor the right power pin has powered on for 4 milliseconds, the medical device assembly 504 transitions from state 618 to 616. If a passive power request is detected via the right communication pin of the medical device assembly 504, the medical device assembly 504 transitions from state 618 to state 620 if a load is detected via the right clock output for 100 milliseconds. This transition is labeled "RIGHT LOAD DETECTED FOR 100ms OF RIGHT CLOCK OUT," which corresponds to "BUS POWER XbarSWITCH ON, which means both switches 573 and 575 are closed, thereby allowing power to flow from the left power pin to the right power pin."
[0294] In state 620, if the left power pin and the right power pin have received no power for 4 milliseconds, the medical device assembly 504 transitions from state 620 to state 616 via a transition labeled "Left and right power are not presented for 4 milliseconds". In state 620, if the left reference clock has not been presented for 4 milliseconds, the medical device assembly 504 transitions from state 620 to state 614 via a transition labeled "Left reference clock is not presented for 4 milliseconds".
[0295] Referring again to Figure 190, we now describe the right branch from state 614. When the right connector 512 detects a signal from the right communication pin 588, a transition occurs from state 614 to state 622, "RIGHT REF CLOCK IS PRESENT IMMEDIATELY". In state 622, "R LOAD En" is set to "1", which means that the right resistor 542 is coupled to the right communication pin 588 (for example, by closing switch 568). If, after 4 milliseconds, no power is detected from either the left side of the left power pin 582 or the right side of the right power pin 586, as indicated by the "LEFT AND RIGHT POWER ARE NOT PRESENT FOR 4 ms" transition, state 622 continues to transition back to itself. However, if no right clock signal is detected via the right communication pin 588 for at least 4 milliseconds, the medical device assembly 504 transitions from state 622 to 614 with a transition labeled "RIGHT REF CLOCK IS NOT PRESENT FOR 4 ms".
[0296] As indicated by the transition label "LEFT OR RIGHT BUS POWER IS PRESENT FOR 32 ms", once power has been received from the right power supply pin for at least 32 milliseconds, state 616 transitions to state 624. In state 624, "R BUS POWER En" is set to ON, which closes the right crossbar switch 575, thereby supplying power to the common bus 571. In some embodiments, in state 624, switch 577 is closed to supply power to the module electronics 579. Also in state 624, "L Ref Clock Out" turns on the left clock at half the frequency received via the right communication pin 588. That is, switch 564 is closed while signal generator 569 generates a square wave at half the frequency received via the right communication pin 588. Additionally, a "Pulse to uP" CkIn signal is sent to the CPU 581 (the connection is not explicitly shown in Figure 188, but it may be a wired connection), thereby letting the CPU 581 know that a clock signal has been received via the left communication pin 584. The "Dir To uP" signal is set to 1, which is sent to the CPU 581, allowing the CPU 581 to determine from which direction the signal is being received. In this exemplary embodiment, a value of 1 indicates that the signal is coming from the right communication pin 588, but the specific logical value used can be changed.
[0297] If the left clock is absent for 4 milliseconds, the medical device assembly 504 transitions from state 624 to 614 via a transition labeled "RIGHT REF CLOCK IS NOT PRESENT FOR 4 ms". If neither the left nor the right power pin is powered for 4 milliseconds, the medical device assembly 504 transitions from state 624 to 622. If a passive power request is detected via the left communication pin of the medical device assembly 504, the medical device assembly 504 transitions from state 624 to state 626 if a load is detected via the left communication pin for 100 milliseconds. This transition is labeled "LEFT LOAD DETECTED FOR 100 ms OF RIGHT CLOCK OUT," which corresponds to the BUS POWER XbarSWITCH being turned on, meaning both switches 573 and 575 are closed, thereby allowing power to flow from the left power pin to the right power pin. If, in state 626, the left and right power pins have received no power at all for 4 milliseconds, the medical device assembly 504 transitions from state 626 to state 622 via a transition labeled "LEFT AND RIGHT POWER ARE NOT PRESENT FOR 4 ms." If, in state 626, the right reference clock has not been present for 4 milliseconds, the medical device assembly 504 transitions from state 626 to state 614 via a transition labeled "RIGHT REF CLOCK IS NOT PRESENT FOR 4 ms."
[0298] Figures 191A and 191B show timing diagrams 700 of the modular pump system 500 as two medical device assemblies 504 are coupled to a central unit 502 to illustrate the power-up sequence of the system. Timing diagram 700 shows a central unit 722 which may be the same as the central unit 502 described herein, and timing diagram 700 shows two medical device assemblies 723, 724 which may be the same as the medical device assembly 504 described herein.
[0299] In 701, the central unit 722 receives initial power. In 702, the reference clock generates a square wave, and after module 723 is installed in 708, this square wave is coupled to the communication pins of module 723. In 703, the possible power request indications are determined by detecting the impedance at the communication pins using an operational amplifier. In 705, if no load is detected within 100 milliseconds, in 704, the power applied to the right power supply pin is turned off (if it was already on). If a load is detected, in 706, the detected load is communicated to the microprocessor, and in 707, the right power supply bus is turned on to supply power to the right power supply pin.
[0300] Timing diagram 700 also shows the operation of the medical device assembly 723 when coupled to the central unit 722. This mounting is shown in 708. In 709, the medical device assembly 723 uses the signal received from the central unit 722 and harvests it using a charge pump. If the clock is confirmed (710) (for example, determined by a predetermined number of signals to be a clock with appropriate features), 710 transitions from 711 to 713; otherwise, 710 transitions to 711 and returns to 710. For example, the first few samples of a square wave can be ignored so that transient signals generated by user touch do not result in a false positive for a passive power request. Furthermore or alternatively, the clock can be started on the rising edge of the waveform, and a predetermined amount of time may need to elapse before the square wave is considered valid if the clock exceeds a predetermined threshold, and those skilled in the art will recognize variations including the use of positive logic, negative logic, or inverted logic to implement this touch detection feature. In 712, a reference signal clock and a copy of the signal on the receiving end are sent to the processor, which in turn allows the processor to determine its position within the system 500.
[0301] In 713, a load is applied to the communication pins, after which assembly 723 transitions to 714, where it waits for power via the power pins. That is, 714 transitions from 716 to 715 until power is received, after which assembly 723 transitions to 717. In 717, the module is powered from the power bus.
[0302] At 718, the signal is directed to be applied to the communication pin on the opposite side of the central unit 722, on the opposite side of the central unit 722. At 719, the operational amplifier monitors the load on the communication pin, and if no load is detected for 100 milliseconds, the operational amplifier transitions to turn off the power bus at 720 and return to 719. Otherwise, 721 transitions from 722 to turn on the crossbar and supply power downstream to assembly 724. Assembly 724 operates similarly to assembly 723 and as shown by timing diagram 700. Note that assemblies 723 and 724 operate similarly regardless of whether the central unit 722 is applying the signal or another assembly 504 is applying the power (except that a frequency change of the clock indicating relative position is used).
[0303] Figures 192A to 192C show a block diagram of a modular pump system 500, including a central unit 800 and a medical device assembly 801. The central unit 800 includes a dual hot-swap controller 822 that applies power to power supply pins, controlled by a controller 802 via a driver 804. The controller generates a clock signal via a driver 805, which the driver 805 uses a current sensor 803 to determine changes in impedance as described above. An analog comparator 806 communicates the output of the current sensor 803 (operational amplifier design) to a control logic circuit 807. The controller 802 uses the state diagram and / or timing diagram described above.
[0304] Assembly 801 (shown in Figure 192B; another assembly is shown in Figure 192C) includes a controller 808. The controller 808 controls the crossbar switch 817 via a driver 818. Power can be supplied to the controller 808 via a left charge pump diode 809 or a right charge pump diode 810. A clock can be generated for application to the left communication pin via a driver 813 or to the right communication pin via a driver 814. A left current sense 811 detects changes in the impedance of the left communication pin, and a right current sense 812 detects changes in impedance when the clock is applied to the right communication pin.
[0305] Driver 815 controls whether load 819 is coupled to the left communication pin, and driver 816 controls whether load 820 is applied to the right communication pin. The dual hot-swap controller 822 can supply power to the module electronic circuit 821 via either the left or right power supply pin.
[0306] Figures 103A to 103J show the circuitry of a modular pump system 500 to illustrate an assembly ID circuit that can be used, for example, in the modular pump system described herein.
[0307] Figure 193A shows a buffer circuit that buffers the output signal when applied to the communication pin. U3 may be part number SN74LVC2G17DBVR manufactured by Texas Instruments at 12500 TI Blvd., Dallas, TX75243.
[0308] Figure 193B shows controller U5. Controller U5 may be part number SLG46721V from Dialog Semiconductor at 100 Longwater Avenue, Green Park, Reading RG2 6GP, United Kingdom. Figure 193C shows a debug header. Figure 193D shows a voltage regulator for a central unit or modular assembly. Figure 193E shows a power regulation circuit. Figures 193F and 193G show power regulation circuits. Figure 193H shows another debug header. Figure 193I shows a dual hot-swap controller. Device U4 may be part number LTC4226IMS-2#PBF manufactured by Analog Devices at One Technology Way, POBox 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106, United States of America. Figure 193J shows a crossbar switch.
[0309] Figure 194 shows a block diagram of the communication circuit of a modular pump system. Communication modules 900, 901, and 902 are shown. Modules 900, 901, and 902 may each be part of a central unit or assembly. Module 901 includes an RF stripline 906 that forms a communication bus. The communication bus may also be used for the startup sequence described above. One end of the bus includes a transmit / receive coil 903. The other end has another transmit / receive coil 904 coupled to a resonator 905. The resonator communicates with another module through an air gap as shown in Figure 194. The top of the resonator 905 is coupled to interface with the bus via a transceiver 907.
[0310] Figure 195 shows a circuit diagram interfaced within the communication bus of a modular pump system. A CAN peripheral device 918 is coupled to a signal-transmitting buffer 916 and another signal-receiving buffer 917.
[0311] The transmit / receive module 908 modulates the CAN value with an on / off keying carrier signal. For transmission, the carrier frequency is generated using a spread spectrum clock generator 914, which is on-off modulated in a clock buffer 912. A bandpass filter 910 isolates the circuit, and a splitter 909 allows the signal to interface with the bus. The on-off carrier signal is also received by the splitter 909, passes through a bandpass filter 911, and is demodulated by a power detector 913. A comparator 915 converts the broadband signal into a CAN on-off signal so that it is received by a buffer 917. Figure 196 shows the PCB diagram of the resonator 905.
[0312] In an alternative embodiment, the central unit generates a wide-spectrum signal, and each assembly transmits the on / off values necessary for CAN communication based on on / off keying modulation of the signal.
[0313] A person skilled in the art can devise various alternative and modified forms without departing from this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is intended to encompass all such alternative, modified, and modified forms. Furthermore, while some embodiments of this disclosure are shown in the drawings and / or discussed herein, this disclosure is not limited to them. This is because this disclosure is as broad as the art allows, and this specification is intended to be read in the same way. Therefore, the above description should be interpreted not as limiting, but merely as an example of a particular embodiment. A person skilled in the art will also conceive of other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended herein. Other elements, steps, methods, and techniques that are substantially no different from those described above and / or in the appended claims are also intended to be within the scope of this disclosure.
[0314] The embodiments shown in the drawings are presented solely to demonstrate some examples of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the drawings provided are illustrative and non-exclusive. In the drawings, for illustrative purposes, some elements may be depicted with exaggerated sizes or not at a specific scale. Additionally, elements shown in the drawings with the same number may, depending on the context, be identical or similar elements.
[0315] Where the term “compriseing” is used in this specification and in the claims, it does not preclude other elements or steps. Where an indefinite or definite article, for example, “a, an” or “the,” is used to refer to a singular noun, it includes the plural noun unless otherwise specifically stated. For this reason, the term “compriseing” should not be interpreted as being limited to the item described before it, nor should it preclude other elements or steps, and therefore the expression “a device comprising items A and B” should not be limited to a device consisting only of components A and B. This expression means, with respect to this disclosure, that A and B are simply components related to the device.
[0316] Furthermore, terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third,” whether used herein or in the claims, are provided to identify similar elements and are not necessarily provided to indicate a sequential or chronological order. Terms used in this manner are (unless otherwise expressly disclosed) interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, and it should be understood that embodiments of the disclosure described herein may operate in orders and / or arrangements other than those described or illustrated herein. A first aspect of the present invention is: A pump for treating patients, A spring-loaded plunger biased in the direction of acting relative to the tube, A camshaft configured to actuate the spring-type plunger, A lever that can be operated between the closed position and the open position, A shaft connected to the lever, having a central axis at the center along the length of the shaft, and connected to the lever so as to rotate about the central axis in accordance with the operation of the lever, A lift cam pivotally connected to the shaft, the lift cam pivots about a lift cam axis, the lift cam axis of the lift cam is parallel to the central axis of the shaft, and as the shaft rotates in accordance with the operation of the lever to the open position, the lift cam engages with the spring-loaded plunger and lifts the spring-loaded plunger from the camshaft, It is a pump equipped with [a certain feature]. A second aspect of the present invention is: The pump according to the first embodiment further comprises a torsion spring that biases the lift cam to rotate toward the spring-type plunger. A third aspect of the present invention is: A pump according to a first embodiment, further comprising a first bevel gear coupled to the lever, which rotates when the lever is operated. A fourth aspect of the present invention is: A third embodiment of the pump further comprises a second bevel gear positioned on the shaft so as to rotate together with the shaft, wherein the first bevel gear engages with the second bevel gear. A fifth aspect of the present invention is: The pump according to the first embodiment includes a lift cam with an arched outer surface configured to engage with the spring-type plunger. A sixth aspect of the present invention is: The pump according to the first embodiment further comprises a spring that biases the shaft to rotate along the central axis of the shaft. A seventh aspect of the present invention is: This is a pump according to a first embodiment, wherein the central axis of the shaft is offset from the lift cam axis. An eighth aspect of the present invention is: This is a pump according to the first embodiment, further comprising a shaft spring coupled to the aforementioned shaft. A ninth aspect of the present invention is: The pump according to the eighth embodiment is configured such that the shaft spring operates the lever to an open or closed position. A tenth aspect of the present invention is: The pump according to the eighth embodiment is configured such that the shaft spring acts on the lever by an over-centering action. An eleventh aspect of the present invention is: The first embodiment of the pump is such that when the lift cam lifts the spring-type plunger from the camshaft, it causes the end effector to move away from the tube. A twelfth aspect of the present invention is: The first embodiment of the pump is such that when the lift cam lifts the spring-type plunger from the camshaft, it causes the end effector to act toward the shaft. A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is: A pump for treating patients, A door having an open position and a closed position, A door catch configured to hook the door when the door is in the closed position, A latching thread configured to engage and disengage the door catch, comprising a latching thread with a cam follower, A hook cam configured to engage with the cam follower, the hook cam includes a hook configured to actuate the locking thread to release the door catch, It is a pump equipped with [a certain feature]. A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is: The aforementioned locking thread, A thread base configured to operate toward and away from the shaft, The claws connected to the thread base, A pump of the 13th embodiment, comprising the following: A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is: A pump according to a 14th embodiment, wherein the thread base is coupled to the cam follower. A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is: A pump according to a 14th embodiment, wherein the claw is pivotably coupled to the thread base. A 17th aspect of the present invention is: A pump according to a 16th embodiment, wherein the claw is pivotably coupled to the thread base on the shaft of the cam follower. An eighteenth aspect of the present invention is: A pump according to a 14th embodiment, further comprising a threaded spring coupled to the claw so as to bias the claw. A 19th aspect of the present invention is: The pump according to the 18th embodiment is such that the thread spring biases the claw toward the shaft. A 20th aspect of the present invention is: The pump according to the 18th embodiment is such that the thread spring biases the claw away from the shaft. A 21st aspect of the present invention is: A pump of a 18th embodiment, comprising a block, further comprising a block configured to allow the thread base to slide back and forth within a channel of the block, wherein the thread spring is coupled to the block. A 22nd aspect of the present invention is: A pump according to a 14th embodiment, wherein the claw is pivotably coupled to the thread base adjacent to the cam follower of the locking thread. A 23rd aspect of the present invention is: A pump of a 14th embodiment, wherein the claws are pivotably coupled to each side of the cam follower of the locking thread. A 24th aspect of the present invention is: With additional pins, The claws are pivotably coupled to the pins on each side of the cam follower of the latching thread, The cam follower rotates around the pin, The aforementioned pin defines the pin axis, The aforementioned hook cam rotates around the cam shaft, A pump according to a 14th embodiment, wherein the pin axis is parallel to the cam axis. A 25th aspect of the present invention is: A pump according to a 24th embodiment, further comprising a shaft, the hook cam being positioned along the cam axis such that it rotates together with the shaft. A 26th aspect of the present invention is: A block, wherein the thread base slides within the block, The anchor to which the aforementioned block is connected, A spring connected to the claw and the anchor, A thirteenth embodiment of the pump further comprising the above. A 27th aspect of the present invention is: This is a pump of a 26th embodiment, wherein the anchor is a pin. A 28th aspect of the present invention is: The aforementioned hook cam is positioned above the shaft, A lever coupled to the shaft, wherein when the lever is in the closed position, the hook cam engages with the cam follower; A thirteenth embodiment of the pump further comprising the above. A 29th aspect of the present invention is: This is a pump of a 28th embodiment, wherein when the lever is operated to the door open position, the hook cam rotates such that the hook of the hook cam engages with the cam follower of the locking thread and pulls the locking thread toward the shaft. A 30th aspect of the present invention is: The pump of a 28th embodiment is characterized in that the hook cam defines a recessed space configured to receive the locking thread when the locking thread is fully actuated toward the hook cam. A 31st aspect of the present invention is: The pump according to a 13th embodiment is such that the door catch is operable between a hooking position and a locking position. A 32nd aspect of the present invention is: A pump of a 31st embodiment further comprising a spring coupled to the door catch, wherein the spring pushes the door catch so that the door catch is bistable in the hooking position or the locking position, and the spring biases the door catch towards the closer of the two positions when the door catch is between the hooking position and the locking position. A 33rd aspect of the present invention is: The 32nd embodiment of the pump is such that the stability is due to the over-centering action provided by the spring. A 34th aspect of the present invention is: The door catch includes a door catch holder, A pump of a thirteenth embodiment, wherein the locking thread includes a claw pivotably coupled to the locking thread. A 35th aspect of the present invention is: The pump according to a 34th embodiment is such that when the hook cam remains on the locking thread and the locking thread is retracted toward the hook cam, the claw of the locking thread engages the door catch holder and moves the door catch from the locked position to the hooked position. A 36th aspect of the present invention is: A 34th embodiment of the pump, wherein the hook cam remains on the locking thread, and when the locking thread is retracted toward the hook cam, the block acts to move the end of the claw away from the thread base, with the end of the claw on the opposite side from the pivotable coupling. A 37th aspect of the present invention is: The aforementioned door catch, A channel configured to pivot the aforementioned door catch, A pin catcher designed to hook the pin, A door catch retainer configured to engage with the claw of the aforementioned latching thread, A door catch anchor is configured to be coupled to a door catch spring so as to make the aforementioned door catch bistable, A pump of the 13th embodiment, comprising the following: A 38th aspect of the present invention is: A pump for treating patients, Carriage housing and A carriage disposed within the carriage housing and configured to receive a slide clamp, wherein the carriage is pivotable within the carriage housing, and the carriage housing includes a tube retainer that holds a tube when the carriage pivots within the carriage housing. A pivot connected to the carriage such that the carriage pivots around an axis, It is a pump equipped with [a certain feature]. A 39th aspect of the present invention is: The pump according to the 38th embodiment is a gear connector for the pivot. A 40th aspect of the present invention is: A pump according to a 38th embodiment, further comprising a stopper that is pivotably coupled to the carriage housing and configured to engage with a slot in the carriage to stop the rotation of the carriage in a first pivot direction. A forty-first aspect of the present invention is: A pump according to a fortyth embodiment, further comprising a stopper spring coupled to the carriage housing and the stopper so as to bias the stopper relative to the carriage. A 42nd aspect of the present invention is: A lifter pin configured to act in response to closing a door on the pump, and a lift configured to be coupled to the stopper and to receive the lifter pin, A pump of the forty-first embodiment further comprising the above. A forty-third aspect of the present invention is: The pump according to a 42nd embodiment includes a lifter spring configured to lift the lift when a predetermined amount of force is applied to the lifter pin from the closed door. A 44th aspect of the present invention is: A stopper is pivotably coupled to the carriage housing and configured to engage with a slot in the carriage to stop the carriage from rotating in the first pivot direction, A lever that can be operated from the open position to the closed position, A shaft operably coupled to the lever and the carriage, Furthermore, A pump of the 38th embodiment, wherein when the stopper engages with the slot of the carriage, the lever is prevented from moving from the open position to the closed position when the carriage cannot rotate in the first pivot direction. A forty-fifth aspect of the present invention is, A pump of the forty-fourth embodiment further comprising a coupling on the shaft, wherein the coupling is configured such that when the stopper engages with the slot of the carriage, the lever moves by a predetermined amount from the open position to the closed position. A forty-sixth aspect of the present invention is: A pump according to a 38th embodiment, further comprising a cover configured to cover an opening in the carriage housing when the carriage is rotatably positioned in a fluid flow position. A forty-seventh aspect of the present invention is: A carriage housing comprising a carriage rotatable within the carriage housing and at least one tube retainer offset from the axis of rotation of the carriage, wherein the at least one tube retainer is configured to receive and hold a fluid tube in a substantially fixed position while the carriage rotates within the carriage housing, A pivot mechanism is coupled to the carriage and connected to a rotating device, and is configured to rotate the carriage about the axis of rotation in accordance with the rotation of the rotating device. Equipped with, The device is configured such that the carriage housing receives a tube clamp so as to rotate within the carriage housing by the carriage, the fluid tube is held by the at least one tube retainer, and as the carriage rotates about the axis of rotation, the tube clamp tightens or loosens the fluid tube in accordance with the direction of rotation of the carriage. A forty-eighth aspect of the present invention is: The apparatus of the 47th embodiment includes a tube retainer, each tube retainer positioned vertically through at least a portion of the top and bottom of the carriage housing. A 49th aspect of the present invention is: Light-emitting element and Light sensor and, Furthermore, The apparatus of the 47th embodiment is configured such that the carriage housing is provided with a window to receive light from the light-emitting element, and when the tube clamp is received within the carriage housing, to pass at least a portion of the received light through the carriage housing to the light sensor, wherein the portion of the received light includes a pattern defined by one or more holes in the tube clamp. A 50th aspect of the present invention is: A pump for treating patients, A lever that can be operated between the closed position and the open position, A shaft connected to the lever, having a central axis at the center along the length of the shaft, and connected to the lever so as to rotate about the central axis in accordance with the operation of the lever, A shaft spring coupled to the shaft, configured to operate the lever between an open position and a closed position by an overcenter action, It is a pump equipped with [a certain feature]. A 51st aspect of the present invention is: A pump of the 50th embodiment, further comprising a first bevel gear coupled to the lever, which rotates when the lever is operated. A 52nd aspect of the present invention is: A pump of the 51st embodiment further comprises a second bevel gear positioned on the shaft so as to rotate together with the shaft, wherein the first bevel gear engages with the second bevel gear. A 53rd aspect of the present invention is: A substantially flat body portion configured to be inserted into a housing, the body portion comprising a curved slot, the curved slot including a receiving portion at one end of the body portion and a closing portion at the other end of the body portion that is narrower than the receiving portion, A head portion that crosses the substantially flat main body portion and is configured to increase the amount of force applied to the main body portion while it is being inserted into the housing. Equipped with, The device is such that a fixed fluid tube is received within the receiving portion, and the arc-shaped slot is positioned such that when the main body rotates in a first direction about an axis that intersects the main body, the fixed fluid tube moves across the closed portion. A 54th aspect of the present invention is: Body defining an arc-shaped slot configured to accept a clampable tube. Equipped with, The aforementioned arc-shaped slot is a slide clamp that includes a flow portion and a blocking portion. A 55th aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp of the 54th embodiment, configured to rotate within a carriage. A 56th aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp according to a 54th embodiment, further comprising a stabilizer coupled to the main body. A 57th aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp according to a 54th embodiment, further comprising a thumb rest attached to the main body. A 58th aspect of the present invention is: This is a slide clamp of the 57th embodiment, wherein the thumb rest further comprises an extension. Fifty-nine aspects of the present invention are: The extension portion defines a plurality of slide clamp identification holes, and this is a slide clamp of the 58th embodiment. A 60th aspect of the present invention is: A carriage housing having an opening, A carriage is disposed within the carriage housing and configured to rotate along a pivot axis, and is configured to receive a slide clamp of the 54th embodiment, This is a carriage assembly that includes [a specific feature / feature]. A 61st aspect of the present invention is: The carriage assembly of the 60th embodiment includes a window that determines identification according to a plurality of slide clamp identification holes of the slide clamp, wherein the carriage housing includes a window that determines identification according to a plurality of slide clamp identification holes of the slide clamp. A 62nd aspect of the present invention is: The carriage assembly is a 60th embodiment of the carriage assembly, wherein the carriage assembly is located inside a peristaltic pump. A 63rd aspect of the present invention is: A carriage assembly of the 60th embodiment, wherein the rotation of the carriage from a first rotational position to a second rotational position positions the tube within the arch-shaped slot from the closed portion to the flow portion. A 64th aspect of the present invention is: A carriage assembly of a 63rd embodiment, wherein when the carriage is in the second rotational position, the carriage cover covers the opening of the carriage housing. A 65th aspect of the present invention is: A carriage assembly according to a 60th embodiment, further comprising a slide clamp retainer configured to hold the slide clamp within the carriage. A 66th aspect of the present invention is: The slide clamp retainer is a carriage assembly of the 65th embodiment, comprising a spring body and a retainer hook. A 67th aspect of the present invention is: A modular pump system, It is the central unit, A first central unit connector having power pins and communication pins, A central unit switchable power supply circuit coupled to the power pin of the first central unit connector, the switchable power supply configured to switch between a power-on mode in which power is applied to the power pin of the first central unit connector and a power-off mode in which power is not applied to the power pin of the first central unit connector, A first signal generation circuit configured to generate a first signal at the communication pin of the first central unit connector, A central unit equipped with, A medical device assembly, A first medical device connector having power pins and communication pins, which is connected to a first central unit connector, thereby connecting the power pins of the first medical device connector to the power pins of the first central unit connector, and connecting the communication pins of the first medical device connector to the communication pins of the first central unit connector, A module detection controller configured to passively indicate a request to receive power via the power pin of the first medical device connector, A power receiving circuit coupled to the module detection controller to provide power to the module detection controller, wherein the power receiving circuit is coupled to the power pin of the first medical device connector and the communication pin of the first medical device connector, and supplies power to the module detection circuit from the power pin, using the power applied to the power pin of the first medical device connector, which is received via the power pin of the first central unit connector when the switchable power supply circuit is in the power-off mode, and when the switchable power supply circuit is in the power-on mode, from the signal on the communication pin, and from the power pin. A medical device assembly comprising, It is a system that includes [this feature]. A 68th aspect of the present invention is: The system according to the 67th embodiment is configured such that the module detection controller changes the impedance coupled to the communication pin, thereby passively indicating the request to receive the power. A 69th aspect of the present invention is: The system according to the 67th embodiment is configured such that the module detection controller changes a resistor coupled to the communication pin, thereby passively indicating the request to receive the power. A 70th aspect of the present invention is: The system according to the 67th embodiment is configured such that the module detection controller activates a resistor coupled to the communication pin, thereby passively indicating the request to receive the power. A 71st aspect of the present invention is: The system in the 70th embodiment is configured such that the module detection controller allows current to flow through the resistor to ground, thereby adding resistance to the communication pin and thereby passively indicating the request to receive the power. A 72nd aspect of the present invention is: The system according to the 70th embodiment is such that the module detection controller is coupled to the resistor via an open-drain driver pin, and the open-drain driver pin activates the resistor by entering a low-impedance mode. A 73rd aspect of the present invention is: The 72nd embodiment of the system is one in which the low-impedance mode is performed by a transistor in active mode. A 74th aspect of the present invention is: The system is a 67th embodiment in which the first central unit passively requests power from the power pins of the first central unit connector to the power pins of the first medical device connector for the module detection controller of the medical device assembly to supply power to the module detection controller. A 75th aspect of the present invention is: The system according to the 67th embodiment further comprises a second medical device connector having power pins and communication pins. A 76th aspect of the present invention is: The system according to the 75th embodiment further comprises a second signal generating circuit configured to generate a second signal at the communication pin of the second medical device connector. A 77th aspect of the present invention is: The 76th embodiment of the system is one in which the second signal generation circuit generates the second signal after the central unit switchable power supply circuit switches to the power-on mode. A 78th aspect of the present invention is: The system according to the 76th embodiment is such that the second signal generation circuit generates the second signal after the module detection controller passively indicates the request to receive the power. A 79th aspect of the present invention is: The system according to the 75th embodiment includes a detection circuit that detects a passive request for power to be communicated from the power pin of the first medical device connector to the power pin of the second medical device connector. An 80th aspect of the present invention is: The system according to the 79th embodiment further comprises a crossbar switch that connects the power pin of the first medical device connector to the power pin of the second medical device connector. An 81-part aspect of the present invention is: The system in the 80th embodiment is such that the crossbar switch is closed when the detection circuit detects the passive request to communicate power to the power pin of the second medical device connector. An 82nd aspect of the present invention is: A left-center unit connector having a left power pin and a left communication pin, A left-switchable power supply circuit coupled to the left power pin of the left center unit connector, configured to switch between a power-on mode in which power is applied to the left power pin of the left center unit connector and a power-off mode in which power is not applied to the left power pin of the left center unit connector, A right-center unit connector having a right power pin and a right communication pin, A right-switchable power supply circuit coupled to the right power pin of the right central unit connector, configured to switch between a power-on mode in which power is applied to the right power pin of the right central unit connector and a power-off mode in which power is not applied to the right power pin of the right central unit connector, At least one signal generating circuit configured to generate signals at the left communication pin of the left central unit connector and the right communication pin of the right central unit connector, A left load detection circuit configured to detect a passive indication of a power request from a medical device assembly connected to the left side, wherein when the left load detection circuit detects the passive indication of a power request from the medical device assembly connected to the left side, the left switchable power supply circuit switches to power-on mode, A right load detection circuit configured to detect a passive indication of a power request from a medical device assembly connected to the right side, wherein when the right load detection circuit detects the passive indication of a power request from the medical device assembly connected to the right side, the right switchable power supply circuit switches to power-on mode. It is a central unit equipped with [a certain feature]. An 83rd aspect of the present invention is: The 82nd embodiment of the central unit is such that the left load detection circuit detects a change in impedance of the left communication pin of the left central unit connector and determines that the passive instruction for the power request of the medical device assembly connected to the right side has been received. An 84th aspect of the present invention is: The 82nd embodiment of the central unit is such that the left load detection circuit detects an increase in the impedance of the left communication pin of the left central unit connector and determines that the passive instruction for the power request of the medical device assembly connected to the right side has been received. An 85th aspect of the present invention is: The 82nd embodiment of the central unit is such that the left load detection circuit detects an increase in the resistance of the left communication pin of the left central unit connector and determines that the passive instruction for the power request of the medical device assembly connected to the right side has been received. An 86th aspect of the present invention is: A left medical device connector having a left power pin and a left communication pin, A right medical device connector having a right power pin and a right communication pin, A module detection controller configured to passively indicate a request to receive power via the left power pin of the left medical device connector, or to passively indicate a request to receive power via the right power pin of the right medical device connector, A power receiving circuit coupled to the module detection controller to supply power to the module detection controller, the power receiving circuit being coupled to the left power pin and the left communication pin of the left medical device connector, and supplying power to the module detection circuit from a received signal from either the left communication pin of the left medical device connector or the right communication pin of the right medical device connector, A left signal generation circuit configured to generate a left signal at the left communication pin of the left medical device connector when it is active, A right signal generating circuit configured to generate a right signal at the right communication pin of the right medical device connector when it is active, A crossbar switch that connects the left power pin of the left medical device connector to the right power pin of the right medical device connector, This is a medical device assembly that includes [a specific feature / feature]. The 87th aspect of the present invention is: The assembly of the 86th embodiment is configured such that the power receiving circuit supplies power to the module detection controller only when the received signal is received through only one of the left communication pin or the right communication pin. The 88th aspect of the present invention is, The assembly of the 86th embodiment is configured such that the module detection controller passively indicates a request to receive power via the left communication pin when the received signal is received from the left communication pin. The 89th aspect of the present invention is, The module detection controller, non-simultaneously, When the aforementioned received signal is received from the left communication pin, a request to receive power from the left power pin is passively indicated via the left communication pin, or When the aforementioned received signal is received from the right communication pin, a request to receive power from the right power pin is passively indicated via the right communication pin. This is an assembly of the 86th embodiment, configured as follows: A 90th aspect of the present invention is: The 86th embodiment of the assembly is configured such that the module detection controller passively indicates via the left communication pin a request to receive power from the left power pin when the received signal is received from the left communication pin, and passively indicates via the right communication pin a request to receive power from the right power pin when the received signal is received from the right communication pin, and the module detection controller is configured to provide only one request to receive power, the one request to receive power being either the request to receive power via the left power pin or the request to receive power via the right power pin. A 91st aspect of the present invention is: The assembly in the 86th embodiment is such that the left signal generation circuit is operationally coupled to the module detection controller. A 92nd aspect of the present invention is: The assembly of the 91st embodiment is configured such that the module detection controller is configured to instruct the left signal generation circuit to generate the left signal at the left communication pin when the received signal is received via the right communication pin of the right medical device connector. A 93rd aspect of the present invention is: The 92nd embodiment of the assembly is configured such that the module detection controller is configured to instruct the right signal generation circuit to generate the right signal at the right communication pin when the received signal is received via the left communication pin of the left medical device connector. A 94th aspect of the present invention is: The assembly according to the 93rd embodiment is configured such that the module detection controller generates only one of the right signal and the left signal by commanding only one of the right signal generation circuit and the left signal generation circuit. A 95th aspect of the present invention is: The assembly according to the 93rd embodiment is such that the right signal generation circuit and the left signal generation circuit are integrated together with the module detection controller in the semiconductor device. A 96th aspect of the present invention is: The module detection controller is an assembly of the 86th embodiment configured to passively indicate a request to receive power via the left power pin of the left medical device connector by adding a first resistor to the left communication pin of the left medical device connector. A 97th aspect of the present invention is: The 96th embodiment of the assembly is configured such that the module detection controller activates a first resistor coupled to the left communication pin, thereby passively indicating the request to receive the power via the left power supply pin. A 98th aspect of the present invention is: The module detection controller is configured to allow current to flow through the first resistor to ground, thereby adding the first resistor to the left communication pin, and thereby passively indicating the request to receive the power via the left power pin, in a 97th embodiment of the assembly. A 99th aspect of the present invention is: The module detection controller is coupled to the first resistor via a left open-drain driver pin, and the left open-drain driver pin activates the first resistor by entering a low-impedance mode, in an assembly of the 97th embodiment. A hundredth aspect of the present invention is The module detection controller is an assembly of the 96th embodiment, configured to passively indicate a request to receive power via the right power pin of the right medical device connector by adding a second resistor to the right communication pin of the right medical device connector. A 101 aspect of the present invention is: The assembly of the 100th embodiment is configured such that the module detection controller activates a second resistor coupled to the right communication pin, thereby passively indicating the request to receive the power via the right power pin. A 102 aspect of the present invention is: The module detection controller is configured to allow current to flow through the second resistor to ground, thereby adding the second resistor to the right communication pin, and thereby passively indicating the request to receive the power via the right power pin, in a 101st embodiment assembly. A 103rd aspect of the present invention is: The module detection controller is coupled to the second resistor via a right open-drain driver pin, and the right open-drain driver pin activates the second resistor by entering another low-impedance mode, in an assembly of the 99th embodiment. A 104th aspect of the present invention is: A bus interface configured to interface with a bus, A bus transceiver configured to receive bus reception signals and output bus transmission signals, A transmit / receive circuit that operatesly communicates with the bus interface and the bus transceiver, comprising an RF switch and a signal detection circuit, wherein the RF switch has an on-mode and an off-mode, the RF switch is configured to receive a common carrier signal from the bus interface and to couple the common carrier signal to ground when in the on-mode, the RF switch is operatedly coupled to the bus transmission signal of the bus transceiver so as to switch between the on-mode and the off-mode according to the bus transmission signal, and the signal detection circuit is configured to generate the bus reception signal according to the common carrier signal, It is a circuit equipped with [a certain feature]. A 105th aspect of the present invention is: This is a circuit of the 104th embodiment, wherein the common carrier signal is a spread spectrum signal. A 106th aspect of the present invention is: The signal detection circuit is a 104th embodiment of the circuit, which includes a logarithmic power detector configured to detect the common carrier signal. A 107th aspect of the present invention is: The circuit according to the 106th embodiment further comprises a comparator configured to generate the bus reception signal by comparing the output from the logarithmic power detector. A 108th aspect of the present invention is: This is a circuit according to a 104th embodiment, further comprising a splitter coupled to the bus interface. A 109th aspect of the present invention is: The circuit according to the 106th embodiment further comprises a comparator configured to receive an output from the logarithmic power detector in order to compare it with a reference voltage and thereby generate the bus reception signal. A 110th aspect of the present invention is: This is a circuit of the 104th embodiment, wherein the RF switch is a load FET. A 111th aspect of the present invention is: This is a circuit of the 104th embodiment, wherein the RF switch is a pin diode. A 112th aspect of the present invention is: A modular pump system, It is the central unit, A first bus interface configured to interface with a bus, A common carrier signal generator configured to generate a common carrier signal in the aforementioned bus, A first bus transceiver configured to receive a first bus receive signal and output a first bus transmit signal, A first transceiver circuit that operationally communicates with the first bus interface and the first bus transceiver, comprising a first RF switch and a first signal detection circuit, wherein the first RF switch has an on-mode and an off-mode, and is configured to receive the common carrier signal from the first bus interface and to couple the common carrier signal to ground when in the on-mode, and is operationally coupled to the second bus transmission signal of the first bus transceiver so as to switch between the on-mode and the off-mode according to the bus transmission signal, and the first signal detection circuit is configured to generate a first bus reception signal according to the common carrier signal, A central unit equipped with, A medical device assembly, A second bus interface configured to interface with the bus to receive the aforementioned common carrier signal, A second bus transceiver configured to receive bus reception signals and output bus transmission signals, A second transceiver circuit that operationally communicates with the second bus interface and the second bus transceiver, comprising a second RF switch and a second signal detection circuit, wherein the second RF switch has an on-mode and an off-mode, and is configured to receive the common carrier signal from the second bus interface and to couple the common carrier signal to ground when in the on-mode, and is operationally coupled to the bus transmission signal of the second bus transceiver so as to switch between the on-mode and the off-mode according to the bus transmission signal, and the second signal detection circuit is configured to generate the bus reception signal according to the common carrier signal, A medical device assembly comprising, It is a system that includes [this feature]. A 113th aspect of the present invention is: A modular pump system, It is the central unit, A first bus interface configured to interface with a bus, A common carrier signal generator configured to generate a common carrier signal in the aforementioned bus, A first bus transceiver configured to receive a first bus receive signal and output a first bus transmit signal, A first transceiver circuit that operatesly communicates with the first bus interface and the first bus transceiver, the first transceiver circuit having a first signal detection circuit, which is operationally coupled to the first bus transmission signal of the first bus transceiver so as to switch the common carrier signal on or off according to the first bus transmission signal, and the first signal detection circuit is configured to generate the first bus reception signal according to the common carrier signal, A central unit equipped with, A medical device assembly, A second bus interface configured to interface with the bus to receive the aforementioned common carrier signal, A second bus transceiver configured to receive a second bus receive signal and output a second bus transmit signal, A second transceiver circuit that operationally communicates with the second bus interface and the second bus transceiver, comprising a second RF switch and a second signal detection circuit, wherein the second RF switch has an on-mode and an off-mode, and is configured to receive the common carrier signal from the second bus interface and to couple the common carrier signal to ground when in the on-mode, and is operationally coupled to the second bus transmission signal of the second bus transceiver so as to switch between the on-mode and the off-mode according to the second bus transmission signal, and the second signal detection circuit is configured to generate the second bus reception signal according to the common carrier signal, A medical device assembly comprising, It is a system that includes [this feature]. A 114th aspect of the present invention is: Multiple medical device assemblies configured to be physically joined together, wherein one of the multiple medical device assemblies is A first transmitting / receiving coil coupled to the first end, A second transmitting / receiving coil coupled to the second end, A transmission line coupled to the first transmitting / receiving coil and the second transmitting / receiving coil, configured to provide electromagnetic communication between the first transmitting / receiving coil and the second transmitting / receiving coil, A resonator magnetically coupled to one of the first transmitting / receiving coil and the second transmitting / receiving coil, Multiple medical device assemblies comprising It is a modular pump system equipped with [features / equipment]. A 115th aspect of the present invention is: The system according to the 114th embodiment is a split-ring resonator. A 116th aspect of the present invention is: The system according to the 114th embodiment is such that the transmission line is an embedded stripline. A 117th aspect of the present invention is: The system according to the 116th embodiment is such that the first transmitting / receiving coil, the second transmitting / receiving coil, the transmission line, and the resonator are embedded in a printed circuit board that includes a ground plane. A 118th aspect of the present invention is: A modular pump system, A first medical device assembly, A first transmitting / receiving coil coupled to the first end, A second transmitting / receiving coil coupled to the second end, A first transmission line coupled to the first transmitting / receiving coil and the second transmitting / receiving coil, the first transmission line configured to provide electromagnetic communication between the first transmitting / receiving coil and the second transmitting / receiving coil, A first resonator magnetically coupled to one of the first transmitting / receiving coil and the second transmitting / receiving coil, A first medical device assembly comprising, A second medical device assembly, A third transmitting / receiving coil coupled to the first end, A fourth transmitting / receiving coil coupled to the second end, A second transmission line coupled to the third transmitting / receiving coil and the fourth transmitting / receiving coil, the second transmission line configured to provide electromagnetic communication between the third transmitting / receiving coil and the fourth transmitting / receiving coil, A second resonator magnetically coupled to one of the third transmitting / receiving coil and the fourth transmitting / receiving coil, A second medical device assembly comprising, It is a system that includes [this feature]. A 119th aspect of the present invention is: The system according to the 118th embodiment is configured such that the first medical device assembly and the second medical device assembly are coupled to each other with a gap between them, and the first transmitting / receiving coil of the first medical device assembly is adjacent to the third transmitting / receiving coil of the second medical device assembly. A 120th aspect of the present invention is: The system according to the 119th embodiment is such that the first transmitting / receiving coil is located about 4 millimeters from the third transmitting / receiving coil. A 121 aspect of the present invention is: The system is an 118th embodiment in which each of the first transmitting / receiving coil, the second transmitting / receiving coil, the third transmitting / receiving coil, and the fourth transmitting / receiving coil includes a surrounding magnetic shield. A 122nd aspect of the present invention is: A pump for treating patients, A lever that can be operated between the closed position and the open position, A shaft having a central axis along the length of the shaft and being operably coupled to the lever so as to act in accordance with the operation of the lever, A pin positioned at a predetermined distance from the central axis of the shaft, configured to act in accordance with the rotation of the shaft, at least partially along a path around the central axis of the shaft, An interlock arm pivotally connected to the pump, having a catch formed by a first finger, a second finger, and a catch well, wherein the first finger and the second finger are connected to the catch well. A gripper finger is positioned on the interlock arm and is configured to actuate a slide clamp, forming an end effector. It is a pump equipped with [a certain feature]. A 123rd aspect of the present invention is: A pump in a 122nd embodiment, wherein the interlock arm is configured to receive the pin and thereby pivot around the pin to actuate the gripper fingers toward or away from the carriage. A 124th aspect of the present invention is: The pump according to the 122nd embodiment is such that the gripper finger is positioned on the first finger of the interlock arm. A 125th aspect of the present invention is: A pump according to a 122nd embodiment, wherein the first finger and the second finger are configured to guide the pin to the catch well. A 126th aspect of the present invention is: The pump according to the 122nd embodiment is configured such that the gripper fingers are configured to grip the flange of the slide clamp assembly. A 127th aspect of the present invention is: A pump of the 122nd embodiment, wherein a door fixing arm is operatively coupled to the shaft to pull the door relative to the pump. A 128th aspect of the present invention is: A pump according to a 122nd embodiment, further comprising a tube shutter configured to open when a slide clamp assembly is inserted into the carriage of the pump. A 129th aspect of the present invention is: A pump for treating patients, A lever that can be operated between the closed position and the open position, A first link mechanism coupled to the lever, A second link mechanism coupled to the first bevel gear, A spring coupled to the first link mechanism and the second link mechanism, A track configured to guide the first link mechanism and the second link mechanism, and a shaft having a central axis at the center along the length of the shaft, A second bevel gear coupled to the first bevel gear and the shaft, the second bevel gear configured to rotate the shaft, It is a pump equipped with [a certain feature]. A 130th aspect of the present invention is: The pump according to the 129th embodiment is a torsion spring having a first end connected to the first link mechanism and a second end connected to the second link mechanism. A 131 aspect of the present invention is: The pump is a 129th embodiment in which the first link mechanism includes a guide that guides the first link mechanism along the track. A 132nd aspect of the present invention is: The pump is a 129th embodiment in which the second link mechanism includes a guide that guides the second link mechanism along the track. A third aspect of the present invention is: An upper housing having a first end and a second end, A lower housing having a first end and a second end, A backstop positioned between the upper housing and the lower housing, the backstop being positioned at or near the first end of the upper housing and the first end of the lower housing, A pipe fitting coupled to the first end of the upper housing and configured to pass a tube through the first end of the upper housing and the first end of the lower housing, further configured adjacent to the backstop to pass the tube, The first link located inside the track, A second link connected to one of the second ends of the upper housing and the lower housing, wherein the first link and the second link are connected to each other. This is a slide clamp assembly equipped with [a specific feature]. A 134th aspect of the present invention is: The track is defined by the upper housing and the lower housing, and is a slide clamp assembly of a 133rd embodiment. A 135th aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly of a 134th embodiment, wherein the first link pivots within the track. A 136th aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly of a 133rd embodiment, wherein the first link is provided with a plunger at an end adjacent to the backstop, and the plunger is configured to block the fluid flow through the tube when actuated toward the backstop. A 137th aspect of the present invention is: The slide clamp assembly according to a 133rd embodiment comprises a flange configured to connect to an end effector, the first link being a flange configured to connect to an end effector. A 138th aspect of the present invention is: The slide clamp assembly according to a 133rd embodiment is wherein the second link includes a shutter aperture. A 139th aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly according to a 138th embodiment, wherein one of the upper housing and the lower housing includes a housing aperture configured to align with the shutter aperture of the second link when the first link and the second link are positioned in an unclosed position. A 140th aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly according to a 138th embodiment, wherein one of the upper housing and the lower housing includes an identification aperture configured to align with the shutter aperture of the second link when the first link and the second link are positioned in an unclosed position. A 141 aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly of a 133rd embodiment, wherein the second link includes a notch configured to at least partially align with the housing aperture of at least one of the upper housing and the lower housing when the second link is in the closed position. A 142nd aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly of a 141st embodiment, wherein the shutter aperture of the second link is at least partially aligned with the housing aperture when the second link is in the closed position. A 143rd aspect of the present invention is: The slide clamp assembly according to the 133rd embodiment is wherein the second link includes an identification aperture. A 144th aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly of a 133rd embodiment, wherein the first link and the second link are configured to be bistable in position. A 145th aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly of a 133rd embodiment, wherein the upper housing and the lower housing form finger grooves configured for user operation of the first link. A 146th aspect of the present invention is: A housing having an upper and a lower part, A slide clamp having an arc-shaped slot, pivotally positioned between the upper and lower parts of the housing, wherein one end of the arc-shaped slot is not closed; A pipe fitting coupled to the housing and configured to pass a tube through the arch-shaped slot, wherein the slide clamp assembly is configured such that the rotation angle of the slide clamp relative to the housing via a pivot corresponds to the blockage or unblockage of the fluid flowing through the tube, This is a slide clamp assembly equipped with [a specific feature]. A 147th aspect of the present invention is: The slide clamp assembly according to the 146th embodiment includes a notch in the slide clamp. A 148th aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly of a 147th embodiment, wherein the notch is configured to cooperate with the end effector of the gripper finger. A 149th aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly according to a 146th embodiment, wherein the slide clamp includes an exposed portion that extends away from the housing. A 150th aspect of the present invention is: This is a slide clamp assembly of a 149th embodiment, wherein the exposed portion defines an identification aperture. A 151 aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly of a 146th embodiment, wherein the housing defines a recess configured for user operation of the slide clamp along the pivot. A 152 aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly according to a 145th embodiment, wherein the upper and lower parts at least partially surround the slide clamp. A 153rd aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly of a 145th embodiment, wherein the housing is adjacent to only one side of the slide clamp. A 154th aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly according to a 145th embodiment, wherein an identification aperture is positioned on the slide clamp. A 155th aspect of the present invention is: A backstop, wherein a tube is positioned adjacent to the backstop, A plunger configured to actuate the tube relative to the backstop by linearly acting the plunger toward the backstop and by rotating the plunger at least partially along its axis, This is a slide clamp assembly equipped with [a specific feature]. A 156th aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly in a 155th embodiment, wherein the plunger is coupled to a guide configured to act along a track toward and away from the backstop, and the guide is pivotably coupled to the track. A 157th aspect of the present invention is: A housing with a housing aperture, A link mechanism rotatably coupled to the housing, having a first position and a second position, Equipped with, The link mechanism includes an opening configured to align with the housing aperture to indicate that the link mechanism is in the first position, The link mechanism is a slide clamp assembly that includes a second opening configured to align with the housing aperture to indicate that the link mechanism is in the second position. A 158th aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly according to a 157th embodiment, wherein the opening is an identification aperture. A 159th aspect of the present invention is: A slide clamp assembly according to a 158th embodiment, wherein the second opening is a position aperture configured to indicate that the link mechanism is in the second position. A 160th aspect of the present invention is: A carriage configured to receive a slide clamp assembly of the 157th embodiment, wherein the carriage includes an image sensor having an image sensor aperture configured to align with the housing aperture when the slide clamp assembly is fully inserted into the carriage, and the image sensor is configured to detect misalignment of the housing aperture with respect to the image sensor aperture. A 161 aspect of the present invention is: The carriage according to the 160th embodiment detects a positional displacement when the number detected from one of the openings, the first or second opening, does not correspond to a set of valid values. A 162 aspect of the present invention is: A carriage according to a 160th or 161st embodiment, further comprising a processor configured to interface with the image sensor. A 163rd aspect of the present invention is: This method involves using a pump in any one of the embodiments described in paragraphs 1-46, 50-52, and 122-132. A 164th aspect of the present invention is: This method involves using an apparatus according to any one of the embodiments described in paragraphs 47-49 and 53. A 165th aspect of the present invention is: This method involves using a slide clamp in any one of the embodiments described in paragraphs 54 to 58. A 166th aspect of the present invention is: A method using a carriage assembly in any one of the embodiments of paragraphs 60-66 and 160-162. A 167th aspect of the present invention is: This method involves using a modular pump assembly in any one of the embodiments described in paragraphs 67 to 91. A 168th aspect of the present invention is: This method involves using a central unit according to any one of the embodiments described in paragraphs 82 to 85. A 169th aspect of the present invention is: A method of using a medical device assembly according to any one of the embodiments described in paragraphs 86 to 103. A 170th aspect of the present invention is: This method involves using a circuit according to any one of the embodiments described in paragraphs 104 to 111. A 171 aspect of the present invention is: This method involves using a modular pump assembly in any one of the embodiments described in paragraphs 112 to 121. A 172nd aspect of the present invention is: This method involves using a slide clamp assembly in any one of the embodiments described in paragraphs 133 to 159. A 173rd aspect of the present invention is: It is a pump that is substantially shown and described. A 174th aspect of the present invention is: It is a device that is substantially shown and described. A 175th aspect of the present invention is: This is a slide clamp that is substantially shown and described. A 176th aspect of the present invention is: It is a carriage that is substantially shown and described. A 177th aspect of the present invention is: This is a modular pump assembly that is substantially shown and described. A 178th aspect of the present invention is: It is the central unit that is substantially shown and described. A 179th aspect of the present invention is: This is a medical device assembly that is substantially shown and described. A 180th aspect of the present invention is: This is a circuit that is substantially shown and described. A 181 aspect of the present invention is: It is a modular pump system that is substantially demonstrated and described. A 182nd aspect of the present invention is: This is a slide clamp assembly that is substantially shown and described.
Claims
1. A pump for treating patients, Carriage housing and A carriage is disposed within the carriage housing and configured to receive a slide clamp, and is pivotable within the carriage housing, wherein the carriage housing includes at least one tube retainer hole for holding a tube when the carriage pivots within the carriage housing, A pump comprising: a pivot connected to the carriage such that the carriage pivots around an axis; A slide clamp assembly comprising a slide clamp configured to receive a clampable tube and to move the clampable tube between a flow position and a closed position; A stopper is pivotably coupled to the carriage housing and configured to engage with a slot in the carriage to stop the carriage from rotating in a first pivot direction; A chock spring coupled to the carriage housing and the chock so as to bias the chock relative to the carriage; Equipped with, A system for treating patients.
2. The pivot is a gear connector. The system according to claim 1.
3. A lifter pin configured to operate in response to closing a door on the pump, The system further comprises a lift that is coupled to the aforementioned stopper and configured to receive the aforementioned lifter pin, The system according to claim 1.
4. The lifter pin includes a lifter spring configured to lift the lift when a predetermined amount of force is applied to the lifter pin from the closed door. The system according to claim 3.
5. A stopper is pivotably coupled to the carriage housing and configured to engage with a slot in the carriage to stop the carriage from rotating in the first pivot direction, A lever that can be operated from the open position to the closed position, The lever and the carriage are further comprising a shaft that is operably coupled to the lever, When the stopper engages with the slot of the carriage, the lever is prevented from moving from the open position to the closed position when the carriage cannot rotate in the first pivot direction. The system according to claim 1.
6. The coupling on the shaft is further configured such that when the stopper engages with the slot of the carriage, the lever moves by a predetermined amount from the open position to the closed position. The system according to claim 5.
7. Light-emitting element and It is further equipped with a light sensor, The carriage housing is configured to have a window to receive light from the light-emitting element, and, when the tube clamp is received within the carriage housing, to pass at least a portion of the received light through the carriage housing to the light sensor, wherein the portion of the received light includes a pattern defined by one or more holes in the tube clamp. The system according to claim 5.
8. The carriage housing includes a top and a bottom, and the at least one tube retainer hole includes each tube retainer hole that is positioned vertically through at least a portion of the top and bottom of the carriage housing, respectively. The system according to claim 7.
9. The system further comprises a pivot mechanism that is coupled to the carriage and connected to a rotating device, and configured to rotate the carriage about the axis in accordance with the rotation of the rotating device. The system according to claim 4.
10. The rotation of the carriage from the first rotation position to the second rotation position causes the tube to transition from the closed position to the flowing position. The system according to claim 9.
11. The carriage housing has an opening, and when the carriage is in the second rotation position, the carriage cover covers the opening of the carriage housing. The system according to claim 10.