Integrated flow rate sensors for improving flow rate accuracy and other operations of syringe pump devices

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an infusion system with a sensor assembly and a syringe pump. The sensor assembly has a channel for receiving a fluid tube, as well as a sensor for measuring a flow rate of a fluid in the fluid tube. The syringe pump has an integrated sensor connection port (e.g., including physical and / or electrical contacts) for mounting the sensor assembly, a receptacle for receiving a syringe connected to the fluid tube, a drive head for applying a force to the syringe's plunger, and a processor configured to perform various operations. These operations include operating the drive head according to a first configuration and receiving a measured flow rate from the sensor assembly. The operations also include generating a second configuration based on the first configuration and the flow rate and then operating the drive head according to the second configuration.

Description

INTEGRATED FLOW RATE SENSORS FOR IMPROVING FLOW RATE ACCURACY AND OTHER OPERATIONS OF SYRINGE PUMP DEVICESTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates, generally, to infusion technologies and, more specifically, to flow rate sensors for syringe pumps.BACKGROUND

[0002] Syringe pumps are ubiquitous in modern healthcare settings. They offer numerous benefits, including accurate dosing, minimal waste, and the ability to administer medications and other fluids with a high degree of precision. Notwithstanding their many advantages, however, state-of-the-art syringe pumps still struggle with certain issues in fluid delivery.

[0003] One of these issues is in maintaining flow rate accuracy. Various factors can negatively impact the flow rate accuracy of a syringe pump, including friction within the syringe, variations in fluid viscosity (e.g., due to temperature), and other environmental factors. This in turn can lead to inaccuracy in fluid delivery, posing potential risks to patients’ health.

[0004] Existing attempts to solve this issue often involve complex control algorithms or manual adjustments, both of which complicate syringe pump operation and may not always yield satisfactory results. One common approach is to require syringe characterization which generally ref ers to the process of identifying a syringe used f or delivering a fluid via the syringe pump. Once the syringe is identified, the syringe pump collects, verifies, and maintains information regarding the syringe in order to safely control delivery of the medication within the syringe. This process can be resource intensive due to the required processing and network resources to distribute pre-collected syringe configuration data. Furthermore, the syringe characterization reflects syringe characteristics at a specific point in time. In some instances, syringes may have variances due to manufacturing methods, materials, weather, or other factors, that may cause operational parameters generated for some syringes to be unsafe .

[0005] In addition to the characterization process and associated data validity and management concern, identifying syringes may also be burdensome. Some devices require a specific step for a clinician to select a syringe from a list of syringes so the device can identify the proper characterization data. In life-or-death situations, seconds can matter and the extra step of entering the syringe identity information can take precious time. Further, the entering of thesyringe information may introduce an opportunity for clinician error when identifying syringes. For example, the clinical setting may provide a list of different types of 100 mL syringes from the same or different manufacturers. When presented with many syringe options, human error may lead to an inaccurate selection that would be used to configure the syringe pump for a first syringe type while actually being loaded with a different, second syringe type. Thus, there is a need for innovative solutions that can effectively mitigate the effects of factors contributing to flow rate deviation while maintaining simplicity and ease of use.SUMMARY

[0006] The present disclosure regards syringe pumps with integrated or mountable flow rate sensors. These sensors directly measure the flow rate of fluid downstreamfromthe syringe, thus allowing the syringe pumps to forgo syringe characterization and other calculations that many modern syringe pumps rely on for flow rate estimation. Because flowrate sensors measure flow rate directly, anything that affects fluid flow can be compensated for directly with adjustments to the syringe pump. Mounted implementations may be especially beneficial in medical environments where a flow rate sensor is only needed for certain infusion therapies. In low risk therapies, for instance, the sensor can be dismounted from the syringe pump and employed elsewhere. Thereafter, if the syringe pump is used for a more sensitive infusion therapy, the flow rate sensor or another such sensor can be mounted to the infusion pump.

[0007] Example implementations of the subject technology include:

[0008] An infusion system includes a sensor assembly and a syringe pump. The sensor assembly includes a mounting assembly, a channel configured to receive a fluid tube, and a sensor configured to measure a flow rate of a fluid in the fluid tube while the fluid tube is received in the channel. The syringe pump includes a housing comprising a receptacle configured to receive a syringe. The syringe pump also includes a drive head configured to apply a force to a plunger of the syringe while the syringe is received in the receptacle. Applying the force causes a fluid contained in the syringe to flow into a fluid tube fluidically coupled to the syringe. Additionally, the housing includes a sensor connection port integrated with the housing. The sensor connection port includes one or more physical contacts configured to mount the sensor assembly to the housing via the mounting assembly . The sensor connection port also includes one or more electrical contacts configured to form an electrical connection with the sensor assembly when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or morephysical contacts. Further, the syringe pump includes a processor. The processor is configured to operate the drive head according to a first configuration. The processor is also configured to receive a measured flow rate from the sensor assembly while the fluid tube is received in the channel of the sensor assembly. Additionally, after receiving the measured flow rate, the processor is configured to generate a second configuration based at least in part on the first configuration and the measured flow rate. Moreover, the processor is configured to operate the drive head according to the second configuration.

[0009] A computer-implemented method for improving flow rate accuracy of a syringe pump includes operating a drive head of the syringe pump according to a first configuration. The syringe pump includes a housing with a receptacle configured to receive a syringe. The housing also includes a sensor connection port integrated with the housing. The sensor connection port includes one or more physical contacts configured to mount a sensor assembly to the housing, as well as one or more electrical contacts configured to form an electrical connection with the sensor assembly when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or more physical contacts. The drive headis configuredto apply a force to a plunger of the syringe while the syringe is received in the receptacle. Applying the force to the plunger causes a fluid contained in the syringe to flow into a fluid tube that is fluidically connected to the syringe. The method also includes receiving a measured flow rate from the sensor assembly, where the sensor assembly includes a mounting assembly, a channel configured to receive the fluid tube, and a sensor configured to measure a flow rate of the fluid in the fluid tube while the fluid tube is received in the channel. Additionally, the method includes, after receiving the measured flow rate, generating a second configuration based at least in part on the first configuration and the measured flow rate and then operating the drive head according to the second configuration.

[0010] A non-transitory, computer-readable medium stores instructions that, when executed by a processor of a syringe pump, cause the syringe pump to perform operations. The operations include operating a drive head of the syringe pump according to a first configuration. The syringe pump includes a housing with a receptacle configured to receive a syringe. The housing also includes a sensor connection port integrated with the housing. The sensor connection port includes one or more physical contacts configured to mount a sensor assembly to the housing, as well as one or more electrical contacts configured to form an electrical connection with the sensor assembly when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or more physical contacts. The drive headis configuredto apply a force to a plunger of the syringewhile the syringe is received in the receptacle. Applying the force to the plunger causes a fluid contained in the syringe to flow into a fluid tube that is fluidically connected to the syringe. The operations also include receiving a measured flow rate from the sensor assembly, where the sensor assembly includes a mounting assembly, a channel configured to receive the fluid tube, and a sensor configuredto measure a flow rate of the fluid in the fluid tube while the fluid tube is received in the channel. Additionally, the operations include, after receiving the measured flow rate, generating a second configurationbasedatleast in part on the first configuration and the measured flow rate and then operating the drive head according to the second configuration.

[0011] It is understood that other configurations of the subject technology will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various configurations of the subject technology are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the subjecttechnology is capable of other and different configurations and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] For a better understanding of the various described implementations, reference should be made to the Detailed Description, below, in conjunction with the following drawings. Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the figures and description.

[0013] FIG. 1 depicts a patient care device that includes infusion pumps mounted to a control unit, according to various aspects of the subject technology.

[0014] FIG. 2 depicts an example institutional patient care system of a healthcare organization, according to various aspects of the subject technology.

[0015] FIGS. 3 A and 3B depict a syringe pump with a sensor connection port for a sensor assembly, according to various aspects of the subject technology.

[0016] FIGS. 4 A and 4B depict example processes for improving flow rate accuracy and other operations of a syringe pump, according to various aspects of the subject technology.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram that depicts an example electronic system for improvingflow rate accuracy and other operations of a syringe pump, accordingto various aspects of the subject technology.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Reference will now be made to implementations, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the various described implementations. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various described implementations may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been describedin detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the implementations.

[0019] The present disclosure relates to an infusion system with a syringe pump and a sensor assembly for measuring (e.g., using ultrasound, thermodynamics, or other suitable methods) a flow rate of a fluid beingpumped by the syringe pump. The sensor assembly can include a flow rate sensor directly integrated into the syringe pump, or a flow rate sensor mounted to the syringe pump via a sensor connection port in the pump housing. The sensor connection port may include, for example, physical contacts for mounting the assembly to the syringe pump housing, as well as electrical contacts for forming an electrical connection with the sensor assembly when the sensor assembly is mounted to the syringe pump.

[0020] This sensor assembly integrated with the syringe pump system offers multiple benefits, including, for example, real-time flow rate data from the sensor assembly allows the syringe pump to respond quickly to environmental factors that affect flow rate accuracy, such as fluid temperature, the vertical distance between the syringe pump and the patient, friction within the syringe, and so on. By comparing a measured flow rate from the sensor assembly to a programmed flow rate received from a clinician, the syringe pump can detect flow rate inaccuracies and respond accordingly. Whereas other syringe pumps rely on flow rate estimations in pursuit of improved flow rate accuracy, the present system has the benefit of real-time data, oftentimes with exceptionally fast sample rates (e.g., kilohertz regime). In this manner, the system is especially suited for avoiding under- and over-infusion.

[0021] Another advantage of the system described herein is that it allows for optimization of fast-start algorithms that move a syringe pump motor by a predetermined amount to removeslack in the drive mechanism of the syringe pump. These fast-start algorithms can be optimized with the flow rate sensor, which allows the pump to remove syringe slack while ensuring the flow rate of the fluid does not exceed a programmed flow rate. Accordingly, flow rate feedback allows the syringe pump to run at an increased rate, as needed, when an infusion is first started. This allows for more fine-tuned drive head adjustments to reduce start up delay and reach the programmed flow rate earlier than might otherwise be possible.

[0022] Furthermore, flow rate sensors can be used as an alternative to infused-volume calculations that currently rely on estimations regardingthe flow rate of the syringe pump. Using real-time measurements andthe duration of the infusion therapy, syringe pumps with integrated or mounted flow rate sensors can more accurately determine the amount of fluid that has been pumped by the syringe pump, as well as the amount of fluid that the syringe pump still needs to provide to the patient. In this manner, direct incorporation of flow rate sensors into syringe pumps may remove the need for extensive preliminary testing currently required for understanding the unique factors and susceptibilities associated with the various syringes that might be used in an infusion therapy, also known as “syringe characterization” processes.

[0023] FIG. 1 depicts a patient care device 100 that includes infusion pumps 131-132 mounted to a control unit 104, accordingto various aspects of the subjecttechnology . The term patient care device may be used interchangeably with the term patient care unit, either of which may include various ancillary medical devices, such as an infusion pump (e.g., infusion pumps 131-132), a vital signs monitor, a medication dispensing device (e.g., a cabinet, a tote), a medication preparation device, an automated dispensing device, a module coupled with one of the aforementioned, and so on.

[0024] As illustrated, the patient care device 100 includes two infusion pumps 131-132, each of which is mounted to the control unit 104. The first infusion pump 131 is a peristaltic pump and is in operative engagement with a respective administration set (not pictured). This administration set connects the first infusion pump 131 to a fluid supply (not pictured) at one end and to a patient (not pictured) at the other end. The second infusion pump 132 is a syringe pump with a syringe 134. Like the first pump 131, the second pump 132 is associated with a respective administration set (not pictured) that connects the syringe 134 to the patient.

[0025] The infusion pumps 131-132 are flow control devices that provide respective fluids (e.g., medications, saline solutions) to the patient. The first infusion pump 131, for instance,acts on its respective administration set to move fluid therethrough. The second infusion pump 132 applies a force to the drive head of the syringe 134to force fluid through its respective administration set. Because the patient care device 100 individual infusion pumps 131- 132, each of the pumps 131-132 can be set individually to the pumping or operatingparameters required for infusing its respective fluid (e.g., a flow rate, a volume to be infused), as programmed by a clinician.

[0026] In some implementations, the control unit 104 is configured for programming the infusion pumps 131-132. As illustrated, the control unit 104 may include a display 114 and controls 116 A-C (e.g., buttons, touchscreen controls) for interfacing with the control unit 104. In some implementations, the display 114 is implemented as a touchscreen display. In such implementations, the control keys 116A-C may be omitted or reduced in number by providing corresponding interactive elements via a graphical user interface presented via the display 114. In some implementations, the control keys 116A-C may select a corresponding option displayed in display 114. In addition to the display 114 and the control keys 116A-C, the control unit 104 may also include a speaker to provide audible alerts.

[0027] In some implementations, the infusion pumps 131-132 include their own displays and / or controls. For example, in the depicted implementation, the display 124 of the syringe pump 132 (e.g., an LED or a touchscreen display) is located in plain view and may be used to visually communicate information regarding the infusion pump 132. The display 124, for instance, can communicate alert indications or alarm messages. Additionally, the control keys 126 of the pump 132 allow for programming and controlling operations of the infusion pump as desired. In some implementations, the control keys 126 may be presented as interactive elements on the display 124. The infusion pumps 13 l-132 may also include audio alert equipment in the form of a speaker.

[0028] FIG. 2 depicts an example institutional patient care system 200 of a healthcare organization, accordingto various aspects of the subject technology. The system 200 includes a patient care device 202 such as the patient care device 100 of FIG. 1. The patient care device 202 is connected to an internal healthcare network 236. Each element of the patient care device 202 is connected to the healthcare network 236 via a transmission channel 234. The transmission channel 234 can be a wired or wireless transmission channel, such as an 802.11 wireless local area network (LAN).

[0029] In some implementations, the internal healthcare network 236 also includes computer systems located in various departments throughout a hospital or healthcare center. For example, the internal healthcare network 236 optionally includes computer systems associated with an admissions department, a billing department, a biomedical engineering department, a clinical laboratory, a central supply department, one or more unit station computers, and / or a medical decision support system. As described further below, the internal healthcare network 236 may include discrete subnetworks. In the depicted example, the internal healthcarenetwork 236 includes a device network 238 by which the patient care device 202 and other devices can communicate in accordance with normal operations.

[0030] The institutional patient care system 200 may also incorporate a separate information system server 242 (e.g., a health information system server). Moreover, although the information system server 242 is shown as a separate server, the functions and programming of the information system server 242 may be incorporated into another computer. The institutional patient care system 200 may further include a device terminal 240 for connecting and communicating with information system server 242. The device terminal 240 may include personal computers, personal data assistants, or mobile devices (e.g., laptops, tablet computers, augmented reality devices, or smartphones) configured with softwareforcommunicationswith information system server 242 via the internal healthcare network 236.

[0031] Patient care device 202 comprises a system for providing patient care, and it may include or incorporate infusion pumps like the infusion pumps 131-132 of FIG. 1, physiological monitors (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure, ECG, EEG, pulse oximeter, and other monitors), therapy devices, and / or other drug delivery devices that may be utilized according to the teachings set forth herein.

[0032] In the depicted example, the patient care device 202 includes a control unit 204 (e.g., control unit 104 of FIG. 1), which is connected to one or more functional modules 206- 209 (e.g., infusion pumps 131-132 of FIG. 1). Control unit 204 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 218 connected to a memory, for example, random access memory (RAM) 222, and one or more interface devices such as user interface device 230, a coded data input device 232, a network connection 220, and an auxiliary interface 226 for communicating with additional modules or devices. Control unit 204 also, although not necessarily, includes a main non-vol-atile storage unit 228, such as a hard disk drive or non-volatile flash memory, for storing software data. Additionally, control unit 204 may include one or more internal buses 224 for interconnecting the aforementioned elements.

[0033] In various implementations, user interface device 230 is a touch screen for displaying information to a user and allowing a user to input information by touching defined areas of the screen. Additionally, or in the alternative, user interface device 230 could include any means for displaying and inputting information, such as a monitor, a printer, a keyboard, soft- keys, a mouse, a track ball, and / or a light pen.

[0034] Data input device 232 may be a b ar code reader capable of scanning and interpreting data printed in bar coded format. Additionally, or in the alternative, data input device 232 can be any device for entering coded data into a computer, such as a device(s) for reading magnetic strips, radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices whereby digital data encoded in RFID tags or smart labels (defined below) are captured by the data input device 232 via radio waves, PCMCIA smart cards, radio frequency cards, memory sticks, CDs, DVDs, or any other analog or digital storage media. Other examples of the data input device 232 include a voice activation or recognition device or a portable personal data assistant (PDA). Depending upon the types of interface devices used, the user interface device 230 and the data input device 232 may be the same device. Although the data input device 232 is shown in FIG. 2 as being disposed within the control unit 204, the data input device 232 may be external to the control unit 204 (e.g., at the device terminal 240).

[0035] Auxiliary interface 226 may be an RS-232 communications interface, however any other means for communicating with a peripheral device (e.g., a printer, a patient monitor, an infusion pump, or another medical device) may be used without departing from the subject technology. Additionally, the data input device 232 may be a separate functional module (e.g, functional modules 206-207) configured to communicate with the control unit 204 or any other system on the network using suitable programming and communication protocols.

[0036] Network connection 220 may be a wired or wireless connection, such as by Ethernet, Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem or a cable modem. Any direct or indirect network connection may be used, including, but not limited to a telephone modem, an MIB system, an RS232interface, an auxiliary interface, an optical link, an infrared link, a radio frequency link, a microwave link or a WLANS connection or other wireless connection.

[0037] The functional modules 206-209 are devices for providing care to a patient or for monitoring patient conditions. At least one of the functional modules 206-209 may be an infusion pump module, such as an intravenous infusion pump for delivering medication or other fluid to a patient. For the purposes of this discussion, functional module 206 is an infusion pump module. Each of functional modules 206-209may be any patienttreatment or monitoring device including, but not limited to, an infusion pump (e.g., a syringe pump), a PCA pump, an epidural pump, an enteral pump, a blood pressure monitor, a pulse oximeter, an EKG monitor, an EEG monitor, a heart rate monitor, an intracranial pressure monitor, or the like. Additionally, the functional modules 206-209 may include a printer, a scanner, a bar code reader, a nearfield communication reader, an RFID reader, or any other peripheral input, output or input / out- put device.

[0038] Each functional module 206-209 communicates directly or indirectly with the control unit 204, providing overall monitoring and control of the patient care device 202. Additionally, the functional modules 206-209 may be connected physically and electronically in serial fashion to one or both ends of control unit 204 as shown in FIG. 2. However, it is recognized thatthere are other means for connectingthe functional modules 206-209 with the control unit204 that may be utilized without departing from the subject technology. It is also appreciated that devices such as pumps or patient monitoring devices that provide sufficient programmability and connectivity may be capable of operating as stand-alone devicesand may communicate directly with the internal healthcare network 236 without being connected through the control unit 204 ora separate interface unit. As described above, additional medical devices or peripheral devices may be connected to the patient care device 202 through one or more auxiliary interfaces 226.

[0039] Each of the functional modules 206-209 may include various internal components such as those illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, the first functional module includes a microprocessor 216, a volatile memory 214, a nonvolatile memory 212, and other module-specific components 210. It should be noted that while four functional modules are shown in FIG. 2, any number of devices may be connected directly or indirectly to the control unit 204. The number and type of functional modules described herein are intended to be illustrative, and they in no way limit the scope of the subject technology. The module-specific components 210include any components necessary for operation of a particular module, such as a pumping mechanism for the functional module 206.

[0040] While each of the functional modules 206-209 may be capable of a least some level of independent operation, the control unit 204 monitors and controls overall operation of the patient care device 202. For example, as will be described in more detail below, the control unit 204 provides programming instructions to the functional modules 206-209 and monitors the status of each of the functional modules 206-209.

[0041] Medical devices incorporating aspects of the subject technology may be equipped with a network interface module (NIM), allowing the medical device to participate as a node in a network. While for purposes of clarity the subjecttechnology will be described as operating in an Ethernet network environment using the Internet Protocol (IP), it is understood that concepts of the subject technology are equally applicable in other network environments, and such environments are intended to be within the scope of the subject technology.

[0042] Data to and from the various data sources can be converted into network-compatible data with existing technology, and movement of the information between the medical device and network can be accomplished by a variety of means. For example, the patient care device 202 and the internal healthcare network236 may communicate via automated interaction, manual interaction, or a combination of both automated and manual interaction. Automated interaction may be continuous or intermittent and may occur through the network connection 220, as shown in FIG. 2, or through RS232 links, MIB systems, RF links such as BLUETOOTH, IR links, WLANS, digital cable systems, telephone modems, or other wired or wireless communication means.

[0043] Manual interaction between the patient care device 202 and the internal healthcare network 236 involves physically transferring, intermittently or periodically, data between systems using, for example, the user interface device 230, the coded data input device 232, bar codes, computer disks, portable data assistants, memory cards, or any other media for storing data. The communication means in various aspects is bidirectional with access to data from as many points of the distributed data sources as possible. Decision-making can occur at a variety of places within the internal healthcare network 236. For example, and notby way of limitation, decisions can be made in the information system server 242, decision support, a remote data server, hospital department or unit stations, or within the patient care device 202 itself.

[0044] The memory of the control unit 204 (e.g., RAM 222 or the main non-volatile storage unit228)may contain a drug library, an eventlog, and / or infusionpump configuration settings, such as profiles to be used in particular practice areas (e.g., ICU, PED, etc.). The control unit 204 memory may be electronically loadable memory such as non-volatile memory (e.g., EEPROM). Drug libraries stored on pumps, which illustratively contain such information as the drug names, ranges of delivery parameter values such as proper concentrations, dosage units, and dose limits, can be used to perform drug-calculation-based infusions in a clinical setting.

[0045] FIGS. 3 A and 3B depict a syringe pump module 300 (e.g., syringe pump 132 of FIG. 1) with a sensor connection port 350 for a sensor assembly 352, according to various aspects of the subject technology. The sensor connection port 350 includes physical contacts (e.g., magnets, locking components, tension clips, screws) configured to mountthe sensor assembly 352 to the housing via a mounting assembly of the sensor assembly. The sensor connection port also includes electrical contacts (e.g., an electrical terminal) configured to form an electrical connection with the sensor assembly when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or more physical contacts.

[0046] In addition to the sensor connection port 350, the syringe pump module 300 includes a receptacle 306, in which a barrel 308 of the syringe 304 can rest when the syringe 304 is mounted in the syringe pump module 300. The receptacle 306 may feature a barrel clamp 310 to securely hold the barrel 308 in a fixed position in the receptacle 306 so that axial and lateral movement is resisted. For clarity of illustration, the syringe pump module 300 of FIG. 3 A is shown without a syringe in its receptacle 306, and the syringe pump 300 module 300 of FIG. 3B includes the syringe 304. In some implementations, the barrel clamp 310 can pivot so that it may be moved into an open position, to permit loading or removal of the syringe 304, and a closed position, in which it extends over the receptacle 306 to hold a mounted barrel 308 while a drive head 324 of the module 300 applies a force to a plunger 316 of the syringe 304.

[0047] The illustrated syringe 304 includes both the barrel 308 and the plunger 316. The plunger 316 can include a stopper (not depicted) to engage an inner wall of the barrel 308 to prevent fluid from leaking past the stopper (e.g., by creating a seal between the stopper 322 and the inner wall ofthe barrel 308). This can cause friction between the stopper and the barrel, which can lead to flow rate inaccuracies in fluid delivery by the syringe pump module 300.

[0048] The drive head 324 of the syringe pump module 300 may be connected to a screwdrive mechanism that includes a motor, for connecting the linear motion of the mechanism to the plunger 316 in order to empty the contents of the syringe 304 through an administration set 344 and into a patient. The flow rate of the syringe pump module 300 can be controlled based on programmed parameters (e.g., a programmed flow rate, an error threshold) and responsive to measured parameters (e.g., a measured flow rate).

[0049] The syringe pump module 300 also includes retainer claws 326 for retaining the plunger 316. The retainer claws 326 engage the plunger 316 in a closed position, closing inwardly toward each other to grasp the plunger 316 after the syringe 304 is mounted in the receptacle 306 of the syringe pump module 300. A rotation knob 330 can be used to control the positions of the retainer claws 326 to allow for removal and insertion of the plunger 316 and to release the split-nut (not pictured) from the driveshaft for positioning of the drive head 324.

[0050] The drive head 324 may be manually adjustable to accommodate syringes with different beginning plunger positions. A syringe inserted in the receptacle 306 can align with the drive head 324 within a particular axial range. The points where the axial center lines of the syringes intersect the drive head 324 can change according to the size of the syringe 304 but only in one direction alongthe drive head 324. A guide device 332 can extend from the drive head 324 to a point within the housing 354 of the syringe pump module 300.

[0051] The syringe pump module 300 can also include a control panel 334 that includes multiple buttons 336 (e.g., control keys 126 of FIG. 1) for control of the syringe pump module 300. The buttons 336 can allow the operator to program the syringe pump module 300, for example, with a flow rate, a volume to be infused, and / or other parameters. Additionally, the syringe pump module 300 can include a display 338 (e.g. , display 124 of FIG. 1 ) for presenting pump-specific information to the operator, such as a flow rate, a volume infused, alerts, or other information regarding an infusion therapy.

[0052] The sensor assembly 352 illustrated in FIG. 3B includes a mounting assembly 360 (e.g., a magnet, a pin), a channel 358 configured to receive the administration set 344, and a sensor 356 configured to measure a flow rate of a fluid contained in the administration set 344. The sensor assembly 352 mounts to the sensor connection port 350 of the housing 354 of the syringe pump module 300 via the aforenoted one or more physical contacts. Specifically, the mounting assembly includes physical components configured to couple with the one or morephysical contacts of the sensor connection port (e.g., mating magnets, corresponding locking components, etc.). The sensor assembly also measures the flow rate, and then relays the measured flow rate to a processor (e.g. , to a processor of the syringe pump module 300 or a processor of a control unit connected thereto). The processor then uses the measured flow rate to adjust the operation of the syringe pump module 300, such as by adjusting the operating speed of the drive head 324, by displaying an alert via the display 338, or by triggering an alarm.

[0053] It is noted that, in some implementations, the syringe pump 300 includes a built-in sensorinstead of (or in addition to) the mounted sensor assembly 352. Further, in some imple- mentations, the sensor assembly 352 is configured to attach to the infusion administration set 344 rather than receiving the set 344 into a channel (e.g., channel 358) of the sensor assembly 352. For example, the sensor assembly 352 may connect to the syringe 304 via a first infusion administration set (e.g., set 344) coupled to a first end (e.g., comprising a luer lock) of the sensor assembly 352, and the sensor assembly 352 may connect to a patient via a second infusion administration set coupled to a second end (e.g., comprising a luer lock) of the sensor assembly 352.

[0054] FIGS. 4 A and 4B depict example processes 400 and 450 for improving flow rate accuracy and other operations of a syringe pump, according to various aspects of the subject technology. These processes 400 and 450 are enabled by the syringe pumps discussed above with mountable or integrated flow rate sensors. According, for explanatory purposes, the present disclosure describes the blocks of the example processes 400 and 450 with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3B, including the components illustrated therein. One or more of the blocks of the processes 400 and 450 may be implemented by one or more of the computing devices described for FIGS. 1 through 3B, such as the patient care device 100 of FIG. 1, the patient care device 202 of FIG. 2, and / or the syringe pump module 300 of FIGS. 3 A and 3B.

[0055] In some implementations, one or more of the blocks may be implemented based on one or more machine-learning algorithms. In some implementations, one or more of the blocks may be implemented apart from other blocks, and by one or more different processors or devices. Further, for explanatory purposes, the blocks of the processes 400 and 450 are described as occurring linearly (e.g., in serial). However, multiple blocks of the processes 400 and 450 may occur in parallel. Additionally, the blocks of the processes 400 and 450 need not be performed in the order shown and one or more of the blocks of the processes 400 and 450 need not be performed whatsoever.

[0056] The first example process 400 involves adjusting a syringe pump (e.g., syringe pump 132 of FIG. 1 or syringe pump module 300 of FIGS. 3 A and 3B) based on a measured flowrate received from a sensor assembly (e.g., sensor assembly 352 of FIG. 3B). With respect to the first example process 400, that adjustment is described broadly as a shift from operating according to “a first configuration” (e.g., a default mode) to operating according to “a second configuration”. Shifting from the first configuration to the second configuration, for example, may involve adjusting the operating speed of the syringe pump from a programmed operating speed associated with the first configuration to account for flow rate accuracy errors (see FIG. 4B). As another example, operating the syringe pump according to the second configuration may involve error handling (e.g., for downstream occlusion), whereas the first configuration may be used for standard operation. Additional examples are discussed below.

[0057] In the illustrated implementation, the processor operates (402) a drive head (e.g., drive head 324 of FIGS. 3 A and 3B) of a syringe pump according to a first configuration. The syringe pump includes a receptacle (e.g., receptacle 306 of FIGS. 3 A and 3B) configured to receive a syringe (e.g., syringe 304 of FIG. 3B). The drive head is configured to apply a force to a plunger (e.g., plunger 316 of FIG. 3B) of the syringe while the syringe is received in the receptacle. Applying the force causes a fluid (e.g., a medication, a saline solution) contained in the syringe to flow into a fluid tube (e.g., administration set 344 of FIG. 3B) thatis fluidically connected to the syringe.

[0058] The processor also receives (404), from the aforenoted sensor assembly, a measured flow rate of a fluid contained in the fluid tube. The sensor assembly includes a mounting assembly, a channel (e.g., channel 358 of FIG. 3B) configured to receive the fluid tube, and a sensor (e.g., sensor 356 of FIG. 3B) configured to measure the flow rate while the fluid tube is received in the channel. The syringe pump includes a housing (e.g., housing 354 of FIGS. 3A and 3B) with a sensor connection port (e.g., sensor connection port 350 of FIGS. 3A and 3B) that is integrated into the housing. In some implementations, the sensor connection port includes one ormore physical contacts (e.g., magnets, locking components, tension clips, screws) configured to mount the sensor assembly to the housing via the mounting assembly of the sensor assembly. Additionally, in some implementations, the sensor connection port includes one ormore electrical contacts configured to form an electrical connection with the sensor assembly when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or more physical contacts.

[0059] Additionally, after receiving the measured flow rate, the processor generates (406) a second configuration based at least in parton the first configuration and / orthe measured flow rate. Moreover, the processor operates (408) the drive head according to the second configuration.

[0060] The sensor assembly can include a thermal sensor, an ultrasound sensor, a pressure sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, and / or other sensors for determining the flow rate of the fluid in the fluid tube. In some implementations, the sensor assembly includes a heating element configured to heat a middle portion of the fluid tube between an upper portion of the fluid tube and a lower portion of the fluid tub e downstream from the upper portion, where the heating element is positioned to abut the middle portion when the fluid tube is received by the channel of the sensor assembly. Additionally, the sensor of the sensor assembly may include a thermal sensor configured to measure a temperature of the upper portion and a temperature of the lower portion, where the thermal sensor is positioned to abut the upper portion and the lower portion when the fluid tube is received by the channel of the sensor assembly. In this manner, the sensor assembly can determine the flowrate based on the measured temperatures of the fluid tube.

[0061] According to some implementations, the sensor assembly further includes an ultrasound transmitter configured to transmit an ultrasound wave through the fluid tube, where the ultrasound transmitter is positioned to abut the fluid tube when the fluid tube is received by the channel of the sensor assembly. Additionally, the sensor of the sensor assembly may include an ultrasound receiver configured to measure the ultrasound wave after it travels through the fluid tube, where the ultrasound receiver is positioned to abut the fluid tube when the fluid tube is received by the channel of the sensor assembly. In this manner, the sensor assembly can determine the flow rate of the fluid based on a property (e.g., a frequency) of the ultrasound wave received by the ultrasound receiver.

[0062] The sensor assembly may allow the syringe pump to forgo a standard characterization process, thereby streamlining the setup process for a given infusion therapy. Syringe characterization may involve, for example, requiring input of various information regarding the syringe (e.g., brand, size, model) and / or determining said information based on data collected by components of the syringe pump (e.g., a diameter of the syringe as determined by a barrel clamp of the syringe pump). In some implementations, the processorfurther determines whether the sensor assembly is secured to the housing of the syringe pump. Additionally, the processor may, prior to operating the drive head, either forgoing a syringe characterization process if thesensor assembly is secured to the housing of the syringe pump or requiring completion of the syringe characterization process if the sensor assembly is secured to the housing of the syringe pump.

[0063] Accordingto some implementations, the mountingassembly ofthe sensor assembly includes a near-field communication (NFC) transmitter, the sensor connection port of the syringe pump includes an NFC receiver, and determining whether the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump includes detecting a transmission from the NFC transmitter using the NFC receiver. Further, in some implementations, the mounting assembly includes an electrical terminal configured to electrically couple with the one or more electrical contacts of the sensor connection port when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or more physical contacts. In this manner, determining whether the sensor assembly is secured to the housing of the syringe pump includes detecting a signal from the sensor assembly via the one or more electrical contacts. The measured flow rate may also be received via the one or more electrical contacts.

[0064] In some implementations, the syringe pump is configured to avoid a free flow of fluid. For example, if the syringe pump is not currently supposed to be pumping the fluid (e.g, in an idle state) but the measured flow rate received from the sensor assembly indicates that the fluid is flowing, then the processor can cause the drive head to back up, thereby reversing fluid pressure in the syringe barrel or chamber and preventing free flow. Additionally, or alternatively, the processor can trigger an alarm or an alert to make a user of the syringe pump aware of the detected free flow.

[0065] In some implementations, the syringe pump is configured to avoid over-infusion. For example, the processor can use the measured flow rate and an amount of time for which the syringe pump has been pumping to determine a current amount of fluid pumped by the syringe pump. If the processor has received a programmed volume-to-be-infused (VTBI), then the processor can compare the current amount of fluid against the programmed VTBI. If the current amount of fluid meets or exceeds the programmed VTBI, then the processor can cause the drive head to stop operating, thereby stopping the infusion therapy and avoiding or at least minimizing over-infusion.

[0066] The shift from operating the drive head accordingto the first configuration to operating the drive head accordingto a second configuration may follow a determination that thereis an occlusion in the fluid tube. This determination may involve recognition of a discrepancy between the flow rate of the fluid in the fluid tube and an amount of pressure exerted by the drive head on the plunger of the syringe. If the flow rate is low, for instance, but the amount of pressure is high, then there is likely an occlusion in the fluid tube. Accordingly, in some implementations, the drive head includes a pressure sensor configured to measure an amount of pressure between the drive head and the plunger of the syringe, where the pressure sensor is positioned to abut the plunger when the drive head applies the force to the plunger. Operating the drive head according to the first configuration may include operating the drive head at a first operating speed (e.g., a programmed operating speed). Additionally, the processor may further receive a measured amount of pressure from the pressure sensor and, responsive to receiving the measured flow rate from the sensor assembly and prior to generating the second configuration, determining that there is an occlusion in the fluid tube based on the measured amount of pressure and the measured flow rate. Further, generating the second configuration may include determining, based on the first operating speed, the measured amount of pressure, and the measured flow rate, whether the drive head should stop operating or should operate at a second operating speedless than the first operating speed. Moreover, operatingthe drive head according to the second configuration may include stopping operation of the drive head or operating the drive head at the second operating speed.

[0067] Another specific example of a shift between operating according to first and second configurations is provided in the second example process 450 of FIG. 4B. As with the first process 400 of FIG. 4 A, the second process is described herein as being executed by a processor (e.g. , a processor of the syringe pump module 300 or a processor of a control unit connected thereto). In the illustrated implementation, the processor receives (452) a programmed flow rate and operates (454) the drive head of the syringe pump at a first operating speed based on the programmed flow rate (see operation 402 of FIG. 4 A). The processor also receives (456) a measured flow rate of a fluid contained in the fluid tube from the sensor assembly described above (see operation 404 of FIG. 4A).

[0068] Further, the processor determines (458) whether a difference between the measured flow rate and the programmed flow rate satisfies (e.g., meets, exceeds) an error threshold (e.g, 0.5%, 1%, 2%). If the error threshold is satisfied, the processor then determines (460) a second operating speed based on the first operating speed and the difference between the flow rate and the programmed flow rate (see operation 408 of FIG. 4A). (Otherwise, the processor continuesto receive (456) measurements and determine (458) the flow rate until the error threshold is satisfied.) After the second operations speed is determined, the processor then operates (462) the drive head at the second operating speed (see operation 410 of FIG. 4 A).

[0069] This second operating speed can be used to decrease the difference between the programmed flow rate and the actual flow rate of the fluid in the fluid tube. For example, if the flow rate is higher than the programmed flow rate, then the second operating speed may be set to a speed lower than the first operating speed to achieve a flow rate closer to the programmed flow rate and thereby increase the flow rate accuracy of the syringe pump (e.g., until the difference does not meet or exceed the error threshold). Likewise, if the flow rate is lower than the programmed flow rate, the second operating speed can be setto a speed higher than the first operating speed. The syringe pump can repeatedly perform this adjustment to continuously check whether the flow rate accuracy is within the bounds set by the error threshold.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram that depicts an example electronic system 500 for improving flow rate accuracy and other operations of a syringe pump, according to various aspects of the subject technology. The electronic system 500 may be implemented by a computing device for execution of software associated with portions or steps of the processes 400 and / or 450 of FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively, or components providedby FIGS. 1 through 3B. In this regard, the electronic system 500 may include the patient care device 100 of FIG. 1, the patient care device 202 of FIG. 2, and / or the syringe pump module 300 of FIGS. 3 A and 3B.

[0071] The electronic system 500 may also include a specifically-configuredpersonal computer or a mobile device for infusion, such as a smartphone, tablet computer, laptop, PDA, an augmented reality device, a wearable such as a watch or band or glasses, or combination thereof, or other touch screen or television with one or more processors embedded therein or coupled thereto, or any other sort of computer-related electronic device having network connectivity.

[0072] Additionally, the electronic system 500 may include various types of computer- readable media and interfaces for various other types of computer-readable media. In the depicted example, the electronic system 500 includes a bus 508, a processingunit 512, a system memory 504, a read-only memory (ROM) 510, a permanent storage device 502, an input deviceinterface 514, an output device interface 506, and a network interface 516. In some implementations, the electronic system 500 may include or be integrated with other computing devices or circuitry for operation of the various components and methods previously described.

[0073] The bus 508 collectively represents system, peripheral, and chipset busesthat communicatively connect the numerous internal devices of the electronic system 500. For instance, the bus 508 communicatively connects processing unit 512 with the ROM 510, the system memory 504, and the permanent storage device 502. From these various memory units, the processing unit 512 retrieves instructions to execute and data to process in order to execute the processes of the subject disclosure. The processing unit 512 can be a single processor or a multi-core processor in different implementations.

[0074] The ROM 510 stores static data and instructions that are needed by processing unit 512 and other modules of the electronic system. The permanent storage device 502, on the other hand, is a read-and-write memory device. This device is a non-volatile memory unit that stores instructions and data even when the electronic system 500 is powered off. Some implementations of the subject disclosure use a mass-storage device (such as a magnetic or optical disk and its corresponding disk drive) as the permanent storage device 502. Other implementations use a removable storage device (such as a floppy disk, flash drive, and its corresponding disk drive) as the permanent storage device 502.

[0075] Like the permanent storage device 502, the system memory 504 is a read-and-write memory device. However, unlike the storage device 502, the system memory 504 is a volatile read-and-write memory, such as random-access memory (RAM). The system memory 504 stores some of the instructions and data that the processor needs at runtime. In some implementations, the processes of the subject disclosure are stored in the system memory 504, the permanent storage device 502, and / or the ROM 510. From these various memory units, the processing unit 512 retrieves instructions to execute and data to process, in order to execute the processes of some implementations.

[0076] The bus 508 also connects to the input device interface 514 and the output device interface 506. The input device interface 514 enables the user to communicate information and select commands to the electronic system. Input devices used with the input device interface 514 include, for example, alphanumeric keyboards and pointing devices (also called “cursor control devices”). The output device interface 506 enables, for example, the display of imagesgenerated by the electronic system 500. Output devices used with the output device interface 506 include, for example, printers and display devices, such as cathode ray tubes (CRT) or liquid crystal displays (LCD). Some implementations include devices (e.g., touch screens) that function as both input and output devices.

[0077] Furthermore, the bus 508 also couples the electronic system 500 to a network (not shown) through the network interface 516. The network interface 516 may include, for example, a wireless access point (e.g., Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) or radio circuitry for connectingto a wireless access point. The network interface 516 may also include hardware (e.g., ethemet hardware) for connecting the computer to a part of a network of computers such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), wireless LAN, an intranet, or a network of networks, such as the Internet. Components of the electronic system 500 can be used in conjunction with the subject disclosure when specifically configured with one of more of the features described.

[0078] The functions described above can be implemented in computer software, firmware, or hardware. The techniques can be implemented using one or more computer program products. Programmable processors and computers can be included in or packaged as mobile devices. The processes and logic flows can be performed by one or more programmable processors and by programmable logic circuitry. General and special purpose computing devices and storage devices can be interconnected through communication networks.

[0079] Some implementations include electronic components, such as microprocessors, storage and memory that store computer program instructions in a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (also referred to as computer-readable storage media, machine-readable media, or machine-readable storage media). Some examples of such computer-readable media include RAM, ROM, read-only compact discs (CD-ROM), recordable compact discs (CD-R), rewritable compact discs (CD-RW), read-only digital versatile discs (e.g., DVD- ROM, dual-layer DVD-ROM), a variety of recordable / rewritable DVDs (e.g., DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, etc.), flash memory (e.g., SD cards, mini-SD cards, micro-SD cards, etc.), magnetic and / or solid state hard drives, read-only and recordable Blu-Ray® discs, ultra density optical discs, other optical or magnetic media, and floppy disks. The computer-readable media can store a computer program that is executable by at least one processing unit and includes sets of instructions for performing various operations. Examples of computer programs or computer code include machine code, such as is produced by a compiler, and filesincluding higher-level code that are executed by a computer, an electronic component, or a microprocessor using an interpreter.

[0080] While the above discussion primarily refers to microprocessor or multi-core processors that execute software, some implementations are performed by one or more integrated circuits, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In some implementations, such integrated circuits execute instructionsthatare stored on the circuit itself.

[0081] As used in this specification and any claims of this application, the terms “computer”, “server”, “processor”, and “memory” all refer to electronic or other technological devices specifically configured with one or more of the features described above. These terms exclude people or groups of people. For the purposes of the specification, the terms display or displaying means displaying on an electronic device. As used in this specification and any claims of this application, the terms “computer-readablemedium” and “computer-readable media” are entirely restricted to tangible, physical objects that store information in a form that is readable by a computer. These terms exclude any wireless signals, wired download signals, and any other ephemeral signals.

[0082] To provide for interaction with a user, implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g, a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide inputto the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well. For example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, tactile feedback), and input from the user can be received in forms such as acoustic, speech, gesture, or tactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is used by the user (e.g., by sending web pages to a web browser on a user’s client device in response to requests received from the web browser).

[0083] Implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in a specifically configured computing system that includes a back end component (e.g., a data server), or that includes a specifically configured middleware component (e.g, an application server), orthatincludes a specifically configured frontendcomponent(e.g., a clientcomputer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the subject matter describedin this specification), or any combination of one or more such back end, middleware, or front end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by one or more forms or mediums of digital data communication, such as a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a LAN and a WAN, an inter-network (e.g., the Internet), and peer-to-peer networks (e.g., ad hoc peer-to-peer networks).

[0084] The computing system can include specifically configured clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and may interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. In some implementations, a server transmits data (e.g., an HTML page) to a client device (e.g., for purposes of displaying data to and receiving user input from a user interacting with the client device). Data generated atthe client device (e.g., a result of the user interaction) can be received from the client device at the server.

[0085] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative blocks, modules, elements, components, methods, and algorithms described herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination thereof. To illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative blocks, modules, elements, components, methods, and algorithms have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. The described functionality may be implemented in varying ways for each particular application. Various components and blocks may be arranged differently (e.g., arranged in a different order, or partitioned in a different way) all without departing from the scope of the subject technology.

[0086] It is understood thatthe specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Basedupondesign preferences, itis understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes may be rearranged. Some of the steps may be performed simultaneously. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0087] Illustration of Subject Technology as Clauses:

[0088] Various examples of aspects of the disclosure are described as numbered clauses (e.g., 1, 2, 3) for convenience. These are provided as examples, and do not limit the subject technology. Identifications of the figures and reference numbers are provided below merely as examples and for illustrative purposes, and the clauses are not limited by those identifications.

[0089] Clause 1. An infusion system comprising: a sensor assembly comprising (i) a mounting assembly, (ii) a channel configured to receive a fluid tube, and (iii) a sensor configured to measure a flow rate of a fluid in the fluid tube while the fluid tube is received in the channel; and a syringe pump comprising: a housing comprising a receptacle configured to receive a syringe; a drive head configured to apply a force to a plunger of the syringe while the syringe is received in the receptacle, wherein applying the force causes a fluid contained in the syringe to flow into a fluid tube fluidically coupled to the syringe; a sensor connection port integrated with the housing, the sensor connection port comprising (i) one or more physical contacts configured to mount the sensor assembly to the housing via the mounting assembly and (ii) one or more electrical contacts configured to form an electrical connection with the sensor assembly when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or more physical contacts; and a processor configured to: operate the drive head according to a first configuration; receive a measured flow rate from the sensor assembly while the fluid tube is received in the channel of the sensor assembly; and after receiving the measured flow rate: generate a second configuration based at least in part on the first configuration and the measured flow rate; and operate the drive head according to the second configuration.

[0090] Clause 2. The infusion system of Clause 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to, prior to operating the drive head: determine whether the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump via the one or more physical contacts of the sensor connection port; and forgo a syringe characterization process if the processor determines that the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump; or require completion of the syringe characterization process if the processor determines that the sensor assembly is not mounted to the housing of the syringe pump.

[0091] Clause 3. The infusion system of Clause 2, wherein: the mounting assembly comprises a near-field communication (NFC) transmitter; the sensor connection port further com-prises an NFC receiver; and determining whether the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump comprises detecting a transmission from the NFC transmitter using the NFC receiver.

[0092] Clause 4. The infusion system of either Clause 2 or 3, wherein: the mounting assembly comprises an electrical terminal configured to electrically couple with the one or more electrical contacts of the sensor connection port when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or more physical contacts; determining whether the sensor assembly is secured to the housing of the syringe pump comprises detecting a signal from the sensor assembly via the one or more electrical contacts; and receiving the measured flow rate from the sensor assembly comprises receiving the measured flow rate via the one or more electrical contacts.

[0093] Clause 5. The infusion system of any one of Clauses 1 through 4, wherein: the processor is further configured to receive a programmed flow rate prior to operatingthe drive head accordingto the first configuration; operatingthe drive head accordingto the first configuration comprises operatingthe drive head at a first operating speed based on the programmed flow rate; the processor is further configured to determine whether a difference between the measured flow rate and the programmed flow rate satisfies an error threshold; generating the second configuration comprises determining a second operating speed based on the first operating speed and the difference between the measured flow rate and the programmed flow rate; and operatingthe drive head accordingto the second configuration comprises operatingthe drive head at the second operating speed.

[0094] Clause 6. The infusion system of any one of Clauses 1 through 5, wherein: the drive head comprises a pressure sensor configured to measure an amount of pressure between the drive head and the plunger of the syringe, wherein the pressure sensor is positioned to abut the plunger when the drive head applies the force to the plunger; operatingthe drive head according to the first configuration comprises operating the drive head at a first operating speed; the processor is further configured to: receive a measured amount of pressure from the pressure sensor, and responsive to receiving the measured flow rate from the sensor assembly and prior to generating the second configuration, determine that there is an occlusion in the fluid tube based on the measured amount of pressure and the measured flow rate; generating the second configuration comprises determining, based on the first operating speed, the measured amount of pres-sure, and the measured flow rate, whether the drive head should stop operating or should operate at a second operating speed less than the first operating speed; and operating the drive head according to the second configuration comprises (i) stopping operation of the drive head or (ii) operating the drive head at the second operating speed.

[0095] Clause 7. The infusion system of any one of Clauses 1 through 6, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine whether the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump via the one or more physical contacts of the sensor connection port; receive an error signal from the sensor assembly; and responsive to determining that the sensor assembly is notmounted to the housing of the syringe pump or responsiveto receivingthe error signal: operate the drive head according to the first configuration; and trigger an alarm of the syringe pump, the alarm indicating an issue with the sensor assembly.

[0096] Clause 8. A computer-implemented method for improving flow rate accuracy of a syringe pump, the method comprising: operating a drive head of a syringe pump according to a first configuration, wherein (i) the syringe pump comprises a housing comprising a receptacle configured to receive a syringe, (ii) the drive head is configured to apply a force to a plunger of the syringe while the syringe is received in the receptacle, and (iii) applying the force causes a fluid contained in the syringe to flow into a fluid tube fluidically connected to the syringe; receiving a measured flow rate from a sensor assembly, wherein (i) the sensor assembly comprises a mounting assembly, a channel configured to receive the fluid tube, and a sensor configured to measure a flow rate of the fluid in the fluid tube while the fluid tube is received in the channel and (ii) the housing further comprises a sensor connection port integrated with the housing and comprising one or more physical contacts configured to mount the sensor assembly to the housing via the mounting assembly and one or more electrical contacts configured to form an electrical connection with the sensor assembly when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or more physical contacts; and after receiving the measured flow rate: generating a second configuration based at least in part on the first configuration and the measured flow rate; and operating the drive head according to the second configuration.

[0097] Clause 9. The computer-implemented method of Clause 8, further comprising, prior to operatingthe drive head: determining whether the sensor assembly is mountedto the housing of the syringe pump via the one or more physical contacts of the sensor connection port; and forgoing a syringe characterization process if the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing ofthe syringe pump; or requiring completion of the syringe characterization process if the sensor assembly is not mounted to the housing of the syringe pump.

[0098] Clause 10. The computer-implemented method of Clause 9, wherein: the mounting assembly comprises a near-field communication (NFC) transmitter; the sensor connection port further comprises an NFC receiver; and determining whether the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump comprises detecting a transmission from the NFC transmitter using the NFC receiver.

[0099] Clause 11. The infusion system of either Clause 9 or 10, wherein: the mounting assembly comprises an electrical terminal configured to electrically couple with the one or more electrical contacts of the sensor connection port when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or more physical contacts; determining whether the sensor assembly is secured to the housing of the syringe pump comprises detecting a signal from the sensor assembly via the one or more electrical contacts; and receiving the measured flow rate from the sensor assembly comprises receiving the measured flow rate via the one or more electrical contacts.

[0100] Clause 12. The computer-implemented method of any one of Clauses 8 through 11, wherein : the method further comprises receiving a programmed flow rate prior to operatingthe drive head according to the first configuration; operatingthe drive head according to the first configuration comprises operating the drive head at a first operating speed based on the programmed flow rate; the method further comprises determining whether a difference between the measured flow rate and the programmed flow rate satisfies an error threshold; generating the second configuration comprises determining a second operating speed based on the first operating speed and the difference between the measured flowrate and the programmed flow rate; and operatingthe drive head according to the second configuration comprises operating the drive head at the second operating speed.

[0101] Clause 13. The computer-implemented method of any one of Clauses 8 through 12, wherein: the drive head comprises a pressure sensor configured to measure an amount of pressure between the drive head and the plunger of the syringe, wherein the pressure sensor is positioned to abut the plunger when the drive head applies the force to the plunger; operating the drive head according to the first configuration comprises operating the drive head at a first operating speed; the method further comprises: receiving a measured amount of pressure fromthe pressure sensor; and responsive to receiving the measured flow rate from the sensor assembly and prior to generating the second configuration, determining that there is an occlusion in the fluid tube based on the measured amount of pressure andthe measured flowrate; generating the second configuration comprises determining, based on the first operating speed, the measured amount of pressure, and the measured flow rate, whether the drive head should stop operating or should operate at a second operating speed less than the first operating speed; and operatingthe drive head accordingtothe second configuration comprises(i) stopping operation of the drive head or (ii) operating the drive head at the second operating speed.

[0102] Clause 14. The infusion system of any one of Clauses 8 through 13, further comprising: determining whether the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump via the one or more physical contacts of the sensor connection port; receiving an error signal from the sensor assembly; and responsive to determining that the sensor assembly is not mounted to the housing of the syringe pump or responsive to receiving the error signal: operating the drive head according to the first configuration; and triggering an alarm of the syringe pump, the alarm indicating an issue with the sensor assembly.

[0103] Clause 15. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of a syringe pump, cause the syringe pump to perform operations comprising: operating a drive head of the syringe pump according to a first configuration, wherein (i) the syringe pump comprises a housing comprising a receptacle configured to receive a syringe, (ii) the drive head is configured to apply a force to a plunger of the syringe while the syringe is received in the receptacle, and (iii) applying the force causes a fluid contained in the syringe to flow into a fluid tube fluidically connected to the syringe; receiving a measured flow rate a sensor assembly, wherein (i) the sensor assembly comprises a mounting assembly, a channel configured to receive the fluid tube, and a sensor configured to measure a flow rate of the fluid in the fluid tube while the fluid tube is received in the channel and (ii) the housingfurther comprises a sensor connectionport integrated with the housing and comprising one or more physical contacts configured to mount the sensor assembly to the housing via the mounting assembly and one or more electrical contacts configured to form an electrical connection with the sensor assembly when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or more physical contacts; and after receiving the measured flow rate: generating a second configuration based at least in part on the first configuration and the measured flow rate; and operating the drive head according to the second configuration.

[0104] Clause 16. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of Clause 15, wherein the operations further comprise, prior to operating the drive head: determining whether the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump via the one or more physical contacts of the sensor connection port; and forgoing a syringe characterization process if the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump; or requiring completion of the syringe characterization process if the sensor assembly is not mounted to the housing of the syringe pump.

[0105] Clause 17. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of Clause 16, wherein: the mounting assembly comprises a near-field communication (NFC) transmitter; the sensor connection port further comprises an NFC receiver; and determining whether the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump comprises detecting a transmission from the NFC transmitter using the NFC receiver.

[0106] Clause 18. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of either Clause 16 or 17, wherein: the mounting assembly comprises an electrical terminal configured to electrically couple with the one or more electrical contacts of the sensor connection port when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housingviathe one or more physical contacts; determining whether the sensor assembly is secured to the housing of the syringe pump comprises detecting a signal from the sensor assembly via the one or more electrical contacts; and receiving the measured flow rate from the sensor assembly comprises receiving the measured flow rate via the one or more electrical contacts.

[0107] Clause 19. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of any one of Clauses 15 through 18, wherein: the operations further comprise receiving a programmed flow rate prior to operating the drive head according to the first configuration; operating the drive head according to the first configuration comprises operating the drive head at a first operating speed based on the programmed flow rate; the operations further comprise determining whether a difference between the measured flow rate and the programmed flow rate satisfies an error threshold; generating the second configuration comprises determining a second operating speed based on the first operating speed and the difference between the measured flow rate and the programmed flow rate; and operating the drive head according to the second configuration comprises operating the drive head at the second operating speed.

[0108] Clause20. Thenon-transitory, computer-readable medium of any one of Clauses 15 through 19, wherein: the drive head comprises a pressure sensor configured to measure an amount of pressure between the drive head and the plunger of the syringe, wherein the pressure sensor is positioned to abut the plunger when the drive head applies the force to the plunger, operatingthe drive head accordingto the first configuration comprises operatingthe drive head at a first operating speed; the operations further comprise: receiving a measured amount of pressure from the pressure sensor; and responsive to receiving the measured flow rate from the sensor assembly and prior to generating the second configuration, determining that there is an occlusion in the fluid tube based on the measured amount of pressure and the measured flow rate; generating the second configuration comprises determining, based on the first operating speed, the measured amount of pressure, and the measured flow rate, whether the drive head should stop operating or should operate ata second operating speed less than the first operating speed; and operatingthe drive head accordingto the second configuration comprises (i) stopping operation of the drive head or (ii) operating the drive head at the second operating speed.

[0109] Further Consideration:

[0110] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes disclosed herein is an illustration of example approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes may be rearranged. Some ofthe steps may be performed simultaneously. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.[OHl] The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The previous description provides various examples of the subject technology, and the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparentto those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more”. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronounsin the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention described herein.

[0112] The predicate words “configured to”, “operable to”, and “programmed to” do not imply any particular tangible or intangible modification of a subject, but, rather, are intended to be used interchangeably. For example, a processor configured to monitor and control an operation or a component may also mean the processor being programmed to monitor and control the operation or the processor being operable to monitor and control the operation. Likewise, a processor configured to execute code can be construed as a processor programmed to execute code or operable to execute code.

[0113] The term automatic, as used herein, may include performance by a computer or machine withoutuser intervention; for example, by instructions responsive to a predicate action by the computer or machine or other initiation mechanism. The word “example” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration”. Any aspect or design described herein as “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.

[0114] A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as an “implementation” does not imply that such implementation is essential to the subject technology or that such implementation applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an implementation may apply to all implementations, or one or more implementations. An implementation may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as “implementations” may refer to one or more embodiments and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does notimply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology . A disclosure relatingto a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as a “configuration” may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa.

[0115] As used herein a “user interface” (also referred to as an interactive user interface, a graphical user interface or a UI) may refer to a network based interface including data fields and / or other control elements for receiving input signals or providing electronic information and / or for providing information to the user in response to any received input signals. Controlelements may include dials, buttons, icons, selectable areas, or other perceivable indicia presented via the UI that, when interacted with (e.g., clicked, touched, selected, etc.), initiates an exchange of data for the device presenting the UI. A UI may be implemented in whole or in part using technologies such as hyper-text mark-up language (HTML), FLASH™, JAVA™, .NET™, C, C++, web services, or rich site summary (RSS). In some implementations, a UI may be included in a stand-alone client (for example, thick client, fat client) configured to communicate (e.g., send or receive data) in accordance with one or more of the aspects described. The communication may be to or from a medical device or server in communication therewith.

[0116] As used herein, the terms “determine” or “determining” encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, “determining” may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, generating, obtaining, looking up (e.g., lookingup in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like via a hardware element without user intervention. Also, “determining” may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like via a hardware element without user intervention. “Determining” may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like via a hardware element without user intervention.

[0117] As used herein, the terms “provide” or “providing” encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, “providing” may include storing a value in a location of a storage device for sub sequent retrieval, transmitting a value directly to the recipient via at least one wired or wireless communication medium, transmitting or storing a reference to a value, and the like. “Providing” may also include encoding, decoding, encrypting, decrypting, validating, verifying, and the like via a hardware element.

[0118] As used herein, the term “message” encompasses a wide variety of formats for communicating (e.g., transmitting or receiving) information. A message may include a machine readable aggregation of information such as an XML document, fixed field message, comma separated message, JSON, a custom protocol, or the like. A message may, in some implementations, include a signal utilized to transmit one or more representations of the information. While recited in the singular, it will be understood that a message may be composed, transmitted, stored, received, etc. in multiple parts.

[0119] As used herein, the term “selectively” or “selective” may encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, a “selective” process may include determining one option from multiple options. A “selective” process may include one or more of: dynamically determinedin- puts, preconfigured inputs, or user-initiated inputs for making the determination. In some implementations, an n-input switch may be included to provide selective functionality where n is the number of inputs used to make the selection.

[0120] As used herein, the terms “correspond” or “corresponding” encompasses a structural, functional, quantitative and / or qualitative correlation or relationship between two or more objects, data sets, information and / or the like, preferably where the correspondence or relationship may be used to translate one or more of the two or more objects, data sets, information and / or the like so to appear to be the same or equal. Correspondence may be assessed using one or more of a threshold, a value range, fuzzy logic, pattern matching, a machine-learning assessment model, or combinations thereof.

[0121] In any implementation, data generated or detected can be forwarded to a “remote” device or location, where “remote”, means a location or device other than the location or device at which the program is executed. For example, a remote location could be another location (e.g., office, lab, etc.) in the same city, another location in a different city, another location in a different state, another location in a different country, etc. As such, when one item is indicated as being “remote” from another, what is meant is that the two items can be in the same room but separated, or at least in different rooms or different buildings, and can be at least one mile, ten miles, or at least one hundred miles apart. “Communicating” information references transmitting the data representing that information as electrical signals over a suitable communication channel (e.g., a private or public network). “Forwarding” an item refers to any means of getting that item from one location to the next, whether by physically transporting that item or otherwise (where that is possible) and includes, at least in the case of data, physically transporting a medium carrying the data or communicating the data. Examples of communicating media include radio or infra-red transmission channels as well as a network connection to another computer or networked device, and the internet or including email transmissions and information recorded on websites and the like.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An infusion system comprising: a sensor assembly comprising (i) a mounting assembly, (ii) a channel configured to receive a fluid tube, and (iii) a sensor configured to measure a flow rate of a fluid in the fluid tube while the fluid tube is received in the channel; and a syringe pump comprising: a housing comprising a receptacle configured to receive a syringe; a drive head configured to apply a force to a plunger of the syringe while the syringe is received in the receptacle, wherein applyingthe force causes a fluid contained in the syringe to flow into a fluid tube fluidically coupled to the syringe; a sensor connection port integrated with the housing, the sensor connection port comprising (i) one or more physical contacts configured to mount the sensor assembly to the housing via the mounting assembly and (ii) one or more electrical contacts configured to form an electrical connection with the sensor assembly when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or more physical contacts; and a processor configured to: operate the drive head according to a first configuration; receive a measured flow rate from the sensor assembly while the fluid tube is received in the channel of the sensor assembly; and after receiving the measured flow rate: generate a second configuration based at least in part on the first configuration and the measured flow rate; and operate the drive head according to the second configuration.

2. The infusion system of Claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to, prior to operating the drive head: determine whether the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump via the one or more physical contacts of the sensor connection port; and forgo a syringe characterization process if the processor determines that the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump; or require completion of the syringe characterization process if the processor determines that the sensor assembly is not mounted to the housing of the syringe pump.

3. The infusion system of Claim 2, wherein: the mounting assembly comprises a near-field communication (NFC) transmitter; the sensor connection port further comprises an NFC receiver; and determiningwhetherthe sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump comprises detecting a transmission from the NFC transmitter using the NFC receiver.

4. The infusion system of Claim 2, wherein: the mounting assembly comprises an electrical terminal configured to electrically couple with the one or more electrical contacts of the sensor connection port when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or more physical contacts; determining whether the sensor assembly is secured to the housing of the syringe pump comprises detecting a signal from the sensor assembly via the one or more electrical contacts; and receiving the measured flow rate from the sensor assembly comprises receiving the measured flow rate via the one or more electrical contacts.

5. The infusion system of Claim 1, wherein: the processor is further configured to receive a programmed flow rate prior to operating the drive head according to the first configuration; operating the drive head according to the first configuration comprises operating the drive head at a first operating speed based on the programmed flow rate; the processor is further configured to determine whether a difference between the measured flow rate and the programmed flow rate satisfies an error threshold; generating the second configuration comprises determining a second operating speed based on the first operating speed and the difference between the measured flow rate and the programmed flow rate; and operating the drive head according to the second configuration comprises operating the drive head at the second operating speed.

6. The infusion system of Claim 1, wherein: the drive head comprises a pressure sensor configured to measure an amount of pressure between the drive head and the plunger of the syringe, whereinthe pressure sensor is positioned to abut the plunger when the drive head applies the force to the plunger;operating the drive head according to the first configuration comprises operating the drive head at a first operating speed; the processor is further configured to: receive a measured amount of pressure from the pressure sensor; and responsive to receiving the measured flow rate from the sensor assembly and prior to generating the second configuration, determine that there is an occlusion in the fluid tube based on the measured amount of pressure and the measured flow rate; generatingthe second configuration comprises determining, based on the firstoperating speed, the measured amount of pressure, and the measured flow rate, whether the drive head should stop operating or should operate ata second operating speed less than the firstoperating speed; and operating the drive head according to the second configuration comprises (i) stopping operation of the drive head or (ii) operating the drive head at the second operating speed.

7. The infusion system of Claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine whether the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump via the one or more physical contacts of the sensor connection port; receive an error signal from the sensor assembly; and responsive to determining that the sensor assembly is not mounted to the housing of the syringe pump or responsive to receiving the error signal: operate the drive head according to the first configuration; and trigger an alarm of the syringe pump, the alarm indicating an issue with the sensor assembly.

8. A computer-implemented method for improving flow rate accuracy of a syringe pump, the method comprising: operating a drive head of a syringe pump according to a first configuration, wherein (i) the syringe pump comprises a housing comprising a receptacle configured to receive a syringe, (ii) the drive head is configured to apply a force to a plunger of the syringe while the syringe is received in the receptacle, and (iii) applying the force causes a fluid contained in the syringe to flow into a fluid tube fluidically connected to the syringe; receiving a measured flow rate from a sensor assembly, wherein (i) the sensor assembly comprises a mounting assembly, a channel configured to receive the fluid tube, and a sensor configured to measure a flow rate of the fluid in the fluid tube while the fluid tube is receivedin the channel and (ii) the housing further comprises a sensor connection port integrated with the housing and comprising one or more physical contacts configured to mount the sensor assembly to the housing via the mounting assembly and one or more electrical contacts configured to form an electrical connection with the sensor assembly when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or more physical contacts; and after receiving the measured flow rate: generatinga second configurationbased atleastin parton the first configuration and the measured flow rate; and operating the drive head according to the second configuration.

9. The computer-implemented method of Claim 8, further comprising, prior to operating the drive head: determining whether the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump via the one or more physical contacts of the sensor connection port; and forgoing a syringe characterization process if the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump; or requiring completion of the syringe characterization process if the sensor assembly is not mounted to the housing of the syringe pump.

10. The computer-implemented method of Claim 9, wherein: the mounting assembly comprises a near-field communication (NFC) transmitter; the sensor connection port further comprises an NFC receiver; and determining whether the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump comprises detecting a transmission from the NFC transmitter using the NFC receiver.

11. The computer-implemented method of Claim 9, wherein: the mounting assembly comprises an electrical terminal configured to electrically couple with the one or more electrical contacts of the sensor connection port when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or more physical contacts; determining whether the sensor assembly is secured to the housing of the syringe pump comprises detecting a signal from the sensor assembly via the one or more electrical contacts; and receiving the measured flow rate from the sensor assembly comprises receiving the measured flow rate via the one or more electrical contacts.

12. The computer-implemented method of Claim 8, wherein: the method further comprises receiving a programmed flow rate prior to operating the drive head according to the first configuration; operating the drive head according to the first configuration comprises operating the drive head at a first operating speed based on the programmed flow rate; the method further comprises determining whether a difference between the measured flow rate and the programmed flow rate satisfies an error threshold; generating the second configuration comprises determining a second operating speed based on the first operating speed and the difference between the measured flow rate and the programmed flow rate; and operating the drive head according to the second configuration comprises operating the drive head at the second operating speed.

13. The computer-implemented method of Claim 8, wherein: the drive head comprises a pressure sensor configured to measure an amount of pressure between the drive head and the plunger of the syringe, wherein the pressure sensor is positioned to abut the plunger when the drive head applies the force to the plunger; operating the drive head according to the first configuration comprises operating the drive head at a first operating speed; the method further comprises: receiving a measured amount of pressure from the pressure sensor; and responsive to receiving the measured flow rate from the sensor assembly and prior to generating the second configuration, determining that there is an occlusion in the fluid tube based on the measured amount of pressure and the measured flow rate; generatingthe second configuration comprises determining, based on the first operating speed, the measured amount of pressure, and the measured flow rate, whether the drive head should stop operating or should operate ata second operating speed less than the first op erating speed; and operating the drive head according to the second configuration comprises (i) stopping operation of the drive head or (ii) operating the drive head at the second operating speed.

14. The infusion system of Claim 8, further comprising:determining whether the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump via the one or more physical contacts of the sensor connection port; receiving an error signal from the sensor assembly; and responsive to determining that the sensor assembly is not mounted to the housing of the syringe pump or responsive to receiving the error signal: operating the drive head according to the first configuration; and triggering an alarm of the syringe pump, the alarm indicating an issue with the sensor assembly.

15. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of a syringe pump, cause the syringe pump to perform operations comprising: operating a drive head of the syringe pump according to a first configuration, wherein (i) the syringe pump comprises a housing comprising a receptacle configured to receive a syringe, (ii) the drive head is configured to apply a force to a plunger of the syringe while the syringe is received in the receptacle, and (iii) applying the force causes a fluid contained in the syringe to flow into a fluid tube fluidically connected to the syringe; receiving a measured flow rate a sensor assembly, wherein (i) the sensor assembly comprises a mounting assembly, a channel configured to receive the fluid tube, and a sensor configured to measure a flow rate of the fluid in the fluid tube while the fluid tube is received in the channel and (ii) the housing further comprises a sensor connection port integrated with the housing and comprising one or more physical contacts configured to mount the sensor assembly to the housing via the mounting assembly and one or more electrical contacts configured to form an electrical connection with the sensor assembly when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or more physical contacts; and after receiving the measured flow rate: generatinga second configurationbased atleastin parton the first configuration and the measured flow rate; and operating the drive head according to the second configuration.

16. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of Claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise, prior to operating the drive head: determining whether the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump via the one or more physical contacts of the sensor connection port; andforgoing a syringe characterization process if the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump; or requiring completion of the syringe characterization process if the sensor assembly is not mounted to the housing of the syringe pump.

17. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of Claim 16, wherein: the mounting assembly comprises a near-field communication (NFC) transmitter; the sensor connection port further comprises an NFC receiver; and determining whether the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing of the syringe pump comprises detecting a transmission from the NFC transmitter using the NFC receiver.

18. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of Claim 16, wherein: the mounting assembly comprises an electrical terminal configured to electrically couple with the one or more electrical contacts of the sensor connection port when the sensor assembly is mounted to the housing via the one or more physical contacts; determining whether the sensor assembly is secured to the housing of the syringe pump comprises detecting a signal from the sensor assembly via the one or more electrical contacts; and receiving the measured flow rate from the sensor assembly comprises receiving the measured flow rate via the one or more electrical contacts.

19. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of Claim 15, wherein: the operations further comprise receiving a programmed flow rate prior to operatingthe drive head according to the first configuration; operating the drive head according to the first configuration comprises operatingthe drive head at a first operating speed based on the programmed flow rate; the operations further comprisedetermining whether a difference between the measured flow rate and the programmed flow rate satisfies an error threshold; generating the second configuration comprises determining a second operating speed based on the first operating speed and the difference between the measured flow rate and the programmed flow rate; and operating the drive head according to the second configuration comprises operating the drive head at the second operating speed.

20. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of Claim 15, wherein: the drive head comprises a pressure sensor configured to measure an amount of pressure between the drive head and the plunger of the syringe, whereinthe pressure sensor is positioned to abut the plunger when the drive head applies the force to the plunger; operating the drive head according to the first configuration comprises operating the drive head at a first operating speed; the operations further comprise: receiving a measured amount of pressure from the pressure sensor; and responsive to receiving the measured flow rate from the sensor assembly and prior to generating the second configuration, determining that there is an occlusion in the fluid tube based on the measured amount of pressure and the measured flow rate; generatingthe second configuration comprises determining, based on the first operating speed, the measured amount of pressure, and the measured flow rate, whether the drive head should stop operating or should operate ata second operating speed less than the first operating speed; and operating the drive head according to the second configuration comprises (i) stopping operation of the drive head or (ii) operating the drive head at the second operating speed.

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