阅读说明：本技术 医用泵 (Medical pump ) 是由 利柔·伊利亚 葛瑞尔·J·爱登 叶夫根尼·维尼斯拉夫斯基 尼尔·里拉奇 于 2019-08-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开了一种医用泵,包括：一流体壳体,所述流体壳体具有由至少一个进料阀密封的多个进料口以及由一排出阀密封的一排出口；一活塞,所述活塞密封所述流体壳体,并且连接至一驱动机构,所述驱动机构拉动所述活塞,以从所述至少两个进料口中的一个抽取流体,并且推动所述活塞,以将所述流体排放至所述排出口；及一选择阀,所述选择阀封围至少两个导管,每一导管向所述至少两个进料口中的一个提供流体,其中所述选择阀关闭所述至少两个导管中的一个,同时打开所述至少两个导管中的另一个。(The invention discloses a medical pump, comprising: a fluid housing having a plurality of inlet ports sealed by at least one inlet valve and an outlet port sealed by an outlet valve; a piston sealing the fluid housing and connected to a drive mechanism that pulls the piston to draw fluid from one of the at least two feed ports and pushes the piston to discharge the fluid to the discharge port; and a selector valve enclosing at least two conduits, each conduit providing fluid to one of the at least two feed ports, wherein the selector valve closes one of the at least two conduits while opening another of the at least two conduits.)

1. A medical pump system, characterized by: the medical pump system comprises:

a fluid chamber having at least two inlet ports sealed by at least one inlet valve and an outlet port sealed by an outlet valve;

a piston sealing the fluid chamber and connected to a drive mechanism that pulls the piston to draw fluid from one of the at least two feed ports and pushes the piston to discharge the fluid to the discharge port; and

a selector valve enclosing at least two conduits, each conduit providing fluid to one of the at least two feed ports, wherein the selector valve closes one of the at least two conduits while opening another of the at least two conduits.

2. The medical pump system of claim 1, wherein: the drive mechanism is controlled by an electronic control unit.

3. The medical pump system of claim 1, wherein: the selector valve is controlled by an electronic control unit.

4. The medical pump system of claim 1, wherein: at least one of the selector valve, the at least one inlet valve, and the outlet valve is a one-way valve.

5. The medical pump system of claim 1, wherein: the selection valve is commanded by an electronic control unit to alternately open and close the at least two conduits.

6. The medical pump system of claim 5, wherein: the electronic control unit is connected to a display device for graphically displaying data related to the operation of the medical pump system.

7. The medical pump system of claim 5, wherein: the electronic control unit is connected to an Electronic Health Record (EHR).

8. The medical pump system of claim 5, wherein: the electronic control unit provides instructions that compensate for food losses due to Gastric Residual Volume (GRV) and cessation of retrograde feeding.

9. The medical pump system of claim 1, wherein: the selector valve is controlled using a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) algorithm.

10. The medical pump system of claim 1, wherein: the pump and the at least two conduits are disposable.

11. The medical pump system of claim 1, wherein: the selector valve is a pinch valve.

12. The medical pump system of claim 1, wherein: the fluid chamber includes a cylinder.

13. The medical pump system of claim 1, wherein: the piston is connected to the drive mechanism by a plunger rod having a slot that holds a reciprocating drive bracket of the drive mechanism and transmits reciprocating motion of the drive mechanism.

14. The medical pump system of claim 13, wherein: the reciprocating drive carriage includes a fork-type holder that grips the slot.

15. The medical pump system of claim 1, wherein: the drive mechanism is regulated by an electronic control unit to administer a medicament from a fluid dispenser connected to one of the at least two feed ports.

16. The medical pump system of claim 1, wherein: one of the at least two conduits includes a fluid dispenser having a removable fluid container.

17. The medical pump system of claim 1, wherein: the at least two feed openings are connected to a feed channel.

18. The medical pump system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one inlet valve and the outlet valve are integrated in a valve box.

19. A fluid dispenser for a medical pump, comprising: the fluid dispenser is attachable to an access tube, the fluid dispenser comprising:

a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, the outlet port being connected to a feed port of a medical pump;

a piston enclosed in the housing, the piston having an inlet passage and a dispensing passage, wherein when the piston is in a release position, fluid flows from the inlet port to the outlet port through the inlet passage; and

a removable fluid container, wherein when the removable fluid container is attached to the piston, the piston moves to a pushing position and fluid flows from the removable fluid container through the dispensing passage to the discharge outlet.

20. A method of controlling a medical pump, comprising: the method comprises the following steps:

instructing a selector valve to enclose at least two conduits to close one of the at least two conduits while opening another of the at least two conduits, wherein each conduit provides fluid to one of a plurality of feed ports of a fluid housing;

indicating a drive mechanism to pull a piston sealing the fluid chamber having the at least two feed ports and a discharge port to draw fluid from an open one of the at least two conduits; and

instructing the drive mechanism to push the plunger to discharge the fluid into the discharge port.

21. A method of preventing the formation of an occlusion in a feeding tube during feeding using a medical pump, comprising: the method comprises the following steps:

pumping at least one stroke of softened fluid into a supply pipe, the at least one stroke of softened fluid filling a predetermined length of the supply pipe;

pumping at least one fill stroke of feed fluid into the feed tube such that at least one stroke of the softened fluid is pushed into a distal end of the feed tube;

suspending said pumping for a predetermined time to soften an occlusion in said distal end with at least one stroke of said softening fluid; and

the supply fluid of at least one flushing stroke is pumped into the supply pipe at a faster rate to remove the blockage.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein: the method further comprises the following steps:

pumping a plurality of strokes of the feed fluid to the feed pipe such that a total amount of the plurality of strokes of the feed fluid, the at least one fill stroke of the feed fluid, and the at least one rinse stroke of the feed fluid in a feed cycle equals a specified feed dosage of the feed fluid for the feed cycle.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein: the method further comprises the following steps:

pumping multiple strokes of softened fluid into the supply pipe such that a total amount of softened fluid for the multiple strokes and the at least one stroke in a supply cycle equals a predetermined amount of softened fluid for the supply cycle.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein: the method further comprises the following steps:

an increase in power consumption of a medical pump is detected to indicate the formation of a blockage of the feed fluid within the feed tube.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein: the method further comprises the following steps:

multiple strokes of fluid are pumped into the feed tube at a faster rate to remove the blockage.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein: the softening fluid is water.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein: the predetermined length is between 5 and 15 centimeters.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein: the predetermined time is at least 1 minute.

29. A method of safe administration of a drug, characterized by: the method comprises the following steps:

comparing prescription data stored in a terminal associated with a patient for a medication of the patient with prescription data stored on a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device associated with a medication issued by a pharmacy; and

when a match is found, the administration of the drug is indicated to the patient based on the data.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein: the data includes at least one of a medication type, a dose, a mode of administration, and a patient ID.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein: the terminal is stored at the patient's bedside.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein: the RFID device is attached to a container of the medication.

33. A disposable feeding kit for a medical pump system, comprising: the disposable feeding kit comprises:

a fluid chamber having at least two inlet ports sealed by at least one inlet valve and an outlet port sealed by an outlet valve;

a discharge pipe connected to the discharge valve;

at least two feed pipes, each feed pipe connected to one of the at least two feed ports;

at least two fluid bags, each fluid bag connected to one of the at least two feed tubes;

a piston sealing the fluid chamber for connection to a drive mechanism that pulls the piston to draw fluid from one of the at least two feed ports and pushes the piston to discharge the fluid to the discharge port; and

a selector valve closing the at least two feed tubes, wherein the selector valve closes one of the at least two feed tubes while opening the other of the at least two feed tubes.

34. A medical pump for dispensing food, water and medication, characterized by: the medical pump includes: a housing having: a first inlet connected to a container containing food through a first one-way valve and a first feed tube; a second inlet connected to a water-containing vessel through a second one-way valve and a second feed pipe; and an outlet;

wherein a medication syringe is attached to one of the first supply tube and the second supply tube; wherein the syringe comprises a loaded spring configured to apply resistance to depression of a shaft, thereby maintaining the syringe at a preloaded pressure;

wherein the loaded syringe is connected to one of the first feed tube or the second feed tube by a Y-connector that blocks flow from one of the first feed tube or the second feed tube when an interior of the syringe is fluidly connected to one of the first feed tube or the second feed tube;

wherein the pump is configured to draw the medication through the syringe; and

wherein when the shaft is fully depressed and there is no medication remaining in the syringe, the pump is configured to dispense food or water from one of the first supply tube or the second supply tube through the outlet.

Technical field and background

Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a medical pump, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to the structure, method of operation, and corresponding algorithms of a medical pump for sequentially selecting and expelling multiple fluids.

Medical pumps have long been used in large numbers in hospital and clinic environments to perform a variety of tasks, such as: assist multiple patients in eating, administering multiple medications, and flushing.

In some of these applications, precise metering (precise flow control) is not important, while in other cases precise flow and total amounts as in the case of drug administration are crucial. Due to the wide range of specifications, a variety of medical pumps have been invented and put into production.

When dealing with multiple feed pumps, most of the methods are based on a peristaltic principle, i.e. a polygonal rotor pushes multiple fluids into a hose. The current method has some drawbacks, such as: sensitivity to occlusion and lack of sufficient accuracy, but the need to sterilize the pump is avoided as the current methods provide acceptable performance in use and incorporate a number of low cost disposable components in contact with the patient.

As mentioned above, in addition to dispensing food, multiple pumps are used to dispense water to the patient for several reasons, such as: sodium (Na) reduction by aqueous dilution⁺) And flushing the feed pipe in case of clogging.

If necessary, the drug may be administered via the pump by pulverizing the solid preparation into powder and mixing the powder with water to form a liquid phase, or in some cases, the drug may be supplied in a liquid form at the beginning.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a medical pump system comprising: a fluid chamber having at least two inlet ports sealed by at least one inlet valve and an outlet port sealed by an outlet valve; a piston sealing the fluid chamber and connected to a drive mechanism that pulls the piston to draw fluid from one of the at least two feed ports and pushes the piston to discharge the fluid to the discharge port; and a selector valve enclosing at least two conduits, each conduit providing fluid to one of the at least two feed ports, wherein the selector valve closes one of the at least two conduits while opening another of the at least two conduits.

Optionally, the drive mechanism is controlled by an electronic control unit.

Optionally, the selector valve is controlled by an electronic control unit.

Optionally, at least one of the selector valve, the at least one inlet valve and the outlet valve is a one-way valve.

Optionally, the selector valve is commanded by an electronic control unit to alternately open and close the at least two conduits.

More optionally, the electronic control unit is connected to a display device for image display of data relating to the operation of the medical pump system.

More optionally, the electronic control unit is connected to an Electronic Health Record (EHR).

More optionally, the electronic control unit provides instructions that compensate for food losses due to Gastric Residual Volume (GRV) and cessation of retrograde feeding.

Optionally, the selector valve is controlled using a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) algorithm.

Optionally, the pump and the at least two conduits are disposable.

Optionally, the selection valve is a pinch valve.

Optionally, the fluid chamber comprises a cylinder.

Optionally, the piston is connected to the drive mechanism by a plunger rod having a slit that holds a reciprocating drive carriage of the drive mechanism and transmits reciprocating motion of the drive mechanism.

More optionally, the reciprocating drive carriage comprises a fork-type holder, the fork-type holder gripping the slit.

Optionally, the drive mechanism is regulated by an electronic control unit to administer a medicament from a fluid dispenser connected to one of the at least two feed ports.

Optionally, one of the at least two conduits includes a fluid dispenser having a removable fluid container.

Optionally, the at least two feed openings are connected to a feed channel.

Optionally, the at least one inlet valve and the outlet valve are integrated in a valve box.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a fluid dispenser for a medical pump, the fluid dispenser being attachable to an access tube, the fluid dispenser comprising: a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, the outlet port being connected to a feed port of a medical pump; a piston enclosed in the housing, the piston having an inlet passage and a dispensing passage, wherein when the piston is in a release position, fluid flows from the inlet port to the outlet port through the inlet passage; and a removable fluid container, wherein when the removable fluid container is attached to the piston, the piston moves to a pushing position and fluid flows from the removable fluid container through the dispensing passage to the discharge outlet.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of controlling a medical pump, the method comprising: instructing a selector valve to enclose at least two conduits to close one of the at least two conduits while opening another of the at least two conduits, wherein each conduit provides fluid to one of a plurality of feed ports of a fluid housing; indicating a drive mechanism to pull a piston sealing the fluid chamber having the at least two feed ports and a discharge port to draw fluid from an open one of the at least two conduits; and instructing the drive mechanism to push the plunger to discharge the fluid into the discharge port.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method of preventing formation of an occlusion in a supply tube when supplying using a medical pump, the method comprising the steps of: pumping at least one stroke of softened fluid into a supply pipe, the at least one stroke of softened fluid filling a predetermined length of the supply pipe; pumping at least one fill stroke of feed fluid into the feed tube such that at least one stroke of the softened fluid is pushed into a distal end of the feed tube; suspending said pumping for a predetermined time to soften an occlusion in said distal end with at least one stroke of said softening fluid; and pumping the feed fluid of at least one flushing stroke into the feed tube at a faster rate to remove the blockage.

Optionally, the method further comprises: pumping a plurality of strokes of the feed fluid to the feed pipe such that a total amount of the plurality of strokes of the feed fluid, the at least one fill stroke of the feed fluid, and the at least one rinse stroke of the feed fluid in a feed cycle equals a specified feed dosage of the feed fluid for the feed cycle.

Optionally, the method further comprises: pumping multiple strokes of softened fluid into the supply pipe such that a total amount of softened fluid for the multiple strokes and the at least one stroke in a supply cycle equals a predetermined amount of softened fluid for the supply cycle.

Optionally, the method further comprises: an increase in power consumption of a medical pump is detected to indicate the formation of a blockage of the feed fluid within the feed tube.

More optionally, the method further comprises: multiple strokes of fluid are pumped into the feed tube at a faster rate to remove the blockage.

Optionally, the softening fluid is water.

Optionally, the predetermined length is between 5 and 15 centimeters.

Optionally, the predetermined time is at least 1 minute.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method of safe administration, the method comprising: comparing prescription data stored in a terminal associated with a patient for a medication of the patient with prescription data stored on a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device associated with a medication issued by a pharmacy; and when a match is found, indicating to the patient administration of the drug in accordance with the data.

Optionally, the data includes at least one of a type of medication, a dose, a mode of administration, and a patient ID.

Optionally, the terminal is stored at the patient's bedside.

Optionally, the RFID device is attached to a container of the medicament.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a disposable feeding kit for a medical pump system, characterized in that: the disposable feeding kit comprises: a fluid chamber having at least two inlet ports sealed by at least one inlet valve and an outlet port sealed by an outlet valve; a discharge pipe connected to the discharge valve; at least two feed pipes, each feed pipe connected to one of the at least two feed ports; at least two fluid bags, each fluid bag connected to one of the at least two feed tubes; a piston sealing the fluid chamber for connection to a drive mechanism that pulls the piston to draw fluid from one of the at least two feed ports and pushes the piston to discharge the fluid to the discharge port; and a selector valve closing the at least two feed tubes, wherein the selector valve closes one of the at least two feed tubes while opening the other of the at least two feed tubes.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a medical pump for dispensing food, water and medicine, characterized in that: the medical pump includes: a housing having: a first inlet connected to a container containing food through a first one-way valve and a first feed tube; a second inlet connected to a water-containing vessel through a second one-way valve and a second feed pipe; and an outlet; wherein a medication syringe is attached to one of the first supply tube and the second supply tube; wherein the syringe comprises a loaded spring configured to apply resistance to depression of a shaft, thereby maintaining the syringe at a preloaded pressure; wherein the loaded syringe is connected to one of the first feed tube or the second feed tube by a Y-connector that blocks flow from one of the first feed tube or the second feed tube when an interior of the syringe is fluidly connected to one of the first feed tube or the second feed tube; wherein the pump is configured to draw the medication through the syringe; and wherein when the shaft is fully depressed and there is no medication remaining in the syringe, the pump is configured to dispense food or water from one of the first feed tube or the second feed tube through the outlet.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although embodiments of this invention can be practiced or tested with any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein, the embodiments of this invention, the enumerated methods and/or materials, are described below. In case of conflict, the present patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and embodiments are illustrative only and not necessarily limiting.

Drawings

Some embodiments of the present invention are described herein by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which specific references are made to the drawings and it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only. Based on this, the embodiments of the invention can be clearly implemented by the skilled person in combination with the drawings and the description.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic basic block diagram of a medical pump according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic illustrations of a system including a disposable medical reciprocating pump with associated tubing housed in and external to a reusable console, respectively, according to some embodiments of the invention;

fig. 3A is a schematic view of aspects of a system including a disposable medical pump mounted inside a housing of a console, tubing, and multiple container bags, according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a schematic view of the system of FIG. 3A including a medication port, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

fig. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams of a non-disposable selector retraction switch when blocking access tube 1 and when blocking access tube 2, respectively, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of a medical pump in suction and discharge motions, respectively, according to some embodiments of the present invention; .

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a disposable feed bag assembly according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a general block diagram illustrating a method for controlling a medical pump in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are timing diagrams illustrating exemplary pump drive pulse trains of food, water and a pharmaceutical additive (7B) for use in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of exemplary inputs and outputs of pump controllers according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a numerical example pump control pulse train timing diagram with two water sprays per cycle in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary algorithm according to some embodiments of the invention and incorporating exemplary values for calculating the pumping and valve pulse train including pause phases;

FIG. 12 is a detailed pump control pulse train timing diagram with a period for parameters of the pump pulse train according to some embodiments of the invention;

13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, and 13F are schematic pump control pulse train timing diagrams illustrating the variables controlled by the algorithms, according to some embodiments of the invention;

14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, and 14F are schematic diagrams illustrating exemplary typical stroke and flow schedules for preventing the formation of blockages in a supply tube when supplying using a medical pump, according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating the management of flow policing logic as sensed and activated by motor overload current or overvoltage, according to some embodiments of the invention;

16A, 16B and 16C are schematic illustrations of a feeding tube having a plunger for a syringe-type dispenser of a medical pump, a container of a syringe-type dispenser and a syringe-type dispenser connected to the catheter by the plunger, according to some embodiments of the invention;

17A, 17B, 17C and 17D are schematic diagrams of another embodiment of a two-part fluid dispenser for a medical pump according to some embodiments of the invention;

18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, and 18E are diagrams of an exemplary Graphical User Interface (GUI) for operating the console according to some embodiments of the invention;

19A and 19B are block diagrams that schematically illustrate a safety cycle of a medical pump used by a medical team, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

20A, 20B and 20C are schematic diagrams of another embodiment based on attaching a spring-loaded medication syringe to a medication port in a pump and intake system, according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 20D is a block diagram showing the steps for administering a drug with the embodiment of FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C; and

fig. 20E is a schematic view of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) of the embodiment of fig. 20A and 20B during administration of the drug.

Detailed Description

Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a medical pump, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to the structure, method of operation, and corresponding algorithms of a medical pump for sequentially selecting and expelling multiple fluids.

During enteral administration of food and/or other liquids, it is sometimes also necessary to provide water to the patient to flush the supply line and for performing medical treatments requiring additional water. Common practice today includes, for example: a perfusion of 250 milliliters of water is added every hour or more to meet multiple long-term medical needs of the patient. This practice of observing a large dose of perfusion may lead to patient reflux due to sudden gastric loading, which is highly undesirable.

For example: in the case of hypernatremia, it is possible to dispense 250 ml of a perfusion in minutes every few hours, often avoiding an insignificant large reflux, which would lead to aspiration pneumonia, the feed tube provided with a sensor being able to detect said undesired reflux.

With respect to the conventional fresh water flush to prevent pipe blockage, in many cases, the fresh water flush method cannot flush the blockage because the time interval between flushes can cause the blockage to harden and the pipes to be replaced every two days.

For example: the drug administration also showed undesirable reflux as it had been administered in a 50cc or 100cc syringe, and again a reflux event.

Recently, it has been shown that increasing the accuracy of the feeding is important to achieve multiple nutritional goals, with the intake of multiple specific feeding materials (calories and proteins) being directly related to faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and reduced mortality.

Furthermore, it has been shown that a single food choice is not the optimal choice for the patient to eat, and in some cases, a mixed diet of two or more foods may lead to better recovery of the patient.

The proposed new invention teaches how to overcome the drawbacks of current practice by providing a new pumping system and method that results in better patient intake as instructed by a physician by eliminating the drawbacks associated with current systems that may also not provide the actual dosing rate as instructed by the physician.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a medical pump is provided that receives two or more fluids from different sources (e.g., bags or containers) and delivers the fluids sequentially according to a programmed delivery schedule and sensed readings processed by a controller processor attached to the pump, via a selector valve that selects the flow rate from the plurality of conduits connected to the different fluid sources (e.g., bags) and blocks some of the plurality of conduits (typically one) while opening another of the plurality of conduits for fluid flow. The selected valve is controlled by software executed in a control unit of the pump and can be adjusted by an operator by means of the software.

With the proposed medical pump, a small amount of each fluid can be administered accurately, for example: for a few seconds, then replaced with another fluid and the process is repeated to achieve a continuous flow of a mixture of the different fluids. This allows, for example, a safer method of adding water during feeding, adding the required water at a slower rate, avoiding an undesirably large sudden volume of fill, and thus preventing the risk of backflow.

Since the operation of the pump is controlled by software, it also allows for multiple precise portions of each liquid to be administered based on multiple sensing readings, allowing for completion of daily feeding as instructed by the physician.

Optionally, the pump includes a disposable manifold of inlet tubes, each tube of the plurality of tubes being connectable to the housing by a plurality of non-disposable switching valves (e.g., pinch switch(s), open or closed, and not in contact with the fluid and the patient to avoid the need for cleaning or sterilization.

Optionally, the pump includes a reciprocating plunger that draws the fluids from a feed port(s) connected to the currently selected inlet tube and pushes the fluids into a discharge port connected to the patient through a conduit, the discharge port being connected to the patient through respective suction and discharge valves configured as part of the disposable pump, which allows the fluids to be administered accurately by delivering the same accurate dose of fluid at all times — the plunger stroke. Furthermore, the positive displacement ensures that multiple blockages in the multiple conduits are opened, since the plunger is rigid and produces the pressure build-up (positive displacement) required to overcome the blockages, which can also be monitored by multiple current changes of a motor or pressure sensor. When there is a remaining block, the software detects the increase in current consumption even before a complete blockage is formed, and can take action before a complete blockage is formed.

In enteral feeding to a patient, medication is often administered in addition to the food and water that is normally dispensed. As noted above, the conventional practice of pouring water dispensing with the crushed drug or solution may result in unnecessary backflow. Thus, it would be advantageous to administer multiple small portions of a drug at a time.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a feed bag assembly is provided that includes a plurality of fluid bags, a plurality of conduits, a cylinder with a plunger and a piston, and a valve box.

According to some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a dispenser connected to one of the plurality of conduits providing a plurality of fluids to the pump, for example: as part of a feeding bag kit. The medicament is then dispensed from a fluid container of the dispenser by operation of the pump, the control unit of the pump regulating the pumping to a specific period required for the administration of the medicament. When the drug phase is over, the pump resumes normal feeding and water supply operations. Another embodiment is based on the addition of an extra medication bag and conduit controlled by an additional on/off valve.

It is important that the software controlled switching of the feeding, water supply and drug administration is a gradual and intermittent process to avoid reflux and possibly not be handled manually by a care provider.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method of preventing the formation of blockages at the distal end of a supply tube by pumping multiple strokes of a softening fluid (e.g., water) into a feed tube, pumping multiple strokes of the supply liquid into the distal end of the supply tube, the supply liquid moving the softening fluid, pausing the pumping to allow the softening fluid to soften the blockages, and then rapidly pumping multiple strokes of the supply liquid to flush the blockages and soften the fluid. For example: this is done during each feeding cycle and the calculated amounts of each liquid are calculated to match a doctor's prescription for the total amount of each liquid.

The present invention proposes a precision metering pump (reciprocating and disposable) with multiple selectable fluid inputs that are software selectable with the aid of multiple switching valves. Medication may be added through an accessory, container, or through an additional bag in the bag-in-feed kit controlled by a switch, an easy-to-install mechanism may be integrated with the controller processor for the disposable pumping unit.

In addition, the software can compensate for lost feeding due to Gastric Residual Volume (GRV) drainage and cessation of pumping when reflux is sensed, both of which are detected by the system. The system has all of the backflow data (i.e. the period of blocked feeding and the GRV/water and food loss) used as inputs to the software to compensate for the daily feeding to the desired predetermined rates specified by the physician (according to the Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) or harris-benedict equation and/or any new regulations). The compensation may be scheduled by increasing the number of hours for the next hour, or the daily feeding strategy may be designed based on a plurality of inactive periods without disturbing feeding, which are used for the daily food intake compensation.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the description of the embodiments. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic basic block diagram of a medical pump according to some embodiments of the present invention, which emphasizes the separation of disposable system portions and non-disposable (reusable) portions. Referring also to fig. 2A and 2B are schematic illustrations of a system including a disposable medical reciprocating pump having the associated suction and discharge valve blocks housed inside and outside of a reusable console, respectively, according to some embodiments of the invention.

The system comprises a medical treatment room 11, a valve box 25 comprising inlet and outlet valves, a drive mechanism 14, a control unit 15 and the feed selector pinch switch 26 (a selector valve).

The chamber 11 may be, for example, a cylindrical shape, the size of the pump 24 may be, for example, 10 mm, and the inlet feed pipes 1 and 2 are opened by the selector clamp switch 26.

The console 10 includes the console controller 15, the drive mechanism 14, a housing 35, and the selector pinch switch 26. When the disposable chamber 11 is installed in the housing 35 of the console 10, the drive carriage 37 is able to pull and push the plunger 22, thus performing the desired pumping action in accordance with a number of instructions (e.g., rate, stroke, and duty cycle as described below).

Referring now to fig. 3A, fig. 3A is a schematic diagram of aspects of a system including a disposable medical room 11, tubing of food 41 and water 42, and a plurality of containment bags mounted inside a housing 35 of a console 10, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Referring also to fig. 3B, fig. 3B is a schematic view of the system of fig. 3A including a medication port 49, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

The chamber 11 is fed by at least two fluid bags and conduits 41, 42, the chamber 11 being selected by a feed pinch valve 26 such that only selected fluids may enter the chamber 11 from the selected fluid bag via an inlet port 12. For example: the fluid bag 41 contains a feed material and is connected to the conduit 31, and the fluid bag 42 contains water and is connected to the conduit 32. The fluid is then pumped through an outlet 13 of the chamber 11 and through a conduit to the patient. The plurality of fluids may be supplied in a plurality of bags or a plurality of dedicated containers, depending on the supplier.

Optionally, one of the plurality of conduits, for example: catheter 32 is connected to a fluid dispenser, for example, to administer a medication to the patient, and figure 3B shows the addition of a medication port 49 as an option.

Referring now to fig. 4A and 4B, fig. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams of a non-disposable selector pinch switch 26 when blocking access tube 31 (fig. 4A) and blocking access tube 32 (fig. 4B), the disposable selector pinch switch 26 being part of console 10, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Referring now to fig. 5A and 5B, fig. 5A and 5B are schematic illustrations of a medical pump in a suction and discharge operation, respectively, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Optionally, the inlet valve(s) and/or the outlet valve are integrated in a valve box 25, which valve box 25 may be, for example: umbrella type, duckbill type, lift (poppet) type, and/or any other type.

The fluid housing of the chamber 11, for example: cylinder 21, comprising a plunger 22 (piston rod) and a piston 23, said piston 23 being a sealed cylinder 21 and performing a reciprocating movement, plunger 22 being connected to a drive mechanism 14 controlled by a control unit 15, drive mechanism 14 pulling plunger 22 and piston 23 and drawing fluid from one of a plurality of feed tubes 31 or 32 using a drive carriage 37, and said drive mechanism 14 pushing said drive carriage 37 forcing said fluid through a valve box 25 to said discharge port 13.

Optionally, the plunger 22 is connected to the drive mechanism 14 via a reciprocally driven drive bracket (or arm) 37 of the drive mechanism 14. Optionally, the plunger 22 includes a slit that transmits the reciprocating motion to the drive bracket 37, for example, by a forked retainer. The fork-type design allows for a quick installation of the chamber 11 onto the console 10 and removal of the chamber 11 from the console 10. The driver 14 may be comprised of an electric motor and a crank as is known in the art.

Optionally, the chamber 11 and the tubing associated with the chamber 11 are parts of a disposable feeding bag assembly and are detachable from the console housing 35. Optionally, the chamber 11 and tubing are made of multiple polymeric materials, which makes the disposable part less costly.

Referring now to fig. 6, fig. 6 is a schematic view of a disposable feed bag kit (assembly) including a plurality of bags 41 and 42, conduits 31, 32 and 33, cylinder 21 with plunger 22 and piston 23, valve box 25 and optional medication port 49 according to some embodiments of the invention.

An exemplary umbrella-type valve cage 25 is shown. When the plunger moves upward, the umbrella valve flips upward and the internal port of the umbrella valve is closed. Fluid can flow under the umbrella valve and suction is performed from the movable inlet. When the plunger moves downward, the umbrella valve flips downward and the internal port of the umbrella valve is opened.

Referring now to fig. 7, fig. 7 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates an overview of a method for controlling a medical pump, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiment, three fluid sources are presented with a selection pinch valve 76 (food, water, medication) controlled by the respective software.

The instruction set 71 includes: food rate, water rate and drug rate settings, which instructions are transmitted to a controller 72 operated by software 73, and the pump 75 is activated by a driver 74 of the controller 72. The system may include a smart feed pipe with multiple reverse flow sensors and a GRV sensor that is used as an input to the software and allows compensation for feed loss due to GRV discharge and feed blockage when reverse flow is detected.

A plurality of fluid bags 77 containing food, water and medication are connected to the pump by a plurality of valves 76(V1, V2, V3). A plurality of pressure and current sensors feeding data to the pump controller as part of synthesizing the pump control signals is shown at 78.

Referring now to fig. 8A and 8B, fig. 8A and 8B are timing diagrams of exemplary pump drive pulse trains showing a 6 minute cycle including a single stage of water intake and water discharge, and a single stage of food intake and discharge, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The pumping pulse train has a shorter water flush pulse and a longer feed pulse. Figure 8A also shows a drug administration phase.

Referring now to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a number of typical inputs and outputs of a pump controller according to some embodiments of the present invention. The controller incorporates software that provides a plurality of instructions to the system. The input set includes a food quantity Q_f[ ml per hour (ml/hr)]Water flow Qw [ ml/hr ]]And the amount of the drug Qm [ ml/hr ]]. The output value is calculated by the controller and the pump speed R [ cycles per second ]]Stroke [ ml)]Duty ratio [ ]]And a plurality of valve states (V1, V2, V3). Optionally, when feeding is stopped for a certain time interval due to the reverse flow detected by the plurality of reverse flow sensors or food is lost due to GRV, the corresponding data will be transmitted to the software to calculate a compensation to ensure the proper daily feeding at the discretion of the physician.

Referring now to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is a numerical example pump control pulse train timing diagram with two water sprays per cycle, according to some embodiments of the invention. Referring also to fig. 11, fig. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary algorithm for calculating exemplary values of the pumping and valve pulse train including pause phases in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Referring also to fig. 12, fig. 12 is a detailed pump control pulse train timing diagram with a period for parameters of the pump pulse train, according to some embodiments of the invention. The algorithm is configured to perform the plurality of calculations resulting in the plurality of output parameters representing the pump pulse train and the plurality of valve states for each cycle. Two cases are depicted in FIG. 11, the first requiring no drug and the second requiring 1ml/hr of drug. The example shows two water jets per cycle (per second cycle) followed by a slow feed process. Where a drug is required, it may be administered, for example, during the anhydrous period. Each water spray required 2 seconds for suction and 2 seconds for dispensing, then a pause of 4 seconds, and the feeding required a half minute suction time, then 5 minutes for dispensing the food. In general, the exemplary cycle shown lasts 6 minutes. Since the pumping stroke in this example is 1.8 milliliters (ml), a feed rate of up to 60ml/hr may be achieved as required by the example. The various figures are shown as an example only, but other values may be generated when the various system parameters (e.g., the stroke volume) are different.

Referring also to fig. 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E and 13F are schematic pump control pulse train timing diagrams illustrating the variables (stroke, frequency and duty cycle) controlled by the algorithms according to some embodiments of the present invention. A comparison of small and large strokes is shown with reference to fig. 13A and 13B, respectively, fig. 13C and 13C show a comparison of fast and slow pumping rates, respectively, and fig. 13E and 13F show a comparison of a high duty cycle and a low duty cycle, respectively.

Referring also to fig. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E and 14F are schematic diagrams illustrating exemplary typical strokes and flow schedules for preventing blockages from forming in a supply tube when feeding with a medical pump, according to some embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 14A and 14B show a typical stroke when fluid is pulled from one of the feed tubes into the chamber and then pushed out of the chamber into the discharge tube (feed tube). For example: each stroke contained 1.8ml of liquid. Fig. 14C shows a typical faster fluid stroke.

FIG. 14D shows a combination of exemplary strokes during a one hour feed cycle.

First, as shown at 1401, optionally, multiple strokes of supply fluid are pumped into the supply tube to a patient.

Then, as shown at 1402, multiple strokes of the softening fluid, e.g., water, are pumped into the supply pipe such that the softening fluid fills a predetermined length of the supply pipe (e.g., 5 strokes). The predetermined length is determined according to the structure of the supply pipe in which the blockage is formed, and may be, for example, 10 cm, 5 to 10 cm, or any other length.

Then, as shown at 1403, a plurality of fill strokes of supply fluid are pumped into the supply tube, thereby pushing the plurality of strokes of softened fluid to the distal end of the supply tube where a plurality of plugs are typically formed. The volume of feed fluid for a plurality of fill strokes is determined by the length of the feed tube and should fill the feed tube with the softened fluid for the plurality of strokes.

Then, as shown at 1404, the pumping is suspended for a predetermined time to soften a blockage of the distal end of the supply tube with the softening fluid, which may be, for example: 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or any other smaller, larger, or intermediate time.

Finally, as shown at 1405, the supply fluid for multiple rinse strokes is pumped to the supply tube at a faster rate to remove the softened fluid and the plugs softened by the softened fluid.

Calculating the amount of feed fluid (and optionally water) pumped to the feed pipe in the first stage so that the total amount of feed fluid in a feed cycle equals a specified amount of feed fluid for the feed cycle, for example: according to a medical guideline of the physician. In the example described, a flow rate of 60ml/hr of feed fluid, a flow rate of 9ml/hr of water, and a total of 38 strokes over a period of one hour (for a stroke of 1.8 ml) are required.

FIG. 14E shows another exemplary combination of strokes in a one hour feed cycle. In the depicted example, a flow rate of 60ml/hr (33.3 strokes) of feed fluid and a flow rate of 60ml/hr (33.3 strokes) of water are required (e.g., as may be required by a medical prescription of the physician). Water was pumped at the nutrient rate until the feed tube was emptied of all nutrients. Nutrients are pumped at the water rate until the liquid in the feed tube is emptied.

Fig. 14F shows another set of exemplary strokes in a one hour feed cycle. In the example shown, there are 30 food strokes of 1.8ml, 27 water strokes of 1.8ml and 5 quick flush strokes of 1.8 ml. All strokes were completed in 60 minutes. The exemplary cycle produced a feed rate of 54ml/hr and a water rate of about 57 ml/hr.

Referring now to FIG. 15, a block diagram of flow policing logic management as sensed and activated by motor overload current or overvoltage is shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention. A flow management in the conduit results in increased back pressure and/or increased drive current to the pump. This is detected and measures are taken, for example: speeding up the multiple strokes of fluid, adding more strokes of water, or setting an alarm to replace the conduit.

In addition, the controller algorithm is provided with an alarm logic (not shown).

Referring now to fig. 16A, 16B and 16B, fig. 16A, 16B and 16B are schematic illustrations of a supply tube having a plunger for a syringe-type dispenser, a syringe-type dispenser of a medical pump and a syringe-type dispenser connected to the catheter by the plunger, respectively, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

The conduit 32 includes a valve, such as: a slide valve 1601 that closes conduit 32 and prevents fluid from flowing out of the fluid bag. The conduit 32 also includes a dispensing opening 1602. Optionally, the opening 1602 is covered by a protective plug 1603 during normal feeding. A fluid container 1604 (e.g., a syringe-type fluid container) may be attached (and detached when empty) to the opening 1602 by a connector 1605, which connector 1605 allows fluid to flow due to pump extraction. The syringes are connected, for example, by a luer-type coupling or an ENFit-type coupling.

An exemplary method of administering a medicament through a valve-type dispenser is as follows:

1. spool valve 1601 is closed to prevent fluid flow by an operator.

2. Stopping pumping, for example: said change in flow resistance is recognized by the control unit 15 and said pumping is stopped.

3. Fluid container 1604 is filled with the appropriate amount of medication by the operator.

4. The operator removes the protective plug.

5. The operator connects fluid container 1604 to the dispensing device through connector 1605.

6. The operator selects the desired dispensing rate on the interactive screen and inputs the desired dispensing rate to the control unit 15.

7. Restart pumping, for example: automatically restarting when the operator selects a dispensing rate.

8. When the dispenser is emptied, pumping is stopped, for example: said change in flow resistance is recognized by the control unit 15 and the pumping is stopped.

9. The syringe is removed and the cup is installed by the operator.

10. The operator reopens the spool valve to allow fluid flow.

11. Pumping resumes until the next medication schedule.

Reference is now made to fig. 17A, 17B, 17C, and 17D which are schematic illustrations of another embodiment of a two-part fluid dispenser based on a medical pump, according to some embodiments of the invention.

The dispenser 1700 (also shown at fig. 3B) includes: a housing 1710, the housing 1710 having an inlet port 1711 and an outlet port 1712, the inlet port 1711 being connected to an inlet tube that provides fluid, the outlet port 1712 being connected to a port of a medical pump via a conduit such as conduit 32, for example: and (4) feeding a material inlet.

A piston 1720 is enclosed in the housing 1710, the piston 1720 including an inlet passage 1721 and a dispensing passage 1722. Housing 1710 may include a stop pin 1715 to prevent plunger 1720 from sliding out of housing 1710.

When the piston 1720 is in a released position, fluid flows from the inlet port 1711 to the outlet port 1712 via the inlet passage 1721.

The dispenser also includes a removable fluid container 1730, such as: a container of a medicament. A removable fluid container 1730 may be attached to the piston 1720, for example, via a connector 1731 that allows fluid flow, such as a luer-type coupling or an ENFit-type coupling. When a removable fluid container 1730 is connected to the piston 1720, the piston 1720 moves to a pushing position and fluid flows from the removable fluid container 1730 through the dispensing channel 1722 to the discharge port 1712. In the pushed position, the piston 1720 is pushed against a spring 1714, thereby preventing the flow of the fluid bag through the access passage 1721 and allowing fluid to flow from the removable fluid container 1730 through the dispensing passage 1722. Optionally, during a normal feeding process, the housing 1710 is sealed by a protective plug 1713, so that the dispensing passage 1722 is closed.

When the removable fluid container 1730 is removed from the piston 1720, the spring 1714 pushes the piston 1720 back to a released position, thereby allowing fluid to flow from the fluid bag through the access channel 1721.

Removable fluid container 1730 may include a container plunger 1731, where container plunger 1731 allows an operator to fill removable fluid container 1730 with fluid by pulling on container plunger 1731 in a manner similar to filling a syringe, as shown in fig. 17C. By attaching the two parts, the plunger is moved to the left, blocking the fluid and opening the medication dispensing port to the pump, as shown in fig. 17D.

An exemplary procedure for administering a medicament through a valve-type dispenser is as follows:

1. the operator fills the removable fluid container 1730 with medication.

2. The operator sets the system into a medication mode, for example: by pressing the interactive screen.

3. The flow rate of the medicament is selected by the operator and the operation of the chamber 11 is regulated by the control unit 15.

4. Optionally, the operator may also select the total amount of medication.

5. The operator removes the protective plug 1713.

6. A removable fluid container 1730 is attached to the housing 1710 by the operator.

7. Optionally, when the total amount is also selected, the operator confirms the attached detachable fluid container 1730 before the operation of the chamber 11 is adjusted by the control unit 15.

8. Optionally, when removable fluid container 1730 is empty, a message is displayed to the operator on the interactive screen.

9. When removable fluid container 1730 is empty, the operator removes removable fluid container 1730.

10. The protective plug 1713 is replaced by the operator.

11. The normal flow rate is set by the operator as required, for example: through the interactive screen.

Referring now to fig. 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D and 18B, schematic diagrams of an exemplary Graphical User Interface (GUI) for operating the console illustrating an instruction screen for medication dispensing and a method of console activation are shown, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

The many tragic consequences of many errors in dispensing medication should be minimized in the number of errors in dispensing medication to patients for a variety of reasons. The emergence of the internet of things (IOT) in today's design provides an opportunity for a closed loop authentication system as described herein to minimize all errors as needed by controlling the closed loop flow cycle from the physician prescription to the drug administration to the patient.

Referring now to fig. 19A and 19B, block diagrams schematically illustrating a safety cycle of a medical pump used by a medical team according to some embodiments of the present invention are shown.

Since Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFIDs) can contain large amounts of data (>8000 bytes), a full drug and treatment regimen can be added to the dispensed drug with the benefit of large volumes, then displayed to control and authenticate the drug prior to administration to the patient, and to check whether the drug complies with physician instructions inserted in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).

As shown, the closed loop begins at the direction of the physician and ends with the administration of medication to the patient, for example, by the care giver.

The physician initiates a plurality of the cycles by driving into an EHR a formula and instructions for use in a particular patient under the care of the physician.

The data is then communicated to the server and the patient console (a terminal associated with the patient, optionally storing the bedside of the patient) and the pharmacy. The data may include, for example: drug type, dosage, administration and/or patient identification Information (ID).

The pharmacy prepares the medication in a container, such as a syringe, which is provided with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) containing patient ID data as well as medication data and dosage. For example, the RFID may be connected to the container of the medication.

The medication container has been delivered to a point of care (POC).

The medication RFID is matched to the information in the patient console.

If there is a match, the patient is administered the drug and if there is no match, the entire cycle is rechecked.

Referring now to fig. 20A-20E, fig. 20A-20E schematically depict another drug delivery mechanism using a drug port with a spring-loaded syringe. Various elements described in detail in connection with other embodiments, such as: a pump and a console operate similarly in connection with the embodiment described with reference to fig. 20A-20E, and therefore their functions will not be described in detail.

Referring to fig. 20A, a syringe 201 containing a drug 200 is placed into a housing 202 attached to the connecting tube 208, the connecting tube 208 is a housing having a first check valve (also referred to as a one-way valve) 207 and a second check valve, the first check valve 207 is for connection with an inlet 205 for a source of food or water, and the second check valve is fluidly connected to the syringe 201. Check valves 207 prevent reverse flow and leakage. The connecting tube 208 is a Y-connector and further comprises an outlet 206 which is fluidly connectable to a pump mechanism, as shown in fig. 20C, the syringe 201 comprising a guide rod 204 spring-loaded by a spring 203.

When it is desired to administer a medicament 200, the syringe 201 containing the medicament 200 is inserted into the housing 202. In this position, as shown in fig. 20A, the syringe 201 is fluidly connected to the check valves 207, and the guide rod 204 and spring 203 are also inserted into the housing 202. After insertion of the guide rod 204 and the spring 203, the syringe 201 is locked in position in the housing 202. Thus, the medicament 200 is set under a pre-loaded pressure.

As shown in FIG. 20C, the disposable pump 224 is integrated into a console 223, and the console 22 is integrated into the pump drive mechanism. The pump 224 includes a housing having a first inlet connected to a food container 221 via a first one-way valve and first feed tube (shown schematically together at 222) and a second inlet connected to a water container 220 via a second one-way valve and second feed tube (shown schematically together at 206). In the embodiment shown, the syringe 201 is also connected to said inlet 206 for the water container 220 by a Y-connector 208; however, the medication dispenser 201 may also be connected to the inlet 222 of the food container 221. A pump discharge tube 225 is attached to an outlet of the pump 224 for delivering fluids, medications and/or food to a patient.

The pump 224 pumps the medication 200 at a predetermined rate set by the caregiver via the console 223, and the pump 224 draws the medication 200 from the syringe 201 by aspiration. The plurality of check valves 207 and the plurality of one-way valves associated with the plurality of inlets 206, 222 may prevent the medicine from leaking and from flowing into the water container 220 or the food container 221. Since the medication 200 is under the preload caused by the spring 203, the medication is now pumped into the patient through the outlet 206.

When the console 223 indicates that the drug administration has been completed (also indicated by the fully depressed state of the lever 204), the delivery of water through the feed inlet 205 (through the first one-way valve 207) will automatically resume as the spring 203 is blocked by the end flange of the syringe. It is not actually necessary to remove the syringe 201, since the system will automatically start pumping water once the syringe 201 is empty. After the dosing phase is finished, the preprogrammed software will switch to a normal feed rate.

Fig. 20B depicts an alternative mechanism for attaching the syringe housing 202A to the connecting tube 208A. Otherwise, the device of fig. 20B is the same as the device of fig. 20A. As shown in fig. 20B, the connection between the housing 202A and the connecting tube 208A is accomplished by a bayonet-type coupling or an ENFit-type connection. Once the medication phase is complete, the housing 202A is separated and replaced with a blind cup lid (not shown), with the remainder of the steps being the same as described in connection with fig. 20A.

Fig. 20D is a block diagram representing the steps of administering food and medication via the system of fig. 20A, 20B, and 20C, and fig. 20E is a schematic diagram of an exemplary Graphical User Interface (GUI) used during a medication phase of operation with the pump system of fig. 20A and 20B.

Referring to fig. 20D and 20E, a user initiates the medication phase at step 210. In step 211, the user types the volume of medication (e.g., in ml) and the time of administration (e.g., in seconds) into the GUI. At step 212, the user attaches the medication syringe 201 to the pump system as described above in connection with fig. 20A and 20B. At step 213, the user initiates the drug administration, for example by pressing a button on the GUI. At step 214, the drug is delivered. At step 215, the GUI console indicates that the medication phase has ended. Optionally, at step 216, the syringe is removed. Finally, normal feed is restored 217 and so indicated on the GUI.

The description of the various embodiments of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not exhaustive, of the invention and does not set forth or limit the examples of the disclosure. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terms used herein were chosen in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, or technical improvements to the techniques in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

It is expected that during the life of a patent from the present application, many related medical pumps will be developed; the scope of the term medical pump is intended to include all similar prior art.

The terms "comprising", "including", "containing", "having" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to". The term includes the terms "consisting of and" consisting essentially of. The term includes the following multiple terms "consisting of … (the governing of)" and "consisting essentially of … (the governing of)".

The term "consisting essentially of …" means that the composition or method may include additional ingredients and/or steps, but only if the additional ingredients and/or steps do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition or method.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example: the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

The word "exemplary" is used in this specification to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment described as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments.

The word "optionally" used in this specification means "provided in some embodiments, but not provided in other embodiments". Any particular embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of "optional" features unless such features conflict.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of the invention may exist in a range of forms. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible sub-ranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, it is contemplated that the description of a range from 1 to 6 has specifically disclosed sub-ranges such as, for example, from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6, etc., as well as individual numbers within a range such as, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, as applicable regardless of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any number (fractional or integer) recited within the indicated range. A plurality of phrases: the terms "range between" and "first indicating number" and "range of" first indicating number to "second indicating number" are used interchangeably herein and are meant to include the first and second indicating numbers, and all fractions and integers therebetween.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or in any other described embodiment suitable for use with the invention. The particular features described herein in the context of the various embodiments are not considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiments are inoperative without those components.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the included claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification. To the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference herein. In addition, citation or identification of any reference shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. The headings in this application are used herein to facilitate the understanding of this description and should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

In addition, the entire contents of any priority document(s) of the present application are incorporated by reference into this specification.