CN111803755B - Injection pump system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a syringe pump system. Among them, a method for expelling fluid from a syringe and for relieving an occlusion condition includes actuating a plunger of the syringe into a syringe barrel. The method monitors fluid pressure within a barrel of the syringe and determines that an occlusion exists when the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold. The method actuates the piston out of the syringe a predetermined amount in response to detecting an occlusion, and actuates a piston of the syringe into the syringe until a measured The fluid pressure exceeds another predetermined threshold.

Description

Syringe pump system

This application is a divisional application of a Chinese patent application submitted on October 17, 2016, with an application date of December 20, 2013, an application number of 201610903219.1, and an invention title of "Syringe Pump System". The above-mentioned Chinese patent application 201610903219.1 itself is a divisional case of a Chinese patent application with an application date of December 20, 2013, an application number of 201380072074.X (international application number is PCT/US2013/077077), and an invention title of "Syringe Pump System" application, and the examiner issued a divisional notice to it.

Cross References to Related Applications

This application is a non-provisional application that claims U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/904,123, filed November 14, 2013, entitled "Syringe Pump and Related Method" (Attorney Docket L33) and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/894,801, filed October 23, 2013, entitled "Syringe Pump and Related Method" (Attorney Docket K88), the disclosures of each The contents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

This application is also U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/833,432, filed March 15, 2013, entitled "Syringe Pump and Related Method," now U.S. Publication No. US published on October 24, 2013. - Continuation-in-Part of 2013-0281965-A1 (Attorney Docket No. K21) claiming priority and interest in the following patent applications:

U.S., filed August 3, 2012, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow" (Attorney Docket No. J30) Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/679,117; and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/651,322, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," (Attorney Docket J46), filed May 24, 2012 , the disclosures of both are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/833,432 (Attorney Docket K21) claims priority to and is also continuation-in-part of the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 13/333,574, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now July 2012 U.S. Publication No. US-2012-0185267-A1 (Attorney Docket No. I97) published on the 19th, and

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US11/66588 entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now September 2013 International Publication No. WO 2013/095459 (Attorney Docket No. I97WO) published on the 12th; and

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/723,238, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Clamping," filed December 21, 2012, now July 18, 2013 Published U.S. Publication No. US-2013-0182381-A1 (Attorney Docket No. J47), which claims priority and benefit from the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,649, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket J02);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,658, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J04);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,674, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J05);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow," filed August 3, 2012 679,117 (attorney case number J30); and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/651,322, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed May 24, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. J46) , the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/723,238 (Attorney Docket No. J47) claims priority to and continuation-in-part of the following patent applications:

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/333,574, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now dated July 19, 2012 U.S. Publication No. US-2012-0185267-A1 (Attorney Docket No. I97) published on July 1, and

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US11/66588 entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now September 2013 International Publication No. WO 2013/095459 (Attorney Docket No. I97WO), published on the 12th, the disclosures of both are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/833,432 (Attorney Docket No. K21) claims priority to and is also a continuation-in-part of the following patent application, filed December 21, 2012, entitled "System for Dispensing Oral Drugs , Method, and Apparatus" (System, Method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications), U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/723,235, now U.S. Publication No. US-2013-0197693-A1 published on August 1, 2013 (Attorney Docket No. J74), which claims priority and benefit from the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,649, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket J02);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,658, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J04);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,674, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J05);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow," filed August 3, 2012 679,117 (attorney case number J30); and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/651,322, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed May 24, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. J46) , the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/723,235 (Attorney Docket No. J74) claims priority to and continuation-in-part of the following patent applications:

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/333,574, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now dated July 19, 2012 U.S. Publication No. US-2012-0185267-A1 (Attorney Docket No. I97) published on July 1, and

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US11/66588 entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now September 2013 International Publication No. WO 2013/095459 (Attorney Docket No. I97WO), published on the 12th, the disclosures of both are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/833,432 (Attorney Docket No. K21) is also a continuation-in-part of the following patent application, filed December 21, 2012, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Drugs" (System, Method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications), PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US12/71131, now International Publication No. WO 2013/096718 (Attorney Docket No. J74WO), published on July 27, 2013, which requires Priority and benefits of the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,649, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket J02);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,658, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J04);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,674, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J05);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/651,322, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed May 24, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. J46) ;and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow," filed August 3, 2012 679,117 (Attorney Docket No. J30), the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US12/71131 (Attorney Docket No. J74WO) claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of the following patent application:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 13/333,574, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now July 2012 U.S. Publication No. US-2012-0185267-A1 (Attorney Docket No. I97) published on the 19th, and

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US11/66588 entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now September 2013 International Publication No. WO 2013/095459 (Attorney Docket No. I97WO), published on the 12th, the disclosures of both are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/833,432 (Attorney Docket No. K21) claims priority to and is also a continuation-in-part of the following patent application, filed December 21, 2012, entitled "System for Estimating Liquid Delivery , Method, and Apparatus" (System, Method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery), U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,658, now U.S. Publication No. US-2013-0184676-A1 published on July 18, 2013 (Proxy Docket No. J75), which claims priority and benefit from the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,649, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket J02);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,658, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J04);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,674, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J05);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow," filed August 3, 2012 679,117 (attorney case number J30); and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/651,322, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed May 24, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. J46) , the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/724,568 claims priority to and continuation-in-part of the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 13/333,574, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now July 2012 U.S. Publication No. US-2012-0185267-A1 (Attorney Docket No. I97) published on the 19th, and

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US11/66588 entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now September 2013 International Publication No. WO 2013/095459 (Attorney Docket No. I97WO), published on the 12th, the disclosures of both are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/833,432 (Attorney Docket No. K21) claims priority to and is also a continuation-in-part of the following patent application, filed December 21, 2012, entitled "System, Method for Infusion U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 13/725,790 for "System, Method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid," now U.S. Publication No. US-2013-0177455-A1, published July 11, 2013 (Attorney Docket No. J76), which claims priority and interest in the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,649, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket J02);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,658, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J04);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,674, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J05);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow," filed August 3, 2012 679,117 (attorney case number J30); and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/651,322, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed May 24, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. J46) , the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/725,790 (Attorney Docket No. J76) claims priority to and continuation-in-part of the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 13/333,574, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now July 2012 U.S. Publication No. US-2012-0185267-A1 (Attorney Docket No. I97) published on the 19th, and

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US11/66588 entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now September 2013 International Publication No. WO 2013/095459 (Attorney Docket No. I97WO), published on the 12th, the disclosures of both are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/833,432 (Attorney Docket No. K21) is also a continuation-in-part of the following patent application, filed December 21, 2012, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Infusion" (System , Method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid), PCT Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US12/71490, now International Publication No. WO 2013/096909 (Attorney Docket No. J76WO), published June 27, 2013, which claims the following patent Priority and benefits of application:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,649, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket J02);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,658, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J04);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,674, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J05);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow," filed August 3, 2012 679,117 (attorney case number J30); and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/651,322, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed May 24, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. J46) , the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US12/71490 (Attorney Docket No. J76WO) claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of the following patent application:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 13/333,574, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now July 2012 U.S. Publication No. US-2012-0185267-A1 (Attorney Docket No. I97) published on the 19th, and

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US11/66588 entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now September 2013 International Publication No. WO 2013/095459 (Attorney Docket No. I97WO), published on the 12th, the disclosures of both are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/833,432 (Attorney Docket No. K21) also claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of the following patent application, filed December 21, 2012, entitled "System, Method for Electronic Patient Care" 13/723,239 for System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care, now U.S. Publication No. US-2013-0297330-A1, published Nov. 7, 2013 (Attorney Docket No. J77), which claims priority and interest in the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,649, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket J02);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,658, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J04);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,674, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J05);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/651,322, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed May 24, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. J46) ;and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow," filed August 3, 2012 679,117 (Attorney Docket No. J30), the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/723,239 (Attorney Docket No. J77) claims priority to and continuation-in-part of the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 13/333,574, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now July 2012 U.S. Publication No. US-2012-0185267-A1 (Attorney Docket No. I97) published on the 19th, and

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US11/66588 entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now September 2013 International Publication No. WO 2013/095459 (Attorney Docket No. I97WO), published on the 12th, the disclosures of both are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/833,432 (Attorney Docket K21) claims priority to and is also a continuation-in-part of the following patent application, filed December 21, 2011, entitled "System, Method for Electronic Patient Care" U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 13/723,242, "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," now U.S. Publication No. US-2013-0317753-A1, published Nov. 28, 2012 (Attorney's Case No. I78), which claims priority and benefit from the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/651,322, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed May 24, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. J76) , the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/833,432 (Attorney Docket No. K21) claims priority to and is also a continuation-in-part of the following patent application, filed December 21, 2012, entitled "Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow US Patent Application Serial No. 13/723,244 for "System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow" (System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow), now published as US Publication No. US-2013- 0188040-A1 (Attorney Docket No. J79), which claims priority and benefit to the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,649, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket J02);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,658, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J04);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,674, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J05);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/651,322, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed May 24, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. J46) ;and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow," filed August 3, 2012 679,117 (Attorney Docket No. J30), the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/723,244 (Attorney Docket No. J79) claims priority to and continuation-in-part of the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 13/333,574, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now July 2012 U.S. Publication No. US-2012-0185267-A1 (Attorney Docket No. I97) published on the 19th, and

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US11/66588 entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now September 2013 International Publication No. WO 2013/095459 (Attorney Docket No. I97WO), published on the 12th, the disclosures of both are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/833,432 (Attorney Docket No. K21) claims priority to and is also a continuation-in-part of the following patent application, filed December 21, 2012, entitled "Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow PCT patent application serial number PCT/US12/71142 for "(System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow), now International Publication No. WO 2013 published on June 27, 2013 /096722 (Attorney Docket No. J79WO), which claims priority and benefit to the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,649, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket J02);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,658, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J04);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,674, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J05);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/651,322, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed May 24, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. J46) ;and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow," filed August 3, 2012 679,117 (Attorney Docket No. J30), the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

PCT Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US12/71142 (Attorney Docket No. J79WO) claims priority to and continuation-in-part of the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 13/333,574, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now July 2012 U.S. Publication No. US-2012-0185267-A1 (Attorney Docket No. I97) published on the 19th, and

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US11/66588 entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now September 2013 International Publication No. WO 2013/095459 (Attorney Docket No. I97WO), published on the 12th, the disclosures of both are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/833,432 (Attorney Docket No. K21) claims priority to and is also a continuation-in-part of the following patent application, filed December 21, 2012, entitled "System for Estimating Liquid Delivery , Method and Apparatus" (System, Method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery), U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/723,251, now U.S. Publication No. US-2013-0204188-A1 published on August 8, 2013 (Attorney Docket No. J81), which claims priority and benefit from the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,649, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket J02);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,658, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J04);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,674, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J05);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/651,322, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed May 24, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. J46) ;and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow," filed August 3, 2012 679,117 (Attorney Docket No. J30), the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/723,251 (Attorney Docket No. J81) claims priority to and continuation-in-part of the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 13/333,574, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now July 2012 U.S. Publication No. US-2012-0185267-A1 (Attorney Docket No. I97) published on the 19th, and

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US11/66588 entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now September 2013 International Publication No. WO 2013/095459 (Attorney Docket No. I97WO), published on the 12th, the disclosures of both are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/833,432 (Attorney Docket No. K21) claims priority to and is also a continuation-in-part of the following patent application, filed December 21, 2012, entitled "System for Estimating Liquid Delivery PCT patent application serial number PCT/US12/71112 for "(System, Method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery), now International Publication No. WO2013/096713 published on June 27, 2013 (Attorney Docket No. J81WO), which claims priority and benefit from the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,649, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket J02);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,658, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J04);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,674, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J05);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/651,322, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed May 24, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. J46) ;and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow," filed August 3, 2012 679,117 (Attorney Docket No. J30), the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

PCT Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US12/71112 (Attorney Docket No. J81WO) claims priority to and continuation-in-part of the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 13/333,574, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now July 2012 U.S. Publication No. US-2012-0185267-A1 (Attorney Docket No. I97) published on the 19th, and

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US11/66588 entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now September 2013 International Publication No. WO 2013/095459 (Attorney Docket No. I97WO), published on the 12th, the disclosures of both are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/833,432 (Attorney Docket K21) claims priority to and is also a continuation-in-part of the following patent application, filed December 21, 2012, entitled "System, Method for Electronic Patient Care" 13/723,253 for System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care, now U.S. Publication No. US-2013-0191513-A1, published July 25, 2013 (Attorney Docket No. J85), which claims priority and interest in the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,649, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket J02);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,658, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J04);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/578,674, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications," filed December 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. J05);

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/651,322, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed May 24, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. J46) ;and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow," filed August 3, 2012 679,117 (Attorney Docket No. J30), the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/723,253 (Attorney Docket No. J85) claims priority to and continuation-in-part of the following patent applications:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 13/333,574, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now July 2012 U.S. Publication No. US-2012-0185267-A1 (Attorney Docket No. I97) published on the 19th, and

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US11/66588 entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 21, 2011, now September 2013 International Publication No. WO 2013/095459 (Attorney Docket No. I97WO), published on the 12th, the disclosures of both are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

This application is also related to one or more of the following U.S. patent applications filed March 15, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety:

Nonprovisional Application Serial No. 13/840,339 entitled "Apparatus for Infusing Fluid" (Attorney Docket K14);

PCT application entitled "Apparatus for Infusing Fluid" (Attorney Docket No. K14WO);

Nonprovisional Application Serial No. 13/836,497 entitled "System and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care" (Attorney Docket K22);

Nonprovisional Application Serial No. 13/833,712 entitled "System, Method and Apparatus for Clamping" (Attorney Docket K23);

Nonprovisional Serial No. 13/834,030 entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow" (Attorney Docket No. K28) Apply.

This application may also be related to the following applications, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety:

Nonprovisional Application Serial No. 61/297,544, filed January 22, 2010, entitled "Electronic Order Intermediation System for a Medical Facility" (Attorney Docket No. H53);

Nonprovisional Application Serial No. 13/011,543 filed January 21, 2011, entitled "Electronic Patient Monitoring System" (Attorney Docket No. I52);

Serial No. 61/860,398, filed January 31, 2013, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Bubble Detection in a Fluid Line Using a Split Ring Resonator" a Provisional Application for Split-Ring Resonator) (Attorney Docket No. J31);

Serial No. 61/738,447, filed December 18, 2012, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Detecting Air in Fluid Line Using Active Rectification" ) (Attorney’s Case No. J32);

Provisional Application Serial No. 61/740,474, filed December 21, 2012, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Communicating Data" (Attorney Docket No. J80) ;

Serial No. 61/900,431, filed November 6, 2013, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, Regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow" (Agent Provisional Application of Case No. K52);

Nonprovisional Serial No. 13/900,655 filed May 23, 2013, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care" (Attorney Docket No. K66) Apply;

Serial No. PCT/US13/42350, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed May 23, 2013 (Attorney Docket No. K66WO) international application;

Provisional Application Serial No. 61/843,574, filed July 8, 2013, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Clamping" (Attorney Docket No. K75);

Nonprovisional Application Serial No. 13/971,258 filed August 20, 2013, entitled "Electronic Patient Monitoring System" (Attorney Docket No. K84);

Serial No. 14/101,848, filed December 10, 2013, entitled "System, Method, and Apparatus for Detecting Air in Fluid Line Using Active Rectification" ) (Attorney’s Case No. L05);

Nonprovisional application titled "Syringe Pump, and Related Method and System," (Attorney Docket No. L50), filed December 20, 2013;

Non-public filing entitled "Computer-Implemented Method, System, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," Attorney Docket No. K50, filed December 20, 2013. a provisional application; and

International Application, entitled "Computer-Implemented Method, System, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care," filed December 20, 2013 (Attorney Docket No. K50WO) Apply.

technical field

This disclosure relates to pumps. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a system, method, and apparatus for estimating fluid delivery by a syringe pump.

Background technique

Syringe pumps are used in a variety of medical applications, such as the intravenous delivery of liquid medications to patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) over longer lengths of time, for example. Syringe pumps can be designed so that needles, tubing, or other accessories can be attached to the syringe pump. Syringe pumps typically include a piston mounted to a shaft that pushes liquid out of a reservoir. The reservoir can be a tubular structure with a port at one end so that it is possible for the piston to push the liquid out (ie, out) of the syringe pump. The syringe pump can be coupled to an actuator that mechanically drives a piston to control delivery of fluid to the patient.

Syringe pumps can also be used to deliver a variety of medications, including pain relievers, antiemetics, or other fluids. It can be given very quickly or over a period of time through an IV fluid line. Syringe pumps may also be used in non-medical applications, such as in microreactors, in laboratory testing, and/or in chemical processing applications.

Contents of the invention

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pump for administering drug to a patient may include a housing. Within the housing there is a motor, a gearbox operatively connected to the motor, means for detecting rotation of the motor, controlling the operation of the motor and monitoring the delivery of the A controller for the dose action of the medicament, and a pump assembly. The pump can be configured such that by replacing one pump assembly with a different pump assembly, the pump can be changed from a syringe pump or a peristaltic pump to a peristaltic pump or a syringe pump, respectively.

In some embodiments, the pump domain can be changed from a syringe pump or a peristaltic pump to a peristaltic pump or a syringe pump, respectively, by replacing one pump assembly with a different pump assembly.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a syringe pump for administering drugs to a patient may include a housing, a lead screw, and a slider assembly. The slider assembly may include a cam, a cam protrusion fixedly coupled to the cam, and a threaded portion configured to engage and disengage the lead screw. The threaded portion may be configured to be actuated between engagement and disengagement on the lead screw by rotation of the cam and cam protrusion.

In some embodiments, the slider assembly may include a slot having a straight extension and an arcuate extension.

In some embodiments, rotation of the cam can cause the cam protrusion to move within the slot. The threaded portion may be configured to actuate between engagement and disengagement with the lead screw as the cam protrusion moves within the straight extension of the slot.

In some embodiments, the syringe pump may also include a clamping device configured to clamp any of a range of piston flange sizes.

In some embodiments, the cam protrusion may not enter the straight extension of the slot until a device configured to grip any of a series of piston flange sizes has released the largest of the series of piston flange sizes .

In some embodiments, the syringe pump may also include a piston head assembly coupled to the slider and operable to drive the plunger of the syringe into the barrel of the syringe. A piston tube may couple the piston head assembly to the slider.

In some embodiments, the piston tube may perform at least one or more additional functions from the following list of functions: a bushing support for at least one rotating shaft, a conduit for the introduction of electrical leads into and out of the piston head assembly channels, and channels for leading data transmission wires into and out of the piston head assembly.

In some embodiments, the syringe pump may also include a syringe flange clip configured to retain the syringe flange of the syringe.

In some embodiments, the syringe flange clamp may include means for detecting the presence of a syringe flange. The means for detecting the presence of the syringe flange may include an optical sensor and a light source. The light source may be dimmed in the presence of a syringe flange.

In some embodiments, the position of the cam of the slider assembly may be adjustable so that the user may optimize the engagement of the threaded portion on the lead screw.

In some embodiments, the slider assembly may also include at least one biasing member. The biasing member may be configured to bias the threaded portion to one of an engaged position on the lead screw and a disengaged position on the lead screw.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a syringe pump for administering drugs to a patient may include a housing, a lead screw, and a slider assembly. The slider assembly may include a threaded segment configured to engage and disengage the lead screw. The syringe pump may also include a piston head assembly coupled to the slider and operable to drive a plunger of a syringe into a barrel of the syringe. The syringe pump may also include a clamping device configured to clamp any of a range of piston flange sizes. A device configured to grip any of a range of piston flange sizes may include at least a first piston flange gripping jaw and a second piston flange gripping jaw. The first and second piston flange gripping jaws may be configured to be actuated from a first position to a position wherein at least one point of each of the first and second piston flange gripping jaws rests against an edge of the piston flange, And presses the piston flange against the piston head assembly and acts as an anti-siphon mechanism.

In some embodiments, a device configured to grip any of a range of piston flange sizes may include a cam, at least one cam follower, and at least one biasing member. The biasing member may bias the device configured to grip any of a range of piston flange sizes towards the first position. In some embodiments, movement of the at least one cam follower along the cam overcomes the biasing member and allows movement of a device configured to grip any of a range of piston flange sizes towards the second position.

In some embodiments, a cam, at least one cam follower, and at least one biasing member can be coupled to the rotatable shaft. The cam may not rotate with the shaft and may be displaceable along the axial dimension of the shaft. The at least one cam follower may be fixedly coupled to the shaft and rotatable with the shaft. Rotation of the shaft may cause the at least one cam follower to move along the cam, thereby displacing the cam along the axial dimension of the shaft.

In some embodiments, the biasing member may automatically return a device configured to grip any of a range of piston flange sizes to the first position in the absence of sufficient force to overcome the biasing member.

In some embodiments, the cam may include at least one detent, one of which when the device configured to grip any of a range of piston flange sizes has been allowed to move to the second position to reach each of the detents.

In some embodiments, the plunger head assembly may also include a pressure sensor to monitor the pressure of the medicament expelled from the syringe.

In some embodiments, the plunger flange of the syringe may be held against the pressure sensor by a device configured to grip any of a range of plunger flange sizes.

In some embodiments, the syringe pump may also include a syringe flange clip. The syringe flange clip is configured to retain the syringe flange of the syringe.

In some embodiments, the syringe flange clamp may include means to detect the presence of a syringe flange. The means for detecting the presence of the syringe flange may include an optical sensor and a light source. The light source can be dimmed in the presence of the syringe flange.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a syringe pump for administering drugs to a patient may include a housing, a lead screw, and a slider assembly. The slider assembly may include a threaded segment configured to engage and disengage a lead screw and movable along the lead screw. The syringe pump may also include a piston head assembly coupled to the slider and operable to drive a plunger of a syringe into a barrel of the syringe. The syringe pump may also include a clamping device configured to clamp any of a range of piston flange sizes. The syringe pump may also include means to monitor the clamping means. The means for monitoring the clamping device may be capable of generating data to determine at least one characteristic of the clamped syringe.

In some embodiments, the device for monitoring the clamping device may be a potentiometer.

In some embodiments, the data generated by the device monitoring the clamping device may be evaluated by referencing said data against a database.

In some embodiments, the data generated by the device monitoring the clamping device may be estimated by referencing said data against a database and data generated by at least one other sensor.

In some embodiments, the clamping device may include a cam, at least one cam follower, and at least one biasing member. A biasing member may bias the clamping device towards the first position. Movement of the at least one cam follower overcomes the biasing member and allows movement of the clamping device toward the second position.

In some embodiments, the cam, at least one cam follower, and at least one biasing member can be coupled to the rotatable shaft. In some particular embodiments, the cam may not rotate with the shaft, but may be displaceable along the axial dimension of the shaft. The at least one cam follower may be fixedly coupled to the shaft and rotatable with the shaft. Rotation of the shaft may cause the at least one cam follower to move along the cam, displacing the cam along the axial dimension of the shaft.

In some embodiments, the biasing member can automatically return the clamping device to the first position in the absence of sufficient force to overcome the biasing member.

In some embodiments, the cam may include at least one detent. One of the at least one cam followers may reach each pawl when the means for gripping any of a range of piston flange sizes has been allowed to move to the second position.

In some embodiments, the plunger head assembly may also include a pressure sensor to monitor the pressure of the medicament expelled from the syringe.

In some embodiments, the plunger flange of the syringe may be held on the pressure sensor by a clamping device.

In some embodiments, the syringe flange clamp may include means to detect the presence of a syringe flange. The means for detecting the presence of said syringe flange may comprise an optical sensor and a light source. The light source can be dimmed in the presence of the syringe flange.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a syringe pump for administering drugs to a patient may include a housing, a lead screw, and a plunger head assembly operably coupled to move the plunger of the syringe as the lead screw rotates. Drive into the barrel of the syringe. The syringe pump may also include at least one set of redundant sensors. The redundant sensors may be configured such that if a portion of a redundant set of sensors is damaged, the syringe pump is configured to operate in a fail-safe mode of operation for at least the duration of the therapy. One or more of the set of redundant sensors is configured to monitor the volume being infused.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a syringe pump for administering medication to a patient can include a housing and a syringe holder movable between a first position and a second position. The syringe holder can be biased to the first position or the second position by the biasing member. The syringe pump may also include a syringe contact member. A syringe contact member may be coupled to the syringe holder and configured to hold a syringe in place on the housing. The syringe pump may also include a detector capable of detecting the position of the syringe holder and generating position data based on the position of the syringe holder. When the syringe is in position on the housing, the syringe holder may be biased to hold the syringe in position on the housing. The positional data generated by the detector may be indicative of at least one characteristic of the injector and is evaluated to determine the characteristic.

In some embodiments, the detector can be a linear potentiometer.

In some embodiments, the detector may be a magnetic linear position sensor.

In some embodiments, the syringe holder can be configured to lock in at least one of the first position and the second position.

In some embodiments, the biasing member can cause the syringe holder to automatically adjust to the size of the syringe.

In some embodiments, the reference database may refer to the position data detected by the detector to determine the at least one characteristic of the injector.

In some embodiments, the collation database may refer to positional data detected by the detector as well as data from at least one other sensor to determine the at least one characteristic of the injector.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for administering a drug to a patient via a syringe pump may include defining one or more parameters for infusion via a syringe pump interface. The method may also comprise referencing said parameters with a medical database and imposing constraints on further parameters to be defined through the interface of the syringe pump. One of the further parameters may be the termination of the infusion action to be performed by the syringe pump after the volume to be infused has been infused. The method may also include infusing the medicament into the patient according to defined parameters for infusion, and performing a prescribed termination of the infusion activity.

In some embodiments, the termination of the infusion activity can be selected from the following actions: stop the infusion, infuse at the rate that keeps the vein open, and continue the infusion at the rate that ends the infusion.

In some embodiments, referencing these parameters against a database and imposing constraints on further parameters may include referencing a medicament against a database.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a syringe pump includes a housing, a syringe seat and a buffer. The injection seat is coupled to the housing. A bumper is coupled to the housing adjacent to the injector seat. A bumper may at least partially surround a corner of the injector seat.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a syringe pump includes a housing, a syringe hub, and a power supply. The injection seat is coupled to the housing. The power supply is coupled to the housing such that the housing is configured as a heat sink for the power supply. The syringe pump can include a motor, and the motor can be coupled to the housing such that the housing is a heat sink for the motor. The housing can be molded. The housing may comprise at least one metal, and/or may be monolithic.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a syringe pump includes a user interface, an antenna, and a split ring resonator. The user interface has a front side and a back side. An antenna is provided on the rear side of the user interface. The split ring resonators are arranged in spaced relationship with respect to the user interface and are configured to be operated by the antenna.

The user interface may include a touch screen sensor. A split ring resonator may be disposed on the rear side of the touch screen sensor. A frame may surround the touch screen sensor with a gap such that the frame defines a split ring resonator. A dielectric may be disposed within the gap.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a syringe pump includes a housing, a lead screw, a motor, a rotational position sensor, a slider assembly, a linear position sensor, and one or more sensors. The lead screw is rotatable within the housing. A motor is operatively coupled to the lead screw and configured to rotate the lead screw. The motor has an integrated motor rotation sensor configured to provide a motor rotation signal. A rotational position sensor is operatively coupled to the motor or lead screw to provide a rotational signal. The rotary position sensor may be a magnetic encoder sensor. The slider assembly is configured to engage the lead screw to actuate the slider assembly along the lead screw according to rotation of the lead screw. A linear position sensor is operatively coupled to the slider assembly and configured to provide a linear position signal. The one or more processors are configured to control rotation of the motor. The one or more processors are operable to receive a motor rotation signal from an integrated motor rotation sensor of the motor, a rotation signal from a rotary position sensor, and a linear position signal from a linear position sensor. The one or more processors are configured to determine whether a discrepancy exists between the motor rotation signal, the rotation signal, and the linear position signal. The one or more processors may also be configured to continue infusion processing by ignoring a non-functional one of the integrated motor rotational sensor, rotational position sensor, and linear position sensor.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a syringe pump includes a housing, a lead screw, a slider assembly, a piston, and first and second pivot jaw members. The lead screw is rotatable within the housing. The slider assembly is configured to engage the lead screw to move along the lead screw in response to rotation of the lead screw. The piston head assembly is coupled to the slider assembly and is configured to drive the plunger of the syringe into the barrel of the syringe. The first and second jaw members are each pivotally coupled to the piston head assembly. The first and second pivot jaw members are configured to pivot toward each other to retain the plunger flange of the syringe. The first pivot jaw member and/or the second pivot jaw member include a bend.

The syringe pump can also include a dial coupled to the slider assembly. The turntable may be operatively coupled to the first and second pivot jaw members for pivotally actuating the first and second pivot jaw members. The pump may include a biasing member configured to bias the dial in a rotational direction. The biasing member may be configured to automatically return the first and second pivot jaw members to a position away from each other. The biasing member may be configured to automatically return the first and second pivot jaw members to a position toward each other.

In another embodiment, a syringe pump includes a housing, an injection receptacle coupled to the housing, and a retention finger. A retention finger is pivotally coupled to the housing and is configured to rotate toward a syringe disposed within the injection receptacle to retain the syringe.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of eliminating the effect of retardation in a syringe pump after loading a syringe onto the pump is provided. The syringe has a barrel and a plunger arranged in the barrel. The method includes the acts of: receiving a target flow rate of a syringe loaded onto a syringe pump; determining a therapy actuation speed corresponding to the target flow rate; actuating a plunger of the syringe out of the syringe at a first predetermined speed until a force coupled to the plunger the sensor measures a force less than the first predetermined force threshold; actuating the plunger of the syringe into the barrel at a second predetermined speed greater than the treatment actuation speed until a force sensor coupled to the plunger measures a force exceeding the second predetermined threshold ; and actuating the plunger of the syringe into the barrel at a therapeutic actuation speed. The therapy actuation speed may correspond to a target flow rate when there is no retardation in the syringe pump or syringe. The method may further comprise the acts of estimating a volume to begin expelling from the piston position when a second predetermined threshold is exceeded; and/or stopping the syringe pump when the estimated volume expelled equals or exceeds the target delivery volume.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of eliminating the effect of retardation in a syringe pump after loading a syringe onto the pump is provided. The syringe has a barrel and a plunger arranged in the barrel. The method includes the acts of: receiving a target flow rate of a syringe loaded onto a syringe pump; determining a therapy actuation speed corresponding to the target flow rate; actuating a plunger of the syringe out of the syringe at a first predetermined speed until a force coupled to the plunger The sensor measures a force less than a first predetermined force threshold, or the piston moves out of the syringe a first predetermined distance; actuating the plunger of the syringe into the syringe at a second predetermined speed greater than the treatment actuation speed until the force coupled to the piston The sensor measures a force less than a second predetermined threshold, or the piston moves into the syringe a second predetermined distance; and actuating the plunger of the syringe into the syringe at a therapeutic actuation speed.

The therapy actuation speed may correspond to a target flow rate when there is no retardation in the syringe pump or syringe. The method may also include the acts of: estimating the volume to begin expelling from the plunger position when a second predetermined threshold is exceeded; stopping the syringe pump when the estimated volume expelled equals or exceeds the target delivery volume; and/or if the plunger enters the syringe for a second An alarm is used if the force detector does not measure a force that exceeds a second predetermined threshold at two predetermined distances.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a syringe pump includes a housing, a syringe seat, a lead screw, a motor, a slider assembly, a plunger head assembly, and one or more processors. An injection seat is coupled to the housing and is configured to retain a syringe having a barrel and a piston disposed within the barrel. The lead screw is rotatable within the housing. A motor is coupled to the lead screw and configured to rotate the lead screw. The slider assembly is configured to engage the lead screw to move along the lead screw in response to rotation of the lead screw. The piston head assembly is coupled to the slider assembly and is configured to drive the plunger of the syringe into the barrel of the syringe. The plunger head assembly has a force sensor operably coupled to the plunger of the syringe to measure the force of the plunger head assembly on the plunger of the syringe. One or more processors are operatively coupled to the motor and configured to control rotation of the motor, thereby controlling actuation of the piston head assembly. The one or more processors are also operatively coupled to the force sensor to receive the measured force therefrom, and are configured to: receive a target flow rate of a syringe loaded on the syringe pump; determine a therapeutic actuation corresponding to the target flow rate Speed; the motor is commanded to actuate the plunger of the syringe out of the syringe at a first predetermined speed until a force sensor coupled to the plunger measures a force less than the first predetermined force threshold; the motor is commanded at a second predetermined speed greater than the therapeutic actuation speed actuating the plunger of the syringe into the barrel until a force sensor coupled to the plunger measures a force greater than a second predetermined threshold; and commanding the motor to actuate the plunger of the syringe into the barrel at a therapeutic actuation speed. The therapy actuation speed may correspond to a target flow rate when there is no retardation in the syringe pump or syringe.

The one or more processors may be configured to estimate a volume to initiate displacement from the position of the piston when a second predetermined threshold is exceeded.

The one or more processors may also be configured to stop the syringe pump when the estimated volume expelled is equal to or greater than the target delivery volume.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a syringe pump includes a housing, a syringe seat, a lead screw, a motor, a slider assembly, a piston head assembly, and one or more processors. An injection seat is coupled to the housing and is configured to retain a syringe having a barrel and a piston disposed within the barrel. The lead screw is rotatable within the housing. A motor is coupled to the lead screw and configured to rotate the lead screw. The slider assembly is configured to engage the lead screw to move along the lead screw in response to rotation of the lead screw. The piston head assembly is coupled to the slider assembly and is configured to drive the plunger of the syringe into the barrel of the syringe. The plunger head assembly has a force sensor operably coupled to the plunger of the syringe to measure the force of the plunger head assembly on the plunger of the syringe. One or more processors are operatively coupled to the motor and configured to control rotation of the motor, thereby controlling actuation of the piston head assembly. The one or more processors are also operatively coupled to the force sensor to receive the measured force therefrom, and are configured to: receive a target flow rate of a syringe loaded on the syringe pump; determine a therapeutic actuation corresponding to the target flow rate speed; the motor is commanded to actuate the plunger of the syringe out of the barrel at a first predetermined speed until a force sensor coupled to the plunger measures a force less than a first predetermined force threshold, or the plunger moves out of the barrel a first predetermined distance; the motor is commanded to move out of the barrel a first predetermined distance; actuating the plunger of the syringe into the syringe at a second predetermined speed greater than the treatment actuation speed until a force sensor coupled to the plunger measures a force greater than a second predetermined threshold, or the plunger moves into the syringe a second predetermined distance; and command The motor actuates the plunger of the syringe into the barrel at the therapeutic actuation speed. The therapy actuation speed may correspond to a target flow rate when there is no retardation in the syringe pump or syringe.

The one or more processors may be configured to estimate a volume to begin expelling from the position of the piston when a second predetermined threshold is exceeded, and/or to stop the syringe pump when the estimated volume expelled is equal to or greater than a target delivery volume.

The one or more processors may also be configured to issue an alarm if the plunger enters the syringe a second predetermined distance without the force detector measuring a force that exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

The syringe pumps described herein may also include a transceiver, and the one or more processors are configured to communicate with the monitoring client through the transceiver.

In some embodiments, the syringe pump includes a patient-controlled analgesia ("PCA") button to deliver at least one pain medication.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include systems for securing a syringe of a syringe pump to one side of the pump. The side mounted mechanism includes pump housing, platform, fixed arm and force mechanism. The platform extends horizontally from one side of the pump casing when the pump is oriented for use. A fixed arm is pivotally connected to the pump housing and the force mechanism. The force mechanism generates a rotational force on the stationary arm, driving it into the platform or a syringe located on the platform. A force mechanism may allow the immobilization arm to be locked in the upper position, removed from the syringe on the platform. The wire structure may be attached to an end of the fixed arm opposite the axis of rotation so as to engage the syringe. The stationary arm can exert one to three pounds of force on the syringe.

In some embodiments, the force mechanism includes a second arm, a roller, and an engagement plate. The first end of the second arm is fixed to the first arm. A roller is attached to the second arm at an end opposite the first arm. The engagement plate is positioned to be engaged by the second arm and produces a force on the arm that becomes a rotational force in the attached stationary arm.

In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the engagement plate is connected at its first end to the pivot point and at its second end to the spring. When the second arm engages the plate, the force of the spring and the shape of the plate cause the arm to rotate, ultimately creating a rotational force in the stationary arm. The section of the engagement plate surface engaged by the second arm may define a peak. The plate may also be sized to allow continuous contact with the second arm while rotating through thirty-five degrees.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the engagement plate is on a track that allows free movement in a plane substantially perpendicular to the surface to which the second arm engages. The spring urges the plate towards the engaged second arm. The shape of the plate combined with the force of the spring causes the arm to rotate, which ultimately creates a rotational force in the stationary arm. The section of the engagement plate surface engaged by the second arm may define a peak. The plate may also be sized to allow continuous contact with the second arm while rotating through thirty degrees.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the force mechanism includes a second arm and an engagement plate. The second arm includes a first assembly connected to the fixed arm, sharing its axis of rotation, and projecting substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the pivot. The second component is attached to the first component at the opposite end of the pivot and has the ability to slide towards and away from the pivot while its other movement remains unified with the first component. A spring is connected to the first and second components, urging the two components apart. The roller is attached to the second component at an end opposite the pivot. The engagement plate is positioned to be engaged by the roller and includes a spring that generates a force causing rotation of the second arm and the attached fixed arm. The section of the engagement plate surface engaged by the second arm may define a peak. The plate can also be sized to allow continuous contact while the second arm is rotated through five degrees.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a force mechanism includes a shaft, a first cam assembly, a second cam assembly, a spring, and a bracket. A shaft is pivotally connected to the fixed arm such that its longitudinal axis is aligned with the fixed arm rotational axis. The first cam assembly is axially disposed about the shaft, but is not connected thereto. The first cam assembly is connected to the fixed arm and rotates therewith. The first end of the first cam assembly has a planar portion, a portion disposed rearwardly from the planar portion, and a portion where the two portions converge in a conical shape. The second cam assembly is axially disposed about the shaft in close proximity to the first cam, but is not connected to the shaft. The second component has a fixed direction of rotation and has the ability to slide reciprocally on the shaft. The second assembly mirrors the shape of the first assembly by virtue of one end of the first end of the first cam assembly. The spring is disposed about the shaft in close proximity to the second cam assembly on a side opposite the first assembly. The bracket is positioned to compress the spring, causing the spring to push the second component toward the first component.

In some embodiments, a sensor may be used to detect the angle of the immobilization arm. Such a sensor may be a Halifax sensor. Data from the sensors can be used to determine which syringe is being used. The system can also use this sensor data along with sensor data from the plunger driver sensor to determine which syringe is being used.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for securing a syringe of a syringe pump to one side of the pump. The method includes: 1.) lifting a retaining arm loaded with a downward force into a locked upper position; 2.) placing a syringe on the syringe retaining edge below the retaining arm; and 3.) releasing the retaining arm from the locked position , thereby engaging the syringe with force loaded on the stationary arm. In some embodiments, the downward force loaded on the fixed arm is generated by a spring. In a particular embodiment, sensors track the position of the arm. The sensor may be a Halifax sensor. The position of the arm can be used to indicate that the syringe is properly in place, or to determine the type of syringe being used. Data from the plunger sensor can be used along with the position of the stationary arm to determine the type of syringe being used.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure use an apparatus for securing a syringe of a syringe pump to one side of the pump. The equipment includes pump housing, platform, fixed arm and force mechanism. The platform protrudes horizontally from one side of the pump casing when the pump casing is oriented for use. The rotationally fixed arm has a first end operably connected to the pump housing over the ledge. A force mechanism is attached to the fixed arm and generates a rotational force on the fixed arm, driving the end of the fixed arm opposite the pivot onto the top of the ledge. The fixed arm may have the ability to be locked in the upper position, removed from the ledge. The fixed arm may also have a wire structure configured to engage a syringe connected at its second end. The fixed arm can exert one to three pounds of force on the syringe when it is in the fixed position.

In some embodiments, the force mechanism includes a second arm, a roller, and an engagement plate. The second arm has a first end operably attached to the second arm, sharing a point of rotation thereof. A roller is attached to the second arm at its opposite end. The engagement plate is positioned to engage the second arm with a force that causes the fixed arm to rotate onto the top of the ledge.

In a particular embodiment, one end of the engagement plate is operably attached to the pump casing by a pivot connector and the opposite end is attached to the spring. The spring is configured to urge the engagement plate towards the engaged second arm, creating a rotational force on the attached arm. The section of the engagement plate surface engaged by the second arm may define a peak. The plate may also be sized to allow continuous contact with the second arm while rotating through thirty degrees.

In other embodiments, the engagement plate has a free range of motion in a single direction and the spring exerts a force on the plate parallel to the range of motion. The spring urges the plate towards the engaged second arm, creating a rotational force on the arm. The section of the engagement plate surface engaged by the second arm may define a peak. The plate may also be sized to allow continuous contact with the second arm while rotating through thirty degrees.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the force mechanism includes a second arm and an engagement plate. The second arm comprises a first assembly connected to the fixed arm, sharing its axis of rotation, and projecting substantially perpendicular to this axis. A second component connected to the first component at an end opposite the axis of rotation has a degree of freedom of movement about the longitudinal axis of rotation of the first component. A spring urges the two components apart. The roller is connected to an end of the second component opposite the first component. The engagement plate is positioned to be engaged by the roller and compresses the spring between the two components, creating a force causing the second arm to rotate. The section of the engagement plate surface engaged by the second arm may define a peak. The plate may also be sized to allow continuous contact with the second arm while rotating through thirty-five degrees.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a force mechanism includes a shaft, a first cam assembly, a second cam assembly, a spring, and a bracket. The shaft is connected to the fixed arm at its point of rotation, aligning its longitudinal axis with the axis of rotation of the fixed arm. The first cam assembly is axially disposed about the shaft but not connected thereto. The first cam assembly is connected to the fixed arm and rotates with the fixed arm. The first end of the assembly has a planar portion, a portion disposed rearwardly from the planar portion, and a portion where the two portions converge in a tapered shape. The second cam assembly is also axially disposed about the shaft and positioned proximate to the first end of the first cam. The second component is not connected to the shaft, it remains in a fixed position and enables the shaft to slide up and down. The second assembly mirrors the shape of the first assembly by virtue of one end of the first end of the first cam assembly. The spring pushes the second cam assembly over the first cam assembly, with the ability to cause the first assembly and shaft to rotate depending on the orientation of the cam.

In some embodiments, a sensor may be used to detect the angle of the immobilization arm. Such a sensor may be a Halifax sensor. Data from the sensors can be used to determine which syringe is being used. The system can also use this sensor data along with sensor data from the plunger driver sensor to determine which syringe is being used.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of alleviating lead screw runout is provided. The method can be applied to syringe pumps that use lead screws to control fluid delivery from syringes. The method includes: tracking the rotation of the screw with a rotary position sensor; tracking the linear output of the screw with a linear position sensor; converting the rotary position data into distance output data, and generating error data by comparing the distance sensor data and the converted rotation data , using a processor to estimate the phase and amplitude of the error data; and controlling the output of the lead screw by incorporating the estimated bias into an assumed direct rotational relationship to the lead screw distance output. Estimating the phase and amplitude of the jerk can be achieved by cross-correlating the sine and cosine waves with the deviation data. The data can be stored as a single value per degree of lead screw rotation and filtered with a low pass filter before cross-correlating the sensor data. Estimating runout may include accounting for changes in excursion amplitude as the lead screw displacement component approaches and the threaded drive shaft stops.

The distance tracking sensor may be an optical mouse sensor. Data from an optical mouse sensor can be normalized to prevent sensor drift before it can be used to estimate phase and amplitude. The CIP data from the optical sensor can be normalized for every ten degrees of lead screw rotation. Optical sensors can produce data ranging from 3000CPI to 8200CPI.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for mitigating lead screw runout is provided. The system includes a position sensor, a rotation sensor, a processor and a controller. The distance sensor has the ability to track linear changes in distance and is configured to track changes in distance output by the lead screw mechanism and generate distance data. A rotation sensor has the ability to track changes in rotation of the shaft and is configured to track rotation of the lead screw drive shaft and generate rotation data. The rotation sensor may be a Halifax sensor. A processor converts the rotation data into estimated distance output data and compares it to distance data from the distance sensor. The processor then estimates the magnitude and phase of the difference between the distance sensor data and the estimated distance data from the rotation sensor. Amplitude and phase can be estimated by cross-correlating the sine and cosine waves with distance sensor data. The processor can estimate the runout deviation using only data from the previous four rotations. The processor can also filter the distance data to a single value for each degree of rotation. In some cases, the processor may not estimate the phase and amplitude of the jitter deviation until it has received one hundred eighty degrees of data. The controller controls the output of the lead screw using a rotation sensor to produce a linear distance output and includes the estimated amplitude and phase of the deviation to account for lead screw runout. The controller may assume that the amplitude of the runout decreases as the half nut approaches the end of the lead screw.

The distance tracking sensor may be an optical mouse sensor. Data from an optical mouse sensor can be normalized to prevent sensor drift before it can be used to estimate phase and amplitude. The CIP data from the optical sensor can be normalized for every ten degrees of lead screw rotation. Optical sensors can produce data ranging from 3000CPI to 8200CPI.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for providing DC power to an infusion pump is provided. The device includes a power supply, power entry module and outlet adapter. The power input module is connected to the infusion pump and is configured to receive power from the power source and provide power to the pump. The power supply includes: an AC to DC conversion module; an AC input jack configured to receive AC current and supply power to the AC side of the conversion module; and a DC output jack configured to receive DC current from the conversion module and output DC current. The power supply is configured to be removable from the power entry module. The outlet adapter is in electrical communication with the AC input jack in the power supply and is configured to plug into a wall outlet and supply power to the power supply. A processor can be used to monitor the power demand of the pump and adjust the output of the power supply based on the pump's demand.

When attached, the power supply can be located on the top, bottom, rear or side of the infusion pump. The display of the pump can be biased towards the side of the pump where the power supply is located when attached.

An AC input cable can be used to connect the outlet adapter to the AC input jack of the power supply. The power supply may have a winding structure attached to its exterior configured to have the AC input cord wrapped around it when the cord is not plugged into the wall. The power supply may also have a port configured to receive an outlet adapter once the wires have been wound around the winding structure. The power supply may also include a mechanism to automatically release the cord when commanded by the user.

A DC output cable can be used to connect the DC output jack of the power supply to the power input module. The DC output wires are removable from the power entry module.

The power entry module can be configured to attach to the rack such that the rack and power supply are interchangeable.

In some cases, a power source may be attached to a pole on which is mounted a pump to power it.

The power supply may also include a battery having a negative terminal in electrical communication with the DC output jack of the power supply and a positive terminal in electrical communication with the power input module. Processors and circuits may also be included. The processor and circuitry will be configured to charge the battery when the power supply is receiving AC power, and to discharge the battery when not receiving AC power.

In some embodiments, it will be necessary to remove the power source from the pump so that the pump is attached to the poll.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for powering an infusion pump is provided. The system includes a power supply and a pump. The pump includes a DC input jack (hereinafter also referred to as a DC input port). The power supply includes an AC to DC converter, an AC input port (hereinafter also referred to as an AC input jack) and a DC output port, and is configured to power the pump through the DC input jack. The power supply may have the ability to be removed from the pump.

The DC output port of the power supply can be directly connected into the DC input jack of the pump, securing the power supply to the pump. When attached, the power supply can be on the top, bottom, side or back of the pump.

The DC output port on the power module can be connected with the DC input jack on the pump by using the power output cable to connect them electrically. For example, a power shelf configured to hold power may be mounted on the pump when power is wired to the pump.

The power input cord connects the AC input port of the power supply to the wall outlet adapter, making the two electrically connected. The power input cord is removable from the power supply. The power supply may include a wire wrap structure configured to have the power input wire wrapped around it. The power supply may also include a port configured to receive a wall outlet adapter once the cord has been coiled.

The power supply can be configured to power multiple pumps. A power source may be coupled to the pole on which the pump is mounted. The DC jack of the pump can be configured to attach the pump to the rack when no power source is attached.

The power supply may include a battery configured to be charged by the power supply when current flows into the AC port, and to power the DC output port when current is not flowing into the AC input port. The AC port of the power supply must receive current and convert it to DC current before charging the battery.

In another embodiment, a syringe pump includes a main body, a motor, a lead screw, an injection seat, and a piston head assembly. The injection seat may be configured to slope towards a downward angle. A motor is operatively coupled to the body. The lead screw is operatively coupled to the motor, and the motor is configured to actuate the lead screw. Piston head assembly includes turntable, piston tube, piston head and half nut assembly. The turntable has a fully open position and a fully closed position. The dial is configured to actuate between a fully open position and a fully closed position. The piston tube is configured to slidably engage the body. A piston head is operably coupled to the piston tube. The half nut assembly is configured to engage the lead screw when the dial is actuated a predetermined amount from the fully open position toward the fully closed position. The predetermined amount may be less than the half-way actuated position between the fully open position and the fully closed position.

The plunger head assembly may include two pivotable jaw members configured to grip onto a syringe located within the injection receptacle. The dial may be configured to actuate the pivot jaw member to the open position.

The syringe pump may also include a shaft operably coupled to the dial such that the shaft and the dial are configured such that actuation of the dial actuates the shaft. A cam can be coupled to the shaft. A rocker arm is pivotally coupled to the piston head assembly. The rocker arm may have a cam follower configured to engage the cam, and one or more pivotable pawl members may be operably coupled to the rocker arm.

The syringe pump may also include first and second gears. The first gear is coupled to the rocker arm and the pivotable jaw member. The second gear is coupled to the other pivotable jaw member. The first and second gears are configured to engage each other and grip onto a syringe disposed within the injection seat. The cam and rocker arm may be configured such that further actuation of the dial towards the closed position causes the cam follower to disengage from the cam when the pivotable jaw member is gripped onto the syringe. The cam may include a detent configured to retain the cam within the detent until a predetermined amount of torque is applied to the dial to urge the dial toward the closed position. The piston head may be a shaft with a rod actuator coupled thereto. The piston tube may include a rod, and the rod is coupled to a link within the piston head. The half-nut assembly may also include a linear cam, and the rod may be operably coupled to the linear cam.

The half-nut assembly may also include first and second half-nut arms each having a first end and a second end. First ends of the first and second nut arm halves are configured to engage the lead screw. The first and second nut arm halves may be pivotally coupled together. The first ends of the first and second half-nut arms may be configured to engage the linear cam such that actuation of the linear cam toward the half-nut assembly causes the second ends of the first and second half-nut arms to pivotally approach each other . The first ends of the first and second nut arm halves each include threads configured to engage the lead screw when the second ends of the first and second nut arm halves approach each other.

In another embodiment, a syringe pump includes a main body, a motor, a lead screw, an injection seat, and a piston head assembly. A motor is operatively coupled to the body. A lead screw is operatively coupled to the motor and configured to actuate the lead screw. Piston head assembly includes turntable, piston tube, piston head and half nut assembly. The turntable has a fully open position and a fully closed position. The dial is configured to actuate between a fully open position and a fully closed position. The piston tube is configured to slidably engage the body. A piston head is operably coupled to the piston tube. The half nut assembly is configured to engage the lead screw when the dial is actuated a predetermined amount from the fully open position toward the fully closed position. The nut half assembly includes first and second nut half arms pivotally coupled together and configured to engage the lead screw.

In another embodiment, a system for securing a syringe to a syringe pump includes a pump housing, a platform, a pivotable securing arm, a force mechanism, and a display. A platform (injection seat) extends horizontally from one side of the pump casing. The pivotable stationary arm is configured to engage a syringe seated on the platform. A force mechanism is connected to the stationary arm and is configured to apply a rotational force to the stationary arm, which causes a downward force to be applied to the syringe. A display can be coupled to one side of the pump casing. The display may also include a power button, an alarm mute button, and/or a menu button. A monitoring client may be provided configured to at least one of receive data from the syringe pump or control the syringe pump as described herein. The monitoring client can be a tablet computer.

One method for expelling fluid from a syringe and for relieving an occlusion condition includes actuating a plunger of the syringe into a syringe barrel. The method monitors fluid pressure within a barrel of the syringe and determines that an occlusion exists when the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold. The method actuates the piston a predetermined amount out of the syringe in response to the detected occlusion, and actuates the plunger of the syringe into the syringe until a measured fluid pressure within the syringe barrel exceeds another predetermined threshold.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for securing a syringe to a syringe pump may include a pump housing, a platform extending horizontally from one side of the pump housing, a pivotable shaft configured to engage a syringe seated on the platform A fixed arm, and a force mechanism connected to the fixed arm. The force mechanism may be configured to apply a rotational force to the stationary arm, which causes a downward force to be applied to the syringe.

In some embodiments of the system, the force mechanism may include a second arm having a first end connected to the stationary arm and an opposite second end. In some embodiments, the roller can be attached to the second arm at the second end. An engagement plate may be included configured to engage the roller and urge the second arm in a direction that generates a rotational force in the attached fixed arm.

In some embodiments, such a system may include a first end of the joint plate connected to a pivot point, and an opposite second end attached to a biasing member. The biasing member may be configured to generate a force that urges the second arm. The biasing member may be a spring.

In some embodiments, the surface of the engagement plate engaged by the second arm may define a peak. The plate may also be sized to allow continuous contact while the second arm is rotated at least thirty degrees. The engagement plate may be configured to move freely in a plane substantially perpendicular to the surface engaged by the second arm. A biasing member may be included that urges the engagement plate towards the second arm. The engagement plate can be oriented to create a force that pushes the second arm. The surface of the engagement plate engaged by the second arm may define a peak. The engagement plate may be sized to allow the second arm to continue contacting the engagement plate while substantially rotating at least thirty degrees.

In some embodiments, the force mechanism may include a second arm connected to the fixed arm. A first assembly may be included having a first end connected to the fixed arm and an opposite second end. A second component attached to the first component at an opposite second end thereof may be included. The second component may be configured to reciprocate about the longitudinal axis of the first component, while movement in other directions is coordinated with the movement of the first component. Biasing fasteners connected to the first and second components may be included to push the two parts apart. A roller attached to an end of the second component opposite the first component may be included. An engagement plate may be included positioned to be engaged by the roller thereby exerting a force on the second arm to generate a rotational force in the fixed arm. The surface of the engagement plate engaged by the second arm may define a peak. The engagement plate may be sized to allow the second arm to continue contacting the engagement plate while substantially rotating at least thirty degrees.

In some embodiments, the force mechanism may include a shaft attached to the stationary arm, wherein the longitudinal axis of the shaft is coaxial with the rotational axis of the stationary arm. A first cam assembly disposed about an axis and configured to rotate with the fixed arm may be included. The first end of the assembly may have a planar portion, a portion disposed rearwardly from the planar portion, and a tapered portion where the two portions converge in a tapered shape. A second cam assembly disposed about the axis adjacent the first end of the first cam may be included. The assembly may have a fixed direction of rotation, as well as the ability to reciprocate translation on an axis. One end of the second cam assembly resting on the first cam assembly may mirror the shape of the first cam assembly. A biasing member may be disposed about the shaft adjacent the second cam assembly on a side opposite the first cam assembly. A bracket may be included positioned to bias the biasing member and convert the force of the biasing member to bias the second cam assembly toward the first cam assembly. The tapered portion of the cam may taper at an angle of about forty-five degrees relative to the flat portion.

In some embodiments, the force mechanism may be configured to allow the immobilization arm to be locked in the upper position, removed from the syringe on the platform.

Some embodiments may also include a wire structure attached to an end of the fixed arm opposite the axis of rotation. The wire structure may be configured to engage the syringe when the arm is rotated downward.

In some embodiments, when in the secured position, the secured arm can exert about one to about three pounds of force on the syringe. Some embodiments may also include sensors configured to track the angle of the immobilization arm. The sensor may be a Hall effect sensor. Data from the sensors may be used to determine one or more characteristics of the injector. In some embodiments, data from the plunger driver sensor may be used in combination with data from the sensor to determine one or more characteristics of the syringe.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for securing a syringe to a syringe pump includes: overcoming a biasing force by displacing the securing arm to a first, locked position; placing the syringe in a syringe retaining position under the securing arm platform; and release the securing arm from the first position, thereby securing the syringe to the securing arm by a biasing force.

In some embodiments, the biasing force may be generated by a spring. Some embodiments may also include detecting the position of the immobilization arm. Some embodiments of the method may include, based on the position of the securing arm, alerting the user if the securing arm is not properly securing the syringe. Some embodiments of the method may also include determining at least one characteristic of the syringe using data collected by detecting the position of the immobilization arm. Some embodiments may also include determining, using the processor, fluid flow based on a change in position of a plunger of the syringe in conjunction with determining at least one characteristic of the syringe. Some embodiments may include using data from the plunger-driven arm in conjunction with the position of the stationary arm to determine at least one characteristic of the syringe. Some embodiments of the method may further include determining, using the processor, the fluid flow rate based on the change in position of the plunger of the syringe in conjunction with determining at least one characteristic of the syringe. In some embodiments, the position of the immobilization arm is detected using a Hall effect sensor.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for securing a syringe to a syringe pump may include: a pump housing having a top, a bottom and two sides; a platform protruding horizontally from one side of the pump housing a rotating fixed arm, which has a first end attached to the pump housing above the platform, and an opposite second end configured to engage the top of the platform in a rotational position of the fixed arm; and a force mechanism, which is attached to the fixed arm. The force mechanism may be configured to generate a rotational force on the fixed arm, thereby pushing the second end toward the top of the platform. In some embodiments, the force mechanism may include a second arm having a , share a first end of their axis of rotation, and an opposite second end. A roller attached to the second arm at the second end may be included, wherein the roller extends beyond the second end of the second arm. An engagement plate may be included configured to engage the roller with a force that causes the second arm to rotate in a direction that produces a downward force of the stationary arm. The first end of the engagement plate is operably attachable to the pump casing by a pivot connector. The second end of the engagement plate may be operatively attached to the biasing member. The biasing member may push the engagement plate toward the engaged second arm, thereby creating a force to rotate the second arm. The surface of the engagement plate engaged by the second arm may define a peak. The engagement plate may be sized to allow the second arm to continue contacting the engagement plate while substantially rotating at least thirty degrees. The joint plate may have a linear free range of motion in one degree of freedom in a single plane. The biasing member can exert a force on the joint plate, at least a component of which force can be in the direction of the range of motion. The biasing member may urge the engagement plate toward the engaged second arm, thereby creating a force to rotate the second arm. A section of the surface of the engagement plate engaged by the second arm may define a peak. The engagement plate may be sized to allow the second arm to continue contacting the engagement plate while substantially rotating at least thirty degrees. In some embodiments, the force mechanism may include a second arm having a second arm operably attached to the fixed arm so as to share its axis of rotation. The second arm may include a first assembly having a first end connected to the fixed arm, and a second end extending from the first end and oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. A second component may be included having a first end connected to the second end of the first component, and an opposite second end. The second component may have a single degree of freedom of movement, but otherwise be limited to cooperative movement with the first component. A biasing member may be included having a first portion attached to the first component, and a second portion attached to the second component. The biasing member may be configured to apply a biasing force that biases the first and second components away from each other. A roller attached to the second end of the second component may be included. The roller can extend beyond the second end of the second component. An engagement plate may be included configured to be engaged by the roller thereby compressing the biasing member and thereby generating a rotational force transmitted to the fixed arm.

In some embodiments, the surface of the engagement plate engaged by the second arm may define a peak. The engagement plate may be sized to allow the second arm to continue contacting the engagement plate while substantially rotating at least thirty degrees.

In some embodiments, the force mechanism may include a shaft attached to the fixed arm such that its axis of rotation is shared and its longitudinal axis is aligned with the axis of rotation. A first cam assembly disposed about an axis and configured to rotate with the fixed arm may be included. The first end of the assembly may have a planar portion, a portion disposed rearwardly from the planar portion, and a tapered portion where the two portions converge in a tapered shape. A second cam assembly disposed about the axis adjacent the first end of the first cam may be included. The assembly may have a fixed direction of rotation, as well as the ability to reciprocate translation on an axis. One end of the assembly that rests on the first cam assembly may mirror the shape of the first cam assembly. A biasing member configured to urge the second cam assembly toward the first cam assembly may be included.

In some embodiments, the force mechanism may be configured to allow the immobilization arm to lock in the upper position, wherein the immobilization arm does not contact the platform. A wire structure connected to the second end of the stationary arm may be included, configured to engage the syringe when the stationary arm is rotated to the stationary position. When in the secured position, the stationary arm exerts one to three pounds of force on the syringe. A sensor may be included that is configured to detect the angle of the immobilization arm. The sensor may be a Hall effect sensor. Data from the sensor can be used to determine at least one characteristic of the syringe. In some embodiments, data from the plunger driver sensor may be used along with data from the sensor to determine one or more characteristics of the syringe.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for providing DC power to an infusion pump may include at least one power input module connected to a casing of the infusion pump and configured to receive DC current from a power source and supply power to the infusion pump. The module can have a port configured to receive electrical current. The power supply may be configured to be removably attachable to the power entry module, which when attached creates electrical communication between the power supply and the power entry module. The power supply may include an AC to DC conversion module configured to convert AC current to DC current and provide a constant voltage current to the pump. An AC input jack configured to receive AC current and power the AC side of the conversion module may be included. A DC output jack configured to receive DC current from the conversion module and output DC current may be included. An outlet adapter may be included that is in electrical communication with the AC input jack in the power supply and is configured to plug into an AC wall outlet, thereby supplying AC current to the AC input jack. When attached, the power supply can be on either the top, bottom, rear or side of the infusion pump. When the power supply is attached, the display may be arranged in close proximity to the power supply. The AC input cord (hereinafter also referred to as the power cord) connects the outlet adapter to the AC input jack of the power supply. The AC input cord is removable from the power supply. A winding structure attached to the exterior of the power supply may be included that is configured to wrap the power cord around when the cord is not inserted. The power supply may include a port configured to receive an outlet adapter once the wire has been wound around the winding structure. A closed reel may be included to automatically reel up the power cord when commanded by the user. A DC output wire may be included that connects the DC output jack of the power supply to the power supply input module, creating electrical communication therebetween. The DC output wires are removable from the power entry module. The power entry module can be configured to attach to the rack, making the rack and power supply interchangeable. Connecting the power supply to the power entry module secures the power supply to the pump. The power supply can be configured to power multiple pumps. A plurality of DC output wires may be included configured to connect the DC output jacks of the power supply to the power input modules of the plurality of pumps, creating electrical communication between the power supply and the pumps. The power supply may be mounted on a pole, and the pump that powers it is also mounted on the pole. A battery may be included having a negative terminal operatively connected to the DC output jack of the power source, and a positive terminal operatively connected to the power input module. A processor and circuitry may be included configured to charge the battery when the power supply receives AC current and discharge the battery when not receiving AC current. In some embodiments, power must be removed from the pump in order to attach the pump to the rod. A processor may be included to monitor the power requirements of the pump and adjust the output of the power supply based on those requirements. The conversion module regulates the voltage and current of the electricity entering the pump. In some embodiments, the wand may include a power source, and one or more attachment features to attach the infusion pump to the wand.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for providing DC power to an infusion pump may include a pump including a DC input jack, and a power supply configured to power the pump through the DC input jack. Power can be removed from the pump. The pump may include an AC to DC converter, an AC input adapter, a DC outlet adapter, and an AC outlet adapter configured to plug into an AC outlet that communicates with the AC input adapter of the power source. The DC outlet adapter of the power supply can be connected directly into the DC input jack of the pump, securing the power supply to the pump and creating electrical communication between the power supply and the DC outlet adapter. The attached power supply can be located on any of the rear, side, top and bottom of the pump. The power supply may also include a DC output cord configured to connect the DC outlet adapter of the power supply module to the DC input jack of the pump, thereby creating electrical communication therebetween. The pump may include a power supply mount configured to secure the AC to DC converter of the power supply to the pump. An AC input cord may be included having a first end configured to connect to an AC input port of a power source, and a second end having a wall outlet adapter. The AC input cord is removable from the power supply. The power supply may also include a winding mechanism to wind the AC input wire. The cord winding mechanism may be configured to be wound by a user onto the AC input cord. The power supply may include a port configured to receive a wall outlet adapter once the cord is coiled. A single power supply can be configured to power multiple pumps. The power source may be coupleable to a stem that includes at least one attachment feature for an infusion pump. The DC input jack of the pump may be configured to secure the pump to the frame and receive current from the frame when the power supply is not attached. The power source may include a battery configured to be charged by the power source when current is flowing into the AC input port, and to power the DC output port when no current is flowing into the AC input port.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of mitigating lead screw runout errors may include tracking rotation of a lead screw using a rotational position sensor. The method may include tracking the distance output of the lead screw mechanism using a linear position sensor. The method may include converting the output of the rotational position sensor to a linear displacement output of the lead screw mechanism. The method may include generating error data by determining a difference between data from the linear position sensor and converted data from the rotary position sensor. The method may include estimating, using the processor, the phase and magnitude of the deviation from an assumed direct relationship to the distance output from the lead screw mechanism based on the error data. The method may include controlling, with the controller, the output of the lead screw mechanism. The controller can compensate for estimation bias.

In some embodiments, the linear position sensor may be an optical mouse sensor. An optical mouse sensor may output data at a rate of about 3000CPI to about 8200CPI. The method may also include normalizing the optical mouse sensor data prior to estimating the phase and amplitude, thereby mitigating sensor drift. Normalizing the optical mouse sensor may include recalibrating the optical mouse sensor CPI every ten degrees of lead screw rotation. Estimating the phase and amplitude may include cross-correlating the sine and cosine waves with the bias data. The method may also include storing the error data as a value for each degree of lead screw rotation prior to cross-correlating. The estimating step may account for changes in the amplitude of the deviation as the displacement assembly of the lead screw approaches the end of the threaded drive shaft of the lead screw. The rotary position sensor may be a Hall effect sensor. The phase and amplitude of the runout deviation can be estimated using only data from the previous four revolutions of the lead screw. The method may also include filtering the error data before estimating its phase and amplitude. The error data may be filtered using a low pass filter.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for mitigating lead screw runout error may include a linear position sensor configured to track a distance output of a lead screw mechanism and generate distance data. A rotational position sensor configured to track rotation of the lead screw and generate rotational data may be included. A processor may be included. The processor may be configured to convert the rotation data into a converted distance output of the lead screw mechanism. The processor may be configured to generate error data by determining a difference between the transformed rotation data and the distance data. The processor can be configured to estimate the magnitude and phase of the error data. A controller configured to control the distance output of the lead screw mechanism may be included. The controller can compensate the phase and amplitude of the error data.

In some embodiments, the linear position sensor may be an optical mouse sensor. An optical mouse sensor may output data at a rate of about 3000CPI to about 8200CPI. The distance data can be normalized to account for drift before generating the error data. The distance data may be normalized by the processor every ten degrees of lead screw rotation. The phase and amplitude of the error data can be estimated by cross-correlating the sine and cosine waves with the error data. The rotation sensor may be a Hall effect sensor. The controller may assume that the error data amplitude decreases as the half nut of the lead screw mechanism approaches the end of the lead screw. The phase and amplitude of the error data can be estimated using only the error data from the previous four revolutions. The distance data for each degree of rotation of lead screw displacement can be filtered into a single data. The processor may not estimate the phase and amplitude of the error data until it has received one hundred and eighty degrees of sensor data. The error data can be filtered before estimating its phase and amplitude. The error data may be filtered using a low pass filter.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a syringe pump may include a main body, a motor, and a lead screw operatively coupled to the motor. The motor may be configured to actuate the lead screw. May include injection seat and plunger head assembly. The piston head assembly may include a dial having a first position and a second position. The dial can be configured to actuate between a first position and a second position. A piston tube configured to slidably engage the body may be included. A piston head is operably coupled to the piston tube. A nut half assembly may be included configured to engage the lead screw until the turntable is actuated a predetermined amount from the first position toward the second position. The predetermined amount may be less than a halfway position between the first position and the second position.

In some embodiments, the plunger head assembly may include two pivotable jaw members configured to grip onto the plunger located within the injection seat. The turntable may be configured to actuate the pivotable jaw member. A shaft may be operably coupled to the turntable. The shaft and dial may be configured such that actuation of the dial actuates the shaft. A cam can be coupled to the shaft. A rocker arm may be included that is pivotally coupled to the piston head assembly. The rocker arm may have a cam follower configured to engage the cam. A pivotable jaw member may be operably coupled to the rocker arm.

In some embodiments, a first gear coupled to the rocker arm and the pivotable jaw member may be included. A second gear coupled to another pivotable jaw member may be included. The first and second gears may be configured to engage each other. The pivotable jaw member may be configured to grip onto the piston. The cam and rocker arm may be configured such that further actuation of the dial towards the second position causes the cam follower to disengage from the cam when the pivotable jaw member is gripped onto the piston. A biasing member configured to urge a cam follower of the rocker arm toward the cam may be included. The cam may include a detent configured to retain the cam within the detent until a predetermined amount of torque is applied to the dial to urge the dial toward the second position. The piston head may include a shaft having a rod actuator coupled thereto. The piston tube may include a rod. The rod may be coupled within the piston head by a link. The half-nut assembly may include a linear cam. The rod may be operably coupled to the linear cam. The half-nut assembly may also include first and second half-nut arms each having a first end and a second end. The first ends of the first and second nut arm halves may be configured to engage the lead screw. The first and second half nut arms may be pivotally coupled to each other. The second ends of the first and second half-nut arms may be configured to engage the linear cam such that actuating the linear cam toward the half-nut assembly causes the second ends of the first and second half-nut arms to pivotally approximate each other. The first ends of the first and second nut arm halves may each include threads configured to engage the lead screw when the second ends of the first and second nut arm halves approach each other. The injection seat may include at least one inclined surface.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a syringe pump may include a main body, a motor, and a lead screw operatively coupled to the motor. The motor may be configured to actuate the lead screw. May include injection seat and plunger head assembly. The piston head assembly may include a dial having a fully open position and a fully closed position. The dial may be configured to actuate between a fully open position and a fully closed position. A piston tube configured to slidably engage the body may be included. A piston head is operably coupled to the piston tube. A half nut assembly may be included configured to engage the lead screw until the dial is actuated a predetermined amount from the fully open position toward the fully closed position. The nut half assembly may include first and second nut half arms pivotally coupled together and configured to engage the lead screw.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for securing a syringe to a syringe pump may include a pump housing. A platform extending horizontally from one side of the pump casing may be included. A pivotable securing arm configured to secure a syringe seated on the platform may be included. A force mechanism connected to the arm may be included, configured to apply a rotational force to the arm, which causes a fixation force to be applied to the syringe. A user interface coupled to the pump housing may be included.

In some embodiments, the user interface may include a power button, an alarm mute button, and a menu button.

The monitoring client can be configured to at least one of receive data from the syringe pump or control the syringe pump. The monitoring client can be a tablet computer. The monitoring client can be configured to receive data from the syringe pump.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a syringe pump includes a housing, a syringe seat, a plunger head, a pressure sensor and a motor, and one or more processors. An injection receptacle is operatively coupled to the housing and configured to retain a syringe. The plunger head is configured to engage the plunger of the syringe to actuate the plunger of the syringe. A pressure sensor is configured to be coupled to the syringe operable to estimate fluid pressure within the syringe. A motor is operatively coupled to the piston head to actuate the piston head, thereby actuating the head piston.

The one or more processors may be configured to cause the actuator to actuate in a first direction, thereby causing the syringe to expel fluid. The processor may monitor the pressure sensor to estimate fluid pressure within the syringe and determine that an occlusion exists when the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold. The processor may cause the actuator to actuate the plunger out of the syringe a predetermined amount, and cause the actuator to actuate the plunger of the syringe into the syringe until a measure of fluid pressure within the syringe exceeds another predetermined threshold.

In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of piston actuatable out of the syringe may be a function of the inner diameter of the syringe. Another predetermined threshold may be a function of the inner diameter of the syringe.

In some embodiments, the predetermined threshold may be within a plurality of predetermined thresholds in the lookup table. The predetermined threshold corresponds to the syringe model found in the lookup table.

In some embodiments, another predetermined threshold may be within a plurality of predetermined thresholds in the lookup table. Another predetermined threshold corresponds to the syringe model found in the lookup table.

The predetermined amount of piston actuation from the syringe is within the plurality of predetermined amounts in the lookup table. The predetermined amount of piston actuated out of the syringe may correspond to the type of syringe.

In some embodiments, the fluid pressure within the barrel of the syringe can be monitored using a force sensor coupled to the plunger. The predetermined amount may be a predetermined distance to actuate the plunger out of the syringe, and/or may be a predetermined change in expansion volume within the syringe.

Description of drawings

These and other aspects will become more apparent from the detailed description of various embodiments disclosed in the following text, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is an illustration of an electronic patient care system with a syringe pump, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

2-5 illustrate several views of hospital bed systems according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

6 illustrates a close-up view of a portion of a clamp interface attachable to the pump shown in FIGS. 2-5 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

7 illustrates another close-up view of another portion of the interface attachable to that shown in FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

8 illustrates a perspective view of a pump attachable to the hospital bed system of FIGS. 2-5 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the pump shown in Figures 2-5 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

10-13 illustrate several views of a syringe pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

14 shows a view of the syringe pump of FIGS. 10-13 mounted on a pole according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

15-16 illustrate operational portions of the syringe pump of FIGS. 10-13 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

17-18 illustrate several medical devices mounted on poles according to embodiments of the disclosure;

19-22 illustrate several views of the medical device of FIGS. 17-18 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 23 shows several bases mounted on poles according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

24-26 illustrate several views of the base of FIG. 23 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 27 shows a circuit diagram with a speaker and a battery according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 28 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 29 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 30 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 31 is another view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

32 is another view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

33 is another view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

34 is another view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

35 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a plunger head assembly, plunger tube, and slider assembly of a syringe pump assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

36 is another view of an exemplary embodiment of a plunger head assembly, plunger tube, and slider assembly of a syringe pump assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

37 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the top of the piston head assembly with half of the piston head assembly removed, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

38 is an assembly view of an exemplary embodiment of the top of the piston head assembly with half of the piston head assembly removed, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

39 is a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of a top portion of a piston head assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

40 is an assembled top view of an exemplary embodiment of a piston head assembly and piston tube bottom according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 41 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a carousel shaft and relevant portions of a syringe pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 42 is an assembled view of the exemplary embodiment of Figure 41 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

43 is a partial assembly view of an exemplary embodiment of a piston head assembly and piston tube according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

44 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of the piston head assembly with the top of the piston head assembly housing removed, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 45 is a top view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 44 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

46 is a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of a piston head assembly showing a section of a D-shaped connector according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

47 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a piston head assembly, piston tube, and slider assembly with the slider assembly exploded, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

48A is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a slider assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

48B is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a lead screw, half nut, syringe cam, and drive shaft, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

49 is a partial front view of an exemplary embodiment of a half-nut and a syringe cam showing the half-nut as transparent, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

50 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a slider assembly with half nuts in an engaged position according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

51 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a slider assembly with half nuts in an engaged position according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

52 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a slider assembly with half nuts in a disengaged position according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

53 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a slider assembly on a lead screw and guide rod according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 54 is a view of a rear exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

55 is another view of the rear exemplary embodiment of the syringe pump assembly with the gearbox in place according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 56 is an internal view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

57A is another interior view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump assembly with a slider assembly and a linear position sensor in place according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

57B is a top view of an embodiment of a magnetic linear position sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

58 is a partially assembled front view of an exemplary embodiment of a slider assembly, piston tube, and piston head assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 59A is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

59B-59J are electrical schematic diagrams of syringe pumps according to embodiments of the disclosure;

60 is a bottom partial view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

61 is a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump assembly in which a syringe flange of a small syringe has been clamped by a syringe flange clip, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

62 is a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump assembly in which a syringe flange of a small syringe has been clamped by a syringe flange clip, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 63 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe holder according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 64 is a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe holder according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 65 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe holder in which the syringe holder is locked in a fully open position according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

66 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe holder linear position sensor showing the linear position sensor printed circuit board being transparent, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 67 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a phase change detector linear position sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 68 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary view of a phase change detector linear position sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 69 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary view of a phase change detector linear position sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 70 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary view of a phase change detector linear position sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 71 shows a perspective view of a pump showing a graphical user interface on the screen, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 72 illustrates an example infusion programming screen of a graphical user interface according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 73 illustrates an example infusion programming screen of a graphical user interface according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 74 illustrates an example infusion programming screen of a graphical user interface according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 75 illustrates an example infusion programming screen of a graphical user interface according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 76 illustrates an example infusion programming screen of a graphical user interface according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 77 shows a graphical representation of infusion rate versus time for an example infusion according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 78 shows a graphical representation of infusion rate versus time for an example infusion according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 79 shows a graphical representation of infusion rate versus time for an example infusion according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 80 shows a graphical representation of infusion rate versus time for an example infusion according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 81 shows a graphical representation of infusion rate versus time for an example infusion according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 82 illustrates an example drug library screen of a graphical user interface according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 83 shows a block software diagram according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 84 shows a state diagram of a method for providing monitoring functions according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

85A-85F show a circuit diagram of a monitoring system as an embodiment of the monitoring function of the state diagram of FIG. 84 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 86 illustrates another embodiment of a syringe pump with a buffer according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 87 shows an exploded view of the syringe pump of Figure 86 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

88 illustrates a close-up view of the upper housing, lower housing, and power supply of the syringe pump of FIG. 86, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

89A shows a front view of a display of the pump of FIG. 86 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

89B shows a rear view of the display of the pump of FIG. 86 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 90 illustrates the rear of the sensor portion of a touch screen and frame-based split ring resonator used with a near-field antenna in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 91 shows an illustration of sensor usage of the pump of FIG. 86 when one or more sensors are unavailable, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 92 shows a side view of a syringe pump with retention fingers to retain a syringe according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 93 shows a close-up view of the syringe pump of Figure 92, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 94 illustrates a circuit for storing data within an RFID tag associated with a syringe pump in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 95 shows an equivalent circuit for impedance as viewed from the RFID tag of Figure 94 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 96 illustrates another circuit for storing data within an RFID tag associated with a syringe pump in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 97 illustrates a split ring resonator for use with the circuit of Figure 96 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

98 shows a flowchart of a method of eliminating the effect of retardation in a syringe pump that has a syringe loaded on it, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 99A shows a perspective view of the device for side loading a syringe onto an infusion pump showing the syringe retention arm of the device in a loading position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

99B illustrates another perspective view of the device of FIG. 99A showing the syringe securing arm in a secured position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 100A illustrates a force mechanism driving a syringe retention arm, shown in an embodiment in a fixed position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

100B illustrates the force mechanism driving the syringe retention arm of FIG. 100A with the syringe retention arm in a stowed position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 101A illustrates a force mechanism for driving a syringe securing arm, showing another embodiment of the syringe securing arm in a secured position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

101B illustrates the force mechanism driving the syringe retention arm of FIG. 101A with the syringe retention arm in the stowed position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 102A illustrates a force mechanism driving a syringe retention arm, shown in another embodiment of the syringe retention arm in a stowed position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

102B illustrates the force mechanism driving the syringe retention arm of FIG. 102A with the syringe retention arm in a fixed position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 103A illustrates a force mechanism driving a syringe retention arm, shown in another embodiment of the syringe retention arm in a stowed position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

103B illustrates the force mechanism driving the syringe retention arm of FIG. 103A with the syringe retention arm in a fixed position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

104A illustrates the cam of the force mechanism of FIGS. 103A-103B when the stationary arm is in a stationary position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

104B illustrates the cam of the force mechanism of FIGS. 103A-103B when the stationary arm is in an intermediate position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

104C illustrates the cam of the force mechanism of FIGS. 103A-103B when the stationary arm is in the stowed position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 105 shows a flowchart of a method for sideloading a syringe onto an infusion pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 106 illustrates an embodiment of a system for mitigating lead screw runout errors according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

107 shows a flowchart of a method for mitigating lead screw runout errors according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 108 shows a side view of a pump with a modular power supply attached to the back of the pump, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 109 shows a side view of a pump employing an external power source according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 110 shows a side view of a pump employing a power source attached to the bottom of the pump, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

111 shows a side view of a pump employing a power source attached to the top of the pump, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 112 illustrates a structure for securing a power cord to a power source according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 113 illustrates a system with a rack with a power supply to power several pumps secured to the rack, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

114A-114J illustrate several views of a syringe pump assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figures 115A-115B illustrate two views of a retention clip of the syringe pump assembly shown in Figures 114A-114J, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

116A-116C show several views of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J with the syringe hub removed, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

117A-117C illustrate several views of an injection receptacle of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

118A-118B show several views of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J with the syringe hub removed, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figures 119A-119B illustrate several views of the syringe pump assembly shown in Figures 114A-114J to illustrate the action of the claw member grasping onto the flange of the plunger of the syringe, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 120 illustrates the piston head with the cover plate removed from the syringe pump assembly shown in Figures 114A-114J to illustrate the mechanical effect of dial rotation, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

121A-121C show several views of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J with the cover plate removed and the piston head of the circuit board removed to illustrate the mechanical effect of the dial rotation, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

122A-122B show two views of a cam used in the piston head assembly of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J , according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

123A-123B illustrate two close-up views of the lumen of the plunger head assembly of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 124 illustrates a plunger head assembly of the syringe pump assembly shown in Figures 114A-114J according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

125A-125B show two views of the plunger head assembly of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J with the plunger tube removed, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figures 126A-126I show several additional views of the syringe pump assembly of Figures 114A-114J, according to embodiments of the disclosure;

127 illustrates a perspective side view of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J with the assembly coupled to a display, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

128 shows a flowchart of a method for expelling fluid from a syringe and providing a relieved occlusion condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Detailed ways

Figure 1 shows an exemplary arrangement of a system 1 for electronic patient care according to an embodiment of the disclosure. System 1 includes a monitoring client 2 linked to a plurality of patient care devices via brackets 3 and 11, including an infusion pump 4 connected to and infusing from a smaller fluid bag 5, an infusion pump connected to and infusing from a larger fluid bag 7 A pump 6 , a drop detection device 8 connected to the tubing from the smaller bag 5 , and a micro infusion pump 9 . The system 1 also includes a syringe pump 10 wirelessly connected to the monitoring client 2 . In some embodiments, monitoring client 2 may be in wired communication with these patient care devices, as shown in FIG. 1 for infusion pumps 4 and 6 and microinfusion pump 9 (via brackets 3 and 11 ). Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring client 2 may communicate wirelessly with the patient care device, which is suggested when there is no wired connection between the syringe pump 10 and the monitoring client 2 .

In some embodiments, the wired connection between the monitoring client 2 and the patient care device also provides an opportunity to supply electrical power from the monitoring client 2 to the patient care device. In this exemplary embodiment, the monitoring client 2 may include alternating current (“AC”) supplied to the monitoring client 2 from a battery attached to the monitoring client 2, or from a power outlet (not shown) in the patient room. ”) Electronic circuits necessary for voltage conversion of line voltage to power patient care devices. Additionally or alternatively, stand 3 supplies power to infusion pumps 4 and 6 and provides micro infusion pump 9 with a signal generated eg from AC line voltage.

In an embodiment, the monitoring client 2 is able to receive information about each patient care device, with which the device of the patient care device is linked directly, or via a docking station, such as a stand 3 on which the patient care device may be mounted. Stand 3 may be configured to receive one or more patient care devices through standard connection mounts, or in some cases through connection mounts personalized for a particular device. For example, infusion pumps 4 and 6 may be mounted to bracket 3 by similar connection mounts, while microinfusion pump 9 is mounted to bracket 3 eg by a specially sized connection mount configured for the housing of microinfusion pump 9 .

The cradle 3 may be configured to electronically identify the particular patient care device mounted on the docking station and to transmit this identification information to the monitoring client 2 wirelessly or via a wired connection. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless patient care device may wirelessly transmit identification information to the monitoring client 2, for example during a discovery protocol. Additionally, it is possible to program specific patient care devices with therapy information (eg, patient therapy parameters, such as infusion rates for predetermined infusion fluids) sent to the monitoring client 2 . For example, the syringe pump 10 may include identifying information and processing information such as which drug has been prescribed to the patient, which fluid is present in the reservoir of the syringe pump 10, how much fluid and for how long the prescription will be delivered to the patient, who the authorized caregiver is and more. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the monitoring client 2 communicates with the EMR record to verify that the pre-programmed treatment information is safe for the identified patient and/or that the pre-programmed treatment information matches the prescribed treatment stored in the EMR record .

In some embodiments, drop detection device 8 may communicate with monitoring client 2 wirelessly or with a wired connection. If an abnormal fluid flow condition is detected (for example, a line leading to a patient has become blocked), a signal can be sent to the monitoring client 2, either (1) in a user interface located on the monitoring client 2, or at The flow rate of the fluid from the fluid container 5 displayed in the more remote user interface at the nurse's station or handheld communication device, (2) can trigger an audible or visual alarm, and/or (3) can cause the monitoring client 2 to terminate the infusion or otherwise The infusion speed of the pump 4 connected to the bag 5 is changed by changing the pumping speed. Abnormal fluid flow conditions may also cause an audible alarm (and/or a vibrating alarm) on the infusion pump 4 or drop detection device 8, or cause the infusion pump 4 to alter or stop pumping, such as when the abnormal fluid flow condition exceeds a predetermined operating range sometimes.

Alerts can occur on several devices simultaneously, or on a predetermined schedule. For example, when an occlusion occurs in the line connected to the infusion pump 4, (1) the drop detection device 8 alarms using its internal speaker and internal vibrating motor, (2) thereafter, the infusion pump 4 uses its internal speaker and internal vibrating motor Alarm, (3) then, the monitoring client 2 uses its internal speaker and internal vibration motor to alarm, and (4) finally, the telecommunication client (e.g., Smartphone, Blackberry, Android phone, Apple phone, etc.) uses its Internal speaker and internal vibrating motor alarm. In some embodiments, the syringe pump 10 may be connected to the drop detection device 8 and detect the abnormal liquid flow conditions described above.

In some embodiments, syringe pump 10 is programmable to allow communication between monitoring client 2 and infusion pump 10 to continue to operate at a predetermined pumping rate due to failure of communication between monitoring client 2 and infusion pump 10 due to There is a failure in the monitoring client 2 in the communication channel between or in the syringe pump 10 itself. In some embodiments, this independent function option is enabled when the drug being infused is pre-designed not to be suspended or retained in the event of failure of other parts of the system. In some embodiments, syringe pump 10 is programmed to operate independently in a fail-safe mode, and may also be configured to receive information directly from droplet detection device 8 rather than through monitoring client 2 (e.g. pump 10 in conjunction with drop detection device 8); with this option, syringe pump 10 may be programmed in some embodiments so that if drop detection device 8 detects an abnormal flow condition (such as the presence of Free-flow condition or air bubbles) stop the infusion. In some embodiments, one or more of pumps 4, 6, and 10 may have internal liquid flow meters, and/or may operate independently as a stand-alone device. Additionally or alternatively, in embodiments in which devices 8 and 10 are used together, the internal liquid flow meter of syringe pump 10 may be independently determined by monitoring client 2 via the flow meter of drop detection device 8 .

The monitoring client 2 can also send prescriptions to the pharmacy. The prescription may be a prescription for infusion using the syringe pump 10 . A pharmacy may include one or more computers connected to a network, such as the Internet, to receive and queue prescriptions within the one or more computers. The pharmacy can prefill the reservoir or cartridge of syringe pump 10 using a prescription (e.g., using an automated dispensing device coupled to one or more computers, or manually by a pharmacist observing a queue of one or more computers), And/or program syringe pump 10 (eg, program a treatment regimen into syringe pump 10 ) at a pharmacy according to a prescription. The reservoir or cartridge can be automatically filled by the automatic dispensing device, and/or the syringe pump 10 can be automatically programmed by the automatic dispensing device. Automatic dispensing devices can generate barcodes, RFID tags and/or data. The information within the barcode, RFID tag, and/or data may include treatment regimens, prescriptions, and/or patient information. The automatic dispensing device can: affix a barcode on the syringe pump 10, or the reservoir, barrel or disposable part of the syringe pump 10; attach an RFID tag to the syringe pump 10, or the reservoir, barrel of the syringe pump 10 or on the disposable portion; and/or program the syringe pump 10 or an RFID tag or memory within the reservoir, barrel, or disposable portion of the syringe pump 10 with information or data. The data or information may be sent to a database that associates the prescription with the syringe pump 10, or the reservoir, cartridge or disposable portion of the syringe pump 10 using a serial number or barcode, RFID tag or other identifying information in memory.

Syringe pump 10 may have a scanner, such as an RFID interrogator, that interrogates the reservoir, disposable portion, or cartridge of syringe pump 10 to determine if the correct fluid is in the reservoir, or if it is the correct reservoir, The disposable part or cartridge, whether the treatment programmed into the syringe pump 10 corresponds to the fluid in the reservoir, disposable part or cartridge, and/or the syringe pump 10 and the reservoir, disposable part or Whether the cartridge is correct for the particular patient (eg, determined from the patient's barcode, RFID, or other patient identification). For example, compare the serial number of the reservoir, disposable portion scanned by syringe pump 10 to the serial number in the electronic medical record to determine if it correctly corresponds to the patient's serial number in the electronic medical record; syringe pump 10 can scan The patient's RFID tag or barcode to obtain the patient's serial number, which is also compared to the patient's serial number in the electronic medical record (e.g., the serial number of the reservoir, disposable portion, or cartridge of the syringe pump 10 or stored in The serial number in the memory of the syringe pump 10 should be associated with the patient's serial number scanned in the electronic medical record). In some embodiments, syringe pump 10 may issue an error or alarm if the serial numbers do not match. Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring client 2 may scan the reservoir, disposable, cartridge or syringe pump 10 to determine if the correct fluid is in the reservoir, is the correct reservoir, programmed into Whether the therapy within the syringe pump 10 corresponds to the fluid in the reservoir, disposable portion, or cartridge, and/or whether the reservoir and syringe pump 10 are correct for the particular patient (e.g., from the patient's barcode, RFID, or other patient identification definite). Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring client 2 or syringe pump 10 may interrogate the electronic medical records database and/or the pharmacy to, for example, use the barcoded serial number of the syringe pump 10 or the reservoir, cartridge or disposable portion of the syringe pump 10 Verify a prescription or download a prescription.

The fluid delivered to the patient can be monitored by the monitoring client 2 to determine if all medication being delivered is safe for the patient. For example, the monitoring client 2 can record the medicine delivered from the syringe pump 10 sent by the syringe pump 10 to the monitoring client 2, and the monitoring client 2 can also record the medicine being delivered from the infusion pump 4 and 6 and/or the microinfusion pump 9. drug. The monitoring client 1 can determine from the recorded data whether the total amount and type of drug being delivered is safe. For example, monitoring client 2 may determine whether IV bag 5 is disabling medication within syringe pump 10 . Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, monitoring client 2 may monitor the delivery of fluid in IV bag 8 and one or more boluses delivered by syringe pump 10 to determine if the total dose exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as IV The drug within bag 5 and syringe pump 10 may be of the same type or class of medicaments, and monitoring client 2 may determine whether the medicaments are safe to deliver in combination into the patient. Syringe pump 10 may also be in communication with infusion pumps 4 and 6 and/or microinfusion pump 9 to make the same determination; in this exemplary embodiment, infusion pump 10 may communicate directly with the device (via wireless or wired communication), Or communicate through the monitoring client 2 (via wireless or wired communication). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more communication modules (e.g., each capable of communicating via one or more protocols) may be connected to syringe pump 10, and/or may be connected together and then connected to The syringe pump 10, so that the syringe pump 10 can communicate through the communication module.

The syringe pump 10 includes a touch screen interface 11 (detachable), a start button 12 and a stop button 13 . However, in some alternative embodiments, button 12 is a PCA button to deliver pain medication to the patient. User interface 11 may be used to program a treatment protocol, such as flow rate, bolus volume, or other treatment parameters. After a treatment regimen is programmed into syringe pump 10, syringe pump 10 may query a database (e.g., Electronic Medical Records (“EMR”), Medication Error Reduction System (“DERS”), or other database) to determine that the regimen is appropriate for the treatment regimen. specific patient or whether it is safe for any patient. For example, syringe pump 10 may query an EMR database (e.g., via a wireless link, a wired link, WiFi, cellular telephone, the web, or other communication technology) to obtain information based on patient information (e.g., age, weight, allergies, Physical condition, etc.) to determine whether the treatment regimen from the syringe pump 10 is safe. Additionally or alternatively, syringe pump 10 may query the DERS database (e.g., via a wireless link, a wired link, WiFi, cellular telephone, the web, or other communication technology) to determine information from syringe pump 10 based on predetermined security criteria in the DERS record. whether the treatment plan is safe.

In some embodiments, the prompt may require user confirmation of the treatment regimen if the treatment regimen is determined to be safe. After confirmation by the user, the user (eg, a caregiver, nurse or other authorized person) can press the start button 12 . In some embodiments, the stop button 13 can be pressed at any time to stop the therapy.

In some embodiments, if the EMR and/or DERS determine that the treatment regimen exceeds a first set of criteria, then the treatment continues if the user confirms the treatment (e.g., via additional alerts, user passwords, and/or additional certification or authorization, etc.) In this example, if the EMR and/or DERS determine that the treatment regimen exceeds the second set of criteria, eg, the treatment is not safe for any patient under any conditions, then the EMR or DERS may prevent treatment.

Exemplary hospital bed arrangement

2-9 show various views related to the system 200 . FIG. 2 shows a system 200 comprising several pumps 201 , 202 and 203 . The pumps 201 , 202 , 203 may be coupled together to form a pump set connectable to a rod 208 . System 200 includes two syringe pumps 201, 202 and a peristaltic pump 203; however, other combinations of various medical devices may be employed.

Each pump 201 , 202 , 203 includes a touch screen 204 that can be used to control the pump 201 , 202 , 203 . The touch screen 204 of one of the pumps (eg, 201 , 202 , 203 ) can also be used to coordinate the operation of all pumps 201 , 202 , 203 and/or control the other pumps 201 , 202 , 203 .

The pumps 201, 202, 203 are daisy chained together such that they are in electrical communication with each other. Additionally or alternatively, the pumps 201, 202, and/or 203 may share power with each other or between each other; for example, one of the pumps 201, 202, and/or 203 may include an AC/DC converter that converts AC The electrical power is converted to DC power suitable for powering other pumps.

Within system 200 , pumps 201 , 202 and 203 are stacked together using respective Z-frames 207 . Each Z frame 207 includes a lower portion 206 and an upper portion 205 . The lower portion 206 of one Z frame 207 (eg, the lower portion 206 of the pump 201 ) can engage the upper portion 205 of another Z frame 207 (eg, the upper portion 205 of the Z frame 207 of the pump 202 ).

The clamp 209 may be coupled to one of the pumps 201 , 202, 203 (eg, pump 202 as shown in FIG. 3 ). That is, the clamp 209 can be coupled to any one of the pumps 201 , 202 , 203 . A clamp 209 can be attached to the back of any one of the pumps 201 , 202 , 203 . As clearly shown in FIG. 5 , each pump 201 , 202 , 203 comprises an upper attachment member 210 and a lower attachment member 211 . Clamp adapter 212 facilitates attachment of clamp 209 to pump 202 via upper attachment member 210 and lower attachment member 211 of the respective pump (eg, 201 , 202 or 203 ). In some embodiments, clamp adapter 212 may be integrated with clamp 209 .

6 illustrates a close-up view of a portion of an interface of a clamp (ie, clamp adapter 212 ) attachable to pump 202 (or pump 201 or 203 ) shown in FIGS. 2-5 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Clamp adapter 212 includes an aperture 213 into which lower attachment member 211 (see FIG. 5 ) can be attached. That is, the lower attachment member 211 is a curved hook-shaped protrusion that may be inserted into the hole 213 and then rotated to fix the lower attachment member 211 therein.

As best shown in FIG. 7 , clamp adapter 212 also includes a latch 214 . The latch 214 is pivotally mounted to the clamp adapter 212 by a pivot 216 . The latch 214 may be spring biased by a spring 218 attached to the hook 220 . The stop member 219 prevents the latch 214 from pivoting beyond a predetermined amount. After hole 213 is inserted into lower attachment member 211 (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ), clamp adapter 212 can be rotated to drive latch 214 toward upper attachment member 210 so that latch 214 is held downward by upper attachment member 210. Squeeze until the protrusion 215 snaps into the complementary space of the upper attachment member 210 . Hook 220 helps secure clamp adapter 212 to pump 202 .

Each Z-frame 207 of the pumps 201, 202, 203 includes a recess 223 (see FIG. 5) and a protrusion 224 (see FIG. 8). The protrusion 224 of the Z frame 207 of one pump (eg, pump 201 , 202 or 203 ) can engage the recess 223 of the other pump, thereby enabling the pumps to be stacked on top of each other. Each pump 201 , 202 , 203 includes a latch engagement member 221 which allows another pump 201 , 202 , 203 to be attached thereto via a latch 222 (see FIG. 8 ). The latch 222 may include a small spring-loaded ledge that may "snap" into a space formed under the latch engaging member 221 . A latch 222 may be pivotally coupled to the lower portion 206 of the Z frame 207 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the latch 222 of the pump 201 may be pulled, thereby withdrawing a portion of the latch 222 from the space below the latch engaging member 221 of the pump 202 . Thereafter, the pump 201 can be rotated so that the protrusion 224 of the pump 201 is pulled out of the recess 223 of the Z-frame 207 of the pump 202, so that the pump 201 can be removed from the stack of pumps 202, 203 (see FIG. 4 ).

Each pump 201, 202, 203 includes a top connector 225 (see Figure 9) and a bottom connector 226 (see Figure 8). Connectors 225 and 226 allow stacked pumps 201 , 202 and 203 to communicate with each other, and/or provide power to each other. For example, if the battery (see FIG. 2 ) of the middle pump 202 fails, then the top pump 201 and/or the bottom pump 203 can back up power to the middle pump 202 with an audible alarm.

Exemplary Syringe Pump Embodiment and Associated Hospital Bed Arrangement

10-13 show several views of a syringe pump 300 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Syringe pump 300 may have syringe 302 loaded facing left (as shown in FIGS. 10-13 ) or right (with reference to FIG. 16 , described below). That is, the syringe pump 300 is a two-way syringe pump.

Syringe 302 may be loaded into syringe holder 306 of syringe pump 300 . The flanged end piece 310 of the syringe 302 can be placed in either the left flanged receiver 311 or the right flanged receiver 312 . When flanged end piece 310 is inserted into flanged receptacle 311 , syringe 302 faces left outlet 308 , which may hold tubing fluidly coupled to syringe 302 . Engagement member 314 may be coupled to end fitting 315 of syringe 302 when or after loading syringe 302 into syringe holder 306 . A threaded shaft 315 is rotatably coupled to the motor to move the engagement member 314 in whichever direction fluid is expelled from the syringe 302 .

The syringe 302 can also be loaded to the right (not shown in Figures 10-13). The syringe holder 306 can be moved and/or adjusted such that it moves to the right so the syringe 302 can be loaded. The syringe holder 306 can be moved manually, and/or an electric motor can move the syringe holder 306 to the right. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, syringe holder 306 extends sufficiently to the left and right such that adjustment is not used.

With the syringe 302 loaded therein facing the right side, the flanged end piece 310 is loaded into the right flanged receptacle 312 . Thereafter, the engagement member 314 is moved to the right so that fluid can be expelled through the duct traversing the right outlet 309 .

The pump 300 can be controlled via the touch screen 304 to set the flow rate, flow regime, and/or otherwise monitor or control the syringe pump 300 . Syringe pump 300 may be secured to the rod using clamp 316 (eg, using a screw-type clamp).

FIG. 14 shows several syringe pumps 300 of FIGS. 10-13 mounted on a rod 322 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. That is, FIG. 14 shows a system 320 using several syringe pumps 300 mounted on a rod 312 . Pole 322 may be used in hospitals and/or homes.

15-16 illustrate a portion 327 of the operation of the syringe pump 300 of FIGS. 21-24 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 15 shows a syringe pump 302 loaded facing left, and Figure 16 shows a syringe pump 302 loaded facing right. As shown in FIGS. 15-16 , motor 326 is coupled to threaded shaft 315 such that motor 326 can rotate threaded shaft 315 .

The left syringe diameter sensor 324 measures the diameter of the syringe 305 to estimate the cross-sectional size of the inner space of the barrel of the syringe 302 . The left syringe diameter sensor 325 may be a rod attached to the post such that the rod is lifted to cover the syringe 302; the movement of the post out of the syringe pump 300 body may be measured by a linear sensor to estimate the diameter of the syringe 302 barrel. Any linear sensor can be used, including linear potentiometric technology, optical linear sensor technology, Hall effect sensor technology, and more. Thus, the movement of the motor 326 is related to the fluid expelled from the syringe 302 using an estimate of the diameter of the interior space of the syringe barrel of the syringe 302 . Similarly, right syringe diameter sensor 325 may be used to estimate the inner diameter of the barrel of syringe 302 , which may be used to estimate fluid expelled from syringe 302 to the right.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, touch screen 304 requests information from the user when loading syringe 302 into syringe pump 300 (left or right configuration), and uses syringe diameter sensor 324 or 325 to estimate the diameter of the barrel of syringe 305. The diameter of the inner space; the touch screen 304 prompts the user to input the manufacturer's requirements of the syringe 305 into the touch screen 304 . An internal database within syringe pump 300 may be used to reduce the range of possible models associated with syringe 305 diameter estimates. When the user enters the manufacturer of the syringe 305, the database can be used to identify a specific model of syringe 305 and/or a subset of possible models that correspond to an estimate of the diameter of the syringe 305 along with the user input information, which in turn can provide a more accurate inner diameter value ( stored in the database). The user may be prompted by a display on touch screen 304 to select a syringe model from a list, or to enter a syringe model that will deliver the drug. The user may be guided through a selection process on the touch screen 304 to identify the loaded syringe using one or more of the following: syringe size, plunger tip size, manufacturer name, image of the syringe, and model number. The selection process provides access to a database of syringes including manufacturer, model, bore and image. The syringe pump 300 can use the identified syringe to set the inner diameter value for volume calculation.

Exemplary hospital bed arrangement

17-18 illustrate several medical devices 402 mounted on a pole 403 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 19-22 show several views of the medical device 402 of FIGS. 17-18. The medical device 402 is mounted to the rod via the clamp 401 . The clamp 401 allows the medical device 402 to be pulled out and adjusted. The medical device 402 may be any medical device, such as an infusion pump, a syringe pump, a monitoring client, and the like.

The medical device 402 is coupled to the rod 403 via an arm 403 such that the medical device 402 can be pulled away from the rod (see FIG. 20 ) and/or pivoted on the arm 403 .

FIG. 23 shows several mounts 406 mounted on pole 405, and FIGS. 24-26 show several views of the mounts of FIG. 23 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Each base 406 includes a clamp 407 (e.g., a screw-type clamp), a first arm 408 pivotally mounted to the clamp 407, and a second arm pivotally mounted to the first arm 408 via a hinge 409. 411. One end of the second arm 411 includes a coupling member 410 that may be coupled to a medical device.

Exemplary battery and speaker tests

FIG. 27 shows a circuit diagram 420 with a speaker 423 and a battery 421 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Battery 421 may be a backup battery and/or speaker 423 may be a backup alarm speaker. That is, circuit 420 may be a backup alarm circuit, such as a backup alarm circuit in a medical device, such as a syringe pump.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, battery 421 may be tested simultaneously with speaker 423 . When the switch 422 is in the on position, the open circuit voltage of the battery 421 can be measured using a voltmeter 425 . Afterwards, the switch 422 can be closed and the pass voltage of the battery 421 can be measured. The internal resistance of the battery 421 can be estimated using the known impedance Z of the speaker 423 . A processor may be used to estimate the internal resistance of the battery 421 (eg, a syringe pump's processor). The processor may correlate the internal resistance of the battery 421 with the state of health of the battery 421 . In some embodiments of the present disclosure, it may be determined that the speaker 423 has failed if the pass-through voltage of the battery 421 is not within a predetermined range (which range may be a function of the open-circuit voltage of the battery 421 ).

In some further embodiments of the present disclosure, switch 422 may be modulated such that speaker 423 and battery 421 are tested simultaneously. The microphone may be used to determine whether the speaker 423 is audibly broadcasting a signal within predetermined operating parameters (e.g., volume, frequency, spectral composition, etc.), and/or the internal impedance of the battery 421 may be estimated to determine whether it is within within predetermined operating parameters (eg, complex impedance). A microphone can be coupled to the processor. Additionally or alternatively, a test signal may be applied to speaker 423 (e.g., via modulation switch 422), and the current waveform of speaker 423 may be monitored by current sensor 426 to determine the amount of total harmonic distortion and/or current of speaker 423 level; the processor can monitor these values using the current sensor 426 to determine if a fault condition exists within the speaker 423 (eg, total harmonic distortion or the magnitude of the current is not within a predetermined range).

Various sine waves, periodic waveforms and/or signals may be applied to the speaker 423 to measure its impedance and/or to measure the impedance of the battery 421 . For example, a processor of a syringe pump disclosed herein may modulate switch 422 and measure the voltage across battery 421 to determine whether battery 421 and speaker 423 have an impedance within a predetermined range; if the estimated impedance of battery 421 is within a first range Otherwise, the processor will determine that the battery is in a fault condition, and/or if the estimated impedance of the speaker 423 is outside the second range, the processor will determine that the speaker 423 is in a fault condition. Additionally or alternatively, if the processor cannot determine whether battery 421 or speaker 423 is in a fault condition, but has determined that at least one of them is, the processor issues a warning or alarm that circuit 420 is in a fault condition. The processor can warn or alert the user or remote server of the fault condition. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the syringe pump will not operate until the fault is resolved, mitigated and/or corrected.

Exemplary Syringe Pump Embodiment

In an example embodiment, as shown in Figure 28, a syringe pump 500 is shown. Syringe pump 500 may be used to deliver medicaments to a patient, such as, but not limited to, pain relievers, drugs, nutrients, chemotherapeutics, and the like. Syringe pumps can be used to deliver precise amounts of medication to a patient, or to deliver precise amounts of medication over a period of time. Syringe pump 500 may be used in any suitable application, such as, but not limited to, intravenous delivery, intrathoracic delivery, arterial delivery, enteral delivery or feeding, and the like.

Syringe pump 500 includes housing 502 and syringe pump assembly 501 . In the example embodiment in FIG. 28, the housing 502 is a substantially rectangular box. In alternative embodiments, housing 502 may take any of a variety of other suitable shapes. Housing 502 may be made from any number of materials or combinations of materials including, but not limited to, metal or plastic. Housing 502 may be extruded, injection molded, die cast, or the like. In some embodiments, housing 502 may be composed of a number of separate parts, which may be joined together by any suitable means. In some embodiments, the housing 502 is separable, or includes removable panels, to allow easy servicing of the syringe pump 500 .

As shown in FIG. 28 , syringe 504 may sit on syringe pump assembly 501 . The syringe 504 may be glass, plastic, or any other type of syringe 504 . The syringe 504 can be a syringe 504 of any volume. In some embodiments, including the embodiment in FIG. 28 , syringe 504 may be seated on injection receptacle 506 comprising a portion of syringe pump assembly 501 . Injection seat 506 may include a profile that allows syringe 504 to be held by injection seat 506 . Injection seat 506 may be made of the same material as the rest of housing 502, a different material, or may be made of several materials. Injection seat 506 may be coupled to housing 502 by base 508, which also acts as a spill, splash, drop, fluid or debris guard.

In some embodiments, injection hub 506 may include a portion of housing 502 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 28 , syringe receptacle 506 is part of syringe pump assembly housing 503 of syringe pump assembly 501 . In some embodiments, syringe pump assembly housing 503 can be formed at least partially as an extrusion. In these embodiments, the contour of the injection seat 506 may be formed during extrusion.

Syringe pump assembly 501 is insertable into or coupled to housing 502 . In the example embodiment in FIG. 28 , syringe pump assembly 501 is disposed primarily inside housing 502 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 28 , syringe seat 506 , syringe holder 518 , syringe flange clip 520 , plunger head assembly 522 and plunger tube 524 , each of which is part of syringe pump assembly 501 , are not arranged. inside the housing 502 . In embodiments where injection seat 506 is not part of housing 502 , base 508 may include a gasket that acts as a seal to keep unwanted foreign matter from entering housing 502 and the portion of syringe pump assembly 501 disposed inside housing 502 . In some embodiments, base 508 can depend from syringe seat 506 and can function as a drip lip, splash guard, etc. that will allow liquid to flow down and out of syringe pump 500 .

In some embodiments, syringe pump 500 can be changed into a different device, such as, but not limited to, a peristaltic large volume pump. This can be accomplished by removing syringe pump assembly 501 from housing 502 and replacing syringe pump assembly 501 with another desired assembly. Replacement components may include, for example, other infusion pump components, such as peristaltic infusion pump components.

In some embodiments, clip 510 may be coupled to housing 502 . Clamp 510 may be any type of clamp, such as standard hole clamp 510 or quick release lever clamp 510 (as shown). Clamp 510 may be used to hold syringe pump 500 at a desired location on an object, such as an IV pole. Clamp 510 may be removably coupled to housing 502 via clamp base 510 . In some embodiments, clamp base 512 may include any of a variety of fasteners, such as screws, bolts, adhesives, hook and loop straps, snaps, friction joints, magnets, and the like. In some embodiments, clip 510 or a portion of clip 510 may be formed as an integral part of housing 502 during manufacture.

As shown in FIG. 28 , housing 502 may also include a display 514 . Display 514 functions as a graphical user interface and allows the user to program and monitor the operation of the pump. Display 514 may be an electronic visual display, such as a liquid crystal display, touch screen, LED display, plasma display, or the like. In some embodiments, any number of data input devices 516 may be attached to the display. In an example embodiment, the data input device 516 is several user depressible buttons. Buttons can have fixed functions, such as "Power", "Stop", "Mute", "Emergency Stop", "Start Therapy" or "Lock", among others. The lock function may lock all user input to prevent inadvertent commands to the syringe pump 500 due to touching the touch screen display 514, pressing or touching buttons, or any other inadvertent gesture. The data input device 516 of other embodiments may be different. In embodiments where the display 514 is a touch screen display, the data input device 515 may include a number of physically depressible buttons. The physically depressible button data entry device 516 can be a backup to the touch screen display 514 and can be used in the event that the touch screen display 514 is damaged or otherwise inoperative.

In a non-limiting example embodiment, a data input device 516 may be built into the functionality of the touch screen display 514 . The touch screen display housing detects the position of the user's finger or fingers on the screen. The touch screen may be a capacitive touch screen or any other type of touch screen. Software can display virtual buttons, sliders, and other controls. The software can also detect user touch or stylus touch to control the machine and interact with a remote computer that may be in communication with syringe pump 500 . The software can also recognize multiple touch gestures, which can control: the display, the function of the syringe pump 500, the interaction of the syringe pump 500 with one or more remote computers, and the like. In some embodiments, syringe pump 500 may include sensors that detect user gestures when the user is not touching the display. These motion detection sensors may include devices that emit invisible near-infrared light and measure the "time-of-flight" of the near-infrared light after it reflects off an object. Such measurements may allow syringe pump 500 to detect the location of an object, as well as the distance from syringe pump 500 to the object. Thus, the syringe pump 500 may monitor and acquire commands through the user's limbs, hands, and fingers, or the movement of the user's limbs, hands, and fingers. An example of a motion detector is the PrimeSense 3D sensor manufactured by the Israeli company PrimeSense. In some embodiments, the display 514 and data input device may be mounted to the housing 502 during manufacture of the syringe pump 500 . Display 514 may be removed and replaced during servicing, as desired.

Syringe pump 500 may include a syringe holder 518 . The syringe holder 518 securely holds the syringe 540 on the injection receptacle 506 . The user can easily adjust the syringe holder 518 to accommodate syringes 504 of various sizes. In some embodiments, the syringe holder 518 can be biased such that it automatically adjusts to the diameter of any size syringe 504 after the user pulls out the syringe holder 518 . The syringe holder 518 will be described in further detail later in this specification.

The syringe pump 500 may also include a syringe flange clip 520 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 28 , syringe flange clip 520 is disposed on one end of syringe pump assembly housing 503 and is capable of holding syringe flange 542 in place on one end of syringe pump assembly housing 503 superior. The syringe flange clip 520 is also capable of retaining any of a variety of types and sizes of syringe flanges 542 available to the user. The syringe flange clip 520 will be described in further detail later in this specification. See FIGS. 61 and 62 for a more detailed description of the syringe flange clip 520 .

Syringe pump 500 may additionally include piston head assembly 522 . Piston head assembly 522 may be attached to syringe pump assembly 501 by piston tube 524 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 28, the piston head assembly and piston tube 524 extend out of the housing 502 toward the right side of the page.

Syringe pump 500 may also include a downstream pressure sensor 513 shown in FIG. 28 . Downstream pressure sensor 513 may comprise part of syringe pump assembly 501 or housing 502 . Downstream pressure sensor 513 may take pressure measurements from the fluid line, ie, the tubing extending from syringe 504 to the patient. In some embodiments, a fluid line may include a different section of tubing than the rest of the tubing. For example, a length of fluid line may be made from a deformable PVC material. This embodiment may make it easier to determine the pressure of the fluid line.

Downstream pressure sensor 513 may include a bracket with a pressure sensor, such as a force sensor. In these embodiments, the fluid line may be held against the bracket and the pressure sensor of the downstream pressure sensor 513 by a non-deformable or deflected structure. Downstream pressure sensor 513 may cause syringe pump 500 to sound an alarm if the sensed pressure is outside an acceptable range. The comparison lookup table may refer to the measurement of the downstream pressure sensor 513 to determine the pressure within the fluid line. The control system of syringe pump 500 may stop delivering fluid if an abnormal pressure reading is obtained (eg, a high pressure that exceeds a predetermined threshold generated during an occlusion event). In some embodiments, syringe pump 400 may be caused to reverse and release some pressure in response to detecting pressure indicative of occlusion.

FIG. 29 shows the syringe pump 500 from another perspective. In this figure, a display 514 and a data entry device 515 coupled to the housing 502 face the front side of the page. Clamp 510 is coupled to housing 502 by clamp base 512 . The syringe pump assembly 501 is mainly arranged inside the housing 502 . Injection hub 506 , which includes a portion of syringe pump assembly 501 , forms most of one side of housing 502 . Base 508 retains syringe pump assembly 501 and helps seal the interior of housing 502 from exposure to debris. In embodiments where the base 508 acts as a drip edge, the base 508 may cover the syringe pump assembly 501 and facilitate the flow of liquid from the interior of the housing 502 . A syringe clamp 518 extends through the injection seat 506 . In the position shown in FIG. 29 , the syringe clamp 518 has been pulled out from its rest position and biased so that it can automatically retract back towards the housing 502 . In some embodiments, the syringe clamp 518 can be locked in a non-rest position, such as the position shown in FIG. 31 . Syringe flange clip 520 is visible and is disposed on the end of syringe pump assembly housing 503 closest to piston head assembly 522 . The piston tube 524 connects the piston head assembly 522 to the rest of the syringe pump assembly 501 as described above. A downstream pressure sensor 513 is provided on the injection seat 506 .

In some particular embodiments, a camera 8127 is provided to view the syringe. Camera 8127 may be coupled to RTP 3500 and/or Processor 3600 of Figure 59J to provide image data thereto. Camera 8127 may include a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, or any other type of imaging sensor. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the camera 8127 includes an image sensor array.

An image of the syringe loaded into the injection receptacle 506 viewed by the camera 8127 may be displayed on the display 514 . The processor 3500 and/or 3600 can use the images from the camera 8127 to: read the QR code on the syringe to identify the syringe; detect particles or air bubbles within the syringe; measure the position of the plunger to measure the volume delivered and thus the remaining volume; determine when the syringe status has changed; determine if a syringe is present; estimate bolus discharge; check the color of the fluid to determine if it is the correct fluid; and/or determine if a syringe is missing or incorrectly loaded.

Moving debris can be detected by using frame difference to detect motion and a Gaussian filter that helps reduce camera 8127 shot noise (which looks like debris, but is smaller). To locate the plunger of the syringe, a reference line on the syringe can be used, template matching (piston as template) can use pattern recognition to locate the reference line and thus the plunger.

30-34 illustrate how a user may arrange syringe 504 into syringe pump assembly 501 . The syringe pump assembly 501 itself is shown in FIG. 30 . Syringe 504 is not seated against injection seat 506 . As shown, the piston head assembly 522 includes two jaws, an upper piston clamp jaw 526 and a lower piston clamp jaw 528 . Upper piston clamp jaw 526 and lower piston clamp jaw 528 are in the open position. Upper piston clamp jaw 526 and lower piston clamp jaw 528 are capable of clamping and retaining piston flange 528 on piston 544 of syringe 504 . Upper piston clamp jaw 526 and lower piston clamp jaw 528 may be actuated to an open or closed position by rotation of dial 530 , which includes a portion of piston head assembly 522 . Piston head assembly 522 may include a piston pressure sensor 532 .

In Fig. 31, the syringe pump assembly 501 itself is again shown. The syringe 504 that is not seated on the injection seat 506 in FIG. 30 is seated in place on the injection seat 506 in FIG. 31 . The syringe flange 542 is clamped in place by the syringe flange clip 520 . Syringe holder 518 has been pulled out so that syringe 504 can be placed into syringe pump assembly 501 , but has not yet allowed syringe holder 518 to automatically adjust to the diameter of syringe 540 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 31, the syringe holder 518 has been rotated 90° clockwise from its orientation in Figure 30, thereby locking it in place. Alternative embodiments may require counterclockwise rotation, a different degree of rotation, or may require no rotation in order to lock the syringe holder 518 in place. Piston tube 524 and attached piston head assembly 522 extend completely from the remainder of syringe pump assembly 501 . Since the dial 530 has not been rotated from the orientation shown in FIG. 30, the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 are still in the open position.

In Fig. 32, the syringe pump assembly 501 itself is again shown. Syringe 504 sits on injection seat 506 . The syringe holder 518 has been screwed out of the locked position and has allowed it to automatically adjust to the diameter of the syringe 540 . Syringe holder 518 holds syringe 504 in place on syringe pump assembly 501 . Syringe 504 is additionally held in place on syringe pump assembly 501 by syringe flange clip 520 which retains syringe flange 542 . Piston tube 524 and attached piston head assembly extend completely from the remainder of syringe pump assembly 501 . Since the dial 530 has not been rotated from the orientation shown in FIG. 30, the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 are still in the open position.

In Fig. 33, the syringe pump assembly 501 itself is again shown. Syringe 504 sits on injection seat 506 . Syringe holder 518 presses against syringe 540 and holds syringe 504 in place on syringe pump assembly 501 . Syringe flange clip 520 holds syringe flange 542 and helps hold syringe 504 in place on syringe pump assembly 501 . The amount the piston tube 524 extends from the rest of the syringe pump assembly 501 has been adjusted such that the piston head assembly 522 contacts the piston flange 548 on the syringe piston 544 . Since the dial 530 has not been rotated from the orientation shown in FIG. 30, the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 are still in the open position. Piston flange 548 contacts piston pressure sensor 532 .

In Fig. 34, the syringe pump assembly 501 itself is again shown. Syringe 504 sits on injection seat 506 . Syringe holder 518 presses against syringe 540 and holds syringe 504 in place on syringe pump assembly 501 . Syringe flange clip 520 holds syringe flange 542 and helps hold syringe 504 in place on syringe pump assembly 501 . The amount the piston tube 524 extends from the rest of the syringe pump assembly 501 has been adjusted such that the piston head assembly 522 contacts the piston flange 548 on the syringe piston 544 . The turntable 530 has been rotated from the orientation shown in FIGS. 30-33. Accordingly, the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 have moved to the closed position wherein the piston flange 548 of the syringe piston 544 is retained by the piston head assembly 522 . Since the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 are closed about the horizontal centerline of the piston head assembly 522 , the center of the piston flange 548 is already on the piston head assembly 522 .

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 34 , upper piston clamp jaw 526 and lower piston clamp jaw 528 each include tabs 529 . Tab 529 exits from piston head assembly 522 and exits toward the left side of the page (relative to FIG. 34 ). The tab 529 is positioned around the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 such that the tab 529 only contacts the piston flange when the syringe 504 is placed on the syringe pump assembly 501. Part of 548. As the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 close on the piston flange 548, the thickness and diameter of the piston flange 548 determine when the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 stop moving. At least some portion of the tab 529 will depend from the piston flange 548 and ensure that the piston flange 548 is retained. This forces the piston flange 548 to press against the rest of the piston head assembly 522 since the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 are not deflected. That is, the angle of contact of the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 on the piston flange 548 creates a force having components that push the piston flange 548 against the piston head assembly 522 . The resultant force additionally has a component that centers the piston flange 548 on the piston head assembly 522 . This is particularly desirable because this arrangement does not allow any “movement” of piston flange 548 between upper piston clamp jaw 526 and lower piston clamp jaw 528 and the rest of piston head assembly 522 . Additionally, this arrangement is desirable because it not only holds the piston flange 548 securely in place against the piston head assembly 522, but also doubles as an anti-siphon mechanism. Additionally, this arrangement ensures that the piston flange 548 is in constant contact with the piston pressure sensor 532 . Any force components produced by the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 that may affect the piston pressure sensor 532 are predictable and may be subtracted, or otherwise compensated for.

In other embodiments, upper piston clamp jaw 526 and lower piston clamp jaw 528 may not include tabs 529 . Instead, upper piston clamp jaw 526 and lower piston clamp jaw 528 depend from a portion of piston flange 548 when in the clamped position. The upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 may stop moving when they rest against the cross comprising the piston rod 546 . In other embodiments, the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 may clamp the piston rod 546 which does not need to be a cross. In another embodiment, the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 may include wedges, ramps, or tapered rib members on the surface facing the jaws of the piston head assembly 522 . The wedges, ramps or tapered ribs act to push the piston flange 548 towards the piston head assembly 522 until the piston flange 548 is held firmly against the piston head assembly 522 .

To dispense the contents of syringe 504 , syringe pump 500 may actuate plunger head assembly 522 , thereby pushing the plunger into syringe barrel 540 . Since the contents of the syringe 504 may not flow through or through the plunger pusher 550 , as the plunger 544 advances into the barrel 540 , the contents of the syringe 504 are forced out of the syringe outlet 552 . Any pressure developed as piston 544 advances into syringe 540 is communicated to piston pressure sensor 532 . In some embodiments, piston pressure sensor 532 may comprise a force sensor, such as a strain beam. When occlusion occurs, the fluid within the syringe 540 and/or fluid line prevents the piston 544 from moving. As the piston head assembly 522 continues to advance, a higher force is generated between the piston 544 and the piston head assembly 522 . The pressure delivered to the piston pressure sensor 532 can have a programmed acceptable range so that a possible occlusion can be identified. If the pressure applied to piston pressure sensor 532 exceeds a predetermined threshold, syringe pump 500 may alarm, or issue a warning.

Figure 35 shows piston head assembly 522, upper piston clamp jaw 526 and lower piston clamp jaw 528 in a fully closed position. The turntable 530 is oriented such that the raised portion of the turntable 530 lies in a plane substantially parallel to the top surface of the piston head assembly 522 and the floor. Piston tube 524 is shown extending from piston head assembly 522 to slider assembly 800 . One end of the flexible connector 562 is attached to the slider assembly 800 . For illustration, position indicator marks have been provided on the dial 530 in FIGS. 35 and 36 .

The view shown in FIG. 36 is similar to the view shown in FIG. 35 . In FIG. 36, the dial 530 on the piston head assembly 522 has been rotated approximately 135° clockwise. This rotation has in turn caused the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 to separate and move to the fully open position. In alternative embodiments, the dial 530 may require greater or less rotation than the approximately 135° shown in the example embodiment to change the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 from the fully open position to the fully open position. closed position. The piston head assembly may be able to hold itself in this position (described later in this specification).

An exploded view of the upper half of piston head assembly 522 is shown in FIG. 37 . As shown, the upper piston clamp jaw 526 includes two racks 570 . In other embodiments, there may only be one rack 570 . In some embodiments, there may be more than two racks 570 . When the piston head assembly 522 is fully assembled, the rack gear 570 can be staggered with a corresponding number of upper jaw pinions 572 . Upper dog pinion 572 rotates about upper dog drive shaft 574 . The upper dog drive shaft 574 may also include an upper dog drive gear 604 which will be described in more detail below.

Piston head assembly 522 may include a number of bearing surfaces for upper jaw drive shaft 574 . In the example embodiment in FIG. 37 , piston head assembly 522 includes two upper bearing surfaces 576 and lower bearing surfaces 578 for upper jaw drive shaft 574 . Upper bearing surface 576 may be coupled into piston head assembly housing top 600 . The upper bearing surface 576 may be coupled to the piston head assembly housing top 600 by any of a variety of means including, but not limited to, screws, bolts, adhesives, snap fits, friction joints, welding, tongue and groove arrangements, pins, or may Formed as a continuation of the piston head assembly housing top 600 (not shown). Upper bearing surface 576 provides a bearing surface for at least a section of the upper half of upper jaw drive shaft 574 .

Lower bearing surface 578 couples into piston head assembly housing top 600 . The lower bearing surface 578 is coupled to the piston head assembly housing top 600 by any suitable means such as, but not limited to, screws 580 (as shown), bolts, adhesives, snaps, friction fits, magnets, welding, tongue and groove arrangements etc. In some embodiments, the lower bearing surface 578 may be formed as a continuation of the piston head assembly housing top 600 . Lower bearing surface 578 provides a bearing surface for at least a portion of the lower half of upper jaw drive shaft 574 .

In some embodiments, there may also be an upper turntable shaft bearing surface 651 coupled into piston head assembly housing top 600 . The upper turntable shaft bearing surface 651 may be coupled into the piston head assembly housing top 600 by any of a variety of means including, but not limited to, screws, bolts, adhesives, snap fits, friction fits, welding, tongue and groove arrangements (eg, shown), a pin, or may be formed as a continuation of the top 600 of the piston head assembly housing. The upper turntable shaft bearing surface 651 will be described in further detail below.

The upper jaw drive shaft 574 may also include a D-shaped section 582 . As shown in the example embodiment in FIG. 37 , a D-shaped segment 582 may be located on one end of upper jaw drive shaft 574 . The D-shaped section 582 of the upper jaw drive shaft 574 can be coupled into a complementary shaped aperture in one side of the D-shaped connector 584 . The D-shaped section 582 of the upper jaw drive shaft 574 may not extend all the way through the D-shaped connector 584 . In some embodiments, the aperture may extend through the entire D-shaped connector 584 . The other side of the D-shaped connector 584 may be coupled to a D-shaped shaft 586 protruding from a piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 . Any rotation of the upper jaw drive shaft 574 can cause the D-shaped connector 584 to rotate as well. In turn, this may cause the D-shaped shaft 586 protruding from the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 to rotate. In some embodiments, the D-shaped section 582 of the upper jaw drive shaft 574 may extend directly into the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 . In these embodiments, D-shaped connector 584 and D-shaped shaft 586 may not be required. In some embodiments, D-shaped segment 582, D-shaped connector 584, and D-row shaft 586 need not be D-shaped. In some embodiments, they may have triangles, squares, stars, etc.

In some embodiments, the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 may comprise a potentiometer. As the D-shaped shaft 586 protruding from the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 rotates, the potentiometer's wiper slides across the resistive element of the potentiometer, thus changing the resistance measured by the potentiometer. The resistance values can then be interpreted to indicate the position of the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 . Alternatively, the piston gripper jaw position sensor 588 may comprise a magnet on one end of the upper jaw drive shaft 574, and a rotary encoder, such as the AS5030ATSU from Austrianmicrosytems, Austria. Alternatively, it is possible to measure the position of the upper jaw 526 and/or the lower jaw 528 with a linear encoder or a linear potentiometer.

By obtaining the position from the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588, the piston pump 500 may be able to determine a number of things. The position can be used to indicate whether the piston flange 548 has been gripped by the piston head assembly 522 . This position may indicate whether the piston flange has been properly gripped by the piston head assembly 522 . This may be accomplished by reference to a determined position and an acceptable position or range of positions for a particular syringe 504 . A user may enter information regarding the particular syringe 504 being used, or this information may be collected by one or more other sensors including other parts of the syringe pump 500 .

Since the position measured by the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 depends on the diameter and thickness of the clamped piston flange 548, the position information can also be used to determine information about the particular syringe 504 being used (e.g., its type, brand, volume, etc.). etc). Comparing to a database of positions that would be expected for different syringes 504 This can be done by referencing the measured positions. In embodiments where there are multiple sensors collecting information about the syringe 504, the position information generated by the piston gripper jaw position sensor 588 can be checked against data from other sensors to make more reliable decisions based on the particular syringe 504 being employed. informational decisions. If the position measured by the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 does not correlate with the data collected by the other sensors, the syringe pump 500 may sound an alarm.

As shown in FIG. 37, the piston head assembly housing top 600 may also house the piston pressure sensor 532 described above. The piston pressure sensor 532 may include a piston pressure sensor push plate 590 . Piston pressure sensor push plate 590 may be a nub, disc, or any other suitable shape. Piston pressure sensor push plate 590 may be flat or round. Piston pressure sensor push plate 590 may extend out of piston head assembly 522 such that it may physically contact piston flange 548 clamped to piston head assembly 522 . Piston pressure sensor push plate 590 may directly transmit any force applied thereto to piston pressure sensor input surface 596 . In some embodiments, piston pressure sensor push plate 590 may be attached to piston pressure sensor linkage 592 . Piston pressure sensor link 592 may be pivotally coupled to piston pressure sensor pivot 594 . Piston pressure sensor pivot 594 may be positioned at any point along the length of piston pressure sensor linkage 594 . In the example embodiment in FIG. 37 , force applied to piston pressure sensor push plate 590 is transmitted to piston pressure sensor input surface 596 through piston pressure sensor linkage 592 . In some specific embodiments, the piston pressure sensor linkage 592 and the piston pressure sensor pivot 594 can be used to constrain the movement of the piston pressure plate 590 to a plane perpendicular to the piston flange 548 and minimize the free movement of the piston pressure plate 590 resistance. Although the position of the piston pressure sensor linkage 594 relative to the piston pressure sensor push plate 590 does not multiply the force exerted against the piston pressure sensor input surface 596 in FIG. 37 , other embodiments may use a different arrangement for mechanical advantage.

Force measurements read via piston pressure sensor 532 may be interpreted to determine the hydraulic pressure of the fluid being dispensed. This may contribute to safe operation, as the detected fluid pressure may be used to identify possible occlusions, making possible correction of these occlusions. The pressure can be monitored so that the syringe pump 500 can sound an alarm if the pressure exceeds a predetermined value. In embodiments that include both piston pressure sensor 532 and downstream pressure sensor 513, the pressure measurement from piston pressure sensor 532 may be checked against the pressure measurement from downstream pressure sensor 513 (see FIG. 28). This can help ensure greater accuracy. An alarm can be generated if the pressure measurements are not relevant. Additionally, since the sensors are redundant, if one of the piston pressure sensor 532 or the downstream pressure sensor 513 fails during therapy, the syringe pump 500 may operate in a failed mode of operation based on only one sensor.

As shown in FIG. 37, a number of electrical leads 598 enter and exit both the piston pressure sensor 532 and the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588. Wire 598 powers piston pressure sensor 532 and piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 . Electrical leads 598 may also include data communication paths to and from piston pressure sensor 532 and piston jaw position sensor 588 .

FIG. 38 shows an assembled view of the upper half of the piston head assembly 522 . In Figure 38, the upper piston clamp jaw 526 is in the closed position. Two rack gears 570 on the upper piston clamp jaw 526 engage two pinion gears 572 on the upper jaw drive shaft 574 such that any rotation of the upper jaw drive shaft 574 translates into linear displacement of the upper piston clamp jaw 526 . The upper jaw drive shaft 574 is surrounded by an upper bearing surface 576 and a lower bearing surface 578 .

The D-shaped section 582 of the upper jaw drive shaft 574 and the D-shaped shaft 586 of the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 are coupled together by a D-shaped connector. Any rotation of upper jaw drive shaft 574 will cause D-section 582, D-connector 584, and D-shaft 586 to rotate. As noted above, in embodiments where the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 comprises a potentiometer, this rotation will cause the brush to slide across the resistive element of the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 .

Piston pressure sensor 532 is also shown in FIG. 38 . Piston pressure sensor push plate 590 may extend out of piston head assembly 522 such that it may physically contact piston flange 548 that clamps against piston head assembly 522 (see FIG. 30 ). Piston pressure sensor push plate 590 may transmit any force applied thereto directly to piston pressure sensor input surface 596 . In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in FIG. 38 , piston pressure sensor push plate 590 may be attached to piston pressure sensor linkage 592 . Piston pressure sensor link 592 may be pivotally coupled to piston pressure sensor pivot 594 . Piston pressure sensor pivot 594 may be positioned at any point along the length of piston pressure sensor linkage 592 . In the example embodiment in FIG. 38 , any force applied to piston pressure sensor push plate 590 is transmitted to piston pressure sensor input surface 596 through piston pressure sensor linkage 592 . Although the position of the piston pressure sensor pivot 594 relative to the piston pressure sensor push plate 590 does not multiply the force exerted on the piston pressure sensor input surface 596 in FIG. 38 , other embodiments may use a different arrangement for mechanical advantage.

The piston head assembly housing top 600 also includes the upper half of the turntable shaft channel 648 for the turntable shaft 650 (not shown) explained later in this specification. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 38 , the turntable shaft channel 648 passes through the right side of the piston head assembly housing top 600 .

FIG. 39 shows another assembled view of the upper half of the piston head assembly 522 . As shown in FIG. 39 , piston head assembly housing top 600 may include upper jaw guide 569 . The upper jaw guides 569 are sized and arranged such that they form a track along which the upper piston clamp jaw 526 can move. In an example embodiment, the upper jaw guide 569 is formed as a continuation of the piston head assembly housing top 600 and spans the entire height of the side walls of the piston head assembly housing top 600 . In other embodiments, upper jaw guide 569 may span only a portion of the height of the sidewall of piston head assembly housing top 600 .

As shown in FIG. 39 , the piston pressure sensor 532 may include a piston pressure sensor force concentrator 595 . In embodiments where the piston pressure sensor push plate 590 transmits force directly to the piston pressure sensor input surface 596, the piston pressure sensor force concentrator 595 can help concentrate the force applied to the piston pressure sensor push plate 590 while applying it on the Piston pressure sensor input on surface 596 . Where the piston pressure sensor 532 includes a pivot pressure sensor link 592 on a piston pressure sensor pivot 594, a piston pressure sensor force concentrator 595 may be at one end of the piston pressure sensor link 592 that presses against a piston pressure sensor input surface 596 and on the face. This can help concentrate the force applied against the piston pressure sensor input surface 596, which can improve accuracy. This also helps to center the force on the piston pressure sensor input surface 596, making measurements more consistent and accurate.

Piston head assembly 522 and the lower half of piston tube 524 are shown in FIG. 40 . As shown, the lower piston clamp jaw 528 includes two lower piston clamp jaw racks 610 . In other embodiments, there may only be one lower piston clamp dog rack 610 . In some embodiments, there may be more than two lower piston clamp jaw racks 610 . Each lower piston clamp jaw rack 610 is interleaved with a lower piston clamp jaw pinion 612 . The lower piston clamp jaw pinion 612 is rotatable about the axis of the lower clamp jaw drive shaft 614 . A lower jaw drive gear 620 is also provided on the lower clamp jaw drive shaft 614 . The lower jaw drive gear 620 will be described in detail below.

Similar to the upper half of piston head assembly 522 , the lower half of piston head assembly 522 may include a number of bearing surfaces for lower jaw drive shaft 614 . In the example embodiment in FIG. 40 , piston head assembly 522 includes one upper bearing surface 616 and two lower bearing surfaces 618 for lower jaw drive shaft 614 . Upper bearing surface 616 couples into piston head assembly housing bottom 602 . The upper bearing surface 616 may be coupled to the piston head assembly housing bottom 602 by any of a variety of means including, but not limited to, screws 617 (not shown), bolts, adhesives, snap fits, friction joints, welding, tongue and groove arrangement, pins, or may be formed as a continuation of the bottom 602 of the piston head assembly housing. The upper bearing surface 616 provides a bearing surface for at least a section of the upper half of the lower jaw drive shaft 614 .

Lower bearing surface 618 couples into piston head assembly housing bottom 602 . The lower bearing surface 618 may be coupled to the piston head assembly housing bottom 602 by any suitable means such as, but not limited to, screws, bolts, adhesive, snap fit, friction fit, magnets, welding, tongue and groove arrangement, pins (not shown) etc. In some embodiments, the lower bearing surface 618 may be formed as a continuation of the piston head assembly housing bottom 602 . Lower Bearing Surface 618 At least a section of the lower half of the lower jaw drive shaft 614 provides a bearing surface.

In some embodiments, there may also be a lower turntable shaft bearing surface 649 coupled to the bottom 602 of the piston head assembly housing. The lower turntable shaft bearing surface 649 may be coupled into the piston head assembly housing bottom 602 by any of a variety of means including, but not limited to, screws, bolts, adhesives, snap fits, friction fits, welding, tongue and groove arrangements, pins , or may be formed as a continuation of the piston head assembly housing bottom 602 as shown. The lower half of the turntable shaft channel 648 is cut through the right side of the bottom 602 of the piston head assembly housing. The lower turntable shaft bearing surface 649 and turntable shaft channel 648 are described in further detail below.

As shown in FIG. 40 , piston tube 524 may be coupled into the lower half of piston head assembly 522 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 40 , piston tube 524 is coupled to piston tube bracket 631 by two screws 630 . In other embodiments, the number or type of fasteners/coupling methods may vary. For example, piston tube 524 may be coupled to piston tube bracket 631 by any other suitable means, such as, but not limited to, bolts, adhesives, snap fits, friction fits, magnets, welding, tongue and groove arrangements, pins, and the like. Piston tube bracket 631 may include arcuate ribs 633 that are arcuate such that they are flush with the exterior surface of piston tube 524 and support piston tube 524 . In some embodiments, a portion of the bow of piston tube 524 may be eliminated on a section of piston tube 524 that is coupled inside piston head assembly 522 when syringe pump 500 is fully assembled. In the embodiment shown in Figure 40, approximately 180° of a section or upper half of the piston tube 524 has been eliminated. The end of the piston tube 524 opposite the end of the piston tube 524 coupled to the piston tube bracket 631 may include a number of piston tube cutouts 802 as will be explained below. There may also be a wire opening 632 adjacent to the plunger tube cutout 802 .

In FIG. 41 , the turntable 530 of the piston head assembly 522 is shown exploded with the turntable shaft 650 to which it is coupled when assembled. As shown, the turntable shaft 650 includes a square end 653 . The square end 653 of the turntable shaft 650 fits into the positive direction aperture 655 in the turntable 530 so that as the turntable 530 rotates, the turntable shaft 650 is also caused to rotate. In other embodiments, the square end 653 of the turntable shaft 650 and the square aperture 655 in the turntable 530 need not necessarily be square, but could be D-shaped, hexagonal, or any other suitable shape.

A turntable shaft gear 652 may be disposed about the turntable shaft 650 . As the turntable shaft 650 rotates, the turntable shaft gear 652 may be caused to rotate about the axis of the turntable shaft 650 . The dial shaft cam 654 may be slidably coupled to the dial shaft 650 such that the dial shaft cam 654 can slide in the direction of the axis of the dial shaft 650 and the dial shaft 650 is free to rotate inside the dial shaft cam 654 . The turntable shaft cam 654 may include one or more turntable shaft cam lobes 656 . The turntable shaft cam lobes 656 may also be referred to as turntable shaft cam guides because they perform a guiding function. In the example embodiment, the turntable shaft cam 654 includes two turntable shaft cam lobes 656 . In an example embodiment, the cam surface of the turntable shaft cam 654 is substantially a segment of a double helix. At one end of the cam surface of the carousel cam 654 there may be one or more carousel cam detents 660 . The end of the turntable shaft cam 654 opposite the cam surface may be substantially flat.

A turntable shaft cam follower 658 may be coupled into the turntable shaft 650 such that it rotates with the turntable shaft 650 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 41 , the turntable shaft cam follower 658 extends through the turntable shaft 650 such that at least a portion of the turntable shaft cam follower 658 protrudes from the turntable shaft 650 on each side of the turntable shaft 650 . This effectively creates two turntable shaft cam followers 658 that are offset 180° from each other. Each end of the turntable axle cam follower 658 follows one spiral of the double helical cam surface of the turntable axle cam 654 .

A biasing member may also be provided on the turntable shaft 650 . In an example embodiment, a turntable shaft compression spring 662 is disposed on the turntable shaft 650 . The turntable shaft compression spring 662 may have a coil diameter sized to fit concentrically around the turntable shaft 650 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 41 , a dial shaft compression spring 662 is retained on each end by a dial shaft washer 664 . The turntable shaft retaining ring 665 can fit in an annular groove 666 recessed into the turntable shaft 650 .

In FIG. 41 , the end of the turntable shaft 650 opposite the square end 653 is characterized by the inclusion of spike-shaped protrusions 770 . Spike protrusion 770 may couple into a joint of dual universal joint 772 . Spike protrusion 770 may be coupled into dual universal joint 772 by any suitable means, such as, but not limited to, screws, bolts, adhesive, snap fit, friction fit, magnets, welding, tongue and groove arrangement, pins (not shown) etc. The other joint of the dual universal joint 772 may also be coupled to the driven shaft 774 . The other joint of the dual universal joint 772 may be coupled to the driven shaft 774 by any suitable means, such as, but not limited to, screws, bolts, adhesives, snap fits, friction fits, magnets, welding, tongue and groove arrangements, pins (not limited to shown) and so on. The turntable shaft 650 and the driven shaft 774 may be oriented approximately perpendicular to each other.

In some embodiments, a driven shaft bushing 776 may be included on the driven shaft 774 . In the example embodiment in FIG. 41 , driven shaft bushing 776 is a sleeve bushing. The inner surface of driven shaft bushing 776 includes a bearing surface for driven shaft 774 . The outer surface of the driven shaft bushing 776 may include a plurality of driven shaft bushing protrusions 778 extending outwardly from the outer surface of the driven shaft bushing 776 . In the example embodiment in FIG. 41 , driven shaft bushing protrusions 778 are spaced approximately 120° apart from each other along the arc of the outer surface of driven shaft bushing 776 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 41 , the driven shaft bushing protrusion 778 protruding toward the top of the page includes a protrusion 780 extending from the top edge of the driven shaft bushing protrusion 778 toward the top of the page. . Driven shaft bushing 776 may be held in place on drive shaft 774 by driven shaft retaining ring 782 . One of the driven shaft retaining rings 782 may be clamped in place on the driven shaft 774 on each side of the driven shaft bushing 776 . The end of driven shaft 774 that is not coupled into dual universal joint 772 may include a driven shaft D-joint 784 .

When assembled, as shown in FIG. 42 , the turntable shaft compression spring 662 biases the turntable shaft cam 654 against the turntable shaft cam follower 658 so that one end of the turntable shaft cam follower 658 is in the center of the turntable shaft cam 654. on the bottom of the cam surface. One turntable axle washer 664 rests against the turntable axle retaining ring 665 and the other turntable axle washer 664 rests against the flat side of the turntable axle cam 654 . Preferably, the distance between the dial shaft washers 664 is not at a point greater than or equal to the rest length of the dial shaft compression spring 662 . This ensures that there is no “spill” and that the dial shaft cam 654 is always biased on one end of the dial shaft cam follower 658 .

As shown, double universal joint 772 connects turntable shaft 650 to driven shaft 774 when assembled. The driven shaft bushing 776 is clamped in place on the driven shaft 774 by the driven shaft retaining ring 782 (see FIG. 41 ). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 42 , the turntable shaft 650 acts as the drive shaft for the driven shaft 774 . Any rotation of the turntable shaft 650 produced by rotation of the turntable 530 will be transferred to the driven shaft 774 via the double universal joint 772 .

FIG. 43 shows the entire piston head assembly 522 coupled in place with the piston tube 524 . The upper half of the piston head assembly 522 is disassembled from the lower half of the piston head assembly 522 . The lower half of the turntable shaft 650 is seated in the lower turntable shaft bearing 649 on the bottom 602 of the piston head assembly housing. The other lower half of the turntable shaft 650 sits on a portion of the turntable shaft channel 648 on the bottom 602 of the piston head assembly housing. As shown, the turntable shaft channel 648 functions as a second bearing surface for the turntable shaft 650 . A square end 653 of the turntable shaft 650 extends beyond the turntable shaft channel 648 and couples into a square aperture 655 on the turntable 530 .

As shown in FIG. 43 , the turntable shaft gear 652 on the turntable shaft 650 is interleaved with the lower jaw drive gear 620 . As the turntable 530 rotates, the turntable shaft 650 and turntable shaft gear 652 also rotate. The rotation is transmitted to the lower jaw drive gear 620 through the turntable shaft gear 652 . Rotation of lower jaw drive gear 620 rotates lower jaw jaw drive shaft 614 and lower jaw jaw pinion 612 on lower jaw jaw drive shaft 614 . Since the lower clamp jaw pinion 612 is interleaved with the lower piston clamp jaw rack 610 , any rotation of the lower clamp jaw pinion 612 becomes a linear displacement of the lower piston clamp jaw 528 . Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, rotating the dial 530 is the means by which the user can actuate the lower piston clamp jaw 528 to an open or clamped position.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 43 , rotation of the turntable 530 may also cause the turntable shaft cam 654 to displace linearly away from the turntable 530 and in the axial direction of the turntable shaft 650 . As shown in the example embodiment, the upper bearing surface 616 for the lower clamp jaw drive shaft 614 includes a turntable shaft cam lobe slot 690 that functions as a track for the turntable shaft cam lobe 656 . One of the turntable shaft cam lobes 656 protrudes into the turntable shaft cam lobe slot 690 . This ensures that the turntable shaft lug 654 may not rotate with the turntable 530 and turntable shaft 650 because the rotation of the turntable shaft cam lobe 656 is impeded by the rest of the upper bearing surface 616 for the lower clamp jaw drive shaft 614 .

However, the dial shaft cam lobe slot 690 allows linear displacement of the dial shaft cam 654 in the axial direction of the dial shaft 650 . As the turntable 530 and turntable shaft 650 rotate, the turntable shaft cam follower 658 also rotates. The position of the turntable shaft cam follower 658 on the turntable shaft 650 is fixed such that the turntable shaft cam follower 658 cannot be displaced linearly. As one end of the dialshaft cam follower 658 rides on the cam surface of the dialshaft cam 654, the dialshaft cam 654 is forced toward the right side of the piston head assembly housing bottom 602 (relative to FIG. 43). The turntable shaft cam lobe 656 is also in this direction, sliding within the turntable shaft cam lobe slot 690 . This causes the turntable shaft compression spring 662 to compress between the turntable shaft washer 664 against the turntable shaft cam 654 and the turntable shaft washer 664 against the turntable shaft retaining ring 665 . The return force of the dial shaft compression spring 662 is used to bias the dial 530 and bias all parts actuated by the dial 530 to their original positions prior to any dial 530 rotation. If the dial 530 is released, the expansion of the compressed dial shaft compression spring 662 will cause the dial 530 and all parts of the dial 530 actuation to automatically return to their original orientation prior to any dial 530 rotation. In an example embodiment, the home position prior to any dial 530 rotation is the position shown in FIG. 35 with upper piston clamp jaw 526 and lower piston clamp jaw 528 fully closed.

In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in FIG. 43 , the carousel cam 654 may include a carousel cam detent 660 along the cam surface of the carousel cam 654 . Dial shaft cam detent 660 may allow a user to “park” dial shaft cam follower 658 at a desired point along the cam surface of dial shaft cam 654 . In an example embodiment, the turntable shaft cam follower 658 may contact the turntable shaft cam detent 660 when the turntable 530 has been fully rotated. When the dial shaft cam follower 658 is in the dial shaft cam detent 660, the dial shaft compression spring 662 may not automatically return the dial 530 and all parts of the dial 530 actuation to their orientation prior to the rotation of the dial 530. The user may need to rotate the dial 530 so that the dial shaft cam follower 658 moves out of the dial shaft cam detent 660 before the return force of the compressed dial shaft compression spring 662 may be allowed to expand the dial shaft compression spring 662 to a less compressed state.

FIG. 44 shows a view similar to that shown in FIG. 43 . In FIG. 44, some portions of the piston head assembly housing top 600 and including the upper half of the piston head assembly 522 are not visible. Visible parts are the upper turntable shaft bearing 651 , the upper jaw drive shaft 574 , the upper jaw pinion 572 and the upper jaw drive gear 604 . As shown in FIG. 44 , when assembled, the turntable shaft 650 is sandwiched between the upper turntable shaft bearing 651 and the lower turntable shaft bearing 649 with the turntable shaft gear 652 on the turntable shaft 650 interleaved with the upper jaw drive gear 604 . As the turntable 530 rotates, the turntable shaft 650 and turntable shaft gear 652 also rotate. Rotation is transmitted to the upper dog drive gear 604 through the turntable shaft gear 652 . Rotation of upper jaw drive gear 604 rotates upper jaw jaw drive shaft 574 and upper jaw jaw pinion 572 on upper jaw jaw drive shaft 574 .

Referring back to FIG. 38 , the upper clamp jaw pinion 572 is interleaved with the upper piston clamp jaw rack 570 . Any rotation of the upper clamp jaw pinion 572 is translated into a linear displacement of the upper piston clamp jaw 526 . Thus, rotation of the dial 530 is the means by which the user can actuate the upper piston clamp jaw 526 (not shown in FIG. 44 ) to an open or clamped position.

The lower bearing surface 578 for the upper jaw drive shaft 574 is also visible in FIG. 44 . In embodiments where the turntable shaft cam 654 includes more than one turntable shaft cam lobe 656 , the lower bearing surface 578 for the upper jaw drive shaft 574 may include a second turntable shaft cam lobe slot 690 . The second turntable shaft cam lobe slot 690 may function as a track for the turntable shaft cam lobe 656 . One of the turntable shaft cam lobes 656 protrudes into a second turntable shaft cam lobe slot 690 . This ensures that the turntable shaft cam 654 does not rotate with the turntable 530 and turntable shaft 650 because the rotation of the turntable shaft cam lug 656 is impeded by the lower bearing surface 578 for the upper clamp jaw drive shaft 574 .

However, the second dial shaft cam lobe slot 690 allows linear displacement of the dial shaft cam 654 in the axial direction of the dial shaft 650 . As the turntable 530 and turntable shaft 650 rotate, the turntable shaft cam follower 658 also rotates. The position of the turntable shaft cam follower 658 on the turntable shaft 650 is fixed such that the turntable shaft cam follower 658 cannot be displaced linearly. As one end of the dialshaft cam follower 658 rides on the cam surface of the dialshaft cam 654, the dialshaft cam 654 is forced toward the right side of the piston head assembly housing bottom 602 (relative to FIG. 44). The turntable shaft cam lobe 656 also slides in this direction within the second turntable shaft cam lobe slot 690 . This causes the turntable shaft compression spring 662 to compress between the turntable shaft washer 664 against the turntable shaft cam 654 and the turntable shaft washer 664 against the turntable shaft retaining ring 665 . Then the dial shaft compression spring 662, dial 530 and dial 530 actuation all function as described above.

In some embodiments, the upper dog drive gear 604 (shown most clearly in FIG. 37 ) and the lower dog drive gear 620 (shown most clearly in FIG. 43 ) may be substantially the same gear. Additionally, the upper dog pinion 572 (shown most clearly in FIG. 37 ) and the lower dog pinion 612 (shown most clearly in FIG. 40 ) may be substantially the same gear. In these embodiments, for each degree of rotation of the dial 530, the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 (see FIGS. 30-34) will experience the same amount of linear displacement. Since the stagger point of the upper jaw drive gear 604 on the turntable shaft gear 652 is opposite the stagger point of the lower jaw drive gear 620 on the turntable shaft gear 652, the upper piston gripper jaw 526 and the lower piston gripper jaw 528 will be linear in opposite directions. displacement.

FIG. 45 shows a view similar to that shown in FIG. 44 . Figure 45 shows an assembled view of the piston head assembly 522 from a slightly different perspective. As shown in FIG. 45 , turntable 530 is coupled to turntable shaft 650 . The turntable shaft gear 652 is in a staggered relationship with both the upper dog drive gear 604 and the lower dog drive gear 620 . The upper dog drive gear 604 is arranged on the upper dog drive shaft 574 together with the two upper dog pinions 572 . As shown in FIG. 45 , upper dog pinion 572 may be spaced apart by lower bearing surface 578 for upper dog drive shaft 574 .

The piston pressure sensor 532 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 45 includes a piston pressure sensor push plate 590 extending out of the piston head assembly 522 such that it physically contacts the piston flange 548 clamped on the piston head assembly 522 (as in FIG. 34 ). shown). Piston pressure sensor push plate 590 is attached to piston pressure sensor linkage 592 . Piston pressure sensor link 592 is pivotally attached to piston pressure sensor pivot 594 . Piston pressure sensor pivot 594 is disposed at the left end of piston pressure sensor linkage 594 (relative to FIG. 45 ). In the example embodiment in FIG. 45 , any force applied to piston pressure sensor push plate 590 is transmitted to piston pressure sensor input surface 596 through piston pressure sensor linkage 594 . Although the position of the piston pressure sensor pivot 594 relative to the piston pressure sensor push plate 590 does not multiply the force exerted on the piston pressure sensor input surface 596 in FIG. 45 , other embodiments may use a different arrangement for mechanical advantage. Piston pressure sensor 532 in FIG. 45 also includes piston pressure sensor force concentrator 595 , which is a small protrusion extending from piston pressure sensor linkage 592 to piston pressure sensor input surface 596 . Piston pressure sensor force concentrator 595 concentrates the force exerted on piston pressure sensor input surface 596 to help facilitate more accurate pressure readings.

FIG. 46 shows a close-up view of how the upper jaw drive shaft 574 is connected to the D-shaped shaft 586 protruding from the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 46 , upper jaw drive shaft 574 includes a D-shaped section 582 . D-shaped section 582 of upper jaw drive shaft 574 protrudes into a complementary shaped aperture in D-shaped connector 584 . A cross-section of D-shaped connector 584 is shown in FIG. 46 . A D-shaft 586 protruding from a piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 also protrudes into the D-connector 584 . Any rotation of the upper jaw drive shaft 574 can also cause the D-shaped connector 584 to rotate. In turn, this may cause the D-shaped shaft 586 protruding from the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 to rotate. As noted above, in embodiments where the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 comprises a potentiometer, such rotation may cause the brush to slide across the resistive element of the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 .

FIG. 46 also shows the turntable shaft 650 connected to the double universal joint 772 . As shown in the example embodiment in FIG. 46 , a driven shaft 774 also coupled to the double universal joint protrudes downwardly into the interior of the hollow piston tube 524 . The protrusion 780 on the driven shaft bushing protrusion 778 of the driven shaft bushing 776 seats in the piston tube notch 786 recessed into the edge of the piston tube 524 to lock the protrusion 780 in the piston tube notch 786 Inside. Seating the protrusion 780 in the piston tube notch 786 limits rotation of the driven shaft bushing 776 because the protrusion 780 may not rotate through the side of the piston tube notch 786 . Each driven shaft bushing protrusion 778 rests against the interior surface of the piston tube 524 , which keeps the driven shaft bushing 776 centered in the piston tube 524 .

Piston tube 524 also functions as a passageway for piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 and piston pressure sensor 532 and electrical leads 598 leading therefrom. Since the plunger tube 524 is sealed against liquid when the syringe pump is fully assembled, the plunger tube 524 protects the electrical leads 598 from exposure to liquid. As shown in FIG. 47 , electrical leads 598 exit the piston tube 524 through wire openings 632 of the piston tube 524 .

FIG. 47 shows an exploded view of slider assembly 800 . As shown, the piston tube 524 extending from the piston head assembly 522 includes two piston tube cutouts 802 . Piston tube cutouts 802 are cut into the front and rear sides of piston tube 524 . In Fig. 47, only the front piston tube cutout 802 is visible. Piston tube cutout 802 allows the piston tube to be non-rotatably coupled to slider assembly 800 . In an example embodiment, two piston tube coupling screws 804 pass through piston tube bracket 806 , descend into piston tube opening 802 and into piston tube support 808 . Piston tube 524 is thus slightly sandwiched between piston tube bracket 806 and piston tube support 808 . Any rotation of the piston tube 524 is resisted by the piston tube attachment screw 804 against the top and bottom edges of the piston tube cutout 802 . Similarly, any axial displacement of the piston tube 524 is resisted by the piston tube coupling screw 804 against the side of the piston tube cutout 802 . In other embodiments, piston tube 524 may be coupled to slider assembly 800 by any other suitable means, such as, but not limited to, bolts, adhesives, snap fits, friction fits, magnets, welding, tongue and groove arrangements, pins, and the like.

A closer exploded view of slider assembly 800 is shown at 48A. Slider assembly 800 includes many parts. Slider assembly 800 includes half nut housing 810 , syringe cam 820 , half nut 830 , and half nut cover plate 840 . Half-nut housing 810 may be made of any suitable strong material that does not deform appreciably under applied loads, such as metal, nylon, glass-filled plastic, molded plastic, Delrin plastic, such as Delrin, or the like. Preferably, half nut 830 is made of a bearing metal, such as brass, bronze, etc., that interacts well with the typically stainless steel surface of a lead screw. Preferably, the syringe cam 820 is made of a hard metal, such as stainless steel, to form a good bearing pair with the nut half 830 . Half nut housing 810 includes lead screw void 810A. Lead screw void 810A allows lead screw 850 (not shown, see FIG. 48B ) to pass through nut housing half 810 . Lead screw void 810A has a larger diameter than lead screw 850, which ensures that lead screw 850 passes through lead screw void 810 independently of the point on lead screw 850 in which slider assembly 800 is located. Slider assembly 800 includes a ribbon cable to receive power from and communicate with circuit board 1150 (see FIG. 59A ).

Half nut housing 810 may also include guide rod bushing 810B. In the example embodiment shown in Figure 48A, the guide rod bushing 810B is formed as a continuous piece of the half-nut housing. Guide rod 852 (not shown, see FIG. 48B ) extends through guide rod bushing 810B in half nut housing 810 , the inner surface of guide rod bushing 810B serving as a bearing surface for guide rod 852 . In some embodiments, guide rod bushing 810B is not formed as a continuous part of nut housing half 810 but is coupled to nut housing half 810 in any number of suitable manners. Guide rod bushing 810B may be made of a smooth material such as bronze, brass, PTFE, delrin, etc., which provides a low friction surface to match the hard surface of guide rod 852 (FIG. 48B).

Half nut housing 810 may also include syringe cam clearance 810C. The syringe cam void 810C may be sized such that it has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the syringe cam 820 . Syringe cam 820 may fit into syringe cam void 810C on half nut housing 810 when slider assembly 800 is fully assembled. In some embodiments, syringe cam void 810C may extend completely through nut housing half 810 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 48A , the syringe cam void 810C may not extend completely through the nut housing half 810 . Syringe cam void 810C may act as a bushing for syringe cam 820 when slider assembly 800 is fully assembled. Syringe cam clearance 810C and syringe cam 820 may be manufactured to have a clearance fit. In one example, the diameter gap between the syringe void 810C and the syringe 820 is 0.001 to 0.005 inches.

In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in FIG. 48A , the half-nut housing 810 can include a half-nut void 810D. Half-nut void 810D may be recessed into half-nut housing 810 such that half-nut 830 may fit into half-nut void 810D when slider assembly 800 is fully assembled. In some embodiments, lead screw void 810A, syringe cam void 810C, and half nut void 810D may all be part of a single void recessed into half nut housing 810 .

Half nut housing 810 may include driven shaft aperture 810E. Driven shaft aperture 810E extends through nut housing half 810 and into syringe cam void 810C. In FIG. 48A , driven shaft D-joint or collar 784 is shown protruding through driven shaft aperture 810E into syringe cam void 810C.

Half nut housing 810 may additionally include half nut housing grooves 810F. In the example embodiment in FIG. 48A , half nut housing groove 810F is recessed into half nut housing 810 . Half nut housing groove 810F is recessed along the entire side of half nut housing 810 . Half nut housing groove 810F extends in a direction parallel to the direction of elongation of piston rod 524, lead screw 850, and guide rod 852 (eg, shown in FIG. 48B).

In some embodiments, half nut housing 810 may include at least one limit switch 810G (not shown). In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 48A, half nut housing 810 may include two limit switches 810G (not shown). One limit switch 810G is located on the front of half nut housing 810 and the other limit switch 810G is located on the back of half nut housing 810 . A limit switch 810G may be used to limit the range of motion of the slider assembly along the lead screw 850 (FIG. 48B). Limit switch 810G will be described in further detail below.

As noted above, syringe cam 820 fits into syringe cam void 810C in half nut housing 810 when slider assembly 800 is fully assembled. As shown, the syringe cam 820 includes a D-shaped aperture 820A extending through the entirety of the syringe cam 820 in the axial direction of the syringe cam 820 . D-shaped aperture 820A is sized and shaped to allow syringe cam 820 to couple to driven shaft D-joint 784 . When D-shaped aperture 820A of syringe cam 820 is coupled to driven shaft D-joint 784, any rotation of driven shaft 774 and driven shaft D-joint 784 causes syringe cam 820 to rotate as well. The syringe cam 820 may be coupled to the driven shaft 774 by any standard method, including but not limited to set screws, pins, adhesives, friction fit, welding, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 48A , syringe cam 820 is generally a truncated cylinder and includes a syringe cam plane 820B cut into syringe cam 820 along a chord of the cylinder of syringe cam 820 facing the front bottom surface. Syringe cam flat 820B may be cut out some distance from the syringe cam centerline such that the full diameter of syringe cam 820 remains. The remaining material of syringe cam 820 on the distal side of the centerline relative to the bearing surface of half nut 830B provides a bearing surface to transmit force from half nut 820 to syringe cam void 820C along the entire length of syringe cam 820 .

Syringe cam flat 820B may not extend along the entirety of syringe cam 820 such that some of the cylinders of syringe cam 820 have a pure, classic cylindrical shape. This is desirable because the classically cylindrical portion of the syringe cam 820 may act as a journal in the syringe void 810C which may act as a bushing. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 48A , syringe cam plane 820B extends along syringe cam 820 until syringe cam shoulder 820C begins. The syringe cam shoulder 820C may extend perpendicularly from the surface of the syringe cam plane 820B. In the example embodiment in FIG. 48A , the extension of syringe cam 820 having a pure, classical cylindrical shape is syringe cam shoulder 820C.

As shown, the syringe cam 820 may also include a syringe cam pin 820D. Syringe cam pin 820D in the example embodiment in FIG. 48A protrudes perpendicularly from the front bottom surface of the cylinder of syringe cam 820 . Syringe cam pin 820D protrudes from the front bottom surface of syringe cam 820 near the chord from which syringe cam flat 820B has extended into the cylinder of syringe cam 820 .

Slider assembly 800 may also include half nut 830 as described above. In the example embodiment in FIG. 48A , half nut 830 includes half nut slot 835 . Half nut slot 835 is sized such that it can function as a track for syringe cam pin 820D. The half nut slot 835 includes an arcuate segment 835 and a non-curved or arcuate end segment 835B. Half nut slot 835 may be cut into half nut slot plate 835C extending perpendicularly from half nut cam follower surface 830B. Half-nut cam follower surface 830B and half-nut slot 835 will be described in further detail in the following paragraphs.

Half nut 830 may include guide rod bushing void 830A. Guide rod bushing void 830A of half nut 830 allows guide rod bushing 810B to pass through half nut 830 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 48A , guide rod bushing void 830A is substantially larger than the diameter of guide rod bushing 810B. Additionally, guide rod bushing void 830A in half nut 830 may have an oval shape or a racetrack shape. This shape allows guide rod bushing 810 to fit properly within guide rod bushing void 830A when half nut 830 is in the engaged, disengaged position, or transition between either position.

Half nut 830 may also include a length of half nut thread 830C. Half nut threads 830C are capable of engaging threads of lead screw 840 (not shown, see FIG. 48B ). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 48A, half nut threads 830C are V-shaped threads. V-shaped threads may be desirable because this shape can help half nut threads 830C self-align on lead screw 850 .

As noted above, the slider assembly 800 may also include a slider cover 840 . Slider cover 840 can be coupled to half nut housing 810 so as to hold syringe cam 820 and half nut 830 in place within slider assembly 800 when slider assembly 800 is fully assembled. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 48A , slider cover 840 may be coupled to half nut housing 810 by slider cover screws 840A as shown, or by any suitable means, such as, but not limited to, bolts, Adhesives, snap fits, friction fits, magnets, welding, tongue and groove arrangements, pins and more. Slider cover 840 may include cover grooves 840B to help guide nut housing half 810 . The cover groove 840B can be recessed into the slider cover 840 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 48A , the cover groove 840B is recessed along the entire side edge of the slider cover 840 . Cover plate groove 840B may be sized and arranged such that it aligns with half nut housing groove 810F on half nut housing 810 .

Slider cover plate 840 may include guide rod bushing aperture 840C. Guide rod bushing aperture 840C is sized and configured such that guide rod bushing 810B can protrude through guide rod bushing aperture 840C. Guide rod bushing aperture 840C may have a diameter substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of guide rod bushing 810B.

The edge of the slider cover 840 opposite the cover groove 840B may include a lead screw groove 840D. The lead screw slot 840D may be an arcuate segment recessed into the edge of the slider cover plate 840 . Lead screw slot 840D, combined with lead screw void 810A of half nut housing 810 , allows slider assembly 800 to be positioned over lead screw 850 .

In operation, slider assembly 800 may be caused to move in the axial direction of lead screw 850 and guide rod 852 as lead screw 850 rotates. The slider assembly 800 may also be moved by the user in the axial direction of the lead screw 850 and the guide rod 852 . In order for the user to move the slider assembly 800 in the axial direction of the lead screw 850, as shown in and described with respect to FIGS. s position. This may only be done by the user when half nut 830 is not engaging lead screw 850 .

FIG. 48B shows nut half 830 in an engaged position on lead screw 850 . The half nut housing 810 and half nut cover plate 840 visible in FIG. 48A have been removed from FIG. 48B. When half nut 830 engages lead screw 850 , half nut threads 830C are operable to engage the threads of lead screw 850 . Any rotation of lead screw 850 can cause half nut 830 to move in the axial direction of lead screw 850 .

In order for nut half 830 to move between engaged and disengaged positions on lead screw 850, syringe cam 820 must be rotated. When the syringe cam 820 is rotated, the syringe cam pin 820D can move along the half nut slot 835 in the half nut slot plate 835C. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 48B , half nut 830 engages lead screw 850 when syringe cam pin 820D is positioned in arcuate segment 835A of half nut slot 835 . The arcuate segment 835A of the half nut slot 835 may be shaped such that any movement of the syringe cam pin 820D within the arcuate segment 835A of the half nut slot 835 does not cause any movement of the half nut 830 .

As syringe cam 820 rotates such that syringe cam pin 820D enters the straight, end section of half nut slot 835 , further rotation of syringe cam 820 may cause half nut 830 to disengage from lead screw 850 . The linear nature of end section 835B ensures that further rotation of syringe cam 820 causes syringe cam pin 820D to pull nut half 830 away from lead screw 850 until syringe cam pin 820 reaches the end of end section 835B. Rotation of syringe cam 820 in the opposite direction will cause syringe cam pin 820D to push nut half 830 back into engagement with lead screw 850 .

In the example embodiment in FIG. 48B , when the syringe cam 820 has disengaged the half nut from the lead screw 850 , the half nut cam follower surface 830B sits in the void created by the syringe cam flat 820B. When the half-nuts 830 are disengaged, the distance between the half-nut threads 830C and their full engagement point on the lead screw 850 is less than or equal to the arc removed from the syringe cam 820 to create the cylindrical section of the syringe cam plane 820B The length of the vector. As syringe cam 820 rotates to engage half nut 830 with lead screw 850 , pin 820D in straight, end section 835B moves the half nut toward lead screw 850 until half nut 830 at least partially engages lead screw 850 . As pin 820D moves away from end section 835B, the truncated arcuate portion of syringe cam 820 rotates onto half-nut cam follower surface 830B of half-nut 830 . The truncated arcuate portion of the syringe can push half nut 830 into full engagement with lead screw 850 and complement the movement of syringe cam pin 820D within half nut slot 835 .

Referring back to the example embodiment shown in FIG. 48A, when the syringe cam 820 has engaged, disengaged, or is transitioning the half nut 830 between engaged or disengaged positions on the lead screw 850, the syringe cam 820 is coupled to the The driven shaft 774 may not be deflected. As shown, syringe cam void 810C in half nut housing 810 supports syringe cam 820 when slider assembly 800 is fully assembled. Therefore, any force that promotes deflection of the driven shaft 774 is checked by the syringe cam 820 against the side of the syringe void 810C. This ensures that the half nut threads 830C cannot jump over the threads of the lead screw 850 under high axial loads. This also creates minimal drag as the slider assembly 800 travels with the lead screw 850 through the rotation of the lead screw 850 .

In some embodiments, the fit of half nut 830 and syringe cam 820 is adjustable. In these embodiments, a portion of syringe cam housing 810 defining syringe cam clearance 810C may have an adjustable position relative to the guide rod, such as by rotation of a set screw or other adjustment device. This may also allow the user to adjust the syringe cam 820 to an optimal or near optimal position. Alternatively, an insert could be added to the syringe void 810C, or possibly a different sized syringe cam 820 replacing the syringe cam 820, to position the half nut 830D/syringe cam 820 interface at the optimal location. In this position, syringe cam 820 may engage half nut thread 830C on lead screw 850 such that there is zero or minimal backlash, loading half nut thread 830C on lead screw 850 and creating excessive drag.

In an alternative embodiment, syringe cam pin 820D is optional. In some alternative embodiments, syringe cam pin 820D may be replaced by one or more biasing members. A biasing member may bias nut half 830 to the disengaged position. In these embodiments, rotation of syringe cam 820 may cause half nut 830 to engage or disengage lead screw 850 . When the syringe cam flat 820B does not contact the half nut cam follower surface 830B, the one or more biasing members can be overcome and the half nut threads 830C can engage the threads of the lead screw 850 . As the syringe cam flat 820B is rotated onto the half nut cam follower surface 830B, the biasing member can act as a spring return that automatically biases the half nut 830 out of engagement with the lead screw 850 and biases it in Syringe Cam Flat 820B. Syringe cam 820 may include a transition cam surface between syringe cam flat 820B and the truncated arcuate portion of syringe cam 820 to facilitate displacement of nut half 830 toward lead screw 850 . It may be desirable to use syringe cam pins 820D such that this arrangement requires less torque to engage or disengage nut half 830 than embodiments that may employ one or more biasing members instead. Some embodiments may use syringe cam pin 820D and one or more biasing members to effect engagement or disengagement of nut half 830 .

In some embodiments, a biasing member may bias half nut 830 toward the engaged position, in which case syringe cam pin 820 may be configured to lift half nut threads 830C from lead screw 850 .

In another alternative embodiment, syringe cam 820 may not include syringe cam pin 820D, and half nut 830 may not include half nut slot 835 . In such an embodiment, the syringe cam plane 820B may include a magnet, and the half nut cam follower surface 830B may also include a magnet. Instead of using the syringe cam pin 820D to pull the half nut 830 away from the lead screw 850, a magnet on the half nut cam follower surface 830B can attract to the syringe cam when the syringe cam 820 has rotated the appropriate amount magnet on flat surface 820B and pulls lead screw 850 away toward syringe cam surface 820B. In some embodiments, syringe cam 820 may be a simple bipolar magnet. In these embodiments, the syringe cam 820 can be arranged so that it can repel or attract the magnet on the half-nut cam follower surface 830B. When like poles of the magnets face each other, the half nut is forced to engage the lead screw 850 . By rotating the driven shaft 774 and thus the magnetic syringe cam 820, the opposite magnetic poles can be brought to face each other. In turn, this may cause half nut 830 to separate from lead screw 850 as it attracts to magnetic syringe cam 820 .

In some embodiments, a magnet may be configured to bias half nut 830 toward the engaged position, in which case syringe cam pin 820 may be configured to lift half nut threads 830C from lead screw 850 .

Guide rod 852 is also visible in Figure 48B. In FIG. 48B , guide rod 852 extends in an axial direction parallel to lead screw 850 . The guide rod passes through a guide rod bushing void 830A in half nut 830 . In an example embodiment, guide rod 852 is made of a strong and durable material. For example, in some embodiments guide rod 852 may be made of a material such as stainless steel. In other embodiments, guide rod 852 may be chrome plated.

Figure 49 shows a close-up view of half nut slot plate 835C. In Figure 49, the half nut slot plate 835C is transparent. Half nut slot 835 is shown within half nut slot plate 835C. As noted above, the half nut slot 835 includes an arcuate segment 835A and a straight, end segment 835B. Syringe 820 is shown behind transparent half-nut slot plate 835C. As shown, syringe cam pin 820D is located in arcuate segment 835A of half nut slot 835 . As described above, when the syringe cam pin 820D is in the arcuate segment 835A of the half nut slot 835, as shown in FIG. 48B, the half nut 830 engages the lead screw 850. Syringe cam 820 is disposed in syringe cam void 810C in half nut housing 810 . The syringe cam void 810C acts as a bushing for the syringe cam 820 and supports the syringe cam 820 .

50-52 illustrate the slider assembly 800 showing the half-nut cover 840 and the half-nut 830 transparent. In FIGS. 50-52, half nut 830 transitions from an engaged position (FIG. 50) to a disengaged position (FIG. 52). As shown in Figure 50, half nut 830 is in the engaged position. Syringe cam pin 820D is located in arcuate segment 835A of half nut slot 835 . Half nut threads 830C are at the far left extension of their range of motion (relative to FIGS. 50-52 ). Guide rod bushing 810B of half nut housing 810 protrudes through guide rod bushing void 830A of half nut 830 . As shown, guide rod bushing 810B is located at the far right end of guide rod bushing void 830A. In the example embodiment shown in Figures 50-52, guide rod bushing void 830A in half nut 830 is generally racetrack shaped.

Syringe cam 820 has been rotated such that syringe cam pin 820D is about to traverse from arcuate segment 835A of half nut slot 835 and into end segment 835B of half nut slot 835 in FIG. 51 . As shown, half nut threads 830C have not moved from the engaged position and are still at the far left extension of their range of motion (relative to FIGS. 50-52 ). Similarly, half nut 830 may not have moved relative to guide rod bushing 810B from the position shown and described with respect to FIG. 50 .

In FIG. 52 , syringe 820 has been rotated so syringe cam pin 820D has moved into straight, end section 835B of half nut slot 835 . Once the syringe cam pin 820D enters the end section 835B of the half nut slot 835, further rotation of the syringe cam 820 causes the half nut 830 to disengage, as described above. As shown, the half nuts 830 and thus the half nut threads 830 have moved from the far left extension of their range of motion (relative to FIGS. 50-52 ), and toward the right side of the page. Half nut 830 has moved relative to guide rod bushing 810B such that guide rod bushing 810B is now near the far left end of guide rod bushing void 830A.

FIG. 53 shows a cross-section of most components of an embodiment including slider assembly 800 . The slider assembly 800 is shown fully assembled in FIG. 53 . A cross-section of the lead screw 850 and the guide rod 852 is not shown in FIG. 53 . As shown, lead screw 850 passes through lead screw void 810A in half nut housing 810 and extends over lead screw slot 840D in half nut cover plate 840 . The guide rod extends through guide rod bushing 810B. Guide rod bushing 810B extends through both guide rod bushing void 830A in half nut 830 and guide rod bushing aperture 840C in half nut dry plate 840 .

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 53, half nut 830 is in a disengaged position. Half nut threads 830C are inoperably interleaved with the threads of lead screw 850 . Guide rod bushing 810B is near the top of guide rod bushing void 830A in half nut 830 . Half nut cam follower surface 830B is adjacent to or against (depending on the embodiment) syringe cam flat 820B on syringe cam 820 . Additionally, the syringe cam pin 820D is at the end of the straight, end section 835B of the half nut slot 835 cut into the half nut slot plate 835C.

FIG. 53 also shows D-shaped bore 820A of syringe cam 820 coupled to driven shaft D-joint 784 of driven shaft 74 . It can be seen that the piston tube 524 , through which the driven shaft 774 is disposed, is coupled to the slide block assembly 800 by screws extending through the piston tube cutout 802 and into the piston tube support 808 .

FIG. 54 shows a view of a portion of an embodiment of a syringe pump assembly 501 . At the left side of Figure 54, a section of piston head assembly 522 is visible. As shown in FIG. 54 , the rear face 900 of the syringe pump assembly 501 may include a rear guide rod hole 901 . The rear guide rod hole 901 may extend across the entire rear face 900 of the syringe pump assembly 501 at an angle perpendicular to the rear face 900 of the syringe pump assembly 501 . As shown, guide rod bore 901 may be substantially cylindrical.

The rear face 900 of the syringe pump assembly 501 may include a gearbox recess 902 . As shown, the gearbox depression 902 is recessed into the rear face 900 of the syringe pump assembly 501 . In an example embodiment, the gearbox depression 902 is a generally rectangular depression. In other embodiments, the gearbox depression 902 may have alternate shapes.

As shown in FIG. 54 , the anti-rotation pin 904 protrudes from the gearbox depression 902 . The anti-rotation pin 904 in the example embodiment shown in FIG. 54 is cylindrical. In alternative embodiments, anti-rotation pin 904 may take any other suitable shape. As shown in FIG. 54 , gear recess 902 in rear face 900 of syringe pump assembly 501 may also include lead screw clearance 906 . Lead screw void 906 may be cut through rear face 900 of syringe pump assembly 501 and allow at least a portion of lead screw 850 to protrude beyond rear face 900 of syringe pump assembly 501 . As shown in the example embodiment, the length of the lead screw 850 that protrudes beyond the rear face 900 of the syringe pump assembly 501 is not threaded.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 54 , it can be seen that a section of lead screw 850 has a smaller diameter than lead screw void 906 . This is desirable as it may allow rear lead screw bearing 908 to be disposed in lead screw void 906 to provide a bearing surface for lead screw 850 . In the example embodiment in FIG. 54 , a lead screw bearing is disposed in lead screw void 906 to provide a bearing surface for lead screw 850 .

As shown, the end of the length of lead screw 850 protruding from rear face 900 may include a threaded hole 910 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 54 , a gearbox attachment fastener 912 couples into a threaded hole 910 on the end of lead screw 850 . In an example embodiment, the gearbox attachment fasteners 912 are screws employing a hex head. In other embodiments, any other suitable fastener or fastener head may be used.

Another view of a portion of an embodiment of a syringe pump assembly 501 is shown in FIG. 55 . A portion of piston head assembly 522 is also visible on the left side of FIG. 55 . Gearbox 940 is shown in place in gearbox depression 902 on the rear of syringe pump assembly 501 . As shown, the anti-rotation pin 904 may protrude through an anti-rotation pin hole 942 in the gearbox 940 . Anti-rotation pin 904 ensures that gearbox 940 causes lead screw 850 to rotate and that gearbox 940 does not rotate about the axis of lead screw 850 . As shown, anti-rotation pin 942 does not help retain gear case 940 on rear face 900 of syringe pump assembly 501 . In an alternative embodiment, the anti-rotation pin 904 may have a threaded anti-rotation pin hole 944 (not shown) similar to the end of the lead screw 850 described above with respect to FIG. 54 . Anti-rotation pin gearbox fastener 945 may be threaded into threaded anti-rotation pin hole 944 to help retain gearbox 940 on rear face 900 of syringe pump assembly 501 . Gearbox 940 may be friction locked to lead screw 850 to ensure that rotation of the gears in gearbox 940 is transmitted to lead screw 850 with zero or minimal backlash.

In embodiments where syringe pump assembly 501 is removable from housing 502 (see FIG. 28 ) and replaced with another assembly, such as a peristaltic bulk pump assembly, gear box 940 is compatible with the replacement assembly.

FIG. 56 shows an embodiment of the interior of a syringe pump assembly 501 . As shown, the front 888 of the syringe pump assembly 501 is shown transparent. As shown, the guide rod 852 protrudes vertically from the inside of the rear face 900 of the syringe pump assembly 501, and toward the front of the page. Lead screw 850 may similarly protrude into the interior of syringe pump assembly 501 through the rear of lead screw bearing 908 at an angle perpendicular to the interior of rear face 900 of syringe pump assembly 501 . The guide rod 852 and the lead screw 850 may extend parallel to each other. In the example embodiment in FIG. 56, lead screw 850 is offset from guide rod 852 toward the left side of the page.

As shown, one end of the guide rod 852 is seated in the rear guide rod hole 901 . The other end of guide rod 852 sits in front 888 of syringe pump assembly 501 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 56 , the end of the guide rod 852 facing the front of the page is smaller in diameter than the remainder of the guide rod 852 . This section of guide rod 852 may be placed in guide rod bore 1002 in front face 888 of syringe pump assembly 501 when syringe pump assembly 501 is fully assembled. Guide rod aperture 1002 may extend across the entire front face 888 of syringe pump assembly 501 at an angle substantially perpendicular to front face 888 . The smaller diameter section of guide rod 852 may have a diameter slightly, but not sufficiently, smaller than the diameter of guide rod bore 1002 such that guide rod 852 may generally fit within guide rod bore 1002 when syringe pump assembly 501 is assembled. One end of guide rod 852 may be flush with the plane of front face 888 of syringe pump assembly 501 . While in the example embodiment shown in FIG. 56, both the guide rod hole 1002 and the length of guide rod 852 seated within the guide rod hole 1002 are cylindrical, in alternative embodiments, their shape may be different.

Lead screw 850 sits in lead screw depression 1000 in front 888 of syringe pump assembly 501 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 56 , the depth of lead screw depression 1000 is substantially the thickness of front face 888 of syringe pump assembly 501 . In embodiments where the depth of lead screw depression 1000 is substantially the depth of front face 888 , lobe 1004 may be raised from front face 888 of syringe pump assembly 501 to accommodate the depth of lead screw recess 1000 . As shown in FIG. 56 , the center of the circular protrusion 1004 may be concentric with the center of the cylindrical lead screw depression 1000 . In some embodiments, the edge of the lobe 1004 may extend perpendicularly from the front face 888 of the syringe pump assembly 501 to the raised lobe. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 56 , the edge of the rounded protrusion 1004 curves upwardly from the front face 888 of the syringe pump assembly 501 to the straight rounded protrusion 1004 .

As shown, lead screw depression 1000 accommodates front lead screw bearing 1006 , which surrounds one end of lead screw 850 and provides a bearing surface for lead screw 850 . In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 56 , Belleville washers 1008 may sit on the bottom of lead screw depression 1000 . Belleville washers 1008 ensure that lead screw 850 does not "live" when lead screw 850 is seated in lead screw depression 1000 .

In some embodiments, the Belleville washer 1008 may be replaced by a non-compliant end cap that loads the front lead screw bearing 1006 against the lead screw 850 . In these embodiments, the end cap can be threaded on its outer diameter. The lead screw depression 1000 may feature complementary threads into which the end cap may be screwed. Likewise, the end caps also ensure that the lead screw 850 does not "live" when the lead screw 850 is seated in the lead screw depression 1000 .

FIG. 57 shows a view of the interior of syringe pump assembly 501 . The front face 888 shown as transparent in Fig. 56 is absent in Fig. 57A. As shown, the slider assembly 800 described above is in place in the syringe pump assembly 501 . Guide rod 852 extends through guide rod bushing 810B in half nut housing 810 . When the half nut 830 is separated from the lead screw 850 , the sliding block assembly 800 can freely slide around the axial direction of the guide rod 852 .

Movement of slider assembly 800 is also guided by syringe pump assembly rails 1010 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 57 , syringe pump assembly rail 1010 extends from the inner surface of syringe hub 506 . The syringe pump assembly rail 1010 is shaped such that the half nut housing groove 810F and the cover plate groove 840B on the slider assembly 800 can fit on the syringe pump assembly rail 1010 and slide along the syringe pump assembly rail 1010 . Syringe pump assembly rail 1010 also ensures that slider assembly 800 cannot rotate within syringe pump assembly 501 . In embodiments where syringe pump assembly housing 503 is formed by extrusion, syringe pump assembly rail 1010 may be formed as part of the extrusion.

As shown in FIG. 57 , when the nut half 830 of the slider assembly 800 engages the screw 850 , the screw 850 can cause the slider assembly 800 to move linearly in the axial direction of the screw 850 . In order to cause the slider assembly 800 to move linearly, the lead screw 850 must rotate. In the example embodiment in FIG. 57 , due to the thread pitch of lead screw 850 , rotational motion of lead screw 850 causes half nut 830 and thus slider assembly 800 to move along lead screw 850 . The amount of linear movement per 360° rotation of the lead screw 850 may vary depending on the pitch of the threads of the lead screw 850 which may vary in various embodiments.

As noted above, half nut housing 810 of slider assembly 800 may include one or more limit switches 810G. Limit switch 810G is not shown in the example embodiment in FIG. 57 , but it is indicated that limit switch 810G may be located on the front of half nut housing 810 . In other embodiments, there may be multiple limit switches 810G, which may be arranged around other portions of slider assembly 800 . In embodiments where a limit switch may be disposed on the front of half nut housing 810, limit switch 810G may prevent slider assembly 800 from being driven into front 888 of syringe pump assembly 501 (as shown in FIG. 56 ). .

In embodiments including limit switches 810G, limit switches 810G may be microswitches, although Hall sensors and magnetic, optical sensors, etc. may also be used. In embodiments where limit switch 810G comprises a microswitch, the microswitch may be actuated when slider assembly 800 approaches a predetermined position along lead screw 850 . In some embodiments, when limit switch 810G is in the actuated position, lead screw 850 may not rotate further, thereby not advancing slider assembly 800 in the direction of the predetermined position.

As shown in FIG. 57 , the syringe pump assembly 501 may additionally include a slider linear position sensor 1050 to determine the position of the slider assembly 800 on the lead screw 850 . In some embodiments, slider linear position sensor 1050 may be used to determine the amount of content remaining in syringe 504 that may be in place on syringe pump assembly 501 . In these embodiments, slider linear position sensor 1050 may be used to determine the metered volume of syringe 504, or may be used as a "barometer" that produces a more approximate volume reading of syringe 504 contents.

In some embodiments, slider linear position sensor 1050 may comprise a linear potentiometer. In these embodiments, the wiper of the slider linear position sensor 1050 may be arranged so that it slides across the resistive element of the potentiometer, with the slider assembly 800 moving along the lead screw 850 . The resistance measured by slider linear position sensor 1050 can be used to determine the position of slider assembly 800 along lead screw 850 .

In some embodiments, including the example embodiment shown in FIG. 57 , slider linear position sensor 1050 may include a slider magnetic linear position sensor 1054 array. Slider magnetic linear position sensor 1054 may be any suitable magnetic linear position sensor. An example of a suitable magnetic linear position sensor is the "AS5410 Absolute Linear 3D Hall Encoder" commercially available from Austriamicrosystems, Austria. As shown, slider assembly 800 may include slider assembly magnet 1056 mounted at an appropriate distance from slider magnetic linear position sensor 1054 and may be used in conjunction with slider magnetic linear position sensor 1054 array to determine slippage Position of block assembly 800 on lead screw 850 . In some embodiments, the position of slider magnetic linear position sensor 1054 may vary. As shown, the slider 800 includes a second magnet 1057 arranged to interact with the slider magnetic linear position sensor 1054 when it is arranged in alternate positions.

FIG. 57B shows an example of a possible linear position sensor 1100 arrangement for estimating the position of slider assembly 800 . In an example linear position sensor 1100 arrangement, the linear position sensor 1100 comprises an array of magnetic linear position sensors 1102, such as the aforementioned "AS5410 Absolute Linear 3D HallEncoder" commercially available from Austriamicrosystems, Austria. Position changing block 1104 (eg, sliding block assembly 800 ) is shown in position along position changing block lead screw 1106 . The position change block arm 1108 protruding from the page is indicated with a dashed line defining its rightmost edge. As position changing block 1104 moves with lead screw 1106 , an object attached to position changing block arm 1108 may be caused to move with position changing block 1104 . The position change block 1104 in FIG. 57B may be considered as the slider assembly 800 in FIG. 57A.

In the example linear position sensor 1100 arrangement shown in FIG. 57B , the position changing mass 1104 includes a position changing mass magnet 1110 . As shown, the position changing block magnets are located on the face of the position changing block closest to the array of magnetic linear position sensors 1102 . The position changing mass magnet 1110 is a bipolar magnet. The north pole of the position changing block magnet 1110 is oriented to face the right side of the page, while the south pole faces to the left side of the page. As the position changing mass 1104 moves together with the position changing mass lead screw 1106, the position changing mass magnet 1110 also moves. This motion may be measured by the array of magnetic linear position sensors 1102 and analyzed to determine the absolute position of the position changing block 1104 along the position changing block lead screw 1106 . In some embodiments, an array of magnetic linear position sensors 1102 may be used to determine differential motion of position changing mass 1104 .

As shown in FIG. 58, an embodiment of the assembled slider assembly 800 is shown with the half-nut cover plate 840 (see FIG. 48) removed. Half nut 830 is shown in an engaged position, and is shown transparent so that half nut housing 810 and syringe cam 820 behind it can be viewed. The driven shaft D-joint 784 of the driven shaft 774 is shown seated in the D-shaped aperture 820A of the syringe cam 820 . The driven shaft 774 extends through the piston tube 524 that couples the slider assembly 800 and the piston head assembly 522 together.

Referring back to FIG. 42 , the driven shaft 774 is coupled into the dual universal joint 772 . The double universal joint 772 converts any rotational motion from the turntable 530 rotating the turntable shaft 650 to rotational motion of the driven shaft 774 . The rotational movement of the driven shaft 774 in turn causes the syringe cam 820 to rotate. Rotation of the syringe cam 820 engages or disengages the aforementioned half nut 830 .

As also described above, rotation of the dial 530 causes linear displacement of the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 . Thus, the turntable 530 is multifunctional. When rotated, dial 530 engages or disengages nut half 830 and opens or closes upper piston clamp jaw 526 and lower piston clamp jaw 528 . It should be appreciated that arcuate segment 835A of half nut slot 835 is shaped such that half nut 830 does not begin to separate until upper piston clamp jaw 526 and lower piston clamp jaw 528 have released upper piston clamp jaw 526 and lower piston clamp The largest piston flange 548 (not shown) that the jaw 528 may accept. When the piston flange 548 (not shown) has been loosened and the nut half 830 has been disengaged, the turntable shaft cam follower 658 on the turntable shaft 650 may seat on the turntable of the turntable shaft cam 654 described with respect to FIG. Shaft cam detent 660 in. As described in the detailed description of FIG. 43, this will allow the user to "park" the dial 530 in the fully rotated position with the nut halves 830 disengaged and the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 in the fully open position. In the example embodiment shown in Figure 58, when the dial 530 is in the "park" position, the user can remove their hand from the dial 530 and easily adjust the plunger head assembly 552 so that the syringe 504 (not shown out) onto the syringe pump assembly 501 (see FIGS. 30-34 for an example illustration and discussion of deploying the syringe 504 onto the syringe pump assembly 501).

FIG. 59A shows an embodiment of a syringe pump assembly 501 . As shown, syringe pump assembly 501 is fully assembled. Syringe 504 sits on injection seat 506 of syringe pump assembly housing 503 . Gearbox 940 is shown in place on syringe pump assembly 501 . Also shown is the motor 1200 driving the gearbox 940 coupled to the gearbox 940 . A main printed circuit board (PCB) 1150 is shown transparently on the syringe pump assembly 501 . The main PCB 1150 is coupled to the syringe pump assembly housing 503 . In an example embodiment, the flexible connector 562 extending from the slider assembly 800 is connected to the main PCB 1150 . The electrical system including the main PCB will be described in Figures 59A-59J.

The electrical system 4000 of the syringe pump 500 (see FIG. 28 ) is depicted in block schematic diagrams in FIGS. 59B-59J . Electrical system 4000 controls the operation of syringe pump 500 based on inputs from user interface 3700 and sensors 3501 . Electrical system 4000 includes a power system consisting of a rechargeable main battery 3420 and a battery charger 3422 that plugs into an AC power source. The electrical system 4000 is architected to provide safe operation with redundant safety checks and to allow the syringe pump 500 to operate in a fail-safe mode of operation for some faults and in a fail-safe mode for other faults.

A high-level architecture of multiple processors is shown in the last block diagram detailing electrical system 4000 in FIG. 59J. In one example, electrical system 4000 is comprised of two main processors, real-time processor 3500 and user interface/security processor 3600 . Electrical system 4000 may also include watchdog circuitry 3460, motor control components 3431, sensors 3501, and input/output components. A main processor, called a real-time processor (hereinafter RTP) 3500, controls the speed and position of the motor 1200 that rotates the lead screw 850 (see FIG. 48B). The RTP 3500 may control the motor 1200 based on inputs from sensors 3501 and commands from a user interface & security processor (hereinafter UIP) 3600 . UIP 3600 can manage telecommunications devices, manage user interface 3701 , and provide security checks over RTP 3500 . The UIP 3600 can estimate the volume pumped based on the output of the motor encoder 1202 and can signal an alarm or warning when the estimated volume differs from the expected volume or the volume reported by the RTP 3500 by more than a certain amount. Watchdog circuit 3460 monitors RTP 3500 functionality. If RTP 3500 does not clear watchdog circuit 3460 as planned, watchdog circuit 3460 can deactivate motor controller 3431 , sound an alarm, and turn on one or more fault lights at user interface 3701 . The RTP 3500 uses sensor inputs to control the position and speed of the motor 1200 in a closed loop controller (described further below). The telecommunications device may include: WIFI drivers and antennas to communicate with a central computer or accessories; Bluetooth drivers and antennas to communicate with accessories, tablet computers, cell phones, etc.; and Near Field Communication (NFC) drivers and antennas for RFID tasks and bluetooth. These components are collectively referred to by reference numeral 3721 in FIG. 59J . User interface 3701 may include display 514 (see FIG. 28). In some embodiments, display 514 may be a touch screen. In some embodiments, user interface 3701 may include one or more buttons or a data input device 516 (see FIG. 28 ) through which a user communicates with syringe pump 500 .

The detailed electrical connections and components of the electrical system 4000 are shown in Figures 59B-59I. Figures 59B-59I also show a number of wiring traces 5000-5169 leading into and out of various components. A number of sensors of syringe pump 500 are shown in Figure 59B. As shown, a piston position sensor 3950, a syringe diameter sensor 3951, a piston capture potentiometer sensor 3952, a piston force sensor 3953, and other sensors 3954 are shown. Piston position sensor 3950 may be any piston position sensor described herein. The syringe diameter sensor 3951 may be the syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 described below. Piston capture potentiometer sensor 3952 need not be a potentiometer sensor in all embodiments. In some embodiments, the piston capture potentiometer sensor 3952 may be the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 described herein. The piston force sensor 3953 may be the piston pressure sensor 532 described herein. The plunger capture potentiometer sensor 3952 may be a switch that detects the loading of the syringe 504 into the injection receptacle 506 . The above-mentioned sensors may send indications and their signals detected by them to RTP 3500 or another component, respectively.

As shown in Figure 59C, thermistor 3540 may provide a signal to RTP 3500 indicative of the temperature of the infusion fluid in the infusion line. Alternatively, thermistor 3540 may measure the temperature in syringe pump 500 or the temperature of circuit 4000 . In various embodiments, suitable replacement components may be used in place of certain parts listed in FIGS. 59B-59I. In some embodiments, electrical system 4000 may include additional components. In some embodiments, electrical system 4000 may include fewer components than those shown in FIGS. 59B-59J .

Two sensors that may be located downstream of the syringe pump 500 are shown in Figure 59C. One sensor is the in-line air sensor 3545. The other is an occlusion sensor 3535. Both are connected to RTP 3500. These sensors are optional. Inline air sensor 3545 may detect the presence of air in the section of infusion tubing in the vicinity of inline air sensor 3545 . In an example embodiment, the air-in-duct sensor 3545 may include an ultrasonic sensor 3545B, a logic unit 3545A, and a signal conditioning unit 3545C. In some embodiments, syringe pump 500 may not include inline air sensor 3545 .

Occlusion sensor 3535 may measure the internal pressure of the infusion fluid within the infusion tubing. In some embodiments, the occlusion sensor 3535 may be the downstream pressure sensor 513 described herein. In an example embodiment, the occlusion sensor 3535 may include a force sensor 3535B, an amplifier 3535A, a signal amplifier 3535C, and a buffer 3535D. Snubber 3535D protects RTP 3500 from overvoltages caused by large forces generated by pressure applied to force sensor 3535B. In alternative embodiments, the occlusion sensor 3535 may be different.

A watchdog circuit 3460 is shown in Figure 59D. Watchdog circuit 3460 can be enabled by an I2C command from RTP 3500 . If a signal of a particular frequency is not received from RTP 3500, watchdog circuit 3460 may issue an error signal and deactivate motor controller 3430 (eg, via chip 3434). Watchdog circuit 3460 may signal the user via an audible alarm. The audible alarm may be sounded by amplifier 3464 and/or backup speaker 3468 only. If an abnormal condition is detected, the watchdog circuit 3460 can signal the user via a visual alarm LED 3750 (as shown in Figure 59F). In one embodiment, the RTP 3500 must "clear" the watchdog circuit 3460 every 10 ms to 200 ms after the watchdog circuit 3460 was last cleared. In some embodiments, the watchdog circuit 3460 consists of a windowed watchdog 3460A, a logic circuit 3460B (possibly including one or more flip-chip switches), and an IO expander 3460C that communicates with the RTP 3500 via the I2C bus. In the event of failure of the main battery 3420 (see FIG. 59E ), the backup battery 3450 (see FIG. 59C ) may power the watchdog circuit 3460 and backup speaker system (possibly including an audio amplifier 3464 and a backup speaker 3468). A backup battery 3450 can power the RTP 3500 and UIP 3600 to maintain internal timekeeping, which is particularly desirable when the main battery 3420 is replaced. RTP 3500 may also monitor backup battery 3450 voltage with a switch, such as "FAIRCHILD FPF1005 LOAD SWITCH" 3452 shown in FIG. 59C.

The RTP 3500 directly controls the speed and position of the motor 1200 . The motor 1200 may be any of many types of motors 1200, such as a brushed DC motor, a stepper motor, or a brushless DC motor. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 59B-59J , the syringe pump 500 is driven by a brushless direct current (BLDC) servo motor 1200 . In one example embodiment, the RTP 3500 receives signals from the Hall sensors 3436 of the brushless DC motor 1200 and makes calculations to rectify power to the windings of the motor 1200 to achieve a desired speed or position. The commutation signal may be sent to a motor controller 3430 which selectively connects the windings to a motor power supply 3434 . Motor 1200 may be monitored for damaged or dangerous operation by current sensor 3432 and temperature sensor 1200A.

Signals from Hall sensor 3436 may be provided to RTP 3500 and encoder 1202 . In one embodiment, three Hall signals are generated. Any two of the three Hall signals can be sent to the encoder 1202 . Encoder 1202 may use these signals to provide position signals to UIP 3600 . From the encoder 1202 position signal, the UIP 3600 estimates the total volume of fluid dispensed by the syringe pump 500 . In some particular embodiments, each syringe pump 500 may be calibrated during assembly to establish a nominal volume/stroke that may be stored in memory. Then, possibly at regular intervals, the UIP 3600 estimated volume is compared to the volume expected for the ordered therapy. In some embodiments, the interval between comparisons may be shorter for different infusion fluids, such as short half-cycle infusion fluids. The therapy may specify parameters such as flow rate, duration, and total volume to be infused (VTBI). In any event, the expected volume can be calculated based on the programmed therapy at a given time during the therapy and compared to the UIP 3600 estimated volume. If the difference between the UIP 3600 estimated volume and the expected volume for treatment is outside a predetermined threshold, the UIP 3600 may signal an alarm or warning. If the difference between the UIP 3600 estimated volume and the expected volume for treatment is outside another predetermined threshold, the UIP 3600 may signal a warning.

The UIP 3600 may also compare the estimated volume with the volume reported by the RTP 3500. If the UIP 3600 estimated volume and the RTP 3500 reported volume are outside predetermined thresholds, the UIP 3600 may signal a warning. If the UIP 3600 estimated volume and the RTP 3500 reported volume are outside the second threshold, the UIP 3600 may signal a warning.

In some embodiments, UIP 3600 may compare the volume reported by RTP 3500 to the expected volume for treatment and signal an alert if the two values differ by more than a predetermined threshold. If the difference between the RTP 3500 reported volume and the expected volume for treatment exceeds another predetermined threshold, the UIP 3600 may signal a warning. For comparisons between different volume sets, the values for the alert and warning thresholds may be different. Threshold values may be stored in memory. Thresholds may vary depending on many different parameters, such as but not limited to drug, drug concentration, clinical usage, patient, type of treatment, or location. Thresholds can be predetermined in the DERS (Medication Error Reduction System) database and downloaded from the Device Gateway server.

Optionally, in some embodiments, the rotation of the motor threaded screw 1200 can be estimated using a rotary encoder 5430 . The motor sensor 5430 may be formed on the shaft of the motor 1200 by magnets, with Hall effect sensors nearby to estimate the position of the threaded shaft.

An RFID tag 3670 (see FIG. 59E ) can be connected to the UIP 3600 and the near field antenna 3955 by the I2C bus. A medical technician or other user or person may use RFID tag 3670 to capture or store information when syringe pump 500 is in an unpowered state. The UIP 3600 can store maintenance records, error codes, etc. in the RFID tag 3670. RFID readers can access stored maintenance records, error codes, and more. For example, a medical technician may examine a stored unpowered syringe pump 500 with an RFID reader and estimate that the syringe pump 500 is not operating to account for the RFID tag 3670 . In another example, a medical technician or other person may perform repairs on syringe pump 500 and store any relevant repair information in RFID tag 3670 . UIP 3600 may then pick out the last service information from RFID tag 3670 and store it in memory 3605 (see Figure 59E).

Main battery 3420 may supply full power to syringe pump 500 . Main power supply 3420 may be connected to motor power supply 3434 via system power gating element 3424 . All sensors and processors described herein are powered by one of several voltage regulators 3428 (see Figure 59E). The main battery 3420 can be charged from an AC power source via a battery charger 3422 and an AC/DC converter 3426 . UIP 3600 is connected to one or more memory chips 3605 .

The UIP 3600 controls the main audio system, which includes the main speaker 3615 and audio chips 3610 (audio codec), 3612 (audio amplifier) (see Figure 59E). The main audio system may be able to produce a series of sounds to indicate an alarm or warning, for example. The audio system may also provide confirmation sounds to facilitate and enhance user interaction with the display 514 and/or data input device 516 (see FIG. 28 ). The primary audio system may include a microphone 3617 that may be used to confirm the operation of the primary speaker 3615 as well as the backup speaker 3468. The primary audio system may generate one or more tones, modulation sequences, and/or sound patterns, and the audio codec chip 3610 may compare the signal received from the microphone 3617 with the signal sent to the primary speaker 3615 . Using one or more tones and comparing signals may allow the system to verify the functionality of the main speaker 3615 independently of any ambient noise. Alternatively, the UIP 3600 or the audio codec 3610 may verify that the microphone 3617 is simultaneously producing a signal while sending the signal to the speaker amplifier 3612 .

The UIP 3600 is available with a range of different wireless signals for different purposes. UIP 3600 can communicate with the hospital wireless network via dual-band WiFi using chips 3621 , 3620 and 3622 and antennas 3720 and 3722 . Spatially diverse dual broadband may be desirable as it may be able to overcome dead spots in the room due to multipath and cancellation. The hospital device gateway can communicate DERS, CQI (continuous quality improvement), prescriptions, patient data, etc. to the syringe pump 500 via the WiFi system.

A Bluetooth system using the same chips 3621, 3620, and 3622 (see FIG. 59E ) and antennas 3720 and 3722 (see FIG. 59F ) can provide a convenient method of connecting the following accessories to the syringe pump 500, which can include pulse oximeters, blood pressure reading reader, barcode reader, tablet computer, phone, and more. Bluetooth can include version 4.0 to allow low power accessories that can communicate with syringe pump 500 periodically, such as a continuous glucose meter that sends an update once a minute.

The NFC system may consist of an NFC controller 3624 (see FIG. 59E ) and an antenna 3724 (see FIG. 59F ). NFC controller 3624 may also be referred to as an RFID reader. The NFC system can be used to identify RDID chips for medication or other invention information. RFID can also be used to identify patients and caregivers. The NFC controller 3624 can also interact with a similar RFID reader on, for example, a phone or tablet computer, to enter information including prescriptions, barcode information, patient, caregiver identities, and the like. The NFC controller 3624 can also provide information such as the history or maintenance status of the syringe pump 500 to the phone or tablet computer. The RFID antennas 3720 and 3722 and/or the NFC antenna 3724 are preferably positioned around or near the display 514 screen so that either reading the RFID chip or interacting with the touch screen display 514 or other data input device 516 near the display, interacts with the syringe pump 500 All of the interactions occur on or near the display 514.

The UIP 3600 can include a medical grade connector 3665 (see FIG. 591 ) so that other medical devices can be inserted into the syringe pump 500 and provide additional capabilities. Connector 3665 may embody a USB interface.

Display 514 may include RFID antennas 3720, 3722, NFC antenna 3724, display 514, touch screen 3735, LCD backlight driver 3727, light sensor 3740, 16 channel LED driver 3745, LED indicator lights 3747 and 3749, and three buttons 3760, 3765 , 3767. The buttons may be collectively referred to herein as data input devices 516 . The display 514 may include a backlight 3727 and an ambient light sensor 3740 to allow the brightness of the display 514 to automatically respond and/or adjust to the ambient light. The first button 3760 may be a "power" button, while the other button 3765 may be an infusion stop button. These buttons 3760, 3765 may not provide direct control of the syringe pump 500, but instead provide a signal to the UIP 3600 to start or terminate an infusion. The third button 3767 can mute the alarm or warning from the main speaker 3615 as well as the backup speaker 3468. Silencing the alarm or warning will not clear the error, but will terminate the audible alarm or warning. The electrical system 4000 described above, or alternative embodiments of the electrical system 4000 described above, may be used with the syringe pump 500 described herein.

FIG. 60 shows an example embodiment of a syringe pump assembly 501 . In Figure 60, the syringe pump assembly housing 503 shown in Figure 59A has been removed. As shown, syringe pump 504 is in place on syringe pump assembly 501 and is held by syringe holder 518 . Slider assembly 800 is located approximately midway along the axial length of lead screw 850 . Since plunger tube 524 connects slider assembly 800 to plunger head assembly 522 , plunger head assembly 522 is in a position that has caused syringe plunger 544 to dispense approximately half of the contents of syringe 504 .

As shown, motor 1200 is operably coupled to gearbox 940 in FIG. 60 . The rotation of the motor 1200 is transmitted through the gear box 940 to drive the screw 850 to rotate. As described above, half nut 830 engages lead screw 850 as upper piston clamp jaw 526 and lower piston clamp jaw 528 close on piston flange 548 . Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 60 , the slider assembly 800 will travel the axial length of the lead screw 850 as the motor 1200 causes the lead screw 850 to rotate. As the motor 1200 rotates the lead screw 850, causing the slider assembly 800 to move toward the left side of the page (relative to FIG. left displacement. As the plunger head assembly 522 is displaced toward the left side of the page, the syringe plunger 544 is advanced into the barrel 540 of the syringe 504 and the contents of the syringe are dispensed.

The motor 1200 may be a suitable motor 1200 . As shown in Figure 59A, a low profile flat motor 1200 may be used to drive the lead screw 850 in rotation. The embodiment shown in FIG. 60 does not use a flat motor 1200 . The motor 1200 shown in Figure 60 is a replacement motor that also has Hall sensors 3436 to inform the motor 1200 of commutation. As shown in FIG. 60 , motor 1200 may include magnets on a rotor detected by rotary encoder 1202 . The rotary encoder 1202 may be any one of various suitable rotary encoders 1202, such as the AS5055 produced by Austrianmicrosystems, Austria. In some embodiments, rotary encoder 1202 may be a magnet. A rotary encoder 1202 may be used to monitor the rotation of the lead screw 850 . Information from the rotary encoder 1202 can be used to determine when a given amount of the contents of the syringe 504 has been dispensed. Additionally, rotary encoder 1202 may be used to determine the position of slider assembly 800 on lead screw 850 .

To ensure that the rotary encoder 1202 is operating properly, a self-test may be performed. Motor 1200 may be powered to reciprocate slider assembly 800 along the distance of lead screw 850 . Measurements from the rotary encoder 1202 can be verified with measurements from the slider assembly linear position sensor 1050 . The same self-test can also be used to verify that the Hall sensor 3436 of the brushless motor 1200 is operating properly.

As noted above, syringe pump 500 includes a number of sensor redundancies. This allows syringe pump 500 to operate in a fail-safe mode of operation if desired. In the event of a rotary encoder 1202 failure, the Hall sensor 3436 of the brush motor 1200 is used in a failure mode of operation to measure the dispensing of the contents of the syringe 504 by rotation of the motor 1200 and provide a feedback signal to the motor controller. Alternatively, the position of the slider assembly 800 along the lead screw 850 may be used in a fault mode of operation to measure the dispensing of the contents of the syringe 504 via the position of the slider assembly 800 and provide a feedback signal to the controller. Alternatively, a slider assembly linear position sensor 1050 may be used to monitor the dispensing of the contents of the syringe 504 via the position of the slider assembly 800 on the lead screw and provide a feedback signal to the controller. In some embodiments, the motor Hall sensor 3436 or the linear slider assembly linear position sensor 1050 may be used to monitor the position of the slider assembly 800 on the lead screw to avoid driving the slider assembly 800 on the pump frame.

In the event of a rotary encoder 1020 failure, the syringe pump 500 may end the therapy, if ongoing, and not allow the user to start another therapy until the syringe pump 500 has been serviced. In the event of rotary encoder 1020 failure, syringe pump 500 may sound an alarm. In some embodiments, if rotary encoder 1202 fails, and motor 1200 is being used to infuse fluid at a low flow rate, syringe pump 500 may not stop therapy. If such a failure occurs, the syringe pump 500 can sound an alarm, and if a therapy is in progress, the syringe pump 500 can stop the therapy and not allow the user to start another therapy until the syringe pump 500 has been serviced. The controller of syringe pump 500 may make its decision to continue therapy based on the risk level of the infusion fluid being delivered to the patient. If the risk of not infusing the user is greater than the risk of infusing with less precision, the syringe pump 500 will infuse in the fail mode of operation.

FIG. 61 shows the small volume syringe 504 in place on the syringe pump assembly 501 . Only a small portion of syringe pump assembly 501 is visible in FIG. 61 . As shown, syringe 504 is held in position against injection seat 506 by syringe clamp 518 . Syringe flange 542 is clamped in place against syringe pump assembly 501 by syringe flange clip 520 . Syringe flange clip 520 is slightly offset from the rest of syringe pump assembly 501 such that there is a small gap between syringe pump assembly 501 and syringe flange clip 420 . The user may also place syringe flange 542 into the small gap between syringe pump assembly 501 and syringe flange clip 520 when the user positions syringe 504 on syringe seat 506 .

As shown in Figure 61, the outer edge of the syringe flange clip 520 exits towards the left side of the page. This helps guide syringe flange 542 into the gap between syringe flange clip 520 and syringe pump assembly 501 . The syringe flange clip 520 may also include one or more cutouts 521 . In the example embodiment in FIG. 61 , the cutout 521 of the syringe flange clip includes two valleys. The first valley is recessed into the center section of the outer edge of the syringe flange clip 520 . The second trough of the lowermost section recessed into the first trough is much smaller and narrower. In other embodiments, the cutout 521 may be of a different size, shape, etc. FIG. The plunger 544 of the small syringe 504 in FIG. In the absence of the cutout 521 in the syringe flange clip 520, the plunger 544 of the syringe 504 would contact the outer edge of the syringe flange clip 520 and prevent the user from arranging the syringe flange 542 to the syringe flange clip. 520 and the syringe pump assembly 501 in the gap.

FIG. 62 shows the large volume syringe 504 in place on the syringe pump assembly 501 . Only a small portion of syringe pump assembly 501 is visible in FIG. 62 . As shown, syringe 504 is held in place against injection seat 506 by syringe clamp 518 . Syringe flange 542 is clamped in place against syringe pump assembly 501 by syringe flange clip 520 . Syringe flange clip 520 is slightly offset from the rest of syringe pump assembly 501 such that there is a small gap between syringe pump assembly 501 and syringe flange clip 420 . The user may also place syringe flange 542 into the small gap between syringe pump assembly 501 and syringe flange clip 520 when the user positions syringe 504 on syringe seat 506 .

As shown in FIG. 62 , the syringe flange clip 520 also includes a generally semicircular depression 519 that thins the syringe flange clip 520 . A generally semi-circular depression 519 may be included to accommodate a plunger flange 548 (not shown) of the syringe 504 . In embodiments where the syringe flange clip 520 includes a generally circular depression 519 , the piston 544 can be advanced a distance equal to the depth that the semicircular depression 519 penetrates further into the syringe 540 . This is desirable as it allows more of the contents of syringe 504 to be administered to the patient.

As shown in FIG. 62 , the syringe flange clip 520 may include a syringe flange sensor 700 . Syringe flange sensor 700 may consist of any number of suitable sensors. In some embodiments, the syringe flange sensor 700 may operate in a binary (yes/no) manner to indicate whether the syringe flange 542 is clamped by the syringe flange clamp 520 . In some embodiments, syringe flange sensor 700 may include a microswitch that is actuated upon placement of syringe flange 524 in the gap between syringe pump assembly 501 and syringe flange clamp 520 . In other embodiments, the syringe flange sensor 700 may comprise a photoelectric sensor. In these embodiments, the syringe flange sensor 700 may indicate that the syringe flange 542 is clamped in place when the light source is obstructed. In other embodiments, the syringe flange sensor 700 may be composed of different sensors than those described above. Where other sensors, such as the plunger clamp jaw position sensor 588 (described above) or the syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 (see FIG. 66 ), detect a replacement injection when the syringe flange sensor 700 does not detect that the syringe 504 is in place. The syringe 504 of the pump assembly 501, and an attempt to initiate therapy may cause the syringe flange sensor 700 to generate an alarm.

FIG. 63 shows an embodiment of a portion of a syringe holder 518 . As shown in FIG. 63 , the syringe holder 518 includes a syringe holder housing 1500 . In an example embodiment, the syringe holder housing 1500 has a planar base plate 1502 . The planar base plate 1502 includes a syringe holder housing member 1504 at its left end (relative to FIG. 63 ). Syringe holder housing member 1504 protrudes from the bottom of syringe holder housing 1500 at an angle substantially perpendicular to the plane of planar base plate 1502 . Syringe holder housing member 1504 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the entire length of the left end of planar base plate 1502 . In some embodiments, syringe holder housing member 1504 may take the form of a rectangular prism. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 63, the syringe holder housing member 1504 has an approximately rectangular prism form, but the bottom edge of the syringe holder housing member 1504 has been rounded.

As shown in Figure 63, the planar base plate 1502 has base plate slots 1506 cut into it. Base plate slot 1506 is cut into planar base plate 1502 from the left edge (relative to FIG. 63 ) of planar base plate 1502 . Base plate slot 1506 may extend into planar base plate 1502 at an angle substantially perpendicular to the left edge of planar base plate 1502 . The base plate slot does not extend all the way across the planar base plate 1502 and stops short of reaching the right edge.

On the sides of the base plate slot 1506, one or more syringe holder housing posts 1508 may be provided. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 63 , four syringe holder housing posts 1508 flank the base plate slots 1506 . The four syringe holder housing posts 1508 are split such that there are two syringe holder housing posts 1508 on each side of the base plate slot 1506 . A syringe holder housing post 1508 extends substantially perpendicularly from the top surface of the planar base plate 1502 toward the top of the page. The syringe holder housing post 1508 in the example embodiment shown in FIG. 63 has the form of a rectangular prism. In alternative embodiments, the syringe housing post 1508 may be cylindrical, or have any other suitable shape.

Planar base plate 1502 may also include one or more syringe holder housing bodies 1510 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 63 , there are two syringe holder housing bodies 1510 . The syringe holder housing body 1510 extends vertically from the top of the planar base plate 1502 towards the top of the page. The syringe holder housing body 1510 has the form of a rectangular prism. As shown, the syringe holder housing body 1510 can depend from the right edge of the planar base plate 1502 . The syringe holder housing body 1510 may include a side that is flush with either the front or rear edge of the planar base plate 1502 (relative to FIG. 63 ).

In some embodiments, the syringe holder housing 1500 can include a “T” shaped member 1512 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 63, the stem of the "T" shaped member extends from the right edge of the planar base plate 1502 toward the right side of the page. “T” shaped member 1512 may extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to planar base plate 1502 . In an example embodiment, a “T” shaped member 1512 protrudes approximately from the center of the right edge of the planar base plate 1502 . The intersection of “T” shaped member 1512 is generally parallel to the right edge of planar base plate 1502 . The intersection of the "T" shaped member 1512 depends equally from the rod on both sides of the rod.

As shown in FIG. 63 , syringe holder rail 1514 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the right side of syringe holder housing member 1504 and into the left side of the depending intersection of “T” shaped member 1512 . The syringe holder rails 1514 may extend substantially parallel to each other. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 63 , a coil spring 1516 surrounds each syringe holder rail 1514 . One end of each coil spring 1516 may rest on the left side of the intersection of the "T" shaped member 1512 . In an example embodiment, coil spring 1516 is a compression spring. In alternative embodiments, other biasing members or arrangements of biasing members may be employed.

As shown in the embodiment in FIG. 63 , a syringe holder printed circuit board (PCB) 1518 may be held in place on the syringe holder housing post 1508 . The syringe holder PCB may be coupled in place on the syringe holder housing post 1508 by any suitable means. In the example embodiment shown in Figure 63, the syringe holder PCB is coupled to the syringe holder housing post 1508 by screws.

FIG. 64 shows an embodiment of a portion of a syringe holder 518 . In the embodiment shown in Figure 64, the syringe holder PCB 1518 shown in Figure 63 has been removed. As shown in FIG. 64 , the base plate slot 1506 can extend down into the syringe holder housing member 1504 . Base plate slot 1508 may include base plate notch catch 1520 . In embodiments where the base plate slot 1508 includes a base plate notch catch 1520 , the base plate notch catch 1520 may be a void in the planar base plate 1502 of the syringe holder housing 1500 . In an example embodiment, the void of base plate slot catch 1520 extends from the right end section of base plate slot 1508 at an angle substantially perpendicular to one side of base plate slot 1508 .

The syringe holder 518 also includes a syringe holder arm 1522 . In the example embodiment shown in Figure 64, the syringe holder arm 1522 extends through an approximately sized hole in the approximate center of the "T" shaped member 1512 (only the "T" shaped member 1512 is visible in Figure 64 rod). Syringe holder arm 1522 may be movably coupled to syringe holder 518 . In embodiments where syringe holder arm 1522 is movably coupled to syringe holder 518 , syringe holder arm 1522 is movable in a direction parallel to the edge of the stem of “T” shaped member 1512 . In the example embodiment in Figure 64, the syringe holder arm 1522 is slidable along and uses the hole in the "T" shaped member 1512 as a linear motion bearing. In an example embodiment, the syringe holder arm 1522 is longer than the length of the stem of the “T” shaped member 1512 .

As shown in FIG. 64 , one end of the syringe holder arm 1522 can include a collar, which can be a “U” shaped member 1524 . “U” shaped member 1524 can be fixedly coupled to syringe holder arm 1522 . In an example embodiment, the bottom section of the "U" shaped member 1524 is thicker than the upright portion of the "U" shaped member 1524 . The thick bottomed section of "U" shaped member 1524 includes holes that allow coupling of "U" shaped member 1524 to syringe holder arm 1522 when syringe holder 518 is assembled. In an example embodiment, the upright portion of “U” shaped member 1524 extends upwardly through base plate slot 1506 and is substantially flush with the plane of the top surface of planar base plate 1502 . The upright portion of the “U” shaped member 1524 can limit the rotation of the syringe holder arm 1522 because any rotation is resisted by the upright portion of the “U” shaped member 1524 against the edge of the base plate slot 1506 .

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 64 , the syringe holder 518 includes a biasing rod 1526 . In an example embodiment, the bias rod 1526 is generally rectangular in shape. The biasing rod 1526 may include two holes that allow the biasing rod 1526 to be placed on the syringe holder rail 1514 . Biasing rod 1526 may be guided to move in the axial direction of syringe holder rail 1514 . In an example embodiment, one end of the coil spring 1516 on the syringe holder rail 1514 that does not rely on the intersection of the “T” shaped member 1512 rests on the front of the biasing rod 1526 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 64, the maximum distance ratio between the face of the biasing rod 1526 on which one end of the coil spring 1516 rests and the face of the "T" shaped member 1512 on which the other end of the coil spring 1516 rests The coil spring 1516 has a short uncompressed length. This ensures that the biasing rod 1526 will always be biased towards the position shown in FIG. 64 .

As shown in FIG. 64 , the biasing rod 1526 can include a cutout that allows the biasing rod 1526 to fit around at least a portion of the syringe holder arm 1522 . The "U" shaped member 1524 may rest on the face of the biasing rod 1526 opposite the side on which the coil spring 1516 rests. In these embodiments, the action of the coil spring 1516 to bias the biasing lever 1526 toward the position shown in FIG. 64 additionally biases the syringe holder arm 1522 to the position shown in FIG. 64 .

In the example embodiment in Figure 65, the syringe holder 518 is shown in the fully open position. To move the syringe holder 518 to the fully open position, a user can grasp the syringe holder handle 1528 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 65 , the syringe holder handle 1528 is a protrusion extending from a syringe contact structure 1530 of the syringe holder 518 fixedly coupled to the syringe holder arm 1522 . After grasping the syringe holder handle 1528 , the user can pull the syringe holder arm 1522 out of the syringe holder housing 1500 . This action causes the "U" shaped member 1524, which is fixedly attached to the syringe holder arm 1522, to also move. Since the "U" shaped member 1524 cannot pass through the biasing rod 1526, the biasing rod 1526 moves together with the "U" shaped member 1524 and the syringe holder arm 1522. As the bias rod 1526 moves along the syringe holder rail 1514, the coil spring is compressed so that if the user releases the syringe holder handle 1528, the return force of the coil spring will cause the bias rod 1526, "U" Member 1524 and syringe holder arm 1522 automatically return to the position shown in FIG. 64 .

To hold syringe holder 518 in the fully open position against the bias of coil spring 1516, syringe holder 518 may be locked in the open position. As shown, the syringe holder 518 can be locked in the open position by rotating the syringe holder arm 1522 and all portions fixedly coupled to the syringe holder arm 1522 . In FIG. 65 , the syringe holder arm 1522 has been rotated substantially 90° such that the bottom section of the “U” shaped member 1524 is disposed within the base plate notch catch 1520 . When the "U" shaped member is rotated into the base plate notch catch 1520, the return force of the coil spring 1516 cannot return the syringe holder 518 to the position shown in FIG. Obstructed by base plate notch catch 1520 .

After rotating the syringe holder arm 1522 so that the syringe holder 518 is locked in the open position, the user can release the syringe holder handle 1528 to grasp the syringe 504 (not shown) and hold it in place . The syringe holder 518 will remain in the fully open position as described above. The user then rotates the syringe holder arm 1522 back 90° to its original, unlocked position and allows the syringe holder 518 to hold the syringe 504 in place.

Referring back to FIG. 31 , the syringe holder 518 is shown fully open and rotated into the locked position. In the fully open position, syringe contact structure 1530 and syringe holder handle 1528 are at their furthest possible distance from syringe receptacle 506 of syringe pump assembly 501 . In some embodiments, this distance may be substantially greater than the diameter of the largest syringe 504 that the syringe pump 500 can accept. In FIG. 31 , the syringe 504 has been seated on the injection receptacle 506 while the syringe holder 518 has been locked in the open position. In FIG. 32 , the syringe holder has been rotated out of the locked position and has been allowed to automatically adjust to the size of the syringe 540 . As described in the discussion of FIG. 65, this automatic adjustment is the coil spring 1516 that automatically pushes the biasing rod 1526, "U" shaped member 1524, and syringe holder arm 1522 toward the position shown in FIG. The result of the return force.

An example embodiment of a syringe holder 518 is shown in FIG. 66 . In the embodiment shown in Figure 66, the syringe holder PCB 1518 is shown transparent. The syringe holder PCB 1518 may include one or more syringe holder linear position sensors 1540 . In the example embodiment, there are three syringe holder linear position sensors 1540 . Syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 may be used to determine the size of syringe 504 (not shown) that syringe holder 518 is holding in place.

In some embodiments, there may only be a single syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 . In these embodiments, the syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 may be a linear potentiometer. In embodiments where syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 is a linear potentiometer, syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 may include a syringe size brush 1542 that may be adjusted with movement of syringe holder arm 1522 Slide across the resistive element of the potentiometer. When the syringe 504 (not shown) is held by the syringe holder 518, the size of the syringe 504 (not shown) will determine the position of the syringe size brush 1542 along the potentiometric syringe holder linear position sensor 1540. Since the position of the brush 1542 will change the resistance measured by the linear position sensor 1540, the measured resistance value can be used to establish information (size, volume, brand, etc.) about the syringe 504 (not shown) being used. In some embodiments, the resistance measurement may be referenced to a database or resistance measurement expected from a different syringe 504 to determine information about the syringe 504 . The resistance measurement may additionally be used to determine whether the syringe 504 is properly held by the syringe holder 518 . For example, if the resistance measurement indicates that the syringe holder 518 is in the fully open position (as shown in Figure 66), an alarm may be generated and therapy may not be initiated.

In some embodiments, including the example embodiment shown in FIG. 66, the syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 can be a magnetic linear position sensor. Any suitable magnetic linear position sensor may be used as the syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 . The syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 may be the same type of sensor as the slider assembly linear position sensor 1050 . An example of a suitable magnetic linear position sensor is the "AS5410 Absolute Linear 3D Hall Encoder" commercially available from Austriamicrosystems, Austria. The syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 collects their position data from the syringe holder magnets 1544 located at an appropriate distance from the syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 66 , the syringe holder magnet 1544 sits on the bottom section of the "U" shaped member 1524 between the two uprights of the "U" shaped member 1524 . The absolute position of the syringe holder magnet can be measured by the syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 . Since the measured absolute position of syringe holder magnet 1544 may vary depending on the syringe 504 (not shown) being held by syringe holder 518, the absolute position of syringe holder magnet 1544 can be used to determine Specific information (eg, size, volume, brand, etc.) of syringe 504 (not shown). In some embodiments, the comparison database may refer to the absolute position of the syringe holder magnet 1544 to determine information about the syringe 504 being employed. In these embodiments, the database may be a database of absolute positions to be expected by different syringes 504 . Absolute position measurements may also be used to determine whether the syringe 504 is properly held in place by the syringe holder 518 . For example, if the absolute position measurement indicates that the syringe holder 518 is in the fully open position (as shown in Figure 66), an alarm may be generated and therapy may not be initiated.

In some embodiments, data collected by the syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 may be compared to data collected by other sensors to make a more informative determination of the particular syringe 504 being used. For example, in embodiments where piston clamp jaw position sensor 508 can make a determination of the type of syringe 504 being used (see discussion of FIG. 37 ), data from piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 and linear position sensor 1540 can be compared . If the data collected by the syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 does not correlate with the data collected by other sensors, an alarm may be generated.

In some embodiments, references from the piston gripper jaw position sensor 588 and the syringe 504 database are first consulted to narrow down acceptable syringe 540 measurements. In some embodiments, data from the syringe holder linear position sensor may be consulted with the syringe 504 database to set a range of acceptable piston flange 548 measurements.

Figure 67 shows a basic example of some alternative linear position sensors. An alternative linear position sensor portion in FIG. 67 is a wire extender 1600. In an example embodiment, the wire extender 1600 includes a fixed part and a moving part. The fixed portion includes an FR-4 PCB substrate 1602 . There are two microstrip lines 1604 on the substrate 1602 . As shown, the microstrip lines 1604 run parallel to each other. The microstrip line 1604 functions as a line for transmitting signals at a known frequency. The microstrip line 1604 does not allow the signal to propagate into the surrounding environment. The width of the microstrip line 1604 is chosen such that it suits the desired impedance. In an example embodiment, the desired impedance is 50Ω.

The moving part in the example embodiment includes a moving part FR-4 PCB substrate 1606 . As shown, the moving part FR-4 PCB substrate includes a moving part microstrip line 1608 . The moving part microstrip line 1608 may be substantially "U" shaped. The upstanding sections of the "U" shaped moving section microstrip lines 1608 run parallel to each other and are spaced apart such that when the line extender 1600 is assembled, they contact the two microstrip lines 1604 on the fixed section. The movable section microstrip line 1608 has a width selected such that it fits the desired amount of impedance (50Ω in the example embodiment). The bottom section of the "U"-shaped moving part microstrip line 1608 connects the two upright parts of the "U"-shaped moving part microstrip line 1608, and is substantially perpendicular to the two upright parts. When fully assembled, the bottom segment of the "U" shaped movable part microstrip line 1604 forms a bridge between the two microstrip lines 1604 on the fixed part of the line extender 1600 . Any signal sent through one microstrip line 1604 on the fixed part can be crossed to another microstrip line 1604 on the fixed part through the microstrip line 1608 on the moving part. By sliding the moving part along the elongation of the fixed part microstrip lines 1604, the signal has to travel a longer or shorter distance before crossing from one fixed part microstrip line 1604 to another. By manipulating the amount of travel of the signal, the user may predictably produce phase transitions of the signal. In order to reduce wear on the metal microstrip lines 1604 and 1608, a thin insulating sheet 1609 can be arranged between the microstrip lines 1604 and 1608 to generate capacitive coupling.

FIG. 68 shows an example of a wire extender 1600 included in a phase change detector 1610 . As shown, the phase change detector 1610 includes a signal source shown in the example shown in FIG. 68 as "RF source". The source signal in the example shown in Figure 68 travels from the "RF Source" to the "Power Divider". A "power divider" divides the signals, keeping the two output signals in a constant phase relationship with respect to each other. One of the signals goes directly to the "mixer". Delays another signal before allowing it to the "mixer". In FIG. 68, the signal is delayed by a line extender 1600 (see FIG. 67). Delaying the signal causes the delayed signal to be predictably out of phase with the non-delayed signal going directly to the "mixer". The delayed signal travels from the line extender 1600 to a "mixer". In the example embodiment shown in Figure 68, the "mixer" is a double balanced mixer. As is well known in the art, two equal frequency, constant amplitude signals sent to a mixer produce a DC output proportional to the phase difference between the two signals.

FIG. 69 shows a slightly different embodiment of a phase change detector 1610 . In FIG. 69, the delay device is not a line extender 1600 such as that shown in FIG. The delay device is a variable open or short circuit. As the object whose linear position is measured is linearly displaced, the position of a short or open on a transmission line may be caused to move proportionally. As shown, the signal travels through a "directional coupler" which may be any suitable directional coupler. As one of two signals, the signal enters the "directional coupler" from the "power splitter", and the signal is sent from the other port of the "directional coupler" to open or short. An open or short causes the signal to reflect from the port it traveled into to arrive at the open or short. The signal reflected back to this port is then directed by a "directional coupler" to travel into a "mixer". The signal delay caused by the distance traveled to and from the reflection point results in a phase shift of the signal. The amount of phase shift of the signal depends on the distance from the port where the signal leaves the "directional coupler" to an open or short. This distance can be caused to change, with the result that the object whose linear position is measured moves. The second signal output of the "power divider" goes directly to the "mixer". It is well known in the art that two identical frequency, constant amplitude signals sent to a mixer will produce a DC output proportional to the phase difference between the two signals.

As shown in Figure 70, the "directional coupler" can be replaced by another piece of equipment, such as a circulator. Phase change detector 1610 in FIG. 70 operates very similarly to phase change detector 1610 in FIG. 69 . One signal from the power splitter goes directly to the "mixer". Another signal delay. Delays are induced in the same manner as described above. However, instead of using a "directional coupler", a "circulator" may be used to direct the signal. As the signal enters the "circulator" at port 1, the signal loops to port 2. The signal travels from port 2 to a short or open and is reflected into port 2. The reflected, phase-shifted signal entering port 2 of the "circulator" is circulated to port 3. The signal leaves port 3 and goes to the "mixer". It is well known in the art that two identical frequency, constant amplitude signals sent to a mixer will produce a DC output proportional to the phase difference between the two signals. Since the phase difference depends on the short or open distance from port 2 of the "circulator", this distance changes proportionally to the position of the object whose linear position will be found, the position of the object can be determined using the DC output of the mixer.

In some embodiments, phase change detector 1610 may be used in place of syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 (see FIG. 66 ) or slider magnetic linear position sensor 1054 (see FIG. 57A ). In some embodiments, phase change detector 1610 may be substituted for just one of syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 or slider magnetic linear position sensor 1054 . In some embodiments, phase change detector 1610 may be used in conjunction with syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 or slider magnetic linear position sensor 1054 and acts as a cross-check or backup.

In embodiments in which the slider magnetic linear position sensor 1054 (see FIG. 57A ) is replaced by a phase change detector 1610 , the phase change detector 1610 may be used to detect the position of the slider assembly 800 along the lead screw 850 (see FIG. 57A ). If the phase change detector 1610 uses a wire extender 1600 (see FIG. 67 ), the movable portion of the wire extender 1600 can be caused to move along the fixed portion of the wire extender 1600 as the slider assembly 800 moves along the lead screw 850 . This in turn will cause the degree of phase change to reflect the position of slider assembly 800 on lead screw 850 . Thus, the DC output voltage of the mixer (see FIG. 68 ) can be used to determine the slider assembly 800 position. The position data generated by the phase change detector 1610 may be used in the same manner as described above in the previous discussion regarding slider assembly 800 linear position sensing.

In embodiments where the phase change detector 1610 uses a variable short or open (see FIGS. 69 and 70 ), movement of the slider assembly 800 along the lead screw 850 can cause the short or open to change its position along the transmission line. This in turn will cause the degree of phase change to dictate the position of slider assembly 800 along lead screw 850 . Thus, the DC output voltage of the mixer (see FIGS. 69 and 70 ) can be used to determine the slider assembly 800 position.

In embodiments where the syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 (see FIG. 66 ) is replaced by a phase change detector 1610 , the phase change detector 1610 may be used to determine the size of the syringe 504 (see FIG. 28 ). If the phase change detector 1610 uses a wire extender 1600 (see FIG. 67 ), the moveable portion of the wire extender 1600 can be caused to move along the fixed portion of the wire extender 1600 as the syringe holder arm 1522 moves. This in turn will cause the extent of the phase change to reflect the position of the syringe holder arm 1522 . Since the position of the syringe holder arm 1522 depends on various characteristics of the syringe 504, the DC output voltage of the mixer (see FIG. 68) can be used to determine the position of the syringe holder arm 1522, and thus the syringe 504 of many characteristics.

In embodiments where the phase change detector 1610 uses a variable short or open (see FIGS. 69 and 70 ), movement of the syringe holder arm 1522 can cause the short or open to change its position along the transmission line. This in turn will cause the degree of phase transition to dictate the position of the syringe holder arm 1522 . Since the position of the syringe holder arm 1522 depends on various characteristics of the syringe 504, the DC output voltage of the mixer (see FIGS. 69 and 70 ) can be used to determine the position of the syringe holder arm 1522, and thus A number of features of syringe 504 are determined. The position data generated by the phase change detector 1610 may be used in the same manner as described above in the previous discussion regarding syringe holder linear position detection.

An example embodiment of a graphical user interface (hereinafter GUI) 3300 is shown in FIG. 71 . GUI 3300 allows a user to alter the manner in which medicaments may be infused by syringe pump 500 by customizing various programming options. Although the following discussion primarily details the use of GUI 3300 with syringe pump 500, it should be understood that GUI 3300 can be used with other pumps, including other pumps mentioned in this specification. For example, GUI 3300 may be used with pump 201, 202, or 203 (as shown in Figure 71 ) detailed in the discussion of Figures 2-9. For purposes of illustration, GUI 3300 detailed below uses screen 3204 , which is touch screen display 514 (see FIG. 28 ), as the means of interaction with the user. In other embodiments, the means by which the user interacts may be different. For example, alternative embodiments may include user depressible buttons or rotatable dials, audible commands, and the like. In other embodiments, the screen 3204 may be any electronic visual display, such as a liquid crystal display, LED display, plasma display, or the like.

GUI 3300 is displayed on display 514 of syringe pump 500 as detailed in the preceding paragraph. Each syringe pump 500 may have its own individual display 3204. In arrangements where there are multiple syringe pumps 500 or a syringe pump 500 and one or more other pumps, the GUI 3300 can be used to control the multiple pumps. Screen 3204 may only be required for the main pump. As shown in FIG. 71 , pump 203 sits in Z frame 3207 . As shown, GUI 3300 may display a number of interface fields 3250 . Interface field 3250 may display various information about pump 203, infusion status and/or medication, and the like. In some embodiments, interface field 3250 on GUI 3300 may be touched, clicked, etc. to navigate to different menus, zoom in on interface field 3250, enter data, and the like. The interface domain 3250 displayed on the GUI 3300 may vary from menu to menu.

GUI 3300 may also have multiple virtual buttons. In the non-limiting example embodiment in FIG. 71 , the display has a virtual power button 3260 , a virtual start button 3262 and a virtual stop button 3264 . The virtual power button 3260 can turn the syringe pump 500 on or off. A virtual start button 3260 can start the infusion. A virtual stop button 3264 can pause or stop the infusion. The virtual button may be activated by a user touch, click, double click, etc. Various menus of GUI 3300 may include other virtual buttons. Virtual buttons can be designed to be skeuomorphic so that their function is more immediately understood or recognizable. For example, virtual stop button 3264 may resemble the stop symbol shown in FIG. 71 . In alternative embodiments, the name, shape, function, number, etc. of the virtual buttons may be different.

As shown in the example embodiment in FIG. 72, interface field 3250 (see FIG. 71) of GUI 3300 may display a number of different programming parameter input fields. In order for GUI 3300 to display parameter input fields, the user may be required to navigate through one or more menus. Additionally, the user may have to enter a password before the user can manipulate any parameter input fields.

In Fig. 72, a drug parameter input field 3302, a drug dosage parameter input field 3304 in the container, a total volume parameter input field 3306 in the container, a concentration parameter input field 3308, a dosage parameter input field 3310, and a volume flow rate (hereinafter referred to as flow rate) parameter are shown. Input field 3312 , input field 3314 for the volume of infusion (hereinafter referred to as VTBI ) parameter, and input field 3316 for the time parameter. In alternative embodiments, the parameters, number of parameters, names of parameters, etc. may be different. In an example embodiment, the parameter input field is a graphical display box, which is substantially rectangular with rounded corners. In other embodiments, the shape and size of the parameter input fields may vary.

In an example embodiment, GUI 3300 is designed to be intuitive and flexible. The user can choose to populate the combination of parameter input fields that is easiest or most convenient for the user. In some embodiments, the GUI 3300 can automatically calculate and display parameter input fields that are left blank by the user, as long as the blank fields do not operate independently of the populated parameter input fields and sufficient information can be gathered from the populated fields to calculate the blank fields. domain or domains. Throughout Figures 72-76, multiple domains that are dependent on each other are linked together by curved double pointed arrows.

The drug parameter input field 3302 may be a parameter input field in which the user sets the type of infusion solution to be infused. In the example embodiment, the drug parameter input field 3302 has been populated and the infusion solution has been defined as "0.9% saline". As shown, the GUI 3300 may populate the medication parameter input field 3302 by displaying the name of the particular infusion fluid in the medication parameter input field 3302 after the particular infusion fluid has been set.

To set the particular infusion agent to be infused, the user may touch the drug parameter input field 3302 on the GUI 3300 . In some embodiments, this can pick out a list of different possible infusion fluids. The user can browse the column until the desired infusion liquid is located. In other embodiments, touching the medication parameter input field 3302 may bring up a virtual keypad. The user can then key in the correct infusion fluid on the virtual keypad. In some embodiments, the user may only need to type some letters of the infusion liquid on the virtual keypad before the GUI 3300 displays many suggestions. For example, after typing 'NORE', the GUI 3300 may suggest "NOREPINEPHRINE". After locating the correct infusion fluid, the user may be required to perform actions such as, but not limited to, clicking, bipolar, or touching and dragging the infusion fluid. The infusion fluid may be displayed in GUI 3300 in medication parameter input field 3302 after the user has completed the required actions. See Figure 82 for another detailed description of another example approach to infusion fluid selection.

In the example embodiment in FIG. 72, the user has set up parameter input fields to perform volume-based infusions (eg, ml, mL/hr, etc.). Accordingly, the in-container dose parameter input field 3304 and the total in-container volume parameter input field 3306 have not been populated. The concentration parameter input field 3308 and dose parameter input field 3310 are also not populated. In some embodiments, when such an infusion has been selected, the drug amount in container parameter input field 3304, the total volume in container parameter input field 3306, the concentration parameter input field 3308, and Dose parameter input field 3310. The input fields 3304, 3306, 3308, 3310, 3306, 3308, and 3310 are described in detail in the following paragraphs.

When the GUI 3300 is being used to program volume-based infusion, the flow rate parameter input field 3312, the VTBI parameter input field 3314, and the time parameter input field 3316 do not operate independently of each other. The user may only be required to define any two of the flow rate parameter input field 3312 , the VTBI parameter input field 3314 , and the time parameter input field 3316 . The two parameters defined by the user may be the most convenient parameters for the user to set. Parameters left blank by the user may be automatically calculated and displayed by the GUI 3300. For example, if the user populates the flow rate parameter input field 3312 with a value of 125 mL/hr (as shown) and the VTBI parameter input field 3314 with a value of 1000 mL/hr (as shown), the VTBI parameter can be entered by entering The value in field 3314 is divided by the value in flow parameter input field 3312 to calculate the time parameter input field 3316 value. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 72, the time parameter input field 3316 is correctly populated by the GUI 3300 with the above-calculated quotient of 8 hours and 0 minutes.

In order for the user to populate the flow rate parameter input field 3312 , the VTBI parameter input field 3314 , and the time parameter input field 3316 , the user may touch or tap on the desired parameter input field on the GUI 3300 . In some embodiments, this may single out a numeric keypad with many numbers, such as 0-9 displayed as individually selectable virtual buttons. The user may be required to enter parameters by individually clicking, double-clicking, touching and dragging, etc. the desired number. Once the user has entered the desired value, the user may be required to click, double click, etc. virtual "confirm", "enter", etc. buttons to populate the fields. See Figure 82 for another detailed description of another example way of defining values.

Figure 73 shows the case where the infusion parameters being programmed are not those of volume based infusion. In Figure 73, the infusion graph is a continuous volume/time dose rate graph. In the example embodiment shown in Figure 73, all parameter input fields have been filled. As shown, the drug parameter entry field 3302 on the GUI 3300 has been populated with "heparin" as the defined infusion fluid. As shown in the figure, in FIG. 73 , the parameter input field 3304 for the drug amount in the container, the input field 3306 for the total volume in the container and the input field 3308 for the concentration parameter are filled. Additionally, the dose parameter input field 3310 shown in FIG. 72 has been replaced by a dose rate parameter input field 3318 since a volume/time infusion is being programmed.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 73, the dose in container parameter input field 3304 is a two-part field. In the example embodiment in FIG. 73, the field to the left of the dose in container parameter input field 3304 is a field that may be populated with a numerical value. The user may define values in the same manner as user definable flow rate parameter input field 3312 , VTBI parameter input field 3314 , and time parameter input field 3316 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 73, the GUI 3300 displays a value of "25,000" in the left field of the dose in container parameter input field 3304.

The parameters defined in the right field of the drug amount parameter input field 3304 in the container are units of measurement. To define the right field of the drug amount in container parameter input field 3304 , the user may touch the drug amount in container parameter input field 3304 on the GUI 3300 . In some embodiments, this may pick out a range of acceptable possible units of measure. In these embodiments, the user may define the desired unit of measure in the same way that the user may define the correct infusion fluid. In other embodiments, touching the in-container dose parameter input field 3304 may bring up a virtual keypad. The user can then type the correct unit of measure on the virtual keypad. In some embodiments, the user may be required to click, double click, etc. a virtual "confirm", "enter", etc. button to populate the left field of the drug amount parameter input field 3304 within the container.

The total volume in container parameter input field 3306 may be populated by a value defining the total volume of the container. In some embodiments, GUI 3300 may automatically populate total volume within container parameter input field 3306 based on data generated by one or more sensors. In other embodiments, the total volume inside the container parameter input field 3306 may be manually entered by the user. The user may define values in the same manner as the user definable values in flow rate parameter input field 3312 , VTBI parameter input field 3314 , and time parameter input field 3316 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 73, the total volume in container parameter input field 3306 has been filled with the value "250" mL. The total volume in container parameter input field 3306 may be limited to units of measurement such as mL as shown.

Concentration parameter input field 3308 is a two-part field similar to drug amount in container parameter input field 3304 . In the example embodiment in FIG. 73, the field to the left of the concentration parameter input field 3308 is a field that can be filled with a numerical value. The user may define values in the same manner as the user definable values in flow rate parameter input field 3312 , VTBI parameter input field 3314 , and time parameter input field 3316 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 73, GUI 3300 displays a value of "100" in the left field of concentration parameter input field 3308.

The field to the right of the concentration parameter input field 3308 defines parameters in units of measurement/volume. To define the right field of concentration parameter input field 3308 , a user may touch concentration parameter input field 3308 on GUI 3300 . In some embodiments, this may pick out a range of acceptable possible units of measure. In these embodiments, the user may define the desired unit of measure in the same manner that the user may define the correct infusion. In other embodiments, touching the density parameter input field 3308 may bring up a virtual keypad. The user can then type the correct unit of measure on the virtual keypad. In some embodiments, the user may be required to click, double click, etc. a virtual "confirm", "enter", etc. button to store a selection and move through a series of acceptable volume measurements. The user may define the desired volume measurement in the same way that the user may define the correct infusion fluid. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 73, the right field of the concentration parameter input field 3308 is populated in units of measurement/volume "units/mL".

The drug amount parameter input field 3304 in the container, the total volume parameter input field 3306 in the container, and the concentration parameter input field 3308 are not independent of each other. Likewise, the user may not only be required to define any two of the drug amount parameter input field 3304 in the container, the total volume in the container parameter input field 3306 , and the concentration parameter input field 3308 . For example, if the user enters the fill concentration parameter into field 3308 and the total volume in container parameter into field 3306, the drug volume in container parameter input field can be automatically calculated and populated on GUI 3300.

Since the GUI 3300 in Figure 73 is being programmed for a continuous volume/time dose, the dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 has been populated. The user may define the rate at which the infusion liquid will be infused by populating the dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 . In the example embodiment in FIG. 73, the dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 is a two-part field similar to the drug in container dose parameter input field 3304 and the concentration parameter input field 3308 described above. The user may define values in the left field of the dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 in the same manner as the values in the user definable flow rate parameter input field 3312 . In the example embodiment in FIG. 73, the left field of the dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 has been populated with the value "1000".

The field to the right of the dose flow parameter input field 3318 may define units of measure/time. To define the field to the right of dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 , the user may touch dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 on GUI 3300 . In some embodiments, this may pick out a range of acceptable possible units of measure. In these embodiments, the user may have defined the desired unit of measure in the same manner that the correct infusion fluid may be defined. In other embodiments, touching the in-container dose parameter input field 3304 may bring up a virtual keypad. The user can then type the correct unit of measure on the virtual keypad. In some embodiments, the user may be required to click, double click, etc. a virtual "confirm", "enter", etc. button to store the button and move through a series of acceptable time measurements. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 73, the right field of the dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 is populated in units of measurement "units/hr".

In an example embodiment, the dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 and the flow rate parameter input field 3312 are independent of each other. After the user fills in either the dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 or the flow rate parameter input field 3312, as long as the concentration parameter input field 3308 has been defined, the parameter input field may be automatically calculated and displayed by the GUI 3300 for blanking. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 73, the flow rate parameter input field 3312 has been populated with an infusion fluid flow rate of "10 mL/hr". The dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 has been filled with "1000" "units/hr".

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 73, the VTBI parameter input field 3314 and the time parameter input field 3316 have also been populated. The user may populate the VTBI parameter input field 3314 and the time parameter input field 3316 in the same manner as described with respect to FIG. 72 . When the GUI 3300 is being programmed for continuous volume/time dose flow rate infusion, the VTBI parameter input field 3314 and the time parameter input field 3316 are related to each other. A user may only need to populate one of the VTBI parameter input field 3314 and the time parameter input field 3316 . Fields left blank by the user may be automatically calculated and displayed on the GUI 3300 .

Figure 74 shows the case where the infusion parameters being programmed are those of dose-based infusion, referred to herein as intermittent infusion. In the example embodiment shown in Figure 74, all parameter input fields have already been populated. As shown, the drug parameter input field 3302 on the GUI 3300 has been populated with the antibiotic "Vancomycin" as the defined infusion fluid.

As shown in the figure, the drug amount parameter input field 3304 in the container, the total volume in the container parameter input field 3306 and the concentration parameter input field 3308 are arranged in the same manner as in FIG. 33 . In the example embodiment in FIG. 74, the left field of the dose in container parameter input field 3304 has been populated with "1". The right field of the drug amount in container parameter input field 3304 has been filled with "g". Thus, the total amount of vancomycin in the container has been defined as 1 gram. The total volume in container parameter input field 3306 has been filled with "250" ml. The left field of the concentration parameter input field 3308 has been filled with "4.0". The right field of the input field for the concentration parameter has been filled with "mg/mL".

As described above with respect to other possible infusion types that a user may program through the GUI 3300, the drug amount in container parameter input field 3304, the total volume in container parameter input field 3306, and the concentration parameter input field 3308 are related to each other. As mentioned above, this is indicated by the curved double arrow connected to the name of the parameter input field. By filling any two of these parameters, a third parameter can be automatically calculated and displayed on the correct parameter input field on GUI 3300 .

In the example embodiment in Figure 74, the dose parameter input field 3310 has been populated. As shown, dose parameter input field 3310 includes right and left fields. A user may define a value in the right field of dose parameter input field 3310 in the same manner that a user may define values for other parameter input fields used to define a value. In the example embodiment in Figure 74, the left field of the dose parameter input field 3310 has been populated with the value "1000".

The right field of dose parameter input field 3310 may define the units for the mass measurement. To define the right field of dose parameter input field 3310 , the user may touch dose parameter input field 3310 on GUI 3300 . In some embodiments, this may pick out a range of acceptable possible units of measure. In these embodiments, the user may define the desired unit of measure in the same way that the user may define the correct infusion fluid. In other embodiments, touching the dose parameter input field 3310 may bring up a virtual keypad. The user can then type the correct unit of measure on the virtual keypad. In some embodiments, the user may be required to click, double click, etc. a virtual "confirm", "enter", etc. button to store the button and move through a series of acceptable quality measurements. A user may define a desired mass measurement in the same way a user may define the correct infusion liquid. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 74, the right field of the dose parameter input field 3310 is populated with the unit of measurement "mg".

As shown, the flow rate parameter input field 3312, the VTBI parameter input field 3314, and the time parameter input field 3316 have been populated. As shown, the flow rate parameter input field 3312 has been populated with "125" mL/hr. The VTBI parameter input field 3314 has been defined as "250" mL. The time parameter input field 3316 has been defined as "2" hours and "00" minutes.

A user may not need to individually define each of dose parameter input field 3310 , flow rate parameter input field 3312 , VTBI parameter input field 3314 , and time parameter input field 3316 . Dose parameter input field 3310 and VTBI parameter input field 3314 are related to each other as indicated by curved double arrows. Entering one value may allow automatic calculation and display of another value by GUI 3300 . The flow parameter input field 3312 and the time parameter input field 3316 are also related to each other. The user may only need to define a value, and then allow the automatic calculation and display of undefined values on the GUI 3300 . In some embodiments, the flow rate parameter input field 3312, the VTBI parameter input field 3314, and the time parameter input field 3316 can be locked on the GUI 3300 until the drug amount in the container parameter input field 3304, the total volume in the container parameter input field have been defined 3306 and concentration parameter input field 3308. These fields can be locked because the automatic calculation of the flow rate parameter input field 3312, the VTBI parameter input field 3314 and the time parameter input field 3316 depends on the container drug amount parameter input field 3304, the container total volume parameter input field 3306 and the concentration parameter input The value in field 3308.

A weight parameter input field 3320 may also be displayed on the GUI 3300 in instances where infusion fluids may require weight-based dosing. The example GUI 3300 shown on FIG. 75 has been arranged so that the user can program weight-based doses. As discussed in detail above, user-definable parameter input fields. In an example embodiment, the infusion fluid in the medication parameter input field 3302 has been defined as "dopamine". The left field of the drug amount parameter input field 3304 in container has been defined as "400". The field to the right of the drug amount in container parameter input field 3304 has been defined as "mg". The total volume in container parameter input field 3306 has been defined as "250" ml. The left field of the concentration parameter input field 3308 has been defined as "1.6". The right field of the concentration parameter input field 3308 has been defined as "mg/mL". The weight parameter input field 3320 has been defined as "90" kg. The left field of the dose flow parameter input field 3318 has been defined as "5.0". The field to the right of the dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 has been defined as "mcg/kg/min". The flow rate parameter input field 3312 has been defined as "16.9" mL/hr. The VTBI parameter input field 3314 has been defined as "250" mL. The time parameter input field 3316 has been defined as "14" hours and "48" minutes.

To define the weight parameter input field 3320 , the user may touch or tap the weight parameter input field 3320 on the GUI 3300 . In some embodiments, this may single out a numeric keypad with many numbers, such as 0-9 displayed as individually selectable virtual buttons. The user may be required to enter parameters by individually clicking, double-clicking, touching or dragging, etc. desired numbers. Once the user has entered the desired value, the user may be required to click, double click, etc. virtual "confirm", "enter", etc. buttons to populate the fields.

Some of the parameter input fields displayed on GUI 3300 may be related to each other as indicated by curved double arrows. As in the above example, the drug amount parameter input field 3304 in the container, the total volume parameter input field 3306 in the container, and the concentration parameter input field 3308 may be related to each other. In FIG. 75, the weight parameter input field 3320, the dose flow rate parameter input field 3318, the flow rate parameter input field 3312, the VTBI parameter input field 3314, and the time parameter input field 3316 are all related to each other. When the user has defined enough information in these parameter input fields, the parameter input fields not populated by the user may be automatically calculated and displayed on the GUI 3300 .

In some embodiments, the user may be required to define specific parameter input fields even though enough information has been defined to automatically calculate the field. This can improve security of use by presenting more opportunities to catch user input errors. If the value entered by the user does not conform to the defined values, the GUI 3300 can display a warning or alert message requesting the user to review the value the user has entered.

In some cases, the delivery of infusion fluid can be known from the patient's body surface area (BSA). In Figure 76, the GUI 3300 has been set up for body surface area based infusion. As shown, a BSA parameter input field 3322 may be displayed on GUI 3300 . As discussed in detail above, parameter input fields may be user-defined. In an example embodiment, the infusion fluid in the medication parameter input field 3302 has been defined as "fluorouracil". The left field of the drug amount parameter input field 3304 in container has been defined as "1700". The field to the right of the drug amount in container parameter input field 3304 has been defined as "mg". The total volume in container parameter input field 3306 has been defined as "500" ml. The left field of the concentration parameter input field 3308 has been defined as "3.4". The right field of the concentration parameter input field 3308 has been defined as "mg/mL". The BSA parameter input field 3320 has been defined as "1.7" ^m2 . The left field of the dose flow parameter input field 3318 has been defined as "1000". The field to the right of the dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 has been defined as "mg/m2/day". The flow rate parameter input field 3312 has been defined as "20.8" mL/hr. The VTBI parameter input field 3314 has been defined as "500" mL. The time parameter input field 3316 has been defined as "24" hours and "00" minutes. The relevant parameter input fields are the same as in FIG. 75 except that the BSA parameter input field 3322 has replaced the weight parameter input field 3320 .

To populate BSA parameter input field 3322 , a user may touch or tap BSA parameter input field 3322 on GUI 3300 . In some embodiments, this may single out a numeric keypad with many numbers, such as 0-9 displayed as individually selectable virtual buttons. In some embodiments, the numeric keypad, or any of the numeric keypad features detailed above, may also include symbols such as a decimal point. The user may be required to enter parameters by individually clicking, double-clicking, touching or dragging, etc. desired numbers. Once the user has entered the desired value, the user may be required to click, double click, etc. virtual "confirm", "enter", etc. buttons to populate the fields.

In some embodiments, the patient's BSA can be automatically calculated and displayed on GUI 3300. In these embodiments, the GUI 3300 may query the user for information about the patient when the user touches, taps, etc. the BSA parameter input field 3322 . For example, the user may be asked to define the patient's height and weight. After the user defines these values, they can run the appropriate formula to obtain the patient's BSA. BSA parameter input field 3322 may then be populated on GUI 3300 using the calculated BSA.

In operation, the value displayed in the parameter input field may change throughout the course of a programmed infusion to reflect the current infusion status. For example, as infusion fluid is infused to the patient, the values displayed by GUI 3300 in container dose parameter input field 3304 and container total volume parameter input field 3306 may decrease to reflect the volume of the remaining contents of the container. Additionally, the values in the VTBI parameter input field 3314 and the time parameter input field 3316 may also decrease as the infusion fluid is delivered to the patient.

FIG. 77 is a graphical representation of example flow rate versus time detailing one behavioral configuration of syringe pump 500 (see FIG. 28 ) during an infusion procedure. Although the behavioral configuration of syringe pump 500 is primarily detailed below, it should be understood that the illustrations shown in FIGS. 77-81 may also detail behavioral configurations of other pumps, including other pumps mentioned in this specification. The diagram in Figure 77 details an example behavioral configuration of a syringe pump 500 in which the infusion is a continuous infusion (infusion at a dose rate). As shown, the graph in Figure 77 begins with the start of the infusion. As shown, the infusion is performed at a constant rate for a certain period of time. As the infusion continues, the remaining volume of infused fluid is depleted.

When the amount of remaining infusion fluid reaches a predetermined threshold, an "alarm near the end of infusion" may be triggered. User configurable time point for "infusion approaching end alert" to be issued. The Near End of Infusion Alert can also be configured to trigger sooner for short half-life agents. The "Near End of Infusion Alert" may be in the form of a message on the GUI 3300 and may be implemented by a flashing light, an audible noise, such as a series of beeps. The "Near End of Infusion Alert" allows time for the caregiver and pharmacy to prepare materials to continue the infusion if needed. As shown, the infusion rate may not change the "infusion near end alarm time".

A "VTBI 0 Alarm" may be triggered when the syringe pump 500 (see Figure 28) has infused VTBI into the patient. "VTBI0 ALERT" may be in the form of a message on GUI 3300 and may be accomplished by a flash of light and an audible noise, such as a beep. As shown, "VTBI 0 Alarm" causes the pump to switch to maintain venous patency (hereafter KVO) flow rate until a new infusion container is in place. The KVO flow rate is a low infusion flow rate (eg, 5-25 mL/hr). Set this flow rate to keep the infusion point open until a new infusion can be started. The KVO flow rate may be configurable by group (detailed below) or drug, and can be changed on the syringe pump 500 . Do not allow the KVO flow rate to exceed the continuous infusion rate. When the KVO flow rate can no longer be maintained, the syringe has reached the end of its stroke and an "end of stroke alarm" may be triggered. When the "End of Stroke Alarm" is triggered, all infusion can be stopped. The "End of Stroke Alert" may be in the form of a message on the GUI 3300, and may be accomplished by a flashing light and an audible noise, such as a beep.

FIG. 78 shows flow rate versus time for another example detailing one behavioral configuration of syringe pump 500 (see FIG. 28 ) during an infusion procedure. The diagram in Figure 78 details an example behavioral configuration of a syringe pump 500 in which the infusion is a continuous infusion (infusion at a dose rate). The alerts in the diagram in FIG. 78 are the same as the alerts in the diagram in FIG. 77 . The conditions for propagating alerts are also the same. However, throughout the entire graph, the flow rate remains constant until the "End of Stroke Alarm" is triggered and the infusion stops. By continuing the infusion at a constant flow rate, it is ensured that the plasma concentration of the agent remains at a therapeutically effective level. In cases where the infusion fluid is a medicament with a short half-life, it is particularly desirable to configure the pump to infuse the fluid at a constant flow rate. In some embodiments, the end of the infusion activity of syringe pump 500 may be limited depending on the defined infusion fluid. For example, when the defined infusion fluid is a short half-life medicament, the end of the infusion activity of the syringe pump 500 may be limited to continuing to infuse at a flow rate that ends the infusion.

Syringe pump 500 (see FIG. 28 ) may also be used to deliver primary or secondary intermittent infusions. During an intermittent infusion, the amount of drug (dose) administered to the patient is compared to a continuous infusion in which the drug is administered at a specific dose rate (amount/time). Intermittent infusions may also be delivered over a predetermined period of time, however, the period and dose are independent of each other. The setup of the GUI 3300 showing continuous infusion was previously described in FIG. 73 . The settings for the GUI 3300 showing intermittent infusion were previously described in FIG. 74 .

FIG. 79 is an example flow rate versus time detailing one behavioral configuration of syringe pump 500 (see FIG. 28 ) during an infusion procedure. Intermittent infusion is performed at a constant flow rate as shown until all infused fluid programmed for the intermittent infusion has been depleted. In an example behavioral configuration, syringe pump 500 has been programmed to sound a "VTBI 0 Alarm" when all infusion fluid has been dispensed, and to stop the infusion. In this configuration, the user may be required to manually clear the alarm before starting or restarting another infusion.

Depending on the group (further detailed below) or drug, it may be desirable to configure the syringe pump 500 to behave differently at the end of the intermittent infusion. Other configurations may cause syringe pump 500 (see FIG. 28 ) to behave differently. For example, where the intermittent infusion is a secondary infusion, the pumps 201, 202, 203 (see FIG. 2) may be configured to automatically switch back to the primary infusion after an indication that the secondary intermittent infusion has been completed. In an alternative configuration, the syringe pump 500 can also be configured to sound a "VTBI 0 alarm" after the intermittent infusion is complete, and reduce the infusion rate to the KVO rate. In these configurations, the user may be required to manually clear the alarm before resuming the main infusion.

A bolus may also be delivered as the main intermittent infusion when necessary or desired to achieve higher plasma agent concentrations or to manifest a more immediate therapeutic effect. In these cases, the bolus may be delivered by the pumps 201, 202, 203 (see Fig. 2) performing the main infusion. The bolus may be delivered from the same container from which the main infusion is delivered. The bolus can be administered at any point during the infusion, assuming sufficient infusion fluid is present to deliver the bolus. Any volume delivered to the patient via the bolus is included in the value displayed in the VTBI parameter entry field 3314 for the main infusion.

Depending on the fluid being infused, the user may be prohibited from performing a bolus. The dose of the bolus can be set in advance depending on the particular infusion fluid or concentration of infusion fluid being used. Additionally, the time period during which the bolus occurs may be predefined depending on the particular infusion fluid being used. After the rapid infusion is performed, the rapid infusion function can be locked within a predetermined period of time. In some embodiments, a user may be able to adjust these presets by adjusting various settings on GUI 3300 . In some cases, such as those in which the agent being infused has a long half-life (vancomycin, teicoplanin, etc.), a bolus may be given as a loading dose to more rapidly achieve therapeutically effective plasma agent concentrations .

Figure 80 shows another time-varying flow rate in which the flow rate of the infusion liquid has been titrated to "boost" the infusion to the patient. Titration measurements are often used with agents that register a rapid therapeutic effect but have a short half-life, such as norepinephrine. When titrated, the user can adjust the rate of delivery of the infusion fluid until the desired therapeutic effect has manifested. Each adjustment can be checked against a set of limits defined for the particular infusion fluid being administered to the patient. An alert may be raised if the infusion changes by more than a predetermined percentage. In the example plot shown in Figure 80, the flow rate has been titrated once. If desired, the flow rate can be measured more than once on the titration. Additionally, in cases where the titration is used to "wean" the patient, the titration flow rate may be down any suitable number of times.

Figure 81 is a graph of flow rate versus time where the infusion is configured as a multi-step infusion. It is possible to program multi-step infusions in many different steps. Each step is defined by VTBI, time and dose rate. Multi-step infusion may be useful for certain types of infusion fluids, such as those used for parenteral nutrition applications. In the example diagram shown in Figure 81, the infusion has been configured as a five-step infusion. The first step infuses "VTBI 1" at a constant flow rate "Flow Rate 1" for a certain length of time "Time 1". When the time interval of the first step has elapsed, the pump moves to the second step of the multi-step infusion. The second step infuses "VTBI 2" at a constant flow rate "Flow Rate 2" for a certain length of time "Time 2". As shown, "Flow Rate 2" is higher than "Flow Rate 1". When the time interval of the second step has elapsed, the pump moves to the third step of the multi-step infusion. The third step is to infuse "VTBI 3" at a constant flow rate "Flow Rate 3" for a certain length of time "Time 3". As shown, "Flow Rate 3" is the highest flow rate for any step in the multi-step infusion. "Time 3" is also the longest duration of any step in the multi-step infusion. When the time interval of the third step has elapsed, the pump moves to the fourth step of the multi-step infusion. The fourth step is to infuse "VTBI 4" at a constant flow rate "Flow Rate 4" for a certain length of time "Time 4". As shown, "Flow Rate 4" has been titrated from "Flow Rate 3". "Flow Rate 4" is approximately the same as "Flow Rate 2". When the time interval of the fourth step of step infusion has elapsed, the pump moves to the fifth step. The fifth step is to infuse "VTBI 5" at a constant flow rate "Flow Rate 5" for a certain length of time "Time 5". As shown, "Flow Rate 5" has been titrated down from "Flow Rate 4", and "Flow Rate 5" is approximately the same as "Flow Rate 1".

The "Near End of Infusion Alarm" is triggered during the fourth step of the example infusion shown in FIG. 81 . The "VTBI 0 alarm" is triggered at the end of the fifth and final step of the multi-step infusion. In the example configuration shown in the diagram in Figure 81, the flow rate is reduced to KVO after the multi-step infusion has ended and the "VTBI 0 Alarm" has been issued. Other configurations may vary.

Each change in flow rate in a multi-step infusion may be handled in a number of different ways. In some configurations, syringe pump 500 (see FIG. 2 ) can display a notification and automatically adjust the flow rate to move to the next step. In other configurations, the syringe pump 500 may sound an alarm before the flow rate is changed, and wait for verification from the user before adjusting the flow rate and moving to the next step. In these configurations, the pump 500 may stop the infusion or decrease to the KVO flow rate until user confirmation has been received.

In some embodiments, the user may be able to pre-program the infusion. The user may preprogram the infusion to be automatic after a fixed time interval (eg, 2 hours) has elapsed. The infusion can also be programmed to be automatic at a specific time of day (eg, 12:30pm). In some embodiments, the user may be able to program the syringe pump 500 (see FIG. 28 ) to alert the user with a callback function at the time of the pre-programmed infusion. The user may need to verify the start of a pre-programmed infusion. The callback function might be a series of audible beeps, flashes, etc.

In arrangements where there is more than one pump 201, 202, 203 (see Fig. 2), it is possible for the user to program relay infusions. The relay infusion may be programmed so that after the first pump 201, 202, 203 has completed its infusion, the second pump 201, 202, 203 may automatically deliver the second infusion, and so on. The user can also program the relay infusion so that the user is alerted via the callback function before the relay occurs. In such a programming arrangement, relay infusion may not occur until confirmation from the user has been received. The pumps 201, 202, 203 may continue at the KVO flow rate until user confirmation has been received.

Figure 82 shows a block diagram of an example of the "Medication Management Library" data structure. The data structure may be stored in any file format, or in any database (eg, SQL database). In the upper right corner there is a substantially rectangular box, but with rounded edges. This box is associated with the name "General Settings". "General settings" may include settings common to all devices in the facility, such as location name (eg, XZY hospital), language, public password, and the like.

In Figure 82, the "Medication Management Library" has two boxes associated with the names "Group Settings (ICU)" and "Group Settings". These boxes form the headings for their own columns. These boxes can be used to define groups in the facility (eg, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Room, Sub-Acute Care, etc.) in which the device is located. A group can also be an area outside the parent facility, such as a patient's home or an inter-hospital transport, such as an ambulance. Each group can be used to set specific settings (weight, titration limits, etc.) for the various groups within the facility. These groups may alternatively be defined in other ways. For example, groups may be defined by user training level. Groups may be defined by a previously designated individual, or any of a number of previously designated individuals, and groups may change if associated patients or devices move from one particular group to another within the facility.

In the example embodiment, the left column is "Group Setting (ICU)", which indicates that the syringe pump 500 (see FIG. 28) is located in the intensive care unit of the facility. The right column is "Group Settings" and is not further defined. In some embodiments, this column may be used to specify subgroups, such as operator training level. These group settings may include a preset number of default settings, as indicated by the lines extending from the "Group Settings (ICU)" and "Group Settings" columns to the box on the left side of the block diagram.

Group settings may include limits on patient weight, limits on patient BSA, air alarm sensitivity, occlusion sensitivity, default KVO flow rate, VTBI limits, and the like. Group settings may also include parameters such as whether programmed infusions must be reviewed for high risk infusion fluids, whether the user must confirm them before starting an infusion, and whether the user must enter a text comment after a limit has been exceeded. Users can also define default values for various properties, such as screen brightness or speaker volume. In some embodiments, a user may be able to program the screen to automatically adjust screen brightness in relation to one or more conditions, such as, but not limited to, time of day.

Also shown on the left side of the block diagram in Figure 82, each facility may include a "principal drug list" that defines all infusion fluids that may be used at the facility. A "principal drug list" may include as many drugs as authorized individuals may update or maintain. In the example embodiment, the "principal drug list" has only three drugs: heparin, 0.9% saline, and alteplase. Each group within the facility has its own list of medications used in that group. In an example embodiment, the "Group Drug Column (ICU)" includes only a single drug, heparin.

As shown, each drug may be associated with one or more clinical uses. In FIG. 82, "Clinical Use Record" is defined for each drug in the group drug list, and appears to be an enlarged subtitle for each infusion liquid. Clinical use can be used to customize the clinical use limits and predetermined settings for each infusion fluid. For heparin, weight-based and non-weight-based doses are shown in Figure 82 with possible clinical use. In some embodiments, there may be a "clinical usage record" setting that requires the user to review or re-enter the patient's weight (or BSA) before starting an infusion.

Instead of or in addition to the dosage patterns of the infusion fluids, clinical uses can also be defined for different medical uses (eg, stroke, heart attack, etc.) for each infusion fluid. Clinical usage can also be used to define whether the infusion fluid is administered as a primary continuous infusion, primary intermittent infusion, secondary infusion, and so on. They can also be used to provide appropriate constraints on dose, flow rate, VTBI, duration, and the like. Clinical use also provides titration change limits, bolus availability, loading dose availability, and many other infusion specific parameters. In some embodiments, it may be necessary to provide at least one clinical use for each infusion fluid in the group medical train.

Each clinical use may additionally include another enlarged subheading in which concentrations may also be defined. In some cases, there may be more than one possible infusion fluid concentration. In the example embodiment in FIG. 82, the weight-based dose clinical use has a concentration of 400 mg/250 mL, and a concentration of 800 mg/250 mL. The dose not based on body weight is clinically used with only one concentration of 400 mg/mL. Concentration can also be used to define acceptable ranges, for example where the user can customize the concentration of the infusion fluid. Concentration settings may include information regarding drug concentration (as shown), diluent volume, or other relevant information.

In some embodiments, the user may navigate to the "Medication Management Library" to populate some of the parameter input fields shown in Figures 72-76. The user can also navigate to the "Drug Management Library" to select which syringe pump 500 (see FIG. 28 ) infusion to use from the clinical use for each infusion fluid. For example, if the user selects weight-based heparin dosing on FIG. 82, GUI 3300 may display the infusion programming screen shown on FIG. Selecting a drug clinical use may also prompt the user to select a drug concentration. This concentration may then be used to populate the concentration parameter input field 3308 (see Figures 72-76). In some embodiments, a "drug management library" may be updated and maintained external to syringe pump 500 and communicated with syringe pump 500 by any suitable means. In these embodiments, the "Medication Management Library" may not be changeable on the syringe pump 500, but instead may only impose limitations and/or constraints on the programming options for the user to populate the parameter entry fields shown in FIGS. 72-76.

As mentioned above, the user can also set limits on other parameter input fields for the infusion programming screen by selecting a drug and clinical use from the group drug list. For example, by defining the medicines in the "drug management library", the user can also define the dosage parameter input field 3310, the dose flow rate parameter input field 3318, the flow rate parameter input field 3312, the VTBI parameter input field 3314, the time parameter input field 3316, etc. limit. These limits can also be pre-defined for each clinical use of the infusion fluid before the user programs the infusion. In some embodiments, the limit may be both a soft limit and a hard limit, the hard limit being the upper limit of the soft limit. In some embodiments, group settings may include limits for all medications available to the group. In these cases, clinical use restrictions can be defined to further customize group restrictions for each clinical use of a particular drug.

The software architecture of the syringe pump 500 is schematically shown in FIG. 83 . The software architecture divides the software into cooperating subsystems that interact to perform the desired pumping actions. This software is equally applicable to all of the embodiments described herein. It is also possible to apply the software to other pumps not described herein. Each subsystem can consist of one or more execution streams controlled by the underlying operating system. Available terms used in the art include operating system, subsystem, process, thread and task.

Asynchronous messages 4130 may be used to 'push' information to a destination task or process. Emitter process or task does not get acknowledgment for message transmission. Data transferred in this manner is often repetitive in nature. If the expected messages are on a consistent schedule, the receiver process or task can detect failures if the messages do not arrive on time.

Synchronous messages 4120 may be used to send commands to, or request ('pull') commands from, a process or task. After sending a command (or request), the original task or process stops executing while waiting for a response. The response may include the requested information, or may acknowledge receipt of a sent message. If a response is not received in a timely manner, the sending process or task may be suspended. In this case, the sending process or task may restart execution and/or an error condition may be sent.

An operating system (OS) is a collection of software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services to computer programs. An operating system acts as an intermediary between programs and computer software. While the hardware may directly execute some application code, the application code may frequently cause the system to call or be interrupted by OS functions.

The RTP 3500 operates on a real-time operating system (RTOS) that has been proven to meet the level of security required for medical devices. An RTOS is a multitasking operating system aimed at executing real-time applications. Real-time operating systems typically use specialized scheduling algorithms that make deterministic behavior possible for them. UIP 3600 can operate on Linux operating system. The Linux operating system is a Unix-like computer operating system.

A subsystem is the sum total of software (and possibly hardware) assigned to a specific system function or collection of functions (related). Subsystems have well-defined reactivity and well-defined interfaces with other subsystems. A subsystem is an architectural partition of software that uses one or more processes, threads, or tasks.

A process can operate independently executable on the Linux operating system, operating within its own virtual address space. The memory management hardware on the CPU is used to enforce the integrity and isolation of this memory by write protecting the code space and disallowing data access outside the process memory area. Processes may only use inter-process communication facilities to transfer data to other processes.

In Linux, threads are individually scheduled, concurrent paths of program execution. On Linux, a thread is always associated with a process (which must have at least one thread and may have many). A thread shares the same memory space as its "parent" process. Data is shared directly between all threads belonging to a process, but care must be taken so that access to shared items is properly synchronized. Each thread has an assigned execution priority.

Tasks on an RTOS (Real Time Operating System) are individually scheduled, concurrent paths of program execution similar to Linux 'threads'. All tasks share the same memory address space that makes up the entire CPU memory map. When using an RTOS that provides memory protection, each task's effective memory map is restricted by the Memory Protection Unit (MPU) hardware to common code space and the task's private data and stack space.

Processes on UIP 3600 communicate through IPC calls shown by the one-way arrows in FIG. 83 . Each solid line arrow represents a synchronous message 4120 call and response, and the dotted line arrow is an asynchronous message 4130 . Tasks on RTP 3500 similarly communicate with each other. RTP 3500 and UIP 3600 may be bridged by an asynchronous serial line 3601, with one of InterComm Process 4110 or InterComm Task 4210 on each side. The InterComm process 4110 proposes to bridge the same communication API (Application Programming Interface) on both sides so that all processes and tasks interact using the same method calls.

After all operating system services have started, the execution process 4320 can be invoked by the Linux system startup script. Execution process 4320 then begins various executable files including software on UIP 3600. If any software component should exit or fail unexpectedly, the executive process can be notified 4320 and it can generate appropriate alerts.

While the system is running, executive process 4320 may function as a software 'watchdog' for various system components. After recording by the executing process 4320, the process is required to 'check in' or signal the executing process 4320 periodically. Execution process 4320 may detect that a 'check-in' has not occurred at the required time interval. Once a faulty subsystem is detected, the execution process 4320 can take the following remedial actions: take no action, raise an alarm, or restart the faulty process. The remedial actions taken are predetermined by table entries compiled into the executing process 4320 . The 'check-in' time interval can be different per process. The amount of variation between 'check-in' times for different processes may be based in part on the importance of the process. The logging interval may also be varied during operation of the syringe pump 500 to optimize pump controller response by minimizing computer processing. In an example embodiment, during syringe 504 loading, the pump controller may register less frequently than during active pumping.

In response to the required registration message, the execution process 4320 may return various system status items to the registered process. A system status item may be the status and/or errors of one or more components on syringe pump 500 . System status items may include: battery status, WiFi connection status, device gateway connection status, device status (idling, infusion operation, diagnostic mode, errors, etc.), technical error indications, and engineering log levels.

Threads operating in Execute Process 4320 may be used to read the status of Battery 3420 from an internal monitor chip in Battery 3420 . This may be done at relatively infrequent intervals, such as once every 10 seconds.

UI view 4330 embodies a graphical user interface (see FIG. 71 , GUI 3300 ), presents display graphics on display 514 , and responds to input on the touch screen in embodiments including a touch screen or through other data input device 516 communications. The UI View 4330 design is stateless. Graphics being displayed, as well as variable data to be displayed, can be commanded by the UI model process 4340. The commanded graph may also be updated periodically independent of data changes.

The style and appearance of the user input session (virtual keyboard, drop-down selection list, multi-select box, etc.) can be specified by the screen design and fully implemented by the UI view 4330. User input may be collected by UI View 4330 and sent to UI Model 4340 for interpretation. UI View 4330 may provide facilities with the following multi-locale, multi-language support, including but not limited to: virtual keypad, unicode strings, loadable fonts, right or left handed input, translation tools (which can load translation files), and Configurable number and data formats.

UI Model 4340 implements the screen flow and therefore controls the user experience. UI Model 4340 interacts with UI View 4330, specifies the screen to be displayed, and provides any instantaneous values to be displayed on the screen. Here, screens refer to images displayed on the physical display 514, as well as defining interactive areas or user dialogs on the touch screen 3735, ie, buttons, sliders, keypads, and the like. The UI Model 4340 interprets any user input sent from the UI View 4330, and may update values on the current screen, command a new screen, or send a request to the appropriate system service (i.e., send 'start pumping' to the RTP 3500) .

The UI model 4340 interacts with the drug management library stored in a local database as part of the database system 4350 when a drug to be infused is selected from the drug management library. The user chooses to set up a run-time configuration for designing and administering the desired drug.

As the operator enters an infusion program, the UI model 4340 can relay the user's input values to the infusion manager 4360 for validation and interpretation. Treatment decisions may not be made by the UI model 4340. Therapeutic values may be communicated from the infusion manager 4360 to the UI mockup 4340 to the UI view 4330 for display to the user.

UI Model 4340 may continuously monitor device status collected from Infusion Manager 4360 as may be displayed by UI View 4330 . Alerts/warnings and other changes in system status may trigger screen changes by the UI mockup 4340.

Infusion manager process (IM) 4360 may verify and control the infusion delivered by syringe pump 500 . To start an infusion, the user can interact with the UI view/model 4330/4340 to select a specific drug and clinical use. This specification selects a dedicated drug administration library (DAL) input for use. The IM 4360 loads this DAL input from the database 4350 for use when validating and running the infusion.

Once the Medication Management Library entry is selected, the IM 4360 can communicate to the UI model 4340 the dose mode, limits for all user-enterable parameters, and default (if set) upper limits. Using this data, the UI model 4340 can guide the user to enter an infusion procedure.

As the user enters each parameter, the value may be sent from the UI View/Model 4330/4340 to the IM 4360 for validation. The IM 4360 reflects the parameters back to the UI Views/Models 4330/4340 along with parameter indications conforming to the DAL constraints. This allows the UI View/Model 4330/4340 to notify the user of any values that are outside the limits.

The IM 4360 may also return a valid infusion indicator when the complete set of valid parameters has been entered, allowing the UI view/model 4330/4340 to present an 'on' control to the user.

The IM 4360 can simultaneously make the infusion/pump status available to the UI views/models 4330/4340 when required. If the UI View/Model 4330/4340 is displaying a 'Status' screen, it may require this data to make up that screen. This data may be a composite of infusion status and pump status.

When required to operate (validate) an infusion, the IM 4360 can transfer an 'Infusion Job Board' with user-specific data and an 'Infusion Template' with read-only restrictions as CRC'd binary boxes from the DAL to the Infusion Control Task 4220. The infusion control task 4220 on the RTP 3500 performs the same user input, conversion and DERS input, and recalculates the infusion job board. Infusion Control Task 4220 calculations may be stored in a second CRC'd bin and compared to the first bin from UIP 3600. The infusion calculations performed on the UIP 3600 can be recalculated on the RTP 3500 and reviewed prior to the infusion run.

Coefficients to convert input values (ie, l, grams, %, etc.) to standard units, such as ml, may be stored in UIP 3600 memory or database system 4350 . The system can be stored in a lookup table or at a specific memory location. The lookup table may include 10's of conversion values. To reduce the chance that a single digit of floating point operations will cause the wrong conversion coefficient to be used, the addresses of the conversion values can be distributed among values from 0 to 4294967296 or ²³² . The addresses can be chosen such that the binary form of one address never differs from the second address by only one bit.

When infusion is running, IM 4360 can monitor its progress, sequence, pause, restart, second infusion, rapid infusion and KVO (keep vein open) as needed. The IM 4360 can track and trigger any user alerts required during an infusion (infusion near completion, KVO review, second completion review, etc.).

Processes on the UIP 3600 can communicate with each other through a dedicated messaging scheme based on the message queue library available through Linux. The system provides both acknowledgment (synchronous message 4120) and non-acknowledgement (asynchronous message 4130) messaging.

Messages destined for real-time processor (RTP) 3500 may be passed to InterComm process 4310, which forwards the message to RTP 3500 over serial link 3601. A similar InterComm task 4210 on RTP 3500 may relay the message to its intended destination through the RTP 3500 messaging system.

The messaging scheme used on this serial link 3601 can provide for error detection and retransmission of defective messages. This may be required to allow the system to be less susceptible to electrical interference that may accidentally 'disrupt' inter-processor communications.

In order to maintain a consistent interface across all tasks, message payloads used with the messaging system may be data classes derived from a common base class. This type adds both data identification (message class) and data integrity (CRC) to the message.

Audio server process 4370 may be used to render sound on the system. Playing pre-recorded sound files generates all user feedback sounds (key clicks) and alerts or warnings. The sound system can also be used to play music or speech if desired.

The sound request may be a symbol (such as "play high priority alarm sound"), and the actual sound file selection is established in the audio server process 4370. The ability to switch to an alternate sound background may be provided. This capability can be used to customize sounds for regional or language differences.

A Device Gateway Communications Manager process (DGCM) 4380 may manage communications over WiFi networks 3620, 3622, 3720 with Device Gateway servers. DGCM 4380 may be started and monitored by executive process 4320 . If the DGCM 4380 exits unexpectedly, it can be restarted by the executive process 4320, but if the failure persists, the system can continue to operate without the gateway.

The function of the DGCM 4380 may be to establish and maintain a Wi-Fi connection, and then establish a connection with the device gateway. All interactions between the DGCM 4380 and the device gateway use a system such as that described in cross-referenced non-patent application "System, Method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care" (Attorney Docket No. J85).

If the connection to the gateway is unavailable or becomes unavailable, the DGCM 4380 can interrupt any transmissions in progress and attempt to reconnect the link. Transmission may resume when the link is re-established. Periodically report network and gateway operational status to executive process 4320. Execution process 4320 distributes this information for display to the user.

The DGCM 4380 can act as an autonomous subsystem, electing device gateway servers to upgrade and downloading updated items when available. In addition, the DGCM 4380 can monitor the log tables in the database and upload new log events whenever they are available. Successful upload events can likewise be marked in the database. After connecting to the Device Gateway server, the DGCM 4380 can 'catch up' with the record upload, sending all items entered during the communication outage. Firmware and drug management library updates received from the gateway may appear in the UIP 3600 file system for the next installation. Infusion programs, clinical reports, patient identities and other data items destined for the device may appear in the database.

DGCM 4380 may report connection status and date/time updates to executive process 4320. There may be no other direct connection between the DGCM 4380 and any other operating software. This design decouples the operating software from the potentially instantaneous availability of the device gateway and Wi-Fi network.

The motor check 4383 software can read the hardware counter or encoder 1202 (FIG. 60) reporting the rotation of the motor 1200. The software in this module can independently estimate the motion of the motor 1200 and compare them to the expected motion based on the user input for the infusion flow rate. This may be an independent check for proper motor control. However, the main motor 1200 control software can be executed on the RTP 3500 .

Event information may be written to a log by the logging process 4386 during normal operation. These events can consist of internal machine states and measurements as well as therapy history events. Due to the volume and frequency of event record data, these record operations may be buffered in a FIFO queue while waiting to be written to the database.

SQL database (PostgreSQL) can be used to store drug management library, local machine settings, infusion history and machine record data. Stored programs that are executed by the database server can be used to isolate applications from internal database structures.

The database system 4350 can be used as a buffer for recorded data destined for the device gateway server, and as a staging area for infusion settings and alerts sent from the gateway to the pump.

Once an infusion is requested to begin, the DAL input and all user selected parameters may be sent to the infusion control task 4220. All DAL validation and recirculation based on infusion flow rate and volume for the required dose can be performed. This result can be checked against the IM 4360 calculated on the UIP 3600. These results may be required to match in order to continue.

When running an infusion, the infusion control task 4220 may control the delivery of each infusion 'segment'; that is, a portion of an infusion consisting of volume and flow rate. Examples of infusion segments are: main infusion, KVO, bolus, rest of main infusion after bolus, main infusion after titration, etc. The infusion segments can be sequenced on the UIP 3600 by the IM process 4360 .

The pump control task 4250 may include a controller that drives the pumping mechanism, and the desired pump flow rate and volume (VTBI) may be specified in the commands sent from the infusion control task 4220 .

Pump control task 4250 may receive periodic sensor readings from sensor task 4264 . The new sensor readings can be used to determine motor speed and position, and calculate desired commands to send to the brushless motor control IRQ 4262. Receiving a sensor message triggers controller output recirculation.

While pumping fluid, the pump control task 4250 may perform at least one of the following tasks: control pumping speed, measure volume delivered, measure air detected (over a rolling time window), measure fluid pressure or other indication of occlusion , and detection of upstream occlusion.

Relevant measurements may be periodically reported to the RTP Status task 4230. Pump Control Task 4250 may execute one infusion segment at a time, stopping when the commanded delivery volume has been reached. Sensor task 4264 may read and summarize sensor data for dynamic control of the pumping system.

The sensor task 4264 can be scheduled by a dedicated counter/timer to run at a constant 1 kHz rate (every 1.0 ms). After all relevant sensors have been read, the data may be communicated to the pump control task 4250 via an asynchronous message 4120 . The periodic receipt of such messages can be used as a master time repository to synchronize the control loops of the syringe pump 500 .

RTP Status Task 4230 may be a central store of both the status and status of various tasks running on RTP 3500 . RTP Status Task 4230 may distribute this information to IM 4360 operating on UIP 3600 as well as tasks on RTP 3500 itself.

The RTP status task 4230 may also be filled with fluids to resolve infusions performed. Pump on and off and pumping procedures may be reported to the RTP Status Task 4230 by the Pump Control Task 4256. RTP status task 4230 may address one or more of the following: total volume delivered, main volume delivered, main VTBI (countdown), volume delivered, and VTBI for boluses when a bolus was administered, and volume delivered and performed VTBI per infusion at the time of each infusion.

All alarms or warnings originating from the RTP 3500 can be centralized via the RTP Status Task 4230 and then communicated to the UIP 3600.

The memory checker task 4240 may continuously test program flash and RAM memory while the unit is running. Such testing may be non-destructive. Such testing can be scheduled such that the entire memory space on the RTP 3500 is tested every few hours. Additional periodic inspections can be scheduled on this task, if desired.

Tasks running on RTP 3500 may be required to communicate with each other and with tasks executing on UIP 3600 .

The RTP 3500 messaging system can use a unified global addressing scheme, allowing messages to be delivered to any task within the system. Local messages may be transmitted within the memory of the device using RTOS messaging, while off-chip messages are propagated over the asynchronous serial link 3601 via the InterComm task 4210.

InterComm task 4210 may manage the RTP 3500 side of serial link 3601 between the two processors. InterComm task 4210 is the RTP 3500 equivalent of InterComm process 4310 on UIP 3600 . Messages received from UIP 3600 can be relayed to their destination on RTP 3500 . Outgoing messages may be forwarded to InterComm process 4310 on UIP 3600.

All messages between RTP 3500 and UIP 3600 can be checked for data corruption using error detection codes (32-bit CRC). Messages sent on the serial link 3601 may be resent if the detection site is damaged. This provides a communication system that is quite resistant to ESD. Can be used as a corruption message within the processor between hardware fault handling procedures. All message payloads used with the messaging system can be of a data type originating from a common database (message database), ensuring consistency across all possible message destinations.

The brushless motor control IRQ 4262 may not run as a task; it may be implemented as a strictly foreground (interrupt background) process. Interrupts are generated from the rectifier or hall sensor 3436, and the rectification algorithm can run entirely in the interrupt service routine.

Figure 84 illustrates a state diagram illustrating a method 50650 of providing watchdog functionality in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Method 50650 is shown as a state diagram and includes states 50670 , 50690 , 50990 , 50720 , 50750 , 50770 , and 50790 , and transition states 50660 , 50680 , 50700 , 50710 , 50730 , 50740 , 50760 , 50780 , 50800 , and 50810 .

Method 50650 may be embodied in software, hardware, software in execution, or some combination thereof (eg, as a hardware watchdog system). Method 50650 may be embodied by watchdog 3460 of FIG. 59J such that it provides a motor enable signal to motor controller 3431 . 85A-85F illustrate one particular embodiment of a system embodying method 50650 of FIG. 84 .

Reference is now made to Figures 84 and 85A-85F. When power is supplied to the watchdog system (e.g., system 50030), method 50650 transitions 50660 to the watchdog system off state 50670 in which the motor enable signal (e.g., line 50150) is deactivated, and the alarm (e.g., line 50160) is deactivated , and the timer is in an unknown state. The timer can be part of watchdog IC 50120. Watchdog IC 50120 is a window watchdog. The system 50030 also includes an I2C control line 50130 that interfaces with an I/O expander 50040 (or other dongle). I2C Control Line 50130 may be part of the connection from RTP 35000 to Watchdog 3460 of Figure 59J. Additionally, a watchdog clear signal (line 50140 of FIG. 85D ) may also be received from the RTP 35000 to the Watchdog 34600. That is, watchdog clear line 50140 "includes" watchdog IC 50120.

In transition 50680, the RTP 3500 (see FIG. 59J ) clears the timer of the watchdog IC 50120 via the watchdog clear line 50140 and the RTP 35000 enables the watchdog enable line 50180 by commanding the I/O expander, On the other hand, the output of the watchdog IC 50120 is performed through the I2C control line 50130 . This causes method 50650 to enter state 50690. In state 50690, the timer is initialized (set to 0), the motor enable line 50150 is set open, and the alarm line 50160 is set open.

The RTP 3500 enables output of motor power through the I2C control line 50130 by setting the D-type flip-flop to true (using the preset pin of the D-type flip-flop 50050 ) and pauses in transition 50700 for 1 ms. Method 50650 transitions to state 50990 where watchdog IC 5012 timer runs enabling motor enable line 50150 and timer is less than 200 milliseconds. If RTP 3500 sets watchdog clear line 50140 when watchdog is greater than 10 milliseconds and less than 200 milliseconds, transition 50170 transitions method 50650 to state 50720 where the timer is reset. Method 50650 will transition back to State 50990.

Transition 50740 transitions the method to state 50750 if the timer reaches 200 milliseconds, or if the timer is less than or equal to 10 milliseconds, and RTP 3500 sets watchdog clear line 50140. In state 50750, watchdog IC 50120 issues a fault signal buffered by emptying buffer 50090 of D-type flip-flop 50070, thereby shutting down motor line 50150. In state 50750, the watchdog IC 50120 also issues a fault signal received by the NAND gate 50080 through the inverting input, which outputs a signal to the logic buffer 50090 which clears the D-type flip-flop 50070, thereby turning on the alarm line 50160. The output of the D-type flip-flop 50070 is amplified by the load switch 50060.

When the motor enable signal line 50150 is set to turn off the motor, the off signal propagates through the non-inverting input of the NAND gate 50080 after about 1 millisecond, which causes transition 50760 to state 50770, thereby allowing the alarm to be deactivated. The I2C command can cause a transition 50880 to reset the system 50030 back to state 50670.

Otherwise, the alarm line 50160 will continue to sound the alarm until the mute button 50170 is pressed, which is coupled to the reset of the D-type flip-flop 50070, thereby setting the alarm line 50160 to open. That is, the button will cause transition 50780 to transition method 50650 to state 50790. An I2C signal to I/O Expander 50040 via I2C Signal Line 50140 may cause Method 50650 to transition to State 50670.

FIG. 86 illustrates another embodiment of a syringe pump 50200 with a bumper 50210 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The pump 50200 can be coupled to the rod by a clamp 50280. The pump 50200 includes an injection seat 51000 that houses a buffer 50210 .

The pump 50200 also includes a touch screen 50240 coupled to the pump 50200 via a peripheral 50250 . Peripheral 50250 includes indicator light 50260 . The indicator light 50260 may completely surround the touch screen 50240 . The indicator light 50260 may comprise a diffuser surrounding the touch screen 50240 in which a plurality of LED lights are embedded (or optically coupled thereto). The indicator light 50260 can flash when the pump 50200 is operating, and/or it can be a particular color (eg, red, blue, green, yellow, etc.) when the pump is operating. The indicator light 50260 can be continuously on when the pump 50200 is not operating or is in a standby state. Also, alternatively, or alternatively, the indicator light 50260 may be a particular color (eg, red, blue, green, yellow, etc.) when the pump is not operating or is in a standby state.

The pump 50200 may also include a gesture recognition device 50940, which may be a camera. The processor of the pump 50200 can be coupled to the gesture recognition device 50940 to receive user input from the user's gestures. That is, the processor may be configured to propose at least one option to the user through the user interface, and accept the selected one of the at least one option through the gesture recognition device 50940 . The processor coupled to user interface 50240 may also be configured to provide a plurality of pump parameter inputs, where each of the plurality of pump parameter inputs is configured to receive a user-input parameter. The processor may be configured to determine whether all user-entered parameters of all of the plurality of pump parameters satisfy at least one predetermined safety condition. Each of the plurality of pump parameter inputs may be presented without another of the plurality of pump parameter inputs.

The processor may be configured to provide a plurality of pump parameter inputs, wherein each of the plurality of pump parameter inputs is configured to receive a user-input parameter. The processor may be configured to require all of the plurality of pump parameter inputs to be entered within a predetermined amount of time. The processor may be configured to receive another sequence of respective user-entered parameters of the plurality of pump parameter inputs.

Figure 87 shows an exploded view of the syringe pump 50200 of Figure 86 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The pump 50200 includes an upper housing portion 50290 and a lower housing portion 50300. Additionally or alternatively, in some particular embodiments, the upper portion 50290 and the lower portion 50300 of the housing 50290, 50300 may be integrally formed. The modular syringe pump mechanism 51030 can be coupled to the housing 50290, 50300. Motor 51010 actuates the modular syringe pump mechanism 51030. The motor 51010 may be controlled through a circuit board 51020 coupled to the motor 51010 and to various sensors, actuators, touch screen 50240, and the like. The pump 50200 also includes a cable 50310 and a battery 50270 disposed behind the touch screen 50240 (when assembled). FIG. 88 shows a close-up view of upper housing 50290 , lower housing 50300 and power supply 50320 . Note how the power supply 50320 is thermally coupled to the lower housing portion 50600 through the conductive path 50330 .

The pump 50200 includes a power supply 50320. The power supply 50320 is coupled to the conductive line 50330, coupled to the housings 50300, 50290 (when assembled). Conductive path 50330 may be a piece of metal, and may be integrally formed with housing 50300 (or 50290). The power supply 50320 can use the housing 50290, 50300 as a heat sink. The power source 50320 may use any surface of the housing 50290 , 50300 such that it is thermally coupled thereto and/or may be thermally coupled to the housing 50290 , 50330 through a thermally conductive path 50330 .

Figure 89A shows a front view of the display of the pump 50200, and Figure 89B shows a rear view of the display of the pump 50200 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. On the back of the touch screen 50240 (as clearly shown in FIG. 89B ) is disposed a near field antenna 50340 . Figure 90 shows the sensor portion 51050 of the touch screen with the near field antenna 50340 disposed adjacent to the backside of the sensor portion 51050 of the touch screen 50240 (see Figures 89A-89B). A frame 50350 forming a metal ring is shown having an indentation 51040 within which a dielectric 50360 is disposed. Frame 50350 may be a frame for sensor 51050 and/or touch screen 50240. Antenna 50340 may operate at 13.56 MHz, and/or may be an NFC antenna. The metal frame 50350 combined with the notches 51040 and the dielectric 50260 disposed within the notches can form a split ring resonator. The metal frame 50350 forms the conductive element of the split ring resonator, and the notch and the dielectric 50360 disposed therein form the capacitive element of the split ring resonator.

91 shows a flowchart illustrating sensor usage of the pump of FIG. 86 when one or more sensors are unavailable, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 91 shows sensors 7001 , 7002 and 7003 . The rotational position sensor 7003 may be the rotational sensor 1202 (eg, an encoder) of FIGS. 59J and 60 . Motor Hall sensor 7001 may be Hall sensor 3436 on motor 1200 of FIGS. 59J and 60 . For example, linear piston position sensor 7002 may be linear sensor 3950 of FIG. 59B, or linear position sensor 1100 shown in FIG. 57B.

FIG. 91 can be embodied as a method using the feedback sensor of the syringe pump 50206. The RTP3500 of FIG. 59J may receive signals from sensors 7001 , 7002 , 7003 .

The RTP 3500 can use all three sensors 7001, 7002 and 7003 to cross check the position of the slider assembly 800 relative to each other. The RTP 3500 may cross check the rotary position sensor 7003 with the motor hall sensor 7001, and if they do not agree by more than a predetermined amount, the RTP 3500 will compare them to the linear piston position sensor 7002 to determine which of the sensors 7001 and 7003 is operating correctly. Afterwards, the RTP 3500 will use the one of the sensors 7001 and 7003 that is operating correctly. If the Rotary Position Sensor 7003 is not available, the RTP 3500 will use the Motor Hall Sensor 7001. The RTP 3500 may also cross check the rotational position sensor 5042 with the motor Hall sensor 5043 .

The RTP 3500 may use only the linear piston position sensor 7002 if it is determined that both the motor Hall sensor 7001 and the rotational position sensor are not operational.

FIG. 92 shows a side view of a syringe pump 7004 with retention fingers 7005 to retain a syringe, and FIG. 93 shows a close-up, partial view of the syringe pump 7004 of FIG. 92 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. One end of syringe 7010 may be retained by pivot jaw members 7006 and 7007. As shown, pivot jaw members 7006 and 7007 may include a bend. Turntable 7008 is operatively coupled to pivot jaw members 7006 and 7007 causing them to pivot. The dial 7008 can be biased such that rotation of the dial 7008 causes the pivot jaw members 7006 and 7007 to rotate toward each other, or away from each other.

94 illustrates a circuit 8000 for storing data in an RFID tag 8008 associated with a syringe pump (e.g., syringe pump 500 of FIG. 29, syringe pump 50200 of FIG. 86, or any other syringe pump) according to an embodiment of the disclosure. . RFID tag 8009 of FIG. 94 may be RFID tag 3670 of FIG. 59E. The antenna 8001 in FIG. 94 may be the antenna 3955 in FIG. 59E.

Antenna 8001 is coupled to RFID tag 8008 such that an RFID reader (ie, RFID interrogator) may communicate with RFID tag 8008 . Circuit 8000 can be placed on a 1x1" PCB with a backside solid metal ground plane.

Inner ring 8002 using capacitor 8003 may form a split ring resonator to increase the read range capability of circuit 8000 . RFID tag 8008 may be coupled to antenna 8001 through impedance matching networks 8004, 8005, 8006, 8007. Circuit 8000 may be configured for use with a 900 MHz RFID reader.

The reader chip 8009 can interface with the RFID tag 8008 to write data (eg, log data) thereto. The reader chip 8009 may communicate with the RFID tag 8008 using I2C, CAN bus or other communication link. Alternatively, in some embodiments, 8009 may be an electrical connector.

FIG. 95 shows an equivalent circuit 8010 for impedance as viewed from the RFID tag 8008 of FIG. 94 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Loop 8011 shows antenna 8001 of FIG. 94 . Inductor 8012 illustrates inductor 8004 of FIG. 94 . Resistors 8013 and 8014 are schematic representations of resistors 8006 and 8005, respectively. The capacitor 8015 shows the capacitor 8007 of FIG. 94 . Circuit elements 8012-8015 are used for impedance matching such that RFID tag 8008 is efficiently coupled to loop antenna 8001, such as circuit 8000 of FIG. 94 .

96 illustrates another method for storing data in an RFID tag 8022 associated with a syringe pump (e.g., syringe pump 500 of FIG. 29, syringe pump 50200 of FIG. 86, or any other syringe pump) according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Circuit 8016. Antenna 8017 is shown. RFID tag 8022 of FIG. 96 may be RFID tag 3670 of FIG. 59E. The antenna 8017 of FIG. 96 may be the antenna 3955 of FIG. 59E.

In some embodiments, the antenna 8017 may have a capacitor coupled to a notch in the antenna 8017 . The RFID tag 8022 can be efficiently coupled to the antenna 8017 using impedance matching networks 8018, 8020, 8021. Interface 8023 may be used to communicate with RFID tag 8022 (eg, I2C interface, CAN interface, etc.).

FIG. 97 illustrates a split ring oscillator 8026 for use with the circuit 8016 of FIG. 96 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The split ring oscillator 8026 can be printed on a PCB board using the inner ring 8025 and the outer ring 8024. A split ring oscillator 8026 may be placed adjacent to the circuit 8016 of FIG. 96 to improve its read range (eg, the two planes defined by the PCB boards of the two circuits may be parallel to each other).

98 illustrates a flowchart illustrating a method 900 for eliminating the effect of slowing down of a syringe pump (eg, syringe pump 500 of FIG. 29 , syringe pump 50200 of FIG. 86 , or any other syringe pump) in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, The syringe is already loaded on the syringe pump. Method 9000 includes actions 9001-9010, which include two decision actions 9006 and 9009.

Act 9001 receives a target flow rate for a syringe loaded into a syringe pump. The syringe has a barrel and a piston disposed within the barrel. In the absence of retardation in the syringe pump or syringe, Act 9002 determines a therapy actuation speed corresponding to a target flow rate. Act 9003 actuates the plunger of the syringe out of the barrel at a first predetermined speed until a force sensor coupled to the plunger measures a force less than a first predetermined force threshold, or the plunger moves out of the barrel a first predetermined distance. Act 9004 actuates the plunger of the syringe into the barrel at a second predetermined speed greater than the treatment actuation speed until a force sensor coupled to the plunger measures a force greater than a second predetermined threshold or the plunger moves into the barrel a second predetermined distance . Act 9005 issues an alarm if the plunger moves into the syringe a second predetermined distance without the force sensor measuring a force that exceeds a second predetermined threshold. If an alarm is raised in act 9005 , act 9006 branches method 9000 to end treatment 9010 . Act 9007 actuates the plunger of the syringe into the barrel at the treatment actuation speed. Act 9008 estimates the volume that begins to be displaced from the piston position when a second predetermined threshold is exceeded. Act 9009 will repeat Act 9008 until the target volume is expelled, after which event Act 9009 will terminate treatment 9010.

99A-99B illustrate an apparatus 9900 for side loading a syringe onto an infusion pump, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 99A shows the device 9900 with the stationary arm 9902 in the stowed position, while Figure 99B shows the device 9900 with the stationary arm 9902 in the stationary position. In addition to a stationary arm 9902, the device 9900 shown in Figures 99A-99B includes a platform (also referred to as an injection seat) 9906 and a force mechanism 9904 to securely hold the syringe. Piston head assembly 901 can be coupled to a syringe to expel fluid from the syringe (syringe not shown in FIGS. 99A-99B ) into the patient.

The force mechanism 9904 applies a rotational force on the stationary arm 9902, driving it toward the platform 9906. When the syringe is on the platform 9906, the stationary arm 9902 engages the syringe with sufficient force to hold it firmly in place during pump operation. Syringe pumps using smaller syringes may require about 1 pound of force applied to the syringe to secure it, while larger syringes may require about 3 pounds of force applied to it. The force mechanism 9904 may be able to lock in the upper position shown in FIG. 99A , allowing the pump operator to easily position the syringe on the platform 9906 before securing the syringe with the securing arm 9902. The upper position may be referred to as a loading position because moving the stationary arm 9902 away from the platform 9906 facilitates loading the syringes onto the platform 9906 .

The fixed arm 9902 can be designed to allow adequate viewing of the syringe. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the stationary arm 9902 may be configured to be substantially continuous with the pump housing and cover the syringe only at the point of contact between the stationary arm 9902 and the syringe. A wire structure can also be added to the junction of the fixed arm 9902, keeping most of the fixed arm 9902 away from the syringe, leaving only a relatively thin wire touching the syringe. Other arrangements in which the fixed arm 9902 is shaped to minimize obstruction to the syringe can also be used.

Figures 100A-100B illustrate an embodiment of a force mechanism for use with the device described in Figures 99A-99B or a similar device. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 100A-100B includes a secondary arm (hereinafter also referred to as a second arm) 9909 , a roller 9910 , an engagement plate 9914 and a biasing member or spring 9912 . The second arm 9908 is connected to the rotational axis of the fixed arm 9902 and is removed laterally from the fixed arm 9902 such that it is positioned on the engagement plate 9914 . The roller 9910 is attached to the secondary arm 9908 on the end opposite the axis of rotation and extends beyond the secondary arm 9908 so only the roller 9910 engages the engagement plate 9914 . Engagement plate 9914 is positioned to be engaged by roller 9910 . One end of the plate 9914 is fixed by a pivot 9920 and the other end is connected to a spring 9912 that urges the plate 9914 towards the roller 9910 on the secondary arm 9908 . The engagement force of the engagement plate 9914 is angled with respect to the secondary arm 9908, and when the plate 9914 is pushed towards the secondary arm 9908, the engagement force creates a rotational force in the secondary arm 9908. The rotational force from the second arm 9908 is transferred to the stationary arm 9902, which creates a force to secure the syringe. The engagement force of the engagement plate 9914 may also define a peak having a first side 9918 positioned to generate a rotational force in the engaged secondary arm 9908, and a second side 9916 that locks the secondary arm 9908 in the , wherein the stationary arm 9902 is removed from the platform 9906 and possibly the syringe on the platform 9906 (see FIGS. 99A-99B ), thereby maintaining the stationary arm 9902 in the loading position for loading the syringe (shown in FIG. 100B ).

Figures 101A-101B illustrate another embodiment of a force mechanism for use with the device described in Figures 99A-99B, or a similar device. One end of joint plate 9932 is not hinged, and it is on the track 9926. Engagement plate 9932 may be a spring biased toward secondary arm 9922. The track 9926 guides the engagement plate 9932 towards the secondary arm 9922 and allows linear rather than rotational movement. Placing the engagement plate 9932 on the track 9926 does not result in a moment arm reduction. The reduced moment arm means that it is possible to use a stiffer spring to generate a force output at the fixed arm 9902.

The spring pushes the engagement plate 9932 towards the roller 9924 on the secondary arm 9922. The engagement force of the engagement plate 9932 is shaped to exert a rotational force on the secondary arm 9922 which transmits the rotational force to the stationary arm 9902 to which it is attached. Peaks on the engagement surfaces of plates 9932 may define dwell segments 9930 as well as segments that induce rotational forces 9928 . The fixed arm 9902 is shown in a fixed position in Figure 101A, and in a stowed position in Figure 101B.

102A-102B illustrate yet another embodiment of a force mechanism that may be used with the device described in FIGS. 99A-B or a similar device. In the embodiment 9904c shown in FIGS. 102A-102B , the engagement plate 9942 is fixed, and the secondary arm 9934 is telescopic when rotated due to the variable surface of the plate 9942 . The secondary arm 9934 is composed of two components including: a first component 9934a connected to the fixed arm 9902 at its axis of rotation; and a second component 9934b telescoping on the first component 9934a. A spring located between the components 9934a, 9934b forces the two away from each other. A roller 9944 is attached to one end of the second component 9934b so as to engage the engagement plate 9942 . Engagement plate 9942 is positioned to be engaged by secondary arm 9934 and as secondary arm 9934 rotates compresses a spring located between the two secondary arm assemblies 9934a, 9934b. A section 9940 of a plate 9942 locks the mechanism in a position where the fixed arm 9902 is removed from the syringe (i.e., the loading position) and rotation of the fixed arm moves the secondary arm 9934 to a section 9938 of the plate that exerts a rotational force on the arm (ie, rotate the fixed arm 9902 to the fixed position). The stowed position of the fixed arm 9902 is shown in FIG. 102A, and the fixed position of the fixed arm 9902 is shown in FIG. 102B.

In yet further embodiments, the secondary arm can be located anywhere laterally as long as it is connected to the fixed arm. The secondary arm may also be attached to the fixed arm at a point other than the axis of rotation. In the embodiments described herein, the positions of the engagement plates and the angles of the fixed arms in the figures are examples only and may be oriented in any configuration thereby providing the same or substantially the same function, result, configuration or aspect.

103A-103B illustrate yet another embodiment of a force mechanism 9904d for use with the device described in FIGS. 99A-B or a similar device. The mechanism 9904d includes a shaft 9950 , a first cam assembly 9946 , a second cam assembly 9948 , a spring 9954 and a bracket 9952 . Shaft 9950 is pivotally connected to fixed arm 9902 and shares its axis of rotation. The first cam assembly 9946 is connected to the fixed arm 9902 and is disposed about an axis 9950 while having the ability to pivot with the fixed arm 9902 . The side of the first cam assembly 9946 facing the second cam assembly 9948 has a mainly planar portion, a portion disposed rearwardly from the planar portion, and a portion tapering the two together. The second cam assembly 9948 is positioned proximate to the first cam assembly 9946 and mirrors the shape of the first cam assembly 9946, allowing them to interlock evenly to produce the cylindrical shape as shown in Figure 103B. The second cam assembly 9948 is maintained in constant rotational alignment, but has the ability to reciprocate in translation on the shaft 9950. Disposed about the shaft 9950 between the second assembly 9948 and the bracket 9952 is a spring 9954 configured to urge the second cam assembly 9948 toward the first cam assembly 9946 . The rest position is shown in FIG. 103A and the engaged position is shown in FIG. 103B.

104A-104C illustrate different positions of the cam assemblies 9946, 9948. Figure 104A is an illustration of the cam when the stationary arm 9902 (see Figure 103B) is in the down position. In this position, the second cam assembly 9948 is at its point furthest from the bracket 9952 (see FIG. 103B ). Figure 104B shows the cams 9946, 9948 as the stationary arm 9902 is rotated. The tapered portions of the two cams 9946, 9948 slide along each other, pushing the second cam assembly 9948 away from the first cam portion 9946 as the cams 9946, 9948 rotate along the shaft 9950 (see Figure 103B). The spring 9954 pushes the second cam assembly 9948 towards the first cam assembly 9946, which makes them want to slide back to the initial lower position. This feature creates a rotational force that causes the fixed arm 9902 to push down on the spring. Figure 104C shows the cams 9946, 9948 when the stationary arm 9902 is in the rest position. Once the fixed arm 9902 is rotated to the point where the tapered portions are no longer in contact, the planar surfaces will contact, which will cause the absence of the rotational force from the spring 9954, so the fixed arm 9902 will remain in place.

The position or angle of the immobilization arm 9902 may be tracked using sensors. Sensor data may be used in a variety of applications. The position of the sensor can be used to determine if the syringe is properly secured. This would be used in situations where the sensor already knows what type or at least what size diameter syringe is being used and what angle the stationary arm 9902 or secondary arm should be at when secured. Sensors may also be used to determine one or more characteristics of the syringe, such as what size or even which particular model of syringe is being used. By determining which syringe is being used, the pump may calculate flow rate relative to piston displacement. Data from a sensor on the mechanism that drives the syringe plunger can be used along with fixed arm sensor data to determine the type of syringe being used. The sensors used to determine the position of the stationary arm 9902 may be Hall effect sensors.

Figure 105 illustrates a method 9960 for side loading a syringe onto an infusion pump, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Method 9960 includes an actuating action 9962, a loading action 9964, a securing action 9966, a sensing action 9968, and a processing action 9970. Actuating act 9962 includes actuating the stationary arm into the stowed position, act 9962 may be performed by an operator of the pump. Once the stationary arm has been raised into the stowed position, method 9960 can move to act 9964.

Act 9964 loads the syringe onto the syringe holding platform (also referred to herein as the syringe holding edge) located under the stationary arm. For example, insert the flange on the syringe into the slot, or insert the barrel of the syringe into the barrel groove. Method 9960 moves to act 9966 once the syringe has been positioned on the platform below the stationary arm.

Securing action 9966 secures the securing arm away from the stowed position, thereby engaging the syringe with a force loaded on the securing arm, causing the securing arm to engage the syringe with a force acting upon it. Once the syringe has been secured, method 9960 proceeds to act 9968. A sensing action 9968 senses the position of the immobilization arm. This can be achieved using a Hall effect sensor or a rotary potentiometer. After the sensing act 9968, the method 9960 may implement a processing action 9970.

Processing action 9970 processes data from arm position. The processor can use this data to determine which size syringe is being used. Knowing the size of the syringe allows the pump to control fluid flow with respect to piston position. If the type of syringe is preset, the sensor warns the operator when the arm is not in the correct position. If the arm is not in the correct position, the syringe is not properly secured.

FIG. 106 shows an embodiment of a system for mitigating lead screw runout errors, and FIG. 107 shows a flowchart of a method for mitigating lead screw runout errors according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Lead screw runout is the circular deviation from the assumed direct relationship between the rotation of the lead screw and the change in distance of the device being moved through the threads (eg, half-nut assembly, or threaded nut, etc.). This can be caused by the force acting on the mechanism to change direction by turning the half nut about the thread. Lead screw errors can be minimized by milling the drive shaft and half nut with high precision.

The system 9210 of FIG. 106 may specifically implement the method 9100 of FIG. 107 . Leadscrew runout can be mitigated by estimating runout-induced circular deviation and compensating for the deviation when controlling the lead screw distance output.

FIG. 106 illustrates an embodiment of a system 9120 for mitigating lead screw runout errors. Such a system 9120 includes a linear position sensor 9119 , a rotary position sensor 9121 , a processor 9123 and a controller 9125 . A rotational position sensor 9121 tracks the rotation of the lead screw. The equations used to determine the distance output in centimeters ("CM") based on the rotation data are shown below:

Δθ = screw rotation change (degrees)

β = lead screw thread per CM

This equation for determining actuation distance assumes a direct relationship between lead screw rotation and distance output. Runout error is the circular deviation from the assumed linear distance output.

The linear position sensor 9119 is used to detect runout deviation by sensing the distance output of the lead screw. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, an optical sensor, such as an optical mouse sensor, is coupled to the nut half described herein for measuring the displacement of the nut half by examining the detected motion relative to the syringe pump housing surface. In some embodiments, the change in optical sensor output in the position data is measured per inch (CPI). In some embodiments, the receiver is recalibrated to the current CPI by processor 9123, also known as normalization. Normalization is achieved by using the following equation:

θ = current screw rotation (degrees)

M = optical mouse count

R = rotation distance (mm, mm)

f = empirically determined filter

CPI _i ＝f*(InstCPI _i -CPI _i-1 )

This equation recalibrates the CPI every 10 degrees; however, other recalibration rates may also be used.

The magnitude and deviation of the signal can phase shift the signal by 180°, causing the need to multiply the normalized data by -1. This magnitude can also be achieved by comparing deviations using a second, more accurate position measuring device, and empirically determining corrections for this magnitude.

Processor 9123 uses the normalized distance data to estimate the phase and amplitude of the jerk deviation. Oscillations of runout deviation may occur synchronously with each revolution of the lead screw. A low pass filter can be applied to filter the sensor data and then store the data for a given lead screw angle as one value.

The example algorithm used is:

θ = lead screw angle

x = sensor data

ω(θ) = sinusoidal sensor data

ω(θ) _i ＝0.3(x _i -ω(θ) _i-1 )+ω(θ) _i-1

Generate data arrays using this algorithm that can be used for cross-correlation. Phase and/or amplitude results may be generated using cross-correlation with a data array consisting of one or more rotations. The array size may be 4 previous rotations, which in some embodiments may consist of 1440 elements (360 degrees/rotation*4 rotations).

Once the processor 9123 has generated the array, it will cross-correlate the data with the sine and cosine waves to determine the phase and amplitude of the data. The equation for cross-correlating two discrete functions is defined as follows:

The equation for this application is as follows:

l = length of input array

*sin = signal cross-correlated with a sine wave

*cos = signal cross-correlated with cosine wave

α = signal amplitude

In some embodiments, the phase shift may be constant throughout travel, while the amplitude may rise and fall as the nut half assembly moves away from the end of the screw or approaches the end of the screw. The phase and amplitude estimates can be filtered by processor 9123 to integrate this amplitude shift using the following algorithm:

α _i =α _i-1 -0.0005(α _i-1 -α _imst )

C _init = 1

C _near =5E-4

C _mid = 5E-5

C _far =5E-6

Else, C＝C _near

Once filtering is complete, the processor 9123 uses the amplitude and phase estimates to estimate the current error between the rotational position estimate and the current position of the lead screw mechanism. This is achieved using the following equations:

θ _i = current lead screw angle

_Δi = current position correction

r _i = current rotation - reference position

x _i = adjusted target position

x _i =r _i +Δ _i

Once the error between the rotational position estimate and the true output of the lead screw mechanism has been determined, this data is sent to the controller 9125. The controller 9125 synthesizes this data with an assumed direct relationship between lead screw rotation and distance output from the lead screw, thereby increasing the accuracy of the output. Algorithms for detecting the phase and magnitude of the error may be used with any sufficient sensor output to detect, estimate and/or compensate for lead screw runout.

FIG. 107 shows a flowchart of a method 9100 for mitigating lead screw runout errors according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Method 9100 includes rotation tracking action 9103 , distance tracking action 9101 , transforming action 9105 , normalizing action 9107 , error generation action 9109 , filtering action 9111 , storing action 9113 , estimating action 9115 and controlling action 9117 .

Rotation tracking action 9103 includes tracking the rotation of a threaded drive shaft of a lead screw mechanism using a rotational position sensor. A Hall effect sensor can be used as the rotary position sensor described herein. The Distance Tracking action 9101 tracks the distance output of a lead screw mechanism using a linear position sensor. An optical mouse sensor can be used as the linear position sensor; however, in some embodiments, any sensor capable of tracking linear position can be used. In some embodiments, acts 9101 and 9103 may occur simultaneously, incrementally, or in any order or variation.

Transform action 9105 converts the rotation data into estimated distance output data for the lead screw mechanism. When or after the rotation data has been transformed, method 9100 may continue to act 9107.

A normalize action 9107 normalizes the range sensor data to produce a data set with reduced sensor drift. In some particular embodiments, when normalizing the data, the sensor may be recalibrated every ten degrees of lead screw rotation. In some embodiments, method 9100 may move to act 9109 when or after the data has been normalized.

An error generating action 9109 generates error data that compares the output of the range sensor data with the rotation data. Filtering action 9111 filters the normalized data. Store action 9113 stores the data as a value for each degree of lead screw rotation. Estimation action 9115 uses the data stored as a value for each degree of lead screw rotation to determine the magnitude and phase of the error. Estimation of phase and amplitude can be achieved by cross-correlating the sine and cosine waves with the data. Estimate action 9115 to also account for the half nut position on the lead screw, and address the reduced amplitude of the half nut as it approaches the end of the lead screw. Method 9100 moves to act 9117 once the magnitude and phase of the error have been determined.

Control action 9117 controls the rotation of the lead screw by the estimated phase and amplitude deviations incorporated into the assumed direct relationship between lead screw rotation and output.

108-111 show several views of an infusion pump employing a modular power supply coupled thereto, according to embodiments of the disclosure. Figure 108 shows a side view of a pump with a modular power supply attached to the back of the pump. Figure 109 shows a side view of a pump using an external power source. Figure 110 shows a side view of the pump with a power source attached to the bottom of the pump. Figure 111 shows a side view of the pump with a power supply attached to the top of the pump.

As shown in FIGS. 108-111 , various embodiments illustrate an infusion pump 9202 employing a power input module 9204 , a power supply 9205 and an outlet adapter 9209 . In some embodiments, the power input module 9204 is attached to the housing 9203 of the infusion pump 9202 and has a port configured to receive DC current to power the pump 9202 . The power supply 9205 has the ability to be removably attached to the power input module 9204. The power input module 9204 may be an electrical connector having conductive contacts. The power supply 9205 can be coupled to an AC plug 9209 configured to receive an AC signal. The power supply 9205 may include an AC to DC conversion module within the power supply 9205 to convert the AC signal received over the power cord 9207 to DC current. The DC output connection 9211 provides DC current to the power input module 9204.

FIG. 108 shows an embodiment with a power supply 9205 secured to the back of the pump 9202 by a power input module 9204. The power entry module 9204 can secure the power supply 9205 in place. The power supply 9205 receives AC power through a power cord 9207 connected to an AC plug 9209.

109 shows an embodiment of a power supply 9205 in which a power cord 9211 connects the DC output jack of the power supply 9205 to the power input module 9204. The pump 9202 may be configured to secure a power source 9205 to the exterior of its housing 9203.

FIG. 110 shows an embodiment of a pump 9202 showing a power supply 9205 attached to the bottom of the pump 9202. FIG. 111 shows an embodiment in which the power supply 9205 is attached to the top side of the pump 9202.

Figure 112 shows an embodiment in which a power supply (hereinafter also referred to as a power supply) 9205 has a structure 9213 for wrapping around the power cord 9207 of Figures 108-111. In some embodiments, a mechanism for automatically winding the power cord 9207 may be used.

Figure 113 shows an embodiment of a power supply 9219 in which a plurality of pumps 9215 is powered, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. That is, a single power supply 9219 can be configured to provide power (eg, DC power) to multiple pumps 9215 . In Fig. 113, the power supply 9219 is attached to a rod 9221 on which the pump 9215 is mounted. The power supply 9219 may have a plurality of power cords 9217 electrically connected to a power output jack of the power supply 9219 that is connected to the power input module 9218 of the pump 9215 attached to the rod 9221 .

The power supply 9205 may also include a battery that is charged by the power supply and has the ability to power the pump when the power supply is not receiving AC power. In most cases, this battery will supplement the battery in the pump housing 9203. Such a battery may also be used to extend the operating time of the pump 9202 when AC current is not available, such as when the patient is moved to a different location. This battery may also allow the pump 9202 to employ a smaller battery within it.

The pump 9202 can be attached to the rack, which provides power to the pump 9202 and allows the pump 9202 to communicate with other pumps on the rack. When attached to the rack, the pump 9202 will not require a power source 9205. The power input module 9204 can be designed so that the rack and the power supply 9205 are connected in the same way, making the two interchangeable.

114A-114J show several views of a syringe pump assembly 9502 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 114A , a syringe pump assembly 9502 is shown and includes a body 9580 , a syringe seat 9514 and a plunger head assembly 9516 . Piston head assembly 9516 includes piston head 9581 , half nut assembly 9562 and piston tube 9561 (see FIG. 124 ). A syringe (eg, see syringe 9518 of FIG. 114E ) can be placed in injection receptacle 9514 , which is secured by retention member 9504 and retention clip 9506 (described below). The dial 9505 opens the pivot jaw members 9508, 9510 and allows the piston head assembly 9516 to move away from and towards the injection seat 9514.

Referring now to FIG. 114B , therein is shown a top view of syringe pump assembly 9502 providing a clear view of sensor 9512 . Sensor 9512 may detect the presence or absence of a syringe located within injection receptacle 9514. Sensor 9512 is coupled to a processor of the syringe pump to which syringe pump assembly 9502 is coupled such that the processor may detect the presence or absence of a syringe loaded into syringe receptacle 9514.

114C shows syringe pump assembly 9502 configured to receive a syringe within syringe receptacle 9514. That is, the retention member 9504 is in the upper position, and the dial 9505 is rotated to the open position rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the closed position. Rotation of the dial 9505 also rotates the pivot jaw members 9508, 9510 away from each other. As shown in Figure 114C, the dial 9505 is held in the open position by an internal mechanism (described below), allowing the user to stop applying torque on the dial 9505, and allowing the user to take their hands off the dial 9505 while the dial The 9505 remains in the open position at all times. This allows the user to easily optionally use both hands to load the syringe, and slide the piston head assembly 9516 such that the pivot jaw members 9508, 9510 may be operatively coupled to the syringe's flange. The retention member 9504 is spring biased toward the injection seat 9514; however, when the retention member 9504 is in the fully open position, an internal mechanism can hold the retention member 9514 in the open position without requiring any torque from the user.

Figure 114D shows syringe pump assembly 9502 in a configuration in which retention member 9504 is in a down position and dial 9505 is rotated to a closed position. Rotation of the dial 9505 also biases the pivot jaw members 9508, 9510 toward each other. As shown in FIG. 114D , the dial 9505 is held in a closed position by an internal biasing mechanism (described below), allowing the user to stop applying torque on the dial 9505 and allowing the user to take their hand off the dial 9505 while The dial 9505 remains in the closed position. When the dial 9505 is rotated a predetermined amount toward the closed position away from the open position (see FIG. 114C ), the piston head assembly 9516 is locked in place and cannot move freely into or out of the rest of the syringe pump assembly 9502 (as described below).

Referring to Figures 114E-115B, an overview of the operation of loading a syringe 9518 into a syringe pump assembly 9502 is shown. With the retention member 9504 in the open position (as shown in FIG. 114C ), as shown in FIG. 114E , the syringe 9518 can be seated in the injection receptacle 9514 and the retention member 9504 rotated onto the syringe 9518 . The syringe 9518 may be retained by a retention clip 9506 that secures the flange 9525 of the barrel 9523 of the syringe 9518 between the injection seat 9514 and the retention clip 9506 .

When the syringe 9518 is fully seated in the injection seat 9514, the syringe 9519 may trigger the sensor 9512 when the syringe 9518 is loaded into the injection seat 9514. The sensor 9512 is more easily seen in Figure 114F. A processor may be coupled to sensor 9512 and configured to receive such notifications. Additionally, a radial angle sensor (described below) may be coupled to the processor to measure the radial angle of the retention member 9504 (refer again to FIG. 114E ) to estimate the size of the syringe 9518 .

As shown in FIG. 114G , after placing the syringe 9518 in the injection receptacle 9514, the retention member 9504 can be rotated toward the syringe and the piston head assembly 9516 can be moved toward the syringe 9518 until the force sensor 9520 contacts the plunger of the syringe 9518 One end 9517 of 9519 (possibly a flange). As shown in FIG. 114H , the turntable 9505 is rotated, causing the pivotable jaw members 9508 , 9510 to rotate toward and catch on the flange 9517 of the plunger 9519 of the syringe 9518 . Figure 114I shows a top view of this configuration.

Figure 114J shows a close-up view of the operation of the retention clip 9506 and sensor 9512 of the syringe pump assembly of Figures 114A-114J. As best shown in FIG. 114J , the flange 9525 of the barrel 9523 of the syringe 9518 is disposed between the injection seat 9514 and the retention clip 9506 . The resiliency of retaining clip 9506 may frictionally lock barrel 9523 of syringe 9518 in place. Also shown there is a sensor 9512 which is a push button sensor actuatable into the injection seat 9514 when the syringe 9518 is in the injection seat 9514 .

115A and 115B show both sides of retention clip 9506. Retention clip 9506 includes three holes 9521 so that retention clip 9506 can be secured to injection hub 9514 . Retention clip 9506 includes an inner recess 9522 to receive a smaller syringe and an outer recess 9524 to receive a larger syringe. Note that in Figure 115B, the retention clip 9506 includes a support structure 9526 to provide further flexibility to exert greater force on the flange 9525 of the barrel 9523 of the syringe 9518 (see Figure 114J).

As shown in FIG. 116A, the sensor 9512 is easy to view now that the injection seat 9514 has been removed. Also shown in FIG. 116A is a bottom cover 9503 that is attached to the bottom of the injection port 9514 to cover the sensor 9512 and optionally allow the retention clip 9506 in place to be secured thereto. That is, in some embodiments, retention clip 9506 may optionally be secured to bottom cover 9503 by fasteners 9527 (eg, screws).

116B shows a side view of syringe pump assembly 9502 with syringe hub 9514 and bottom cover 9503 removed. As clearly shown in FIG. 116 , the sensor 9512 includes a piston head 9507 , a piston shaft 9509 , a spring 9511 and a sensor plate 9513 . The sensor board 9513 includes a switch 9515 with a blade 9526, a spring 9511 coupled to the plunger shaft 9509, thereby biasing the plunger shaft 9509 and plunger head 9507 toward a position in which a syringe 9518 in the injector seat 9514 can be located (see again FIG. 114E ).

When a syringe (eg, syringe 9518 of FIG. 114J ) is pressed against piston head 9507 of sensor 9512, piston head 9507 retracts into injection seat 9514 (see view of injection seat 9514 in FIG. 114E ). Referring again to FIG. 116B , when the syringe is pressed against the plunger head 9507 of the sensor, the plunger head 9507 moves the plunger shaft 9509 . Piston shaft 9509 is coupled to spring 9511 such that piston shaft 9509 can overcome the bias of spring 9511 to engage switch 9515 of sensor plate 9513 . That is, when the piston shaft 9509 is sufficiently actuated against the bias of the spring 9511, the piston shaft 9509 presses against the blade 9526 of the switch 9515 of the sensor plate 9513 (see FIG. 116C ). 116C shows a close-up view of the interaction of the piston shaft 9509 and the blade 9526 of the switch 9515. When the switch 9515 detects a predetermined amount of movement, the sensor board 9513 provides a signal from the sensor 9512 to the processor informing it that a syringe 9518 has been loaded into the injection receptacle 9514 (also shown in FIG. 114E ).

Referring back to FIG. 116C , while the switch 9515 may be a discrete switch (e.g., only two discrete states), in some embodiments the switch 9515 provides a similar position of the blade 9526 to the sensor plate 9513 as a sensor 9512 signal. provided to the processor.

117A-117C illustrate several views of syringe receptacle 9514 of syringe pump assembly 9502 shown in FIGS. 114A-114J, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As best shown in FIG. 117A , injection port 9514 includes a hole 9528 for sensor 9512 (see, eg, FIG. 114A ). Injection seat 9514 also includes a lower surface 9532 having a series of tapered surfaces proximate one end 9533 of surface 9532 . As it approaches end 9533, surface 9532 slopes downward. FIG. 117B shows that one end is positioned to face the beveled surface 9532 .

Referring to FIG. 117C , injection hub 9514 also includes a surface 9530 having an aperture 9531 in which screw 9527 of retaining clip 9506 may be used to secure retaining clip 9506 thereto. Aperture 9529 is also visible in FIG. 117C , into which retention member 9504 (see FIG. 114A ) may partially reside.

118A-118B show several views of the syringe pump assembly 9502 shown in FIGS. 114A-114J with the syringe hub 9514 removed, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIGS. 118A-118B will now be described with respect to estimation of the diameter of the syringe 9518 .

As shown in Figure 118A, the retention member 9504 is in a fully open position. Retention member 9504 is coupled to shaft 9535 . O-rings help seal the interior of syringe pump assembly 9502, preventing contamination from passing through bore 9529 (see Figure 117a). As shown in FIG. 118A , a fixed cam 9536 is located at the distal end of the shaft 9534 and a movable cam 9537 is located at the proximal end of the shaft 9534 . The spring 9535 biases the movable cam 9537 away from the fixed cam 9536.

The retention member 9504 is coupled to the shaft 9534 such that rotating the retention member 9504 also rotates the shaft 9534 . Rotating cam 9545 is also coupled to shaft 9534. As the retention member 9504 is actuated, the rotating cam 9545 rotates (eg, rotates between open and closed positions). When the retention member 9504 is in the fully open position, the rotating cam 9545 and the movable cam 9537 can engage each other such that the retention member 9504 remains in the fully open position (i.e. bit member 9504 is in the park position). That is, the rotating cam 9545 and the movable cam 9537 may engage with each other by opposing surfaces perpendicular to an axis defined by the shaft 9534 .

As the retention member 9504 rotates, the rotating cam 9545 rotates such that the movable cam 9537 and the rotating cam 9545 engage each other through opposing surfaces that are not perpendicular to the axis defined by the axis 9534 . This causes the force of the spring 9535 to be transferred from the movable cam 9537 to the rotating cam 9545 causing the rotating cam 9545 to rotate thereby rotating the retaining member 9504 towards its closed position. That is, as long as the retention member 9504 is not in the parked position, the spring 9535 can ultimately create a rotational biasing force on the retention member. Figure 118B shows the retention member 9504 in the retained position, ie, when the retention member is rotated toward any loaded syringe. The guide rod 9538 prevents the movable cam 9537 from rotating together with the shaft 9534 or due to the spring 9535 , and guides the movable cam 9537 to move away from and toward the fixed cam 9536 . The syringe 9518 loaded into the injection receptacle 9514 can stop the full rotation of the retaining member 9504 to the closed position (see FIG. 114E ). Figure 118B shows the full rotation of the retention member 9504 to the closed position.

Gear 9539 is also coupled to shaft 9534 and rotates therewith. Gear 9539 engages gear assembly 9543. The gear assembly 9543 can increase or decrease the gear connection of the rotating magnet 9540. The sensor board 9542 includes a Hall Effect sensor 9541 (eg, a rotary encoder) that may determine the angle of rotation of the magnet 9540 and thus the position of the retention member 9504 . The sensor board 9542 can send a signal encoding the position of the retention member 9504 to the processor, where the processor correlates the position of the retention member 9504 with the diameter of the barrel 9523 of the syringe (see FIG. 114E ).

119A-119B illustrate several views of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J to illustrate gripping of the jaw members 9508, 9510 to a syringe (eg, the syringe shown in FIG. 114E ), according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 9518) action on the flange 9517 of the piston 9519. FIG. 119A shows the pivot claw members 9508 , 9510 in the open position, and FIG. 119B shows the pivot claw members 9508 , 9510 grasped on the flange 9517 of the piston 9519 . As clearly shown in FIG. 119A, a ramp 9546 can be used so that as the pivot jaw members 9508, 9510 are gripped onto the flange 9517 of the piston 9519 (as shown in FIG. 119B ), the flange 9517 is more firmly secured. ground against the piston head assembly 9516 (see FIG. 114A ).

Figure 120 shows the piston head of the piston head assembly 9516 (of the syringe pump assembly shown in Figures 114A-114J) with the cover plate removed to illustrate the mechanical effect of the rotation of the dial 9505, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 120 , turntable 9505 is coupled to shaft 9547 , cam 9548 and rod actuator 9554 . A spring 9557 is operatively coupled to the shaft 9547 to bias the dial 9505 and shaft to rotate toward the closed position (as shown in FIG. 120 ).

Gear 9553 is operatively coupled to potentiometer 9559. Potentiometer 9559 is coupled to circuit board 9558, which is configured to provide the rotational position of gear 9553 to the processor (as described below). Referring now to FIGS. 121A-121C , circuit board 9558 and potentiometer 9559 have been removed to facilitate viewing of the internal parts of piston head assembly 9516 . That is, Figures 121A-121C show several views of a piston head according to an embodiment of the disclosure with the cover plate and circuit board removed to illustrate the mechanical effect of the rotation of the dial.

As shown in FIG. 121A , the dial 9505 is coupled to the cam 9548 such that rotation of the dial 9505 to the open position causes the cam 9548 to rotate such that the rocker arm 9549 rotates as the cam follower 9550 of the rocker arm 9549 engages the cam 9548 . Rocker arm 9549 is coupled to gear 9552. Gear 9553 is coupled to gear 9552 which is coupled to rocker arm 9549. Gear 9552 and rocker arm 9549 are coupled to spring 9551 such that the rocker arm 9549 is biased such that the cam follower 9550 is biased toward cam 9548 . Figure 121B shows a configuration in which the dial 9505 is in the fully open position. Note that the rocker arm 9549 has rotated from its position in Figure 121A, and also note that the gear 9553 has rotated a predetermined amount. Referring now to FIGS. 114C and 121B , gear 9552 is coupled to pivotable jaw member 9510 and gear 9553 is coupled to pivotable jaw member 9508 . 121B and 114C show configurations in which the dial 9505 has been rotated to the open position.

When the dial 9505 has rotated to the fully open position, the cam 9548 engages in the detent 9560 of the cam 9548. FIG. 121C shows a close-up view to show the detent 9560. As best shown in Figure 121C, the cam follower 9550 can fit into a detent 9560, which holds the dial 9505 in the "park" position. That is, although the user may remove their hand from the dial 9505, as shown in Figure 121C, the dial 9505 remains in the fully open position. In some embodiments, spring 9557 does not provide sufficient torque on shaft 9547 to overcome pawl 9560 without user assistance.

When the dial 9505 is rotated back from the open position shown in Figure 121B to the closed position, the pivotable jaw members 9508, 9510 will rotate towards the flange 9517 of the plunger 9519 of the syringe 9518 (see Figures 114G and 114H). However, the pivotable jaw members 9508, 9510 will stop rotating towards each other when they contact the flange 9517 of the piston 9519 as shown in Figure 114H. Referring back to FIGS. 121A-121B , this will cause the cam follower 9550 to move away from the cam 9548 as the surface of the cam 9548 will continue to move away from the cam follower 9550 . The rocker arm 9549 cannot rotate further because it is coupled to the jaw member 9510 (see FIG. 114H ), the movement of which is constrained by the flange 9517 of the plunger 9519 of the syringe 9518 . The position of the pivotable jaw members 9508, 9510 may be determined by one or more potentiometers 9559 and communicated to a processor. The processor can use this location to estimate dimensional characteristics of the syringe 9518.

122A-122B illustrate two views of a cam 9548 (e.g., a dial shaft cam), such as may be used within the piston head assembly 9516 of the syringe pump assembly 9502 shown in FIGS. 114A-114J, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 9548. The detent 9560 is clearly shown in Figures 121A-121B.

123A-123B illustrate two close-up views of the lumen of the plunger head assembly of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As the shaft 9547 rotates, the rod actuator 9554 also rotates. As shown in FIG. 123B, when the dial 9505 (see FIG. 120) approaches the fully open position, the rod actuator 9554 engages the link 9555, thereby pulling the rod 9556 out. The rod 9556 is spring biased into the piston head assembly 9516.

Figure 124 illustrates the piston head assembly 9516 of the syringe pump assembly shown in Figures 114A-114J according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 124 , the piston head assembly 9516 includes a half nut assembly 9562 having a linear cam 9566 coupled to a rod 9556 . Piston tube 9561 connects half nut assembly 9562 with the rest of piston head assembly 9516. The piston tube 9561 shown in FIG. 124 is removed in FIGS. 125A-125B to show the rod guide 9563 . As best shown in Figures 125A-125B, the rod guide 9563 guides the rod 9556. Note that spring 9564 is coupled to collar 9565 to bias rod 9556 toward nut half assembly 9562 .

126A-126I show several additional views of the syringe pump assembly 9502 of FIGS. 114A-114J, according to embodiments of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 126A , the nut half assembly 9562 is easily viewed as the syringe seat 9514 (see FIG. 114A ) is removed, and the cover plate of the syringe pump assembly 9502 is also removed.

Half nut assembly 9562 can be coupled to lead screw 9572 such that rotation of lead screw 9572 linearly actuates half nut assembly 9562 . Half nut assembly 9562 includes linear bearings 9575 that can travel on rails 9574 . As the half-nut assembly 9562 is advanced, the sensor 9578 engages the linear resistor 9579 to form a linear potentiometer for estimating the linear position of the half-nut assembly 9562, which is sent to the processor to estimate the linear position from the syringe (e.g., FIG. 114E Fluid discharged from the syringe 9518).

Half nut assembly 9562 also includes a linear cam 9556 coupled to rod 9556 (see also FIG. 124 ). First and second half nut arms 9567, 9568 and pivot pin 9569. When the linear cam 9566 moves toward the first ends 9576 of the first and second half nut arms 9567, 9568, the first and second half nut arms 9567, 9568 pivot along the pivot pin 9569 such that the first and second half nut arms 9567, 9568 pivot. The second ends 9577 of the nut arms halves 9567, 9568 engage the lead screw. Each second end 9577 of the first and second nut arm halves 9567 , 9568 includes threads for engaging a lead screw 9572 . The spacer 9571 ensures that the distance between the first and second ends 9577 of the first and second half-nut arms 9567 , 9568 is sufficiently large so that the half-nut assembly 9562 fully engages the lead screw 9572 .

126B shows a perspective, side view of syringe pump assembly 9502. It should be noted that the first and second half nut arms 9567 , 9568 include internal threads to engage the lead screw 9572 . A bearing 9573 is coupled to the lead screw 9572 to allow it to rotate. Figure 126C shows the piston head assembly 9516 with the cover plate of the nut half assembly 9562 removed. It should be noted that the spring 9570 opens the first ends 9577 of the first and second half nut arms 9567 , 9568 from the lead screw 9572 . 126D shows a perspective oblique view to illustrate how the first ends 9576 of the first and second half-nut arms 9567, 9568 engage the linear cam 9566. 126E shows a side view of half nut assembly 9562. The linear cam 9566 is in the retracted position, which occurs when the dial 9505 is in the fully open position. Note that the rod 9556 is retracted by the spring 9564 (see Figure 125B). Figure 126F shows the linear cam 9566 in an engaged position. As shown in Figure 126G, the surface of the linear cam 9566 has actuated the first ends 9576 of the half-nut arms 9567, 9568. When in this position, the surface of the linear cam 9566 engages the first ends 9576 of the half nut arms 9567, 9568 so that if force is applied to open the first ends 9576 of the half nut arms 9567, 9568 from each other, the rod 9556 will not experience transmission of force. That is, the surfaces of the linear cam 9566 engage the first ends 9576 of the half nut arms 9567 , 9568 such that the contacting surfaces are parallel to each other and parallel to the axis of the rod 9556 . 126H and 126I show two views in which the half nut assembly 9562 fully engages the lead screw 9572, wherein rotation of the lead screw 9572 linearly actuates the half nut assembly 9562 (and thus the entire piston head assembly relative to the syringe pump assembly 9502 9516).

127 shows a perspective, side view of a syringe pump assembly 9601 coupled to a display 9690. It should be noted that a syringe pump assembly 9601 is shown therein and comprises a body 9680 , an injection seat 9614 and a plunger head assembly 9616 . Piston head assembly 9616 includes piston head 9681 , half nut assembly 9562 (see FIG. 114A ) and piston tube 9661 . A syringe (eg, see syringe 9518 of FIG. The dial 9605 opens the pivotable jaw members 9508, 9510 (see FIG. 114A ) and allows the piston head assembly 9616 to move away from and towards the injection seat 9614. The display 9690 includes a screen 9691 , a power button 9692 , an alarm mute button 9693 and a menu button 9694 . Pump assembly 9601 is configured to display multiple displays on screen 9691 pertaining to pump operation and patient data.

Figure 128 shows a flowchart of a method 9302 for expelling fluid from a syringe and for providing relief from an occlusion condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Method 9302 can be embodied by a syringe pump, such as the syringe pump shown in FIG. 127 . Various actions can be embodied through the use of one or more processors on the syringe pump.

Method 9302 is described as being embodied by the syringe pump shown in FIG. 127; however, this illustration should not be considered limiting. Method 9302 can be practiced on any pump that discharges fluid, such as any of the pumps described herein. Method 9302 includes actions 9304-9316. Act 9304 loads the syringe into the syringe pump. For example, a syringe can be loaded into the injection receptacle 9614. Action 9306 determines the diameter of the barrel of the syringe. The diameter of the syringe can be determined by the position of the retention fingers 9604. Act 9308 actuates the syringe using the syringe pump. Piston head assembly 9616 can actuate the plunger of the syringe. Activity 9310 estimates the fluid pressure within the barrel of the syringe. Act 9312 makes a decision based on whether the pressure within the barrel of the syringe is below a predetermined threshold. If the decision is yes, actions 9308-9312 may continue to achieve the target flow rate until the target fluid ejection dose is achieved.

If the decision in act 9312 is no, in act 9314: the syringe pump draws the plunger of the syringe out of the barrel of the syringe by a predetermined amount (possibly an actuation distance or an actuation volume of the syringe). In Act 9316, the syringe pump actuates the plunger into the syringe until the fluid pressure within the barrel of the syringe exceeds another predetermined threshold. One or more processors can sound an alarm or warning to alert the caregiver of the occlusion.

Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, this disclosure is intended to cover all such alterations, modifications and variations. Additionally, while several embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown in the drawings and/or discussed herein, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the scope of the disclosure be as broad as the art will allow , and this note should be read similarly. Therefore, the above description should not be considered as limiting, but only as exemplifications of particular embodiments. And, those skilled in the art should envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. Other elements, steps, methods and techniques that do not differ significantly from those described above and/or in the appended claims are also intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

The embodiments shown in the drawings are presented for the purpose of illustrating specific examples of the present disclosure only. And the drawings described are only illustrative and not restrictive. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated for illustration and may not be drawn on a specific scale. In addition, elements in the drawings with the same identifier may be the same element or may be similar elements, depending on the context.

When the term "comprising..." is used in the description and claims, it does not exclude other elements or steps. When an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun eg "a", "an" or "the", it includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated. Therefore, the term "comprising..." should not be interpreted as being limited to the items listed below; it does not exclude other elements or steps, so the scope of the expression "means comprising items A and B" should not be limited to being composed only of components A and B installation. This expression means that with respect to this disclosure, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

Furthermore, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc., whether used in the specification or in the claims, are used to distinguish between similar elements and do not necessarily describe a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under certain circumstances (unless expressly disclosed otherwise) and that the embodiments of the disclosure described herein are capable of occurring in other sequences and/or sequences than described or illustrated herein. Arrange operations.

Claims (6)

1. A syringe pump, comprising:

a housing;

a lead screw rotatable within the housing;

A motor operatively coupled to the lead screw and configured to rotate the lead screw, the motor having an integrated motor rotation sensor configured to provide a motor rotation signal;

a rotational position sensor operatively coupled to at least one of the motor and the lead screw to provide a rotational signal;

a slider assembly configured to engage the lead screw to actuate the slider assembly along the lead screw in accordance with rotation of the lead screw;

a linear position sensor operatively coupled to the slider assembly and configured to provide a linear position signal; and

at least one processor configured to control rotation of the motor, wherein the at least one processor is operable to receive the motor rotation signal from an integrated motor rotation sensor of the motor, receive the rotation signal from the rotation position sensor, and receive the linear position signal from the linear position sensor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cross check the integrated motor rotation sensor and the rotation position sensor, and if the integrated motor rotation sensor and the rotation position sensor do not agree by more than a predetermined amount, compare the integrated motor rotation sensor and the rotation position sensor with the linear position sensor to determine one of the integrated motor rotation sensor and the rotation position sensor that is operating correctly, and the at least one processor is further configured to continue processing the infusion fluid by using the determined correctly operating sensor;

Wherein the at least one processor is further configured to continue the infusion process at a constant flow rate using only the linear position sensor if it is determined that neither of the integrated motor rotation sensor nor the rotational position sensor is operating.

2. The syringe pump of claim 1, wherein the syringe pump is configured to interchangeably receive one of a syringe pump assembly and a peristaltic pump assembly.

3. The syringe pump of claim 1, further comprising:

an injection mount coupled to the housing; and

a bumper coupled to the housing adjacent the injection seat.

4. The syringe pump of claim 1, wherein the syringe pump is loaded with a syringe having a syringe barrel and a piston disposed within the syringe barrel, the at least one processor operably coupled to the force sensor to receive the measured force therefrom, and configured to:

receiving a target flow rate of the syringe loaded onto the syringe pump;

determining a therapeutic actuation rate corresponding to the target flow rate;

actuating a piston of the syringe out of the syringe barrel at a first predetermined speed until a force sensor coupled to the piston measures a force less than a first predetermined force threshold;

Actuating a piston of the syringe into the syringe barrel at a second predetermined speed greater than the therapeutic actuation speed until the force sensor coupled to the piston measures a force greater than a second predetermined threshold; and

the plunger of the syringe is actuated into the syringe barrel at the therapeutic actuation rate.

5. The syringe pump of claim 4, wherein the syringe is loaded to the syringe pump by a system for securing a syringe to the syringe pump, the system comprising:

a pump housing;

a platform extending horizontally from one side of the shell;

a pivotable securing arm configured to engage a syringe seated on the platform; and

a force mechanism connected to the fixed arm configured to apply a rotational force to the fixed arm, which causes a downward force to be applied to the syringe.

6. The syringe pump of claim 1, wherein the syringe pump is loaded with a syringe having a piston configured to engage a syringe barrel to expel fluid out of the syringe, the at least one processor configured to:

causing an actuator to actuate a piston of the syringe into the syringe barrel;

Monitoring a fluid pressure within a syringe barrel of the syringe;

determining that an occlusion exists when the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold;

actuating the piston out of the syringe by a predetermined amount; and

actuating the piston of the syringe into the syringe until the measured fluid pressure within the syringe barrel exceeds another predetermined threshold.