CN117018344A

CN117018344A - Injection pump system

Info

Publication number: CN117018344A
Application number: CN202311087520.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 迪安·卡门; 拉里·B·格雷; 杰西·T·波多威尔; 约翰·M·克尔温; 迈克尔·J·拜尔; 迪尔克·A·万德尔莫维; 斯蒂芬·L·菲舍拉; 乔纳森·R·瑟伯; 马丁·D·德施; 亚历山大·R·塞里恩; 埃里克·N·萨宾; 大卫·E·柯林斯; 贾里德·N·法洛; 乔纳森·佐布罗; 托马斯·A·弗雷德里希; 理查德·库尔特·海因茨曼; 小大卫·布隆伯格; 詹姆斯·L·斯洛斯; 丹尼尔·F·帕夫洛夫斯基; 西蒙·W·利姆
Original assignee: Deka Products LP
Current assignee: Deka Products LP
Priority date: 2012-12-21
Filing date: 2013-12-20
Publication date: 2023-11-10
Also published as: AU2013361072A8; SG10201800584SA; RU2015129797A; CA3155536A1; CN111803755A; AU2018202697B2; CA2896068A1; AU2018202702A1; JP2016508045A; BR112015015081B1; BR112015015081A2; NZ737867A; AU2019202164A1; AU2019202164B2; CN105188796A; NZ749182A; AU2018202697A1; SG10201702125TA; BR122016030041A2; SG11201504881WA

Abstract

The present application relates to a syringe pump system. A method for expelling fluid from a syringe and for mitigating an occlusion condition includes actuating a plunger of the syringe into a syringe barrel. The method monitors fluid pressure within a syringe barrel of the syringe and determines that an occlusion is present when the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold. The method actuates the plunger out of the syringe by a predetermined amount in response to detecting an occlusion and actuates the plunger of the syringe into the syringe until a measured fluid pressure within the syringe exceeds another predetermined threshold.

Description

Injection pump system

The application relates to a divisional application of a Chinese patent application with the application number 202010138447.0 and the name of a 'syringe pump system', which is filed 3 months and 3 days in 2020, and the application date is 2013, 12 and 20 days. The chinese patent application 202010138447.0 is a divisional application of chinese patent application filed on the date of 2016, 10, 17, 12, 20, 2013, 201610903219.1, and entitled "syringe pump system". The chinese patent application 201610903219.1 is a divisional application of chinese patent application having the filing date of 2013, 12 months and 20 days, the filing number of 20138072074. X (international filing number of PCT/US 2013/077077) and the name of "syringe pump system".

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application is a non-provisional application requiring U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/904,123 entitled "syringe Pump and related method" (Syringe Pump and Related Method) (attorney docket L33), filed on date 14 at 11/2013; and U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/894,801 entitled "syringe pump and related method" (Syringe Pump and Related Method) (attorney docket number K88), filed on 10/23 in 2013, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The present application is also a partial continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/833,432 entitled "Syringe Pump and related method" (Syringe Pump and Related Method) filed on day 15 of 3, 2013, and U.S. publication No. US-2013-0281965-A1 (attorney docket number K21), now published on day 24 of 10, 2013, which claims priority and benefit from the following patent applications:

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/679,117 entitled "System, method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow) filed on 3/8/2012 for systems, methods, and devices for monitoring, regulating, or controlling fluid flow (attorney docket No. J30; and

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/651,322 entitled "System, method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care for electronic patient care" (attorney docket J46), filed on 24, 5, 2012, the disclosure of both of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/833,432 (attorney docket number K21) claims priority from and is also part of the serial application for the following patent applications:

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 13/333,574 entitled "System, method, and apparatus for electronic patient care" (System, method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care), filed 12/21/2011, U.S. publication No. US-2012-0185267-A1 (attorney docket No. I97), now published 7/19/2012, and

PCT application serial number PCT/US11/66588 entitled "System, method, and apparatus for electronic patient care" (System, method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care), filed 12/21/2011, now international publication No. WO 2013/095459 (attorney docket No. I97 WO) published 9/12/2013; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/723,238, entitled "System, method and apparatus for clamping" (System, method, and Apparatus for Clamping), filed on 1, 12, 2012, and U.S. publication No. US-2013-0182381-A1 (attorney docket No. J47), published at 18, 7, 2013, claims priority and benefit from the following patent applications:

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/578,649 (attorney docket No. J02), entitled "systems, methods, and devices for infusion" (System, method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid), filed 12/21/2011;

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/578,658 (attorney docket No. J04) entitled "System, method, and apparatus for estimating liquid delivery" (System, method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery) filed 12/21 2011;

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/578,674 (attorney docket No. J05), entitled "System, method, and apparatus for dispensing oral medications" (System, method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications), filed 12/21/2011;

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/679,117 (attorney docket No. J30), entitled "System, method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow," filed on 3, 8, 2012; and

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/651,322 (attorney docket No. J46), entitled "System, method, and apparatus for electronic patient care," filed 24, 5, 2012, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/723,238 (attorney docket J47) claims priority from and is part of the serial application of the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/333,574 entitled "System, method and apparatus for electronic patient Care" (System, method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care), filed 12/21/2011, U.S. publication No. US-2012-0185267-A1 (attorney docket No. I97), now published 7/19/2012, and

PCT application serial No. PCT/US11/66588 entitled "System, method, and apparatus for electronic patient care" (System, method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care), filed on 12/21 2011, and published international publication No. WO 2013/095459 (attorney docket No. I97 WO), now 9/12, the disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/833,432 (attorney docket K21) claims priority from and also part of the continuation-in-process application entitled "System, method and apparatus for dispensing oral medicaments" (System, method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications) filed on day 12, 2012, U.S. publication No. US-2013-0197693-A1 (attorney docket J74), now published on day 8, 2013, which claims priority and benefits of the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/723,235 (attorney docket J74) claims priority from and is part of the serial application for the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/833,432 (attorney docket number K21) is also a partial continuation-in-process application entitled "System, method and apparatus for dispensing oral medicaments" (System, method, and Apparatus for Dispensing Oral Medications) filed on day 12, year 21, PCT application Ser. No. PCT/US12/71131, now published International publication No. WO 2013/096718 (attorney docket number J74 WO), at day 27, 2013, which claims priority and benefit from the following patent applications:

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/651,322 (attorney docket No. J46) entitled "System, method, and apparatus for electronic patient care" (System, method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care) filed 5/24/2012; and

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/679,117 (attorney docket No. J30), entitled "System, method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow," filed on 3, 8, 2012, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

PCT application Ser. No. PCT/US12/71131 (attorney docket J74 WO) claims priority and is part of the serial application of the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/833,432 (attorney docket K21) claims priority from and also is part of the continuation-in-process application filed on day 12/21 2012 entitled "System, method and apparatus for estimating liquid delivery" (System, method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/578,658, now published on day 18/7 of 2013, U.S. publication No. US-2013-0184676-A1 (attorney docket J75), which claims priority and benefit from the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/724,568 claims priority and partial continuation-in-progress of the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/833,432 (attorney docket K21) claims priority from and also is part of the serial application entitled "System, method and apparatus for infusion," filed on even 21/12/2012, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/725,790, now published on 11/7/2013, U.S. publication No. US-2013-0177455-A1 (attorney docket J76), which claims priority and benefits from the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/725,790 (attorney docket J76) claims priority from and is part of the serial application of the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/833,432 (attorney docket number K21) is also a partial continuation-in-line application of PCT patent application Ser. No. 12/71490 entitled "System, method and apparatus for infusion" (System, method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid) filed on even 21, U.S. Pat. No. 12/096909 (attorney docket number J76 WO), published at 27, now 2013, 6, which claims priority and benefit from the following patent applications:

PCT application Ser. No. PCT/US12/71490 (attorney docket J76 WO) claims priority to and is part of the serial application of the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/833,432 (attorney docket No. K21) also claims and is part of the continuation-in-process application entitled "System, method and apparatus for electronic patient Care," filed on even 12/21 in 2012 (System, method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/723,239, now published on 11/7 2013, U.S. publication No. US-2013-0297330-A1 (attorney docket No. J77), which claims priority and benefits of the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/723,239 (attorney docket J77) claims priority from and is part of the serial application of the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/833,432 (attorney docket number K21) claims priority from and also part of the continuation-in-process application entitled "System, method and apparatus for electronic patient Care" filed on day 12/21 2011 (System, method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/723,242, now published on day 11/28 2012, U.S. publication No. US-2013-0317753-A1 (attorney docket number I78), which claims priority and benefits of the following patent applications:

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/651,322 (attorney docket No. J76), entitled "System, method, and apparatus for electronic patient care," filed 24, 5, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/833,432 (attorney docket K21) claims priority from and is also part of the serial application entitled "System, method, and apparatus for monitoring, regulating, or controlling fluid flow," filed on day 12 and 21 in 2012, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/723,244, now published on day 25 in 2013, U.S. publication No. US-2013-0188040-A1 (attorney docket J79), which claims priority and benefit from the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/723,244 (attorney docket J79) claims priority from and is part of the serial application of the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/833,432 (attorney docket K21) claims priority from and is also part of the serial application entitled "System, method and apparatus for monitoring, regulating or controlling fluid flow," filed on day 12/21 in 2012, PCT patent application Ser. No. PCT/US12/71142 (System, method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow), now International publication No. WO 2013/096722 (attorney docket J79 WO), published on day 27 in 2013, 6, which claims priority and benefit from the following patent applications:

PCT patent application Ser. No. PCT/US12/71142 (attorney docket J79 WO) claims priority and is part of the serial application of the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/833,432 (attorney docket K21) claims priority from and also part of the continuation-in-process application entitled "System, method and apparatus for estimating liquid delivery" (System, method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery) U.S. publication No. 13/723,251, now published at 8.8.2013, U.S. publication No. US-2013-0204188-A1 (attorney docket J81), filed at 12.21 in 2012, which claims priority and benefit from the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/723,251 (attorney docket J81) claims priority from and is part of the serial application of the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/833,432 (attorney docket number K21) claims priority from and also is part of the continuation-in-process application filed on day 12/21 2012 entitled "System, method and apparatus for estimating liquid delivery" (System, method, and Apparatus for Estimating Liquid Delivery) PCT patent application Ser. No. 12/71112, international publication No. WO 2013/096713 (attorney docket number J81 WO), now published on day 27 of 2013, 6, claims priority and benefits of the following patent applications:

PCT patent application Ser. No. PCT/US12/71112 (attorney docket J81 WO) claims priority and is part of the serial application of the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/833,432 (attorney docket number K21) claims priority from and also part of the continuation-in-process application entitled "System, method and apparatus for electronic patient Care," filed on day 12/21 2012 (System, method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care), U.S. publication No. US-2013-0191513-A1 (attorney docket number J85), now published on day 25 of 2013, 7, claims priority and benefits of the following patent applications:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/723,253 (attorney docket J85) claims priority from and is part of the serial application for the following patent applications:

The present application also relates to one or more of the following U.S. patent applications filed on date 2013, 3, 15, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

a non-provisional application entitled "infusion device" (Apparatus for Infusing Fluid) (attorney docket number K14) with serial No. 13/840,339;

PCT application entitled "infusion set" (Apparatus for Infusing Fluid) (attorney docket No. K14 WO);

a non-provisional application entitled "System and device for electronic patient Care" (System and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care) (attorney docket number K22) serial No. 13/836,497;

non-provisional application titled "clamped systems, methods and apparatus" (System, method and Apparatus for Clamping) (attorney docket number K23) serial No. 13/833,712;

non-provisional application entitled "System, method, and apparatus for monitoring, regulating, and controlling fluid flow" (System, method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, regulation, or Controlling Fluid Flow) (attorney docket number K28) Ser. No. 13/834,030.

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

non-provisional application entitled "electronic order reconciliation System for medical facilities" (Electronic Order Intermediation System for a Medical Facility) (attorney docket H53) filed on 1/22 2010, serial No. 61/297,544;

a non-provisional application entitled "electronic patient monitoring System" (Electronic Patient Monitoring System) (attorney docket I52) filed on 1/21 2011, serial No. 13/011,543;

A provisional application entitled "System, method, and apparatus for detecting air bubbles in a fluid line using split-Ring resonators" (System, method, and Apparatus for Bubble Detection in a Fluid Line Using aSplit-Ring Resonator) (attorney docket J31) filed on 1/31 in 2013;

a provisional application entitled "System, method, and apparatus for detecting air in a fluid line using active rectification" (System, method, and Apparatus for Detecting Air in a Fluid Line Using Active Rectification) (attorney docket No. J32) filed 12/738,447, 2012;

a provisional application entitled "systems, methods, and devices for data communications" (System, method, and Apparatus for Communicating Data) (attorney docket No. J80) filed 12/740,474 at 21 in 2012;

a provisional application entitled "System, method, and apparatus for monitoring, regulating, or controlling fluid flow" (System, method, and Apparatus for Monitoring, regulating, or Controlling Fluid Flow) (attorney docket number K52) filed on 11/6 of 2013;

a non-provisional application entitled "System, method, and apparatus for electronic patient Care" (System, method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care) (attorney docket number K66) filed on 5/23, 2013;

International application entitled "System, method, and apparatus for electronic patient care" (System, method, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care) (attorney docket number K66 WO) filed on day 5, 23, 2013, PCT/US 13/42350;

a provisional application entitled "System, method, and apparatus for clamping" (System, method, and Apparatus for Clamping) (attorney docket number K75) filed on 7.8.2013, serial No. 61/843,574;

a non-provisional application entitled "electronic patient monitoring System" (Electronic Patient Monitoring System) (attorney docket number K84) filed on day 8, 2013, day 20, serial No. 13/971,258;

a non-provisional application entitled "System, method, and apparatus for detecting air in a fluid line using active rectification" (System, method, and Apparatus for Detecting Air in a Fluid Line Using Active Rectification) (attorney docket number L05) filed on 12/10 2013, serial No. 14/101,848;

a non-provisional application entitled "Syringe Pump and related methods and systems" (syringpump and Related Method and System) (attorney docket No. L50) filed 12/20/2013;

a non-provisional application filed 12/20/2013 entitled "Computer-implemented methods, systems, and devices for electronic patient care" (Computer-Implemented Method, system, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care) (attorney docket number K50); and

International application entitled "Computer-implemented methods, systems, and devices for electronic patient care" (Computer-Implemented Method, system, and Apparatus for Electronic Patient Care) (attorney docket No. K50 WO) filed 12/20/2013.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to pumps. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system, method, and apparatus for estimating fluid delivery of a syringe pump.

Background

Syringe pumps are used in a variety of medical applications, such as intravenous delivery of liquid drugs to patients in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) over a longer period of time, for example. The syringe pump may be designed such that a needle, tubing, or other accessory may 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 may be a tubular structure with a port at one end so that the piston may push (i.e., expel) the liquid out of the syringe pump. The syringe pump may be coupled to an actuator that mechanically drives a piston to control the delivery of fluid to the patient.

Syringe pumps may also be used to deliver a variety of drugs, including analgesics, anti-emetics, or other fluids. Administration can be very rapid or over a period of time through an intravenous fluid line. Syringe pumps may also be used in non-medical applications, such as in microreactors, laboratory testing, and/or chemical processing applications.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pump for administering a drug to a patient may include a housing. A motor, a gear box operatively connected to the motor, means for detecting rotation of the motor, a controller functioning to control operation of the motor and monitor the amount of the medicament delivered to the patient, and a pump assembly are present within the outer housing inner housing. The pump may be configured to change from a syringe pump or peristaltic pump to a peristaltic pump or syringe pump, respectively, by replacing one pump assembly with a different pump assembly.

In some embodiments, the field of the pump may be changed from a syringe pump or peristaltic pump to a peristaltic pump or 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 a drug 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 capable of engaging and disengaging the lead screw. The threaded portion may be configured to actuate 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 may cause the cam protrusion to move within the slot. As the cam protrusion moves within the straight expansion of the slot, the threaded portion may be configured to actuate between engagement and disengagement with the lead screw.

In some embodiments, the syringe pump may further comprise 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 expansion of the slot until a device configured to clamp any of a range of piston flange sizes has released the largest of the range of piston flange sizes.

In some embodiments, the syringe pump may further comprise a piston head assembly coupled to the slide block and operable to drive the piston of the syringe into the syringe barrel of the syringe. The piston tube may couple the piston head assembly to the slider block.

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 passage for introducing electrical leads into and out of the piston head assembly, and a passage for introducing data transmission leads into and out of the piston head assembly.

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

In some embodiments, the syringe flange clip may include means for detecting the presence of a syringe flange. The means for detecting the presence of the syringe flange may comprise an optical sensor and a light source. In the presence of the syringe flange, the light source may darken.

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

In some embodiments, the slider assembly may further comprise 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 a drug to a patient may include a housing, a lead screw, and a slider assembly. The slider assembly may include a threaded section configured to engage and disengage the lead screw. The syringe pump may further include a piston head assembly coupled to the slider block and operable to drive a piston of a syringe into a syringe barrel of the syringe. The syringe pump may further include a clamping device configured to clamp any of a range of piston flange sizes. The means configured to clamp any of a range of piston flange sizes may include at least a first piston flange clamping jaw and a second piston flange clamping jaw. The first and second piston flange clamping jaws may be configured to actuate from a first position to a position in which at least one point of each of the first and second piston flange clamping 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 clamp 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 clamp any of a range of piston flange sizes toward the first position. In some embodiments, movement of the at least one cam follower along the cam may overcome the biasing member and allow a device configured to clamp any of a range of piston flange sizes to move toward the second position.

In some embodiments, the cam, the at least one cam follower, and the at least one biasing member may be coupled to the rotatable shaft. The cam may not rotate with the shaft and may be displaceable along an axial dimension of the shaft. The at least one cam follower may be fixedly coupled to the shaft and rotatable therewith. 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 clamp any of a range of piston flange sizes to the first position in the absence of a force sufficient to overcome the biasing member.

In some embodiments, the cam may include at least one detent, one of which is reached by the at least one cam follower when a device configured to clamp any of a range of piston flange sizes has been allowed to move to the second position.

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

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

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

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

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

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

In some embodiments, the data generated by the device monitoring the clamping device may be estimated by referencing the 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. The biasing member may bias the clamping device toward the first position. Movement of the at least one cam follower may overcome the biasing member and allow the clamping device to move toward the second position.

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

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

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

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

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a syringe pump for administering a drug to a patient may include a housing, a lead screw, and a piston head assembly operably coupled to drive a piston of a syringe into a barrel of the syringe as the lead screw rotates. 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 set of redundant sensors is damaged, the syringe pump is configured to operate in a failure mode of operation for at least the duration of the treatment. One or more of the redundant sets of sensors are configured to monitor the volume being infused.

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

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

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

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

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

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

In some embodiments, the control database may reference the position data detected by the detector and the data from the 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 medication to a patient by a syringe pump may include defining one or more parameters for infusion via a syringe pump interface. The method may further comprise referencing the parameters with a medical database and imposing constraints on further parameters to be defined by 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 further comprise infusing the medication into the patient in accordance with defined parameters for infusion and performing a specified termination of infusion activity.

In some embodiments, termination of infusion behavior may be selected from the following actions: stopping transfusion, maintaining the speed of opening vein, and continuing to stop transfusion.

In some embodiments, referencing the database against the parameters and imposing constraints on the further parameters may include referencing the database against the agents.

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

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a syringe pump includes a housing, a syringe mount, and a power source. An injection seat is coupled to the housing. The power source is coupled to the housing such that the housing is configured as a heat sink for the power source. The syringe pump may include a motor, and the motor may be coupled to the housing such that the housing is a heat sink for the motor. The housing may be die cast. The housing may comprise at least one metal, and/or may be unitary.

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 rear side. The antenna is arranged on the rear side of the user interface. The split ring resonator is arranged in a spaced relationship with respect to the user interface and is configured to operate by the antenna.

The user interface may include a touch screen sensor. The split ring resonator may be disposed on a rear side of the touch screen sensor. The 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. The motor is operably coupled to the lead screw and is configured to rotate the lead screw. The motor has an integrated motor rotation sensor configured to provide a motor rotation signal. The rotational position sensor is operably coupled to the motor or lead screw to provide a rotational signal. The rotational 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 in accordance with rotation of the lead screw. A linear position sensor is operably 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 rotational position sensor, and a linear position signal from a linear position sensor. The one or more processors are configured to determine whether there is a discrepancy 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 omitting an inactive one of the integrated motor rotation sensor, rotation 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 accordance with rotation of the lead screw. The piston head assembly is coupled to the slider assembly and is configured to drive a piston of a syringe into a syringe 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 one another to retain a piston flange of the syringe. The first pivot jaw member and/or the second pivot jaw member includes a bend.

The syringe pump may also include a dial coupled to the slider assembly. The dial may be operatively coupled to the first and second pivot jaw members to pivotally actuate the first and second pivot jaw members. The pump may include a biasing member configured to bias the turntable 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, a syringe mount coupled to the housing, and a retention finger. The retention finger is pivotably coupled to the housing and configured to rotate toward a syringe disposed within the injection seat to retain the syringe.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of eliminating the effects of slowing down in a syringe pump that has loaded a syringe onto the syringe pump is provided. The syringe has a barrel and a piston disposed within the barrel. The method comprises the following actions: receiving a target flow rate of a syringe loaded onto a 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 a force sensor coupled to the piston measures a force exceeding a second predetermined threshold; and actuating the piston of the syringe into the syringe barrel at the therapeutic actuation rate. The therapeutic actuation speed may correspond to a target flow rate when no retard is present within the syringe pump or syringe. The method may further comprise the acts of: estimating a volume that begins to be displaced from the piston position when a second predetermined threshold is exceeded; and/or stopping the syringe pump when the estimated volume displaced equals or exceeds the target delivery volume.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of eliminating the effects of slowing down in a syringe pump that has loaded a syringe onto the syringe pump is provided. The syringe has a barrel and a piston disposed within the barrel. The method comprises the following actions: receiving a target flow rate of a syringe loaded onto a 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 or the piston moves out of the syringe barrel a first predetermined distance; actuating the piston of the syringe into the syringe barrel at a second predetermined speed greater than the therapeutic actuation speed until a force sensor coupled to the piston measures a force less than a second predetermined threshold or the piston moves into the syringe barrel a second predetermined distance; and actuating the piston of the syringe into the syringe barrel at the therapeutic actuation rate.

The therapeutic actuation speed may correspond to a target flow rate when no retard is present within the syringe pump or syringe. The method may further comprise the acts of: estimating a volume that begins to be displaced from the piston position when a second predetermined threshold is exceeded; stopping the syringe pump when the displaced estimated volume equals or exceeds the target delivery volume; and/or if the plunger enters the syringe a second predetermined distance and the force detector does not measure a force exceeding a second predetermined threshold, an alarm is used.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a syringe pump includes a housing, a syringe mount, a lead screw, a motor, a slider assembly, a piston head assembly, and one or more processors. The injection seat is coupled to the housing and is configured to retain a syringe having a syringe barrel and a piston disposed within the syringe 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 accordance with rotation of the lead screw. The piston head assembly is coupled to the slider assembly and is configured to drive a piston of a syringe into a syringe barrel of the syringe. The piston head assembly has a force sensor operably coupled to the piston of the syringe to measure a force of the piston head assembly on the piston of the syringe. The one or more processors are operably 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 operably coupled to the force sensor to receive the measured force therefrom and configured to: receiving a target flow rate of a syringe loaded onto a syringe pump; determining a therapeutic actuation rate corresponding to the target flow rate; commanding the motor to actuate the 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; commanding the motor to actuate the piston of the syringe into the syringe barrel at a second predetermined speed greater than the therapeutic actuation speed until a force sensor coupled to the piston measures a force greater than a second predetermined threshold; and commanding the motor to actuate the piston of the syringe into the syringe barrel at the therapeutic actuation rate. The therapeutic actuation speed may correspond to a target flow rate when no retard is present within the syringe pump or syringe.

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

The one or more processors may be further configured to stop the syringe pump when the estimated volume displaced 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 mount, a lead screw, a motor, a slider assembly, a piston head assembly, and one or more processors. The injection seat is coupled to the housing and is configured to retain a syringe having a syringe barrel and a piston disposed within the syringe 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 accordance with rotation of the lead screw. The piston head assembly is coupled to the slider assembly and is configured to drive a piston of a syringe into a syringe barrel of the syringe. The piston head assembly has a force sensor operably coupled to the piston of the syringe to measure a force of the piston head assembly on the piston of the syringe. The one or more processors are operably 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 of claim 4 are also operably coupled to the force sensor to receive the measured force therefrom and configured to: receiving a target flow rate of a syringe loaded onto a syringe pump; determining a therapeutic actuation rate corresponding to the target flow rate; commanding the motor to actuate the 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 or the piston moves out of the syringe barrel a first predetermined distance; commanding the motor to actuate the piston of the syringe into the syringe barrel at a second predetermined speed greater than the therapeutic actuation speed until a force sensor coupled to the piston measures a force greater than a second predetermined threshold or the piston moves into the syringe barrel a second predetermined distance; and commanding the motor to actuate the piston of the syringe into the syringe barrel at the therapeutic actuation rate. The therapeutic actuation speed may correspond to a target flow rate when no retard is present within the syringe pump or syringe.

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

The one or more processors may be further configured to issue an alarm if the piston enters the syringe a second predetermined distance and the force detector does not measure a force exceeding 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 analgesic.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for securing a syringe of a syringe pump to one side of the pump. The side-mounted mechanism comprises a pump shell, a platform, a fixed arm and a force mechanism. The platform extends horizontally from one side of the pump housing when the pump is oriented for use. The stationary arm is pivotally connected to the pump housing and the force mechanism. The force mechanism generates a rotational force on the fixed arm that drives it into the platform or syringe located on the platform. The force mechanism may allow the fixed arm to be locked in an upper position, removed from the syringe on the platform. The wire structure may be attached to an end of the fixed arm opposite the rotational axis so as to engage the syringe. The fixed arm may 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 secured to the first arm. The roller is attached to the second arm at an opposite end of the first arm. The engagement plate is positioned to be engaged by the second arm and generates a force on the arm that becomes a rotational force in the attached fixed arm.

In a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, the engagement plate is connected at a first end thereof to the pivot point and at a second end thereof 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 continued contact of the second arm while rotating 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 on which the second arm engages. The spring urges the plate toward the engaged second arm. The combination of the shape of the plate and the spring force causes 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 the second arm to continue to contact while rotating 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 extending substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis. The second component is attached to the first component at an opposite end of the pivot and has the ability to slide toward and away from the pivot while its other movements remain uniform with the first component. A spring is coupled to the first and second components to urge the two components apart. The roller is attached to the second assembly 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 that urges the second arm and the attached fixed 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 the second arm to continue to contact while rotating 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. The shaft is pivotally connected to the fixed arm such that its longitudinal axis is aligned with the fixed arm axis of rotation. The first cam assembly is axially disposed about the shaft but is not connected thereto. The first cam assembly is connected to the stationary arm and rotates therewith. The first end of the first cam member has a planar portion, a portion disposed rearwardly from the planar portion, and a portion that joins the two portions in a tapered shape. The second cam assembly is axially disposed about the shaft immediately adjacent to the first cam but is not connected to the shaft. The second assembly has a fixed rotational direction and has the ability to slide reciprocally on the shaft. The second component mirrors the shape of the first component by virtue of one end of the first cam component. The spring is disposed about the shaft immediately adjacent the second cam assembly on a side opposite the first assembly. The carrier is positioned to compress the spring causing the spring to urge the second component toward the first component.

In some embodiments, a sensor may be used to detect the angle of the stationary arm. Such a sensor may be a ha Li Fake si sensor. Data from the sensors may be used to determine which syringe is being used. The system may also use the sensor data along with sensor data from the piston driver sensor to determine which syringe is being used.

Particular 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 comprises the following steps: 1. ) Lifting the fixed arm loaded with downward force into a locked upper position; 2. ) Placing the syringe on the syringe retaining rim under the fixed arm; and 3.) releasing the fixed arm from the locked position to engage the syringe with a force loaded on the fixed arm. In some embodiments, the downward force loaded onto the stationary arm is generated by a spring. In certain embodiments, the sensor tracks the position of the arm. The sensor may be a ha Li Fake si sensor. The position of the arm may be used to indicate that the syringe is in place or to determine the type of syringe being used. Data from the plunger sensor may be used with the position of the fixed arm to determine the type of syringe being used.

Particular embodiments of the present disclosure use an apparatus for securing a syringe of a syringe pump to one side of the pump. The apparatus includes a pump housing, a platform, a stationary arm, and a force mechanism. When the pump casing is oriented for use, the platform protrudes horizontally from one side of the pump casing. The rotationally fixed arm has a first end operatively 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 an end of the fixed arm opposite the pivot onto the top of the ledge. The securing arm may have the ability to lock in an upper position, removed from the ledge. The stationary arm may also have a wire structure configured to engage a syringe connected at a second end thereof. The fixed arm may exert a force of one to three pounds thereon when the syringe 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 operatively attached to the second arm sharing a point of rotation thereof. The roller is attached at its opposite end to the second arm. The engagement plate is positioned to engage the second arm with a force that urges the stationary arm to rotate onto the top of the ledge.

In certain embodiments, one end of the engagement plate is operatively attached to the pump housing by a pivot connector and the opposite end is attached to the spring. The spring is configured to urge the engagement plate toward the engaged second arm, generating a rotational force on the connected 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 the second arm to continue to contact while rotating thirty degrees.

In other embodiments, the engagement plate has a free range of motion in a single direction, with the spring exerting a force on the plate parallel to the range of motion. The spring urges the plate toward the engaged second arm, generating 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 the second arm to continue to contact while rotating thirty degrees.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the force mechanism includes a second arm and an engagement plate. The second arm includes a first component connected to the fixed arm, sharing its axis of rotation, and projecting substantially perpendicular to the axis. The second component, which is connected to the first component at an end opposite the rotational axis, has a degree of freedom to move about the longitudinal rotational axis of the first component. The spring urges the two components apart. The roller is connected to an end of the second assembly opposite the first assembly. The engagement plate is positioned to be engaged by the rollers and compresses the spring between the two components, creating a force that urges 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 continued contact of the second arm while rotating 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 stationary arm at its rotation point with its longitudinal axis aligned with the rotation axis of the stationary arm. 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 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 meet in a taper. The second cam assembly is also axially disposed about the shaft and is positioned proximate the first end of the first cam. The second component is not connected to the shaft, it remains in a fixed position, and it is able to slide the shaft up and down. The second component mirrors the shape of the first component by virtue of one end of the first cam component. The spring urges the second cam assembly over the first cam assembly with the ability to urge the first assembly and the shaft to rotate depending on the direction of the cam.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of mitigating lead screw runout is provided. The method may be applied to a syringe pump that uses a lead screw to control the delivery of fluid from a syringe. The method comprises the following steps: tracking rotation of the lead screw using a rotational position sensor; tracking a linear output of the lead screw using a linear position sensor; converting the rotational position data into distance output data, generating error data by comparing the distance sensor data and the converted rotational data, estimating a phase and an amplitude of the error data using a processor; and controlling the output of the lead screw by including the estimated offset into a hypothetical direct rotational relationship with the lead screw distance output. Estimating the phase and amplitude of the beat can be achieved by cross-correlating the sine and cosine waves with the deviation data. The data may be stored as a single value for each degree of screw rotation and filtered with a low pass filter prior to cross-correlating the sensor data. Estimating run out may include accounting for variations in the amplitude of the offset when the lead screw displacement component approaches and the threaded drive shaft stops.

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

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 lead screw mechanism output distance and generate distance data. The rotation sensor has the capability of tracking rotational changes 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 ha Li Fake s sensor. The processor converts the rotation data into estimated distance output data and compares it to the distance data of the distance sensor. The processor then estimates the amplitude 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 sine and cosine waves with distance sensor data. The processor may estimate the jitter deviation using only data from the previous four rotations. The processor may also filter the distance data into 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 uses the rotation sensor to control the output of the lead screw to produce a linear distance output and includes an estimated amplitude and phase of the deviation to account for lead screw runout. The controller may assume that the amplitude of the run out decreases as the half nut approaches the end of the lead screw.

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

When attached, the power source may be located on the top, bottom, back, or side of the infusion pump. The display of the pump may be biased towards the side of the pump where the power source is located when attached.

An AC input line may be used to connect the outlet adapter to an AC input jack of the power supply. The power supply may have a winding structure attached to an exterior thereof configured to have the AC input cord wound thereon when the cord is not inserted into the wall. The power supply may also have a port configured to receive the outlet adapter once the wire has been wound around the winding structure. The power source may also include a mechanism to automatically loosen the wires when commanded by the user.

A DC output line may be used to connect a DC output jack of a power supply to a power supply input module. The DC output line is removable from the power input module.

The power input module may be configured to attach to the chassis such that the chassis and the power source are interchangeable.

In some cases, a power source may be attached to the rod, on which a pump is mounted to supply power thereto.

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. A processor and circuitry may also be included. The processor and circuitry will be configured to charge the battery when the power supply receives AC power and discharge the battery when no AC power is received.

In some embodiments, it will be desirable to remove the power source from the pump so that the pump is attached to the pole (pole).

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for providing power to an infusion pump is provided. The system includes a power source 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 supply power to the pump through the DC input jack. The power source may have the ability to be removed from the pump.

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

A power output line may be used to connect a DC output port on the power module with a DC input jack on the pump, the two being in electrical communication. For example, when the power supply is connected to the pump with an electric wire, a power supply rack configured to hold the power supply may be mounted on the pump.

The power input cord may connect the AC input port of the power source to the wall outlet adapter, electrically connecting the two. The power input line is removable from the power supply. The power supply may include a winding structure configured to wind the power input line thereon. The power supply may also include a port configured to receive the wall outlet adapter once the cord has been wound.

The power supply may be configured to supply power to the plurality of pumps. The power source may be coupled to a rod on which the pump is mounted. The DC jack of the pump may be configured to attach the pump to the chassis when the power source is not attached.

The power source may include a battery configured to be charged by the power source when current flows into the AC port and to supply power to the DC output port when current does not flow 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 body, a motor, a lead screw, a syringe mount, and a piston head assembly. The injection seat may be configured to be inclined towards a downward angle. The motor is operably coupled to the body. The lead screw is operably coupled to the motor, and the motor is configured to actuate the lead screw. The piston head assembly includes a turntable, a piston tube, a piston head, and a half nut assembly. The dial 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. The 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 a half-stroke actuated position between a fully open position and a fully closed position.

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

The syringe pump may also include a shaft operably coupled to the dial such that actuation of the shaft and dial is configured to actuate the shaft. The cam may be coupled to the shaft. The 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 jaw members may be operatively 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 another 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 when the pivotable jaw member is gripped onto the syringe, further actuation of the dial toward the closed position causes the cam follower to disengage from the cam. 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 having 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 operatively 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 half nut arms are configured to engage the lead screw. The first and second half nut arms 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 half nut arms each include threads configured to engage the lead screw when the second ends of the first and second half nut arms are proximate to each other.

In another embodiment, a syringe pump includes a body, a motor, a lead screw, a syringe mount, and a piston head assembly. The motor is operably coupled to the body. The lead screw is operably coupled to the motor and configured to actuate the lead screw. The piston head assembly includes a turntable, a piston tube, a piston head, and a half nut assembly. The dial 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. The 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 half nut assembly includes first and second half nut arms pivotally coupled together and configured to engage a 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. The platform (injection seat) extends horizontally from one side of the pump housing. The pivotable securing arm is configured to engage a syringe seated on the platform. The force mechanism is connected to the fixed arm and is configured to apply a rotational force to the fixed arm, which causes a downward force to be applied to the syringe. A display may be coupled to one side of the pump housing. The display may also include a power button, an alarm mute button, and/or a menu button. A monitoring client may be provided that is configured to at least one of receive data from the syringe pump or control the syringe pump as described herein. The monitoring client may be a tablet computer.

A method for expelling liquid from a syringe and for mitigating an occlusion condition includes actuating a plunger of the syringe into a syringe barrel. The method monitors the fluid pressure within the syringe barrel of the syringe and determines that an occlusion is present when the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold. The method actuates the plunger out of the syringe by a predetermined amount 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.

In accordance with 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 securing arm configured to engage a syringe seated on the platform, and a force mechanism connected to the securing 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 fixed arm and an opposite second end. In some embodiments, the roller may be attached to the second arm at the second end. An engagement plate may be included that is configured to engage the roller and urge the second arm in a direction that produces rotational force in the connected fixed arm.

In some embodiments, such a system may include a first end of the engagement plate connected to the pivot point, and an opposite second end attached to the biasing member. The biasing member may be configured to generate a force pushing 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 the second arm to continue to contact while rotating 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 toward the second arm. The engagement plate may be oriented to generate a force pushing 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 continuously contact the engagement plate while rotating substantially 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 stationary arm and an opposite second end. May include a second component attached to the first component at an opposite second end thereof. The second component may be configured to reciprocate about the longitudinal axis of the first component while the other directions of motion cooperate with the motion of the first component. Biasing firmware connected to the first and second components may be included to push the two portions apart. May include a roller attached to an end of the second component opposite the first component. An engagement plate may be included that is positioned to be engaged by the roller, thereby exerting a force on the second arm to create a rotational force in the stationary 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 continuously contact the engagement plate while rotating substantially at least thirty degrees.

In some embodiments, the force mechanism may include a shaft attached to the fixed arm, wherein a longitudinal axis of the shaft is coaxial with a rotational axis of the fixed arm. A first cam assembly disposed about the shaft may be included that is configured to rotate with the stationary arm. The first end of the assembly may have a planar portion, a portion disposed rearwardly from the planar portion, and a tapered portion that causes the two portions to converge in a taper. A second cam assembly may be included disposed about the shaft adjacent the first end of the first cam. The assembly may have a fixed rotational orientation and the ability to translate reciprocally on the shaft. One end of the second cam member depending from the first cam member may mirror the shape of the first cam member. 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 that is positioned to bias the biasing member and translate a force of the biasing member to bias the second cam assembly toward the first cam assembly. The tapered portion of the cam may be in the shape of an approximately forty-five degree pyramid about the planar portion.

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

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

In some embodiments, the fixed arm may exert about one to about three pounds of force on the syringe when in the fixed position. Some embodiments may also include a sensor configured to track the angle of the fixed arm. The sensor may be a hall effect sensor. One or more characteristics of the injector may be determined using data from the sensor. In some embodiments, data from a piston driver sensor and data from the sensor may be used in combination to determine one or more characteristics of the injector.

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

In some embodiments, the biasing force may be generated by a spring. Some embodiments may also include detecting the position of the stationary arm. Some embodiments of the method may include alerting the user if the fixed arm does not properly fix the syringe based on the position of the fixed arm. Some embodiments of the method may further comprise determining at least one characteristic of the syringe using data collected by detecting the position of the fixed arm. Some embodiments may further include determining, in conjunction with determining at least one feature of the syringe, a fluid flow rate based on a change in position of a piston of the syringe using a processor. Some embodiments may include using data from the piston drive arm in conjunction with the position of the fixed arm to determine at least one characteristic of the syringe. Some embodiments of the method may further include determining, in conjunction with determining at least one feature of the syringe, a fluid flow rate based on a change in position of a piston of the syringe using a processor. In some embodiments, a hall effect sensor is used to detect the position of the stationary arm.

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 horizontally protruding from one side of the pump case; a rotating stationary arm having 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 rotated position of the stationary arm; and a force mechanism 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, and in some embodiments, the force mechanism may include a second arm having a first end operably attached to the fixed arm sharing its 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 that is configured to engage the roller with a force that causes the second arm to rotate in a direction that produces a downward force that secures the arm. The first end of the engagement plate may be operatively attached to the pump housing by a pivot connector. The second end of the engagement plate may be operably attached to the biasing member. The biasing member may urge the engagement plate toward the engaged second arm, thereby generating a force that rotates 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 continuously contact the engagement plate while rotating substantially at least thirty degrees. The engagement plate may have a linear range of freedom of movement with one degree of freedom in a single plane. The biasing member may exert a force on the engagement plate, at least one component of which may be in the direction of the range of motion. The biasing member may urge the engagement plate toward the engaged second arm, thereby generating a force that rotates the second arm. The length 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 continuously contact the engagement plate while rotating substantially at least thirty degrees. In some embodiments, the force mechanism may include a second arm having a rotational axis operably attached to the fixed arm such that the rotational axis thereof is shared. 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 is otherwise limited to movement in coordination 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 apart from each other. May include a roller attached to the second end of the second assembly. The roller may extend beyond the second end of the second assembly. An engagement plate may be included that is configured to be engaged by a roller, thereby compressing the biasing member and thereby generating a rotational force that is transmitted to the stationary 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 continuously contact the engagement plate while rotating substantially at least thirty degrees.

In some embodiments, the force mechanism may include a shaft attached to the stationary 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 the shaft may be included that is configured to rotate with the stationary arm. The first end of the assembly may have a planar portion, a portion disposed rearwardly from the planar portion, and a tapered portion that causes the two portions to converge in a taper. A second cam assembly may be included disposed about the shaft adjacent the first end of the first cam. The assembly may have a fixed rotational orientation and the ability to translate reciprocally on the shaft. One end of the assembly depending on the first cam assembly may mirror the shape of the first cam assembly. A biasing member may be included that is configured to urge the second cam assembly toward the first cam assembly.

In some embodiments, the force mechanism may be configured to allow the securing arm to lock in an upper position, wherein the securing arm does not contact the platform. A wire structure connected to the second end of the fixed arm may be included that is configured to engage the syringe when the fixed arm is rotated to the fixed position. The fixed arm may exert a force of one to three pounds on the syringe when in the fixed position. A sensor may be included that is configured to detect the angle of the fixed arm. The sensor may be a hall effect sensor. Data from the sensor may be used to determine at least one characteristic of the injector. In some embodiments, data from a piston driver sensor may be used with the data from the sensor to determine one or more characteristics of the injector.

In accordance with 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 housing of the infusion pump configured to receive DC current from a power source and to supply power to the infusion pump. The module may have a port configured to receive current. The power source may be configured to be removably attached to the power input module, when attached, creating electrical communication between the power source and the power input module. The power supply may include an AC-to-DC conversion module configured to convert an AC current to a DC current and provide a constant voltage current to the pump. An AC input jack may be included that is configured to receive AC current and to supply power to the AC side of the conversion module. A DC output jack may be included that is configured to receive DC current from the conversion module and output the DC current. An outlet adapter may be included that is in electrical communication with an AC input jack in the power source and is configured to plug into an AC wall socket, thereby supplying AC current to the AC input jack. When attached, the power source may be located on any one of the top, bottom, rear, or side of the infusion pump. When the power source is attached, the display may be disposed in close proximity to the power source. An AC input line (hereinafter also referred to as a power line) may connect the outlet adapter to an AC input jack of a power source. The AC input line is removable from the power source. A winding structure attached to the outside of the power supply may be included, which is configured to wind the power supply cord thereon when the cord is not inserted. The power supply may include a port configured to receive the outlet adapter once the wire has been wound around the winding structure. A closure spool may be included to automatically wind up the power cord upon command by a user. A DC output line may be included that connects a DC output jack of the power supply to the power input module, creating electrical communication therebetween. The DC output line is removable from the power input module. The power input module may be configured to attach to the chassis such that the chassis and the power source are interchangeable. Connecting the power source to the power input module may secure the power source to the pump. The power supply may be configured to supply power to the plurality of pumps. A plurality of DC output lines may be included that are configured to connect a DC output jack of a power supply to a power input module of a plurality of pumps, creating electrical communication between the power supply and the pumps. The power supply may be mounted on a pole to which the pump supplying power thereto is also mounted. A battery may be included having a negative terminal operatively connected to the DC output jack of the power supply and a positive terminal operatively connected to the power input module. A processor and circuitry may be included that is configured to charge the battery when the power supply receives AC current and to discharge the battery when no AC current is received. In some embodiments, the power source must be removed from the pump so that the pump is attached to the rod. A processor may be included to monitor the power demands of the pump and adjust the output of the power supply based on those demands. The conversion module may regulate the voltage and current of the electricity entering the pump. In some embodiments, the rod may include a power source, and one or more attachment components to attach the infusion pump to the rod.

In accordance with 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 source configured to power the pump through the DC input jack. The power source is removable 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 in communication with the AC input adapter of the power source. The DC outlet adapter of the power supply may be directly connected 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 source may be located on any one of the rear, side, top and bottom of the pump. The power supply may also include a DC output line 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 an AC-to-DC converter of the power supply to the pump. An AC input line may be included having a first end configured to be connected to an AC input port of a power source and a second end having a wall socket adapter. The AC input line is removable from the power source. The power supply may also include a winding mechanism to wind up the AC input line. The winding mechanism may be configured to have the AC input line wound thereon by a user. The power supply may include a port configured to receive the wall outlet adapter upon winding up the cord. A single power supply may be configured to supply power to multiple pumps. The power source may be coupleable to a rod that includes at least one attachment component for the infusion pump. The DC input jack of the pump may be configured to secure the pump to the chassis and to receive current from the chassis when the power source is not attached. The power supply may include a battery configured to be charged by the power supply when current flows into the AC input port and to supply power to the DC output port when no current flows into the AC input port.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of mitigating lead screw runout errors may include tracking a rotation of a lead screw using a rotational position sensor. The method may include tracking a distance output of the lead screw mechanism using a linear position sensor. The method may include converting the rotational position sensor output 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 the converted data from the rotational position sensor. The method may include estimating, using a processor, a phase and an amplitude of the deviation from an assumed direct relationship with a distance output of the screw mechanism based on the error data. The method may include controlling an output of the lead screw mechanism with a controller. The controller may compensate for the estimated bias.

In some embodiments, the linear position sensor may be an optical mouse sensor. The optical mouse sensor may output data at a frequency of about 3000CPI to about 8200 CPI. The method may further 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 screw rotation. Estimating the phase and amplitude may include cross-correlating the sine and cosine waves with the deviation data. The method may further include storing error data for each degree of screw rotation as a value prior to cross-correlation. The estimating step may take into account variations 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 rotational position sensor may be a hall effect sensor. The phase and amplitude of the runout bias may be estimated using only data from the previous four rotations of the lead screw. The method may further comprise filtering the error data prior to estimating its phase and amplitude. The error data may be filtered using a low pass filter.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for mitigating lead screw run out errors 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 may be included that is configured to track rotation of the lead screw and generate rotational data. A processor may be included. The processor may be configured to convert the rotation data into a conversion distance output of the screw mechanism. The processor may be configured to generate error data by determining a difference between the converted rotation data and the distance data. The processor may be configured to estimate the amplitude and phase of the error data. A controller may be included that is configured to control a distance output of the lead screw mechanism. The controller may compensate for the phase and amplitude of the error data.

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

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a syringe pump may include a body, a motor, and a lead screw operably coupled to the motor. The motor may be configured to actuate the lead screw. An injection seat and piston head assembly may be included. The piston head assembly may include a dial having a first position and a second position. The dial may be configured to actuate between a first position and a second position. A piston tube configured to slidably engage the body may be included. The piston head is operably coupled to the piston tube. A half nut assembly may be included that is configured to engage the lead screw until the dial is actuated a predetermined amount from the first position toward the second position. The predetermined amount may be less than a half way position between the first position and the second position.

In some embodiments, the piston head assembly may include two pivotable jaw members configured to grip onto a piston located within the injection seat. The dial may be configured to actuate the pivotable jaw member. The shaft may be operatively coupled to the turntable. The shaft and the dial may be configured such that actuation of the dial actuates the shaft. The cam may 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. The pivotable jaw member may be operatively coupled to a 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 when the pivotable jaw member is gripped onto the piston, further actuation of the dial toward the second position causes the cam follower to disengage from the cam. A biasing member may be included that is configured to urge the cam follower of the rocker arm toward the cam. 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 comprise a rod. The rod may be coupled within the piston head by a link. The half nut assembly may include a linear cam. The lever may be operatively 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 half nut arms may be configured to engage a lead screw. The first and second half nut arms may be pivotally coupled to one another. 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 pivot toward each other. The first ends of the first and second half nut arms may each include threads configured to engage the lead screw when the second ends of the first and second half nut arms are proximate to each other. The injection seat may comprise at least one inclined surface.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a syringe pump may include a body, a motor, and a lead screw operably coupled to the motor. The motor may be configured to actuate the lead screw. An injection seat and piston head assembly may be included. 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. The piston head is operably coupled to the piston tube. A half nut assembly may be included that is 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 half nut assembly may include first and second half nut arms pivotally coupled together and configured to engage a lead screw.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for securing a syringe to a syringe pump may include a pump housing. A platform may be included that extends horizontally from one side of the pump housing. A pivotable securing arm may be included that is configured to secure a syringe seated on the platform. A force mechanism coupled to the arm may be included that is configured to apply a rotational force to the arm, which causes a fixed 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 may be configured to at least one of receive data from the syringe pump or control the syringe pump. The monitoring client may be a tablet computer. The monitoring client may 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 mount, a piston head, a pressure sensor, and a motor, and one or more processors. The injection seat is operably coupled to the housing and is configured to retain the syringe. The piston head is configured to engage a piston of a syringe to actuate the piston of the syringe. The pressure sensor is configured to be coupled to the syringe to operatively estimate a fluid pressure within the syringe. A motor is operably coupled to the piston head to actuate the piston head, thereby actuating the piston of the head.

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

In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of the plunger that can be actuated from the syringe may be a function of the inside diameter of the syringe. Another predetermined threshold may be a function of the inside diameter of the syringe.

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

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

The predetermined amount of piston actuation from the syringe is within a plurality of predetermined amounts within the look-up table. The predetermined amount of pistons actuated from the syringe barrel may correspond to a syringe model.

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

Drawings

These and other aspects will become more apparent from the following detailed description of various embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an electronic patient care system with a syringe pump according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

2-5 illustrate several views of a hospital bed system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a close-up view of a portion of a clip interface attachable to the pump shown in FIGS. 2-5, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates another close-up view of an interface attachable to another portion shown in FIG. 6, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a pump attachable to the hospital bed system of fig. 2-5, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the pump shown in FIGS. 2-5, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

10-13 illustrate several views of a syringe pump according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 shows a view of the syringe pump of FIGS. 10-13 mounted on a rod in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

15-16 illustrate an operational portion of the syringe pump of FIGS. 10-13 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

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

19-22 illustrate several views of the medical device of FIGS. 17-18, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 illustrates several mounts mounted on a column according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

24-26 illustrate several views of the base of FIG. 23, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

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

FIG. 28 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 29 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 35 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a piston head assembly, piston tube, and slider block assembly of a syringe pump assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 36 is another view of an exemplary embodiment of a piston head assembly, piston tube, and slider block assembly of a syringe pump assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 37 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a top portion of a piston head assembly with half of the piston head assembly removed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 38 is an assembly view of an exemplary embodiment of a top portion of a piston head assembly with half of the piston head assembly removed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

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

FIG. 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 present disclosure;

FIG. 41 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a turret shaft and related portions of a syringe pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 42 is an assembly view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 41, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

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

FIG. 44 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a piston head assembly with the top of the piston head assembly housing removed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

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

FIG. 46 is a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of a piston head assembly showing a cross section of a D-connector in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

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

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

FIG. 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 present disclosure;

FIG. 49 is a partial front view of an exemplary embodiment of a half nut and syringe cam in which the half nut is shown transparent in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 50 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a slider assembly with a half nut in an engaged position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 51 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a slider assembly with a half nut in an engaged position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 52 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a slider assembly with half-nuts in an unengaged position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 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 present disclosure;

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

FIG. 55 is another view of an exemplary embodiment of the rear of a syringe pump assembly with a gear box in place according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 56 is an interior view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe pump assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

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

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

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

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

59B-59J are electrical schematic views of a syringe pump according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

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

FIG. 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 gripped by a syringe flange clip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 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 gripped by a syringe flange clip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 63 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe holder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

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

FIG. 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 present disclosure;

FIG. 66 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a syringe holder linear position sensor in which the linear position sensor printed circuit board is shown transparent, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 72 illustrates an example infusion programming screen of a graphical user interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 73 illustrates an example infusion programming screen of a graphical user interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 74 illustrates an example infusion programming screen of a graphical user interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 75 illustrates an example infusion programming screen of a graphical user interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 76 illustrates an example infusion programming screen of a graphical user interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 77 shows a graphical representation of infusion rates versus time for an example infusion in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 78 shows a graphical representation of infusion rates versus time for an example infusion in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 79 illustrates a graphical representation of infusion speed versus time for an example infusion in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 80 illustrates a graphical representation of infusion rates versus time for an example infusion in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 81 shows a graphical representation of infusion rates versus time for an example infusion in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 82 illustrates an example drug administration library screen of a graphical user interface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 83 illustrates a block software diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 84 illustrates a state diagram of a method of providing a monitoring function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

85A-85F illustrate circuit diagrams of a monitoring system as one embodiment of a monitoring function embodying the state diagram of FIG. 84, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

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

FIG. 87 shows an exploded view of the syringe pump of FIG. 86, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 88 shows a close-up view of the upper housing, lower housing, and power supply of the syringe pump of FIG. 86, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 89A illustrates a front view of a display of the pump of FIG. 86, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 89B illustrates a rear view of the display of the pump of FIG. 86, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 90 illustrates a rear portion of a sensor portion of a touch screen and a frame-based split ring resonator for use with a near field antenna in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 91 shows a graphical representation of sensor usage of the pump of FIG. 86 when one or more sensors are not available, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

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

FIG. 93 shows a close-up view of the syringe pump of FIG. 92, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 94 illustrates a circuit for storing data within an RFID tag associated with a syringe pump, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 95 illustrates an equivalent circuit for impedance as viewed from the RFID tag of FIG. 94, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 96 illustrates another circuit for storing data within an RFID tag associated with a syringe pump, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 97 illustrates a split-ring resonator for use with the circuit of FIG. 96 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 98 shows a flowchart of a method of eliminating the effects of slowing in a syringe pump where a syringe has been loaded on the syringe pump, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 99A shows a perspective view of an apparatus for loading a syringe side onto an infusion pump showing a syringe securing arm of the apparatus in a loading position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 99B illustrates another perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 99A showing the syringe retaining arm in a retaining position in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 100A illustrates a force mechanism driving a syringe retaining arm, showing an embodiment of the syringe retaining arm in a fixed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 100B illustrates the force mechanism driving the syringe retaining arm of FIG. 100A with the syringe retaining arm in a loaded position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 101A illustrates a force mechanism driving a syringe retaining arm, showing another embodiment of the syringe retaining arm in a retaining position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 101B illustrates the force mechanism driving the syringe retaining arm of FIG. 101A with the syringe retaining arm in a loaded position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 102A illustrates a force mechanism driving a syringe retaining arm, showing another embodiment of the syringe retaining arm in a loading position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

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

FIG. 103A illustrates a force mechanism driving a syringe retaining arm, showing another embodiment of the syringe retaining arm in a loading position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 103B illustrates the force mechanism of FIG. 103A driving the syringe retaining arm in a retaining position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 104A illustrates a cam of the force mechanism of FIGS. 103A-103B when the stationary arm is in a stationary position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 104B illustrates a cam of the force mechanism of FIGS. 103A-103B when the stationary arm is in the neutral position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 104C illustrates a cam of the force mechanism of FIGS. 103A-103B when the stationary arm is in the loading position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 105 shows a flowchart of a method for side loading a syringe onto an infusion pump, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 106 illustrates an embodiment of a system for mitigating lead screw run out errors in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 107 illustrates a flow chart of a method for mitigating lead screw run out errors, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 108 illustrates a side view of a pump with a modular power supply attached to the back of the pump in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 109 illustrates a side view of a pump employing an external power source according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 110 illustrates a side view of a pump employing a power source attached to the bottom of the pump in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 111 illustrates a side view of a pump employing a power source attached to the top of the pump in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 112 illustrates a structure for fixing a power cord to a power supply according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 113 illustrates a system having a chassis with power supplies to several pumps secured to the chassis, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

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

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

116A-116C illustrate several views of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J with the syringe mount removed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

117A-117C illustrate several views of the syringe mount of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

118A-118B illustrate several views of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J with the syringe mount removed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

119A-119B illustrate several views of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J to illustrate the action of the jaw members gripping onto the flange of the piston of a syringe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 120 illustrates a piston head with a cover plate removed from the injection pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J to illustrate the mechanical impact of a turntable rotation, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 121A-121C illustrate several views of the removal of a cover plate from the injection pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J and the removal of a piston head of a circuit board to illustrate the mechanical impact of a turntable rotation, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

122A-122B illustrate two views of a cam used in the piston head assembly of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 123A-123B illustrate two close-up views of the interior cavity of the piston head assembly of the syringe pump assembly illustrated in FIGS. 114A-114J, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 124 illustrates a piston head assembly of the syringe pump assembly illustrated in FIGS. 114A-114J in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 125A-125B illustrate two views of a piston head assembly of the syringe pump assembly illustrated in FIGS. 114A-114J with a piston tube removed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

126A-126I illustrate several additional views of the syringe pump assembly of FIGS. 114A-114J in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

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

fig. 128 shows a flow chart of a method for expelling fluid from a syringe and providing a reduced occlusion condition in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary arrangement of a system 1 for electronic patient care according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 1 comprises a monitoring client 2 linked to a plurality of patient care devices via brackets 3 and 11, comprising an infusion pump 4 connected to and infusing from a smaller fluid bag 5, an infusion pump 6 connected to and infusing from a larger fluid bag 7, a drip detection device 8 connected to tubing from the smaller bag 5, and a mini infusion pump 9. The system 1 also comprises a syringe pump 10 wirelessly connected to the monitoring client 2. In some embodiments, the monitoring client 2 may communicate with these patient-care devices in a wired manner, as shown in fig. 1 for infusion pumps 4 and 6 and mini-infusion 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 no wired connection exists 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 the electronic circuitry necessary to convert voltage from a battery attached to the monitoring client 2, or from an alternating current ("AC") line voltage provided to the monitoring client 2 from a power outlet (not shown) in a patient room to power the patient care device. Additionally or alternatively, the holder 3 supplies power to the infusion pumps 4 and 6 and provides a signal, e.g. generated from an AC line voltage, to the mini-infusion pump 9.

In an embodiment, the monitoring client 2 is capable of receiving information about each patient-care device, either directly linked to the device of the patient-care device or linked through a docking station, such as a cradle 3 on which the patient-care device may be mounted. The cradle 3 may be configured to receive one or more patient care devices through a standard connection base, or in some cases through a connection base that is personalized to the particular device. For example, infusion pumps 4 and 6 may be mounted to rack 3 by similar connection mounts, while micro infusion pump 9 is mounted to rack 3, for example, by a specially sized connection mount configured for the housing of micro infusion pump 9.

The cradle 3 may be configured to electronically identify the particular patient-care device mounted on the docking station and transmit this identification information to the monitoring client 2 either wirelessly or through 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. In addition, it is possible to program a particular patient-care device with treatment information (e.g., patient treatment parameters, such as infusion rate for a predetermined infusion liquid) that is sent to the monitoring client 2. For example, the syringe pump 10 may include identifying information and processing information such as what drug has been prescribed to the patient, what fluid is present in the reservoir of the syringe pump 10, how much fluid will be delivered to the patient for how long, who the authorized caregiver is, and so forth. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the monitoring client 2 communicates with the EMR record to verify that the preprogrammed treatment information is safe for the identified patient, and/or that the preprogrammed treatment information matches a specified treatment stored in the EMR record.

In some embodiments, the droplet detection device 8 may communicate with the monitoring client 2 wirelessly or in a wired connection. If an abnormal fluid flow condition is detected (e.g., a tube leading into the patient has been plugged), a signal may be sent to the monitoring client 2 that (1) may display the flow rate of fluid from the fluid container 5 in a user interface located on the monitoring client 2, or in a user interface further away from the nurse station or handheld communication device, (2) may trigger an audible or visual alarm, and/or (3) may cause the monitoring client 2 to change the infusion rate of the pump 4 connected to the bag 5 by terminating the infusion or otherwise changing the pumping rate. The abnormal fluid flow condition may also cause an audible alarm (and/or a vibratory alarm) on the infusion pump 4 or drop detection device 8, or cause the infusion pump 4 to change or stop pumping, such as when the abnormal fluid flow condition exceeds a predetermined operating range.

The alarm may occur simultaneously on several devices or on a predetermined scheme. For example, when an occlusion occurs in a line connected to the infusion pump 4, (1) the droplet detection device 8 uses its internal speaker and internal vibration motor alert, (2) after that, the infusion pump 4 uses its internal speaker and internal vibration motor alert, (3) then the monitoring client 2 uses its internal speaker and internal vibration motor alert, and (4) finally, the remote communication client (e.g., smart phone, blackberry phone, android phone, apple phone, etc.) uses its internal speaker and internal vibration motor alert. In some embodiments, syringe pump 10 may be connected to droplet detection device 8 and detect the abnormal liquid flow conditions described above.

In some embodiments, the syringe pump 10 is programmable to allow communication between the monitoring client 2 and the syringe pump 10 to fail for the reason that operation continues at the predetermined pumping rate due to failure in the monitoring client 2 in the communication channel between the monitoring client 2 and the infusion pump 10 or in the syringe pump 10 itself. In some embodiments, this independent functional option can be performed when the medication being infused is pre-designed to not suspend or remain in the event of a 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., in embodiments in which droplet detection device 8 is used in conjunction with syringe pump 10); with this option, the syringe pump 10 may be programmed in some embodiments to stop infusion if the drip detection device 8 detects an abnormal flow condition, such as the presence of a free flow condition or bubble in the infusion tube. In some embodiments, one or more of pumps 4, 6, and 10 may have an internal liquid flow meter, and/or may operate independently as stand alone devices. 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 droplet detection device 8.

The monitoring client 2 may also send prescriptions to the pharmacy. The prescription may be a prescription for infusion using the syringe pump 10. The pharmacy may include one or more computers connected to a network, such as the internet, to receive the prescriptions and queue the prescriptions within the one or more computers. The pharmacy may use prescription medications (e.g., manual medications using an automated dispensing device coupled to one or more computers, or a queue of one or more computers viewed by a pharmacist), pre-fill the reservoir or barrel of the syringe pump 10, and/or program the syringe pump 10 at the pharmacy according to a prescription (e.g., program a treatment regimen into the syringe pump 10). The reservoir or cartridge may be automatically filled by the APAS and/or the syringe pump 10 may be automatically programmed by the APAS. The APAS may generate bar codes, RFID tags, and/or data. The information within the bar code, RFID tag, and/or data may include treatment regimens, prescriptions, and/or patient information. The automatic dispensing device can: attaching a bar code to the syringe pump 10, or to a reservoir, cartridge, or disposable portion of the syringe pump 10; attaching an RFID tag to the syringe pump 10, or to a reservoir, cartridge, or disposable portion of the syringe pump 10; and/or programming the syringe pump 10 or an RFID tag or memory within a reservoir, cartridge, 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 a reservoir, cartridge, or disposable portion of the syringe pump 10, using a serial number or bar code, RFID tag, or other identifying information in memory.

The syringe pump 10 may have a scanner, such as an RFID interrogator, that interrogates a reservoir, disposable portion, or barrel of the syringe pump 10 to determine whether the reservoir is the correct fluid, or whether the correct reservoir, disposable portion, or barrel is within the reservoir, whether the treatment programmed into the syringe pump 10 corresponds to the fluid within the reservoir, disposable portion, or barrel, and/or whether the syringe pump 10 and the reservoir, disposable portion, or barrel of the syringe pump 10 are correct for a particular patient (e.g., as determined from a patient's bar code, RFID, or other patient identification). For example, comparing the serial number of the reservoir, disposable portion, and electronic medical record scanned by the syringe pump 10 to determine if it properly corresponds to the patient's serial number in the electronic medical record; the syringe pump 10 may scan the patient's RFID tag or bar code 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 the serial number stored 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, if the serial numbers do not match, the syringe pump 10 may issue a fault or alarm. Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring client 2 may scan the reservoir, disposable portion, cartridge, or syringe pump 10 to determine whether the correct fluid is within the reservoir, whether the correct reservoir, whether the therapy programmed into the syringe pump 10 corresponds to the fluid within the reservoir, disposable portion, or cartridge, and/or whether the reservoir and syringe pump 10 are correct for a particular patient (e.g., as determined from a patient's bar code, RFID, or other patient proof). Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring client 2 or the syringe pump 10 may query an electronic medical records database and/or a pharmacy to verify the prescription or download the prescription, for example, using a barcode serial number of the syringe pump 10 or a reservoir, cartridge, or disposable portion of the syringe pump 10.

The fluid delivered to the patient may be monitored by the monitoring client 2 to determine if all of the medications being delivered are safe for the patient. For example, monitoring client 2 may record the medication being delivered from syringe pump 10 to monitoring client 2 by syringe pump 10, and monitoring client 2 may also record the medication being delivered from infusion pumps 4 and 6 and/or mini-infusion pump 9. The monitoring client 1 may determine from the recorded data whether the total amount and type of medication being delivered is safe. For example, monitoring client 2 may determine whether IV bag 5 disables medication within syringe pump 10. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the monitoring client 2 may monitor the delivery of fluid in the IV bag 8 and the delivery of one or more bolus infusions by the syringe pump 10 to determine if the total dose exceeds a predetermined threshold, e.g., the medication within the IV bag 5 and syringe pump 10 may be the same type or class of medication, and the monitoring client 2 may determine if it is safe when the medications are delivered in combination into the patient. The syringe pump 10 may also communicate with infusion pumps 4 and 6 and/or mini-infusion pump 9 to make the same determination; in this exemplary embodiment, the infusion pump 10 may communicate directly with the device (via wireless or wired communication) or with the monitoring client 2 (via wireless or wired communication). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more communication modules (e.g., each having the capability to communicate via one or more protocols) may be connected to the syringe pump 10, and/or may be connected together and then connected to the syringe pump 10, to enable the syringe pump 10 to communicate via the communication modules.

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 a patient. The user interface 11 may be used to program a treatment regimen, such as a flow rate, bolus infusion volume, or other treatment parameters. After programming the treatment regimen into the syringe pump 10, the syringe pump 10 may query a database (e.g., an electronic medical record ("EMR"), a medication error reduction system ("DERS"), or other database) to determine whether the treatment regimen is safe for a particular patient or for any patient. For example, the syringe pump 10 can query an EMR database (e.g., via a wireless link, wired link, wiFi, cellular telephone, network, or other communication technology) to determine whether the treatment regimen from the syringe pump 10 is safe based on patient information (e.g., age, weight, allergies, physical conditions, etc.) stored in the EMR record. Additionally or alternatively, the syringe pump 10 may query the mers database (e.g., via a wireless link, wired link, wiFi, cellular telephone, network, or other communication technology) to determine whether the treatment regimen from the syringe pump 10 is safe based on predetermined safety criteria in the mers record.

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

In some embodiments, if the EMR and/or the DERS determine that the treatment regimen exceeds the first set of criteria, the treatment continues if the user confirms the treatment (e.g., by additional warnings, user passwords, and/or additional certificates or authorizations, etc.); in this embodiment, if the EMR and/or the DERS determine that the treatment regimen exceeds a second set of criteria, such as being unsafe for any patient under any conditions, the EMR or the DERS may prevent treatment from proceeding.

Exemplary hospital bed arrangement

Fig. 2-9 illustrate various views relating to a system 200. Fig. 2 shows a system 200 comprising several pumps 201, 202 and 203. Pumps 201, 202, 203 may be coupled together to form a pump stack that may be connected to rod 208. The system 200 comprises 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 (e.g., 201, 202, 203) may also be used to coordinate the operation of all of the pumps 201, 202, 203 and/or to control the other pumps 201, 202, 203.

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

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. A lower portion 206 of one Z-frame 207 (e.g., lower portion 206 of pump 201) may engage an upper portion 205 of another Z-frame 207 (e.g., upper portion 205 of Z-frame 207 of pump 202).

The clamp 209 may be coupled to one of the pumps 201, 202, 203 (e.g., pump 202 as shown in fig. 3). That is, the clamp 209 may be coupled to any one of the pumps 201, 202, 203. The clamp 209 may be attached to the back of any one of the pumps 201, 202, 203. As best shown in fig. 5, each pump 201, 202, 203 includes an upper attachment member 210 and a lower attachment member 211. The clamp adapter 212 facilitates attachment of the clamp 209 to the pump 202 by upper and lower attachment members 210, 211 of the respective pump (e.g., 201, 202, or 203). In some embodiments, the clip adapter 212 may be integrated with the clip 209.

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

As best shown in fig. 7, the clip 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 a hook 220. The stop member 219 prevents the latch 214 from pivoting beyond a predetermined amount. After inserting the aperture 213 into the lower attachment member 211 (see fig. 5 and 6), the clip adapter 212 can be rotated to bring the latch 214 toward the upper attachment member 210 such that the latch 214 is pressed downward by the upper attachment member 210 until the protrusions 215 snap into complementary spaces of the upper attachment member 210. Hooks 220 help 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 protrusions 224 of the Z-frame 207 of one pump (e.g., pumps 201, 202, or 203) may engage the recesses 223 of another pump, thereby enabling the pumps to be stacked on top of each other. Each pump 201, 202, 203 includes a latch engagement member 221 that allows the other pump 201, 202, 203 to be attached thereto via a latch 222 (see fig. 8). The latch 222 may include a small spring-loaded flange that may "snap" into the space formed below the latch engagement member 221. The latch 222 may be pivotably 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 engagement member 221 of the pump 202. Thereafter, the pump 201 may be rotated, thereby pulling the protrusions 224 of the pump 201 out of the recesses 223 of the Z-frame 207 of the pump 202, so that the pump 201 may be removed from the stack of pumps 202, 203 (see fig. 4).

Each pump 201, 202, 203 includes a top connector 225 (see fig. 9) and a bottom connector 226 (see fig. 8). Connectors 225 and 226 allow stacked pumps 201, 202, and 203 to communicate with each other and/or to supply power to each other. For example, if the battery of the intermediate pump 202 (see fig. 2) fails, the top pump 201 and/or the bottom pump 203 may be used as a backup to power the intermediate pump 202 while an audible alarm is raised.

Exemplary Syringe Pump embodiments and related hospital bed arrangements

Fig. 10-13 illustrate several views of a syringe pump 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Syringe pump 300 may have a syringe 302 loaded to the left (as shown in fig. 10-13) or to the right (as described below with reference to fig. 16). That is, syringe pump 300 is a bi-directional syringe pump.

Syringe 302 may be loaded into syringe retainer 306 of syringe pump 300. The flange end piece 310 of the syringe 302 may be placed in either the left flange receiver 311 or the right flange receiver 312. When flange end piece 310 is inserted into flange receiver 311, syringe 302 faces left outlet 308, which may maintain a conduit fluidly coupled to syringe 302. The engagement member 314 may be coupled to the interface 315 of the syringe 302 when or after loading the syringe 302 into the syringe holder 306. A threaded shaft 315 rotatably coupled to the motor to move the engagement member 314 in any direction that fluid is expelled from the syringe 302.

The syringe 302 may also be loaded to the right (not shown in fig. 10-13). The syringe retainer 306 may be moved and/or adjusted so that it moves to the right so that the syringe 302 may be loaded. The syringe retainer 306 may be manually moved and/or the electric motor may move the syringe retainer 306 to the right. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the syringe retainer 306 extends sufficiently to the left and right that no adjustment is used.

When the syringe 302 is loaded with the right side facing therein, the flange end piece 310 is loaded into the right flange receiver 312. Thereafter, the engagement member 314 is moved to the right so that fluid can be expelled through the conduit traversing the right outlet 309.

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

Fig. 14 illustrates several syringe pumps 300 of fig. 10-13 mounted on a rod 322 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, fig. 14 shows a system 320 using several syringe pumps 300 mounted on a rod 312. The rod 322 may be used in hospitals and/or residences.

Fig. 15-16 illustrate a portion 327 of the operation of the syringe pump 300 of fig. 21-24 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 15 shows syringe pump 302 loaded to the left, and fig. 16 shows syringe pump 302 loaded to the right. As shown in fig. 15-16, the motor 326 is coupled to the threaded shaft 315 such that the motor 326 may rotate the threaded shaft 315.

The left syringe diameter sensor 324 measures the diameter of the syringe 305 to estimate the cross-sectional size of the interior space of the syringe barrel of the syringe 302. Left syringe diameter sensor 325 may be a wand attached to the post such that the wand is lifted to cover syringe 302; the movement of the post out of the body of syringe pump 300 may be measured by a linear sensor to estimate the diameter of the syringe barrel of syringe 302. Any linear sensor may be used, including linear potential technology, optical linear sensor technology, hall effect sensor technology, and the like. Thus, the estimation of the interior space diameter of the syringe barrel of the syringe 302 is used to correlate the movement of the motor 326 to the fluid expelled from the syringe 302. Similarly, right syringe diameter sensor 325 may be used to estimate the inside diameter of the barrel of syringe 302, which may be used to estimate the fluid being expelled from syringe 302 to the right.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when loading syringe 302 into syringe pump 300 (left or right configuration), touch screen 304 requires information from the user and uses syringe diameter sensor 324 or 325 to estimate the diameter of the interior space of the syringe barrel of syringe 305; the touch screen 304 prompts the user to input the user's requirements to the touch screen 304 by the manufacturer of the syringe 305. An internal database within syringe pump 300 may be used to reduce the range of possible models associated with the diameter estimation of syringe 305. When a user enters the manufacturer of the syringe 305, the database may be used to identify a particular model of the syringe 305 and/or a subset of possible models corresponding to diameter estimates of the syringe 305, as well as user input information, which in turn may provide more accurate inside diameter values (stored within the database). The user may be prompted by a display on touch screen 304 to select an injector model from a list or to enter an injector model that will deliver the drug. The user may be guided by a selection process on the touch screen 304 to identify the injector loaded and its use with one or more of the following: syringe size, piston head size, manufacturer name, image of the syringe, and model number. The selection process may access a database of syringes including manufacturer, model, inside diameter, and images. Syringe pump 300 may use the identified syringe to set the inside diameter value for volumetric calculations.

Exemplary hospital bed arrangement

17-18 illustrate several medical devices 402 mounted on a shaft 403 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 19-22 illustrate several views of the medical device 402 of fig. 17-18. The medical device 402 is mounted to the rod via a 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 lever 403 via the arm 403 such that the medical device 402 may be pulled away from the lever (see fig. 20) and/or pivoted on the arm 403.

Fig. 23 shows several bases 406 mounted on a rod 405, and fig. 24-26 show several views of the bases of fig. 23, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Each base 406 includes a clamp 407 (e.g., a screw clamp), a first arm 408 pivotally mounted to the clamp 407, and a second arm 411 pivotally mounted to the first arm 408 via a hinge 409. One end of the second arm 411 includes a coupling member 410 that may be coupled to a medical device.

Exemplary Battery and speaker testing

Fig. 27 shows a circuit diagram 420 with a speaker 423 and a battery 421 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The battery 421 may be a backup battery and/or the speaker 423 may be a backup alarm speaker. That is, the circuit 420 may be a backup alarm circuit, for example, a backup alarm circuit within a medical device, such as a syringe pump.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the battery 421 may be tested simultaneously with the speaker 423. When switch 422 is in the open position, the open circuit voltage of battery 421 may be measured using voltmeter 425. Thereafter, the switch 422 may be closed and the path voltage of the battery 421 may be measured. The internal resistance of the battery 421 may 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 (e.g., a processor of a syringe pump). The processor may correlate the internal resistance of the battery 421 to the state of health of the battery 421. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, if the path voltage of the battery 421 is not within a predetermined range (which may be a function of the open circuit voltage of the battery 421), it may be determined that the speaker 423 has failed.

In some further embodiments of the present disclosure, the switch 422 may be modulated such that the speaker 423 and the battery 421 are tested simultaneously. A microphone may be used to determine whether the speaker 423 is audibly broadcasting a signal that is 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 predetermined operating parameters (e.g., complex impedance). A microphone may be coupled to the processor. Additionally or alternatively, a test signal may be applied to speaker 423 (e.g., by modulating switch 422), and the current waveform of speaker 423 may be monitored by current sensor 426 to determine the total harmonic distortion of speaker 423 and/or the magnitude of the current; the processor may monitor these values using the current sensor 426 to determine if a fault condition exists within the speaker 423 (e.g., the 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 the impedance thereof and/or to measure the impedance of the battery 421. For example, the processor of the syringe pump disclosed herein may modulate the switch 422 and measure the voltage across the battery 421 to determine if the battery 421 and speaker 423 have impedances within a predetermined range; if the estimated impedance of the battery 421 is outside the first range, 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 is unable to determine whether the battery 421 or speaker 423 is in a fault state, but has determined that at least one of them is in a fault state, the processor issues a warning or alert that the circuit 420 is in a fault state. The processor may alert 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, alleviated, and/or corrected.

Exemplary syringe pump embodiment

In an example embodiment, as shown in fig. 28, a syringe pump 500 is shown. The syringe pump 500 may be used to deliver medicaments such as, but not limited to, analgesics, medicaments, nutrients, chemotherapeutic agents, and the like to a patient. Infusion pumps may be used to deliver a precise amount of medicament to a patient, or over a period of time. The 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 a housing 502 and a syringe pump assembly 501. In the example embodiment of 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. The housing 502 may be made of any number of materials or combinations of materials including, but not limited to, metal or plastic. The housing 502 may be extruded, injection molded, die cast, or the like. In some embodiments, the housing 502 may be composed of a number of separate parts, which may be coupled together by any suitable means. In some embodiments, the housing 502 may be separable or include a removable panel to allow for easy servicing of the syringe pump 500.

As shown in fig. 28, the syringe 504 may be seated on the syringe pump assembly 501. The syringe 504 may be glass, plastic, or any other type of syringe 504. The syringe 504 may be any capacity of syringe 504. In some embodiments, including the embodiment of fig. 28, the syringe 504 may be seated on a syringe seat 506 that includes a portion of the syringe pump assembly 501. The syringe mount 506 may include a profile that allows the syringe 504 to be held by the syringe mount 506. The injection seat 506 may be made of the same material as the remaining housing 502, a different material, or may be made of several materials. The injection seat 506 may be coupled to the housing 502 by a base 508, the base 508 also functioning as a spill, splash, drop, fluid, or debris guard.

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

Syringe pump assembly 501 may be inserted into or coupled with housing 502. In the example embodiment of fig. 28, syringe pump assembly 501 is disposed primarily inside housing 502. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 28, syringe mount 506, syringe retainer 518, syringe flange clip 520, piston head assembly 522, and piston tube 524, each of which is part of syringe pump assembly 501, are not disposed inside housing 502. In embodiments in which the syringe mount 506 is not part of the housing 502, the base 508 may include a gasket that acts as a seal to keep unwanted foreign matter from entering the housing 502 and from entering portions of the syringe pump assembly 501 disposed inside the housing 502. In some embodiments, the base 508 may depend from the syringe base 506 and may function as a drip edge, splash guard, or the like, which will cause liquid to flow down and out of the syringe pump 500.

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

In some embodiments, the clamp 510 may be coupled to the housing 502. The clamp 510 may be any type of clamp, such as a standard hole clamp 510 or a quick release rod clamp 510 (as shown). The clamp 510 may be used to hold the syringe pump 500 in a desired position on an object, such as an infusion support. The clamp 510 may be removably coupled to the housing 502 by a clamp mount 510. In some embodiments, the clamp base 512 may include any of a variety of fasteners, such as screws, bolts, adhesives, hook and loop bands, snaps, friction joints, magnets, and the like. In some embodiments, the clip 510 or a portion of the clip 510 may be formed as an integral part of the housing 502 during manufacture.

As shown in fig. 28, the housing 502 may also include a display 514. The display 514 functions as a graphical user interface and allows a user to program and monitor the operation of the pump. The display 514 may be an electronic visual display such as a liquid crystal display, a touch screen, an LED display, a plasma display, or the like. In some embodiments, the display may be accompanied by any number of data input devices 516. In an example embodiment, the data input device 516 is a few user-depressible buttons. The buttons may have a fixed function such as "power", "stop", "mute", "emergency stop", "start treatment" or "lock" etc. The lock function may lock all user inputs from inadvertent command to the syringe pump 500 due to touching the touch screen display 514, pressing or touching a button, or any other inadvertent gesture. The data input device 516 of other embodiments may be different. In embodiments in which the display 514 is a touch screen display, the data input device 515 may include a number of physically depressible buttons. The physical depressible button data input device 516 may be a backup to the touch screen display 514 and may be used in the event that the touch screen display 514 is damaged or otherwise inoperable.

In a non-limiting example embodiment, the data input device 516 may be implanted in 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. The software may display virtual buttons, sliders, and other controls. The software may also detect a user's touch or a stylus touch to control the machine and interact with a remote computer that may be in communication with the syringe pump 500. The software may also recognize multiple touch gestures, which may control: a display, the functionality of the syringe pump 500, the interaction of the syringe pump 500 with one or more remote computers, etc. In some embodiments, syringe pump 500 may include a sensor that detects a user gesture when the user does not contact the display. These motion detection sensors may include devices that emit invisible near infrared light and measure their "time of flight" after the near infrared light is reflected from an object. Such measurements may allow syringe pump 500 to detect the position 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. One example of a motion detector is PrimeSense 3D sensor manufactured by PrimeSense Inc. of israel. In some embodiments, the display 514 and the data input device may be mounted to the housing 502 during manufacture of the syringe pump 500. The display 514 may be removed and replaced during servicing, as desired.

Syringe pump 500 may include a syringe holder 518. The syringe retainer 518 may securely hold the syringe 540 to the syringe mount 506. The syringe holder 518 may be easily adjusted by a user to accommodate syringes 504 of various sizes. In some embodiments, the syringe holder 518 may be biased such that the diameter of the syringe 504 is automatically adjusted to any size after the user pulls out the syringe holder 518. The syringe holder 518 will be described in further detail later in this specification.

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

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 as shown in fig. 28. The downstream pressure sensor 513 may include a portion of the syringe pump assembly 501 or housing 502. The downstream pressure sensor 513 may take pressure measurements from a fluid line, i.e., a tubing extending from the syringe 504 to the patient. In some embodiments, the fluid line may include a length of tubing that is different from the remaining tubing. For example, a length of fluid line may be made of a deformable PVC material. This embodiment may make it easier to determine the pressure of the fluid line.

The downstream pressure sensor 513 may include a bracket having a pressure sensor, such as a force sensor. In these embodiments, the fluid line may be held against the support and the pressure sensor of the downstream pressure sensor 513 by an undeformable or deflectable structure. If the detected pressure is outside of an acceptable range, the downstream pressure sensor 513 may cause the syringe pump 500 to alert. The look-up table may reference the measurements of the downstream pressure sensor 513 to determine the pressure within the fluid line. If an abnormal pressure reading is obtained (e.g., a high pressure exceeding a predetermined threshold generated during an occlusion event), the control system of syringe pump 500 may cease delivering fluid. 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 syringe pump 500 from another perspective. In this figure, a display 514 coupled to the housing 502 and a data input device 515 face the front side of the page. The clamp 510 is coupled to the housing 502 by a clamp mount 512. The syringe pump assembly 501 is disposed primarily inside the housing 502. Injection seat 506, which includes a portion of injection pump assembly 501, forms a majority 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 in which base 508 acts as a drip edge, base 508 can cover syringe pump assembly 501 and assist in the flow of liquid from the interior of housing 502. A syringe clip 518 extends through the syringe mount 506. In the position shown in fig. 29, the syringe clip 518 has been pulled from its rest position and biased so that it can be automatically retracted back toward the housing 502. In some embodiments, syringe clamp 518 may 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 an end of syringe pump assembly housing 503 closest to piston head assembly 522. As described above, the piston tube 524 connects the piston head assembly 522 to the remaining syringe pump assembly 501. A downstream pressure sensor 513 is provided on the injection seat 506.

In some particular embodiments, a camera 8127 is provided to view the injector. Camera 8127 may be coupled to RTP3500 and/or processor 3600 of fig. 59J to provide image data thereto. The 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 syringe holder 506 viewed by the camera 8127 may be displayed on the display 514. Processors 3500 and/or 3600 may use images from camera 8127, such that: reading a QR code on the syringe to identify the syringe; detecting particles or bubbles within the syringe; measuring the position of the piston to measure the delivered volume and thus the remaining volume; determining when the injector state has changed; determining whether a syringe is present; estimating a rapid infusion discharge; checking the color of the fluid to determine if it is the correct fluid; and/or determining whether the syringe is missing or is improperly loaded.

Moving artifacts can be detected by using a gaussian filter that detects the frame difference of motion and helps reduce shot noise of the camera 8127 (which appears as an artifact, but smaller). To locate the plunger of the syringe, a fiducial line on the syringe may be used and template matching (plunger as template) may use pattern recognition to locate the fiducial line and thus the plunger.

Fig. 30-34 illustrate how a user may arrange a syringe 504 into a syringe pump assembly 501. The syringe pump assembly 501 itself is shown in fig. 30. The syringe 504 is not seated against the syringe 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. The upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 are in an open position. The upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 are capable of clamping and retaining the piston flange 528 on the piston 544 of the syringe 504. The upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 may be actuated to an open or closed position by rotation of a dial 530, the dial 530 including a portion of the 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 not seated on the syringe seat 506 in fig. 30 is seated in place on the syringe seat 506 in fig. 31. Syringe flange 542 is clamped in place by syringe flange clamp 520. The syringe holder 518 has been pulled out so that the syringe 504 may be disposed into the syringe pump assembly 501, but the syringe holder 518 has not been allowed to automatically adjust to the diameter of the syringe 540. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 31, the syringe holder 518 has been rotated 90 ° clockwise from its orientation in fig. 30, thereby locking it in place. Alternate embodiments may require counterclockwise rotation, a different angle of rotation, or may not require rotation in order to lock syringe holder 518 in place. The piston tube 524 and attached piston head assembly 522 extend fully from the remainder of the syringe pump assembly 501. Since the dial 530 has not been rotated from the orientation shown in fig. 30, the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 remain in the open position.

In fig. 32, the syringe pump assembly 501 itself is again shown. The syringe 504 sits on the syringe seat 506. The syringe holder 518 has been rotated out of the locked position and has been allowed to automatically adjust to the diameter of the syringe 540. The syringe holder 518 holds the syringe 504 in place on the syringe pump assembly 501. Syringe 504 is additionally held in place on syringe pump assembly 501 by syringe flange clips 520 that retain syringe flange 542. The piston tube 524 and attached piston head assembly extend fully from the remainder of the syringe pump assembly 501. Since the dial 530 has not been rotated from the orientation shown in fig. 30, the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 remain in the open position.

In fig. 33, the syringe pump assembly 501 itself is again shown. The syringe 504 sits on the syringe seat 506. The syringe barrel holder 518 presses against the syringe barrel 540 and holds the syringe 504 in place on the syringe pump assembly 501. The syringe flange clip 520 retains the syringe flange 542 and helps to hold the syringe 504 in place on the syringe pump assembly 501. The amount by which piston tube 524 extends from the remainder of syringe pump assembly 501 has been adjusted so that piston head assembly 522 contacts piston flange 548 on syringe piston 544. Since the dial 530 has not been rotated from the orientation shown in fig. 30, the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 remain in the open position. The piston flange 548 contacts the piston pressure sensor 532.

In fig. 34, the syringe pump assembly 501 itself is again shown. The syringe 504 sits on the syringe seat 506. The syringe barrel holder 518 presses against the syringe barrel 540 and holds the syringe 504 in place on the syringe pump assembly 501. The syringe flange clip 520 retains the syringe flange 542 and helps to hold the syringe 504 in place on the syringe pump assembly 501. The amount by which piston tube 524 extends from the remainder of syringe pump assembly 501 has been adjusted so that piston head assembly 522 contacts piston flange 548 on syringe piston 544. The dial 530 has been rotated from the orientation shown in fig. 30-33. Thus, the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 have moved to the closed position in which the piston flange 548 of the syringe piston 544 is retained by the piston head assembly 522. Because the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 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, the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 each include a tab 529. The flap 529 exits from the piston head assembly 522 and exits toward the left side of the page (relative to FIG. 34). The flap 529 is disposed about the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 such that the flap 529 is only a portion of the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 that contact the piston flange 548 when the syringe 504 is disposed on the syringe pump assembly 501. As the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 close on the piston flange 548, the thickness and diameter of the piston flange 548 determines when the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 cease to move. At least some portion of the tabs 529 will depend from the piston flange 548 and ensure that the piston flange 548 is retained. Since the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 do not deflect, this forces the piston flange 548 to press against the remainder of the piston head assembly 522. That is, the contact angle of the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 on the piston flange 548 creates a force having a component that urges 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 such an arrangement does not allow for any "movement" of the piston flange 548 between the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 and the remainder of the piston head assembly 522. In addition, this arrangement is desirable because it not only holds the piston flange 548 firmly in place against the piston head assembly 522, but also doubles as an anti-siphon mechanism. Further, this arrangement ensures that the piston flange 548 is in constant contact with the piston pressure sensor 532. Any force components generated by the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 that may affect the piston pressure sensor 532 are predictable and may be subtracted or otherwise compensated for.

In other embodiments, the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 may not include tabs 529. Instead, the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 depend from a portion of the piston flange 548 when in the clamped position. The upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 may stop moving when they rest against the cross including the piston rod 546. In other embodiments, upper piston clamp jaw 526 and lower piston clamp jaw 528 may clamp piston rod 546 that need not be a cross. In another embodiment, the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 may include wedges, ramps, or tapered rib members on the surfaces of the jaws facing the piston head assembly 522. The wedge, ramp, or tapered rib serves to urge the piston flange 548 toward the piston head assembly 522 until the piston flange 548 is securely retained against the piston head assembly 522.

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

Fig. 35 shows the piston head assembly 522 with the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 in a fully closed position. The turntable 530 is oriented such that the raised portion of the turntable 530 lies in a plane that is substantially parallel to the top surface and the ground of the piston head assembly 522. A piston tube 524 is shown extending from the piston head assembly 522 to the slider assembly 800. One end of flexible connector 562 is attached to slider assembly 800. For illustration, position indicator markings have been provided on the dial 530 in fig. 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 rotated clockwise approximately 135 °. This rotation in turn has caused the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 to disengage and move to the fully open position. In alternative embodiments, the dial 530 may require greater or lesser rotation than about 135 ° as shown in the example embodiment, thereby changing the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 from the fully open position to the fully closed position. The piston head assembly may be able to hold itself in this position (described below in this specification).

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

The piston head assembly 522 may include a number of bearing surfaces for the upper jaw drive shaft 574. In the example embodiment of fig. 37, the piston head assembly 522 includes two upper and lower bearing surfaces 576, 578 for the upper jaw drive shaft 574. The upper bearing surface 576 may be coupled into the 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, adhesive, snaps, friction joints, welds, tongue and groove arrangements, pins, or may be formed as a continuous portion of the piston head assembly housing top 600 (not shown). The upper bearing surface 576 provides a bearing surface on at least a top half of the upper jaw drive shaft 574.

The lower bearing surface 578 is coupled into the 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 fit, magnets, welding, tongue and groove arrangements, and the like. In some embodiments, the lower bearing surface 578 may be formed as a continuous portion of the piston head assembly housing top 600. The lower bearing surface 578 provides a bearing surface for at least a lower half of the upper jaw drive shaft 574.

In some embodiments, there may also be an upper turret shaft bearing surface 651 coupled into the piston head assembly housing top 600. The upper turret shaft bearing surface 651 may be coupled into the piston head assembly housing top 600 by any of a number of means, including but not limited to screws, bolts, adhesives, snaps, friction fit, welding, tongue and groove arrangements (as shown), pins, or may be formed as a continuous portion of the piston head assembly housing top 600. The upper turret 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, the D-shaped section 582 may be located on one end of the upper jaw drive shaft 574. The D-shaped section 582 of the upper jaw drive shaft 574 may be coupled into a complementarily 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-connector 584. The other side of the D-connector 584 may be coupled to a D-shaft 586 that protrudes from a piston clamp jaw position sensor 588. Any rotation of the upper jaw drive shaft 574 may cause the D-connector 584 to also rotate. In turn, this may cause rotation of D-shaft 586 protruding from piston clamp jaw position sensor 588. 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, the D-connector 584 and D-shaft 586 may not be required. In some embodiments, the D-shaped section 582, the D-shaped connector 584, and the D-row axis 586 need not be D-shaped. In some embodiments, they may have a triangle, square, star, etc.

In some embodiments, the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 may comprise a potentiometer. As the D-shaft 586 protruding from the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 rotates, the wiper of the potentiometer slides across the resistive element of the potentiometer, thus changing the resistance measured by the potentiometer. The resistance values may then be interpreted to indicate the position of the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528. Alternatively, the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 may include a magnet on one end of the upper jaw drive shaft 574 and a rotary encoder, such AS australian microsystems AS5030ATSU. Alternatively, the position of the upper jaw 526 and/or the lower jaw 528 may be measured 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 indication piston flange 548 may be used to indicate whether it has been gripped by the piston head assembly 522. This position may indicate whether the piston flange has been properly clamped by the piston head assembly 522. This may be accomplished by referencing the determined location with a location or range of locations acceptable for the particular syringe 504. The user may enter information regarding the particular syringe 504 being used, or the information may be collected by one or more other sensors that include other portions of the syringe pump 500.

Since the position measured by the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 is dependent upon the diameter and thickness of the clamped piston flange 548, the position information may also be used to determine information about the particular syringe 504 being used (e.g., its type, brand, volume, etc.). This may be accomplished by referencing the measured positions against a database of positions that would be expected for the different syringes 504. In embodiments where there are multiple sensors collecting information about the syringe 504, the positional information generated by the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 may be checked against data from other sensors to make a decision based on more reliable information of the particular syringe 504 being employed. If the position measured by piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 is not correlated with data collected by other sensors, 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 can include a piston pressure sensor push plate 590. The piston pressure sensor push plate 590 may be a small block, a disk, or any other suitable shape. The piston pressure sensor push plate 590 may be flat or circular. The piston pressure sensor push plate 590 may extend out of the piston head assembly 522 such that it may physically contact a piston flange 548 clamped to the piston head assembly 522. The piston pressure sensor push plate 590 can directly transfer any force applied thereto to the piston pressure sensor input surface 596. In some embodiments, the piston pressure sensor push plate 590 may be attached to the piston pressure sensor link 592. The piston pressure sensor link 592 may be pivotally coupled to a piston pressure sensor pivot 594. The piston pressure sensor pivot 594 may be disposed at any point along the length of the piston pressure sensor link 594. In the example embodiment of fig. 37, the force applied to the piston pressure sensor push plate 590 is transferred to the piston pressure sensor input surface 596 by the piston pressure sensor link 592. In some particular embodiments, the piston pressure sensor link 592 and the piston pressure sensor pivot 594 can be used to constrain the motion of the piston pressure plate 590 to a plane perpendicular to the piston flange 548 and minimize resistance to free movement of the piston pressure plate 590. While the position of the piston pressure sensor link 594 with respect to the piston pressure sensor push plate 590 does not multiply the force applied against the piston pressure sensor input surface 596 in fig. 37, other embodiments may use different arrangements to create mechanical advantages.

The force measurements read via the piston pressure sensor 532 may be interpreted to determine the hydraulic force of the fluid being dispensed. This may facilitate safe operation, as the detected fluid pressure may be used to identify possible occlusions, such that these occlusions may be corrected. The pressure may be monitored such that if the pressure exceeds a predetermined value, the syringe pump 500 may sound an alarm. In embodiments that include both a piston pressure sensor 532 and a downstream pressure sensor 513, pressure measurements from the piston pressure sensor 532 and pressure measurements from the downstream pressure sensor 513 may be checked (see fig. 28). This may help ensure greater accuracy. If the pressure measurements are not correlated, an alarm may be generated. In addition, since the sensors are redundant, if one of the piston pressure sensor 532 or the downstream pressure sensor 513 fails during treatment, the syringe pump 500 may be operated 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. The wire 598 provides power to the piston pressure sensor 532 and the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588. Electrical leads 598 may also include data communication paths to and from piston pressure sensor 532 and piston clamp jaw position sensor 588.

Fig. 38 illustrates an assembly view of the upper half of the plunger head assembly 522. In fig. 38, the upper piston clamp jaw 526 is in a closed position. The two racks 570 on the upper piston clamp jaw 526 engage the two pinions 572 on the upper jaw drive shaft 574 such that any rotation of the upper jaw drive shaft 574 is translated 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 the upper jaw drive shaft 574 will cause the D-shaped section 582, the D-shaped connector 584, and the D-shaped shaft 586 to rotate. As described above, in embodiments in which the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 comprises a potentiometer, such rotation will cause the brush to slide across the resistive element of the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588.

A piston pressure sensor 532 is also shown in fig. 38. The piston pressure sensor push plate 590 may extend out of the piston head assembly 522 such that it may be physically clamped against the piston flange 548 of the piston head assembly 522 (see fig. 30). The piston pressure sensor push plate 590 can transfer any force applied thereto directly to the piston pressure sensor input surface 596. In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in fig. 38, a piston pressure sensor push plate 590 can be attached to the piston pressure sensor link 592. The piston pressure sensor link 592 may be pivotally coupled to a piston pressure sensor pivot 594. The piston pressure sensor pivot 594 may be disposed at any point along the length of the piston pressure sensor link 592. In the example embodiment of fig. 38, any force applied to the piston pressure sensor push plate 590 is transferred to the piston pressure sensor input surface 596 by the piston pressure sensor link 592. While the position of the piston pressure sensor pivot 594 with respect 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 different arrangements to create mechanical advantages.

The piston head assembly housing top 600 also includes an upper half of a turret shaft passage 648 for a turret shaft 650 (not shown) that will be explained below in this specification. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 38, the turret shaft passage 648 passes through the right face of the top 600 of the piston head assembly housing.

Fig. 39 shows another assembly view of the upper half of the plunger head assembly 522. As shown in fig. 39, the piston head assembly housing top 600 may include an 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 is movable. In an example embodiment, the upper jaw guide 569 is formed as a continuous portion of the piston head assembly housing top 600 and spans the entire height of the side wall of the piston head assembly housing top 600. In other embodiments, the upper jaw guide 569 may span only a portion of the height of the side wall of the top 600 of the piston head assembly housing.

As shown in fig. 39, the piston pressure sensor 532 may include a piston pressure sensor force concentrator 595. In embodiments in which the piston pressure sensor push plate 590 transfers force directly to the piston pressure sensor input surface 596, the piston pressure sensor force concentrator 595 may help concentrate the force applied to the piston pressure sensor push plate 590 while it is applied to the piston pressure sensor input surface 596. Where the piston pressure sensor 532 includes a pivot pressure sensor link 592 on a piston pressure sensor pivot 594, the piston pressure sensor force concentrator 595 may be on one end and face of the piston pressure sensor link 592 pressed against the piston pressure sensor input surface 596. This may help concentrate the force applied against the piston pressure sensor input surface 596, which may improve accuracy. This may also help concentrate the force in the center of the piston pressure sensor input surface 596, making the measurement more consistent and accurate.

The lower half of the piston head assembly 522 and piston tube 524 is 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 be only one lower piston clamp jaw 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 gripper jaw pinion 612 is rotatable about the axis of the lower gripper 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 the piston head assembly 522, the lower half of the piston head assembly 522 may include a number of bearing surfaces for the lower jaw drive shaft 614. In the example embodiment of fig. 40, the piston head assembly 522 includes one upper bearing surface 616 and two lower bearing surfaces 618 for the lower jaw drive shaft 614. The upper bearing surface 616 is coupled into the 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, snaps, friction joints, welds, tongue and groove arrangements, pins, or may be formed as a continuous portion of the piston head assembly housing bottom 602. The upper bearing surface 616 provides a bearing surface to at least a top half of the lower jaw drive shaft 614.

A lower bearing surface 618 is coupled into the 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, adhesives, snaps, friction fits, magnets, welds, tongue and groove arrangements, pins (not shown), and the like. In some embodiments, the lower bearing surface 618 may be formed as a continuous portion of the piston head assembly housing bottom 602. Lower bearing surface 618 at least a lower half of the lower jaw drive shaft 614 provides a bearing surface.

In some embodiments, there may also be a lower turret shaft bearing surface 649 coupled to the piston head assembly housing bottom 602. The lower turret shaft bearing surface 649 may be coupled into the piston head assembly housing bottom 602 by any of a number of means, including but not limited to screws, bolts, adhesives, snaps, friction fit, welding, tongue and groove arrangements, pins, or may be formed as a continuous portion of the piston head assembly housing bottom 602 as shown. The lower half of the dial shaft channel 648 described above is cut through the right side of the piston head assembly housing bottom 602. The lower turret shaft bearing surface 649 and the turret shaft passage 648 will be described in further detail below.

As shown in fig. 40, a piston tube 524 may be coupled into the lower half of the piston head assembly 522. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 40, the piston tube 524 is coupled to the piston tube bracket 631 by two screws 630. In other embodiments, the number or type of fasteners/coupling methods may be different. For example, piston tube 524 may be coupled to piston tube holder 631 by any other suitable means, such as, but not limited to, bolts, adhesives, snaps, friction fit, magnets, welding, tongue and groove arrangements, pins, and the like. The piston tube mount 631 may include arcuate ribs 633 that are arcuate such that they are flush with the exterior surface of the piston tube 524 and support the piston tube 524. In some embodiments, a portion of the arcuate portion of the piston tube 524 may be eliminated on a section of the piston tube 524, the section of the piston tube 524 being coupled inside the piston head assembly 522 when the syringe pump 500 is fully assembled. In the embodiment shown in fig. 40, about a 180 deg. section or upper half of the piston tube 524 has been eliminated. An 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 notches 802 as will be explained below. A wire opening 632 may also be present near the piston tube cutout 802.

In fig. 41, the dial 530 of the plunger head assembly 522 is shown exploded from the dial shaft 650 to which it is coupled when assembled. As shown, the turret shaft 650 includes a square end 653. The square end 653 of the dial shaft 650 fits into a forward-facing aperture 655 in the dial 530 such that as the dial 530 rotates, the dial shaft 650 is also caused to rotate. In other embodiments, the square end 653 of the carousel shaft 650 and the square aperture 655 on the carousel 530 need not necessarily be square, but may be D-shaped, hexagonal, or any other suitable shape.

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

The turret shaft cam follower 658 may be coupled into the turret shaft 650 such that it rotates with the turret shaft 650. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 41, the turret shaft cam followers 658 extend through the turret shaft 650 such that at least a portion of the turret shaft cam followers 658 protrude from the turret shaft 650 on each side of the turret shaft 650. This effectively creates two turret shaft cam followers 658 that are offset 180 from each other. Each end of the turret shaft cam follower 658 follows a spiral of the double-spiral cam surface of the turret shaft cam 654.

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

In fig. 41, the end of the dial shaft 650 opposite the square end 653 is characterized by the inclusion of a spike-like protrusion 770. The spike-like protrusions 770 may be coupled into a joint of the dual universal joint 772. The pin-shaped protrusions 770 may be coupled into the dual universal joint 772 by any suitable means, such as, but not limited to, screws, bolts, adhesives, snaps, friction fits, magnets, welds, tongue and groove arrangements, pins (not shown), and the like. The other joint of the dual-purpose joint 772 may also be coupled to the driven shaft 774. The other joint of the dual-purpose joint 772 may be coupled to the driven shaft 774 by any suitable means, such as, but not limited to, screws, bolts, adhesives, snaps, friction fits, magnets, welding, tongue and groove arrangements, pins (not shown), and the like. 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 of fig. 41, the driven shaft bushing 776 is a sleeve bushing. The inner surface of the driven shaft bushing 776 includes a bearing surface for the driven shaft 774. The outer surface of the driven shaft bushing 776 may include a plurality of driven shaft bushing protrusions 778 that extend outwardly from the outer surface of the driven shaft bushing 776. In the example embodiment of fig. 41, the driven shaft bushing protrusions 778 are spaced approximately 120 ° apart from each other along the arc of the outer surface of the driven shaft bushing 776. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 41, the driven shaft bushing protuberance 778 that protrudes toward the top of the page includes a protrusion 780 that extends from the top edge of the driven shaft bushing protuberance 778 toward the top of the page. The driven shaft bushing 776 may be held in place on the drive shaft 774 by a driven shaft retention ring 782. One of the driven shaft retention rings 782 may be clamped in place on the driven shaft 774 on each side of the driven shaft bushing 776. One end of the driven shaft 774 that is not coupled into the dual universal joint 772 may include a driven shaft D-section 784.

When assembled, as shown in fig. 42, the turret shaft compression spring 662 biases the turret shaft cam 654 against the turret shaft cam follower 658 such that one end of the turret shaft cam follower 658 is on the bottom of the cam surface of the turret shaft cam 654. One turret shaft washer 664 depends from the turret shaft retention ring 665 and the other turret shaft washer 664 depends from the flat side of the turret shaft cam 654. Preferably, the distance between the turntable shaft washers 664 is not at a point greater than or equal to the resting length of the turntable shaft compression spring 662. This ensures that there is no "overrun" and that the turret shaft cam 654 is always biased against one end of the turret shaft cam follower 658.

As shown, the dual universal joint 772 connects the carousel shaft 650 to the driven shaft 774 when assembled. The driven shaft bushing 776 is clamped in place on the driven shaft 774 by the driven shaft retention ring 782 (see fig. 41). In the embodiment shown in fig. 42, the turntable shaft 650 functions as a drive shaft for the driven shaft 774. Any rotation of the dial shaft 650 produced by the rotation of the dial 530 will be transmitted to the driven shaft 774 via the double-common 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 exploded from the lower half of the piston head assembly 522. The lower half of the turret shaft 650 is located in a lower turret shaft bearing 649 on the piston head assembly housing bottom 602. The other lower half of the turret shaft 650 sits on a portion of the turret shaft passage 648 on the bottom 602 of the piston head assembly housing. As shown, the turret shaft passage 648 functions as a second bearing surface for the turret shaft 650. The square end 653 of the turret shaft 650 extends beyond the turret shaft passage 648 and is coupled to the turret 530 in a square aperture 655.

As shown in fig. 43, the turret shaft gear 652 on the turret shaft 650 is interleaved with the lower jaw drive gear 620. As the dial 530 rotates, the dial shaft 650 and the dial shaft gear 652 also rotate. Rotation is transmitted to the lower jaw drive gear 620 through a turntable shaft gear 652. Rotation of the lower jaw drive gear 620 rotates the lower clamp jaw drive shaft 614 and the lower clamp jaw pinion gear 612 on the lower clamp 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, the rotary dial 530 is a means by which a user may actuate the lower piston clamp jaw 528 to an open or clamped position.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 43, rotation of the dial 530 may also cause the dial shaft cam 654 to be displaced linearly away from the dial 530 and in the axial direction of the dial 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 slit 690 that acts as a track for the turntable shaft cam lobe 656. One of the turret shaft cam lugs 656 protrudes into the turret shaft cam lug slit 690. This ensures that the turntable shaft boss 654 may not rotate with the turntable 530 and the turntable shaft 650 because rotation of the turntable shaft cam boss 656 is resisted by the remainder of the upper bearing surface 616 for the lower clamp jaw drive shaft 614.

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

In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in fig. 43, the turret shaft cam 654 may include a turret shaft cam detent 660 along a cam surface of the turret shaft cam 654. The turret shaft cam pawls 660 may allow a user to "park" the turret shaft cam followers 658 at desired points along the cam surface of the turret shaft cam 654. In an example embodiment, when the dial 530 has been fully rotated, the dial shaft cam follower 658 may contact the dial shaft cam pawl 660. When the dial shaft cam follower 658 is in the dial shaft cam pawl 660, the dial shaft compression spring 662 may not automatically return the dial 530 and all portions of the dial 530 actuation to their orientation prior to the dial 530 person and rotation. The user may desire to rotate the dial 530 such that the dial shaft cam follower 658 moves out of the dial shaft cam pawl 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 the view shown in fig. 43. In fig. 44, the piston head assembly housing top 600 and portions including the upper half of the piston head assembly 522 are not visible. Visible are upper turntable shaft bearing 651, upper clamp jaw drive shaft 574, upper clamp jaw pinion 572, and 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, and the turntable shaft gear 652 on the turntable shaft 650 is interleaved with the upper pawl driving gear 604. As the dial 530 rotates, the dial shaft 650 and the dial shaft gear 652 also rotate. Rotation is transferred to the upper jaw drive gear 604 by way of a turntable shaft gear 652. Rotation of the upper jaw drive gear 604 rotates the upper clamp jaw drive shaft 574 and the upper clamp jaw pinion 572 on the upper clamp 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 linear displacement of the upper piston clamp jaw 526. Thus, rotation of the dial 530 is a means by which a user can actuate the upper piston clamp jaw 526 (not shown in fig. 44) to an open or clamped position.

Also visible in fig. 44 is a lower bearing surface 578 for the upper jaw drive shaft 574. 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 slit 690. The second carousel-shaft cam lobe slit 690 may function as a track for the carousel-shaft cam lobe 656. One of the turret shaft cam lugs 656 protrudes into the second turret shaft cam lug slit 690. This ensures that the turntable shaft cam 654 does not rotate with the turntable 530 and the turntable shaft 650 because rotation of the turntable shaft cam lugs 656 is resisted by the lower bearing surface 578 for the upper clamp jaw drive shaft 574.

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

In some embodiments, the upper jaw drive gear 604 (as most clearly shown in fig. 37) and the lower jaw drive gear 620 (as most clearly shown in fig. 43) may be substantially identical gears. In addition, the upper jaw pinion 572 (as best shown in fig. 37) and the lower jaw pinion 612 (as best shown in fig. 40) may be substantially identical gears. In these embodiments, the upper piston clamp jaw 526 and the lower piston clamp jaw 528 (see fig. 30-34) will experience the same amount of linear displacement for each degree of rotation of the dial 530. Since the staggered points of the upper jaw drive gear 604 on the turret shaft gear 652 are opposite the staggered points of the lower jaw drive gear 620 on the turret shaft gear 652, the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 will be displaced linearly in opposite directions.

Fig. 45 shows a view similar to the view shown in fig. 44. Fig. 45 shows an assembly view of the piston head assembly 522 from a slightly different perspective. As shown in fig. 45, the turntable 530 is coupled to a turntable shaft 650. The turret shaft gear 652 is in a staggered relationship with both the upper jaw drive gear 604 and the lower jaw drive gear 620. The upper jaw drive gear 604 is disposed on an upper jaw drive shaft 574 along with two upper jaw pinion gears 572. As shown in fig. 45, the upper jaw pinion 572 may be spaced apart by a lower bearing surface 578 for the upper jaw 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 a piston flange 548 clamped to the piston head assembly 522 (as shown in fig. 34). The piston pressure sensor push plate 590 is attached to a piston pressure sensor link 592. The piston pressure sensor link 592 is pivotally attached to a piston pressure sensor pivot 594. A piston pressure sensor pivot 594 is provided at the left end of the piston pressure sensor link 594 (with respect to fig. 45). In the example embodiment of fig. 45, any force applied to the piston pressure sensor push plate 590 is transferred to the piston pressure sensor input surface 596 by the piston pressure sensor link 594. While the position of the piston pressure sensor pivot 594 with respect 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 different arrangements to create mechanical advantages. The piston pressure sensor 532 in fig. 45 also includes a piston pressure sensor force concentrator 595, which is a tab extending from the piston pressure sensor link 592 to the piston pressure sensor input surface 596. The piston pressure sensor force concentrator 595 concentrates the force exerted on the piston pressure sensor input surface 596 to help facilitate more accurate pressure readings.

Fig. 46 shows a close-up view of how upper jaw drive shaft 574 is connected to D-shaft 586 that protrudes from piston clamp jaw position sensor 588. In the embodiment shown in fig. 46, the upper jaw drive shaft 574 includes a D-shaped section 582. The D-shaped section 582 of the upper jaw drive shaft 574 protrudes into a complementarily shaped aperture in the D-shaped connector 584. A cross section of the D-connector 584 is shown in fig. 46. A D-shaft 586 protruding from piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 also protrudes into D-connector 584. Any rotation of the upper jaw drive shaft 574 may also cause the D-connector 584 to rotate. In turn, this may cause rotation of D-shaft 586 protruding from piston clamp jaw position sensor 588. As described above, in embodiments in which 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 a turret shaft 650 connected to a dual-use joint 772. As shown in the example embodiment in fig. 46, a driven shaft 774, also coupled to the double-common joint, protrudes downward inside the hollow piston tube 524. The protrusion 780 on the driven shaft bushing protuberance 778 of the driven shaft bushing 776 seats in the piston tube slot 786 recessed into the edge of the piston tube 524 to lock the protrusion 780 within the piston tube slot 786. Seating the protrusion 780 in the piston tube slot 786 limits rotation of the driven shaft bushing 776 because the protrusion 780 may not rotate through one side of the piston tube slot 786. Each driven shaft bushing protrusion 778 rests against the interior surface of the piston tube 524, which keeps the center of the driven shaft bushing 776 in the piston tube 524.

The piston tube 524 also functions as a channel for electrical leads 598 leading to and from the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 and the piston pressure sensor 532. Since the piston tube 524 is sealed from the liquid when the syringe pump is fully assembled, the piston tube 524 protects the electrical leads 598 from exposure to the liquid. As shown in fig. 47, the electrical leads 598 exit the piston tube 524 through the lead opening 632 of the piston tube 524.

Fig. 47 shows an exploded view of the slider assembly 800. As shown, the piston tube 524 extending from the piston head assembly 522 includes two piston tube slots 802. The piston tube slit 802 cuts into the front and rear sides of the piston tube 524. In fig. 47, only the front piston tube cutout 802 is visible. The piston tube cutout 802 allows the piston tube to be non-rotatably coupled to the slider assembly 800. In the example embodiment, two piston tube coupling screws 804 pass through the piston tube bracket 806, descend into the piston tube opening 802 and into the piston tube support 808. Thus sandwiching the piston tube 524 slightly between the piston tube support 806 and the piston tube support 808. Any rotation of the piston tube 524 is blocked by the piston tube coupling 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 one 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, snaps, friction fits, magnets, welding, tongue and groove arrangements, pins, and the like.

A more recently exploded view of slider assembly 800 is shown in 48A. Slider assembly 800 includes a number of sections. Slider assembly 800 includes half nut housing 810, syringe cam 820, half nut 830, and half nut cover 840. Half nut housing 810 can be made of any suitable sturdy material that does not significantly deform under an applied load, such as metal, nylon, glass filled plastic, molded plastic, polyoxymethylene 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 typical stainless steel surface of the 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 half nut 830. Half nut housing 810 includes a lead screw void 810A. The lead screw void 810A allows a lead screw 850 (not shown, see fig. 48B) to pass through the half nut housing 810. The lead screw void 810A has a larger diameter than the lead screw 850, which ensures that the lead screw 850 passes uninhibited through the lead screw void 810 regardless of the point on the lead screw 850 where the slider assembly 800 is located. Slider assembly 800 includes a ribbon cable to receive power from and communicate with circuit board 1150 (see fig. 58A).

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

Half nut housing 810 may also include syringe barrel cam void 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. When slider assembly 800 is fully assembled, syringe cam 820 may fit into syringe cam void 810C on half nut housing 810. In some embodiments, syringe barrel cam void 810C may extend completely through half nut housing 810. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 48A, syringe barrel cam void 810C may not extend completely through half nut housing 810. The syringe cam clearance 810C may act as a bushing for the syringe cam 820 when the slider assembly 800 is fully assembled. Syringe cam clearance 810C and syringe cam 820 may be manufactured with a clearance fit. In one example, the diametric clearance between syringe void 810C and syringe 820 is 0.001 to 0.005 inches.

In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in fig. 48A, half nut shell 810 may include 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 half nut housing 810 and into syringe cam void 810C. In fig. 48A, a driven shaft D-shaped joint or collar 784 is shown protruding through driven shaft aperture 810E into syringe cam void 810C.

Half nut housing 810 can additionally include half nut housing groove 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. The half nut housing groove 810F extends in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the piston rod 524, the lead screw 850, and the guide rod 852 (shown, for example, 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. Limit switch 810G may be used to limit the range of motion of the slider assembly along lead screw 850 (fig. 48B). Limit switch 810G will be described in further detail below.

As described above, the syringe cam 820 fits into the syringe cam void 810C in the half nut housing 810 when the slider assembly 800 is fully assembled. As shown, the syringe cam 820 includes a D-shaped aperture 820A, the axial direction of which language syringe cam 820 extends through the entire syringe cam 820. The D-shaped aperture 820A is sized and shaped to allow the syringe cam 820 to be coupled to the driven shaft D-section 784. When the D-shaped aperture 820A of the syringe cam 820 is coupled to the driven shaft D-section 784, any rotation of the driven shaft 774 and the driven shaft D-section 784 causes the syringe cam 820 to also rotate. The syringe cam 820 may be coupled to the driven shaft 774 in any standard manner including, but not limited to, set screws, pins, adhesives, friction fit, welding, and the like.

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

The syringe cam plane 820B may not extend along the entire syringe cam 820 such that some cylinders of the syringe cam 820 have a purely, classical cylindrical shape. This is desirable because the classical 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, the syringe cam plane 820B extends along the syringe cam 820 until the 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 expansion of the syringe cam 820 having a purely, classical cylindrical shape is a syringe cam shoulder 820C.

As shown, the syringe cam 820 may also include a syringe cam pin 820D. The syringe cam pin 820D in the example embodiment in fig. 48A protrudes perpendicularly from the front bottom surface of the cylinder of the syringe cam 820. The syringe cam pin 820D protrudes from the front bottom surface of the syringe cam 820 near the chord from which the syringe cam plane 820B has been extended into the cylinder of the 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 to act as a track for syringe cam pin 820D. Half nut slot 835 includes an arcuate section 835 and an unbent or arcuate end section 835B. Half nut slot 835 can 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 a guide rod bushing void 830A. The 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. In addition, the guide rod bushing void 830A in half nut 830 may have an oval shape or a racetrack shape. This shape allows the guide rod bushing 810 to fit properly within the guide rod bushing void 830A when the half nut 830 is in the engaged, disengaged position, or transition between either position.

Half nut 830 may also include a section of half nut threads 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. A V-thread may be desirable because such a shape may help half nut thread 830C self-align on lead screw 850.

As described above, the slider assembly 800 may also include a slider cover 840. Slider cover 840 may be coupled to half nut housing 810 such that when slider assembly 800 is fully assembled, syringe cam 820 and half nut 830 are held in place within slider assembly 800. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 48A, the slider cover 840 may be coupled to the half nut housing 810 by slider cover screws 840A as shown or by any suitable means, such as, but not limited to, bolts, adhesives, snaps, friction fits, magnets, welds, tongue and groove arrangements, pins, and the like. The slider cover 840 may include a cover groove 840B to help guide the half nut housing 810. The cover recess 840B may be recessed into the slider cover 840. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 48A, cover plate grooves 840B are recessed along the entire side edges of slider cover plate 840. Cover plate recess 840B may be sized and configured to align with half nut housing recess 810F on half nut housing 810.

The slider cover 840 may include a guide rod bushing aperture 840C. The guide rod bushing aperture 840C is sized and arranged such that the guide rod bushing 810B may protrude through the guide rod bushing aperture 840C. Guide rod bushing aperture 840C may have a diameter substantially equal to or slightly greater 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 channel 840D may be an arcuate segment recessed into the edge of the slider cover 840. The lead screw channel 840D, in combination with the lead screw void 810A of the half nut housing 810, allows for placement of the slider assembly 800 on the lead screw 850.

In operation, as the lead screw 850 rotates, the slider assembly 800 may be caused to move in the axial direction of the lead screw 850 and the guide rod 852. The slider assembly 800 may also be moved by a user in the axial direction of the lead screw 850 and guide rod 852. In order for the user to move the slider block assembly 800 in the axial direction of the lead screw 850, as shown in and described with respect to fig. 32-33, the user may need to adjust the position of the piston head assembly 522 relative to the remainder of the syringe pump assembly 501. This may be done by the user only when half nut 830 is not engaging lead screw 850.

Fig. 48B shows half nut 830 in an engaged position on lead screw 850. Half nut shell 810 and half nut cover 840 visible in fig. 48A have been removed from fig. 48B. When half nut 830 engages lead screw 850, half nut threads 830C operably engage threads of lead screw 850. Any rotation of the lead screw 850 may cause the half nut 830 to move in the axial direction of the lead screw 850.

To move half nut 830 between the engaged and disengaged positions on lead screw 850, barrel cam 820 must be rotated. As the syringe cam 820 is rotated, the syringe cam pin 820D may move along half nut slot 835 in 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 located in arcuate section 835A of half nut slot 835. The arcuate section 835A of half nut slot 835 may be shaped such that any movement of syringe barrel cam pin 820D within arcuate section 835A of half nut slot 835 does not cause any movement of half nut 830.

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

In the example embodiment in fig. 48B, when the syringe cam 820 has separated the half nut from the lead screw 850, the half nut cam follower surface 830B sits in the void created by the syringe cam plane 820B. When half nut 830 is disengaged, the distance between half nut threads 830C and their full engagement point on lead screw 850 is less than or equal to the length of the sagittal of the cylindrical section removed from syringe cam 820 to create syringe cam plane 820B. As the syringe cam 820 rotates to engage the half nut 830 with the lead screw 850, the pin 820D in the straight, end section 835B moves the half nut toward the lead screw 850 until the half nut 830 at least partially engages the lead screw 850. As pin 820D leaves 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 may push half nut 830 into full engagement with lead screw 850 and supplement the movement of syringe cam pin 820D within half nut slot 835.

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

In some embodiments, the fit of half nut 830 and syringe cam 820 may be adjustable. In these embodiments, a portion of the syringe cam housing 810 defining the syringe cam void 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 may be added to the syringe void 810C, or a different size syringe cam 820 may be substituted for the syringe cam 820, to position the half nut 830D/syringe cam 820 interface at the optimal position. In this position, the syringe cam 820 may engage the half nut thread 830C on the lead screw 850 such that there is zero or minimal backlash, no loading of the half nut thread 830C on the lead screw 850, and excessive drag.

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

In some embodiments, the 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 thread 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, syringe cam plane 820B may include a magnet and 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, when the syringe cam 820 has been rotated an appropriate amount, the magnets on the half nut cam follower surface 830B may adsorb to the magnets on the syringe cam plane 820B and pull the lead screw 850 away toward the syringe cam surface 820B. In some embodiments, the syringe cam 820 may be a simple bipolar magnet. In these embodiments, the syringe cam 820 may be arranged such that it may repel or attract magnets on the half nut cam follower surface 830B. When the same 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, opposite poles can be made to face each other. In turn, this may cause half nut 830 to separate from lead screw 850 because it is attracted to magnetic syringe cam 820.

In some embodiments, the 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 thread 830C from lead screw 850.

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

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

Fig. 50-52 illustrate slider assembly 800 wherein half nut cover plate 840 and half nut 830 are shown as transparent. In fig. 50-52, half nut 830 transitions from the engaged position (fig. 50) to the disengaged position (fig. 52). As shown in fig. 50, half nut 830 is in the engaged position. Syringe cam pin 820D is located in arcuate section 835A of half nut slot 835. Half nut threads 830C are at the far left extent of their range of motion (relative to fig. 50-52). The guide rod bushing 810B of the half nut housing 810 protrudes through the guide rod bushing void 830A of the half nut 830. As shown, the guide rod bushing 810B is located at the distal right end of the guide rod bushing void 830A. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 50-52, the lead rod bushing void 830A in half nut 830 is generally race track shaped.

The syringe cam 820 has rotated such that the syringe cam pin 820D is about to cross from the arcuate section 835A of the half nut slot 835 and into the end section 835B of the 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 extent of their range of motion (relative to fig. 50-52). Similarly, half nut 830 may not have been moved relative to guide rod bushing 810B from the position shown and described with respect to fig. 50.

In fig. 52, the syringe 820 has been rotated so the syringe cam pin 820D has moved into the straight, end section 835B of the half nut slot 835. As described above, 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 separate. As shown, half nuts 830, and thus half nut threads 830, have moved from the far left extension of their range of motion (relative to fig. 50-52) and toward the right of the page. Half nut 830 has moved about guide bar bushing 810B such that guide bar bushing 810B is now near the distal left end of guide bar bushing void 830A.

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

In the example embodiment shown in fig. 53, half nut 830 is in the disengaged position. Half nut threads 830C are not operably interleaved with threads of lead screw 850. The guide rod bushing 810B is near the top of the guide rod bushing void 830A in the half nut 830. Half nut cam follower surface 830B is adjacent to or depends (depending on the embodiment) from a syringe cam plane 820B on syringe cam 820. In addition, syringe cam pin 820D is at the end of end section 835B, which is a straight line of half nut slots 835 cut into half nut slot plate 835C.

Fig. 53 also shows a D-shaped aperture 820A of the syringe cam 820 coupled to the driven shaft D-shaped section 784 of the driven shaft 74. It can be seen that the piston tube 524 through which the driven shaft 774 is disposed is coupled to the slider 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 FIG. 54, a section of the 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 bar aperture 901. Rear guide rod hole 901 may extend through the entire rear face 900 of syringe pump assembly 501 at an angle perpendicular to the rear face 900 of syringe pump assembly 501. As shown, the guide rod bore 901 may be substantially cylindrical.

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

As shown in fig. 54, the anti-rotation pin 904 protrudes out of the gearbox sag 902. The anti-rotation pin 904 in the example embodiment shown in fig. 54 is cylindrical. In alternative embodiments, the anti-rotation pin 904 may take any other suitable shape. As shown in fig. 54, the gear recess 902 in the rear face 900 of the syringe pump assembly 501 may also include a lead screw void 906. Lead screw void 906 may 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, a section of the lead screw 850 protruding beyond the rear face 900 of the syringe pump assembly 501 is unthreaded.

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

As shown, the end of a section of lead screw 850 protruding from the rear face 900 may include a threaded bore 910. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 54, a gearbox attachment fastener 912 is coupled into a threaded bore 910 on the end of the lead screw 850. In an example embodiment, the gearbox attachment fastener 912 is a screw 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 the 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 face 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. The anti-rotation pin 904 ensures that the gearbox 940 causes the screw 850 to rotate and that the gearbox 940 does not rotate about the axis of the screw 850. As shown, the anti-rotation pins 942 do not help to retain the gearbox 940 on the rear face 900 of the 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. An anti-rotation pin gearbox fastener 945 may be threaded into the threaded anti-rotation pin bore 944 to help retain the gearbox 940 to the rear face 900 of the syringe pump assembly 501. The gearbox 940 may be friction locked to the lead screw 850 to ensure that rotation of the gear in the gearbox 940 is transferred to the lead screw 850 with zero or minimal backlash.

In embodiments where syringe pump assembly 501 is removable from housing 502 (see fig. 28) and replaceable with another assembly, such as a peristaltic bulk pump assembly, gearbox 940 may be compatible with the replacement assembly.

Fig. 56 shows an embodiment of the interior of a syringe pump assembly 501. As shown, the front face 888 of the syringe pump assembly 501 is shown as transparent. As shown, the guide bar 852 protrudes perpendicularly from the interior of the back face 900 of the syringe pump assembly 501 and toward the front of the page. The lead screw 850 may similarly protrude through the rear of the lead screw bearing 908 into the interior of the syringe pump assembly 501 at an angle perpendicular to the interior of the rear 900 of the 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, the lead screw 850 is offset from the guide bar 852 toward the left side of the page.

As shown, one end of the guide rod 852 sits in the rear guide rod hole 901. The other end of the guide rod 852 sits in the front 888 of the 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 rest of the guide rod 852. When syringe pump assembly 501 is fully assembled, the segment of guide rod 852 may be placed into guide rod hole 1002 in front 888 of syringe pump assembly 501. The guide rod hole 1002 may extend through the entire front face 888 of the syringe pump assembly 501 at an angle substantially perpendicular to the front face 888. The smaller diameter section of the guide rod 852 may have a diameter that is slightly but not sufficiently smaller than the diameter of the guide rod bore 1002 such that the guide rod 852 may generally fit within the guide rod bore 1002 when the syringe pump assembly 501 has been assembled. One end of the guide rod 852 may be flush with the plane of the front 888 of the syringe pump assembly 501. Although in the example embodiment shown in fig. 56, both the guide rod hole 1002 and the segment of guide rod 852 seated within the guide rod hole 1002 are cylindrical, in alternative embodiments, their shapes may be different.

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

As shown, the lead screw depression 1000 may accommodate a front lead screw bearing 1006 that surrounds one end of the lead screw 850 and provides a bearing surface to the lead screw 850. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in fig. 56, belleville washer 1008 may sit on the bottom of lead screw depression 1000. The belleville washer 1008 may ensure that the lead screw 850 is not "active" when the lead screw 850 is seated in the lead screw recess 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 may be threaded onto its outer diameter. The screw recess 1000 may be characterized by complementary threads into which the end cap may be screwed. Likewise, the end cap may also ensure that the lead screw 850 is not "active" when the lead screw 850 is seated in the lead screw recess 1000.

Fig. 57 shows a view of the interior of syringe pump assembly 501. In fig. 57A there is no front face 888 shown transparent in fig. 56. As shown, the slider block assembly 800 is in place in the syringe pump assembly 501. The guide rod 852 extends through a guide rod bushing 810B in the half nut shell 810. When half nut 830 is separated from lead screw 850, slider assembly 800 is free to slide about the axial direction of guide rod 852.

The movement of the slider assembly 800 is also guided by the injection pump assembly guide rail 1010. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 57, the injection pump assembly rail 1010 extends from an inner surface of the injection seat 506. The syringe pump assembly rail 1010 is formed in a shape such that half nut housing groove 810F and cover plate groove 840B on slider block assembly 800 can fit over syringe pump assembly rail 1010 and slide along syringe pump assembly rail 1010. The syringe pump assembly rail 1010 also ensures that the slider block assembly 800 is not rotatable within the syringe pump assembly 501. In embodiments in which the syringe pump assembly housing 503 is formed by extrusion, the syringe pump assembly rail 1010 may be formed as part of the extrudate.

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

As described 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 indicates 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 that may be disposed about other portions of the slider assembly 800. In embodiments in which a limit switch may be disposed on the front of half nut housing 810, limit switch 810G may prevent slider block assembly 800 from being driven into front 888 (shown in fig. 56) of syringe pump assembly 501.

In embodiments including limit switch 810G, limit switch 810G may be a micro switch, but hall sensors and magnetic, optical sensors, etc. may also be used. In embodiments in which limit switch 810G comprises a micro switch, the micro switch 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 be rotated further, thereby not advancing slider assembly 800 in the direction of the predetermined position.

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

In some embodiments, slider linear position sensor 1050 may comprise a linear potentiometer. In these embodiments, the brushes of the slider linear position sensor 1050 may be arranged such that they slide across the resistive elements of the potentiometer, with the slider assembly 800 moving along the lead screw 850. The resistance measured by the slider linear position sensor 1050 may be used to determine the position of the slider assembly 800 along the lead screw 850.

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

Fig. 57B shows an example of a possible linear position sensor 1100 arrangement for estimating the position of the slider assembly 800. In an example Linear position sensor 1100 arrangement, the Linear position sensor 1100 includes an array of magnetic Linear position sensors 1102, such AS the "AS5410 Absolute Linear 3D Hall Encoder" commercially available from Austria microsystems, inc., discussed above. The change of position block 1104 (e.g., the slider assembly 800) is shown at a position along the change of position block lead screw 1106. The position change block arm 1108 of the protruding page is indicated with a dashed line defining its rightmost edge. As the change of position block 1104 moves with the lead screw 1106, an object attached to the change of position block arm 1108 may be caused to move with the change of position block 1104. The change of position 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 change block 1104 includes a position change block magnet 1110. As shown, the change of position block magnet is located on the face of the change of position block closest to the array of magnetic linear position sensors 1102. The repositioning block magnet 1110 is a bipolar magnet. The north pole of the repositioning block magnet 1110 is oriented to face the right side of the page, while the south pole is oriented to face the left side of the page. As the change of position block 1104 moves with the change of position block lead screw 1106, the change of position block magnet 1110 also moves. Such movement may be measured by an array of magnetic linear position sensors 1102 and analyzed to determine the absolute position of the change of position block 1104 along the change of position block lead screw 1106. In some embodiments, an array of magnetic linear position sensors 1102 may be used to determine the differential motion of the position change block 1104.

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

Referring back to fig. 42, a driven shaft 774 is coupled into the dual universal joint 772. The double universal joint 772 converts any rotational motion from the dial 530 that rotates the dial shaft 650 into 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 half nut 830 described above.

As also described above, rotation of the dial 530 causes linear displacement of the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528. Thus, the dial 530 is multifunctional. When rotated, the dial 530 engages or disengages the half nut 830 and opens or closes the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528. It should be appreciated that the arcuate segment 835A of the half nut slot 835 is formed in a shape such that the half nut 830 does not begin to separate until the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 have released the largest piston flange 548 (not shown) that is possible with the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528. When the piston flange 548 (not shown) has been loosened and the half nut 830 has been disengaged, the turret shaft cam follower 658 on the turret shaft 650 may seat in the turret shaft cam pawl 660 of the turret shaft cam 654 described with respect to fig. 43. As described in the detailed description of fig. 43, this will allow the user to "park" the dial 530 in a fully rotated position, wherein the half nut 830 is disengaged, and the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 are in a fully open position. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 58, when the dial 530 is in the "resting" position, a user may remove their hand from the dial 530 and easily adjust the piston head assembly 552 so that a syringe 504 (not shown) may be inserted onto the syringe pump assembly 501 (see fig. 30-34 for an example illustration and discussion of placement of 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. The syringe 504 sits on an injection seat 506 of the injection pump assembly housing 503. Gearbox 940 is shown in place on syringe pump assembly 501. Motor 1200 driving gearbox 940 is also shown coupled to 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 injection pump assembly housing 503. In an example embodiment, a flexible connector 562 extending from the slider assembly 800 is connected to the main PCB 1150. An electrical system including a main PCB will be described in fig. 59A-59J.

The electrical system 4000 of the syringe pump 500 (see fig. 28) is depicted in block schematic in fig. 59B-59J. The electrical system 4000 controls the operation of the syringe pump 500 based on inputs from the user interface 3700 and the sensor 3501. The electrical system 4000 includes a power supply system consisting of a rechargeable main battery 3420 and a battery charger 3422 plugged into the AC power source. The electrical system 4000 is configured 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 errors and to operate in a fail-safe mode for other errors.

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

The detailed electrical connections and components of electrical system 4000 are shown in fig. 59B-59I. 59B-59I also show a number of wiring traces 5000-5169 leading into and out of the various components. A number of sensors for syringe pump 500 are shown in fig. 59B. As shown, a plunger position sensor 3950, a syringe diameter sensor 3951, a plunger capture potentiometer sensor 3952, a plunger force sensor 3953, and other sensors 3954 are shown. Piston position sensor 3950 may be any of the piston position sensors described herein. Syringe diameter sensor 3951 may be a syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 as will be described below. The 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 a piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 described herein. The piston force sensor 3953 may be a piston pressure sensor 532 described herein. The plunger capture potentiometer sensor 3952 may be a switch that detects the syringe 504 loaded into the syringe holder 506. The above sensors may send indications of their detection and their signals to RTP 3500 or another component, respectively.

As shown in fig. 59C, a thermistor 3540 can provide a signal to RTP 3500 indicating the temperature of the infusate in the infusion tube. Alternatively, the thermistor 3540 may measure the temperature in the syringe pump 500 or the temperature of the circuit 4000. In different embodiments, the specific portions listed in FIGS. 59B-59I may be replaced with appropriate replacement components. In some embodiments, electrical system 4000 may include additional components. In some embodiments, electrical system 4000 may include fewer components than those shown in fig. 59B-59J.

Two sensors that may be downstream of syringe pump 500 are shown in fig. 59C. One sensor is an in-tube air sensor 3545. The other is occlusion sensor 3535. Both are connected to RTP 3500. These sensors are optional. The in-line air sensor 3545 may detect the presence of air in the infusion tube segment in the vicinity of the in-line air sensor 3545. In an example embodiment, the in-tube air 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 in-line air sensor 3545.

Occlusion sensor 3535 may measure the internal pressure of the infusate within the infusion tube. In some embodiments, occlusion sensor 3535 may be a downstream pressure sensor 513 as 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. The buffer 3535D protects the RTP 3500 from overvoltage caused by a large force generated by the pressure applied to the force sensor 3535B. In alternative embodiments, occlusion sensor 3535 may be different.

The watchdog circuit 3460 is shown in fig. 59D. Watchdog circuit 3460 can be enabled by I2C commands from RTP 3500. If no signal of a particular frequency is received from RTP 3500, watchdog circuit 3460 may issue an error signal and deactivate motor controller 3430 (e.g., via chip 3434). The watchdog circuit 3460 may signal the user with an audible alarm. An audible alarm may be issued by the amplifier 3464 and/or the backup speaker 3468 only. If an abnormal condition is detected, the watchdog circuit 3460 may signal the user via a visual alert LED 3750 (as shown in fig. 59F). In one embodiment, RTP 3500 must "empty" watchdog circuit 3460 every 10ms to 200ms after the last time watchdog circuit 3460 is emptied. In some embodiments, the watchdog circuit 3460 is comprised of a window watchdog 3460A, a logic circuit 3460B (possibly including one or more flip-chip switches), and an IO extender 3460C that communicates with RTP 3500 over an I2C bus. In the event of a failure of the main battery 3420 (see fig. 59E), the backup battery 3450 (see fig. 59C) may power the watchdog circuit 3460 and the backup speaker system (possibly including the audio amplifier 3464 and the backup speaker 3468). The backup battery 3450 may supply power to the RTP 3500 and UIP 3600 to maintain internal time records, which is particularly desirable when replacing the main battery 3420. RTP 3500 may also monitor the voltage of backup battery 3450 with a SWITCH, such as "FAIRCHILD FPF1005 LOAD SWITCH"3452 shown in fig. 59C.

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

Signals from the hall sensor 3436 may be provided to the RTP 3500 and encoder 1202. In one embodiment, three hall signals are generated. Any two of the three hall signals may be sent to the encoder 1202. Encoder 1202 may use these signals to provide position signals to UIP 3600. UIP 3600 estimates the total volume of fluid dispensed by syringe pump 500 from the position signal of encoder 1202. 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. The UIP 3600 estimated volume may then be compared to the volume expected for the commanded treatment at regular intervals. In some embodiments, the interval between comparisons may be shorter for different infusion fluids, such as a short half cycle infusion fluid. Treatment may specify parameters such as flow rate, duration, and total Volume To Be Infused (VTBI). In any case, the expected volume can be calculated based on the programmed therapy at a given time during the therapy and compared to the volume estimated by UIP 3600. If the difference between the UIP 3600 estimated volume and the expected volume of treatment is outside a predetermined threshold, the UIP 3600 may signal an alarm or alert. If the difference between the UIP 3600 estimated volume and the expected volume of treatment is outside another predetermined threshold, the UIP 3600 may signal a warning.

UIP 3600 may also compare the estimated volume to the volume reported by RTP 3500. If the UIP 3600 estimated volume and RTP 3500 reported volume are outside a predetermined threshold, UIP 3600 may signal a warning. If the UIP 3600 estimated volume and RTP 3500 reported volume are outside of the second threshold, UIP 3600 may signal an alert.

In some embodiments, UIP 3600 may compare the RTP 3500 report volume to the expected volume of treatment and signal a warning if the two values differ by more than a predetermined threshold. If the difference between the RTP 3500 report volume and the expected volume of treatment exceeds another predetermined threshold, UIP 3600 may signal an alert. The values of the alarm and alert thresholds may be different for the comparison between different sets of volumes. The threshold value may be stored in memory. The threshold may vary depending on many different parameters, such as, but not limited to, drug concentration, clinical use, patient, type of treatment, or location. The threshold may be predetermined in a der (medication error reduction system) database and downloaded from the device gateway server.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the rotation of the motor threaded screw 1200 may be estimated using the rotary encoder 5430. The motor sensor 5430 may be formed on the shaft of the motor 1200 by a magnet, with a hall effect sensor in the vicinity to estimate the position of the threaded shaft.

RFID tag 3670 (see fig. 59E) may be connected by an I2C bus to UIP 3600 and near field antenna 3955. The RFID tag 3670 may be used by a medical technician or other user or person to obtain or store information when the syringe pump 500 is in an unpowered state. UIP 3600 may store repair records, error codes, etc. in RFID tag 3670. The RFID reader may access stored repair records, error codes, and the like. For example, a medical technician may examine the stored unpowered syringe pump 500 via an RFID reader and evaluate that the syringe pump 500 is not being operated to interpret the RFID tag 3670. In another example, a medical technician or other personnel may perform maintenance on the syringe pump 500 and store any relevant maintenance information in the RFID tag 3670. The UIP 3600 may then pick up the last repair information from the RFID tag 3670 and store it in the memory 3605 (see fig. 59E).

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

UIP 3600 controls a main audio system including a main speaker 3615 and audio chips 3610 (audio codec), 3612 (audio amplifier) (see fig. 59E). The primary audio system may be capable of producing a series of sounds, for example, indicative of an alarm or alert. The audio system may also provide a confirmation sound to facilitate and enhance user interaction with the display 514 and/or the data input device 516 (see fig. 28). The main audio system may include a microphone 3617 that may be used to confirm the operation of the main speaker 3615 and the backup speaker 3468. The primary audio system may produce one or more tones, modulation order, and/or sound patterns, and the audio codec chip 3610 may compare signals received from the microphone 3617 with signals sent to the primary speaker 3615. The use of one or more tones and comparison signals may allow the system to verify the function of main speaker 3615 independent of any ambient noise. Alternatively, UIP 3600 or audio codec 3610 may verify that microphone 3617 is producing a signal at the same time that the signal is sent to speaker amplifier 3612.

UIP 3600 may provide a range of different wireless signals for different purposes. UIP 3600 may use chips 3621, 3620, and 3622 and antennas 3720 and 3722 to communicate with a hospital wireless network via dual-band WiFi. Spatially diverse double wideband may be desirable because it may be able to overcome dead spots in a room due to multipath and cancellation. The hospital device gateway may transmit the mers, CQI (continuous quality improvement), prescription, patient data, etc. to the syringe pump 500 via the WiFi system.

Bluetooth systems using the same chips 3621, 3620 and 3622 (see fig. 59E) and antennas 3720 and 3722 (see fig. 59F) may provide a convenient method of connecting the following accessories to syringe pump 500, which may include a pulse oximeter, blood pressure reader, bar code reader, tablet computer, phone, etc. Bluetooth may include version 4.0 to allow for low power accessories that may periodically communicate with the syringe pump 500, such as a continuous glucose meter that sends updates once a minute.

The NFC system may be composed 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 may be used to identify the RDID chip of the medicament or other invention information. RFID can also be used to identify patients and caregivers. NFC controller 3624 may also interact with a similar RFID reader, for example, on a phone or tablet computer, to input information including prescriptions, bar code information, patient, caregiver identity, and the like. NFC controller 3624 may also provide information to a phone or tablet computer such as the history or maintenance conditions of syringe pump 500. RFID antennas 3720 and 3722 and/or NFC antenna 3724 are preferably disposed around or near the display 514 screen so that interaction with the syringe pump 500 occurs on or near the display 514, whether reading an RFID chip or interacting with the touch screen display 514 or other data input device 516 in proximity to the display.

UIP 3600 may include medical grade connector 3665 (see fig. 59I) so that other medical devices may be inserted into syringe pump 500 and provide additional capabilities. Connector 3665 may embody a USB interface.

The 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 a backlight sensor 3740 to allow the brightness of the display 514 to be automatically responsive and/or adjusted to backlight. The first button 3760 may be a "power" button and 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 rather provide signals to the UIP 3600 to start or terminate infusion. The third button 3767 can mute the alarm or alert of the primary speaker 3615 and the backup speaker 3468. Muting the alarm or alert will not clear the error, but may terminate an audible alarm or alert. 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 illustrates an example embodiment of a syringe pump assembly 501. In fig. 60, the injection pump assembly housing 503 shown in fig. 59A has been removed. As shown, syringe pump 504 is in place on syringe pump assembly 501 and is held by syringe barrel holder 518. The slider assembly 800 is located approximately midway along the axial length of the lead screw 850. Because piston tube 524 connects slider assembly 800 to piston head assembly 522, piston head assembly 522 is in a position that has caused syringe piston 544 to dispense approximately half of the contents of syringe 504.

As shown, the motor 1200 is operatively coupled to the gearbox 940 in fig. 60. Rotation of the motor 1200 is transmitted through the gear box 940 to drive rotation of the screw 850. As described above, the half nut 830 engages the lead screw 850 as the upper and lower piston clamp jaws 526, 528 close on the piston flange 548. Thus, in the embodiment shown in fig. 60, as the motor 1200 causes the lead screw 850 to rotate, the slider assembly 800 will travel along the axial length of the lead screw 850. 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. 60), movement of the slider assembly 800 will additionally cause the piston tube 524 and piston head assembly 522 to be displaced toward the left side of the page. As piston head assembly 522 is displaced toward the left side of the page, syringe piston 544 advances into barrel 540 of syringe 504 and dispenses the syringe contents.

The motor 1200 may be a suitable motor 1200. As shown in fig. 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 fig. 60 is an alternative motor that also has a hall sensor 3436 to inform the motor 1200 of commutation. As shown in fig. 60, motor 1200 may include magnets on a rotor that are detected by rotary encoder 1202. The rotary encoder 1202 may be any of a variety of suitable rotary encoders 1202, such AS AS5055 manufactured by Australian microsystems, inc. of Austria. In some embodiments, the rotary encoder 1202 may be a magnet. The rotary encoder 1202 may be used to monitor the rotation of the lead screw 850. Information from the rotary encoder 1202 may be used to determine when a given amount of the contents of the syringe 504 has been dispensed. In addition, the rotary encoder 1202 may be used to determine the position of the slider assembly 800 on the lead screw 850.

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

As described above, syringe pump 500 includes a number of sensor redundancies. This allows syringe pump 500 to operate in a failure mode of operation as desired. In the event of a failure of the rotary encoder 1202, the hall sensor 3436 of the brush motor 1200 is used in a failure mode of operation to measure the dispensing of the syringe 504 contents 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 failure mode of operation to measure the dispensing of the syringe 504 contents through 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 syringe 504 contents by the position of the slider assembly 800 on the lead screw and provide a feedback signal to the controller. In some embodiments, a motor hall sensor 3436 or linear slide assembly linear position sensor 1050 may be used to monitor the position of the slide assembly 800 on the lead screw to avoid driving the slide assembly 800 on the pump frame.

In the event of a failure of rotary encoder 1020, if a treatment is being performed, syringe pump 500 may end the treatment and not allow the user to begin another treatment until syringe pump 500 has been serviced. In the event of a failure of rotary encoder 1020, syringe pump 500 may sound an alarm. In some embodiments, if rotary encoder 1202 fails and infusion is taking place at a low flow rate using motor 1200, syringe pump 500 may not stop the treatment. If such a malfunction occurs, the syringe pump 500 may sound an alarm, and if treatment is being performed, the syringe pump 500 may stop the treatment and not allow the user to begin another treatment until the syringe pump 500 has been serviced. The controller of the syringe pump 500 may make its decision to continue treatment based on the risk level of the infusion liquid being delivered to the patient. If the risk of not infusing the user is higher than the risk of infusing with less accuracy, the syringe pump 500 will infuse in a failure mode of operation.

Fig. 61 shows a 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, the syringe 504 is held in place against the syringe mount 506 by the syringe clip 518. Syringe flange 542 is clamped in place against syringe pump assembly 501 by syringe flange clamp 520. Syringe flange clip 520 is slightly offset from the rest of syringe pump assembly 501 such that a small gap exists between syringe pump assembly 501 and syringe flange clip 420. When the user places syringe 504 on syringe mount 506, the user may also place syringe flange 542 into the small gap between syringe pump assembly 501 and syringe flange clip 520.

As shown in fig. 61, the outer edge of syringe flange clip 520 exits toward 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. Syringe flange clip 520 may also include one or more cutouts 521. In the example embodiment of fig. 61, the cutout 521 of the syringe flange clip includes two valleys. The first valley is recessed within a central section of the outer edge of syringe flange clip 520. The second valley recessed into the lowermost section of the first valley is small and much narrower. In other embodiments, the cutouts 521 may be different sizes, shapes, etc. Piston 544 of small syringe 504 in fig. 61 is fully seated in cutout 521 in syringe barrel flange clip 520. In the absence of cutout 521 in syringe flange clip 520, piston 544 of syringe 504 will contact the outer edge of syringe flange clip 520 and block the user from disposing syringe flange 542 into the gap between syringe flange clip 520 and syringe pump assembly 501.

Fig. 62 shows the bulk 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, the syringe 504 is held in place against the syringe mount 506 by the syringe clip 518. Syringe flange 542 is clamped in place against syringe pump assembly 501 by syringe flange clamp 520. Syringe flange clip 520 is slightly offset from the rest of syringe pump assembly 501 such that a small gap exists between syringe pump assembly 501 and syringe flange clip 420. When the user places syringe 504 on syringe mount 506, the user may also place syringe flange 542 into the small gap between syringe pump assembly 501 and syringe flange clip 520.

As shown in fig. 62, syringe flange clip 520 also includes a generally semicircular depression 519 which thins syringe flange clip 520. A generally semicircular depression 519 may be included to receive a piston flange 548 (not shown) of the syringe 504. In embodiments where syringe flange clip 520 includes a generally circular depression 519, piston 544 may advance a distance equal to the depth of semicircular depression 519 further into syringe 540. This is desirable because it allows more of the contents of the syringe 504 to be administered to the patient.

As shown in fig. 62, syringe flange clip 520 may include syringe flange sensor 700. Syringe flange sensor 700 may be comprised of any number of suitable sensors. In some embodiments, syringe flange sensor 700 may operate in a binary (yes/no) manner to indicate whether syringe flange 542 is clamped by syringe flange clamp 520. In some embodiments, syringe flange sensor 700 may include a micro switch that is actuated as syringe flange 524 is placed in the gap between syringe pump assembly 501 and syringe flange clip 520. In other embodiments, syringe flange sensor 700 may include a photoelectric sensor. In these embodiments, syringe flange sensor 700 may indicate that syringe flange 542 is clamped in place when the light source is blocked. In other embodiments, syringe flange sensor 700 may be formed from different sensor compositions than those described above. The syringe flange sensor 700 may be caused to generate an alarm when other sensors, such as the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 (described above) or the syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 (see fig. 66), detect the syringe 504 in place of the syringe pump assembly 501 when the syringe flange sensor 700 does not detect that the syringe 504 is in place, and when an attempt is made to initiate treatment.

Fig. 63 illustrates 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). The syringe holder housing member 1504 protrudes from the bottom of the syringe holder housing 1500 at an angle substantially perpendicular to the plane of the planar base plate 1502. The syringe holder housing member 1504 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the entire length of the left end of the planar base plate 1502. In some embodiments, the syringe holder housing member 1504 may take the form of a right angle prism. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 63, the syringe holder housing member 1504 has a form that approximates a right angle prism, but the bottom edge of the syringe holder housing member 1504 has been rounded.

As shown in fig. 63, a planar base plate 1502 has base plate slots 1506 cut into it. The base plate slot 1506 is cut into the planar base plate 1502 from the left edge (relative to fig. 63) of the planar base plate 1502. The base plate slot 1506 may extend into the planar base plate 1502 at an angle substantially perpendicular to the left edge of the planar base plate 1502. The base plate slot does not extend all the way across the planar base plate 1502 and stops short of 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 stand on the sides of the base plate slot 1506. The four syringe retainer housing posts 1508 are separated such that there are two syringe retainer housing posts 1508 on each side of the base plate slot 1506. The syringe holder housing posts 1508 extend 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 right angle prism. In alternative embodiments, the syringe housing post 1508 may be cylindrical, or have any other suitable shape.

The 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 perpendicularly from the top of the planar base plate 1502 toward the top of the page. The syringe holder housing body 1510 has the form of a right angle prism. As shown, the syringe holder housing body 1510 may depend from the right edge of the planar base plate 1502. The syringe holder housing body 1510 may include a side flush with a front or rear edge (relative to fig. 63) of the planar base plate 1502.

In some embodiments, the syringe holder housing 1500 may 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. The "T" shaped member 1512 may extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to the planar base plate 1502. In an example embodiment, the "T" shaped member 1512 protrudes approximately from the center of the right edge of the planar base plate 1502. The intersection of the "T" shaped members 1512 is generally parallel to the right edge of the planar base plate 1502. The intersections of the "T" shaped members 1512 depend identically from the bar on both sides of the bar.

As shown in fig. 63, the syringe holder rail 1514 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the right face of the syringe holder housing member 1504 and into the left face of the overhanging intersection of the "T" shaped member 1512. The syringe holder rails 1514 may extend substantially parallel to one another. 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 of the intersection of the "T" shaped members 1512. In an example embodiment, the 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 fig. 63, the syringe holder PCB is coupled to the syringe holder housing post 1508 by screws.

Fig. 64 illustrates an embodiment of a portion of a syringe holder 518. In the embodiment shown in fig. 64, the syringe holder PCB 1518 shown in fig. 63 has been removed. As shown in fig. 64, the base plate slot 1506 may extend downwardly into the syringe holder housing member 1504. The base plate slot 1508 can include a base plate slot catch 1520. In embodiments in which the base plate slot 1508 includes a base plate slot catch 1520, the base plate slot catch 1520 may be a void in the planar base plate 1502 of the syringe retainer housing 1500. In an example embodiment, the void of the base plate slot catch 1520 extends from the right end section of the base plate slot 1508 at an angle that is substantially perpendicular to one side of the base plate slot 1508.

The syringe retainer 518 also includes a syringe retainer arm 1522. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 64, the syringe holder arm 1522 extends through an approximately sized aperture in the approximate center of the "T" shaped member 1512 (only the stem of the "T" shaped member 1512 is visible in fig. 64). The syringe holder arm 1522 may be movably coupled to the syringe holder 518. In embodiments in which the syringe holder arm 1522 is movably coupled to the syringe holder 518, the syringe holder arm 1522 may be moved in a direction parallel to the edges of the stem of the "T" shaped member 1512. In the example embodiment of fig. 64, the syringe holder arm 1522 is able to slide along the hole in the "T" shaped member 1512 and use 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 may include a collar, which may be a "U" shaped member 1524. The "U" shaped member 1524 may be fixedly coupled to the syringe holder arm 1522. In an example embodiment, the bottom section of the "U" shaped member 1524 is thicker than the upstanding portion of the "U" shaped member 1524. The thick bottom section of the "U" shaped member 1524 includes a hole that allows the "U" shaped member 1524 to be coupled to the syringe holder arm 1522 when the syringe holder 518 is assembled. In an example embodiment, the upstanding portion of the "U" shaped member 1524 extends upwardly through the base plate slot 1506 and is substantially flush with the plane of the top surface of the planar base plate 1502. The upstanding portion of the "U" shaped member 1524 may limit rotation of the syringe holder arm 1522 because any rotation is resisted by the upstanding portion of the "U" shaped member 1524 resting 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 biasing rod 1526 is generally rectangular in shape. The biasing rod 1526 may include two apertures that allow the biasing rod 1526 to be disposed on the syringe holder rail 1514. The biasing rod 1526 may be capable of guided movement in the axial direction of the syringe holder rail 1514. In an example embodiment, one end of the coil spring 1516 on the syringe holder rail 1514 that does not depend on the intersection of the "T" shaped member 1512 depends on the front of the biasing rod 1526. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 64, the maximum distance between the face of the biasing rod 1526 against which one end of the coil spring 1516 rests and the face of the "T" shaped member 1512 against which the other end of the coil spring 1516 rests is shorter than the uncompressed length of the coil spring 1516. This ensures that the biasing rod 1526 will always be biased toward the position shown in fig. 64.

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

In the example embodiment in fig. 65, the syringe holder 518 is shown in a fully open position. To move the syringe holder 518 to the fully open position, the user may grasp the syringe holder handle 1528. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 65, the syringe holder handle 1528 is a protrusion extending from the 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 may pull the syringe holder arm 1522 out of the syringe holder housing 1500. This action causes the "U" shaped member 1524 fixedly attached to the syringe holder arm 1522 to also move. Since the "U" shaped member 1524 is not accessible through the biasing rod 1526, the biasing rod 1526 moves with the "U" shaped member 1524 and the syringe retainer arm 1522. As the biasing rod 1526 moves along the syringe retainer rail 1514, the coil spring is compressed such that if the user releases the syringe retainer handle 1528, the return force of the coil spring will automatically return the biasing rod 1526, "U" shaped member 1524 and syringe retainer arm 1522 to the position shown in fig. 64.

To retain the syringe retainer 518 in the fully open position against the bias of the coil spring 1516, the syringe retainer 518 may be locked in the open position. As shown, the syringe retainer 518 may be locked in the open position by rotating the syringe retainer arm 1522 and fixedly coupling to all portions of the syringe retainer 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 slot catch 1520. When the "U" shaped member is rotated into the base plate slot catch 1520, the return force of the coil spring 1516 cannot return the syringe retainer 518 to the position shown in fig. 64 because the travel of the "U" shaped member 1524 is impeded by the base plate slot catch 1520.

After rotating the syringe holder arm 1522 so as to lock the syringe holder 518 in the open position, the user may release the syringe holder handle 1528 to grasp the syringe 504 (not shown) and place 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, the syringe contact structure 1530 and syringe retainer handle 1528 are at their furthest possible distances from the syringe mount 506 of the syringe pump assembly 501. In some embodiments, the distance may be substantially greater than the diameter of the largest syringe 504 acceptable to the syringe pump 500. In fig. 31, the syringe 504 has been in place on the injection seat 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 a result of the return force of the coil spring 1516 automatically pushing the biasing rod 1526, "U" shaped member 1524 and syringe retainer arm 1522 toward the position shown in fig. 64.

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

In some embodiments, there may be only 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 in which the syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 is a linear potentiometer, the syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 may include a syringe size brush 1542 that is slidable across the resistive element of the potentiometer as the syringe holder arm 1522 moves. 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 potentiometer-type 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 may be used to establish information (size, volume, brand, etc.) about the syringe 504 (not shown) being used. In some embodiments, the resistance measurements may be referenced to a database or resistance measurements expected from different syringes 504 to determine information about the syringes 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 syringe holder 518 is in a fully open position (as shown in fig. 66), an alarm may be generated and treatment may not begin.

In some embodiments, including the example embodiment shown in fig. 66, syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 may be a magnetic linear position sensor. Any suitable magnetic linear position sensor may be used as syringe holder linear position sensor 1540. Syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 may be the same type of sensor as slider assembly linear position sensor 1050. An example of a suitable magnetic Linear position sensor is "AS5410 Absolute Linear 3D Hall Encoder" commercially available from Austria microsystems, inc. The syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 collects their position data from the syringe holder magnet 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 may be measured by the syringe holder linear position sensor 1540. Since the measured absolute position of the syringe retainer magnet 1544 may vary depending on the syringe 504 (not shown) being held by the syringe retainer 518, the absolute position of the syringe retainer magnet 1544 may be used to determine specific information (e.g., size, volume, brand, etc.) about the syringe 504 (not shown) being held. In some embodiments, a control database may reference the absolute position of the syringe holder magnet 1544 to determine information about the syringe 504 being used. 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 if 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 a fully open position (as shown in fig. 66), an alarm may be generated and treatment may not begin.

In some embodiments, the 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 an embodiment in which the piston clamp jaw position sensor 508 may make a determination of the type of syringe 504 being used (see discussion of fig. 37), the data from the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 and the linear position sensor 1540 may be compared. An alarm may be generated if the data collected by syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 is not correlated with the data collected by other sensors.

In some embodiments, reference is first made to the database from the piston clamp jaw position sensor 588 and the syringe 504 to narrow the acceptable syringe 540 measurements. In some embodiments, data from the syringe holder linear position sensor may be referenced to the syringe 504 database to set a series of acceptable piston flange 548 measurements.

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

The moving parts in the example embodiment include moving part FR-4PCB substrate 1606. As shown, the moving part FR-4PCB substrate includes a moving part microstrip line 1608. The moving part microstrip line 1608 may be substantially "U" -shaped. The uprights of the "U" shaped moving part microstrip lines 1608 extend parallel to each other and are spaced apart such that they contact the two microstrip lines 1604 on the fixed part when the line extender 1600 is assembled. The movable portion microstrip line 1608 has a width selected so 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 uprights of the "U" shaped moving part microstrip line 1608 and is substantially perpendicular to the two uprights. When fully assembled, the bottom section of the "U" shaped movable portion microstrip line 1604 forms a bridge between the two microstrip lines 1604 on the fixed portion of the line extender 1600. Any signal transmitted through one microstrip line 1604 on the fixed part may cross over to the other microstrip line 1604 on the fixed part through the moving part microstrip line 1608. By sliding the moving part in the extension direction of the fixed part microstrip line 1604, the signal must 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 generate a phase change of the signal. In order to reduce wear on the metal microstrip lines 1604 and 1608, a thin insulating sheet 1609 may be arranged between the microstrip lines 1604 and 1608, creating capacitive coupling.

Fig. 68 shows an example of a line extender 1600 included in a phase change detector 1610. As shown, phase change detector 1610 includes a signal source shown as an "RF source" in the example shown in fig. 68. The source signal in the example shown in fig. 68 travels from the "RF source" to the "power splitter". The "power divider" divides the signal, maintaining the two output signals in a constant phase relationship with respect to each other. One of the signals goes directly to the "mixer". The other signal is delayed before the "mixer" is allowed to arrive. In fig. 68, the signal is delayed by a line extender 1600 (see fig. 67). The delayed signal causes the delayed signal to predictably outphas with the non-delayed signal traveling directly to the "mixer". The delayed signal travels from the line extender 1600 to the "mixer". In the example embodiment shown in fig. 68, the "mixer" is a double balanced mixer. As is well known in the art, two identical 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 wire extender 1600 such as that shown in fig. 67. The delay means is a variable open or short circuit. As an object measuring its linear position is linearly displaced, the position of a short or open circuit on the transmission line may be caused to move in proportion. As shown, the signal travels through a "directional coupler," which may be any suitable directional coupler. As one of the two signals, the signal enters the "directional coupler" from the "power splitter", and the signal is sent to an open circuit or short circuit from the other port of the "directional coupler". An open circuit or short circuit causes a reflection of the signal from the port into which it travels to reach the open circuit or short circuit. The signal reflected back to the port is then directed by the "directional coupler" to travel into the "mixer". The signal delay caused by the distance traveled to and from the reflection point causes a signal phase shift. The amount of phase shift of the signal depends on the distance from which the signal leaves the "directional coupler" to an open or shorted port. This distance change can be caused, as a result of which the object whose linear position is to be measured is moved. The second signal output of the "power splitter" 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 fig. 70, the "directional coupler" may be replaced by another piece of equipment, such as a circulator. The phase change detector 1610 in fig. 70 operates very similar to the phase change detector 1610 in fig. 69. One signal from the power splitter goes directly to the "mixer". The other signal is delayed. Delays are caused in the same manner as described above. However, instead of using a "directional coupler," a "circulator" pilot signal may be used. As the signal enters the "circulator" at port 1, the signal is circulated to port 2. The signal travels from port 2 to a short or open circuit and is reflected into port 2. The reflected, phase shifted signal entering port 2 of the "circulator" is recycled to port 3. The signal leaves port 3 and proceeds to a "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 distance of the short or open circuit from port 2 of the "circulator", which varies in proportion to the position of the object whose linear position is to be found, the DC output of the mixer can be used to determine the position of the object.

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, it is possible to replace only one of syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 or slider magnetic linear position sensor 1054 with phase change detector 1610. In some embodiments, phase change detector 1610 may be used in combination with syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 or slider magnetic linear position sensor 1054 and functions as a crossover check or backup.

In embodiments in which the slider magnetic linear position sensor 1054 (see FIG. 57A) is replaced with 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 phase change detector 1610 is used with wire extender 1600 (see FIG. 67), the movable portion of wire extender 1600 may be caused to move along the fixed portion of wire extender 1600 with movement of slider assembly 800 along lead screw 850. This in turn will cause a phase change to a degree that reflects 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 position of the slider assembly 800. The position data generated by phase change detector 1610 may be used in the same manner as described above with respect to linear position sensing of slider assembly 800.

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

In embodiments in which the syringe holder linear position sensor 1540 (see fig. 66) is replaced with 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 phase change detector 1610 is used with wire extender 1600 (see FIG. 67), the movable portion of wire extender 1600 is caused to move along the fixed portion of wire extender 1600 with movement of syringe retainer arm 1522. This in turn will cause a phase change to a degree that reflects the position of syringe holder arm 1522. Since the position of the syringe retainer arm 1522 is dependent on various features of the syringe 504, the DC output voltage of the mixer (see fig. 68) may be used to determine the position of the syringe retainer arm 1522 and, thus, many features of the syringe 504.

In embodiments where the phase change detector 1610 uses a variable short or open circuit (see fig. 69 and 70), movement of the syringe retainer arm 1522 may cause the short or open circuit to change its position along the transmission line. This in turn will cause a phase change to an extent that specifies the position of syringe holder arm 1522. Since the position of the syringe retainer arm 1522 is dependent on various features of the syringe 504, the DC output voltage of the mixer (see fig. 69 and 70) may be used to determine the position of the syringe retainer arm 1522 and, thus, many features of the syringe 504. The position data generated by phase change detector 1610 may be used in the same manner as described above with respect to the linear position detection of the syringe holder.

An example embodiment of a graphical user interface (hereinafter GUI) 3300 is shown in fig. 71. GUI 3300 allows a user to change the manner in which a medicament may be infused by syringe pump 500 by customizing various programming options. Although the following discussion mainly details the use of GUI 3300 with syringe pump 500, it should be appreciated that GUI 3300 may be used with other pumps, including the other pumps mentioned in this description. For example, GUI 3300 may be used with pumps 201, 202, or 203 (as shown in FIG. 71) detailed in the discussion of FIGS. 2-9. For illustration, GUI 3300, described in detail below, uses screen 3204, which is touch screen display 514 (see fig. 28), as a means of interacting with a user. In other embodiments, the means of interacting with the user may be different. For example, alternative embodiments may include user-depressible buttons or rotatable dials, audible commands, and so forth. In other embodiments, the screen 3204 may be any electronic visual display, such as a liquid crystal display, an LED display, a plasma display, and the like.

As detailed in the preceding paragraphs, GUI3300 is displayed on display 514 of syringe pump 500. Each syringe pump 500 may have its own individual display 3204. In an arrangement where there are multiple syringe pumps 500 or syringe pumps 500 and one or more other pumps, GUI3300 may be used to control multiple pumps. Only the main pump may require a screen 3204. As shown in fig. 71, the pump 203 is seated in a Z frame 3207. As shown, GUI3300 may display a number of interface fields 3250. Interface field 3250 may display various information regarding pump 203, infusion status, and/or medication, among others. In some embodiments, the interface field 3250 on the GUI3300 may be touched, clicked, etc., to navigate to a different menu, zoom in on the interface field 3250, enter data, etc. Interface field 3250 displayed on GUI3300 may differ from menu to menu.

GUI3300 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. Virtual power button 3260 can turn syringe pump 500 on or off. Virtual start button 3260 may begin infusion. Virtual stop button 3264 may pause or stop infusion. The virtual buttons may be activated by a user touch, single click, double click, etc. Different menus of GUI3300 may include other virtual buttons. Virtual buttons may be designed to be pseudo-physical so that their function can be more immediately understood or recognized. For example, virtual stop button 3264 may be similar to the stop symbol shown in fig. 71. In alternative embodiments, the name, shape, function, number, etc. of virtual buttons may be different.

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

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

In example embodiments, GUI 3300 is designed to be intuitive and flexible. The user may choose to populate the simplest or most convenient combinations of parameter input fields for the user. In some embodiments, GUI 3300 may automatically calculate and display a parameter entry field that the user leaves blank, so long as the blank field does not operate independently of the filled parameter entry field, and may collect enough information from the filled field to calculate the blank field or fields. 72-76, a plurality of domains depending on each other are joined together by curved double-pointed arrows.

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

To set a particular infusion to be infused, the user may touch the medication parameter entry field 3302 on the GUI 3300. In some embodiments, this may pick up a list of different possible infusion fluids. The user may navigate through the column until the desired infusion liquid is located. In other embodiments, touching the medication parameter input field 3302 may pick up a virtual keypad. The user may then type 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', GUI 3300 may suggest "NOREPINEPHRINE". After the correct infusion liquid is located, the user may be required to perform actions such as, but not limited to, clicking, bipolar or touching and dragging the infusion liquid. After the user has completed the desired action, the infusion fluid may be displayed in GUI 3300 in medication parameter entry field 3302. For another detailed description of another example approach to infusion liquid selection, see fig. 82.

In the example embodiment in fig. 72, the user has set a parameter entry field to perform volume-based infusion (e.g., mL/hr, etc.). Thus, the in-container dose parameter input field 3304 and the in-container total volume parameter input field 3306 have not been filled. Nor is the concentration parameter input field 3308 and dose parameter input field 3310 filled. In some embodiments, when such infusion has been selected, the in-container dose parameter input field 3304, the in-container total volume parameter input field 3306, the concentration parameter input field 3308, and the dose parameter input field 3310 may be locked, grayed out, or not displayed on the GUI 3300. The in-container dose parameter input field 3304, the in-container total volume parameter input field 3306, the concentration parameter input field 3308, and the dose parameter input field 3310 will be described in further detail in the following paragraphs.

The flow rate parameter input field 3312, VTBI parameter input field 3314, and time parameter input field 3316 do not operate independently of one another when the volume-based infusion is being programmed using the GUI 3300. Only any two of the flow rate parameter input field 3312, VTBI parameter input field 3314, and time parameter input field 3316 may be required to be user-defined. The two parameters defined by the user may be the parameters most conveniently set by the user. The parameters for which the user is left blank may be automatically calculated and displayed by GUI 3300. For example, if the user fills the flow rate parameter input field 3312 with a value of 125mL/hr (as shown) and fills the VTBI parameter input field 3314 with a value of 1000mL/hr (as shown), the time parameter input field 3316 value may be calculated by dividing the value in the VTBI parameter input field 3314 by the value in the flow rate parameter input field 3312. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 72, the quotient 8 hours 0 minutes calculated above is correctly populated into the time parameter entry field 3316 by the GUI 3300.

To enable the user to populate the flow rate parameter entry field 3312, the VTBI parameter entry field 3314, and the time parameter entry field 3316, the user may touch or tap a desired parameter entry field on the GUI 3300. In some embodiments, this may pick out a numeric keypad with many numbers, such as 0-9 displayed as individual selectable virtual buttons. The user may be required to enter parameters by this single click, double click, touch and drag, etc. of the desired number. Once the user has entered the desired value, the user may be required to click, double click, etc. on virtual "confirm", "enter", etc. buttons to populate the field. For another detailed description of another example manner of defining numerical values, see FIG. 82.

Fig. 73 shows the case where the infusion parameters being programmed are not those based on volume infusion. In fig. 73, the infusion plot is a continuous volume/time dose rate plot. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 73, all parameter input fields have been populated. As shown, the medication parameter entry field 3302 on GUI 3300 has been filled with "heparin" as the defined infusion liquid. As shown, in fig. 73, an in-container dose parameter input field 3304, an in-container total volume parameter input field 3306, and a concentration parameter input field 3308 are filled. In addition, since the volume/time infusion is being programmed, the dose parameter input field 3310 shown in fig. 72 has been replaced with a dose rate parameter input field 3318.

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

The parameters defined in the right-hand side of the in-container dose parameter entry field 3304 are units of measure. To define the right-hand side field of the in-container dose parameter entry field 3304, the user may touch the in-container dose parameter entry field 3304 on the GUI 3300. In some embodiments, this may pick up a range of acceptable possible units of measurement. In these embodiments, the user may define the desired unit of measurement in the same manner that the user may define the correct infusion liquid. In other embodiments, touching the in-container dose parameter input field 3304 may pick up a virtual keypad. The user may then type the correct measurement unit on the virtual keypad. In some embodiments, the user may be required to click, double click, etc. on a virtual "confirm", "enter", etc. button to fill the left-hand field of the in-container medicament dose parameter entry field 3304.

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

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

The right-hand field of concentration parameter input field 3308 defines the parameter in units of measurement/volume. To define the right side field of the concentration parameter input field 3308, the user may touch the concentration parameter input field 3308 on the GUI 3300. In some embodiments, this may pick up a range of acceptable possible units of measurement. 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, the touch concentration parameter input field 3308 may pick up a virtual keypad. The user may then type the correct measurement unit on the virtual keypad. In some embodiments, the user may be required to click, double click, etc. on a virtual "confirm", "enter" etc. button to store the selection and move over a series of acceptable volume measurements. The user may define the desired volume measurement in the same manner that the user may define the correct infusion liquid. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 73, the right-hand side field of field 3308 is entered in measurement/volume units "unit/mL" fill concentration parameters.

The in-container dose parameter input field 3304, the in-container total volume parameter input field 3306, 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 in-container dose parameter input field 3304, the in-container total volume parameter input field 3306, and the concentration parameter input field 3308. For example, if the user enters the fill concentration parameter field 3308 and the total volume within the container parameter field 3306, the in-container dosage parameter field may be automatically calculated and filled on the GUI 3300.

Since the GUI 3300 in fig. 73 is being programmed for consecutive volume/time doses, the dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 has been filled. The user may define the rate at which the infusion fluid is infused by filling 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 in-container dose parameter input field 3304 and the concentration parameter input field 3308 described above. The user may define the values in the left hand side 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-hand field of field 3318 has been entered with a fill dose flow rate parameter of the value "1000".

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

In an example embodiment, the dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 and the flow rate parameter input field 3312 are not independent of each other. After the user fills the dose flow rate parameter entry field 3318 or the flow rate parameter entry field 3312, a parameter entry field for leaving a blank may be automatically calculated and displayed by the GUI 3300 as long as the concentration parameter entry field 3308 has been defined. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 73, the flow parameter input field 3312 has been filled with "10mL/hr" of infusion liquid flow rate. The field 3318 has been entered with a "1000" "unit/hr" fill dose flow rate parameter.

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. For populating the VTBI parameter input field 3314 and the time parameter input field 3316, possibly in the same manner as described with respect to fig. 72. When GUI 3300 is being programmed for continuous volume/time dose flow infusion, VTBI parameter entry field 3314 and time parameter entry field 3316 are related to each other. The user may only need to populate one of the VTBI parameter entry field 3314 and the time parameter entry field 3316. A user-blank field may be automatically calculated and displayed on GUI 3300.

Fig. 74 shows a case where the infusion parameters being programmed are those based on a drug dose infusion referred to herein as intermittent infusion. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 74, all parameter input fields have been populated. As shown, the drug parameter entry field 3302 on GUI 3300 has been filled with the antibiotic "vancomycin" as a definition infusion liquid.

As shown, an in-container dose parameter input field 3304, an in-container total volume parameter input field 3306, and a concentration parameter input field 3308 are arranged as in fig. 33. In the example embodiment in fig. 74, the left-hand side of the in-container dose parameter input field 3304 has been filled with a "1". The right-hand side of the in-container dose parameter entry 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 parameter input field 3306 within the container has been filled with "250" ml. The left-hand field of field 3308 has been entered with a "4.0" fill concentration parameter. The right-hand side of the domain has been entered with the "mg/mL" fill concentration parameter.

As described above with respect to other possible infusion types that a user may program through GUI 3300, in-container dose parameter input field 3304, in-container total volume parameter input field 3306, and concentration parameter input field 3308 are related to one another. As described above, this may be indicated by a curved double arrow connecting the parameter input field names. By populating any two of these parameters, a third parameter may be automatically calculated and displayed on the correct parameter entry field on GUI 3300.

In the example embodiment in fig. 74, the dose parameter input field 3310 has been filled. As shown, the dose parameter input field 3310 includes right and left fields. The user may define values in the right-hand field of the dose parameter entry field 3310 in the same manner that the user may define values for other parameter entry fields used to define values. In the example embodiment in fig. 74, the left-hand field of the dose parameter input field 3310 has been filled with the value "1000".

The right hand field of the dose parameter input field 3310 may define units of mass measurement. To define the right side field of the dose parameter entry field 3310, the user may touch the dose parameter entry field 3310 on the GUI 3300. In some embodiments, this may pick up a range of acceptable possible units of measurement. In these embodiments, the user may define the desired unit of measurement in the same manner that the user may define the correct infusion liquid. In other embodiments, touching the dose parameter input field 3310 may pick out a virtual keypad. The user may then type the correct measurement unit on the virtual keypad. In some embodiments, the user may be required to click, double click, etc. on a virtual "confirm", "enter" etc. button to store the button and move over a series of acceptable quality measurements. The user may define the desired quality measurement in the same manner that the user may define the correct infusion liquid. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 74, the fill dose parameter is entered in the right hand side of field 3310 in units of measure "mg".

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

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

In cases where an infusion fluid may require a weight-based dose, a weight parameter entry field 3320 may also be displayed on GUI 3300. The example GUI3300 shown on fig. 75 has been arranged so that the user can program weight-based doses. As detailed in the discussion above, the user may define a parameter entry field. In an example embodiment, the infusion fluid in the drug parameter entry field 3302 has been defined as "dopamine". The left-hand domain of the in-container dose parameter entry field 3304 has been defined as "400". The right-hand field of the in-container dose parameter entry field 3304 has been defined as "mg". The total volume within container parameter input field 3306 has been defined as "250" ml. The left-hand field of the concentration parameter input field 3308 has been defined as "1.6". The right-hand side of the concentration parameter entry field 3308 has been defined as "mg/mL". The weight parameter entry field 3320 has been defined as "90" kg. The left hand domain of the dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 has been defined as "5.0". The right hand side of the dose flow rate parameter entry field 3318 has been defined as "mcg/kg/min". The flow parameter input field 3312 has been defined as "16.9" mL/hr. The VTBI parameter entry field 3314 has been defined as "250" ml. The time parameter entry field 3316 has been defined as "14" hours "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 pick out a numeric keypad with many numbers, such as 0-9 displayed as individual selectable virtual buttons. The user may be required to enter parameters by individually clicking, double clicking, touching or dragging, etc. the desired number. Once the user has entered the desired value, the user may be required to click, double click, etc. on virtual "confirm", "enter", etc. buttons to populate the field.

As shown by the curved double arrow, some of the parameter input fields displayed on GUI 3300 may be related to each other. As in the above example, the in-container dose parameter input field 3304, the in-container total volume parameter input field 3306, and the concentration parameter input field 3308 may be related to each other. In fig. 75, the body 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 user's unfilled parameter input fields may be automatically calculated and displayed on GUI 3300.

In some embodiments, the user may be required to define a particular parameter entry field, even though enough information has been defined to automatically calculate the field. This may improve safety of use by presenting more opportunities to catch user input errors. If the value entered by the user does not match the value already defined, GUI 3300 may display a warning or alarm message requesting the user to review the value that the user has entered.

In some cases, the delivery of the infusion liquid may be known from the Body Surface Area (BSA) of the patient. In fig. 76, GUI 3300 has been provided for body surface area based infusion. As shown, BSA parameter entry field 3322 may be displayed on GUI 3300. As detailed in the discussion above, the fields may be entered by user-defined parameters. In an example embodiment, the infusion fluid in the drug parameter entry field 3302 has been defined as "fluorouracil". The left-hand domain of the in-container dose parameter entry field 3304 has been defined as "1700". The right-hand field of the in-container dose parameter entry field 3304 has been defined as "mg". The total volume within container parameter input field 3306 has been defined as "500" ml. The left-hand domain of the concentration parameter input field 3308 has been defined as "3.4". The right-hand side of the concentration parameter entry field 3308 has been defined as "mg/mL". BSA parameter entry field 3320 has been defined as "1.7" m ² . The left hand domain of the dose flow rate parameter input field 3318 has been defined as "1000". The right hand side of the dose flow rate parameter entry field 3318 has been defined as "mg/m2/day". The flow parameter input field 3312 has been defined as "20.8" ml/hr. The VTBI parameter entry field 3314 has been defined as "500" ml. The time parameter entry field 3316 has been defined as "24" hours "00" minutes. The relevant parameter entry fields are the same as in fig. 75, except that the BSA parameter entry field 3322 has replaced the weight parameter entry field 3320.

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

In some embodiments, the BSA of the patient may be automatically calculated and displayed on GUI 3300. In these embodiments, GUI 3300 may query the user for information about the patient when the user touches, taps, etc., BSA parameters input field 3322. For example, the user may be required to define the height and weight of the patient. After the user defines these values, they may run the appropriate formulas 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 values displayed in the parameter input fields may be changed throughout the process of programming the infusion to reflect the current infusion state. For example, as infusion liquid is infused to the patient, the values displayed by GUI 3300 in the in-container dose parameter input field 3304 and the in-container total volume parameter input field 3306 may decrease to reflect the volume of the remaining contents of the container. Additionally, the values within 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 graph detailing an example flow rate over time for one behavioral configuration of syringe pump 500 (see fig. 28) during an infusion procedure. Although the following mainly details the behavior configuration of syringe pump 500, it should be understood that the illustrations shown in fig. 77-81 may also detail the behavior configuration of other pumps, including other pumps mentioned in this specification. The diagram in fig. 77 details an example behavioral configuration of a syringe pump 500 in which infusion is continuous infusion (infusion at a dose rate). As shown, the illustration in fig. 77 begins with the start of infusion. As shown, infusion is performed at a constant rate over a period of time. As infusion continues, the volume of remaining infusion liquid is depleted.

When the amount of remaining infusion liquid reaches a predetermined threshold, an "infusion near end alarm" may be triggered. The user may configure the point in time at which the "infusion near end alarm" is issued. The "end of infusion alert" may also be configured to trigger faster when a short half-life agent is used. The "end of infusion alert" may be in the form of a message on the GUI 3300 and may be implemented by flashing a light, audible noise, such as a series of beeps. The "end of infusion alert" allows the caregiver and pharmacy time to prepare the material for continued infusion as needed. As shown, the infusion rate may not change "infusion near end alert time".

When the syringe pump 500 (see fig. 28) has infused VTBI into the patient, a "VTBI 0 alarm" may be triggered. The "VTBI 0 alert" may be in the form of a message on the GUI 3300 and may be implemented by flashing lights and audible noise, such as a beep. As shown, the "VTBI 0 alarm" causes the pump to switch to maintaining venous patency (hereinafter KVO) flow until a new infusion container is in place. The KVO flow rate is a low infusion flow rate (e.g., 5-25 mL/hr). The flow rate is set to keep the infusion point open until a new infusion is possible. The KVO flow rate may be configurable by a group (described in detail below) or drug and can vary across the syringe pump 500. The KVO flow rate is not allowed to exceed the continuous infusion rate. When the KVO flow rate can no longer be maintained, the injector has reached the end of its stroke, which may trigger an "end of stroke alarm". When the "end of stroke alarm" is triggered, all infusions may be stopped. The "end of stroke alert" may be in the form of a message on GUI 3300 and may be implemented by flashing lights and audible noise, such as a beep.

Fig. 78 shows another example flow rate versus time detailing one behavioral configuration of syringe pump 500 (see fig. 28) during an infusion procedure. The diagram in fig. 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 alarm in the diagram in fig. 78 is the same as the alarm in the diagram in fig. 77. The conditions under which the alarm is propagated are also the same. However, the flow rate remains unchanged throughout the entire graph until an "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 is maintained at a therapeutically effective level. In the case where the infusion liquid is a medicament having a short half-life, it is particularly desirable to configure the pump to infuse at a constant flow rate. In some embodiments, the end of the infusion behavior of the syringe pump 500 may be limited depending on the defined infusion liquid. For example, when the defined infusion liquid is a short half-life agent, the end of the infusion action of the syringe pump 500 may be limited to continuing to infuse at a flow rate that ends the infusion.

The syringe pump 500 (see fig. 28) may also be used to deliver primary or secondary intermittent infusion. During intermittent infusion, the amount of drug (dose) administered to a patient is opposed to continuous infusion where 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 dosage are independent of each other. The setup of GUI 3300 showing continuous infusion previously described in fig. 73. The setup of GUI 3300 showing intermittent infusion previously described in fig. 74.

Fig. 79 is a graph detailing an example flow rate versus time for one behavioral configuration of syringe pump 500 (see fig. 28) during an infusion procedure. As shown, intermittent infusion is performed at a constant flow rate until all of the infusion fluid programmed for intermittent infusion has been consumed. In an example behavioral configuration, the syringe pump 500 has been programmed to issue a "VTBI 0 alert" when all of the infusion liquid has been dispensed and to stop infusion. In such a configuration, the user may be required to manually clear the alarm before starting or restarting another infusion.

Depending on the set (described in further detail below) or the drug, it may be desirable to configure the syringe pump 500 to behave differently at the end of an intermittent infusion. Other configurations may cause syringe pump 500 (see fig. 28) to behave differently. For example, in the case 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 issuing a prompt that the secondary intermittent infusion has been completed. In an alternative configuration, the syringe pump 500 may also be configured to issue a "VTBI 0 alert" after the intermittent infusion is completed and reduce the infusion rate to a KVO rate. In these configurations, the user may be required to manually clear the alarm before restarting the primary infusion.

Rapid infusion may also be delivered as the primary intermittent infusion when it is necessary or desirable to achieve higher plasma agent concentrations or to exhibit a more immediate therapeutic effect. In these cases, the bolus infusion may be delivered by pumps 201, 202, 203 (see fig. 2) that perform the primary infusion. The bolus infusion may be delivered from the same container from which the primary infusion was delivered. The bolus infusion may be performed at any point during the infusion provided that there is sufficient infusion liquid to deliver the bolus infusion. Any volume delivered to the patient by bolus infusion is included in the values displayed in the VTBI parameter entry field 3314 for the primary infusion.

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

FIG. 80 shows another time-varying flow rate in which the flow rate of infusion liquid has been titrated to "boost" the infusion to the patient. Titration measurements are typically used with agents that record rapid therapeutic effects but have a short half-life, such as noradrenal gland. When titrating, the user can adjust the delivery rate of the infusion liquid until the desired therapeutic effect has been demonstrated. Each adjustment may be checked against a series of restrictions defined for the particular infusion liquid being administered to the patient. An alarm may be raised if the infusion changes by more than a predetermined percentage. In the example graph shown in fig. 80, the flow rate has been titrated once. If desired, the flow rate may be titrated up more than once. In addition, in cases where titration measurements are used to "break" the patient, the flow rate may be titrated down any suitable number of times.

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

The "infusion near end 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 steps of the multi-step infusion. In the example configuration shown in the illustration in fig. 81, after the multi-step infusion has ended and the "VTBI 0 alert" has been issued, the flow rate drops to KVO. Other configurations may be different.

It is possible to handle each change in flow rate in a multi-step infusion in a number of different ways. In some configurations, syringe pump 500 (see fig. 2) may display a notification and automatically adjust the flow rate to move to the next step. In other configurations, the syringe pump 500 may alert before the flow rate changes 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 infusion or drop to a KVO flow rate until a 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 (e.g., 2 hours) has elapsed. Infusion may also be programmed to be automatic at a particular time of day (e.g., 12:30 pm). 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 when the infusion time is preprogrammed. The user may need to verify the start of the preprogrammed infusion. The callback function may be a series of audible beeps, flashing lights, etc.

In an arrangement in which more than one pump 201, 202, 203 (see fig. 2) is present, the user may program the relay infusion. The relay infusion may be programmed such that the second pump 201, 202, 203 may automatically perform a second infusion after the first pump 201, 202, 203 has completed its infusion, and so on. The user may also program the relay infusion so that the user is alerted by the callback function before relay occurs. In such a programmed arrangement, the relay infusion may not be performed until an acknowledgement from the user has been received. The pumps 201, 202, 203 may continue at the KVO flow rate until a user confirmation has been received.

FIG. 82 illustrates an example block diagram of a "drug management library" data structure. The data structure may be stored in any file format or in any database (e.g., an SQL database). At the upper right corner there is a substantially rectangular box, but with rounded edges. The box is associated with the name "general settings". The "general settings" may include settings common to all devices in the facility, such as a place name (e.g., XZY hospital), language, public password, and so forth.

In fig. 82, the "medication management library" has two boxes, which are associated with the names "group settings (ICU)" and "group settings". These boxes form headings for their own columns. These blocks may be used to define groups in facilities in which devices are located (e.g., pediatric intensive care units, emergency rooms, subacute care, etc.). The group may also be an area outside the parent facility, for example a patient's home or an inter-hospital transport, such as an ambulance. Each group may be used to set specific settings (weight, titration limits, etc.) for various groups within the facility. These groups may alternatively be defined in other ways. For example, the group may be defined by a user training level. The group may be defined by a previously designated individual or anyone of a number of previously designated individuals, and may change if the associated patient or device moves from one particular group to another within the facility.

In the example embodiment, the left column is "group setup (ICU)", which indicates that syringe pump 500 (see fig. 28) is located in the intensive care unit of the facility. The right column is "group set" and is not yet further defined. In some embodiments, the column may be used to specify a subgroup, such as an operator training level. As shown by the lines extending from the "group settings (ICU)" and "group settings" columns to the boxes on the left side of the block diagram, the settings for these groups may include a preset number of default settings.

The 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. The group settings may also include parameters such as whether a review of programmed infusions is necessary for high risk infusion fluids, whether the user must confirm them before beginning the infusion, and whether the user must enter text comments after the limits have been exceeded. The user may also define default values for various attributes, such as screen brightness or speaker volume. In some embodiments, the user may be able to program the screen to automatically adjust the screen brightness in relation to one or more conditions, such as, but not limited to, the time of day.

As also shown on the left side of the block diagram in fig. 82, each facility may include a "master drug list" defining all infusion fluids that may be used in the facility. The "master drug list" may include a number of drugs that an authorized individual may update or maintain. In an example embodiment, the "master drug list" has only three drugs: heparin, 0.9% physiological saline and alteplase. Each group within the facility has its own list of medications used in that group. In example embodiments, the "group drug column (ICU)" includes only a single drug, heparin.

As shown, each drug may be associated with one or a plurality of clinical uses. In fig. 82, "clinical usage record" is defined for each drug in the group drug list, and appears as an enlarged subheading for each infusion liquid. Clinical use may be used to customize the limits and predetermined settings of clinical use of each infusion fluid. For heparin, the weight-based dose and the non-weight-based dose 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 infusion.

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

Each clinical use may additionally include another enlarged sub-heading, wherein the concentration may also be defined. In some cases, there may be more than one possible infusion liquid concentration. In the example embodiment in fig. 82, the weight-based dose clinical use has a concentration of 400mg/250mL, and a concentration of 800mg/250 mL. The non-weight based dose was used clinically with only 400mg/mL of one concentration. The concentration may also be used to define an acceptable range, for example where a user may customize the infusion liquid concentration. The concentration setting may include information about the concentration of the agent (as shown), the volume of diluent, or other relevant information.

In some embodiments, the user may navigate to a "medication management library" to populate some of the parameter entry fields shown in FIGS. 72-76. The user may also navigate to a "medication administration library" to select which syringe pump 500 (see fig. 28) to apply for infusion from clinical use for each infusion fluid. For example, if the user selects the weight-based heparin dose on fig. 82, GUI 3300 may display the infusion programming screen shown on fig. 75, filling "heparin" into medication parameter entry field 3302. Selecting clinical use of the agent may also prompt the user to select the concentration of the agent. Such concentrations may then be used to populate concentration parameter input field 3308 (see fig. 72-76). In some embodiments, a "drug administration 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 "drug administration library" may not be variable on the syringe pump 500, but rather may only impose limitations and/or constraints on the programming options for the user to populate the parameter entry fields shown in fig. 72-76.

As described above, by selecting drugs and clinical use from the group drug list, the user may also set limits on other parameter entry fields for the infusion programming screen. For example, by defining a drug in a "drug administration library," the user may also define limits for the dose parameter entry field 3310, the dose flow rate parameter entry field 3318, the flow rate parameter entry field 3312, the VTBI parameter entry field 3314, the time parameter entry field 3316, and so forth. These limits may also be predefined for each clinical use of the infusion fluid prior to the user programming 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, the group settings may include restrictions for all drugs available to the group. In these cases, clinical use restrictions may be defined to further tailor the 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 collaborative subsystems that interact to perform the required pumping actions. The software is equally applicable to all embodiments described herein. It is also possible to apply the software to other pumps not described herein. Each subsystem may be comprised of one or more execution streams under the control of the underlying operating system. Available terms used in the art include operating systems, subsystems, processes, threads, and tasks.

The asynchronous message 4130 may be used to 'push' the information to the destination task or process. The transmitter process or task does not get an acknowledgement of the message transmission. Data transmitted in this manner is generally repetitive in nature. If the expected message is on a consistent schedule, the receiver process or task may detect a failure if the message does not arrive on time.

The synchronization message 4120 may be used to send a command to a task or process, or to request a ('pull') command from a process or task. After sending the command (or requirement), the original task or process stops executing while waiting for a response. The response may include the required information or may acknowledge receipt of the transmitted message. If a response is not received in a timely manner, the sending process or task may be paused. In this case, the sending process or task may resume 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. The operating system may act as an intermediary between programs and computer software. Although the hardware may directly execute some application code, the application code may frequently cause the system to call or be interrupted by the OS function.

RTP 3500 may operate on a real-time operating system (RTOS) that has proven to be a level of security for medical devices. RTOS is a multitasking operating system for executing real-time applications. Real-time operating systems typically use dedicated scheduling algorithms so that they may achieve deterministic behavior. UIP 3600 may operate on a Linux operating system. The Linux operating system is a Unix-like computer operating system.

A subsystem is a sum of software (and possibly hardware) assigned to a particular system function or set of functions (correlation). The subsystem has a well-defined responsiveness and well-defined interfaces with other subsystems. A subsystem is an architectural partitioning of software using one or more processes, threads, or tasks.

The processes may operate independently on the Linux operating system, operating within its own virtual address space. Memory management hardware on the CPU is used to enhance the integrity and isolation of the memory by write protecting the code space and not allowing data access outside of the process memory area. A process may only use an inter-process communication facility to transfer data to other processes.

In Linux, threads are separate scheduled, concurrent paths of program execution. On Linux, a thread is always associated with a process (which must have at least one thread and possibly multiple threads). Threads share the same memory space as their "parent" processes. Data is shared directly between all threads belonging to a process, but care must be taken to properly synchronize access to the shared item. Each thread has an assigned execution priority.

Tasks on an RTOS (real-time operating system) are separate 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, the effective memory map for each task is limited by the Memory Protection Unit (MPU) hardware to a common code space and task's private data and stack space.

The processes on UIP 3600 communicate through IPC calls shown by unidirectional arrows in fig. 83. Each solid arrow represents a synchronous message 4120 call and response, and the dash-dot 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 an interprom process 4110 or an interprom task 4210 on each side. InterComm process 4110 proposes bridging the same communication APIs (application programming interfaces) on both sides so that all processes and tasks interact using the same method calls.

After all operating system services have been started, execution process 4320 may be invoked by the Linux system startup script. Then, execution process 4320 begins with various executable files including software on UIP 3600. If any software component should fall out or fail unexpectedly, the executing process 4320 can be notified and can generate an appropriate alert.

While the system is running, the execution process 4320 may act as a software 'watchdog' for the various system components. After logging by the executing process 4320, the requesting process 'registers' or periodically signals to the executing process 4320. The execution process 4320 may detect that it is not 'registered' at the required time interval. Upon detection of a failed subsystem, execution process 4320 may take the following remedial actions: no action is taken, an alarm is raised, or the failed process is restarted. The remedial action taken is predetermined by a table entry compiled into the execution process 4320. The 'registration' time interval may be different per process. The amount of variation between the 'registration' times of different processes may be based in part on the importance of the process. The registration time interval may also be varied during operation of syringe pump 500 to optimize the pump controller response by minimizing computer progress. In one example embodiment, during loading of the syringe 504, the pump controller may register at a lower frequency than during active pumping.

In response to the required registration message, execution process 4320 may return various system state items to the registered process. The system status items may be the status and/or errors of one or more components on the syringe pump 500. The system status items may include: battery status, wiFi connection status, device gateway connection status, device status (idle, infusion operation, diagnostic mode, error, etc.), technical error indication, and engineering record level.

A thread operating in execution process 4320 may be used to read the state 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 inputs on the touch screen in embodiments including a touch screen or communicated through other data input devices 516. The UI view 4330 design is stateless. The graphic being displayed, as well as the variable data to be displayed, may be commanded by the UI model process 4340. The commanded graphic 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-box, etc.) may be specified by the screen design and fully embodied by the UI view 4330. User input may be collected by UI view 4330 and sent to UI model 4340 for interpretation. The UI view 4330 may provide the facility with the following multi-region, multi-language support, including but not limited to: virtual keypad, unicode strings, loadable fonts, right or left hand inputs, translation tools (loadable translation files), and configurable numbers and data formats.

The UI model 4340 enforces screen flows and so controls the user experience. The UI model 4340 interacts with the UI view 4330, specifies the screen to be displayed, and provides any instantaneous values to be displayed on the screen. Here, the screen refers to the image displayed on the physical display 514, as well as defining interactive areas or user dialogs, i.e., buttons, sliders, keypads, etc., on the touch screen 3735. The UI model 4340 interprets any user input sent from the UI view 4330 and may update the value on the current screen, command a new screen, or send a request to the appropriate system service (i.e., send 'start pumping' to RTP 3500).

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

When the operator enters an infusion program, the UI model 4340 may relay the user's input values to the infusion manager 4360 for verification and interpretation. Treatment decisions may not be made by UI model 4340. Treatment values may be transferred from the infusion manager 4360 to the UI model 4340 to the UI view 4330 for display to the user.

The UI model 4340 may continuously monitor the device status collected from the infusion manager 4360 that may be displayed by the UI view 4330. Alarms/alerts and other changes in system status may trigger screen changes by UI model 4340.

The infusion manager process (IM) 4360 may verify and control the infusion delivered by the syringe pump 500. To begin infusion, the user may interact with the UI view/model 4330/4340 to select a particular medication and clinical use. This specification selects a specific Drug Administration Library (DAL) input for use. The IM 4360 loads such DAL inputs from the database 4350 for use in validating and running infusions.

Once the medication administration library input is selected, IM 4360 may communicate to UI model 4340 the dose mode, limits for all user-inputtable parameters, and default (if set) upper limits. Using this data, the UI model 4340 may direct the user to enter an infusion program.

As each parameter is entered by the user, a value may be sent from UI view/model 4330/4340 to IM 4360 for verification. IM 4360 reflects the parameters and parameter indications that meet the DAL constraint back to UI view/model 4330/4340. This allows the UI view/model 4330/4340 to inform the user of any value outside of limits.

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

The IM 4360 may make the infusion/pump status available to the UI view/model 4330/4340 at the same time when required. If the UI view/model 4330/4340 is displaying a 'status' screen, it may require such data to compose the screen. The data may be a composite of infusion status and pump status.

When operation (validation) of the infusion is required, the IM 4360 may transfer the ' infusion workboard ' containing user specific data and the ' infusion template ' containing read-only constraints as a CRC'd binary box from the DAL to the infusion control task 4220 running on RTP 3500. Infusion control task 4220 on RTP 3500 performs the same user inputs, transforms and mers inputs, and recalculates the infusion work board. The infusion control task 4220 calculation may be stored in a second CRC'd binary box and compared to the first binary box from UIP 3600. Infusion calculations performed on UIP 3600 may be recalculated on RTP 3500 and reviewed prior to infusion runs.

Coefficients that convert input values (i.e., l, g,% etc.) to standard cells, such as ml, may be stored in UIP 3600 memory or database system 4350. The system may be stored in a look-up table or at a particular memory location. The lookup table may include 10's conversion values. To reduce the chance that a single digit of a floating point operation will cause the use of erroneous conversion coefficients, the address of the conversion value may be distributed from 0 to 4294967296 or 2 ³² Is a value of (2). The addresses may be selected such that the two-level version of one address is never different from the second address by only one bit.

While the infusion is running, IM 4360 may monitor its progress, sequence, pause, restart, secondary infusion, rapid infusion, and KVO (keep veins clear) conditions as needed. The IM 4360 may track and trigger any user alarms required during infusion (infusion near completion, KVO review, secondary completion review, etc.).

The processes on UIP 3600 may communicate with each other through a dedicated messaging scheme based on a message queue library available through Linux. The system provides both acknowledged (synchronous message 4120) and unacknowledged (asynchronous message 4130) message transmissions.

A message intended for real-time processor (RTP) 3500 may be transmitted to interprom process 4310, which interprom process 4310 forwards the message to RTP 3500 over serial link 3601. An inter-comm-like task 4210 on RTP 3500 may relay the message to its intended destination through the RTP 3500 messaging system.

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

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

The sound may be presented on the system using the audio server process 4370. Playing the pre-recorded sound file may generate all user feedback sounds (key sounds) and alarms or warnings. Optionally, the sound system may also be used to play music or speech.

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

A device gateway communication manager process (DGCM) 4380 may manage communication with device gateway servers over WiFi networks 3620, 3622, 3720. DGCM 4380 may be started and monitored by execution process 4320. If the DGCM 4380 is accidentally exited, it may be restarted by the executing process 4320, but if the failure persists, the system may continue to operate without the gateway.

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

If a connection with the gateway is unavailable or becomes unavailable, DGCM 4380 may interrupt any transmissions in progress and attempt to reconnect the link. The transmission may be restarted when the link is again established. The network and gateway operating status is reported to the executive process 4320 periodically. Execution process 4320 assigns the information for display to the user.

DGCM 4380 may act as an autonomous subsystem, selecting device gateway servers to upgrade, and downloading updated items when available. Additionally, the DGCM 4380 may monitor the record tables in the database to upload new record events whenever they are available. Events that are successfully uploaded can likewise be marked in the database. After connecting to the device gateway server, DGCM 4380 may 'keep up' with the record upload, sending all items entered during the communication disruption. Firmware and medication administration library updates received from the gateway may appear in the UIP 3600 file system for the next installation. Infusion procedures, clinical reports, patient identity and other data items destined for the device may appear in the database.

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

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

Event information may be written to the record during normal operation by the recording process 4386. These events may consist of internal machine states and measurements and treatment history events. Due to the amount and frequency of event logging data, it is possible to buffer these logging operations in the FIFO queue while waiting to be written to the database.

The SQL database (PostgreSQL) may be used to store the medication management library, local machine settings, infusion history, and machine record data. The application may be isolated from the internal database structure using stored programs executed by the database server.

Database system 4350 may be used as a buffer for record data destined for the gateway server of the device, as well as a scratch pad for infusion set-up and warnings sent from the gateway to the pump.

Once infusion is required to begin, the DAL input and all user-selected parameters may be sent to the infusion control task 4220. All DAL verifications and recirculation based on the infusion flow rate and volume of the requested dose may be performed. The results may be checked against the results calculated on UIP 3600 by IM 4360. These results may be required to match to continue.

When running infusion, the infusion control task 4220 may control the delivery of each infusion 'segment'; i.e. a portion of the infusion consisting of volume and flow rate. Examples of infusion sections are: main infusion, KVO, quick infusion, the rest of the main infusions after quick infusion, the main infusions after titration, etc. The infusion segments may be ordered by IM process 4360 on UIP 3600.

The pump control task 4250 may include a controller to drive the pumping mechanism, which may specify a desired pumping flow rate and Volume (VTBI) in the commands sent from the infusion control task 4220.

The pump control task 4250 may receive periodic sensor readings from the sensor task 4264. The motor speed and position may be determined using the new sensor readings and the desired commands calculated to send to the brushless motor control IRQ 4262. Receiving the sensor message may trigger the controller to output recirculation.

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

The relevant measurements may be reported to the RTP status task 4230 periodically. The pump control tasks 4250 may be executed one infusion segment at a time, stopping when the commanded delivery volume has been reached. The sensor task 4264 may read and aggregate sensor data for dynamic control of the pumping system.

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

RTP-State task 4230 may be a central memory of both the status and status of the various tasks running on RTP 3500. The RTP status task 4230 may assign this information to the IM 4360 operating on UIP 3600 and to the tasks on the RTP 3500 itself.

The RTP-State task 4230 may also be filled with fluid to address the infusion taking place. The pump on and off and the pumping procedure may be reported to the RTP status task 4230 by the pump control task 4256. The RTP status task 4230 may address one or more of the following issues: the total volume infused, the primary volume delivered, the primary VTBI (countdown), the volume delivered, and the VTBI of the bolus infusion when bolus infusion is performed, as well as the volume delivered and the VTBI of the secondary infusion when secondary infusion is performed.

All alarms or alerts originating from RTP 3500 can be focused by RTP status task 4230 and then transferred to UIP 3600.

Memory checker task 4240 may continuously test program flash and RAM memory while the unit is running. Such testing may be non-destructive. The schedule of such testing may be determined such that the entire memory space on RTP 3500 is tested every few hours. If desired, additional periodic checks may be scheduled under such a task.

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 may use a uniform global addressing scheme to allow messages to be transmitted to any tasks within the system. The native message may be transmitted in memory of the device employing RTOS messaging, while the off-chip message propagates over asynchronous serial link 3601 through interprom task 4210.

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

The error detection code (32 bit CRC) may be used to check for data corruption of all messages between RTP 3500 and UIP 3600. If a corruption is detected, the message sent on serial link 3601 may be resent. This provides a communication system that is fairly resistant to ESD. May be used as a corruption message within the processor between hard system fault processes. All message payloads used with messaging systems may be data types originating from a common database (message database) to ensure consistency across all possible message destinations.

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

Fig. 84 illustrates a state diagram showing a method 50650 of providing watchdog functionality according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Method 50650 is shown as a state diagram and includes states 50670, 50690, 50990, 50720, 50750, 50770, and 50790, and transitional states 50660, 50680, 50700, 50710, 50730, 50740, 50760, 50780, 50800, and 50810.

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

Reference is now made to fig. 84 and 85A-85F. When power is supplied to the watchdog system (e.g., system 50030), method 50650 transitions 50660 to a watchdog system off state 50670, wherein the motor enable signal (e.g., line 50150) is disconnected, the alarm (e.g., line 50160) is disconnected, and the timer is in an unknown state. The timer may be part of the watchdog IC 50120. Watchdog IC 50120 is a window watchdog. The system 50030 also includes I2C control lines 50130 that interface with the I/O expander 50040 (or other hardware lock). The I2C control line 50130 may be part of the connection from RTP 35000 to the watchdog 3460 of fig. 59J. In addition, a watchdog flush signal (line 50140 of fig. 85D) may also be received from RTP 35000 to watchdog 34600. That is, the watchdog flush line 50140 "includes" the watchdog IC 50120.

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

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

If the timer reaches 200 milliseconds, or the timer is less than or equal to 10 milliseconds, and the RTP 3500 sets a watchdog flush line 50140, transition 50740 transitions the method to state 50750. In state 50750, the watchdog IC 50120 issues a fault signal buffered by the buffer 50090 of the flush D flip-flop 50070, thereby cutting off the motor line 50150. In state 50750, watchdog IC 50120 also issues a fault signal that is received by NAND gate 50080 through the inverting input, which outputs a signal to flush logic buffer 50090 of D-type flip-flop 50070, thereby turning on alarm line 50160. The output of the D-type flip-flop 50070 is amplified by a 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 the transition 50760 to transition to state 50770, thereby allowing the alarm to deactivate. The I2C command may cause transition 50880 to reset system 50030 back to state 50670.

Otherwise, the alarm line 50160 will continue to sound an alarm until the mute button 50170 is pressed, which is coupled to the reset of the D-type trigger 50070, thereby setting the alarm line 50160 to off. That is, the button will cause transition 50780 to transition method 50650 to state 50790. The I2C signal arriving at I/O extender 50040 through 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 buffer 50210 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The pump 50200 can be coupled to the rod by a clamp 50280. The pump 50200 includes a syringe mount 51000 that houses a buffer 50210.

The pump 50200 also includes a touch screen 50240 coupled to the pump 50200 by a peripheral 50250. The peripheral 50250 includes an indicator light 50260. The indicator light 50260 can completely surround the touch screen 50240. The indicator light 50260 can include a diffuser surrounding the touch screen 50240 in which a plurality of LED lights are implanted (or optically coupled thereto). The indicator light 50260 can flash when the pump 50200 is operating and/or it can be a particular color (e.g., red, blue, green, yellow, etc.) when the pump is operating. The indicator light 50260 can be continuously turned on when the pump 50200 is not operating or in a standby state. Additionally, alternatively, or in addition, the indicator light 50260 can be a particular color (e.g., red, blue, green, yellow, etc.) when the pump is not operating or in a standby state.

The pump 50200 can also include a gesture recognition device 50940, which can be a camera. The processor of the pump 50200 can be coupled to the gesture recognition device 50940 to receive user input from a gesture of a user. That is, the processor may be configured to present 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 the user interface 50240 can also be configured to provide a plurality of pump parameter inputs, wherein each of the plurality of pump parameter inputs is configured to receive a parameter entered by a user. The processor may be configured to determine whether all of the user-entered parameters of all of the plurality of pump parameters meet 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-entered 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 respective user-entered parameters of another sequence of multiple pump parameter inputs.

Fig. 87 shows an exploded view of the syringe pump 50200 of fig. 86 in accordance with an embodiment of the present 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 can be integrally formed. The modular syringe pump mechanism 51030 may be coupled to the housing 50290, 50300. The motor 51010 actuates the modular syringe pump mechanism 51030. The motor 51010 may be controlled by a circuit board 51020, the circuit board 51020 being 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 that are disposed behind the touch screen 50240 (when assembled). Fig. 88 shows a close-up view of the upper housing 50290, lower housing 50300, and power source 50320. Care should be taken how the power source 50320 is thermally coupled to the lower housing portion 50600 by a conductive path 50330.

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

Fig. 89A shows a front view of a display of the pump 50200, and fig. 89B shows a rear view of the display of the pump 50200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. A near field antenna 50340 is disposed on the back of the touch screen 50240 (as best shown in fig. 89B). Fig. 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 fig. 89A-89B). A frame 50350 forming a metal ring is shown having a notch 51040 with a dielectric 50360 disposed within the notch 51040. The frame 50350 may be a frame of the sensor 51050 and/or the touch screen 50240. The antenna 50340 may operate at 13.56 megahertz and/or may be an NFC antenna. The metal frame 50350 in combination with the notch 51040 and the dielectric 50260 disposed within the notch 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.

FIG. 91 illustrates a flow chart showing sensor usage of the pump of FIG. 86 when one or more sensors are not available in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 91 shows sensors 7001, 7002, and 7003. The rotational position sensor 7003 may be the rotational sensor 1202 (e.g., encoder) of fig. 59J and 60. The motor hall sensor 7001 may be the hall sensor 3436 on the motor 1200 of fig. 59J and 60. For example, the linear piston position sensor 7002 may be the linear sensor 3950 of fig. 59B or the linear position sensor 1100 shown in fig. 57B.

Fig. 91 may be embodied as a method of using a feedback sensor of a syringe pump 50206. RTP 3500 of fig. 59J may receive signals from sensors 7001, 7002, 7003.

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

RTP 3500 may use only linear piston position sensor 7002 if it is determined that neither motor hall sensor 7001 nor rotational position sensor is operational.

Fig. 92 shows a side view of the syringe pump 7004 with retention fingers 7005 to retain the syringe, and fig. 93 shows a close-up, partial view of the syringe pump 7004 of fig. 92, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. One end of the syringe 7010 may be retained by the pivoting jaw members 7006 and 7007. As shown, the pivot jaw members 7006 and 7007 may include a bend. Turntable 7008 is operably coupled to pivot jaw members 7006 and 7007 to cause them to pivot. Turntable 7008 may be biased to rotate turntable 7008 to cause pivoting jaw members 7006 and 7007 to rotate toward one another, or away from one another.

Fig. 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) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The RFID tag 8009 of fig. 94 may be the RFID tag 3670 of fig. 95E. Antenna 8001 of fig. 94 may be antenna 3955 of fig. 59E.

Antenna 8001 is coupled to RFID tag 8008 such that an RFID reader (i.e., RFID interrogator) may communicate with RFID tag 8008. The circuit 8000 may be arranged in a 1x1 inch PCB board with a backside solid state metal ground plane.

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

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

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

Fig. 96 illustrates another circuit 8016 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) in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Antenna 8017 is shown. The RFID tag 8022 of fig. 96 may be the RFID tag 3670 of fig. 95E. Antenna 8017 of fig. 96 may be antenna 3955 of fig. 59E.

In some embodiments, antenna 8017 may have a capacitor coupled to a notch in antenna 8017. The RFID tag 8022 can be efficiently coupled to the antenna 8017 using the impedance matching networks 8018, 8020, 8021. The interface 8023 may be used to communicate with the RFID tag 8022 (e.g., 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 may be printed on a PCB board employing the inner ring 8025 and the outer ring 8024. The split ring oscillator 8026 may be disposed adjacent to the circuit 8016 of fig. 96 to increase its read range (e.g., two planes defined by the PCB boards of the two circuits may be parallel to each other).

Fig. 98 illustrates a flow chart showing a method 900 for eliminating the effects of syringe pump (e.g., syringe pump 500 of fig. 29, syringe pump 50200 of fig. 86, or any other syringe pump) slowing down, with a syringe already loaded onto the syringe pump, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Method 9000 includes acts 9001-9010, which include two decision acts 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 a retard in the syringe pump or injector, act 9002 determines a therapeutic actuation rate corresponding to the target flow rate. Act 9003 actuates the 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 or the piston moves out of the syringe barrel a first predetermined distance. Act 9004 actuates the piston of the syringe into the syringe barrel at a second predetermined speed greater than the therapeutic actuation speed until a force sensor coupled to the piston measures a force greater than a second predetermined threshold or the piston moves into the syringe barrel a second predetermined distance. If the plunger moves into the syringe a second predetermined distance and the force sensor does not measure a force exceeding a second predetermined threshold, act 9005 sounds an alarm. If an alarm is raised in act 9005, act 9006 branches method 9000 to end treatment 9010. Act 9007 actuates the piston of the syringe into the syringe barrel at the therapeutic actuation rate. Act 9008 estimates a volume to begin to vent 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 case act 9009 will terminate therapy 9010.

99A-99B illustrate an apparatus 9900 for side loading a syringe onto an infusion pump in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 99A shows the device 9900 with the fixed arm 9902 in the loading position, while fig. 99B shows the device 9900 with the fixed arm 9902 in the fixed position. In addition to the fixed arm 9902, the device 9900 shown in fig. 99A-99B also includes a platform (also referred to as an injection seat) 9906 and a force mechanism 9904 to securely hold the syringe. The piston head assembly 901 may be coupled to a syringe to expel fluid within the syringe (the syringe not shown in fig. 99A-99B) into a patient.

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

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

Figures 100A-100B illustrate an embodiment of a force mechanism for use with the device described in figures 99A-99B or similar devices. The embodiment shown in fig. 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 rotation shaft of the fixed arm 9902, and is laterally removed from the fixed arm 9902 so 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 that only the roller 9910 engages the engagement plate 9914. The engagement plate 9914 is positioned to be engaged by the roller 9910. One end of the plate 9914 is secured by a pivot 9920 and the other end is connected to a spring 9912 that urges the plate 9914 toward 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, which creates a rotational force in the secondary arm 9908 when the plate 9914 is urged toward the secondary arm 9908. The rotational force from the second arm 9908 is transferred to the fixed arm 9902, which generates a force to fix 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 a position in which the stationary arm 9902 is removed from the platform 9906 and a syringe that may be on the platform 9906 (see fig. 99A-99B), thereby holding the stationary arm 9902 in a loading position for loading of the syringe (shown in fig. 100B).

101A-101B illustrate another embodiment of a force mechanism for use with the device described in FIGS. 99A-99B or similar devices. The engagement plate 9932 is not hinged at one end and is on the rail 9926. The engagement plate 9932 may be a spring biased toward the secondary arm 9922. The track 9926 guides the engagement plate 9932 toward the secondary arm 9922 and allows linear movement rather than rotational movement. The provision of the engagement plate 9932 on the rail 9926 does not result in a reduction in the moment arm. The reduced moment arm means that a stiffer spring may be used to create a force output at the fixed arm 9902.

The spring urges the engagement plate 9932 toward 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, the secondary arm 922 transmitting the rotational force to the attached stationary arm 9902. The peaks on the engagement surface of the plate 9932 may define a dwell segment 9930 and a segment that causes rotational force 9928. The securing arm 9902 is shown in a secured position in fig. 101A and in a stowed position in fig. 101B.

Fig. 102A-102B illustrate yet another embodiment of a force mechanism that may be used with the device described in fig. 99A-B or similar devices. In the embodiment 9904c shown in fig. 102A-102B, the engagement plate 9942 is fixed and the secondary arm 9934 expands and contracts when rotated due to the variable surface of the plate 9942. Secondary arm 9934 is composed of two components, including: a first component 9934a connected to the fixed arm 9902 at its rotation axis; and a second assembly 9934b telescoping over the first assembly 9934 a. The spring between the assemblies 9934a, 9934b forces the two away from each other. A roller 9944 is attached to one end of the second assembly 9934b to engage the engagement plate 9942. The engagement plate 9942 is positioned to be engaged by the secondary arm 9934 and compresses a spring located between the two secondary arm assemblies 9934a, 9934b as the secondary arm 9934 rotates. A section 9940 of the plate 9942 locks the mechanism in a position in which the fixed arm 9902 is removed from the syringe (i.e., 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 (i.e., rotates the fixed arm 9902 to a fixed position). The loading 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 may be located laterally at any position as long as it is connected to the stationary arm. The secondary arm may also be attached to the stationary arm at a point other than the axis of rotation. In the embodiments described herein, the position of the engagement plate and the angle of the fixed arm 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 similar devices. The mechanism 9904d includes a shaft 9950, a first cam assembly 9946, a second cam assembly 9948, a spring 9954, and a carrier 9952. The shaft 9950 is pivotably connected to the fixed arm 9902 and shares the rotation axis thereof. The first cam assembly 9946 is connected to the stationary arm 9902 and is disposed about the shaft 9950 while having the ability to pivot with the stationary arm 9902. The side of the first cam assembly 9946 facing the second cam assembly 9948 has a generally planar portion, a portion disposed rearwardly from the planar portion, and a portion connecting the two together in a tapered shape. The second cam assembly 9948 is positioned immediately adjacent to the first cam assembly 9946 and mirrors the shape of the first cam assembly 9946, allowing them to interlock uniformly to produce a cylindrical shape as shown in fig. 103B. Maintaining the second cam assembly 9948 in constant rotational alignment but with the ability to translate reciprocally on the shaft 9950. Around the shaft 9950, a spring 9954 is disposed between the second assembly 9948 and the bracket 9952 that is 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. Fig. 104A is a cam illustration when the fixed arm 9902 (see fig. 103B) is in the lower position. In this position, the second cam assembly 9948 is at a point where it is furthest from the bracket 9952 (see fig. 103B). Fig. 104B shows cams 9946, 9948 as the stationary arm 9902 rotates. 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 fig. 103B). The spring 9954 urges the second cam assembly 9948 toward the first cam assembly 9946, which causes them to want to slide back to the original lower position. This feature creates a rotational force that causes the stationary arm 9902 to push down on the spring. Fig. 104C shows cams 9946, 9948 when fixed arm 9902 is in the rest position. Once the fixed arm 9902 rotates to a point where the tapered portions no longer contact, the planar surfaces will contact, which will cause the rotational force generated by the spring 9954 to be absent, so the fixed arm 9902 will remain in place.

A sensor may be used to track the position or angle of the fixed arm 9902. Sensor data may be used in a variety of applications. The position of the sensor may be used to determine whether the syringe is properly secured. This will be used in cases where the sensor has knowledge of 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 stationary. The sensor may also be used to determine one or more characteristics of the syringe, such as what size is being used or even what particular model of syringe. By determining which syringe is being used, the pump may calculate the flow rate relative to the displacement of the piston. Data from sensors on the mechanism driving the syringe plunger may be used with the fixed arm sensor data to determine the type of syringe being used. The sensor used to determine the position of the fixed arm 9902 may be a hall effect sensor.

Fig. 105 illustrates a method 9960 for side loading a syringe onto an infusion pump in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 9960 includes an actuation act 9962, a loading act 9964, a securing act 9966, a sensing act 9968, and a processing act 9970. Actuation action 9962 includes actuating the stationary arm into the loading position, action 9962 being executable by an operator of the pump. Once the securing arm has been lifted into the loading position, the method 9960 may move to act 9964.

Act 9964 loads the syringe onto a syringe retaining platform (also referred to herein as a syringe retaining rim) located below the fixed arm. For example, a flange on the syringe is inserted into the slot, or a syringe barrel of the syringe is inserted into the barrel recess. Once the syringe has been placed on the platform below the fixed arm, the method 9960 moves to act 9966.

The securing action 9966 secures the securing arm away from the loading position, thereby engaging the syringe with a force loaded on the securing arm, causing the securing arm to engage the syringe with a force loaded thereon. Once the syringe has been secured, the method 9960 continues to act 9968. The sensing action 9968 senses the position of the stationary arm. This may be achieved using a hall effect sensor or a rotary potentiometer. After the sensing act 9968, the method 9960 may embody a processing act 9970.

Processing action 9970 processes data from the arm position. The processor may use this data to determine which size syringe is being used. Knowing the size of the syringe allows the pump to control the fluid flow with respect to the piston position. If the type of syringe is preset, the sensor can alert the operator when the fixed arm is not in the correct position. If the fixing arm is not in the correct position, the syringe is not fixed correctly.

Fig. 106 illustrates an embodiment of a system for mitigating lead screw run out errors, and fig. 107 illustrates a flowchart of a method for mitigating lead screw turn-on errors, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Lead screw runout is a round deviation from a hypothetical direct relationship between the rotation of the lead screw and the change in distance of the device being moved by the threads (e.g., half nut assembly, or threaded nut, etc.). This may be caused by the force acting on the mechanism causing the half nut about the thread to change direction by rotation. Lead screw errors can be minimized by milling the drive shaft and half nut with high precision.

The system 9210 of fig. 106 may implement the method 9100 of fig. 107. Lead screw runout can be mitigated by estimating the runout-induced circular deviation and compensating for the deviation in controlling the lead screw distance output.

Fig. 106 illustrates an embodiment of a system 9120 for mitigating lead screw run out errors. Such a system 9120 includes a linear position sensor 9119, a rotational position sensor 9121, a processor 9123, and a controller 9125. The rotational position sensor 9121 tracks the rotation of the lead screw. The following shows an equation for determining distance output in centimeters ("CM") based on rotation data:

Δθ=change in screw rotation (degree)

β = lead screw thread per CM

This equation for determining actuation distance assumes that there is a direct relationship between lead screw rotation and distance output. The jitter error is the circular deviation from the hypothetical 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 half nut described herein for measuring displacement of the half nut by examining the detected movement relative to the syringe pump housing surface. In some embodiments, the optical sensor output change in the position data is in units of time per inch (CPI). In some embodiments, the receiver is recalibrated to the current CPI, also referred to as normalization, by the processor 9123. Normalization is achieved by using the following equation:

θ=current screw rotation (degree)

M = optical mouse count

R=rotation distance (millimeters, mm)

f=empirically determined filters

CPI _i ＝f*(InstCPI _i -CPI _i-1 )

The equation recalibrates CPI every 10 degrees; however, other recalibration rates may also be used.

The magnitude and offset of the signal may phase shift the signal 180 deg., resulting in the need to multiply the normalized data by-1. This magnitude can also be achieved by comparing deviations using a second, more accurate position measurement device, and empirically determining corrections for this magnitude.

The processor 9123 uses normalized distance data to estimate the phase and amplitude of the jitter deviation. Oscillation of the runout deviation may occur in synchronization with each rotation of the lead screw. A low pass filter may be applied to filter the sensor data and then store the data for a given lead screw angle as a value. The example algorithm used is:

θ=lead screw angle

x = sensor data

Omega (θ) =sinusoidal sensor data

ω(θ) _i ＝0.3(x _i -ω(θ) _i-1 )+ω(θ) _i-1

The data array is generated 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 the previous 4 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 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 equations for this application are as follows:

l = length of input array

* sin = sine wave cross correlated signal

* cos=signal cross-correlated with cosine wave

Alpha = signal amplitude

In some embodiments, the phase offset of the entire stroke may be constant, while the amplitude may rise and fall as the half nut assembly moves away from or near the end of the lead screw. The phase and amplitude estimates may be filtered by the processor 9123 to integrate such amplitude shifts 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 the 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 screw mechanism. The following equations are used to implement:

θ _i current lead screw angle

Δ _i 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 screw mechanism has been determined, this data is sent to the controller 9125. The controller 9125 integrates this data with the assumed direct relationship between the screw rotation and the distance output of the screw, thereby improving the accuracy of the output. Algorithms for detecting the phase and amplitude of the error may be used with any sufficient sensor output to detect, estimate and/or compensate for lead screw run out.

Fig. 107 illustrates a flowchart of a method 9100 for mitigating lead screw run out errors, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 9100 includes a rotation tracking action 9103, a distance tracking action 9101, a conversion action 9105, a normalization action 9107, an error generation action 9109, a filtering action 9111, a storing action 9113, an estimating action 9115, and a control action 9117.

The rotation tracking action 9103 includes tracking rotation of a threaded drive shaft of the screw mechanism using a rotational position sensor. A hall effect sensor may be used as the rotational position sensor described herein. The distance tracking action 9101 tracks the distance output of the screw mechanism using a linear position sensor. An optical mouse sensor may be used as the linear position sensor; however, in some embodiments, any sensor capable of tracking linear position may be used. In some embodiments, acts 9101 and 9103 can occur simultaneously, stepwise, or in any order or variation.

The converting operation 9105 converts the rotation data into estimated distance output data of the screw mechanism. Method 9100 may continue to act 9107 when or after rotation data has been converted.

Normalization act 9107 normalizes the distance sensor data to produce a dataset with reduced sensor drift. In some particular embodiments, the sensor may be recalibrated every ten degrees of screw rotation when the data is normalized. In some embodiments, method 9100 may move to act 9109 when or after the data has been normalized.

Error generation act 9109 generates error data that compares the output of the distance sensor data and the rotation data. The filtering act 9111 filters the normalized data. The store action 9113 stores the data as a value for each screw rotation. The estimating act 9115 uses data stored as a value for each screw rotation to determine the amplitude and phase of the error. Estimation of phase and amplitude can be achieved by cross-correlating sine and cosine waves with the data. Estimation act 9115 may also address half nut position on the lead screw and address amplitude reduction when the half nut is near the end of the lead screw. Once the amplitude and phase of the error have been determined, the method 9100 moves to act 9117.

Control action 9117 controls the rotation of the lead screw by including estimated phase and amplitude deviations into the assumed direct relationship between lead screw rotation and output.

Fig. 108-111 illustrate several diagrams of infusion pumps employing modular power supplies coupled thereto according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 108 shows a side view of a pump employing a modular power supply attached to the back of the pump. Fig. 109 shows a side view of a pump employing an external power source. Fig. 110 shows a side view of a pump employing a power source attached to the bottom of the pump. Fig. 111 shows a side view of a pump employing a power source attached to the top of the pump.

As shown in fig. 108-111, various embodiments illustrate an infusion pump 9202 employing a power input module 9204, a power source 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 capability of being removably attached to the power input module 9204. The power input module 9204 may be an electrical connector with conductive contacts. The power source 9205 may be coupled to an AC plug 9209 configured to receive AC signals. The power supply 9205 may include an AC-to-DC conversion module within the power supply 9205 to convert an AC signal received through the power line 9207 to a DC current. The DC output connection 9211 provides DC current to the power input module 9204.

Fig. 108 shows an embodiment of a power supply 9205 having a back portion secured to a pump 9202 by a power input module 9204. The power input module 9204 may fix the power source 9205 in place. The power supply 9205 receives AC power through a power line 9207 connected to the AC plug 9209.

Fig. 109 shows an embodiment of the power supply 9205 in which a power line 9211 connects a DC output jack of the power supply 9205 to the power supply input module 9204. The pump 9202 may be configured to secure the power source 9205 to the exterior of its housing 9203.

Fig. 110 shows an embodiment of a pump 9202, showing a power source 9205 attached to the bottom of the pump 9202. Fig. 111 shows an embodiment in which a power source 9205 is attached to the top side of the pump 9202.

Fig. 112 shows an embodiment in which a power source (hereinafter also referred to as a power source) 9205 has a structure 9213 for winding the power source line 9207 of fig. 108 to 111. In some embodiments, a mechanism to automatically wind the power cord 9207 may be used.

Fig. 113 illustrates an embodiment of a power supply 9219 in which multiple pumps 9215 are powered according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, a single power supply 9219 may be configured to provide power (e.g., DC power) to multiple pumps 9215. In fig. 113, the power source 9219 is attached to a rod 9221 on which the pump 9215 is mounted. The power source 9219 may have a plurality of power lines 9217 electrically connected to power output jacks of the power source 9219, which are connected to a power input module 9218 of the pump 9215 attached to the lever 9221.

The power source 9205 may also include a battery that is charged by the power source and has the ability to power the pump when the power source is not receiving AC power. In most cases, such a battery will supplement the battery in the pump housing 9203. Such a battery may also be used to extend the operation time of the pump 9202 when AC current is not available, for example, when the patient is moved to a different location. The battery may also allow the pump 9202 to employ a smaller battery therein.

The pump 9202 may be attached to a chassis, which provides power to the pump 9202 and allows the pump 9202 to communicate with other pumps on the chassis. When attached to a rack, the pump 9202 would not require a power source 9205. The power input module 9204 may be designed such that the chassis and the power source 9205 are connected in the same manner, making the two interchangeable.

114A-114J illustrate several views of a syringe pump assembly 9502 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 114A, a syringe pump assembly 9502 is shown and includes a body 9580, a syringe mount 9514, and a piston head assembly 9516. Piston head assembly 9516 includes piston head 9581, half nut assembly 9562, and piston tube 9561 (see fig. 124). A syringe (see, e.g., syringe 9518 of fig. 114E) may be placed in injection seat 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 toward the injection seat 9514.

Referring now to FIG. 114B, a top view of syringe pump assembly 9502 is shown providing a clear view of sensor 9512. Sensor 9512 may detect the presence or absence of a syringe located within injection site 9514. Sensor 9512 is coupled to one 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 seat 9514.

Fig. 114C shows an injection pump assembly 9502 ready to receive a syringe configuration within an injection site 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 fig. 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 remove their hand from the dial 9505 while the dial 9505 remains in the open position at all times. This allows the user to easily and optionally load the syringe with both hands and slide the piston head assembly 9516 such that the pivot jaw members 9508, 9510 may be operably coupled to the flange of the syringe. Retaining member 9504 is spring biased toward injection seat 9514; however, when retention member 9504 is in the fully open position, the internal mechanism may hold retention member 9514 in the open position without requiring the user to apply any torque.

Fig. 114D shows syringe pump assembly 9502 in a configuration in which retention member 9504 is in a lower position and rotating dial 9505 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 remove their hand from the dial 9505 while the dial 9505 remains in the closed position. When the dial 9505 is rotated a predetermined amount away from the open position (see fig. 114C) toward the closed position, the piston head assembly 9516 is locked in place and cannot freely move in or out of the remainder of the syringe pump assembly 9502 (as described below).

Referring to fig. 114E-115B, an overview of the loading of the syringe 9518 into the injection pump assembly 9502 is shown. With retention member 9504 in the open position (as shown in fig. 114C), as shown in fig. 114E, syringe 9518 may be positioned in injection seat 9514, and retention member 9504 rotated onto syringe 9518. Syringe 9518 may be retained by retention clip 9506, with retention clip 9506 securing flange 9525 of barrel 9523 of syringe 9518 between injection mount 9514 and retention clip 9506.

When the syringe 9518 is sufficiently placed in the injection seat 9514, the sensor 9512 may be triggered by the syringe 9519 when the syringe 9518 is loaded into the injection seat 9514. Sensor 9512 is more readily visible in fig. 114F. The processor may be coupled to the sensor 9512 and configured to receive such notifications. In addition, a radial angle sensor (described below) may be coupled to the processor to measure the radial angle of the retention member 9504 (again referring to fig. 114E) to estimate the size of the syringe 9518.

As shown in fig. 114G, after placement of syringe 9518 in injection seat 9514, retention member 9504 can be rotated toward the syringe, and piston head assembly 9516 can be moved toward syringe 9518 until force sensor 9520 contacts one end 9517 (possibly a flange) of piston 9519 of syringe 9518. As shown in fig. 114H, rotatable dial 9505 causes pivotable jaw members 9508, 9510 to rotate toward flange 9517 of piston 9519 of syringe 9518 and to grip on flange 9517 of piston 9519 of syringe 9518. Fig. 114I shows a top view of this configuration.

FIG. 114J shows a close-up view of the operation of retention clip 9506 and sensor 9512 of the syringe pump assembly of FIGS. 114A-114J. As best shown in fig. 114J, flange 9525 of barrel 9523 of syringe 9518 is disposed between injection seat 9514 and retention clip 9506. The resiliency of retention clip 9506 may frictionally lock syringe barrel 9523 of syringe 9518 in place. Also shown therein is a sensor 9512, the sensor 9512 being a push button sensor that is actuatable into the injection seat 9514 when the syringe 9518 is positioned in the injection seat 9514.

Fig. 115A and 115B show both sides of retention clip 9506. Retention clip 9506 includes three apertures 9521 such that retention clip 9506 can be secured to injection site 9514. Retention clip 9506 includes an inner recess 9522 to receive a smaller syringe and an outer recess 9524 to receive a larger syringe. It should be noted that in fig. 115B, retention clip 9506 includes support structure 9526 to provide further resiliency to exert a greater force on flange 9525 of syringe barrel 9523 of syringe 9518 (see fig. 114J).

As shown in fig. 116A, sensor 9512 is easily viewed since injection seat 9514 has been removed. Also shown in fig. 116A is a bottom cover 9503 attached to the bottom of injection seat 9514 to cover sensor 9512 and optionally allow in-place retention clips 9506 to be secured thereto. That is, in some embodiments, retention clip 9506 may optionally be secured to bottom cover 9503 by fasteners 9527 (e.g., screws).

Fig. 116B shows a side view of syringe pump assembly 9502 with syringe mount 9514 and bottom cover 9503 removed. As best shown in fig. 116, sensor 9512 includes piston head 9507, piston shaft 9509, spring 9511, and sensor plate 9513. Sensor plate 9513 includes a switch 9515 having a blade 9526, a spring 9511 coupled to piston shaft 9509 to bias piston shaft 9509 and piston head 9507 toward a position in injection seat 9514 in which injector 9518 may be located (see again fig. 114E).

When a syringe (e.g., syringe 9518 of fig. 114J) is pressed against piston head 9507 of sensor 9512, piston head 9507 is retracted into injection seat 9514 (see view of injection seat 9514 in fig. 114E). Referring again to fig. 116B, when the syringe is pressed against piston head 9507 of the sensor, piston head 9507 moves piston 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 piston shaft 9509 is sufficiently actuated against the bias of spring 9511, piston shaft 9509 presses against blade 9526 of switch 9515 of sensor plate 9513 (see fig. 116C). Fig. 116C shows a close-up view of the interaction of plunger shaft 9509 and blade 9526 of 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 to inform it that the syringe 9518 has been loaded into the injection site 9514 (as also shown in fig. 114E).

Referring back to FIG. 116C, although switch 9515 may be a discontinuous switch (e.g., only two discontinuous states), in some embodiments switch 9515 provides a similar position of blade 9526 to sensor board 9513, which is provided as a sensor 9512 signal to the processor.

117A-117C illustrate several views of a syringe mount 9514 of the syringe pump assembly 9502 shown in FIGS. 114A-114J, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As best shown in fig. 117A, injection seat 9514 includes an aperture 9528 for sensor 9512 (see, e.g., fig. 114A). Injection seat 9514 also includes a lower surface 9532 having a series of wedge-shaped surfaces proximate one end 9533 of surface 9532. As it approaches one end 9533, surface 9532 slopes downward. Fig. 117B shows one end positioned to face beveled surface 9532.

Referring to fig. 117C, injection seat 9514 also includes a surface 9530 having an aperture 9531 in which screw 9527 of retention clip 9506 may be used to secure retention clip 9506 thereto. Also visible in fig. 117C is an aperture 9529 in which a retention member 9504 (see fig. 114A) may be partially located.

118A-118B illustrate several views of the injection pump assembly 9502 shown in FIGS. 114A-114J with the injection site 9514 removed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Figures 118A-118B will now be described with respect to diameter estimation of the syringe 9518.

As shown in fig. 118A, retention member 9504 is in a fully open position. The retention member 9504 is coupled to the shaft 9535. The O-ring helps seal the interior of the injection pump assembly 9502 from contaminants passing through the aperture 9529 (see fig. 117 a). As shown in fig. 118A, the fixed cam 9536 is located at the distal end of the shaft 9534, while the 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. A rotating cam 9545 is also coupled to the shaft 9534. As the retention member 9504 is actuated, the rotation cam 9545 rotates (e.g., rotates between an open and a closed position). When the retention member 9504 is in the fully open position, the rotating cam 9545 and the movable cam 9537 may engage each other such that the retention member 9504 remains in the fully open position (i.e., the retention member 9504 is in the park position) even if a user's hand is removed from the retention member 9504. That is, the rotating cam 9545 and the movable cam 9537 may engage each other through opposing surfaces perpendicular to an axis defined by the axis 9534.

As the retention member 9504 rotates, the rotation cam 9545 rotates such that the movable cam 9537 and the rotation 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 retention member 9504 toward its closed position. That is, as long as the retention member 9504 is not in the resting position, the spring 9535 may ultimately create a rotational biasing force on the retention member. Fig. 118B shows the retention member 9504 in a retained position, i.e., when the retention member is rotated toward any loading syringe. The guide rod 9538 prevents the movable cam 9537 from rotating with the shaft 9534 or due to the spring 9535 and guides the movable cam 9537 away from and toward the fixed cam 9536. The syringe 9518 loaded into the injection site 9514 may stop the retaining member 9504 from rotating fully to the closed position (see fig. 114E). Fig. 118B shows retention member 9504 fully rotated to the closed position.

Gear 9539 is also coupled to and rotates with shaft 9534. Gear 9539 engages gear assembly 9543. The gear assembly 9543 may increase or decrease the gear connection of the rotating magnet 9540. The sensor plate 9542 includes a hall effect sensor 9541 (e.g., 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 plate 9542 may send a signal encoding the position of the retention member 9504 to a processor, wherein the processor correlates the position of the retention member 9504 to the diameter of the syringe barrel 9523 (see fig. 114E).

119A-119B illustrate several views of the syringe pump assembly shown in fig. 114A-114J to illustrate the action of jaw members 9508, 9510 grasping onto flange 9517 of a piston 9519 of a syringe (e.g., syringe 9518 shown in fig. 114E), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 119A shows pivot jaw members 9508, 9510 in an open position, and fig. 119B shows pivot jaw members 9508, 9510 gripping over flange 9517 of piston 9519. As best shown in fig. 119A, ramp 9546 may be used such that as pivot jaw members 9508, 9510 grip onto flange 9517 of piston 9519 (as shown in fig. 119B), flange 9517 is more firmly held against piston head assembly 9516 (see fig. 114A).

FIG. 120 illustrates a piston head of a piston head assembly 9516 (of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J) with a cover plate removed to illustrate the mechanical effect of rotation of a dial 9505, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 120, a dial 9505 is coupled to the shaft 9547, cam 9548, and lever actuator 9554. A spring 9557 is operably coupled to the shaft 9547 to bias the dial 9505 and shaft to rotate toward a closed position (as shown in fig. 120).

Gear 9553 is operably coupled to potentiometer 9559. The potentiometer 9559 is coupled to a circuit board 9558, the circuit board 9558 being configured to provide a rotational position of the gear 9553 to the processor (as described below). Referring now to FIGS. 121A-121C, the circuit board 9558 and potentiometer 9559 have been removed to facilitate viewing of the internal components of the piston head assembly 9516. That is, fig. 121A-121C illustrate several views of a piston head according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with cover plates and circuit boards removed to illustrate the mechanical effect of the rotation of the turntable.

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 rotation of the cam 9548 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 and gear 9552 is coupled to rocker arm 9549. Gear 9552 and rocker arm 9549 are coupled to spring 9551 such that rocker arm 9549 is biased such that cam follower 9550 is biased toward cam 9548. Fig. 121B shows a configuration in which the dial 9505 is in a fully open position. Note that rocker arm 9549 has rotated from its position in fig. 121A, and also note that gear 9553 has rotated a predetermined amount. Referring now to fig. 114C and 121B, gear 9552 is coupled to pivotable jaw member 9510 and gear 9553 is coupled to pivotable jaw member 9508. Fig. 121B and 114C show a configuration in which the dial 9505 has been rotated to an open position.

When the dial 9505 has been rotated to the fully open position, the cam 9548 engages the pawl 9560 of the cam 9548. Fig. 121C shows a close-up view to illustrate pawl 9560. As best shown in fig. 121C, cam follower 9550 may fit into pawl 9560, which holds dial 9505 in a "home" position. That is, although the user may remove their hand from the dial 9505, the dial 9505 remains in the fully open position as shown in fig. 121C. In some embodiments, spring 9557 does not provide sufficient torque on shaft 9547 to overcome pawl 9560 without assistance.

When dial 9505 is rotated back from the open position shown in fig. 121B to the closed position, pivotable jaw members 9508, 9510 will rotate toward flange 9517 of piston 9519 of syringe 9518 (see fig. 114G and 114H). However, pivotable jaw members 9508, 9510 will cease to rotate toward each other when they contact flange 9517 of piston 9519 as shown in fig. 114H. 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. Rocker arm 9549 cannot be rotated further because it is coupled to jaw member 9510 (see fig. 114H), movement of jaw member 9510 being constrained by flange 9517 of piston 9519 of syringe 9518. The position of the pivotable jaw members 9508, 9510 may be determined by one or more potentiometers 9559 and transmitted to a processor. The processor may use this location to estimate the dimensional characteristics of the injector 9518.

122A-122B illustrate two views of a cam 9548 (e.g., a turret shaft cam) according to an embodiment of the disclosure, such as may be possible with the cam 9548 within the piston head assembly 9516 of the injection pump assembly 9502 shown in FIGS. 114A-114J. Pawl 9560 is clearly shown in fig. 121A-121B.

Fig. 123A-123B illustrate two close-up views of the interior cavity of the piston head assembly of the syringe pump assembly shown in fig. 114A-114J, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As the shaft 9547 rotates, the lever actuator 9554 also rotates. As shown in fig. 123B, when the dial 9505 (see fig. 120) approaches the fully open position, the lever actuator 9554 engages the link 9555, thereby pulling the lever 9556 out. The rod 9556 is spring biased into the piston head assembly 9516.

FIG. 124 illustrates a piston head assembly 9516 of the syringe pump assembly shown in FIGS. 114A-114J, in accordance with an embodiment of the present 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 remainder of piston head assembly 9516. Plunger tube 9561 shown in fig. 124 is removed in fig. 125A-125B to show rod guide 9563. As best shown in fig. 125A-125B, the rod guide 9563 guides the rod 9556. It should be noted that a spring 9564 is coupled to collar 9565 to bias rod 9556 toward half nut assembly 9562.

Fig. 126A-126I illustrate additional figures of the injection pump assembly 9502 of fig. 114A-114J, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 126A, half nut assembly 9562 is easy to view as injection seat 9514 (see fig. 114A) is removed and the cover plate of injection pump assembly 9502 is also removed.

Half nut assembly 9562 may 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 ride on rails 9574. As half nut assembly 9562 advances, sensor 9578 engages linear resistor 9579 to form a linear potentiometer for estimating a linear position of half nut assembly 9562, which is sent to a processor to estimate fluid expelled from a syringe (e.g., syringe 9518 of fig. 114E).

Half nut assembly 9562 also includes a linear cam 9556 coupled to a rod 9556 (see also fig. 124). First and second nut halves 9567, 9568 and pivot pin 9569. As the linear cam 9566 moves toward the first ends 9576 of the first and second nut halves 9567, 9568, the first and second nut halves 9567, 9568 pivot about the pivot pin 9569 such that the second ends 9577 of the first and second nut halves 9567, 9568 engage the lead screw. Each second end 9577 of the first and second nut halves 9567, 9568 includes threads to engage the 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 that the half nut assembly 9562 fully engages the lead screw 9572.

Fig. 126B shows a perspective, side view of syringe pump assembly 9502. It should be noted that the first and second nut halves 9567, 9568 include internal threads to engage the lead screw 9572. Bearings 9573 are coupled to lead screw 9572 to allow rotation thereof. FIG. 126C illustrates a plunger head assembly 9516 with a cover plate of half nut assembly 9562 removed. It should be noted that the spring 9570 opens the first ends 9577 of the first and second nut halves 9567, 9568 from the lead screw 9572. Fig. 126D shows a perspective oblique view to illustrate how the first ends 9576 of the first and second nut halves 9567, 9568 engage the linear cam 9566. Fig. 126E shows a side view of half nut assembly 9562. The linear cam 9566 is in a retracted position, which occurs when the dial 9505 is in a fully open position. Note that the lever 9556 is retracted by the spring 9564 (see fig. 125B). Fig. 126F shows the linear cam 9566 in the engaged position. As shown in fig. 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 such that if a force is applied to open the first ends 9576 of the half nut arms 9567, 9568 to one another, the rod 9556 will not experience a transfer of force. That is, the surface of the linear cam 9566 engages the first ends 9576 of the half nut arms 9567, 9568 such that the contact surfaces are parallel to each other and to the axis of the rod 9556. 126H and 126I illustrate two views in which half nut assembly 9562 fully engages lead screw 9572, wherein rotation of lead screw 9572 linearly actuates half nut assembly 9562 (and thus the entire piston head assembly 9516 relative to injection pump assembly 9502).

Fig. 127 shows a perspective, side view of a syringe pump assembly 9601 coupled to a display 9690. It should be noted that syringe pump assembly 9601 is shown therein and includes a main body 9680, a syringe base 9614, and a piston head assembly 9616. Piston head assembly 9616 includes a piston head 9681, a half nut assembly 9562 (see fig. 114A), and a piston tube 9661. A syringe (see, e.g., syringe 9518 of fig. 114E) may be disposed into injection seat 9614, which is secured by retention member 9604 and retention clip 9606. Turntable 9605 opens pivotable jaw members 9508, 9510 (see fig. 114A) and allows piston head assembly 9616 to move away from and toward injection seat 9614. The display 9690 includes a screen 9691, a power button 9692, an alarm mute button 9693, and a menu button 9694. The pump assembly 9601 is configured to display a plurality of displays on the screen 9691 regarding pump operation and patient data.

Fig. 128 shows a flow chart of a method 9302 for expelling fluid from a syringe and for providing relief from an occlusion condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Method 9302 may be embodied by a syringe pump, such as the syringe pump shown in fig. 127. Multiple actions may be embodied by using one or more processors on the syringe pump.

Method 9302 is described as being embodied by a syringe pump as shown in fig. 127; however, this description should not be taken as limiting. Method 9302 may be implemented on any pump that discharges a fluid, such as any of the pumps described herein. Method 9302 includes acts 9304-9316. Act 9304 loads the syringe into the syringe pump. For example, a syringe may be loaded into injection seat 9614. Act 9306 determines the diameter of the syringe 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 a syringe pump. The piston head assembly 9616 may actuate a piston of the syringe. Act 9310 estimates a fluid pressure within a syringe barrel of the syringe. Act 9312 makes a determination based on whether the pressure within the syringe barrel is below a predetermined threshold. If the determination is yes, actions 9318-9312 may continue to achieve the target flow rate until the target fluid discharge dose is achieved.

If the determination in act 9312 is negative, in act 9314: the syringe pump withdraws the plunger of the syringe a predetermined amount (possibly an actuation distance or an actuation volume of the syringe) from the barrel of the syringe. In act 9316, the syringe pump actuates the piston into the syringe barrel until the fluid pressure within the syringe barrel exceeds another predetermined threshold. The one or more processors may sound an alarm or alert to alert the caregiver that an occlusion is present.

Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances. Additionally, while several embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated in the accompanying 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 that the description be read likewise. Therefore, the foregoing description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. And, those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. 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 only to illustrate specific examples of the disclosure. And the drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on a particular scale for illustrative purposes. In addition, elements in the drawings having 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 present 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 e.g. "a", "an" or "the", this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated. Accordingly, the term "comprising …" should not be construed as limited to the items listed below; the scope of the expression "means comprising items a and B" should not be limited to means consisting of only components a and B, excluding other elements or steps. This expression means that with respect to the present disclosure, the only relevant components of the device are a and B.

Furthermore, the terms "first," second, "" third and the like, when used in the description or in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that in certain circumstances, the terms so used are interchangeable (unless explicitly disclosed otherwise) and that the embodiments of the disclosure described herein are capable of operation in other sequences and/or arrangements than described or illustrated herein.

Claims

1. A syringe pump for administering a drug to a patient, the syringe pump comprising:

A screw rod;

a cam;

an assembly having first and second arms, each having first and second ends, wherein the second ends of the first and second arms are configured to engage the lead screw, the first and second arms being pivotally coupled together, the first ends of the first and second arms being configured to engage the cam such that actuation of the cam toward the assembly causes the second ends of the first and second arms to pivotally approach each other, and the second ends of the first and second arms each include threads configured to engage the lead screw when the second ends of the first and second arms are brought toward each other by actuation of the cam; and

a piston head coupled to the assembly and operable to drive a piston of a syringe into a syringe barrel of the syringe.

2. The syringe pump of claim 1, further comprising:

a first piston flange clamping jaw; and

the second piston flange is clamped against the jaws,

wherein the first and second piston flange clamping jaws are configured to actuate from a first position to a second position.

3. The syringe pump of claim 2, wherein the piston head further comprises a pressure sensor for monitoring the pressure of the medicament being expelled from the syringe.

4. A syringe pump according to claim 3, wherein a piston flange of the syringe is held against the pressure sensor.

5. The syringe pump of claim 4, wherein the piston flange of the syringe is held against the pressure sensor by at least one of the first and second piston flange clamping jaws.

6. The syringe pump of claim 1, wherein the syringe pump further comprises a syringe flange clip configured to retain a syringe flange of the syringe.

7. The syringe pump of claim 6, wherein the syringe flange clip comprises an optical sensor configured to detect the presence of the syringe flange and a light source that is shielded when the syringe flange is present.

8. The syringe pump of claim 1, wherein the piston head comprises a user actuator operatively coupled to the cam to actuate the cam toward or away from the assembly.

9. The syringe pump of claim 1, further comprising: a spacer coupled to one of the first arm and the second arm.

10. The syringe pump of claim 1, further comprising: a pivot pin configured to provide a pivotal coupling between the first arm and the second arm.

11. The syringe pump of claim 1, wherein the cam comprises two ramp surfaces configured to engage the first ends of the first and second arms.

12. The syringe pump of claim 1, further comprising: a biasing member configured to bias the second ends of the first and second arms away from each other.

13. The syringe pump of claim 12, wherein the biasing member is a spring.