System, method, and apparatus for infusing fluid

A system, comprising:

• a peristaltic pump comprising:
• a first shaft configured to at least partially rotate;
• a first cam operatively coupled to the first shaft;
• a second shaft configured to at least partially rotate;
• a plunger pivotally coupled to the second shaft, the plunger having a cam follower configured to engage the first cam of the first shaft and disengage from the first cam of the first shaft, wherein the plunger is configured to pivot to a first position to compress a tube and to a second position away from the tube;
• a bias member configured to bias the plunger to the first position;
• a position sensor configured to measure a position of the plunger;
• and
• a processor coupled to the position sensor to estimate a volume of fluid discharged from the tube when the bias member causes the plunger to move towards the first position;
• and
• a monitoring client configured to control fluid flow of the peristaltic pump.

A system, comprising:

• a peristaltic pump comprising:
• a plunger configured to move relative to a tube;
• a spring configured to bias the plunger toward the tube;
• an actuator configured to move the plunger away from the tube, and the actuator is further configured to disengage from the plunger;
• a position sensor configured to determine a position of the plunger;
• and
• a processor coupled to the position sensor, wherein the processor is configured to estimate a volume of fluid discharged from a section of the tube utilizing at least two positions of the plunger as indicated by the position sensor;
• and
• a monitoring client configured to control fluid flow of the peristaltic pump.

A system, comprising:

• a peristaltic pump comprising:
• a plunger configured to move relative to a tube;
• a spring configured to bias the plunger toward the tube;
• an actuator configured to move the plunger away from the tube, and the actuator is further configured to disengage from the plunger, wherein the actuator is configured to move the plunger in a plurality of cycles each cycling having at least first and second phases, wherein the first phase is configured to allow the spring to bias the plunger against the tube with a volume of fluid disposed within a section of the tube adjacent to the plunger, and the second phase allows the spring to bias the plunger against the tube to discharge the volume of fluid disposed within the section of the tube adjacent to the plunger;
• a position sensor configured to determine a position of the plunger;
• and
• a processor coupled to the position sensor, wherein the processor is configured to estimate fluid discharged during the second phase by comparing a first measured position of the plunger during the first phase to a second measured position of the plunger during the second phase as determined by the position sensor;
• and
• a monitoring client configured to control fluid flow of the peristaltic pump.

A method of estimating fluid flow of a system, the method comprising:

• moving a plunger toward a tube;
• disengaging an actuator from the plunger;
• biasing the plunger against the tube;
• measuring a first position of the plunger;
• engaging the actuator with the plunger;
• measuring a second position of the plunger;
• estimating a volume of fluid discharged by comparing the first measured position of the plunger to the second measured position of the plunger;
• and
• controlling the plunger by a monitoring client.

A system, comprising:

• a peristaltic pump comprising:
• an end effector configured to move relative to a tube;
• a spring configured to bias the end effector toward the tube;
• an actuator configured to move the end effector away from the tube and disengage from the end effector;
• and
• a processor configured to estimate fluid flow within the tube using the position of the end effector;
• and
• a monitoring client configured to control fluid flow of the peristaltic pump.