Method of enabling automatic filling of elastomeric pumps
AssigneeICU Medical, Inc.
InventorsGeorge A. Lopez, Thomas F. Fangrow
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Fluid transfer systems are disclosed that can be configured to transfer precise amounts of fluid from a source container to a target container. The fluid transfer system can have multiple fluid transfer stations for transferring fluids into multiple target containers or for combining different types of fluids into a single target container to form a mixture. The fluid transfer system can include a pump and a destination sensor, such as a weight sensor. The fluid transfer system can be configured to flush remaining fluid out of a connector to reduce waste, using air or a flushing fluid.
Claims21
A method of enabling a user to transfer medical fluid between a source container and an elastomeric bladder pump using an electronic medical fluid transfer system, the method comprising:
- providing an electronic medical fluid transfer station, the electronic medical fluid transfer station comprising a motor and an electronic controller;
- providing a filling pump movable by the motor;
- providing a disposable fluid tubing;
- providing a first sensor configured to indicate the presence of a first connector configured to be in fluid communication with a source container;
- and
- providing a second sensor configured to indicate the presence of a second connector configured to be in fluid communication with an elastomeric bladder pump;
- wherein the electronic controller is configured to precisely advance the motor to transfer medical fluid from the source container to the filling pump, and then from the filling pump to the elastomeric bladder pump, producing sufficient pressure to expand a bladder of the elastomeric bladder pump to overcome a resistance to fluid entry of the elastomeric bladder pump without leakage.
A method of enabling transfer of medical fluid between a source container and an elastomeric bladder pump using an electronic medical fluid transfer system, the method comprising:
- (a) providing an electronic medical fluid transfer station comprising a motor and an electronic controller;
- (b) providing a filling pump movable by the motor, the electronic controller of the electronic medical fluid transfer station being configured to precisely advance the motor to transfer medical fluid from the source container to the filling pump, and then from the filling pump to the elastomeric bladder pump, producing sufficient pressure to expand a bladder of the elastomeric bladder pump to overcome a resistance to fluid entry of the elastomeric bladder pump without leakage;
- and
- (c) providing a disposable fluid tubing;
- wherein, after the source container and the elastomeric bladder pump are attached to the electronic medical fluid transfer system, the electronic medical fluid transfer system is configured to transfer fluid from the source container to the elastomeric bladder pump.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.