Fluid delivery mechanism

#The present invention relates to a fluid delivery mechanism for the delivery of liquids and other fluids.

#Fluid delivery mechanisms are known in the art. Positive displacement pumps are one category of fluid delivery mechanisms that operate on a flexible tube to generate a pumping action. One category of positive displacement pumps that operate on the flexible tube are also known as valve-type pumps. In the operation of the valve-type pump, a plunger compresses the flexible tube thus forcing a liquid contained in the flexible tube out of the flexible tube.

#One such application for the positive displacement pump is the administration of intravenous liquids. The administration of intravenous liquids to a patient is well known in the art. Typically, a solution such as saline, glucose or electrolyte contained in a flexible container is fed into a patient's venous system through a conduit such as a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tube which is accessed to the patient by a catheter. Many times, the fluid is infused under the forces of gravity, and the rate of flow is controlled by a roller clamp which is adjusted to restrict the flow lumen of the tube until the desired flow rate is obtained.

#FIG. 1 is an example of an intravenous fluid infusion pump in which the present invention can be utilized.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the intravenous fluid infusion pump of FIG. 1 in an open position.

#FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the intravenous fluid infusion pump of FIG. 1 illustrating components internal to the intravenous fluid infusion pump.

#Referring to FIG. 1, an example of a fluid delivery device in which the present invention can be utilized is referred to generally as 210. While the example described herein is an ambulatory intravenous infusion pump, the principles of the present invention can be applied to a number of different fluid delivery environments. The pump 210 includes a main body portion 214 and at least one fluid delivery mechanism 216. The pump 210 also includes a cover 212.

#Referring to FIG. 2, the pump 210 of FIG. 1 is seen in the open position. At least one fluid delivery mechanism 216 is located within the main body 214 of the pump 210. The fluid delivery mechanism 216 includes a tube-loading channel 228 into which a tube 28 is loaded into the pump 210. The fluid delivery mechanism 216 may further include a tube-loading feature. Associated with the fluid delivery mechanism 216 is a bottom plate 229. Associated with a cover 212 is a top plate 227. Disposed on the bottom plate 229 are receiving mechanisms 281, 283. Disposed on the top plate 227 and operatively associated with receiving mechanisms 281, 283 are latching mechanisms 291, 293.

#Referring now to FIG. 3, an exploded view of the pump 210 of FIG. 1 is depicted. The pump 210 further includes a pad 216 disposed on the cover 212, the pad 216 providing keypad access to the pump 210. A window is provided in the pad 216 for a display 217. In the preferred embodiment, the display 217 can be an LCD display. The pump 210 includes an electronic control 230 for controlling the operation of the pump 210. An occluder mechanism 240 is disposed within the pump 210, the occluder mechanism 240 providing the means to move a fluid through the tube 228, as described in detail below. A power supply 232 is also disposed in the pump 210, the power supply 232 providing a source of power to operate the pump 210. In the preferred ambulatory embodiment described herein, the power supply 232 is a series of batteries. Included in the occluder mechanism 240 are solenoid valves 242, 243, 244 and 245. The functions of the solenoid valves 242, 243, 244 and 245 are described in more detail below.