Integrated medication delivery system

A pump assembly for an integrated medication delivery system, wherein said pump assembly delivers medication to a patient and is suitable to prevent inadvertent delivery of the medication to the patient, said assembly comprising:

• a pump housing having a pump inlet and a pump outlet;
• a first pinch lever disposed at said pump inlet, said first pinch lever being moveable between an open position and a closed position to control a flow of the medication into said pump housing through said pump inlet;
• a second pinch lever disposed at said pump outlet, said second pinch lever being moveable between an open position and a closed position to control a flow of the medication from said pump housing through said pump outlet;
• a motor operatively engaging said first and second pinch levers for moving said first and second pinch levers into said open position such that the medication can be delivered to the patient;
• and
• at least one biasing device engaging at least one of said first and second pinch levers and working in conjunction with said motor to normally bias at least one of said first and second pinch levers into said closed position during delivery of the medication to the patient and to maintain at least one of said first and second pinch levers in said closed position during a failure of said motor to prevent the inadvertent delivery of the medication to the patient.

A port assembly for an integrated medication delivery system that includes a medication reservoir and a pump assembly, wherein said port assembly enables various fluids to flow into, from, and within the integrated medication delivery system, said port assembly comprising:

• an elongated housing comprising a proximate end, a distal end, and an interior wall defining a fluid chamber between said ends, said proximate end of said housing extending from the integrated medication delivery system to provide access for the fluid to flow both into and from the integrated medication delivery system;
• a first fluid connector extending from said housing for allowing the fluid to flow from said fluid chamber into the pump assembly;
• a second fluid connector extending from said housing for allowing the fluid to flow from the pump assembly into said fluid chamber;
• a third fluid connector extending from said housing for allowing the fluid to flow between said fluid chamber and the medication reservoir;
• and
• a plunger disposed in said fluid chamber and being moveable in said fluid chamber between;
• an off-position where said first, second, and third fluid connectors are isolated from said proximate end of said housing by said plunger to prevent the flow of fluid,
• a fill-position where said first and third fluid connectors are in fluid communication with said proximate end of said housing thereby providing a fluid flow path between said proximate end of said housing, the medication reservoir, and the pump assembly such that the fluid can be filled through said proximate end of said housing and into the medication reservoir and the pump assembly, and
• a fluid delivery-position where said first, second, and third fluid connectors are in fluid communication with said proximate end of said housing and with each other for supplying the pump assembly and for delivering the fluid to a patient.

A blockage detection system for an integrated medication delivery system used for delivering medication to a patient, wherein said blockage detection system detects a blockage in a flow of the medication to the patient and comprises:

• a base housing;
• a medication reservoir disposed about said base housing for storing the medication to be delivered to the patient;
• a port extending from said base housing to provide access for the medication to flow to the patient;
• a pump assembly supported by said base housing and in fluid communication with said medication reservoir for delivering the medication to the patient;
• a medication outlet tube mounted to said base housing and connected between said pump assembly and said port to provide access for the medication to flow from said pump assembly into said port and to the patient, wherein said outlet tube has a diameter that is contractible and expandable between a normal condition and an expanded condition in response to variations in pressure resulting from the flow of the medication from said medication reservoir through said pump assembly into said port and to the patient;
• an electronic controller mounted to said base housing adjacent said outlet tube;
• and
• a detection film disposed between said electronic controller and said outlet tube, said detection film being in contact with said outlet tube and remaining spaced from said electronic controller when said diameter of said outlet tube is in said normal condition, and said detection film being in contact with said outlet tube and contacting said electronic controller to activate said electronic controller when said diameter of said outlet tube is in said expanded condition in response to increased pressure resulting from the blockage in the flow of the medication to the patient.

A blockage detection system for an integrated medication delivery system used for delivering medication to a patient, wherein said blockage detection system detects a blockage in a flow of the medication to the patient and comprises:

• a base housing;
• a medication reservoir disposed about said base housing for storing the medication to be delivered to the patient;
• a port extending from said base housing to provide access for the medication to flow to the patient;
• a pump assembly supported by said base housing and in fluid communication with said medication reservoir for delivering the medication to the patient;
• an electronic controller mounted to said base housing;
• a medication outlet tube mounted to said base housing and connected between said pump assembly and said port to provide access for the medication to flow from said pump assembly into said port and to the patient, wherein said outlet tube has a diameter that is contractible and expandable between a normal condition, where said outlet tube is spaced from said electronic controller, and an expanded condition, where said outlet tube is in contact with said electronic controller, in response to variations in pressure resulting from the flow of the medication from said medication reservoir through said pump assembly into said port and to the patient;
• and
• a coating applied to said outlet tube, said coating activating said electronic controller when said diameter of said outlet tube is in said expanded condition in response to increased pressure resulting from the blockage in the flow of the medication to the patient.

An empty detection system for an integrated medication delivery system used for delivering medication to a patient, wherein said empty detection system determines when a supply of the medication has been depleted and comprises:

• a base housing;
• a medication reservoir disposed about said base housing for storing the supply of the medication to be delivered to the patient;
• a port extending from said base housing to provide access for the medication to flow to the patient;
• a pump assembly supported by said base housing and in fluid communication with said medication reservoir for delivering the medication to the patient;
• a medication inlet tube mounted to said base housing and connected between said medication reservoir and said pump assembly to provide access for the medication to flow from said medication reservoir into said pump assembly and to the patient, wherein said inlet tube has a diameter that is contractible and expandable between a normal condition and a collapsed condition in response to variations in pressure resulting from a lack of flow of the medication from said medication reservoir into said pump assembly and to the patient;
• an electronic controller mounted to said base housing adjacent said inlet tube;
• and
• a detection film disposed between said electronic controller and said inlet tube, said detection film being in contact with said inlet tube and contacting said electronic controller to activate said electronic controller when said diameter of said inlet tube is in said normal condition, and said detection film becoming spaced from said electronic controller to deactivate said electronic controller when said diameter of said inlet tube is in said collapsed condition in response to the lack of flow of the medication resulting from the supply of the medication being depleted.

An empty detection system for an integrated medication delivery system used for delivering medication to a patient, wherein said empty detection system determines when a supply of the medication has been depleted and comprises:

• a base housing;
• a medication reservoir disposed about said base housing for storing the supply of the medication to be delivered to the patient;
• a port extending from said base housing to provide access for the medication to flow to the patient;
• a pump assembly supported by said base housing and in fluid communication with said medication reservoir for delivering the medication to the patient;
• an electronic controller mounted to said base housing;
• a medication inlet tube mounted to said base housing and connected between said medication reservoir and said pump assembly to provide access for the medication to flow from said medication reservoir into said pump assembly and to the patient, wherein said inlet tube has a diameter that is contractible and expandable between a normal condition, where said inlet tube is in contact with said electronic controller, and a collapsed condition, where said inlet tube becomes spaced from said electronic controller, in response to variations in pressure resulting from a lack of flow of the medication from said medication reservoir into said pump assembly and to the patient;
• and
• a coating applied to said inlet tube, said coating contacting said electronic controller to activate said electronic controller when said diameter of said inlet tube is in said normal condition, and said coating becoming spaced from said electronic controller to deactivate said electronic controller when said diameter of said inlet tube is in said collapsed condition in response to the lack of flow of the medication resulting from the supply of the medication being depleted.

An integrated medication delivery system for delivering medication to a patient wherein the operation of said system can be tested using a testing instrument after assembly of said system, and said system can be completely sterilized by a sterilization fluid after testing, said system comprising:

• a base housing;
• a medication reservoir disposed about said base housing for storing the medication to be delivered to the patient;
• a pump assembly supported by said base housing for delivering the medication to the patient, said pump assembly comprising a pump housing having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, wherein said pump inlet and said pump outlet alternate between an open and a closed state to deliver the medication the patient;
• a port extending from said base housing, said port being in fluid communication with said medication reservoir and said pump assembly during sterilization to provide access for the sterilization fluid to flow into said medication reservoir and said pump assembly;
• an actuator disposed in said base housing wherein said actuator is moveable between;
• a disengaged position wherein said actuator is operatively disengaged from said pump inlet and said pump outlet to permit said pump inlet and said pump outlet to alternate between said open and closed states after assembly and during testing of the system, and
• an engaged position where said actuator is operatively engaged to said pump inlet and said pump outlet to retain both said pump inlet and said pump outlet in said open state during sterilization such that the sterilization fluid can penetrate into said medication reservoir, said pump inlet, said pump housing, and said pump outlet to completely sterilize said system;
• and
• at least one testing access port defined within said base housing and aligned with at least one of said pump inlet, said pump outlet, and said actuator to provide access for the testing instrument to move said actuator between said disengaged position and said engaged position such that said pump inlet and said pump outlet can alternate between said open and closed states after assembly and during testing of said system, and such that said pump inlet and said pump outlet can be retained in said open state after said system has been tested to prepare said system for sterilization.

An integrated medication delivery system for delivering medication to a patient wherein said system is suitable for carrying by the patient and comprises:

• a base housing;
• a carrying strap mounted within said base housing for the carrying of said system by the patient;
• a medication reservoir disposed about said base housing for storing the medication to be delivered to the patient;
• a pump assembly supported by said base housing for delivering the medication to the patient, said pump assembly comprising a pump housing having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, wherein said pump inlet and said pump outlet alternate between an open and a closed state to deliver the medication the patient;
• a port extending from said base housing, said port being in fluid communication with said medication reservoir, said pump assembly, and the patient to provide access for the medication to be delivered to the patient;
• and
• an integral storage cavity defined within said base housing wherein said carrying strap is at least partially disposed in said integral storage cavity and at least partially extends from said integral storage cavity to interact with the patient for carrying said system.

A method of controlling an integrated medication delivery system that is used to deliver medication to a patient wherein the system includes an electronic controller, at least one control button, a patient label, and a removable overlay label disposed on top of the patient label for controlling an amount of the medication to be delivered to the patient, said method comprising the steps of:

• selecting the amount of the medication in accordance with a first set of explanatory indicia on the removable overlay label;
• locking the system such that the selected amount of the medication to be delivered to the patient is unable to be modified;
• removing the removable overlay label to reveal the patient label;
• and
• operating the system in accordance with a second set of explanatory indicia on the patient label.

A control system for an integrated medication delivery system, the integrated medication delivery system having a pump assembly, the pump assembly including a pump housing and a motor for delivering medication to a patient, the control system comprising:

• an electronic controller for controlling operation of the integrated medication delivery system;
• a motor control circuit having a first switch and being coupled between the electronic controller and the motor, the first switch having an open state and a closed state;
• and,
• a watchdog circuit coupled to the electronic controller, the watchdog circuit including a monitor circuit and a second switch, the second switch having an open state and a closed state and being coupled to the first switch, wherein the monitor circuit is adapted to detect an abnormal condition in the control system and to responsively turn the second switch off if the abnormal condition is detected, and wherein the motor control circuit is adapted to receive control signals from the electronic controller and to responsively supply power to the motor by placing the first switch in one of the open and closed states, wherein power is supplied to the motor if the first and second switches are in the closed state.