System, Method, and Apparatus for Infusing Fluid

A peristaltic pump, comprising:

• a plunger configured to actuate toward and away from a tube;
• a spring configured to bias the plunger toward the tube;
• an actuator configured to actuate the plunger away from the tube, wherein the actuator is further configured to mechanically disengage from the plunger;
• a position sensor configured to sense a position of the plunger;
• and
• a processor in operative communication with the position sensor to receive the sensed position of the plunger, wherein the processor is configured to estimate fluid flow within the tube using the sensed position of the plunger.

A peristaltic pump, comprising:

• a housing;
• a motor;
• a cam shaft operatively coupled to the motor such that rotation of the motor rotates the cam shaft;
• a plunger cam coupled to the cam shaft for rotation therewith;
• a pivot shaft operatively coupled to the housing;
• a plunger pivotally coupled to the pivot shaft, the plunger having a cam follower configured to engage the plunger cam of the cam 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 to compress the tube;
• 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.

A peristaltic pump, comprising:

• a motor means for rotating;
• a cam means coupled to the motor means for rotating;
• a biased plunger means for compressing against a tube;
• and
• a volume measurement means for estimating a volume of fluid discharged through the tube.

A peristaltic pump, comprising:

• a plunger configured to actuate toward and away from a tube;
• a spring configured to bias the plunger toward the tube;
• an actuator configured to actuate the plunger away from the tube, and the actuator is further configured to mechanically disengage from the plunger;
• a position sensor operatively coupled to the plunger, wherein the position sensor is 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.

A peristaltic pump, comprising:

• a plunger configured to actuate toward and away from a tube;
• a spring configured to bias the plunger toward the tube;
• an actuator configured to actuate the plunger away from the tube, and the actuator is further configured to mechanically disengage from the plunger, wherein the actuator is configured to actuate 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 tube adjacent to the plunger downstream the tube;
• 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.

A method of estimating fluid flow of a peristaltic pump, the method comprising:

• actuating a plunger toward a tube;
• mechanically disengaging an actuator from the plunger;
• biasing the plunger against the tube;
• measuring a first position of the plunger;
• mechanically engaging the actuator with the plunger;
• actuating the plunger away from the tube;
• opening an outlet valve;
• actuating the plunger toward the tube;
• measuring a second position of the plunger;
• and
• estimating a volume of fluid discharged by comparing the first measured position of the plunger to the second measured position of the plunger.

A peristaltic pump, comprising:

• an end effector configured to actuate toward and away from a tube;
• a spring configured to bias the end effector toward the tube;
• an actuator configured to actuate the end effector away from the tube, and the actuator is further configured to mechanically disengage from the end effector;
• a position configured to determine a position of the end effector;
• and
• a processor coupled to the position sensor, wherein the processor is configured to estimate fluid flow within the tube utilizing the position of the end effector as indicated by the position sensor.

A peristaltic pump, comprising:

• a plunger configured to actuate toward and away from a tube;
• an actuator configured to actuate the plunger away from the tube;
• an inlet valve configured to be in a closed or open position;
• an outlet valve configured to be in a closed or open position;
• a position sensor operatively coupled to the plunger to determine a position of the plunger;
• and
• a processor coupled to the position sensor to estimate a full-fill fluid volume within the tube utilizing the position indicated by the position sensor when the inlet and outlet valves are in a closed position.