# US 2019/0167897 A1 · Flow Indicator for an Infusion Pump > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0167897 A1 - Document ID: US20190167897A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/550,580 - Filed: 2016-08-24 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-24 - Assignees: Avent, Inc. - Applicants: Avent, Inc. - Inventors: Bao-Tram N. Pham; Justin J. Coker; Shane A. Duffy; Judith Davenport; Kenneth C. Hsu; Ryan Massengale - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190167897A1 ## CPC - A61M 5/1684: {by detecting the amount of infusate remaining, e.g. signalling end of infusion} - A61M 5/14586: {pressurised by means of a flexible diaphragm} - A61M 5/16886: {for measuring fluid flow rate, i.e. flowmeters} - A61M 5/141: {with capillaries for restricting fluid flow} - A61M 2005/1405: {Patient controlled analgesia [PCA]} - A61M 2205/0216: Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking - A61M 2205/3306: Optical measuring means - A61M 2205/3334: Measuring or controlling the flow rate - A61M 2205/3389: Continuous level detection (A61M2205/3393 takes precedence) - A61M 2205/3553: remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office - A61M 2205/3584: using modem, internet or Bluetooth® - A61M 2205/583: by visual feedback - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Systems and methods are provided for signaling a condition of an infusion assembly. A system may comprise an elastomeric pump that includes a chamber for receipt of a volume of fluid, an outer layer configured to expand and contract as the chamber receives and dispenses fluid, and a passive indicator provided on the outer layer for signaling a change in the volume of fluid in the chamber. The system further may comprise an image capture device configured to capture an image of the pump, and a processing system configured to process the image to signal the condition of the infusion assembly to a user of the system. A method may comprise capturing an image of a pump; processing the image; and displaying information to a user of the pump to communicate the condition of the pump to the user. Elastomeric pumps for infusion assemblies also are provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for signaling a condition of an infusion assembly, the system comprising: an elastomeric pump, the pump including a chamber for receipt of a volume of fluid, an outer layer, the outer layer configured to expand as the chamber receives fluid and to contract as the chamber dispenses fluid, and a passive indicator provided on the outer layer for signaling a change in the volume of fluid in the chamber; an image capture device; and a processing system, wherein the image capture device is configured to capture an image of the pump, and wherein the processing system is configured to process the image to signal the condition of the infusion assembly to a user of the system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a display for providing the information to the user. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the processing device displays a guide on the display to assist the user in utilizing the image capture device to capture the image. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1, 2, 3) The system of any of claims 1 through 3, wherein a single device comprises the image capture device and the processing system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4) The system of any of claims 1 through 4, wherein the indicator comprises an ink printed on the outer layer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) The system of any of claims 1 through 5, wherein the indicator is a symbol. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) The system of any of claims 1 through 6, wherein the indicator increases in size as the outer layer expands and decreases in size as the outer layer contracts. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) The system of any of claims 1 through 7, wherein the pump further comprises a bladder defining the chamber, wherein the outer layer surrounds the bladder, wherein a first indicator is provided on the bladder and the indicator provided on the outer layer is a second indicator, and wherein the first indicator and the second indicator are configured to align to signal a change in the volume of fluid in the chamber. ### Claim 9 A method for communicating a condition of an elastomeric pump for an infusion assembly, the method comprising: capturing an image of the pump; processing the image; and displaying information to a user of the pump to communicate the condition of the pump to the user. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the pump includes a chamber for receipt of a volume of fluid; an outer layer, the outer layer configured to expand as the chamber receives fluid and to contract as the chamber dispenses fluid; and a passive indicator provided on the outer layer for signaling a change in the volume of fluid in the chamber. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein capturing the image comprises capturing an image of the indicator on the outer layer of the pump. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9, 10, 11) The method of any of claims 9 through 11, wherein processing the image comprises comparing the image to a stored image. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9, 10, 11, 12) The method of any of claims 9 through 12, wherein the condition is a change in volume of the pump. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) The method of any of claims 9 through 13, wherein a single device captures the image, processes the image, and displays the information to the user. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) The method of any of claims 9 through 14, wherein capturing the image comprises aligning the pump with guides displayed on a display of a user device configured to capture images. ### Claim 16 An elastomeric pump for an infusion assembly, the pump comprising: a chamber for receipt of a volume of fluid; an outer layer, the outer layer expanding as the chamber receives fluid and contracting as the chamber dispenses fluid; and an indicator provided on the outer layer, wherein the indicator is a passive indicator for signaling a change in the volume of fluid in the chamber. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The pump of claim 16, wherein the indicator comprises an ink printed on the outer layer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16, 17) The pump of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the indicator is a symbol. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16, 17, 18) The pump of any of claims 16 through 18, wherein the indicator changes size as the outer layer expands and contracts. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16, 17, 18, 19) The pump of any of claims 16 through 19, further comprising a bladder defining the chamber, wherein the outer layer surrounds the bladder, wherein a first indicator is provided on the bladder and the indicator provided on the outer layer is a second indicator, and wherein the first indicator and the second indicator are configured to align to signal a change in the volume of fluid in the chamber.