AN ANTI-FREE FLOW MECHANISM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an anti-free flow mechanism for a finer-type peristaltic infusion pump.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An infusion pump infuses fluids, medication or nutrients into a patient's circulatory system. It is generally used intravenously, although subcutaneous, arterial and epidural infusions are occasionally used.

Infusion pumps can administer fluids in ways that would be unpractically expensive or unreliable if performed manually by nursing staff. For example, they can administer as little as 0.1 mL per hour injections, injections every minute, injections with repeated boluses requested by the patient, up to maximum number per hour, or fluids whose volumes vary by the time of day. Because they can also produce quite high but controlled pressures, they can inject controlled amounts of fluids e.g., subcutaneously or epidurally.

Among other safety features available on some pumps anti-free flow mechanism, anti-freeflow devices prevent blood from draining from the patient, or infusate from freely entering the patient, when the infusion pump is being set-up.

Various approaches were taken in the literature to ensure anti-free-flow in those pumps. Hence for example, US patent 6,261,262 discloses a peristaltic pump with housing, a pump head in the housing, and a receiving path defined along housing and pump head for receiving tubing. Nevertheless, an effective anti-free flow provided in a passive mechanical interface (MS) which integrally accommodates a portion of the flexible infusion-tube wherein a flow of infusion fluid is provided is still a long felt need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide an anti-free flow mechanism for a finger-type peristaltic infusion pump (DDS); the mechanism comprising (i) a passive mechanical interface (MS) which integrally accommodates a portion of the flexible infusion-

tube, and (H) an anti-free flow valve (AFFV) which is a spring-activated latch, said latch is incorporated within the MS; wherein the maneuverable latch is secured in the MS either in CLOSE or OPEN configurations: in its CLOSE configuration no flow is provided, and vice versa, in its OPEN configuration, a free flow is facilitated; the anti-free flow mechanism is configures in a manner that when the MS is not properly mounted in said DDS, the AFFV is automatically actuated via a plurality, especially a set of one or more integrated springs, to its CLOSE configuration; and vice versa, it is configures in a manner that when the MS is properly mounted in said DDS, the latch is adapted to be automatically switched to the OPEN configuration. The terms 'AFFV and 'spring-activated latch' are used hereinafter interchangeably.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-free flow mechanism as defined above, wherein the AFFV is adapted to be manually switched to a secured-OPEN configuration whereat the MS is not mounted in said DDS; the configuration-switch is possibly provided by applying a continuous press on the AFFV, and vice versa, immediately after stop pressing the AFFV is switched to its CLOSE configuration.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-free flow mechanism as defined above, wherein the AFFV is adapted to be manually switched to its OPEN configuration whereat the MS is not mounted in the DDS; the switch is provided possible by applying a single tilting press on the AFFV; the OPEN configuration is possibly followed by either (i) switching said AFFV to its CLOSE configuration or (H) switching the AFFV to its secured- OPEN configuration.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-free flow mechanism as defined above, wherein the AFFV is adapted to be automatically switched to its CLOSE configuration whereat MS is switched-out of the DDS, regardless to the initial OPEN/CLOSE configuration of the AFFV (namely when the MS was mounted in said DDS).

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-free flow mechanism as defined above, wherein the AFFM is especially adapted to be manually switched to its various OPEN/CLOSE configuration by one hand.

A last object of the present invention is to provide a method for providing an anti-free flow mechanism in a finger-type peristaltic infusion pump (DDS); the method comprising steps as follows:

(a) obtaining an anti-free flow mechanism for a finger-type peristaltic infusion pump (DDS); said mechanism comprising (i) a passive mechanical interface (MS) which integrally accommodates a portion of the flexible infusion-tube, and (H) an anti-free flow valve (AFFV) which is a spring-activated latch, the latch is incorporated within said MS; wherein said maneuverable latch is secured in said MS either in CLOSE or OPEN configurations: in its CLOSE configuration no flow is provided, and vice versa, in its OPEN configuration, a free flow is facilitated; said anti-free flow mechanism is configures in a manner that when the MS is not properly mounted in the DDS, the AFFV is automatically actuated via a plurality, especially a set of one or more integrated springs, to its CLOSE configuration; and vice versa, it is configures in a manner that when said MS is properly mounted in said DDS, said latch is adapted to be automatically switched to said OPEN configuration; and

(b) one or more of the following steps:

(i) manually switching the AFFV to a TEMPORALLY-OPEN configuration whereat the MS is not mounted in the DDS; the switch is provided possible by applying a continuous press on said AFFV, and vice versa, immediately after stop pressing the AFFV is switched to its CLOSE configuration;

(H) automatically switching said AFFV to its CLOSE configuration whereat MS is switched- out of the DDS, regardless to the initial SECURED-OPEN/TEMPORALLY- OPEN/CLOSE configuration of said AFFV, namely when the MS was mounted in said DDS); and,

(in) manually switching the AFFV to its various OPEN/CLOSE configurations by one hand, while the MS is not mounted in the DDS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be implemented in practice, a plurality of preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which figure 1 schematically illustrating cross-section of DDS-MS with anti-free flow mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention;

figure 2 schematically illustrating three detailed cross-sections of an MS with AFFV in various OPEN/CLOSE configurations according to one embodiment of the present invention; figure 3 schematically illustrating cross-sections of an anti-free flow mechanism in a CLOSE configuration; figure 4 schematically illustrating several cross-sections of an anti-free flow mechanism in various OPEN/CLOSE configurations with a look on both AFFV and springs, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and, figure 5 schematically illustrating simplified cross-sections of an anti-free flow mechanism in its various OPEN/CLOSE configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of the present invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of said invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, will remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide an anti-free flow mechanism for a finer-type peristaltic infusion pump.

The term 'plurality' refers hereinafter to any integer number equal or higher 1, e.g., 2, 4 etc.

An anti-free flow mechanism incorporated within a passive mechanical interface, the interface is adapted for mounting of a flexible infusion tube in a finger-type peristaltic infusion pump in a reversible yet secured manner.

The present invention discloses a passive mechanical interface, denoted hereinafter in the term 'MS' being a mechanical interface of the set tubing to the DDS, that has no moving parts or static members being an integral part of the aforesaid pumping mechanism of sensors thereof, e.g., pistons, hinges, cams, wheels, sealing membranes, gaskets etc The MS is interlace with an integrated anti-free flow mechanism, useful for mounting a flexible infusion tube to in a finger-type peristaltic infusion pump, so as a uni-directional or bi-directional flow, provided by the pump solely in a predetermined direction of an infusion. The MS reversibly yet securely mounts the tube in a predetermined 3D orientation so it is facing the pumping mechanism and various sensors of the infusion pump. The MS hence comprises of a

mechanical conduct to the set tubing that acts as an interface of sad tubing to a pump and an anti-free flow valve (AFFV).

Reference is now made to figure 1, schematically illustrating a cross section of a DDS and anti-free flow mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. A passive mechanical interface (MS, 3) is mounted in a finger-type peristaltic infusion pump (4) so as pressing fingers (6) and sensors (here, bubble detector, 7) are perfectly oriented towards a flexible infusion-tube (5) accommodated in said MS. The anti-free flow mechanism comprises of an anti-free flow latch, valve or shutoff (1) located in the MS, facing an AFFV- activating member (AFFV, 2) located in the DDS. The AFFV is now in its CLOSE configuration and infused fluid is not flowing via tube (5). By mounting MS in DDS (See Open-Close arrow), AFFV is pressed against the AFFV activating member and AFFV is automatically switched on to its OPEN configuration, and flow of the infused fluid is allowed via tube (5).

Reference is now made to figure 2, schematically illustrating an AFFV mechanism in three different OPEN/CLOSE configurations. Those sachems present both valves and springs orientation in various configurations.

Reference is now made to figure 3, schematically illustrating the anti-free flow mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention, being temporarily in its CLOSE configuration. MS (3) is accommodating flexible infusion-tube (2).

Reference is now made to figure 4, schematically presenting a various OPEN/CLOSE configurations of the anti-free flow mechanism. Upper scheme illustrates the MS wherein AFFV is in its OPEN and secured configuration. The MS (10) here accommodates an infusion tube (11), wherein the AFFV (12) is in connection to a plurality (e.g., 1-4) of retrieving spring (13). Lower scheme illustrates the MS wherein AFFV is in its OPEN configuration. Lowest scheme illustrates the MS wherein AFFV is in its CLOSE configuration.

Reference is now made to figure 5, schematically presenting a various OPEN/CLOSE configurations of the anti-free flow mechanism without showing the spring members. Upper scheme presents the MS wherein the AFFV is in its OPEN and secured configuration. Lower scheme illustrates the MS wherein AFFV is in its OPEN configuration. Lowest scheme illustrates the MS wherein AFFV is in its CLOSE configuration.