Intelligent systems are disclosed for monitoring of enteral feeding pumps. The systems include a structure with a pivot mechanism, a fluid pump, a force-responsive electrical component, and an optional computing device. The pivot mechanism moves in response to force. The fluid pump moves feeding fluid, and the force-responsive electrical component changes electrical properties in response to force and alters resistance in the presence of an obstruction. The optional computing device can transmit an alert to a healthcare provider, for example, via smartphone. The force-responsive electrical component provides an electrical response in proportion to tension on a conduit and decreases resistance when there is an obstruction in the conduit. The systems sends an alert signal when the electrical response indicates an obstruction in the conduit.
A flow selector valve assembly for an enteral feeding pump system (i.e., an enteral feeding pump system including a fluid delivery set with first and second feeding tubes, an enteral feeding pump and a pinching mechanism for regulating the flow of nutrient formula or water out of the first and second feeding tubes), and a twin port adapter for use in the valve assembly. The twin port adapter includes a body configured to receive the first and second feeding tubes therein, and a feeding tube guide rotatably connected to the body and configured to secure the first and second feeding tubes within the body.
A flow sensor system for detecting the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system. The flow sensor system includes a channel configured to retain the conduit therein, a heat source disposed at a first location at a first portion of the conduit, and a heat detector disposed at a second location at a second portion of the conduit. The heat source may include an IR LED, and the heat detector may include a thermopile sensor. A method for using the flow sensor system to detect the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system is also disclosed.
G01F 1/684 - Structural arrangementsMounting of elements, e.g. in relation to fluid flow
G01F 1/688 - Structural arrangementsMounting of elements, e.g. in relation to fluid flow using a particular type of heating, cooling or sensing element
G01F 25/10 - Testing or calibration of apparatus for measuring volume, volume flow or liquid level or for metering by volume of flowmeters
5.
Enteral feeding pump systems, valve assemblies therefor and fluid flow control methods for same
A flow selector valve assembly for an enteral feeding pump system (i.e., an enteral feeding pump system including a fluid delivery set with first and second feeding tubes, an enteral feeding pump and a pinching mechanism for regulating the flow of nutrient formula or water out of the first and second feeding tubes), and a twin port adapter for use in the valve assembly. The twin port adapter includes a body configured to receive the first and second feeding tubes therein, and a feeding tube guide rotatably connected to the body and configured to secure the first and second feeding tubes within the body.
Enteral feeding pump systems valves assemblies therefor and related fluid flow control methods. The system includes a disposable fluid delivery set with an integral peristaltic tube section and an enteral feeding pump. The system may also include a pinching mechanism for regulating the flow of nutrient formula or water out of the fluid delivery set. Also disclosed is a flow selector valve assembly for an enteral feeding pump system, the valve assembly including a tube adapter having two input flexible tubing channels and one output tubing channel and being configured to position the flexible tubing channels in relation with a receiver. The receiver has an eccentric bearing that is moveable between a first position in which neither of the input flexible tubing channels is compressed, and a second position in which the eccentric bearing compresses one of the input flexible tubing channels therein to prevent flow therethrough.
A flow sensor system for detecting the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system. The flow sensor system includes a channel configured to retain the conduit therein, a heat source disposed at a first location at a first portion of the conduit, and a heat detector disposed at a second location at a second portion of the conduit. The heat source may include an IR LED, and the heat detector may include a thermopile sensor. A method for using the flow sensor system to detect the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system is also disclosed.
Enteral feeding pump systems valves assemblies therefor and related fluid flow control methods. The system includes a disposable fluid delivery set with an integral peristaltic tube section and an enteral feeding pump. The system may also include a pinching mechanism for regulating the flow of nutrient formula or water out of the fluid delivery set. Also disclosed is a flow selector valve assembly for an enteral feeding pump system, the valve assembly including a tube adapter having two input flexible tubing channels and one output tubing channel and being configured to position the flexible tubing channels in relation with a receiver. The receiver has an eccentric bearing that is moveable between a first position in which neither of the input flexible tubing channels is compressed, and a second position in which the eccentric bearing compresses one of the input flexible tubing channels therein to prevent flow therethrough.
Methods and apparatus for an enteral feeding pump system. A method of directing flow for a coil includes drawing fluid from a source and delivering fluid, the coil including input and output check valves to prevent a back flow of fluid.
B65H 75/28 - Arrangements for securing ends of material
A61M 5/168 - Means for controlling media flow to the body or for metering media to the body, e.g. drip meters, counters
B65H 54/04 - Winding and traversing material on to reels, bobbins, tubes, or like package cores or formers for making packages with closely-wound convolutions
A61M 39/08 - TubesStorage means specially adapted therefor
F04B 43/08 - Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members having tubular flexible members
F04B 43/12 - Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members having peristaltic action
An enteral pump system for delivering medical fluids unidirectionally includes a disposable fluid delivery set having a repeatable compression portion and an enteral feeding pump. The repeatable compression portion is helically coiled around a central axis to define a cylindrical shape. The compression portion is configured to pump a large volume of medical fluids per stroke. The compressing portion includes at least two adjacent tubing walls joined around the central axis for repeatable compression. The enteral feeding pump is configured to repeatedly and reliably compress the compression portion of the fluid delivery set along the central axis. In operation, the compression portion is repeatably compressed without distortion along the central axis by the enteral feeding pump to flow unidirectionally through the fluid delivery set.
A61M 39/08 - TubesStorage means specially adapted therefor
A61M 5/168 - Means for controlling media flow to the body or for metering media to the body, e.g. drip meters, counters
B65H 54/04 - Winding and traversing material on to reels, bobbins, tubes, or like package cores or formers for making packages with closely-wound convolutions
B65H 75/28 - Arrangements for securing ends of material
An enteral feeding system reduces medical risk for aspirational pneumonia when an angle of a head gatch section is outside a predetermined range of 30-45 degrees. The system comprises a hospital bed having the head gatch section and an intravenous pole connected to an enteral feeding pump. The pump has a fluid sensor which operates properly when the pump is positioned along a vertical axis. The pole is connected to the head gatch section at a 30 degree angle offset from the vertical axis. In operation, when the head gatch section is positioned less than 30 degrees, the pump will stop operating and when the head gatch section is positioned at 30 degrees, the pump will operate since the pump is positioned along the vertical axis to allow the fluid sensor to detect fluid.
A61M 5/00 - Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular wayAccessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm rests
A61M 31/00 - Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body
A47B 85/00 - Furniture convertible into other kinds of furniture
A47C 31/00 - Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
G08B 23/00 - Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
An enteral feeding system reduces medical risk for aspirational pneumonia when an angle of the head gatch section is outside a predetermined range of 30-45 degrees. The system comprises a hospital bed having a head gatch section and an intravenous pole connected to an enteral feeding pump. The pump has a fluid sensor which operates properly when the pump is positioned along a vertical axis. The pole is connected to the head gatch section at a 30 degree angle offset from a vertical axis. In operation, when the head gatch section is positioned less than 30 degrees, the pump will stop operating and when the head gatch section is positioned at 30 degres, the pump will operate since the pump is positioned along a vertical axis to allow the fluid sensor to detect fluid.
A61M 5/00 - Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular wayAccessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm rests
A61M 31/00 - Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body
A47B 85/00 - Furniture convertible into other kinds of furniture
A47C 31/00 - Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
G08B 23/00 - Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
An enteral pump system for delivering medical fluids unidirectionally includes a disposable fluid delivery set having a repeatable compression portion and an enteral feeding pump. The repeatable compression portion is helically coiled around a central axis to define a cylindrical shape. The compression portion is configured to pump a large volume of medical fluids per stroke. The compressing portion includes at least two adjacent tubing walls joined around the central axis for repeatable compression. The enteral feeding pump is configured to repeatedly and reliably compress the compression portion of the fluid delivery set along the central axis. In operation, the compression portion is repeatably compressed without distortion along the central axis by the enteral feeding pump to flow unidirectionally through the fluid delivery set.
B65H 54/02 - Winding and traversing material on to reels, bobbins, tubes, or like package cores or formers
A61M 39/08 - TubesStorage means specially adapted therefor
A61M 5/168 - Means for controlling media flow to the body or for metering media to the body, e.g. drip meters, counters
B65H 54/04 - Winding and traversing material on to reels, bobbins, tubes, or like package cores or formers for making packages with closely-wound convolutions
B65H 75/28 - Arrangements for securing ends of material
An enteral pump system for delivering medical fluids unidirectionally includes a disposable fluid delivery set having a repeatable compression portion and an enteral feeding pump. The repeatable compression portion is helically coiled around a central axis to define a cylindrical shape. The compression portion is configured to pump a large volume of medical fluids per stroke. The compressing portion includes at least two adjacent tubing walls joined around the central axis for repeatable compression. The enteral feeding pump is configured to repeatedly and reliably compress the compression portion of the fluid delivery set along the central axis. In operation, the compression portion is repeatably compressed without distortion along the central axis by the enteral feeding pump to flow unidirectionally through the fluid delivery set.
A61M 1/00 - Suction or pumping devices for medical purposesDevices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquidsDrainage systems
16.
Method of operating an infrared drip sensor in an enteral pump system to reduce false alarm conditions
The present invention provides a method of operating an infrared drip sensor in an enteral pump system to reduce false alarm conditions. The method consists of the following steps: optically coupling a infrared beam emitter with an infrared beam detector along an infrared beam path that extends through a drip chamber and intersects the drip path; monitoring the output signal of the infrared beam detector to detect pulses; monitoring the pulses for an interruption thereof; and running an infrared beam power update routine when an interruption is detected in the pulses, the infrared beam power update routine consisting of incrementally increasing a power level of the infrared beam until the power level of the infrared beam is sufficient to re-establish an output signal at the infrared beam detector.
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