Fluid delivery mechanism

Abstract

The present invention provides an infusion pump 10 for providing a flow of a liquid through an tube 28 . The infusion pump 10 includes at least two occluders 152, 162 having an open position and a closed position for releasably pinching-off the tube 28 . A metering chamber is disposed between the two occluders 152, 162 . A first plunger 72 and a second plunger 73 are provided, each plunger 72, 73 having an open position and a closed position for releasably compressing the metering chamber. In the method of the present invention, an occluder 152 releasably pinches-off the tube near the source of the liquid at a first location. The second occluder 162 releasably pinches-off the tube at a second location that is downstream from the source of the liquid 23 and the first location. The tube 28 is released at the first location and a plunger 72 compresses the tube 28 between the first location and the second location, thereby generating a flow of the liquid through the tube 28 in a direction towards the source of liquid 23.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A device for providing a flow of a deliverable fluid through a tube, the device comprising: 
 a metering chamber in the tube formed between a pair of occluders;    a first occluder located upstream of the metering chamber;    a second occluder located downstream of the metering chamber;    each occluder having an open position and a closed position for releasably closing off the metering chamber; and    a first plunger and a second plunger, each plunger having an open position and a closed position for releasably compressing the metering chamber.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  further including means for providing the deliverable fluid to the metering chamber under pressure.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  further wherein the means for providing the source of the deliverable fluid under pressure includes an inflatable bladder.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  further wherein the means for providing the source of the deliverable fluid under pressure includes a fluid compressor for providing compressed fluid to the inflatable bladder.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2  further wherein the means for providing the source of the deliverable fluid under pressure includes an energy storage tank in fluid communication with a fluid compressor and the inflatable bladder, the energy storage tank storing the compressed fluid under a pressure.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the fluid compressor intermittently provides compressed fluid to the energy storage tank.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5  further wherein the pressure in the energy storage tank is increased over time.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5  further including a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the energy storage tank and in electrical communication with the fluid compressor such that when a high pressure occurs the fluid compressor is switched off.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the fluid compressor provides pressure to the energy storage tank and further wherein a second fluid compressor provides pressure to the inflatable bladder.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  further including a closed pressure system defined upstream of the metering chamber.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10  further wherein the closed pressure system is a negative pressure.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the occluder is fluid actuated.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the fluid-actuated occluder includes a solenoid.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the occluder is biased to a closed position.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first plunger is fluid actuated.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the first fluid-actuated plunger includes a pneumatic cylinder.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the first plunger is biased in an open position.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1  further including means for opening and closing the occluder and the first and second plungers.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18  wherein the means for opening and closing the occluder and the plunger includes a cam-actuated mechanism.  
     
     
         20 . A device for providing a flow of a liquid through a tube, the device comprising: 
 a first means for occluding the tube at a first location;    a second means for occluding the tube at a second location;    a first means between the first location and the second location for compressing the liquid in the tube; and    a second means between the first location and the second location for compressing the liquid in the tube.    
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20  further including means for providing to the tube a source of liquid under pressure.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21  further wherein the means for providing a source of liquid under pressure includes a fluid compressor for providing compressed fluid to an inflatable bladder.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21  further wherein the means for providing a source of liquid under pressure includes an energy storage tank in fluid communication with a fluid compressor and the inflatable bladder, the energy storage tank storing the compressed air under a pressure.  
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23  wherein the fluid compressor intermittently provides compressed fluid to the energy storage tank.  
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 23  further wherein the pressure in the energy storage tank is increased over time.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 23  further including a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the energy storage tank and in electrical communication with the fluid compressor such that when high pressure occurs the fluid compressor is switched off.  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 23  wherein the fluid compressor provides pressure to the energy storage tank and further wherein a second fluid compressor provides pressure to the inflatable bladder.  
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 20  further including a closed pressure system defined upstream of a metering chamber, the metering chamber disposed between the first occluding means and the second occluding means.  
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28  further wherein the closed pressure system is a negative pressure.  
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the means for occluding the tube includes an occluder.  
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 30  wherein the occluder is fluid actuated.  
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 31  wherein the fluid-actuated occluder includes a solenoid.  
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 30  wherein the occluder is biased to a closed position.  
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 30  wherein the occluder is cam actuated.  
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the means for compressing the tube includes a plunger.  
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35  wherein the plunger is fluid actuated.  
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 36  wherein the fluid-actuated plunger includes a pneumatic cylinder.  
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 35  wherein the plunger is biased in an open position.  
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 35  wherein the plunger is cam actuated.  
     
     
         40 . A method for delivering a liquid, the method comprising: 
 providing a source of liquid in fluid communication with a metering chamber;    releasably pinching-off the chamber near the source of the liquid at a first location;    releasably pinching-off the chamber at a second location that is downstream from the source of the liquid and the first location;    releasing the first location; and    compressing the chamber between the first location and the second location, thereby generating a flow of the liquid through the tube.    
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the step of providing a source of liquid in fluid communication with the chamber further includes providing the liquid under pressure.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the step of providing a source of liquid in fluid communication with the chamber further includes providing a closed pressure system defined upstream of the chamber.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42  further wherein step of providing a closed pressure system further includes providing a negative pressure.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the step of releasably pinching-off the chamber further utilizes fluid actuation.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the step of compressing the chamber further utilizes fluid actuation.  
     
     
         46 . A device for use with a tube and a container containing a liquid in fluid communication with the tube, the device comprising: 
 a metering chamber in the tube;    a bladder for compressing the container thereby pressurizing the liquid in the tube and causing the liquid to flow into the metering chamber; and    a plunger for releasably compressing the metering chamber and thereby generating a flow of the liquid from the metering chamber.    
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 46  further including an energy storage tank in fluid communication with the bladder and in fluid communication with a fluid compressor for storing compressed fluid under pressure.  
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 47  wherein the fluid compressor intermittently provides compressed fluid to the energy storage tank.  
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 48  further wherein the pressure in the bladder is increased over time.  
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 47  further includes a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the energy storage tank and in electrical communication with the fluid compressor such that when high pressure occurs the fluid compressor is switched off.  
     
     
         51 . The device of  claim 47  wherein the fluid compressor provides pressure to the energy storage tank and further wherein a second fluid compressor provides pressure to the occluder.  
     
     
         52 . The device of  claim 46  further wherein the metering chamber is defined by two occluders having an open position and a closed position for releasably pinching-off the tube.  
     
     
         53 . The device of  claim 52  wherein the occluders are biased to a closed position.  
     
     
         54 . The device of  claim 52  wherein the occluders are fluid-actuated.  
     
     
         55 . The device of  claim 54  wherein the fluid-actuated occluders includes a solenoid.  
     
     
         56 . The device of  claim 52  wherein the occluder is cam actuated.  
     
     
         57 . The device of  claim 46  wherein the plunger is fluid actuated.  
     
     
         58 . The device of  claim 57  wherein the fluid-actuated plunger includes a pneumatic cylinder.  
     
     
         59 . The device of  claim 46  wherein the plunger is biased in an open position.  
     
     
         60 . The device of  claim 46  wherein the plunger is cam actuated.  
     
     
         61 . A device for providing a flow of a liquid through a tube, the device comprising: 
 means for providing a source of liquid under pressure and in fluid communication with the tube;    a first means for occluding the tube at first location;    a second means for occluding the tube at a second location; and    means for compressing tube between the first occluding location and the second occluding location.    
     
     
         62 . The device of  claim 61  further wherein the means for providing a source of liquid under pressure includes an inflatable bladder.  
     
     
         63 . The device of  claim 62  further wherein the means for providing a source of liquid under pressure includes a fluid compressor for providing compressed fluid to the inflatable bladder.  
     
     
         64 . The device of  claim 62  further wherein the means for providing a source of liquid under pressure includes an energy storage tank in fluid communication with a fluid compressor and the inflatable bladder, the energy storage tank storing the compressed air under a pressure.  
     
     
         65 . The device of  claim 64  wherein the fluid compressor intermittently provides compressed fluid to the energy storage tank.  
     
     
         66 . The device of  claim 64  further wherein the pressure in the energy storage tank is increased over time.  
     
     
         67 . The device of  claim 64  further includes a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the energy storage tank and in electrical communication with the fluid compressor such that when high pressure occurs the fluid compressor is switched off.  
     
     
         68 . The device of  claim 64  wherein the fluid compressor provides pressure to the energy storage tank and further wherein a second fluid compressor provides pressure to the occluder.  
     
     
         69 . The device of  claim 61  wherein the device is ambulatory.  
     
     
         70 . The device of  claim 61  wherein the means for occluding the tube includes an occluder.  
     
     
         71 . The device of  claim 70  wherein the occluder is fluid actuated.  
     
     
         72 . The device of  claim 71 . wherein the fluid-actuated occluders includes a solenoid.  
     
     
         73 . The device of  claim 70  wherein the occluders are biased to a closed position.  
     
     
         74 . The device of  claim 70  wherein the occluder is cam actuated.  
     
     
         75 . The device of  claim 61  wherein the means for compressing the tube includes a plunger.  
     
     
         76 . The device of  claim 75  wherein the plunger is fluid actuated.  
     
     
         77 . The device of  claim 76  wherein plunger includes a pneumatic cylinder.  
     
     
         78 . The device of  claim 75  wherein the plunger is biased in an open position.  
     
     
         79 . The device of  claim 75  wherein the plunger is cam actuated.  
     
     
         80 . A method for infusing liquid, the method comprising: 
 providing a source of liquid under pressure in fluid communication with a tube;    compressing the tube between the first location and the second location;    pinching-off the tube distal to the source of the liquid at a first location;    releasing the tube between the first location and the second location;    pinching-off the tube at a second location that is proximal to the source of the liquid and the first location; and    compressing the tube between the first location and the second location.    
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 80  wherein the step of releasably pinching-off the tube further utilizes fluid actuation.  
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 80  wherein the step of compressing the tube further utilizes fluid actuation.  
     
     
         83 . A method of pumping fluid comprising: 
 providing a closed pressure fluid system including a source of fluid and a tube;    closing the tube in a first location to isolate the closed pressure system;    compressing the tube downstream of the closed tube;    closing the tube in a second location downstream of the compressed tube to maintain the isolation of the closed pressure system; and    opening the tube in the first location.    
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the closed pressure system is a negative pressure system.  
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the closed pressure system is a positive pressure system.  
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the step of providing a positive pressure fluid system further includes providing the fluid under pressure.  
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the step of closing the tube in a first location further includes utilizing fluid actuation.  
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the step of compressing the tube further includes utilizing fluid actuation.  
     
     
         89 . A device comprising: 
 at least one fluid compressor for providing compressed fluid;    an energy storage tank in fluid communication with the fluid compressor for storing the compressed fluid under a pressure; and    a fluid driven mechanism in fluid communication with the energy storage tank, the energy storage tank providing pressurized fluid to operate said fluid driven mechanism to move liquid through a tube operatively associated with the fluid driven mechanism.    
     
     
         90 . The device of  claim 89  wherein the fluid compressor intermittently provides compressed fluid to the energy storage tank.  
     
     
         91 . The device of  claim 89  further includes a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the energy storage tank and in electrical communication with the fluid compressor such that when a high pressure occurs the fluid compressor is switched off.  
     
     
         92 . The device of  claim 89  wherein the fluid compressor provides pressure to the energy storage tank and further wherein a second fluid compressor provides pressure to an inflatable bladder which presses on a container of liquid connected to the tube operatively associated with the fluid driven mechanism to create a source of pressurized liquid for the fluid driven mechanism.  
     
     
         93 . The device of  claim 89  wherein the device is a medical pump.  
     
     
         94 . The device of  claim 93  wherein the pump is ambulatory.  
     
     
         95 . The device of  claim 89  further wherein the fluid driven mechanism includes two occluders having an open position and a closed position for releasably pinching-off the tube.  
     
     
         96 . The device of  claim 95  wherein the occluders are biased to a closed position.  
     
     
         97 . The device of  claim 95  wherein the occluders are fluid actuated.  
     
     
         98 . The device of  claim 97  wherein the fluid-actuated occluders includes a solenoid.  
     
     
         99 . The device of  claim 95  wherein the occluders are cam actuated.  
     
     
         100 . The device of  claim 89  further wherein the fluid driven mechanism includes a plunger for releasably compressing a chamber.  
     
     
         101 . The device of  claim 100  wherein the plunger is fluid actuated.  
     
     
         102 . The device of  claim 101  wherein the fluid-actuated plunger includes a pneumatic cylinder.  
     
     
         103 . The device of  claim 100  wherein the plunger is biased in an open position.  
     
     
         104 . The device of  claim 100  wherein the plunger is cam actuated.  
     
     
         105 . The device of  claim 89  wherein the fluid driven mechanism includes a plurality of fluid driven mechanisms.  
     
     
         106 . A device for providing a flow of a liquid through a tube, the device comprising: 
 a fluid-actuated chamber for placing a source of liquid under pressure connected to the tube;    at least two fluid-actuated occluders having an open position and a closed position for releasably pinching-off the tube;    a metering chamber disposed between the occluders; and    a fluid-actuated plunger having an open position and a closed position for releasably compressing the metering chamber.    
     
     
         107 . The device of  claim 106  further including an energy storage tank in fluid communication with a fluid compressor for storing compressed fluid under pressure.  
     
     
         108 . The device of  claim 107  wherein the fluid compressor intermittently provides compressed fluid to the energy storage tank.  
     
     
         109 . The device of  claim 108  further wherein the pressure in the energy storage tank is increased over time.  
     
     
         110 . The device of  claim 107  further includes a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the energy storage tank and in electrical communication with the fluid compressor such that when high pressure occurs the fluid compressor is switched off.  
     
     
         111 . The device of  claim 107  wherein the fluid compressor provides pressure to the energy storage tank and further wherein a second fluid compressor provides pressure to the occluder.  
     
     
         112 . The device of  claim 106  wherein the device is ambulatory.  
     
     
         113 . The device of  claim 106  further wherein the fluid-actuated chamber is connected to an energy storage tank that is inflated by a compressor.  
     
     
         114 . The device of  claim 113  wherein the energy storage tank is connected to an inflatable bladder.  
     
     
         115 . The device of  claim 106  wherein the fluid-actuated occluders includes a solenoid.  
     
     
         116 . The device of  claim 106  wherein the fluid-actuated plunger includes a pneumatic cylinder.  
     
     
         117 . The device of  claim 106  wherein the occluders are biased to a closed position.  
     
     
         118 . The device of  claim 106  wherein the plunger is biased in an open position.