Syringe pump rapid occlusion detection system

Abstract

An apparatus, method and program product detects an occlusion in a fluid line by determining if a relationship between force measurements departs from an expected relationship.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of automatically detecting an occlusion in a fluid line of an infusion pump, the method comprising:
 pumping fluid through a fluid line of an infusion pump, the pumped fluid flows through the fluid line at a first rate;   detecting a first pressure of fluid within the fluid line at a first time;   altering the pumping of fluid through the fluid line if the first pressure surpasses a threshold pressure value;   detecting a second pressure of fluid within the fluid line at a second time;   automatically resuming the pumping of fluid through the fluid line if the second pressure does not surpass the threshold pressure value; and   wherein the pumping of fluid through the fluid line is resumed such that the fluid flows through the fluid line at a second rate that is less than the first rate.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 allowing at least a predetermined time period to elapse between the first time and the second time.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing an indication of an occlusion if the second pressure surpasses the threshold pressure value.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining if a bolus infusion is indicated.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein determining if a bolus infusion is indicated occurs after altering the pumping of fluid through the fluid line. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 generating an occlusion alarm if a bolus infusion is not indicated.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein altering the pumping of fluid through the fluid line includes stopping the pumping of fluid through the fluid line. 
     
     
         8 . A medical infusion pump comprising:
 a pump configured to generate a pressure in a fluid line to advance fluid in the fluid line from a fluid source to the patient;   a sensor configured to sense a value indicative of pressure in the fluid line;   a processor configured to monitor for an occlusion in the fluid line using an input from the sensor;   memory configured to store computer executable instructions; and   wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer executable instructions to:
 detect a first pressure of fluid within the fluid line at a first time, wherein the fluid is traveling through the fluid line at a first rate; 
 alter pumping of fluid through the fluid line if the first pressure surpasses a threshold pressure value; 
 detect a second pressure of fluid within the fluid line at a second time; 
 resume pumping fluid through the fluid line at a second rate that is less than the first rate if the second pressure does not surpass the threshold pressure value. 
   
     
     
         9 . The medical infusion pump of  claim 8 , wherein resuming pumping fluid through the fluid line at a second rate that is less than the first rate occurs automatically if the second pressure does not surpass the threshold pressure value. 
     
     
         10 . The medical infusion pump of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer executable instructions to allow at least a predetermined time period to elapse between the first time and the second time. 
     
     
         11 . The medical infusion pump of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer executable instructions to provide an indication of an occlusion if the second pressure surpasses the threshold pressure value. 
     
     
         12 . The medical infusion pump of  claim 11 , wherein providing the indication includes generating an occlusion alarm if a bolus infusion is not indicated. 
     
     
         13 . The medical infusion pump of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer executable instructions to determine if a bolus infusion is indicated. 
     
     
         14 . The medical infusion pump of  claim 13 , wherein determining if a bolus infusion is indicated occurs after altering the pumping of fluid through the fluid line. 
     
     
         15 . A method of detecting an occlusion in a fluid line extending through an infusion pump, the method comprising:
 pumping fluid through a fluid line with an infusion pump at a first rate of flow;   stopping the pumping of fluid through fluid line if a first pressure in the fluid line surpasses a threshold pressure value;   resuming the pumping of fluid through the fluid line if a second pressure in the fluid line does not surpass the threshold pressure value after at least a predetermined time period has elapsed since the first pressure in the fluid line surpassed the threshold pressure value; and   wherein the fluid is configured to flow through the infusion pump at a second rate of flow less than the first rate of flow when resuming the pumping of fluid through the fluid line.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein resuming the pumping of fluid through the fluid line automatically occurs if the second pressure in the fluid line does not surpass the threshold pressure value. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the predetermined time period is inputted to the infusion pump during setup of the infusion pump for an infusion application. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 generating an alarm if the second pressure does surpass the threshold pressure value.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 determining if a bolus infusion is indicated; and   generating an alarm if a bolus infusion is not indicated.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein determining if a bolus infusion is indicated occurs after stopping the pumping of fluid through fluid line.