Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Dale M Radcliff

Chad Edward Bouton

Clark E Fortney

Steven R Nelson

Roger W Smith

A method is disclosed for determining the operating condition of a medical pump based on data derived from a pressure sensor and a position sensor. The pressure sensor generates pressure data by sensing the force on the pumping element. The position sensor generates position data by tracking the pumping cycle and determining the position of the pumping element. The pump pressure data and pump position data are processed and the calculated results compared with a pre-determined threshold value to determine the operating condition of the pump. The three main types of operating conditions of concern are the following: normal condition, where liquid is present and no leaks exist in pumping chamber; leak condition, where liquid is present but a leak exists in the pumping chamber; and air stroke condition, where the chamber contains some air.

Method for discriminating between operating conditions in medical pump

A medical pump, for use with a cassette having a pumping chamber, includes a pumping element with a piston slider assembly which intermittently pressurizes the pumping chamber during a pumping cycle and has a piston head connected to a main body with a single pressure sensor positioned therebetween. A camshaft is associated with the pumping element, an inlet control element, and an outlet control element for closing the pumping chamber to flow when the pumping chamber is pressurized. A processing unit receives pressure and position data from the pressure sensor and a position sensor associated with the pumping element, and processes this data to determine the operating condition of the pump. The operating conditions determined include: blocked fluid flow, no fluid in the line, no cassette associated with the pump, proper pump priming, or proper valve sealing.

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Dublin, OH, United States of America

Dale M Radcliff