Abstract:
A programmable infusion pump and controller for automatically determining the interval between pump activations necessary to produce a substantially linear rate of increase or decrease in fluid flow, during the administration of fluids to a patient. The infusion pump contains a user interface, with a keyboard to enter infusion volume, infusion period, and taper period. When the pump is turned on, the previous infusion parameters are retrieved from non-volatile memory. If the user attempts to alter the infusion parameters so as to violate the 'rate to high' or 'rate to low' criteria of the system, an alarm sounds and the user interface displays the 'next best answer' possible. The pump also allows the user to initiate the taper sequence at any time during plateau or continuous fluid delivery.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to systems and methods for communicating with ambulatory medical devices, such as drug delivery devices, both locally and remotely. In one embodiment, a caregiver drug pump communicates with a remote patient drug pump for data gathering, trouble shooting, and operational program changes. The caregiver drug pump is at least substantially identical in configuration to the patient drug pump. The caregiver drug pump transmits caregiver key input signals to the remote patient drug pump. The patient drug pump receives the key input signals, accesses a desired program, and transmits information for display on the display of the caregiver drug pump. In another embodiment, a computer is provided for communicating locally and/or remotely with a drug pump. The computer may include a display with an image of a pump. The computer may be operated through the use of a mouse or touch screen with respect to the image of the pump, to simulate use of the pump while using the personal computer. The computer may also be used as a training aid for training a caregiver and/or patient how to use the drug pump.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to a guide wire apparatus and a method for detecting the location of a guide wire within the body of a patient. The apparatus includes a guide wire with an internally-housed sensing member. The guide wire assembly is structured to provide the response, maneuverability and tactile feel comparable to conventional guide wire devices. The apparatus is useful in medical treatments and diagnoses such as angioplasty or catheterization procedures, for detecting obstructions within a blood vessel of a patient, and the like.