Patient hydration system and method

Abstract

A fluid management system for a patient includes a console for mounting on an IV pole. The console includes an input for setting a desired fluid balance for a set therapy duration. A weighing subsystem weighs the patient's urine output collected in a urine collection chamber and weighs a source of hydration fluid. An infusion pump is integrated with the console and is configured to pump hydration fluid from the source of hydration fluid into the patient. A controller in the console is responsive to the set desired fluid balance, the set therapy duration, and the weighing subsystem. The controller is configured to determine the patient's urine output based on the weight of the urine collection chamber, determine the amount of fluid infused into the patient, and control the infusion pump to inject hydration fluid into the patient based on the set desired fluid balance, the weight of the urine collection chamber, and the weight of the source of hydration fluid to achieve the desired fluid balance during the set therapy duration.

1 . A fluid management system for a patient, the system comprising:
 a console for mounting on an IV pole, the console including an input for setting a desired fluid balance for a set therapy duration;   a first attachment mechanism extending from the console for hanging a urine collection chamber;   a second attachment mechanism extending from the console for hanging a source of hydration fluid;   a weighing subsystem in the console responsive to the first attachment mechanism for weighing the patient's urine output collected in the urine collection chamber and responsive to the second attachment mechanism for weighing the source of hydration fluid;   an infusion pump integrated with the console and configured to pump hydration fluid from the source of hydration fluid into the patient; and   a controller in the console, responsive to the set desired fluid balance, the set therapy duration, and the weighing subsystem, the controller configured to:
 determine the patient's urine output based on the weight of the urine collection chamber, 
 determine the amount of fluid infused into the patient, and 
 control the infusion pump to inject hydration fluid into the patient based on the set desired fluid balance, the weight of the urine collection chamber, and the weight of the source of hydration fluid to achieve the desired fluid balance during the set therapy duration. 
   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  in which the console includes a display which displays the elapsed time of the therapy duration and the current fluid balance. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  further including means for indicating, on the console, when the urine collection chamber is empty. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  further including means for indicating, on the console, when the source of hydration fluid is low on fluid. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  in which the controller is configured to determine the patient's urine output based on the rate of change of the weight of the urine collection chamber, calculate a desired infusion rate based on the determined rate of change of the weight of the urine collection chamber and the set desired fluid balance, and control the infusion pump to hydrate the patient based at least on the calculated desired infusion rate. 
   
   
       6 . A fluid management system for a patient, the system comprising:
 a console including an input for setting a desired fluid balance;   a urine collection chamber;   a weighing device for weighing the patient's urine output collected in the urine collection chamber;   a source of hydration fluid;   a pump associated with the console and configured to pump hydration fluid form the source of hydration fluid into the patient; and   a controller in the console configured to:
 determine the patient's urine output based on the weight of the urine collection chamber, 
 operate the pump, 
 monitor the amount of hydration fluid injected into the patient based, and 
 control the pump based on the set desired fluid balance, the amount of hydration fluid injected into the patient, and the determined patient urine output. 
   
   
   
       7 . A fluid management system for a patient, the system comprising:
 a console for mounting on an IV pole, the console including an input for setting a desired fluid balance;   a first attachment mechanism extending from the console for handing a urine collection chamber;   a weighing device in the console responsive to the first attachment mechanism for weighing the patient's urine output collected in the urine collection chamber;   a controllable infusion pump integrated with the console and configured to pump hydration fluid from a source of hydration fluid into the patient at a variable rate; and   a controller in the console, responsive to the set desired fluid balance and the weighing device, the controller configured to:
 determine the patient's urine output based on the rate of change of the weight of the urine collection chamber, 
 calculate a desired infusion rate based on the determined rate of change of the weight of the urine collection chamber and the set desired fluid balance, and 
 control the infusion pump to hydrate the patient based at least on the calculated desired infusion rate. 
   
   
   
       8 . A method of addressing contrast induced nephropathy, the method comprising:
 injecting a contrast agent into a patient;   imaging the patient; and   including diuresis to drive any contrast agent through the patient's kidneys to reduce its toxic effects on the kidneys and prevent damage to the kidneys by:
 setting a desired fluid balance, 
 collecting urine expelled by the patient in a urine collection bag, 
 weighing the urine collection bag, 
 employing a pump to infuse the patient with fluid from a fluid source, 
 weighing the fluid source, and 
 automatically adjusting the pump based on the weight of the urine collection bag and the weight of the fluid source and controlling the amount of fluid infused into the patient based on the amount of urine expelled by the patient and the set desired fluid balance. 
   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  further including the step of administering a diuretic to the patient. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  in which collecting urine expelled by the patient includes catheterizing the patient. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  in which catheterizing the patient includes inserting a urinary catheter in the urinary tract of the patient. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  in which weighing the urine collection bag includes providing an indication when a urine collection bag has reached its capacity. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8  in which weighing the fluid source includes providing an indication when the fluid source is low on fluid. 
   
   
       14 . A method of addressing contrast induced nephropathy for a patient who has had a contrast agent injected into the patient, the method comprising:
 collecting urine expelled by the patient;   determining the amount of urine expelled by the patient based on the collected urine;   infusing the patient with fluid from a fluid source;   determining the amount of fluid infused into the patient; and   inducing diuresis to dilute the concentration of any contrast agent in the patient by automatically adjusting the amount of fluid infused into the patient from the fluid source based on the determined amount of urine expelled by the patient to balance the amount of urine expelled by the patient with the amount of fluid infused into the patient.   
   
   
       15 . A method of driving a toxin through a patient's kidneys, the method comprising:
 collecting urine expelled by the patient;   determining the amount of urine expelled by the patient based on the collected urine;   infusing the patient with fluid from a fluid source;   determining the amount of fluid infused into the patient; and   inducing diuresis by automatically adjusting the amount of fluid infused into the patient from the fluid source based on the determined amount of urine expelled by the patient to balance the amount of urine expelled by the patient with the amount of fluid infused into the patient.   
   
   
       16 . A method of preventing kidney damage due to dehydration, the method comprising:
 collecting urine expelled by the patient;   determining the amount of urine expelled by the patient based on the collected urine;   infusing the patient with fluid from a fluid source;   determining the amount of fluid infused into the patient; and   maintaining the patient's hydration level by automatically adjusting the amount of fluid infused into the patient from the fluid source based on the determined amount of urine expelled by the patient to balance the amount of urine expelled by the patient with the amount of fluid infused into the patient;   increasing the patient's level of hydration by infusing additional fluid based on user settings over and above fluid infused to match the patient's urine output.