Pumping device, as for enteral feeding assembly

Abstract

A pumping device is disclosed, as for use with an enteral feeding assembly. In one form the pumping device is a diaphragm pump including a first dome portion, a second dome portion, and a flexible membrane located between the first and second dome portions. A pressure differential is created between the two chambers thus created by membrane, so as to meter fluid (to be delivered) to a patient. The fluid to be delivered may be located in one of the chambers. A portable fluid pump is also provided including a syringe and spring pump drive mechanism mounted in a casing. The spring pump drive mechanism has two piston devices in fluid communication with each other. As one piston device moves in one direction within its associated driving barrel, it serves to drive the other piston device.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A pumping device for attachment to an enteral feeding device comprising:
 a first portion attached to a second portion to provide a liquid tight connection, the second portion comprising a flexible membrane located adjacent to the first portion and contacting the first portion when the flexible membrane is in the first position;   the flexible membrane movable to a second position located spatially apart from the first portion thereby forming a chamber between the first portion and the flexible membrane;   liquid feed provided inside the chamber;   a chamber port;   wherein the flexible membrane is stressed to return to the first position thereby forcing the liquid feed to pump out of the chamber port for delivery to the enteral feeding device in a single stroke.   
     
     
         3 . The pumping device of  claim 1  wherein the pumping device is non-electrically driven. 
     
     
         4 . The pumping device of  claim 1  further comprising a volume indicator positioned on the pumping device for measuring the amount of liquid feed or air in the pumping device. 
     
     
         5 . A pumping device for an enteral feeding device comprising:
 a housing;   a flexible member located within the housing and defining a chamber on one side of said flexible member, the flexible member having a rest position and a drive position defined by a bias toward the rest position;   at least a first port in the housing communicating with the chamber; and   a force applied to the flexible member to move the flexible member from the rest position to the drive position, thereby increasing the chamber volume;   wherein liquid feed is entered into the chamber from a source of feed using the at least first port; and   wherein the flexible member provides a driving force for forcing the liquid feed out of the chamber as the flexible member returns to a rest position.   
     
     
         6 . The pumping device of  claim 5  further comprising valving associated with the first port controlling flow through the first port. 
     
     
         7 . The pumping device of  claim 5  wherein the housing includes a first portion and a second portion, with the flexible member being located between the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         8 . The pumping device of  claim 5  further comprising a regulating mechanism connected to the pumping device, the regulating mechanism configured to control a rate at which the liquid feed is let out of the chamber. 
     
     
         9 . A pumping device for attachment to an enteral feeding device comprising:
 an expansible device including a first chamber and a second chamber, and a movable member between the first and second chambers, the moveable member having a rest position and a driving position, with the moveable member being biased toward the rest position when in the driving position;   wherein each chamber allows the movable member to move within the expansible device and expand a volume in one chamber while decreasing a volume in the other chamber;   at least a first port communicating with the first chamber and a second port communicating with the second chamber;   wherein when a force is applied to the movable member, the movable member is moved to decrease a volume in the first chamber and place the movable member in the driving position while feed fluid enters into the second chamber; and   wherein the movable member returns toward the rest position through the bias while causing the feed fluid to flow out of the second chamber through the second port and into the enteral feeding device.   
     
     
         10 . The pumping device of  claim 9  wherein the moveable member is made of a flexible material, the bias being provided by moving the flexible material to the drive position. 
     
     
         11 . The pumping device of  claim 9  further comprising a regulating mechanism controlling outflow of the feed fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The pumping device of  claim 9  wherein the pumping device is non-electrically driven. 
     
     
         13 . The pumping device of  claim 9  wherein the force applied to the moveable member is supplied by a vacuum source. 
     
     
         14 . The pumping device of  claim 9  wherein the vacuum source is a syringe.