Feeding Rate Compensated Pump and Related Methods Therefor

Abstract

A pumping method for use with a pump set to deliver fluid through the pump set to a subject includes determining a duration of time for flushing the first fluid out of the pump set with a second fluid different from the first fluid. A compensated flow rate is calculated for delivering the first fluid through the pump set based on the duration of time for flushing the first fluid out of the pump set. The first fluid is delivered through the pump set at the compensated flow rate.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of delivering fluid using a pumping apparatus that acts on a pump set attached to the pumping apparatus to produce fluid flow at a selected flow rate to deliver a volume of a first fluid through the pump set to a subject based, the method comprising:
 determining a duration of time for flushing the first fluid out of the pump set with a second fluid different from the first fluid;   calculating a compensated flow rate for delivering the first fluid through the pump set based on the duration of time for flushing the first fluid out of the pump set; and   delivering the first fluid through the pump set at the compensated flow rate.   
     
     
         2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein calculating the compensated flow rate for delivering the first fluid comprises calculating the equation: X n =X/(1−((Y/R)/Z)), where X is the selected flow rate, Y is a volume of the second fluid to be delivered through the pump set in the flushing configuration, R is a rate of flow for the second fluid in the flushing configuration, Z is a time interval until initiation of the flushing configuration, and X n  is the compensated flow rate.