Medical infusion device

Abstract

An infusion system for infusing a medication in a patient, comprising a medication dose dispensing device and a control device for controlling the dispensing device. The infusion system can be configured in a non-operating configuration, in which the dispensing device and the control device are spaced apart from each other, and in an operating configuration, in which the dispensing device and the control device are temporarily proximity-coupled. The actuating rotor of the control device and the actuated rotor of the dispensing device have a common rotation axes, and the system can compensate or block the rotation of the control device with respect to the dispensing device.

What we claim is: 
     
         1 . An infusion system for infusing a medication in a patient, comprising a medication dose dispensing device and a control device for controlling the dispensing device, wherein the dispensing device comprises:
 means for injecting medication in the patient,   a tank for the medication solution for the infusion,   pumping means making the tank fluidly communicating with the injecting means,   an actuated rotor, operationally coupled with the pumping means,   
       and wherein the control device comprises:
 an actuating rotor, which can be operationally coupled with the actuated rotor of the dispensing device, 
 means for actuating the actuating rotor which can be operated according to a predefined medication administration protocol for administering a programmed dose,
 and wherein the infusion system can be configured in a non-operating configuration, in which the dispensing device and the control device are spaced apart from each other, and in an operating configuration, in which the dispensing device and the control device are temporarily proximity-coupled, and wherein the actuating rotor of the control device and the actuated rotor of the dispensing device are arranged so that they are functionally coupled, 
 and wherein the system comprises means for compensating or blocking the relative rotation of the control device with respect to the dispensing device. 
 
 
     
     
         2 . The infusion system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pumping means are selected from among piston pumps, peristaltic pumps, diaphragm pumps and micro pumps with rotary and/or vibrating elements. 
     
     
         3 . The infusion system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises means for blocking the relative rotation of the control device with respect to the dispensing device, wherein said blocking means comprise complementary profiles with shape coupling of the control device with the dispensing device. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein said complementary profiles comprise:
 a relief with a non-circular shape arranged on the face of the dispensing device, and   a seat with a non-circular shape, complementary to the relief with shape coupling, arranged on the control device.   
     
     
         5 . The infusion system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises means for compensating for the relative rotation of the control device with respect to the dispensing device, wherein said means for compensating are of the mechanical or electronic type. 
     
     
         6 . The infusion system according to  claim 5 , wherein said means for compensating are of the mechanical type and comprise transmission members for transmitting motion from the actuated rotor to the pumping means of the medication solution, such members being sized so that, any positive or negative difference in the rotation of the actuated rotor, with respect to a programmed rotation, up to ±90°, will correspond to a positive or negative difference in the administered dose, which will be 10% by volume lower or equal, or 5% by volume lower or equal, or 3% by volume lower, or 1% by volume lower than the programmed dose. 
     
     
         7 . The infusion system according to  claim 6 , wherein the transmission members achieve a transmission ratio greater than 7. 
     
     
         8 . The infusion system according to  claim 6 , wherein the transmission members comprise:
 a threaded cylinder arranged on the actuated rotor, in which the threaded cylinder is coupled with a transmission member comprising gear wheels,   a driven gear wheel coupled with a gear wheel of the transmission member and comprising a threaded coaxial hole, which threaded hole is operationally associated with a threaded piston, preferably made using a helical spring,   a hollow cylinder in which the threaded piston can be inserted and in which the hollow cylinder constitutes the tank for the medication solution, and in which the piston and hollow cylinder assembly forms part of the pumping means of the dispensing device of the axial piston pump type,   wherein the transmission ratio of the gears between the actuated rotor and the driven gear wheel is greater than 7 or greater than or equal to 10.   
     
     
         9 . The infusion system according to  claim 6 , wherein the pumping means are a peristaltic pump and wherein the transmission means comprise:
 an actuated rotor coaxially associated with a planetary gear reduction system with a plurality of satellite gear wheels, equipped with a support, wherein   the satellite gear wheels mesh with a gear wheel, placed in a coaxial position with respect to the axis of the actuated rotor, making up an epicyclic gear system with planetary movement, and wherein   the satellite gear wheels further comprise a circular relief which presses against a flexible pipe, the pipe being in fluid communication, on one side, with a tank for the medication solution and, on the other side, with injecting means of the programmed medication dose, wherein   the section of the pipe on which the circular reliefs of the gear wheels exert pressure is arranged as a ring in a seat placed on a base plate,   wherein the diameter of the gear wheel, of the three gear wheels, the diameter of the circular reliefs and the internal diameter of the pipe are sized in a way that, any positive or negative difference in the rotation of the actuated rotor, with respect to a programmed rotation, up to ±90°, will correspond to a positive or negative difference in the administered dose, which will be 10% by volume lower or equal, or 5% by volume lower or equal, or 3% by volume lower or 1% by volume lower than the programmed dose.   
     
     
         10 . The infusion system according to  claim 5 , wherein said compensating means are of the electronic type. 
     
     
         11 . The infusion system according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 the dispensing device comprises a rotation sensor, a transponder adapted to communicate in a wireless mode with the control device, wherein said rotation sensor is configured for detecting, either continuously or non-continuously, the rotation angle β of the actuated rotor with respect to a reference angle and for generating rotational information,   the control device comprises a command and control unit, configured for receiving the rotational information of the rotation sensor, processing it so as to modify, where necessary, the rotation angle of the actuating rotor and therefore compensate for the positive or negative differences in the rotation angle β of the actuated rotor caused by an accidental rotary movement of the control device by the user.   
     
     
         12 . The infusion system according to  claim 11 , wherein the dispensing device comprises a power supply source. 
     
     
         13 . The infusion system according to  claim 11 , wherein the dispensing device comprises an induction power supply source originating from the control device when the latter is in proximity of the dispensing device. 
     
     
         14 . The infusion system according to  claim 11 , wherein the control device comprises a proximity sensor configured for sending a signal, through the transponder, for activating the rotation sensor of the dispensing device. 
     
     
         15 . The infusion system according to  claim 11 , wherein the dispensing device comprises a proximity sensor configured to detect the proximity of the control device for activating the rotation sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The infusion system according to  claim 11 , wherein said command and control unit is configured to:
 send a dispensing command to actuate the actuating rotor of the control device;   receive the data concerning the rotation angle β of the actuated rotor detected by the rotation sensor;   calculate the difference Δβ of said rotation angle β with respect to the programmed rotation angle;   if Δβ>0, send a command for the actuating rotor of the control device in order to reduce the rotation angle by a value corresponding to the calculated Δβ;   if Δβ<0, send a command for the actuating rotor of the control device in order to increase the rotation angle by a value corresponding to the calculated Δβ;   send an end-of-dispensing command for the actuating rotor of the control device when the actuated rotor has completed the programmed rotation angle.   
     
     
         17 . The infusion system according to  claim 10 , wherein the control device comprises:
 an actuating rotor,   a command and control unit,   a sensor for detecting the movement of the control device, preferably a gyroscopic device, configured so as to detect a rotary movement of an angle α 1 , α 2  of the control device around the rotation axis of the actuating rotor.   
     
     
         18 . The infusion system according to  claim 17 , wherein the command and control unit is configured so as to:
 a) actuate the actuating rotor of the control device;   b) receive data concerning angle α 1 , α 2  and a rotation direction of the control device detected by the motion sensor;   c) calculate the difference of said rotation angle α 1 , α 2  of the control device with respect to the start-of-detection position;   d) if the calculated difference in the rotation angle α 1 , α 2  of the control device is in the rotation direction of the actuating rotor, send a command for the actuating rotor of the control device in order to reduce the rotation angle of the actuating rotor by a value corresponding to such calculated difference, thus obtaining a recalculated rotation angle of the actuating rotor;   e) if the calculated difference in the rotation angle α 1 , α 2  of the control device is in the direction opposite to the rotation of the actuating rotor, send a command for the actuating rotor of the control device in order to increase the rotation angle of the actuating rotor by a value corresponding to such calculated difference, thus obtaining a recalculated rotation angle of the actuating rotor;   f) send an end-of-dispensing command for the actuating rotor of the control device when the actuating rotor has completed the recalculated rotation angle.   
     
     
         19 . The infusion system according to  claim 17 , wherein the command and control unit is configured so as to:
 a) actuate the actuating rotor of the control device;   b) receive data concerning angle α 1 , α 2  and a rotation direction of the control device detected by the motion sensor;   c) calculate the difference of such rotation angle α 1 , α 2  of the control device with respect to the start-of-detection position; send a command for the actuating rotor in order to compensate for the rotation direction α 1 , α 2 .   
     
     
         20 . The infusion system according to  claim 17 , wherein the control device further comprises a rotation sensor for detecting the rotation of the actuated rotor of the dispensing device. 
     
     
         21 . The infusion system according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuating rotor and the actuated rotor are operationally coupled by means of magnetic coupling. 
     
     
         22 . The infusion system according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing device is disposable.