System and method for proportional mixing and continuous delivery of fluids

Abstract

A system and method for mixing and delivering fluids such as contrast media and saline is disclosed including at least two fluid sources, a pump, a joining fluid path for connecting the at least two fluid sources to an inlet to of the pump, and a valve device in the fluid path upstream of the pump. The valve device includes an actuator adapted to restrict flow in at least one of the respective fluid lines connecting the at least two fluid sources to the pump inlet. A patient interface device may be associated with an outlet of the pump. The valve device actuator is generally adapted to restrict the flow in at least one of the respective fluid lines such that a positional change in valve device actuator position provides a change in fluid mixture ratio of the fluids from the at least two fluid sources to the pump inlet.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for mixing and delivering fluids, comprising:
 a first fluid source configured to supply a first fluid; 
 at least a second fluid source configured to supply at least a second fluid; 
 a first fluid line in configured for fluid connection with the a first fluid source for supplying a first fluid; 
 at least a second fluid line in configured for fluid connection with the an at least second fluid source for supplying at least a second fluid; 
 a pump having an inlet and an outlet; and 
 a mixing stopcock valve having a first input port, at least a second input port, an outlet port, and a stopcock actuator, 
 wherein the first input port is in fluid communication with the first fluid line, the at least second input port is in fluid communication with the at least second fluid line, and the outlet port is in fluid communication with an the inlet of the pump, 
 wherein the stopcock actuator comprises an internal conduit defining a first conduit portion, a second conduit portion, and a third conduit portion of reduced diameter relative to the diameter of the first conduit portion, and 
 wherein a positional change in the a position of the stopcock actuator provides a change in the a fluid mixture ratio of the first and at least second fluids delivered to a patient. 
 
     
     
       2. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid and the at least second fluid comprise at least contrast media and a diluent. 
     
     
       3. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the stopcock actuator is adapted to simultaneously at least partially restrict flow in each of the fluid lines. 
     
     
       4. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pump comprises a positive displacement pump. 
     
     
       5. The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the positive displacement pump comprises a multi-chamber piston pump. 
     
     
       6. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid line has a first diameter, the at least second fluid line has an at least second diameter, and the first diameter differs from the at least second diameter. 
     
     
       7. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a flow meter associated with at least one of the fluid lines. 
     
     
       8. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pump comprises a peristaltic pump. 
     
     
       9. A The system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a controller operatively associated with the mixing stopcock valve for controlling the positional movement change of the stopcock actuator; and 
 a flow meter associated with at least one of the fluid lines. 
 
     
     
       10. The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the controller effects the positional change of the valve stopcock actuator at least in part based on feedback from the flow meter. 
     
     
       11. The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the first fluid and the at least second fluid comprise at least contrast media and a diluent. 
     
     
       12. The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the stopcock actuator is adapted to simultaneously at least partially restrict flow in each of the fluid lines. 
     
     
       13. The system as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a patient interface device associated with the outlet of the pump. 
     
     
       14. The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the pump comprises a positive displacement pump. 
     
     
       15. The system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the positive displacement pump comprises a multi-chamber piston pump. 
     
     
       16. The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the first fluid line has a first diameter, the at least second fluid line has an at least second diameter, and the first diameter differs from the at least second diameter, or the first input port has a first port diameter, the at least second input port has an at least second port diameter, and the first port diameter differs from the at least second port diameter. 
     
     
       17. The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the pump comprises a peristaltic pump. 
     
     
       18. A method of mixing and delivering fluids from a first fluid source and at least a second fluid source using a fluid delivery system comprising a pump having an inlet and an outlet, and a mixing stopcock valve having a first input port, at least a second input port, an outlet port and a stopcock actuator comprising an internal conduit defining a first conduit portion, a second conduit portion, and a third conduit portion of reduced diameter relative to the diameter of the first conduit portion, the method comprising:
 providing the fluid delivery system having a first fluid line with a first end and a second end, and at least a second fluid line with a first end and a second end; 
 connecting the first end of the first fluid line to the first fluid source, and the first end of the at least second fluid line to the at least second fluid source; 
 connecting the second end of the first fluid line to the first input port of the mixing stopcock valve, and the second end of the at least second fluid line to the at least second input port of the mixing stopcock valve; and  
 connecting the outlet port of the mixing stopcock valve to the inlet of the pump; and, 
 wherein actuating the stopcock actuator such that to effect a positional change in the a position of the stopcock actuator provides effects a change in the a fluid mixture ratio of a first fluid and at least a second fluid. 
 
     
     
       19. The method as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising associating a patient interface device with the outlet of the pump. 
     
     
       20. The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the first fluid line has a first diameter, the at least second fluid line has an at least second diameter, and the first diameter differs from the at least second diameter. 
     
     
       21. The method as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising:
 providing a flow meter associated with at least one of the fluid lines; and 
 providing a controller adapted to effect the positional change of the stopcock actuator at least in part based on feedback from the flow meter. 
 
     
     
       22. A method of manufacturing a system for mixing and delivering fluids, the method comprising:
 providing a first fluid line having a first end configured for fluid connection with a first fluid source for supplying a first fluid;   providing at least a second fluid line configured for fluid connection with at least a second fluid source for supplying at least a second fluid;   providing a pump having an inlet and an outlet;   providing a mixing stopcock valve having a first input port configured for connecting to a second end of the first fluid line, at least a second input port configured for connecting to a second end of at least the second fluid line, and an outlet port configured for connecting to the inlet of the pump; and   providing a stopcock actuator on the mixing stopcock valve, the stopcock actuator comprising an internal conduit defining a first conduit portion, a second conduit portion, and a third conduit portion of reduced diameter relative to the diameter of the first conduit portion,   wherein the stopcock actuator is configured to provide a change in a fluid mixture ratio of the first fluid and at least the second fluid based on a position of the stopcock actuator.   
     
     
       23. The method as claimed in claim 22, further comprising:
 providing a flow meter associated with at least one of the fluid lines; and   providing a controller adapted to effect a positional change of the stopcock actuator at least in part based on feedback from the flow meter.   
     
     
       24. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the first fluid line has a first diameter, the at least second fluid line has an at least second diameter, and wherein the first diameter differs from the at least second diameter. 
     
     
       25. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the outlet of the pump is configured for connection with a patient interface device. 
     
     
       26. The method as claimed in claim 22, further comprising:
 connecting the second end of the first fluid line to the first input port of the mixing stopcock valve, and the second end of the at least second fluid line to the at least second input port of the mixing stopcock valve; and   connecting the outlet port of the mixing stopcock valve to the inlet of the pump.   
     
     
       27. The method as claimed in claim 22, further comprising:
 actuating the stopcock actuator to effect a positional change in a position of the stopcock actuator to provide a change in a fluid mixture ratio of the first fluid and at least the second fluid.