Importance

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Abstract

A cartridge, a control system and an infusion pump provide an infusion system. The cartridge contains one or more flexible compartments and pressure roller for squeezing fluid from the compartments. When there is a plurality of fluid compartments in the cartridge, a multilumen connector is provided on the cartridge so that it may be connected to a single multilumen catheter. The control system monitors the volume of fluid which is expelled from the fluid filled compartments during the infusion process. Any errors in rate or volume are continually fed back to the infusion pump. Errors exceeding allowable limits cause adjustment to correct for the error in volume so that over a long duration information process desired dosage is infused at an accurately maintained infusion rate. The infusion pump is provided with a constant force spring connected to a sliding member. The sliding member is pulled against the pressure roller of the cartridge to cause a fairly constant flow of fluid from the cartridge during the infusion. The pump is also provided with an optical sensing sytem for determining the position of the pressure roller and thereby the volume of fluid which is being infused. The cartridge has a position indicating strip for use with the optical sensing system in order to provide the position information.

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First Claim