Importance

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Abstract

An infusion pump for administering fluid from a fluid source to a patient comprises a base member having an electric motor for driving a fluid pump housed within a cassette detachably mountable on the base and connectable to the motor. The cassette houses a reciprocative piston and cylinder assembly which both pumps fluid to the patient while simultaneously drawing fluid from the fluid source so as to maintain a continuous flow rate of fluid to the patient. The cassette also houses deformably closable pairs of tubes connecting each of the pump's two fluid chambers to the cassette inlet and outlet respectively to provide the necessary valving to produce continuous flow in cooperation with the reciprocative piston and cylinder assembly. The fluid flow rate is adjustably controlled by a microcomputer which regulates the motor by repeatedly initiating electric motor driving pulses at a predetermined time rate, and terminating them in response to the advancement of the motor beyond one of a plurality of predetermined positions so as to maximize accuracy and reliability of flow rate while compatibly maximizing the power efficiency of the motor for portable applications requiring a battery power source.

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First Claim