US4078562A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Infusion pump with feedback control
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-08-16
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Granted: 1978-03-14
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Expires: 1996-08-16
Abstract
Abstract An episodic infusion pump apparatus with feedback control for periodically administering a pharmaceutical, such as oxytocin or the like, to induce labor in a pregnant woman. The drug is administered at periodic intervals except during labor contractions or when the fetal heartrate indicates fetal distress.
Inventors
- 👤 Irving Friedman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/142; A61M5/168; A61M5/172; A61M5/1723
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for administering a labor-inducing drug to a patient bearing a fetus in an infusion cycle wherein there exist a time interval between infusions and an interval when the drug is infused, comprising pumping means for supplying the drug to the patient, first timing means and second timing means, said first timing means being effective to predetermine the interval between infusions, said second timing means being effective to predetermine the time of infusion, said second timing means being responsive to said first timing means timing out to actuate said pumping means, means for resetting said first timing means and said second timing means at the end of an infusion interval and for restarting said first timing means, means for sensing a labor contraction of the patient and for disabling said pumping means in response thereto, means for resetting said first timing means and said second timing means in response to a labor contraction being sensed, and means for restarting said first timing means at the end of said labor contraction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for administering a labor-inducing drug to a patient bearing a fetus in an infusion cycle wherein there exist a time interval between infusions and an interval when the drug is infused, comprising pumping means for supplying the drug to the patient, first timing means and second timing means, said first timing means being effective to predetermine the interval between infusions, said second timing means being effective to predetermine the time of infusion, said second timing means being responsive to said first timing means timing out to actuate said pumping means, means for resetting said first timing means and said second timing means at the end of an infusion interval and for restarting said first timing means, means for sensing a labor contraction of the patient and for disabling said pumping means in response thereto, means for resetting said first timing means and said second timing means in response to a labor contraction being sensed, and means for restarting said first timing means at the end of said labor contraction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second timing means is reset at the end of the infusion interval subsequent to reset of said first timing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pumping means is disabled by deactivating said second timing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first timing means comprises a first timing disc rotatable by a first synchronous motor through a first reduction gear train and a first clutch, the first clutch being proximate the first timing disc, and a first actuable switch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which said first timing disc comprises a rotatable plate, a first switch actuating arm affixed to rotate with said plate adapted to actuate said first switch means, a second arm affixed to said plate adapted to abut a stop, and resilient return means for biasing said disc toward said stop.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the angular position of said stop is adjustable to predetermine the time interval between infusions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which said second arm is angularly adjustable around said disc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second timing means comprises a second timing disc rotatable by a synchronous motor through a second clutch and a second reduction gear train, said second clutch being proximate said second motor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which said second timing disc comprises a rotatable plate, a first arm affixed to rotate with said plate, a second arm affixed to said plate adapted to abut a stop, and resilient return means for biasing said second arm toward said stop.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the angular position of said stop is adjustable to predetermine the infusion time interval.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for sensing fetal heart rate and for disabling said pumping means in response to the fetal heart rate indicating fetal distress, means for resetting said first timing means and said second timing means in response to said fetal heart rate indicating fetal distress, and means for restarting said first timing means at the end of said first heart rate indicating fetal distress.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said pumping means supplies the drug to the patient through a catheter, and wherein said pumping means further supplies sterile water to the patient through said catheter during at least a portion of said second time interval.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 12 further comprising means for sensing the pressure of said drug or said sterile water in said catheter and for indicating a blockage in said catheter in response to the pressure of said drug or said sterile water exceeding a preselected level.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of inducing labor in a patient bearing a fetus by the administration of a labor-inducing drug in an infusion cycle wherein there exist a time interval between infusions and an interval when the drug is infused comprising the steps of normally measuring a first time interval, infusing the drug to the patient for a second interval of time at the end of said first time interval, sensing a labor contraction of the patient, halting said infusion in response to said labor contraction being sensed, and continuing said infusion cycles commencing with said first time interval at the end of said labor contraction.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of inducing labor in a patient bearing a fetus by the administration of a labor-inducing drug in an infusion cycle wherein there exist a time interval between infusions and an interval when the drug is infused comprising the steps of normally measuring a first time interval, infusing the drug to the patient for a second interval of time at the end of said first time interval, sensing a labor contraction of the patient, halting said infusion in response to said labor contraction being sensed, and continuing said infusion cycles commencing with said first time interval at the end of said labor contraction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as recited in claim 14 further comprising the steps of sensing fetal heart rate, halting infusion in response to the fetal heart rate indicating fetal distress, and resuming said infusion cycles commencing with the first time interval at the end of the fetal heart rate indicating fetal distress.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-13 | 1981-09-12 | 1982-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-13 | 1985-09-12 | 1986-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-13 | 1989-09-12 | 1990-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |