US 11,705,233 B2
Peristaltic pump
Dean Kamen, Bedford, NH (US); John M. Kerwin, Manchester, NH (US); Colin H. Murphy, Cambridge, MA (US); Christopher C. Langenfeld, Nashua, NH (US); Michael J. Slate, Merrimack, NH (US); Michael S. Place, Manchester, NH (US); and Larry B. Gray, Merrimack, NH (US)
Assigned to DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, Manchester, NH (US)
Filed by DEKA Products Limited Partnership, Manchester, NH (US)
Filed on Aug. 24, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/538.
Application 17/000,538 is a continuation of application No. 15/616,325, filed on Jun. 7, 2017, granted, now 10,753,353.
Application 15/616,325 is a continuation of application No. 14/873,515, filed on Oct. 2, 2015, granted, now 10,202,970.
Application 14/873,515 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/723,244, filed on Dec. 21, 2012, granted, now 9,151,646.
Application 13/723,244 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/723,235, filed on Dec. 21, 2012, granted, now 9,700,873.
Application 13/723,235 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/723,251, filed on Dec. 21, 2012, granted, now 9,636,455.
Application 13/723,251 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/723,242, filed on Dec. 21, 2012, granted, now 10,911,515.
Application 13/723,242 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/724,568, filed on Dec. 21, 2012, granted, now 9,295,778.
Application 13/724,568 is a continuation of application No. 13/725,790, filed on Dec. 21, 2012, granted, now 9,677,555.
Application 13/725,790 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/723,253, filed on Dec. 21, 2012, granted, now 11,210,611.
Application 13/723,253 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/723,239, filed on Dec. 21, 2012, granted, now 10,108,785.
Application 13/723,239 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/723,238, filed on Dec. 21, 2012, granted, now 9,759,369.
Application 13/723,238 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/333,574, filed on Dec. 21, 2011, granted, now 10,453,157.
Application 13/333,574 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2011/066588, filed on Dec. 21, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/679,117, filed on Aug. 3, 2012.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/651,322, filed on May 24, 2012.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/578,658, filed on Dec. 21, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/578,649, filed on Dec. 21, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/578,674, filed on Dec. 21, 2011.
Prior Publication US 2020/0386220 A1, Dec. 10, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G16H 20/17 (2018.01); F04B 43/12 (2006.01); G01F 1/66 (2022.01); F04B 43/08 (2006.01); A61M 5/142 (2006.01); A61M 5/168 (2006.01); F04B 49/06 (2006.01); F04B 49/00 (2006.01); G06Q 50/22 (2018.01); G16H 50/00 (2018.01); G16H 40/63 (2018.01); G16H 40/67 (2018.01); F04B 43/09 (2006.01)
CPC G16H 20/17 (2018.01) [A61M 5/14228 (2013.01); A61M 5/16831 (2013.01); F04B 43/08 (2013.01); F04B 43/082 (2013.01); F04B 43/12 (2013.01); F04B 43/1261 (2013.01); F04B 49/00 (2013.01); F04B 49/065 (2013.01); G01F 1/666 (2013.01); G06Q 50/22 (2013.01); G16H 40/63 (2018.01); G16H 40/67 (2018.01); G16H 50/00 (2018.01); A61M 2005/16863 (2013.01); F04B 43/09 (2013.01); F04B 2205/09 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A peristaltic pump, comprising:
a plunger cam;
a plunger-cam follower configured to engage the plunger cam to follow the plunger cam and to disengage from the plunger cam, whereby the plunger-cam follower does not follow the plunger cam when disengaged from the plunger cam;
a tube receiver configured to receive a tube;
a spring-biased plunger coupled to the plunger-cam follower;
a spring configured to bias the spring-biased plunger toward the tube receiver;
a position sensor configured to determine a position of the spring-biased plunger when the plunger-cam follower is disengaged from the plunger cam and the spring biases the spring-biased plunger against the tube; and
a processor coupled to the position sensor to receive the position of the spring-biased plunger, wherein the processor is configured to estimate fluid flow utilizing at least the position of the spring-biased plunger as indicated by the position sensor when the plunger-cam follower is disengaged from the plunger cam.