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 |
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.
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