When the microprocessor commands the mechanism to pump, the camshaft begins to rotate, thus controlling the following pump cycle:

1.The inlet valve closes.

2.In synchrony with the expulsor moving down to compress the tubing, the outlet valve opens, expelling 0.050 ml of fluid (or 0.100 ml of fluid with a CADD-Prizm®high volume administration set) toward the patient.

3.The outlet valve closes.

4.The inlet valve opens as the expulsor is retracted, causing fluid from the reservoir to again fill the pump tubing segment.

5.The camshaft rotation stops after half a revolution and the cycle is completed.

Pumping Characteristics

If the fluid path to the patient becomes blocked, the pump tubing will expand as pumping occurs. When there has been an amount of inflation corresponding to 124 ± 62 kPa

(1.24 ± 0.62 bar, 18 ± 9 psi), the occlusion analog sensor trips, whereupon the microprocessor stops the pump mechanism and issues visual and audible alarms. Thus the maximum pressure which can be developed is 186 kPa (1.86 bar, 27 psi).

To deliver the amount of drug specified by the parameter settings, the pump’s microprocessor

causes the pump mechanism to deliver 0.05 ml (or 0.1 ml with a CADD-Prizm®high volume administration set) fluid “pulses” timed according to the desired rate. At rates higher than 3 ml/hr, 2 pulses in succession will be given. Thus, to deliver 20 ml/hr, for example, the microprocessor solves these equations:

Mechanism activations per hr

=20 ml per hr/0.1 ml per activation

=20/0.1

=200

Time (seconds) between activations

=3600 sec per hr/number of activations per hr

=3600/200

=18

 

Rate

Volume

 

(ml/hr)

Resolution (ml)

 

 

 

Cassette or

0 - 3

0.050

Admin Set

3.1 - 125

0.100

 

 

 

Hi Vol

0 - 3

0.100

Admin Set

3.1 - 350

0.200

The microprocessor uses its timer circuits to accurately time the 18 seconds (in this ex- ample) between mechanism activations. The timebase accuracy is ultimately determined by the 3.6864 MHz quartz crystal oscillator.

Motor

Camshaft

Pump Housing

Lock Button

Expulsor

 

Occlusion Sensor

Latch Button

 

Cassette Hinge

 

Pump Tubing

Pressure Plate

Inlet Valve

Outlet Valve

Figure 7. A simulated pumping mechanism in a CADD-Prizm®pump.

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