METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPROGRAMMED INFUSION OF IV MEDICAMENTS

摘要

An apparatus for infusing TPN fluids to a patientincludes a source of fluid, a pump for infusing fluid fromthe source to the patient, and a computer for controllingthe operation of the pump. During the operation of theapparatus the infusion rate of the pump is varied accordingto an infusion regimen that is based on the volume of fluidto be infused and the time during which the fluid is to beinfused. This regimen is characterized by a trifurcatedramp up region having interrelated incremental rates ofinfusion which transition the pump from a zero rate ofinfusion to a steady state rate of infusion. The infusionregimen is also characterized by a period of steady stateinfusion which follows the ramp up region, and a ramp downregion in which the infusion rate is decremented from thesteady state rate based on the remaining volume of fluid tobe infused to the patient and the remaining time forinfusing this remaining volume of fluid. Infusion ratechanges in both the ramp up and ramp down regions isaccomplished in steps. Depending on the calculated steadystate infusion rate, the step sizes may be either 5 ml/hror 1 ml/hr. The different time intervals between steps inthe ramp up region are related to each other and to thetotal time for infusing fluids to the patient and the timeintervals between steps in the ramp down region arecontrolled by the computer.