Automated drug infusion system with autopriming

摘要

A pumping system for positive displacement, volumetric liquid control includes a pump having a pumping chamber with a pumping chamber inlet and a pumping chamber outlet. The pumping system further includes a liquid supply inlet for receiving liquid from a liquid supply, and an detector for detecting air in liquid flowing through the liquid path. A liquid valve actuator regulates liquid flow through the liquid supply inlet and a second valve actuator regulates liquid flow through the pumping system outlet. A controller is responsive to an output from the detector to control the pump, the first valve actuator and the second valve actuator such that liquid is directed through the liquid supply inlet and the pumping system outlet during an initial priming sequence until the quantity of air in liquid at the pumping system outlet corresponds to a predetermined value.