Medical infusion apparatus.

摘要

Medical infusion apparatus (2) comprises a housing (4) in which a standard flexible liquid reservoir (10) is disposed. A constant-force spring applies pressure to the reservoir to force liquid out of the reservoir (10) and along a conduit to a patient. The spring (40) is energised by the opening of a lid (8) of the housing (4) which permits replacement of the reservoir (10). The liquid flowing out of the reservoir (10) passes through a moulded conduit part (12) which is configured so that it is positioned at a predetermined location with respect to a flow monitor. The flow monitor injects a pulse of heat (53), and detects the rate at which the heat pulse travels along the conduit. A microprocessor (66) uses the sensed flow rate to control a stepper motor (84) which regulates fluid flow by squeezing the conduit (56) via a spring-biased member (96). The apparatus has active and standby modes in which the monitor (74) is operated respectively more and less frequently.