A system and method for calibrating an IV pump infusion system tube comprises a fluid source, an infusion system comprising, an IV pump, a drive unit, a chamber with known constant volume, a control unit, and IV tubing with a known inner diameter tolerance, and a switch and magnetic floating object. The system administers medicinal fluid, calculates the flow rate of the medicinal fluid in the chamber by measuring the time the switch is activated as medicinal fluid rises in the chamber, compares the calculated flow rate with a set flow rate of the IV pump input in the control unit prior to infusion, and adjusts the IV pump and flow rate based on the compared deviations for more accurate delivery to a patient. This configuration may provide a more precise delivery rate of medicinal fluid, preventing harm to the patient and waste of medicine.

A sensor device is removably attachable to a drug delivery device. The sensor device comprises an array of optical sensors arranged within the sensor device such that, when the sensor device is attached to the drug delivery device, which has a first movable element configured to move along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drug delivery device, each optical sensor is operable to detect light received at different locations along the path and to output a signal indicative of an amount of detected light. Circuitry is configured to receive the signals output from the optical sensors and, based on the received signals, determine information associated with a location along the path of the first movable element.

Systems and methods for monitoring an operational state and/or a fill status of a drug container of a drug delivery device are provided. The drug container can hold a liquid drug. A plunger can be positioned within the drug container. A drive system can advance the plunger to expel the liquid drug from the container. A monitoring system can detect a movement and/or a position of the plunger and/or any component coupled to the plunger. The detection can enable determination of an amount of liquid drug that has been expelled and/or an amount of liquid drug remaining in the drug container. Dosing rates, flow rates, and dosage completion can also be determined.

A drive mechanism (100) for use with a drug container (50) in a drug pump, the drug container (50) having a barrel (58) and a plunger seal (60), including a tether, an electrical actuator (101) and a gear interface. Rotation of the gear interface is controlled by the actuator (101). A gear assembly rotationally engages with the gear interface. The gear assembly includes a main gear and a regulating mechanism. Release of the tether is metered by the gear assembly through the regulating mechanism. A piston (110, 1110, 2110) is connected to the tether and is disposed in the barrel (58) and configured to translate axially within the container. A biasing member is disposed at least partially within the barrel (58) and is retained in an energized state between the piston (110, 1110, 2110) and drive housing, wherein the release of the tether controls the free expansion of the biasing member from its energized state and the axial translation of the piston (110, 1110, 2110).

Systems and methods for monitoring an operational state and/or a fill status of a drug container of a drug delivery device are provided. The drug container can hold a liquid drug. A plunger can be positioned within the drug container. A drive system can advance the plunger to expel the liquid drug from the container. A monitoring system can detect a movement and/or a position of the plunger and/or any component coupled to the plunger. The detection can enable determination of an amount of liquid drug that has been expelled and/or an amount of liquid drug remaining in the drug container. Dosing rates, flow rates, and dosage completion can also be determined.

A sensor device is removably attachable to a drug delivery device. The sensor device comprises an array of optical sensors arranged within the sensor device such that, when the sensor device is attached to the drug delivery device, which has a first movable element configured to move along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drug delivery device, each optical sensor is operable to detect light received at different locations along the path and to output a signal indicative of an amount of detected light. Circuitry is configured to receive the signals output from the optical sensors and, based on the received signals, determine information associated with a location along the path of the first movable element.

A drive mechanism (100) for use with a drug container (50) in a drug pump, the drug container (50) having a barrel (58) and a plunger seal (60), including a tether, an electrical actuator (101) and a gear interface. Rotation of the gear interface is controlled by the actuator (101). A gear assembly rotationally engages with the gear interface. The gear assembly includes a main gear and a regulating mechanism. Release of the tether is metered by the gear assembly through the regulating mechanism. A piston (110, 1110, 2110) is connected to the tether and is disposed in the barrel (58) and configured to translate axially within the container. A biasing member is disposed at least partially within the barrel (58) and is retained in an energized state between the piston (110, 1110, 2110) and drive housing, wherein the release of the tether controls the free expansion of the biasing member from its energized state and the axial translation of the piston (110, 1110, 2110).

Variable fill drug delivery devices for delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient are provided. A variable fill drug delivery device includes a drug container to store a variable amount (or user-selectable amount) of a therapeutic agent. A plunger of the variable fill drug delivery device is positioned in the drug container. An infusion engine of the variable fill device is coupled to the plunger. The infusion engine retains the plunger prior to activation of the variable fill drug delivery device and releases the plunger after activation of the variable fill drug delivery device. After activation, the infusion engine drives the plunger from a first position within the drug container to a second position within the drug container to expel the variable amount of the therapeutic agent from the drug container for delivery to a patient.

A sensor device is removably attachable to a drug delivery device. The sensor device comprises an array of optical sensors arranged within the sensor device such that, when the sensor device is attached to the drug delivery device, which has a first movable element configured to move along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drug delivery device, each optical sensor is operable to detect light received at different locations along the path and to output a signal indicative of an amount of detected light. Circuitry is configured to receive the signals output from the optical sensors and, based on the received signals, determine information associated with a location along the path of the first movable element.

A system and method for calibrating an IV pump infusion system tube comprises a fluid source, an infusion system comprising, an IV pump, a drive unit, a chamber with known constant volume, a control unit, and IV tubing with a known inner diameter tolerance, and a set of conductive plates. The system administers medicinal fluid, calculates the flow rate of the medicinal fluid in the chamber by measuring the time the capacitance level of the medicinal fluid changes from a capacitance level corresponding to a first (initial) position to a capacitance level corresponding to a second (filled) position, compares the calculated flow rate with a set flow rate of the IV pump input in the control unit prior to infusion, and adjusts the IV pump and flow rate based on the compared deviations for more accurate delivery to a patient. This configuration may therefore provide a more precise delivery rate.