Patent Publication Number: US-2023158227-A1

Title: Intravenous blood set foot pump

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Pat. Application Serial No. 63/282,408, entitled “INTRAVENOUS BLOOD SET FOOT PUMP,” filed on Nov. 23, 2021, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to intravenous (IV) sets, in particular to foot pumps for IV blood sets. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Medical treatments often include the infusion of a medical fluid (e.g., blood, plasma) to patients using an IV catheter that is connected though an arrangement of flexible tubing and fittings, commonly referred to as an “IV set,” to a source of fluid, for example, an IV blood bag. During operation, medical fluid may be required quickly at greatly increased flow rates as shorter times to blood transfusions have been associated with decreased death risk in trauma patients. Typical IV blood sets use a manual hand pump bulb or flexible container that is squeezed by hand to rapidly increase fluid flow rate, resulting in muscle fatigue. 
     For these reasons, it is desirable to provide an IV blood set pump that is foot operated to eliminate hand muscle fatigue and to free up the user’s hands. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one or more embodiments, an IV blood set foot pump comprises: a base plate; a squeezing plate movably coupled to the base plate by a pivot member; and a biasing member coupled to the base plate and the squeezing plate, the biasing member configured to exert a biasing force against the squeezing plate when the biasing member is in a compressed state, wherein one of the base plate and the squeezing plate comprises a cavity configured to receive an IV pump bulb. 
     In one or more embodiments, an IV blood set foot pump comprises: a housing comprising: a fluid cavity; an inlet port; and an outlet port; a squeezing member coupled to the housing; and a biasing member coupled to the housing and the squeezing member, the biasing member configured to exert a biasing force against the squeezing member when the biasing member is in a compressed state, wherein the inlet port is configured to be coupled to a first IV tube of an IV set and the outlet port is configured to be coupled to a second IV tube of the IV set. 
     In one or more embodiments, an IV blood set foot pump comprises: a frame configured to be removably coupled to an IV pole, the frame comprising: an air inlet port; a piston slot; and a pump slot configured to receive a diaphragm pump segment of an IV set; a piston moveably coupled to the frame through the piston slot; an air hose, wherein a first end of the air hose is coupled to the air inlet port of the frame; and a foot pump coupled to a second end of the air hose. 
     The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    depicts a perspective view of an example patient care system having four fluid infusion pumps, each of which is connected to a respective fluid supply for pumping the contents of the fluid supply to a patient. 
         FIG.  2    depicts a top view of a typical assembled IV infusion set with a hand pump. 
         FIG.  3    depicts a front view of an IV blood set foot pump, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    depicts a perspective view of an IV blood set with a foot pump, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    depicts a perspective view of an IV blood set foot pump connecting an infusion pump to a patient, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    depicts a perspective view of an IV blood set foot pump, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    depicts a perspective exploded view of the IV blood set foot pump of  FIG.  6   , according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    depicts a perspective view of an IV blood for use with a foot pump, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    depicts a perspective view of an IV blood set with a foot pump, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    depicts a perspective view of an IV set with an IV set foot pump and an IV pole, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  11    depicts a perspective view of an IV set foot pump on an IV pole, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  12    depicts an exploded perspective view of the IV set foot pump of  FIG.  11   , according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  13    depicts a cross-sectional perspective view of a frame of an IV set foot pump, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  14    depicts a front view of a piston of an IV set foot pump, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  15    depicts a front view of a diaphragm pump segment of an IV set, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  16    depicts a perspective view of an IV set foot pump on an IV pole, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  17    depicts a perspective view of a diaphragm pump segment of an IV set uncoupled to a piston of the IV set foot pump of  FIG.  16   , according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  18    depicts a perspective view of the diaphragm pump segment of the IV set coupled to the piston of the IV set foot pump of  FIG.  16   , according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  19    is a diagram of an equation for design of a diaphragm pump segment, according to aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  20    is a diagram of an example use of the equation of  FIG.  19   , according to aspects of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description set forth below describes various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. Accordingly, dimensions are provided in regard to certain aspects as non-limiting examples. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology. 
     It is to be understood that the present disclosure includes examples of the subject technology and does not limit the scope of the appended claims. Various aspects of the subject technology will now be disclosed according to particular but non-limiting examples. Various embodiments described in the present disclosure may be carried out in different ways and variations, and in accordance with a desired application or implementation. 
     Referring now in more detail to the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like or corresponding elements among the several views, there is shown in  FIG.  1    a patient care system  20  having four infusion pumps  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and  28  each of which is fluidly connected with an upstream fluid line  30 ,  32 ,  34 , and  36 , respectively. Each of the four infusion pumps  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and  28  is also fluidly connected with a downstream fluid line  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37 , respectively. The fluid lines can be any type of fluid conduit, such as an IV administration set, through which fluid can flow through. It should be appreciated that any of a variety of pump mechanisms can be used including syringe pumps. 
     Fluid supplies  38 ,  40 ,  42 , and  44 , which may take various forms but in this case are shown as bottles, are inverted and suspended above the pumps. Fluid supplies may also take the form of bags or other types of containers including syringes. Both the patient care system  20  and the fluid supplies  38 ,  40 ,  42 , and  44  are mounted to a roller stand, IV pole  46 , table top, etc. 
     A separate infusion pump  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and  28  is used to infuse each of the fluids of the fluid supplies into the patient. The infusion pumps are flow control devices that will act on the respective fluid line to move the fluid from the fluid supply through the fluid line to the patient  48 . Because individual pumps are used, each can be individually set to the pumping or operating parameters required for infusing the particular medical fluid from the respective fluid supply into the patient at the particular rate prescribed for that fluid by the physician. Such medical fluids may include drugs or nutrients or other fluids. The infusion pumps  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and  28  are controlled by a pump control unit  60 . 
     Fluid supplies  38 ,  40 ,  42 , and  44  are each coupled to an electronic data tag  81 ,  83 ,  85 , and  87 , respectively, or to an electronic transmitter. Any device or component associated with the infusion system may be equipped with an electronic data tag, reader, or transmitter. 
     Typical infusion sets may also be gravity sets that do not require use of an infusion pump. For example, any of fluid supplies  38 ,  40 ,  42 , and  44  may be directly connected to the patient  48  via a gravity IV set, wherein gravity causes the fluid to flow through the infusion set and into the patient  48  without the aid of a pump. 
     Typically, medical fluid administration sets have more parts than are shown in  FIG.  1   , such as those shown in  FIG.  2   . IV sets may be formed from any combination of infusion components and tubing. Typically, the infusion components and tubing are disposable products that are used once and then discarded. The infusion components and tubing may be formed from any suitable material (e.g., plastic, silicone, rubber), many or all of which are clear or translucent so that the fluid flow or levels inside can be seen. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , an IV set  120  may include a drip chamber  130 , a hand pump  140  and a roller clamp  150  connected together by tubing  160 . The IV set  120  may also include a Y-site  170  having a Y-shaped junction with a needleless connector  175 , as well as a luer lock connector  180  at the end of the IV set  120 . The luer lock connector  180  may be used for connection to a catheter inserted into a patient, for example. The IV set  120  may include additional infusion components and may be formed of any combination of components and the tubing  160 . 
     In use, IV set  120  is connected to an IV blood bag via the drip chamber  130  and the luer lock connector  180  is connected to a catheter that is placed into a vein of a patient. Thus, blood flows from the blood bag through the drip chamber  130  to the hand pump  140  and through the remainder of the IV set  120  and out of the luer lock connector  180 . As the hand pump  140  is squeezed, the volume of blood contained within a body  142  of the hand pump  140  is forced out an outlet check valve  144  and downstream through the IV set  120 . When the hand pump  140  is released (e.g., stop squeezing), the body  142  of the hand pump  140  reinflates and draws in a new volume of blood through an inlet check valve  146 . This squeezing cycle can be repeated as often as necessary to move blood from one or more blood bags into the patient as quickly as possible. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, a hand pump may be replaced by a foot pump. Muscles in the leg fatigue less quickly than those in the hand, so the user (e.g., clinician) can pump blood at a higher rate for a longer period of time using a foot pump instead of a hand pump. This also eliminates hand fatigue from pumping blood and frees up the user’s hands for other operations. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, foot pump may be mounted on a base of a bed, mounted on a base of an operating table, mounted on a base of an IV pole or set on a floor surface, for example. The foot pump may be configured to receive a standard blood set hand pump bulb to pump in the blood without hand fatigue. The pumping frequency and corresponding flow rate may be chosen by the clinician based on how quickly and how strongly the foot pump is operated. Here, the hand pump bulb may be inserted into the foot pump so that hand pump bulb is positioned between foot pump surfaces that then squeeze the hand pump bulb to cause the pumping action. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , an IV blood set foot pump  200  is provided according to aspects of the disclosure. IV blood set foot pump  200  may be in the form of a clamshell design including a base plate  210 , a squeezing plate  220  and a biasing member  230 . The base plate  210  and the squeezing plate  220  may be moveably coupled by a pivot member  215  (e.g., flexible hinge, hinge pin). The base plate  210  and/or the squeezing plate  220  may have a cavity or indentation configured to receive a standard hand pump bulb or cylinder. 
     The biasing member  230  may be a spring, a flexible hinge, a compression chamber or any other suitable biasing device. As shown in  FIG.  3   , the biasing member  230  is a compression spring coupled to both the base plate  210  and the squeezing plate  220 . Thus, the biasing member  230  is compressed when the squeezing plate  220  is forced down toward the base plate  210  by a user (e.g., clinician) stepping on a top surface  222  of the squeezing plate  220 . The compressed biasing member  230  exerts a biasing force F against the squeezing plate  220 . Here, when user pressure on the squeezing plate  220  is released (e.g., user removes or relaxes foot), the biasing force F causes the squeezing plate  220  to move away from the base plate  210  by pivoting at the pivot member  215 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , the IV blood set foot pump  200  may be part of an IV blood set  250 . The IV blood set  250  may include a blood bag  190 , a drip chamber  130 , a pump bulb  240 , a roller clamp  150 , a Y-junction  170  having a needleless port  175  and a luer connector  180 , all coupled together by IV tubing  160 . 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the IV blood set foot pump  200  is a separate device that receives the pump bulb  240  when necessary. For example, the IV blood set  250  may be in use during a patient procedure as a gravity set or an infusion pump set, then if an issue arises where the blood flow needs to be dramatically increased, the pump bulb  240  may be inserted or placed into the IV blood set foot pump and a clinician can start pumping the IV blood set foot pump  200  by foot. Here, the IV blood set  250  only needs to be coupled to the IV blood set foot pump  200  when needed. As another example, the pump bulb  240  may be inserted into IV blood set foot pump  200  when the IV blood set  250  is put into service, thus providing for immediate use of the IV blood set foot pump when needed. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the IV blood set foot pump  200  may be a reusable device. For example, since the IV blood set foot pump  200  is not in direct contact with the blood flowing through the IV blood set  250 , the pump bulb  240  may be removed from the IV blood set foot pump  200  and a pump bulb  240  of a replacement IV blood set  250  inserted. Accordingly, IV blood set foot pump  200  may be used for multiple procedures or IV blood set changes between cleanings, or the IV blood set foot pump  200  may be cleaned after every use as dictated by health codes and medical device cleaning protocols. 
     In use, a bulb (e.g., pump bulb  240 ) of an IV set (e.g., IV set  250 ) is inserted or placed into the IV blood set foot pump  200 , the pump bulb  240  being positioned between the base plate  210  and the squeezing plate  220 . The IV set  250  is coupled to a fluid container (e.g., fluid bag  190 ) containing a medical fluid (e.g., blood). In an unactuated state, IV blood set foot pump  200  may not compress the pump bulb  240 , thus allowing the blood to flow through the IV set  250  at a rate set by a flow controller (e.g., roller clamp  150 ). When quicker fluid flow is needed, the IV blood set foot pump  200  may be compressed by foot, thus squeezing the fluid out of the pump bulb  240  quickly. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the IV blood set foot pump  200  may be a disposable component of the IV blood set  250 . For example, the IV blood set foot pump  200  may include an integral or coupled pump bulb  240 . Here, the pump bulb  240  of the IV blood set foot pump  200  may be coupled in line via IV tubing  160  to the IV blood set  250 . Accordingly, the disposable IV blood set foot pump  200  would be used for the life of the IV blood set only (e.g., 24 hours, 72 hours, 7 days), whereafter the IV blood set foot pump  200  would be disposed of along with the associated IV blood set  250 . 
     In use, the IV set  250  with the disposable IV blood set foot pump  200  is coupled to a fluid container (e.g., fluid bag  190 ) containing a medical fluid (e.g., blood). In an unactuated state, IV blood set foot pump  200  may not compress the integral/coupled pump bulb  240 , thus allowing the blood to flow through the IV set  250  at a rate set by a flow controller (e.g., roller clamp  150 ). When quicker fluid flow is needed, the IV blood set foot pump  200  may be compressed by foot, thus squeezing the fluid out of the integral/coupled pump bulb  240  quickly. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , the IV blood set  250  and IV blood set foot pump  200  may be coupled to a fluid source  38 , to an infusion pump  260  system having two infusion pumps  262  and a controller  264 , and to a catheter  270  inserted into a patient  280 . Here, if the maximum fluid flow rate from the infusion pump system  260  is not sufficient, the IV blood set foot pump  200  may be activated (e.g., stepped on) to force the fluid to flow more quickly. For example, the IV blood set  250  may be quickly uncoupled from the infusion pump system  260  before using the IV blood set foot pump  200  and/or the infusion pump system  260  may be set to neutral to allow unimpeded fluid flow from the fluid source  38  before using the IV blood set foot pump  200 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , an IV blood set foot pump  300  is provided according to aspects of the disclosure. IV blood set foot pump  300  may include a housing  310 , a squeezing member  320  (e.g., diaphragm) coupled to the housing  310  and a biasing member  330  (e.g. spring) coupled to the housing  310  and the squeezing member  320 . The squeezing member  320  may be secured to the housing  310  via a securing member  325 . The housing  310  may include an inlet port  312  and an outlet port  314 . An inlet connector  316  may be coupled to the inlet port  312  and may include a check valve  317  configured to only allow fluid flow into the housing  310 , while an outlet connector  318  may be coupled to the outlet port  314  and may include a check valve  319  configured to only allow fluid flow out of the housing  310 . 
     The squeezing member  320  may be flexible and configured such that pushing inward on the squeezing member  320  increases the pressure (e.g., air pressure, fluid pressure) within a cavity  311  defined by the housing  310  and the squeezing member  320 . The increase pressure within the cavity  311  may exceed the cracking pressure of the outlet check valve  319 , forcing fluid within the cavity  311  to quickly flow out of the outlet connector  318 , while the inlet check valve  317  prevents fluid from flowing out the inlet connector  316 . When the squeezing member  320  is released, a biasing force F of the biasing member  330  causes the squeezing member  320  to expand back to an un-compressed state and causing a suction pressure inward towards the cavity  311 . Here, the suction pressure may exceed the cracking pressure of the inlet check valve  317  and cause fluid to quickly flow into the cavity  311  through the inlet connector  316 , while the outlet check valve  319  prevents fluid from flowing back into the cavity  311  through the outlet connector  318 . 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the IV blood set foot pump  300  may be a reusable device. For example, an IV blood set  350  (see  FIG.  8   ) similar to IV blood set  250  may have a disposable inner bladder  340  (e.g., similar to pump bulb  240 ) configured to be disposed within the cavity  311  and coupled directly to the inlet connector  316  and the outlet connector  318 , while being disposed around the biasing member  330  (e.g., doughnut shaped). Thus, other than the inner bladder  340 , the housing  310  and the squeezing member  320  of the IV blood set foot pump  300  are not in direct contact with the fluid (e.g., blood) flowing through the IV blood set  350 , so the inner bladder  340  may be removed from the IV blood set foot pump  300  and an inner bladder  340  of a replacement IV blood set  350  inserted. Accordingly, IV blood set foot pump  300  may be used for multiple procedures or IV blood set changes between cleanings, or the IV blood set foot pump  300  may be cleaned after every use as dictated by health codes and medical device cleaning protocols. 
     In use, a bladder (e.g., inner bladder  340 ) of an IV set (e.g., IV set  350 ) is inserted or placed into the IV blood set foot pump  300 , the inner bladder  340  being positioned between the housing  310  and the squeezing member  320 . The IV set  350  is coupled to a fluid container (e.g., fluid bag  190 ) containing a medical fluid (e.g., blood). In an unactuated state, IV blood set foot pump  300  may not compress the inner bladder  340 , thus allowing the blood to flow through the IV set  350  at a rate set by a flow controller (e.g., roller clamp  150 ). When quicker fluid flow is needed, the IV blood set foot pump  300  may be compressed by foot, thus squeezing the fluid out of the inner bladder  340  quickly. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the IV blood set foot pump  300  may be a disposable component of an IV blood set  350   a . For example, the fluid may flow directly into and out of the cavity  311  of IV blood set foot pump  300  so that the housing  310  and the squeezing member  320  come into contact with the fluid during operation of the IV blood set  350   a . Here, the disposable version of the IV blood set foot pump  300  would be disposed of when the IV blood set  350   a  is disposed of and replaced. 
     In use, an IV set  350   a  (see  FIG.  9   ) similar to IV blood set  350  may have a disposable IV blood set foot pump  300  coupled to a fluid container (e.g., fluid bag  190 ) containing a medical fluid (e.g., blood). In an unactuated state, IV blood set foot pump  300  may not compress the squeezing member  320 , thus allowing the blood to flow through the IV set  350   a  and through the cavity  311  of the IV blood set foot pump  300  at a rate set by a flow controller (e.g., roller clamp  150 ). When quicker fluid flow is needed, the IV blood set foot pump  300  may be compressed by foot, thus squeezing the fluid out of the cavity  311  quickly. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the IV blood set foot pump  200 ,  300  may include any suitable fastener to mount the IV blood set foot pump  200 ,  300  to a base of an IV pole  46 , a base of a bed, a floor surface and the like. For example, the fastener may be screws, rivets, a bracket, a hangar, a hook, Velcro®, adhesive, and/or any other suitable fastener. 
     In one or more embodiments of the disclosure, a foot operated pumping mechanism may include a reusable device that remains affixed on an IV pole and attaches itself to a diaphragm-based pump segment of a blood set. Here, the diaphragm-based pump segment replaces a typical hand pump (e.g., hand pump  140 ) and may be inserted into the reusable foot pump when an increased fluid flow is needed. This arrangement provides for a quicker and efficient blood infusion and keeps the clinician’s hands free for other procedures. 
     The reusable foot pump remains attached to the IV pole and may consist of a springloaded foot pedal, a fixed plate that gets attached to the IV pole and a moving plate that is pneumatically connected with the foot pedal. The fixed plate may have spring loaded guides, which along with the moving plate, provides for quick refill of the blood set pump segment. The diaphragm pump segment may have a diaphragm that gets attached to the moving plate. With pressing movement of the moving plate, the diaphragm gets pressed and pumps blood out of a chamber of the pump segment. With pulling movement of the moving plate, the diaphragm gets pulled and refills the chamber. The pump segment may also have ball valves to prevent any retrograde flow. 
     As shown in  FIG.  10   , an IV set  450  (e.g., IV blood set) and an IV set foot pump  400  may be coupled to a fluid source  190  (e.g., blood bag) hanging from an extension hook  195  of an IV pole  46 . For example, the IV set  450  may include a drip chamber  130 , a Y-junction  170 , a diaphragm pump segment  440 , IV tubing  160 , a roller clamp  150 , and a port  172 . The IV set  450  may be connected downstream to a catheter that is placed into a vein of a patient as described above. In aspects of the disclosure, the IV set  450  and the IV set foot pump  400  may be used for infusion of blood. In aspects of the disclosure, the IV set  450  and the IV set foot pump  400  may be used for delivery of any suitable fluid (e.g., saline, drugs). 
     As shown in  FIGS.  11 - 18   , the IV set foot pump  400  may include a frame  410  that is configured to be fixed or coupled to the IV pole  46 . The frame  410  may include an IV pole coupling channel  412  for fixing the frame  410  on the IV pole  46  (e.g., snapping the coupling channel  412  onto the IV pole  46 ). Here, the frame  410  may be uncoupled from the IV pole  46  by pulling the frame  410  to unsnap the coupling channel  412  from the IV pole  46 . The frame  410  may also include a pump slot  414  configured to receive and hold a pump grip  442  of the diaphragm pump segment  440 . For example, the pump grip  442  may have an extension member  441  that may be slidably received in the pump slot  414 , as well as a retention member  443  that prevents the extension member  441  from pulling through the pump slot  414 . 
     The frame  410  may include a piston slot  416  configured to slidably receive a shaft  422  of a piston  420  and a frame cylinder  418  configured to receive a head  424  of the piston  420 . Here, the frame cylinder  418  may be a compartment within the frame  410  that is connected to both an air inlet port  419  and the piston slot  416 . For example, as the head  424  moves up and down within the frame cylinder  418 , the shaft  422  slides correspondingly through the piston slot  416 . The air inlet port  419  of the frame  410  is configured to couple with a foot pump  430  via an air hose  460 . Thus, a compression or activation of the foot pump  430  forces air through the air hose  460  and into the frame cylinder  418  via the air inlet port  419 . The pressure of the air against the head  424  of the piston  420  forces the head  424  away from the air inlet port  419 , causing the shaft  422  of the piston  420  to slide through the piston slot  416  and further into the frame  410 . In reverse, a release of the foot pump  430  causes a suction force that pulls air back from the frame cylinder  418  through the air inlet port  419 . The suction force, along with a biasing force from a spring  426  coupled or mounted on the shaft  422 , causes the shaft  422  to slide in reverse through the piston slot  416  to move the head  424  towards the air inlet port  419  within the frame cylinder  418 . 
     The diaphragm pump segment  440  may include a diaphragm  444  disposed on a chamber  446 , where the diaphragm  444  is configured to be pulled (e.g., expanded) from the chamber  446  and pushed (e.g., contracted) towards the chamber  446  by one or more piston snaps disposed on the shaft  422  that are engaged with a pump snap  448  extending from the diaphragm  444 , based on the slidable movement of the shaft  422 . A snap release  429  for each piston snap  428  may be coupled to the shaft  422  and/or to the corresponding piston snap  428 . The diaphragm pump segment  440  also includes a fluid inlet  445  and a fluid outlet  447  each disposed on the chamber  446 , such as on opposing ends of the chamber  446 , for example. The fluid inlet  445  and fluid outlet  447  may be coupled with IV tubing  160  of the IV set  450 . 
     In use, when pumping of the IV set foot pump  400  in required or desired, the diaphragm pump segment  440  is placed in the frame  410  such that the extension member  441  of the pump grip  442  is correctly fit within the pump slot  414  provided in the frame  410  and the retention member  443  and the chamber  446  are disposed on opposing sides of the pump slot  414 . This ensures that the diaphragm pump segment  440  stays in place during the pumping action. The pump snap  448  may be an extruded feature overmolded on the diaphragm  444 , where the pump snap  448  is provided to snap lock the piston  420  to the diaphragm  444  using the piston snap  428 . When the diaphragm pump segment  440  is to be removed from the frame  410 , the snap release  429 , which may be provided as extrusions of the piston  420 , may be squeezed to cause the piston snap  428  to disengage from the pump snap  448  and allow the diaphragm pump segment  440  to be pulled out of the frame  410 . 
     During pumping operation of the diaphragm pump segment  440 , the air from the foot pump  430  enters the frame cylinder  418  through the air inlet port  419  and consequently exerts a force on the head  424  (e.g., top surface of the piston  420 ). This causes the shaft  422  of the piston  420  to move through the piston slot  416  towards the diaphragm pump segment  440 , which in turn compresses the diaphragm  444 . This action pushes fluid out of the chamber  446  through the fluid outlet  447  to the IV set  450  disposed downstream of the diaphragm pump segment  440 . As the force on the foot pump  430  is released, a suction force is created that combines with the biasing force of the spring  426  results in an outward motion of the piston  420  away from the diaphragm pump segment  440 , which in turn pulls the diaphragm  444  outwards from the chamber  446 . This results in fluid being suctioned into the chamber  446  in through the fluid inlet  445  from the fluid source  190  via the IV set  450  disposed upstream of the diaphragm pump segment  440 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  19   , an equation 1 may be used for calculation of pressure and force required to deflect the diaphragm  444  by a certain distance. For example, the diaphragm  444  may be formed of a rubber or other elastic material for which the Young Modulus is 3.5 Mpa, the thickness of the diaphragm is 1.5 mm, Poisson’s ratio is 0.5, the diaphragm reflection is 18 mm and the diameter is 80 mm, the force required to deflect the diaphragm  444  is 2.968 N and the volume of fluid per stroke is 30 ml/stroke, as shown in  FIG.  20   . 
     In one or more embodiments, an IV blood set foot pump comprises: a base plate; a squeezing plate movably coupled to the base plate by a pivot member; and a biasing member coupled to the base plate and the squeezing plate, the biasing member configured to exert a biasing force against the squeezing plate when the biasing member is in a compressed state, wherein one of the base plate and the squeezing plate comprises a cavity configured to receive an IV pump bulb. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the cavity is configured to receive a standard IV hand pump bulb. In aspects of the disclosure, the pivot member is a hinge pin. In aspects of the disclosure, the pivot member is a flexible hinge integrally formed with the base plate and the squeezing plate. In aspects of the disclosure, the biasing member is a compression spring. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, an IV blood set comprises: a pump bulb; a first IV tube coupled to an inlet of the pump bulb; a second IV tube coupled to an outlet of the pump bulb; and an IV blood set foot pump comprising: a base plate; a squeezing plate movably coupled to the base plate by a pivot member; and a biasing member coupled to the base plate and the squeezing plate, the biasing member configured to exert a biasing force against the squeezing plate when the biasing member is in a compressed state, wherein one of the base plate and the squeezing plate comprises a cavity configured to receive an IV pump bulb. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, a method of operating an IV blood set foot pump, comprises: coupling an IV set to a fluid source; inserting a pump bulb of the IV set into an IV blood set foot pump comprising: a base plate; a squeezing plate movably coupled to the base plate by a pivot member; and a biasing member coupled to the base plate and the squeezing plate, the biasing member configured to exert a biasing force against the squeezing plate when the biasing member is in a compressed state, wherein one of the base plate and the squeezing plate comprises a cavity configured to receive the IV pump bulb; pressing on the squeezing plate with a foot to compress the squeezing plate towards the base plate; releasing pressure on the squeezing plate with the foot to allow the squeezing plate to move back to a default position based on the biasing force from the biasing member; and repeating the pressing and releasing steps to pump the fluid from the fluid source through the IV set at a fluid flow rate that exceeds the maximum open flow fluid flow rate of the IV set itself. 
     In one or more embodiments, an IV blood set foot pump comprises: a housing comprising: a fluid cavity; an inlet port; and an outlet port; a squeezing member coupled to the housing; and a biasing member coupled to the housing and the squeezing member, the biasing member configured to exert a biasing force against the squeezing member when the biasing member is in a compressed state, wherein the inlet port is configured to be coupled to a first IV tube of an IV set and the outlet port is configured to be coupled to a second IV tube of the IV set. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, an inlet connector is coupled to the inlet port; and a check valve is disposed within the inlet connector, wherein the check valve is configured to allow fluid flow into the housing through the inlet port and to prevent fluid flow out of the housing through the inlet port. In aspects of the disclosure, an outlet connector is coupled to the outlet port; and a check valve is disposed within the outlet connector, wherein the check valve is configured to allow fluid flow out of the housing through the outlet port and to prevent fluid flow into the housing through the outlet port. In aspects of the disclosure, a securing member is coupled to the squeezing member, the securing member configured to secure the squeezing member to the housing. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the squeezing member is a flexible diaphragm and the biasing member is a spring. In aspects of the disclosure, an inner bladder is disposed within the cavity and around the biasing member, the inner bladder coupled directly to inlet and outlet connectors coupled to the inlet and outlet ports, respectively, wherein the inner bladder, the inlet connector and the outlet connector are configured to be removably disposed and the rest of the IV blood set foot pump is configured to be reusable and to receive a new inner bladder, inlet connector and outlet connector. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, a method of operating an IV blood set foot pump comprises: coupling an IV set to a fluid source; flowing fluid from the fluid source into an IV blood set foot pump comprising: a housing comprising: a fluid cavity; an inlet port; and an outlet port; a squeezing member coupled to the housing; and a biasing member coupled to the housing and the squeezing member, the biasing member configured to exert a biasing force against the squeezing member when the biasing member is in a compressed state, wherein the inlet port is coupled to a first IV tube of the IV set and the outlet port is coupled to a second IV tube of the IV set; pressing on the squeezing member with a foot to compress the squeezing member towards the housing to increase pressure within the cavity to force the fluid quickly out of the outlet port; releasing pressure on the squeezing member with the foot to allow the squeezing member to move to return back to a default position based on the biasing force from the biasing member, the return movement of the squeezing member causing a suction pressure inward towards the cavity to force fluid upstream of the IV blood set foot pump to flow quickly into the inlet port; and repeating the pressing and releasing steps to pump the fluid from the fluid source through the IV set at a fluid flow rate that exceeds the maximum open flow fluid flow rate of the IV set itself. 
     In one or more embodiments, an IV blood set foot pump comprises: a frame configured to be removably coupled to an IV pole, the frame comprising: an air inlet port; a piston slot; and a pump slot configured to receive a diaphragm pump segment of an IV set; a piston moveably coupled to the frame through the piston slot; an air hose, wherein a first end of the air hose is coupled to the air inlet port of the frame; and a foot pump coupled to a second end of the air hose. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the frame comprises a frame cylinder connected to the air inlet port and to the piston slot. In aspects of the disclosure, the piston comprises: a shaft having a first end and a second end, the shaft slidably disposed within the piston slot; a head at the first end of the shaft, the head movably disposed within the frame cylinder; a piston snap at the second end of the shaft, the piston snap configured to engage with a pump snap of the diaphragm pump segment of the IV set; and a snap release at the second end of the shaft, the snap release configured to release the engagement of the piston snap with the pump snap. In aspects of the disclosure, the frame is configured to receive the diaphragm pump segment with an extension member of a pump grip disposed within the pump slot, a retention member of the pump grip disposed on an exterior side of the pump slot, and a chamber of the diaphragm pump segment disposed on an interior side of the pump slot. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, a method of operating an IV blood set foot pump comprises: coupling an IV set to a fluid source; inserting a diaphragm pump segment of the IV set into the frame of an IV blood set foot pump comprising: a frame configured to be removably coupled to an IV pole, the frame comprising: an air inlet port; a piston slot; and a pump slot configured to receive the diaphragm pump segment of the IV set; a piston moveably coupled to the frame through the piston slot; an air hose, wherein a first end of the air hose is coupled to the air inlet port of the frame; and a foot pump coupled to a second end of the air hose; coupling a piston snap of the piston with a pump snap of the diaphragm pump segment; pressing on the foot pump with a foot to force air into a frame cylinder of the frame through the air hose and the air inlet port of the frame, causing the piston to move inward within the frame and compress a diaphragm coupled to a chamber of the diaphragm pump segment to force fluid within the chamber out of an outlet port of the diaphragm pump segment and through the IV set downstream of the diaphragm pump segment; releasing pressure with the foot on the foot pump to allow the piston to move to return back to a default position within the frame based on at least one of a biasing force from a spring coupled to the shaft of the piston and a suction force from air being pulled out of the frame cylinder through the air inlet port and the air hose into the foot pump, the return movement of the piston causing the diaphragm to pull outward from the chamber and cause a suction pressure inward towards the chamber to force fluid upstream of the diaphragm pump segment to flow quickly into the chamber through an inlet port of the diaphragm pump segment; and repeating the pressing and releasing steps on the foot pump to pump the fluid from the fluid source through the IV set at a fluid flow rate that exceeds the maximum open flow fluid flow rate of the IV set itself. 
     It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the methods of processes disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based upon design or implementation preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes may be rearranged, or that all illustrated blocks be performed. In some implementations, any of the blocks may be performed simultaneously. 
     The present disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The disclosure provides various examples of the subject technology, and the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. 
     A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention. 
     The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. In one aspect, various alternative configurations and operations described herein may be considered to be at least equivalent. 
     As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the term “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each item of the list. The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection of at least one item; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrase “at least one of A, B, or C” may refer to: only A, only B, or only C; or any combination of A, B, and C. 
     A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as an “embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. A phrase such an embodiment may refer to one or more embodiments and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. A phrase such a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa. 
     As used herein, the terms “determine” or “determining” encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, “determining” may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, generating, obtaining, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like via a hardware element without user intervention. Also, “determining” may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like via a hardware element without user intervention. “Determining” may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like via a hardware element without user intervention. 
     As used herein, the terms “provide” or “providing” encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, “providing” may include storing a value in a location of a storage device for subsequent retrieval, transmitting a value directly to the recipient via at least one wired or wireless communication medium, transmitting or storing a reference to a value, and the like. “Providing” may also include encoding, decoding, encrypting, decrypting, validating, verifying, inserting and the like via a hardware element. 
     In one aspect, unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. In one aspect, they are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain. 
     It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations or processes disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations or processes may be rearranged. Some of the steps, operations or processes may be performed simultaneously. Some or all of the steps, operations, or processes may be performed automatically, without the intervention of a user. The accompanying method claims, if any, present elements of the various steps, operations or processes in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented. 
     All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112 (f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 
     The Title, Background, Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings and Abstract of the disclosure are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the Detailed Description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples and the various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter. 
     The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 101, 102, or 103, nor should they be interpreted in such a way.