Patent Publication Number: US-2021169743-A1

Title: Medical disposable pumping set

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority from pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/980,151, filed on Feb. 22, 2020, and entitled “MEDICAL DISPOSABLE PUMPING SET,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to medical pumps, particularly to double action piston pumps. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a medical pumping assembly for feeding/aspiration process. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Patients in intensive care units (ICUs) may not be able to eat or swallow normally due to the presence of endotracheal tube in their mouths for mechanical breathing support. In some cases, a patient&#39;s intestine may not be functioning properly, which may limit the amount of nutrition the patient receives. However, it is essential for a patient&#39;s health for them to receive adequate nutrition without disrupting the process of recovery and treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a patient with an amount of nutrition that may be sufficiently absorbed by a patient&#39;s impaired gastro-intestinal tract. One possible solution may be transmitting nutrition directly into a patient&#39;s gastro-intestinal tract via a nasogastric tube. Medications may also be delivered utilizing this approach into a patient&#39;s gastro-intestinal tract to ensure full intake. 
     Moreover, it may be needed to remove contents of a patient&#39;s stomach, which is referred to herein as aspiration of a patient&#39;s stomach. Despite many and varied approaches to systems for aspirating a patient&#39;s stomach, many challenges still remain in providing systems for removing materials from a patient&#39;s stomach safely and reliably, without causing medical complications. Several pump apparatuses for use in conjunction with feeding and aspiration of a patient&#39;s stomach are utilized. For example, a single piston pump may be utilized for feeding and aspiration, in which a piston may be moved in a first direction to draw fluid into a cylinder, and then may be moved in a second direction to push the fluid out of the cylinder into a patient&#39;s gastro-intestinal tract via a nasogastric tube. This kind of reciprocating pump may generate pulses in fluid, which may be discontinuously fed into a nasogastric tube and subsequently into a patient&#39;s stomach. To eliminate fluid discontinuity, a multi-cylinder pump may be utilized, which may include a plurality of reciprocating pistons to provide a continuous flow of infusion fluid into a nasogastric tube connected to the multi-cylinder pump. 
     As mentioned above, providing a flow of infusion fluid to a patient&#39;s stomach or removing materials from a patient&#39;s stomach with a single reciprocating piston may be associated with issues, such as fluid discontinuity that should be addressed. 
     Delivering nutrients, fluid, and medications into a patient&#39;s stomach and aspirating a patient&#39;s stomach utilizing an infusion system that may allow for a combination of feeding and aspiration is a crucial need in the art. In currently available technologies, feeding and aspiration processes need either separate infusion systems or considerable and time-consuming changes of containers, tubes, and connectors of a system to switch its functionality. If reusable and sterile equipment is used, it is possible to wash and clean them and prepare them for another process, however, it consumes time and energy. Indeed, providing infusion systems with the capability of pumping fluid from a container into a patient&#39;s gastrointestinal tract, removing fluid from a patient&#39;s gastrointestinal tract into another container and additionally removing residual fluid or particles between a feeding cycle and an aspirating cycle with minimum effort for changing system arrangement and order would be beneficial. 
     There is, therefore, a need for providing a double action piston pump in an infusion system for combining feeding and aspiration processes which may be capable of executing both processes consecutively. There is further a need for a method for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration that may allow for washing not only all infusion system ducts but also a patient&#39;s gastrointestinal tract with minimum effort. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of the present disclosure and is not intended to identify essential elements or key elements of the subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed implementations. The proper scope of the present disclosure may be ascertained from the claims set forth below in view of the detailed description and the drawings. 
     According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a method for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration. An exemplary method may include inserting a nasogastric tube inside a patient&#39;s stomach and connecting an exemplary nasogastric tube to a pumping mechanism. 
     An exemplary pumping mechanism may include a hollow cylinder including a first end, a second end, and an annular wall extended between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal axis of the cylinder. An exemplary hollow cylinder may further include a first port and a second port connected in fluid communication with an inner volume of the cylinder on the annular wall adjacent the first end. An exemplary hollow cylinder may further include a third port and a fourth port connected in fluid communication with the inner volume of the cylinder on the annular wall adjacent the second end. 
     An exemplary pumping mechanism may further include a piston that may be disposed within an exemplary hollow cylinder. An exemplary piston may divide an inner volume of an exemplary hollow cylinder into a first chamber and a second chamber. An exemplary piston may reciprocate along a longitudinal axis of an exemplary hollow cylinder in alternately a first direction and a second direction. An exemplary first direction may correspond to a direction along longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end, and an exemplary second direction may correspond to a direction along longitudinal axis from the second end to the first end. An exemplary first port and an exemplary second port may be located in an exemplary first chamber, while an exemplary third port and an exemplary fourth port may be located in an exemplary second chamber. 
     An exemplary pumping mechanism may further include a collection bag that may be connected in fluid communication with an exemplary first port and an exemplary third port. Fluid communication between an exemplary collection bag and an exemplary first port may be controlled by a first control valve and a third control valve, while fluid communication between an exemplary collection bag and an exemplary third port may be controlled by an exemplary first control valve and a second control valve. An exemplary second control valve may be connected in series with an exemplary first control valve, while an exemplary third control valve may be connected in series with an exemplary first control valve. 
     An exemplary pumping mechanism may further include a feeding bag that may be connected in fluid communication with an exemplary pumping mechanism. Fluid communication between an exemplary feeding bag and an exemplary first port controlled by a fourth control valve and an exemplary third control valve, while fluid communication between an exemplary feeding bag and an exemplary third port may be controlled by an exemplary fourth control valve and an exemplary second control valve. An exemplary second control valve may be connected in series with an exemplary fourth control valve, while an exemplary third control valve may be connected in series with an exemplary fourth control valve. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, connecting an exemplary nasogastric tube to an exemplary pumping mechanism may include connecting an exemplary nasogastric tube in fluid communication with an exemplary second port and an exemplary fourth port, where the fluid communication between an exemplary nasogastric tube and an exemplary second port may be controlled by a fifth control valve and the fluid communication between an exemplary nasogastric tube and an exemplary fourth port may be controlled by a sixth control valve. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary method may further include aspirating a patient&#39;s stomach by pumping out contents of a patient&#39;s stomach via an exemplary nasogastric tube. Aspirating a patient&#39;s stomach may include opening an exemplary first control valve, an exemplary second control valve, and an exemplary fifth control valve responsive to an exemplary piston moving within an exemplary cylinder in an exemplary first direction, closing an exemplary third control valve, an exemplary fourth control valve, an exemplary sixth control valve, and an exemplary seventh control valve responsive to an exemplary piston moving within an exemplary cylinder in an exemplary first direction, opening an exemplary third control valve and an exemplary sixth control valve responsive to an exemplary piston moving within an exemplary cylinder in an exemplary second direction, and closing an exemplary second control valve and an exemplary fifth control valve responsive to an exemplary piston moving within an exemplary cylinder in an exemplary second direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the aspirated contents of a patient&#39;s stomach may be collected in an exemplary collection bag. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present disclosure, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a method for a gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view of a system for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a schematic view of a double action piston pump, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a schematic view of a second control valve in a first rotational position, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates a schematic view of a second control valve in a second rotational position, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3D  illustrates a schematic view of a single double action valve in an initial position, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a schematic view of a system for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration connected to a nasogastric tube inserted inside a patient&#39;s stomach, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of a system for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present disclosure, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following discussion. 
     The present disclosure is directed to exemplary embodiments of a system and a method for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration. An exemplary system for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration may include a pumping mechanism that may be connected to a nasogastric tube. An exemplary nasogastric tube may be inserted inside a patient&#39;s stomach to allow fluid communication between an exemplary pumping mechanism and a patient&#39;s stomach, which may further allow for performing either feeding or aspiration procedures utilizing the exemplary pumping mechanism. 
     An exemplary system for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration may further include one or more containers, such as a collection bag and a feeding bag. An exemplary collection bag may be utilized to collect contents of a patient&#39;s stomach. An exemplary collection bag may further be utilized to collect various types of obstructions that may be removed from a patient&#39;s stomach, such as atherosclerotic plaque, thrombus, and other types of obstructions. An exemplary feeding bag may be utilized to hold nutrients, fluids, or medications that may be fed into a patient&#39;s stomach via an exemplary pumping mechanism. An exemplary system for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration may further include a water source that may be connected in fluid communication to an exemplary pumping mechanism and may provide the water that may be utilized for washing not only all infusion system ducts but also a patient&#39;s stomach and gastrointestinal tract. 
     An exemplary method for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration may follow a standard feeding protocol. Generally, feeding a patient may be carried out in two modes, namely, a continuous mode or a bolus mode. In an exemplary continuous mode, an exemplary pumping mechanism may be set to feed a patient slowly and continuously all day long. Depending on urine output of a patient, medical staff may decide to aspirate a patient&#39;s stomach to find out their metabolism condition and change settings of an exemplary pumping mechanism if needed. 
     In an exemplary bolus mode, a mature patient may be fed every four hours, i.e., 6 times a day. Based on current patient feeding protocols in most countries, before each feeding session, stomach of a patient must be aspirated first to check their body metabolism. If aspirated contents of a patient&#39;s stomach is less than a predetermined threshold, aspirated contents may be returned to the stomach, along with newly prepared nutrition. However, if aspirated contents of a patient&#39;s stomach is not less than the predetermined threshold, then only the aspirated content may be pumped back to the stomach. In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined threshold may be determined based at least in part to a patient&#39;s weight, medical condition, or a doctor&#39;s order. For example, the predetermined threshold may be 4 to 5 mL per kilogram weight of a patient. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, exemplary systems and methods may be configured to perform both continuous and bolus modes of feeding. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary pumping mechanism may be utilized without feeding and aspiration bags as a continuous positive displacement pump in other medical applications, such as a serum pump or a dialysis pump. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a method  10  for a gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, method  10  may be used for performing a bolus feeding protocol. In an exemplary embodiment, method  10  may include a step  100  of inserting a nasogastric tube inside a patient&#39;s stomach, a step  102  of connecting the nasogastric tube to a pumping mechanism, a step  104  of filling an entire internal volume of the nasogastric tube with a liquid utilizing the pumping mechanism, a step  106  of aspirating the patient&#39;s stomach by pumping out contents of the patient&#39;s stomach via the nasogastric tube into a collection bag, a step  108  of measuring a volume of the aspirated contents of the patient&#39;s stomach within the collection bag, a step  110  of returning the aspirated contents of the patient&#39;s stomach by pumping the aspirated contents of the patient&#39;s stomach from a collection bag into the patient&#39;s stomach via the nasogastric tube responsive to the measured volume equal or more than a predetermined threshold, and a step  112  of delivering nutrient/medical fluids into the patient&#39;s stomach by pumping the fluids from a feeding bag into the patient&#39;s stomach via the nasogastric tube and returning the aspirated contents of the patient&#39;s stomach by pumping the aspirated contents of the patient&#39;s stomach from a collection bag into the patient&#39;s stomach via the nasogastric tube responsive to the measured volume less than the predetermined threshold. In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined threshold may be determined based at least in part to a patient&#39;s weight, medical condition, or a doctor&#39;s order. For example, the predetermined threshold may be 4 to 5 mL per kilogram weight of a patient. In an exemplary embodiment, all pumping out and pumping in steps may be carried out utilizing a single pumping mechanism that may allow for carrying out feeding, aspiration, and washing procedures. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, step  100  of inserting a nasogastric tube inside a patient&#39;s stomach may include inserting a nasogastric tube into the patient&#39;s stomach through the patient&#39;s nose. In an exemplary embodiment, inserting an exemplary nasogastric tube inside a patient&#39;s stomach may allow for gaining access to the patient&#39;s stomach and its contents. Such access to the stomach via the inserted nasogastric tube may allow for enteral feeding of a patient or draining gastric contents through the nasogastric tube. In an exemplary embodiment, step  100  of inserting a nasogastric tube inside a patient&#39;s stomach may include passing a narrow-bore tube into the patient&#39;s stomach via the nose for either short-term or medium-term nutritional support, as well as short-term or medium-term aspiration of stomach contents. In an exemplary embodiment, a nasogastric tube may be inserted and kept within a patient&#39;s stomach based at least in part on the material of that particular nasogastric tube. For example, nasogastric tubes made of silicone or polyurethane may remain in a patient&#39;s stomach for a longer period in comparison with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes, due to resistance of silicone or polyurethane to heat and acidic or basic environments. In an exemplary embodiment, step  100  of inserting a nasogastric tube inside a patient&#39;s stomach may include passing a nasogastric tube via either nostril, past the pharynx, into the esophagus, and then into the stomach of the patient. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, step  102  of connecting the nasogastric tube to a pumping mechanism may include connecting the nasogastric tube to a pump. An exemplary pump may interconnect at least one container, a water source, and the nasogastric tube. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary pump of an exemplary pumping mechanism may be utilized for either feeding fluids from the at least one container into the patient&#39;s stomach via the nasogastric tube or draining the contents of the stomach via the nasogastric tube into the at least one container. In an exemplary embodiment, the pump of an exemplary pumping mechanism may further be utilized for washing the nasogastric tube, as well as the patient&#39;s stomach by pumping water into the nasogastric tube and the patient&#39;s stomach from the water source, as will be described. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a schematic view of a system  200  for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration connected to a nasogastric tube  250  inserted inside a patient&#39;s stomach  402 , consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, method  10  may be implemented by a system, such as system  200 . In an exemplary embodiment, step  100  of inserting a nasogastric tube inside a patient&#39;s stomach may include inserting nasogastric tube  250  into patient&#39;s stomach  402  through patient&#39;s nose  404 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, step  102  of connecting the nasogastric tube to a pumping mechanism may include connecting the nasogastric tube, such as nasogastric tube  250  to a pumping mechanism, such as pumping mechanism of system  200 , such that one end of nasogastric tube  250  may be connected in fluid communication with system  200  and the other opposing end of nasogastric tube  250  may be positioned within patient&#39;s stomach  402 . In other words, nasogastric tube  250  may provide a fluid communication line between pumping mechanism of system  200  and patient&#39;s stomach  402 , which may allow for performing either feeding or aspiration procedures utilizing pumping mechanism of system  200 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view of system  200  for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, system  200  may include a double action piston pump  202 . In an exemplary embodiment, double action piston pump  202  may include a hollow cylinder  204 . In an exemplary embodiment, hollow cylinder  204  may include a first end  208  and a second end  210  that may be located on both sides of an annular wall of hollow cylinder  204  along a longitudinal axis  206  of hollow cylinder  204 . In an exemplary embodiment, double action piston pump  202  may further include a piston  216  that may be disposed within hollow cylinder  204  and may assume a reciprocating movement within hollow cylinder  204 . In an exemplary embodiment, inner volume of hollow cylinder  204  may be divided to a first chamber  212  and a second chamber  214  by piston  216 . In an exemplary embodiment, piston  216  may reciprocate alternately in a first direction  228  and a second opposing direction  230 , where first direction  228  may correspond to a direction along longitudinal axis  206  of hollow cylinder  204  from first end  208  to second end  210  and second direction  230  may correspond to a direction along longitudinal axis  206  of hollow cylinder  204  from second end  210  to first end  208 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, hollow cylinder  204  may further include a first port  218 , a second port  220 , a third port  222 , a fourth port  224 , and a fifth port  226 . In an exemplary embodiment, first port  218  and second port  220  may be connected in fluid communication with inner volume of first chamber  212  adjacent first end  208 . In an exemplary embodiment, third port  222  and forth port  224  may be connected in fluid communication with inner volume of second chamber  214  adjacent second end  210 . In an exemplary embodiment, fifth port  226  may be connected in fluid communication with inner volume of first chamber  212  and may be located on first end  208 . As used herein, an exemplary port being in fluid communication with an exemplary chamber may refer to allowing fluid to pass into or out of respective inner volumes of first chamber  212  and second chamber  214  through that exemplary port. For example, first port  218  being in fluid communication with inner volume of first chamber  212  may refer to allowing fluid to pass into or out of first chamber  212  through first port  218 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, system  200  for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration may further include at least one container. For example, system  200  may include at least one container, such as a collection bag  232  and a feeding bag  234 . In an exemplary embodiment, collection bag  232  may be connected in fluid communication with first port  218  and third port  222 . As used herein, collection bag  232  being in fluid communication with first port  218  and third port  222  may refer to connecting collection bag  232  with first port  218  and third port  222  via tubing that may allow for fluid to pass between collection bag  232  and first port  218  and third port  222 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, fluid communication between collection bag  232  and first port  218  may be intercepted by a first control valve  236  and a third control valve  240 . As used herein, a fluid communication between two elements being intercepted by a control valve may refer to the control valve being able to open or close the fluid communication line between the two elements. For example, first control valve  236  and a third control valve  240  intercepting fluid communication between collection bag  232  and first port  218  may refer to first control valve  236  and a third control valve  240  being able to open or close the fluid communication lines or pipes between collection bag  232  and first port  218 . In an exemplary embodiment, third control valve  240  may be connected in series with first control valve  236 . As used herein, third control valve  240  being connected in series with first control valve  236  may refer to an arrangement where first control valve  236  and third control valve  240  may intercept the fluid communication between collection bag  232  and first port  218 , such that closing either one of first control valve  236  or third control valve  240  may disconnect the fluid communication between collection bag  232  and first port  218 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, fluid communication between collection bag  232  and third port  222  may be intercepted by first control valve  236  and a second control valve  238 . As used herein, the fluid communication between two elements being intercepted by one or more valves may refer to utilizing one or more valves in the tubing between the two elements, such that the tubing may be opened or closed utilizing the one or more valves. For example, the fluid communication between collection bag  232  and third port  222  being intercepted by first control valve  236  and second control valve  238  may refer to the tubing between collection bag  232  and third port  222  that may allow for fluid flow between collection bag  232  and third port  222  may be opened or closed utilizing first control valve  236  and second control valve  238 . In an exemplary embodiment, second control valve  238  may be connected in series with first control valve  236 . As used herein, second control valve  238  being connected in series with first control valve  236  may refer to an arrangement where first control valve  236  and second control valve  238  may intercept the tubing between collection bag  232  and third port  222 , such that closing either one of first control valve  236  or second control valve  238  may disconnect the fluid communication of collection bag  232  and third port  222 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, fluid communication between feeding bag  234  and first port  218  may be intercepted by a fourth control valve  242  and third control valve  240 . In an exemplary embodiment, third control valve  240  may be connected in series with fourth control valve  242 . As used herein, third control valve  240  being connected in series with fourth control valve  242  may refer to an arrangement where fourth control valve  242  and third control valve  240  may intercept the tubing between feeding bag  234  and first port  218 , such that closing either one of fourth control valve  242  or third control valve  240  may disconnect the fluid communication of feeding bag  234  and first port  218 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, fluid communication between feeding bag  234  and third port  222  may be intercepted by fourth control valve  242  and second control valve  238 . In an exemplary embodiment, second control valve  238  may be connected in series with fourth control valve  242 . As used herein, second control valve  238  being connected in series with fourth control valve  242  may refer to an arrangement where fourth control valve  242  and second control valve  238  may intercept the tubing between feeding bag  234  and third port  222 , such that closing either one of fourth control valve  242  or second control valve  238  may disconnect the fluid communication of feeding bag  234  and third port  222 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, system  200  may further include a controller  252  that may be coupled with first control valve  236 , second control valve  238 , third control valve  240 , and fourth control valve  242 . In an exemplary embodiment, controller  252  may be configured to send opening/closing commands to actuators of first control valve  236 , second control valve  238 , third control valve  240 , and fourth control valve  242 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, step  102  of connecting the nasogastric tube to the pumping mechanism may include connecting nasogastric tube  250  to double action piston pump  202 . In an exemplary embodiment, nasogastric tube  250  may be connected in fluid communication with second port  220 . The fluid communication between nasogastric tube  250  and second port  220  may be intercepted by a fifth control valve  244 . As used herein, fluid communication being intercepted by a control valve may refer to the control valve allowing for opening or closing the fluid pathway or in other words connecting or disconnecting the fluid communication. In an exemplary embodiment, nasogastric tube  250  may further be connected in fluid communication with fourth port  224 . The fluid communication between nasogastric tube  250  and fourth port  224  may be intercepted by a sixth control valve  246 . 
     In other words, in an exemplary embodiment, nasogastric tube  250  may be connected in fluid communication with first chamber  212  via second port  220  and nasogastric tube  250  may further be connected in fluid communication with second chamber  214  via fourth port  224 . In an exemplary embodiment, alternate opening/closing of fifth control valve  244  and sixth control valve  246  may allow for alternately connecting/disconnecting nasogastric tube  250  with either first chamber  212  or second chamber  214 . In an exemplary embodiment, controller  252  may further be configured for sending opening/closing commands to actuators of fifth control valve  244  and sixth control valve  246 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, system  200  may further include a water source  254  that may be connected to double action piston pump  202 . In an exemplary embodiment, water source  254  may be connected in fluid communication with first chamber  212  of hollow cylinder  204 . As used herein, water source  254  being in fluid communication with first chamber  212  may refer to connecting water source  254  with first chamber  212  via tubing that may allow for water to pass between water source  254  and first chamber  212 . In an exemplary embodiment, water source  254  may further be connected in fluid communication with fifth port  226 . The fluid communication between water source  254  and fifth port  226  may be intercepted by a seventh control valve  248 . As used herein for seventh control valve  248 , a control valve intercepting a fluid communication line may refer to a control valve selectively intercepting a fluid communication line by closing the fluid communication line or not intercepting by leaving the fluid communication line open. 
     In other words, in an exemplary embodiment, water source  254  may be connected in fluid communication with first chamber  212  via fifth port  226 . In an exemplary embodiment, opening/closing of seventh control valve  248  may allow for connecting/disconnecting water source  254  with first chamber  212 . In an exemplary embodiment, controller  252  may further be configured for sending opening/closing commands to an actuator of seventh control valve  248   
     In an exemplary embodiment, step  104  of filling an entire volume of the nasogastric tube with water may include pumping water from water source  254  into nasogastric tube  250  utilizing double action piston pump  202 . In an exemplary embodiment, it may be beneficial to fill the entire volume of nasogastric tube  250  before aspirating patient&#39;s stomach  402 . 
     Specifically, during aspirating patient&#39;s stomach  402 , double action piston pump  202  may apply suction to nasogastric tube  250 . Considering the flexibility of nasogastric tube  250 , under a negative pressure during the aspiration process, nasogastric tube  250  may collapse inwardly due to the fact that under suction, an inner pressure of nasogastric tube  250  may be less than the pressure outside nasogastric tube  250 . An inward collapse of nasogastric tube  250  may block fluid flow within nasogastric tube  250 . However, in an exemplary embodiment, filling an entire volume of nasogastric tube  250  before aspirating patient&#39;s stomach  402  may prevent an inward collapse of nasogastric tube  250  due to the fact that an inner volume of nasogastric tube  250  may be filled with a fluid while negative pressure is applied by double action piston pump  202 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, step  104  of filling the entire volume of nasogastric tube  250  with water may include pumping water from water source  254  into nasogastric tube  250  until an entire volume of nasogastric tube  250  is filled with water. In an exemplary embodiment, pumping water from water source  254  into nasogastric tube  250  may include pumping water from water source  254  into double action piston pump  202  responsive to piston  216  moving in first direction  228 . In an exemplary embodiment, pumping water from water source  254  into double action piston pump  202  may include closing third control valve  240 , fourth control valve  242 , fifth control valve  244 , and sixth control valve  246  and opening first control valve  236 , second control valve  238 , and seventh control valve  248  responsive to piston  216  moving within hollow cylinder  204  in first direction  228 . In an exemplary embodiment, pumping water from water source  254  into double action piston pump  202  may further include closing seventh control valve  248  and opening fifth control valve  244  responsive to piston  216  moving within hollow cylinder  204  in second direction  230 . 
     As used herein, pumping water from water source  254  into double action piston pump  202  may refer to pumping water from water source  254  via fifth port  226  through seventh control valve  248  into first chamber  212  and pumping contents of second chamber  214  via third port  222  through second control valve  238  and first control valve  236  into collection bag  232 . Furthermore, pumping water from double action piston pump  202  into nasogastric tube  250  may refer to pumping water from first chamber  212  via second port  220  through fifth control valve  244  into nasogastric tube  250 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, step  106  of aspirating patient&#39;s stomach  402  may include pumping out contents of patient&#39;s stomach  402 . In an exemplary embodiment, step  106  of aspirating patient&#39;s stomach  402  may further include pumping out contents of patient&#39;s stomach  402  via nasogastric tube  250  into collection bag  232  utilizing double action piston pump  202 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, pumping out contents of patient&#39;s stomach  402  into collection bag  232  may include opening first control valve  236 , second control valve  238 , and fifth control valve  244  and closing third control valve  240 , fourth control valve  242 , sixth control valve  246 , and seventh control valve  248  responsive to piston  216  moving within hollow cylinder  204  in first direction  228 . In an exemplary embodiment, pumping out contents of patient&#39;s stomach  402  into collection bag  232  may further include opening third control valve  240  and sixth control valve  246  and closing second control valve  238  and fifth control valve  244  responsive to piston  216  moving within hollow cylinder  204  in second direction  230 . In other words, by opening and closing specific control valves as discussed above during the reciprocating movement of piston  216  back and forth in first direction  228  and second direction  230 , a continuous flow of fluids from patient&#39;s stomach  402  into collection bag  232  may be established. Specifically, in response to piston  216  moving in first direction  228 , controller  252  may send an opening signal to the actuators of first control valve  236 , second control valve  238 , and fifth control valve  244  and a closing signal to the actuators of third control valve  240 , fourth control valve  242 , sixth control valve  246 , and seventh control valve  248 . This way, in each reciprocation of piston  216 , when piston  216  moves in first direction  228 , the contents of patient&#39;s stomach  402  may be pumped into first chamber  212  via second port  220 , while the contents of patient&#39;s stomach  402  already pumped into second chamber  214  may be simultaneously pumped out into collection bag  232  via third port  222 . On the other hand, in response to piston  216  moving in second direction  230 , controller  252  may send an opening signal to the actuators of third control valve  240  and sixth control valve  246  and a closing signal to the actuators of second control valve  238  and fifth control valve  244 . This way, in each reciprocation of piston  216 , when piston  216  moves in second direction  230 , the contents of patient&#39;s stomach  402  may be pumped into second chamber  214  via third port  222 , while the contents of patient&#39;s stomach  402  already pumped into first chamber  212  may be simultaneously pumped out into collection bag  232  via first port  218 . In an exemplary embodiment, seventh control valve  248  may include a spring-loaded one-way valve that may only allow fluid flow out of water source  254 . Such configuration of seventh control valve  248  may simplify the design of the system since there is no need for controller  252  to send opening/closing signals to seventh control valve  248 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, step  108  of measuring a volume of the aspirated contents of the patient&#39;s stomach within the collection bag may include utilizing volume scales marked on collection bag  232  to determine how much fluid is gathered within collection bag  232 . In an exemplary embodiment, other methods such as weighing collection bag  232  or utilizing flow sensors may further be used to measure a volume of the aspirated contents of the patient&#39;s stomach within the collection bag. In an exemplary embodiment, a volume of the aspirated contents of the patient&#39;s stomach within the collection bag more than a predetermined threshold, may indicate that a patient&#39;s stomach has not functioned properly, and the food has not been digested well. Consequently, as will be discussed in the following paragraphs, if the measured volume is equal or more than the predetermined threshold for a patient, the aspirated contents of that patient&#39;s stomach must be returned into the stomach to continue the process of digestion. As mentioned before, in an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined threshold may be 4-5 mL per kilogram weight of a patient, in the absence of secondary considerations, like a special medical condition or a doctor&#39;s orders. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, step  110  of returning the aspirated contents of patient&#39;s stomach  402  into patient&#39;s stomach  402  may include pumping aspirated contents of patient&#39;s stomach  402  from collection bag  232  via nasogastric tube  250  into patient&#39;s stomach  402  utilizing double action piston pump  202 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, pumping aspirated contents of patient&#39;s stomach  402  from collection bag  232  into patient&#39;s stomach  402  may include opening first control valve  236 , third control valve  240 , and sixth control valve  246  and closing second control valve  238 , fourth control valve  242 , fifth control valve  244 , and seventh control valve  248  responsive to piston  216  moving within hollow cylinder  204  in first direction  228 . In an exemplary embodiment, pumping aspirated contents of patient&#39;s stomach  402  from collection bag  232  into patient&#39;s stomach  402  may further include opening second control valve  238  and fifth control valve  244  and closing third control valve  240  and sixth control valve  246  responsive to piston  216  moving within hollow cylinder  204  in second direction  230 . 
     In other words, by opening and closing specific control valves as discussed above during the reciprocating movement of piston  216  back and forth in first direction  228  and second direction  230 , a continuous flow of fluids from collection bag  232  into patient&#39;s stomach  402  may be established. Specifically, in response to piston  216  moving in first direction  228 , controller  252  may send an opening signal to the actuators of first control valve  236 , third control valve  240 , and sixth control valve  246  and a closing signal to the actuators of second control valve  238 , fourth control valve  242 , fifth control valve  244 , and seventh control valve  248 . This way, in each reciprocation of piston  216 , when piston  216  moves in first direction  228 , the contents of collection bag  232  may be pumped into first chamber  212  via first port  218 , while the contents of collection bag  232  already pumped into second chamber  214  may be simultaneously pumped out into patient&#39;s stomach  402  via fourth port  224 . On the other hand, in response to piston  216  moving in second direction  230 , controller  252  may send an opening signal to the actuators of second control valve  238  and fifth control valve  244  and a closing signal to the actuators of third control valve  240  and sixth control valve  246 . This way, in each reciprocation of piston  216 , when piston  216  moves in second direction  230 , the contents of collection bag  232  may be pumped into second chamber  214  via third port  222 , while the contents of collection bag  232  already pumped into first chamber  212  may be simultaneously pumped out into patient&#39;s stomach  402  via second port  220 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, as mentioned before, responsive to the measured volume being equal or more than the predetermined threshold within collection bag  232 , aspirated contents may be pumped back from collection bag  232  into patient&#39;s stomach  402 , as discussed in the preceding paragraph. In an exemplary embodiment, if the measured volume of the aspirated content within collection bag  232  is less than the predetermined threshold, it may indicate that the entire food or a portion of the food fed to the patient in a previous feeding process has been completely or partially digested. In this case, in addition to returning the aspirated contents back into patient&#39;s stomach  402 , newly prepared nutritious fluids may further be fed into patient&#39;s stomach, as will be discussed in the following paragraphs. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, step  112  of delivering fluids into patient&#39;s stomach  402  may include pumping fluids from feeding bag  234  into patient&#39;s stomach  402 . In an exemplary embodiment, step  112  of delivering fluids into patient&#39;s stomach  402  may further include pumping fluids from feeding bag  234  via nasogastric tube  250  into patient&#39;s stomach  402  utilizing double action piston pump  202 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, pumping fluids from feeding bag  234  into patient&#39;s stomach  402  may include opening third control valve  240 , fourth control valve  242 , and sixth control valve  246  and closing first control valve  236 , second control valve  238 , fifth control valve  244 , and seventh control valve  248  responsive to piston  216  moving within hollow cylinder  204  in first direction  228 . In an exemplary embodiment, pumping fluids from feeding bag  234  into patient&#39;s stomach  402  may further include opening second control valve  238  and fifth control valve  244  and closing third control valve  240  and sixth control valve  246  responsive to piston  216  moving within hollow cylinder  204  in second direction  230 . 
     In other words, by opening and closing specific control valves as discussed above during the reciprocating movement of piston  216  back and forth in first direction  228  and second direction  230 , a continuous flow of fluids from feeding bag  234  into patient&#39;s stomach  402  may be established. Specifically, in response to piston  216  moving in first direction  228 , controller  252  may send an opening signal to the actuators of third control valve  240 , fourth control valve  242 , and sixth control valve  246  and a closing signal to the actuators of first control valve  236 , second control valve  238 , and fifth control valve  244 . This way, in each reciprocation of piston  216 , when piston  216  moves in first direction  228 , the contents of feeding bag  234  may be pumped into first chamber  212  via first port  218 , while the contents of feeding bag  234  already pumped into second chamber  214  may be simultaneously pumped out into patient&#39;s stomach  402  via fourth port  224 . On the other hand, in response to piston  216  moving in second direction  230 , controller  252  may send an opening signal to the actuators of second control valve  238  and fifth control valve  244  and a closing signal to the actuators of third control valve  240  and sixth control valve  246 . This way, in each reciprocation of piston  216 , when piston  216  moves in second direction  230 , the contents of feeding bag  234  may be pumped into second chamber  214  via third port  222 , while the contents of feeding bag  234  already pumped into first chamber  212  may be simultaneously pumped out into patient&#39;s stomach  402  via second port  220 . 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a schematic view of double action piston pump  202 , consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3B  illustrates a schematic view of second control valve  238  in a first rotational position, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3C  illustrates a schematic view of second control valve  238  in second rotational position, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3D  illustrates a schematic view of single double action valve  336  in an initial position  354 , consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, system  200  for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration may include first control valve  236 , second control valve  238 , third control valve  240 , fourth control valve  242 , fifth control valve  244 , sixth control valve  246 , and seventh control valve  248  that may be structurally similar to each other. For example, second control valve  238  may include a motor (not illustrated) and a cam  322  that may be coupled to the motor via a shaft  324 . In an exemplary embodiment, cam  322  may include a main body  326  and an extended lip  328  that may protrude from main body  326  along a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of shaft  324 . In an exemplary embodiment, the motor may be configured to drive a rotational movement of cam  322  about a longitudinal axis of shaft  324  in response to opening/closing commands that may be received from controller  252 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, second control valve  238  may further include a seat  330  that may be mounted adjacent cam  322  with a gap between seat  330  and main body  326  of cam  322  along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of shaft  324 . In an exemplary embodiment, the motor (not illustrated) may further be configured to drive a rotational movement of cam  322  between a first rotational position (illustrated in  FIG. 3B ) and second rotational position (illustrated in  FIG. 3C ). In an exemplary embodiment, second control valve  238  may be closed by rotating cam  322  into second rotational position in a direction shown by arrow  334 . As used herein, opening second control valve  238  may refer to opening a gap between seat  330  and main body  326 . In other words, in an exemplary embodiment, extended lip  328  may not be positioned between main body  326  of cam  322  and seat  330  along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of shaft  324 . In an exemplary embodiment, the motor may further be configured to drive a rotational movement of cam  322  from second rotational position to first rotational position in a direction shown by arrow  334  in response to an opening command that may be received from controller  252 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, second control valve  238  may be opened by rotating cam  322  into first rotational position. As used herein, closing second control valve  238  may refer to closing a gap between seat  330  and main body  326 . In other words, in an exemplary embodiment, extended lip  328  may be positioned between main body  326  of cam  322  and seat  330  along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of shaft  324 . In an exemplary embodiment, the motor may further be configured to drive a rotational movement of cam  322  from the first rotational position to the second rotational position in a direction shown by arrow  332  in response to closing command that may be received from controller  252 . In an exemplary embodiment, first control valve  236 , third control valve  240 , fourth control valve  242 , fifth control valve  244 , sixth control valve  246 , and seventh control valve  248  may have similar structures, which are not described separately, for simplicity. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, nasogastric tube  250  may be connected to second port  220  of double action piston pump  202  via a first flexible tube  300 . In an exemplary embodiment, first flexible tube  300  may be positioned in a gap between seat  330   a  and cam  322   a  of fifth control valve  244 . In an exemplary embodiment, nasogastric tube  250  may be connected to forth port  224  of double action piston pump  202  via a second flexible tube  302 . In other words, in an exemplary embodiment, second flexible tube  302  may be positioned in a gap between seat  330   b  and cam  322   b  of sixth control valve  246 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, collection bag  232  may be connected to double action piston pump  202 . In an exemplary embodiment, collection bag  232  may be connected to third port  222  of double action piston pump  202  via a third flexible tube  304 . In an exemplary embodiment, third flexible tube  304  may include a first portion  306  of third flexible tube  304 . In an exemplary embodiment, first portion  306  of third flexible tube  304  may be positioned in a gap between the seat and the cam of first control valve  236 . In an exemplary embodiment, third flexible tube  304  may further include a second portion  308  of third flexible tube  304 . In an exemplary embodiment, second portion  308  of third flexible tube  304  may be positioned in the gap between the seat and the cam of second control valve  238 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, feeding bag  234  may be connected to double action piston pump  202 . In an exemplary embodiment, feeding bag  234  may be connected to first port  218  of double action piston pump  202  via a fourth flexible tube  310 . In an exemplary embodiment, fourth flexible tube  310  may include a first portion  312  of fourth flexible tube  310 . In an exemplary embodiment, first portion  312  of fourth flexible tube  310  may be positioned in a gap between the seat and the cam of fourth control valve  242 . In an exemplary embodiment, fourth flexible tube  310  may further include a second portion  314  of fourth flexible tube  310 . In an exemplary embodiment, second portion  314  of fourth flexible tube  310  may be positioned in the gap between seat  330   c  and cam  322   c  of third control valve  240 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, third flexible tube  304  and fourth flexible tube  310  may be interconnected via an interconnect tube  316 . In an exemplary embodiment, interconnect tube  316  may include a first end  318  and a second opposing end  320 . In an exemplary embodiment, first end  318  of interconnect tube  316  may be connected in fluid communication with third flexible tube  304  at a point along third flexible tube  304  between first control valve  236  and second control valve  238 . In an exemplary embodiment, second opposite end  320  of interconnect tube  316  may be connected in fluid communication with fourth flexible tube  310  at a point along forth flexible tube  310  between fourth control valve  242  and third control valve  240 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, system  200  for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration may include single double action valve  336 . In an exemplary embodiment, single double action valve  336  may be utilized as an alternative to first control valve  236  and fourth control valve  242 . In an exemplary embodiment, single double action valve  336  may intercept first portion  306  of third flexible tube  304  as an alternative to first control valve  236 . In an exemplary embodiment, single double action valve  336  may intercept first portion  312  of forth flexible tube  312  as an alternative to fourth control valve  242 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, changing the status of single double action valve  336  may be utilized as an alternative to opening/closing of either first control valve  236  or fourth control valve  242 . In an exemplary embodiment, single double action valve  336  may include a motor (not illustrated) and a cam  340  that may be coupled to the motor via a shaft  342 . In an exemplary embodiment, cam  340  may include a main body  344  and a first extended lip  346  and a second extended lip  348  that may protrude from main body  344  along a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of shaft  342 . In an exemplary embodiment, first extended lip  346  may be attached to first side of main body  344  and second extended lip  348  may be attached to second opposite side of main body  344  along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of shaft  342 . In an exemplary embodiment, the motor may be configured to drive a rotational movement of cam  340  about a longitudinal axis of shaft  342  in response to opening/closing commands that may be received from controller  252 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, single double action valve  336  may further include a first seat  350 . In an exemplary embodiment, first seat  350  may be mounted on a first side of cam  340  with a gap between first seat  350  and main body  344  of cam  340  along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of shaft  342 . In other words, in an exemplary embodiment, first portion of third flexible tube  306  may be positioned between first seat  350  and first extended lip  346  at first side of main body  344 . In an exemplary embodiment, single double action valve  336  may further include a second seat  352 . In an exemplary embodiment, second seat  352  may be mounted on a second opposite side of cam  340  with a gap between seat  352  and main body  344  of cam  340  along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of shaft  342 . In other words, in an exemplary embodiment, first portion of forth flexible tube  312  may be positioned between second seat  352  and second extended lip  348  at second opposite side of main body  344 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the motor may further be configured to drive rotational movement of cam  340  about a longitudinal axis of shaft  342  from initial position  354  to either a first position  356  or a second position  358 . As used herein, initial position  354  may refer to a position where first extended lip  346  may be positioned adjacent an outer surface of first portion of third flexible tube  340 . Furthermore, initial position  354  may further refer to a position where second extended lip  348  may be positioned adjacent an outer surface of first portion of forth flexible tube  360 . As used herein, in an exemplary embodiment, first position  356  may refer to a position where first extended lip  346  may be positioned between first seat  350  and main body  344  that may press shut third flexible tube  306 . As used herein, in an exemplary embodiment, second position  358  may refer to a position where second extended lip  348  may be positioned between second seat  352  and main body  344  that may press shut forth flexible tube  312 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, such configuration of control valves within system  200 , where control valves are not in contact with fluids flowing through tubes of system  200  may allow for utilizing system  200  in applications, where contamination of the fluids are especially important. For example, when system  200  is utilized for feeding a patient, a user does not want any type of contamination to come in contact with medical or nutritious fluids flowing within system  200 . In an exemplary embodiment, control valves of system  200  are designed such that the control valves may only contact an outer surface of the tubes, as was discussed in preceding paragraphs, and, therefore, no contact is made between the fluids and the control valves. Furthermore, such configuration of control valves may further allow for easily removing all the single-use tubes of system, while the control valves themselves do not need to be changed, due to their separate configuration from the tubes. For example, second portion  308  of third flexible tube  304  may be easily detached from second control valve  238  by pulling second portion  308  out of the gap between seat  330  and cam  322 . Furthermore, as evident in  FIGS. 3B and 3C , closing and opening of second portion  308  utilizing second control valve  238  may be carried out without second control valve  238  or any of its components coming into contact with a fluid that may be flowing within second portion  308 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, system  200  may further include a driver  205  that may be coupled with piston  216  via piston shaft  231 . Driver  205  may be a motor that may be configured to drive a reciprocating movement of piston  216  within hollow cylinder  204 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, system  200  may further include a pressure transducer  400  that may be coupled with nasogastric tube  250  and may be configured to measure the fluid pressure within nasogastric tube  250 . In an exemplary embodiment, pressure transducer  400  may further be configured to send the measured pressure to controller  252 . During aspiration of patient&#39;s stomach  402  utilizing system  200 , when contents of patient&#39;s stomach  402  is completely aspirated, due to the suction that is being applied by system  200 , a distal end  406  of nasogastric tube  250  may grab a portion of an internal surface of patient&#39;s stomach  402  and cause a scar or unwanted damage to the internal surface of patient&#39;s stomach  402 , which may lead to bleeding within patient&#39;s stomach  402 . In an exemplary embodiment, responsive to the contents of patient&#39;s stomach  402  being completely drawn out of patient&#39;s stomach  402  and distal end  406  getting caught on the internal surface of distal end  406  due to suction provided by system  200 , pressure transducer  400  may sense a sudden decrease in the pressure within nasogastric tube  250 . In an exemplary embodiment, such sudden decrease in the pressure may be transmitted to controller  252 , where controller  252  may be configured to shut driver  205  off to avoid any damage to the internal surface of patient&#39;s stomach  402 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of a system  500  for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, system  500  for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration may be similar to system  200  for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, system  500  may include a controller  800  that may be similar to controller  252  that may be coupled with a pumping mechanism  502  that may be similar to pumping mechanism of system  200 . In an exemplary embodiment, pumping mechanism  502  may include a driver  506  similar to driver  205  that may be coupled with a double action piston pump similar to double action piston pump  202  and may be configured to drive a reciprocating motion of the double action pump. In an exemplary embodiment, pumping mechanism  502  may further include seven control valves ( 504   a - 504   g ) that may be similar to respective first control valve  236 , second control valve  238 , third control valve  240 , fourth control valve  242 , fifth control valve  244 , sixth control valve  246 , and seventh control valve  248 . In an exemplary embodiment, controller  800  may be coupled to seven control valves ( 504   a - 504   g ) and may be configured to send opening/closing commands to actuators of seven control valves ( 504   a - 504   g ) to perform feeding and aspirating processes similar to method  10  for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration. In an exemplary embodiment, controller  800  may further be coupled to a pressure transducer  508  that may be similar to pressure transducer  400  and may be configured to receive measured pressure of a nasogastric tube similar to nasogastric tube  250 . In an exemplary embodiment, controller  800  may further be configured to send a shutdown command to driver  506  in response to the received pressure measurement from pressure transducer  508  showing a sudden decrease. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, controller  800  may be implemented as a computer system, in which an embodiment of the present disclosure, or portions thereof, may be implemented as computer-readable code, consistent with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, method  10  for gastrointestinal feeding and aspiration may be implemented in controller  800  using hardware, software, firmware, tangible computer-readable media having instructions stored thereon, or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems. 
     If programmable logic is used, such logic may execute on a commercially available processing platform or a special purpose device. One ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter may be practiced with various computer system configurations, including multi-core multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, computers linked or clustered with distributed functions, as well as pervasive or miniature computers that may be embedded into virtually any device. 
     For instance, a computing device having at least one processor device and a memory may be used to implement the above-described embodiments. A processor device may be a single processor, a plurality of processors, or combinations thereof. Processor devices may have one or more processor “cores.” 
     An embodiment of the disclosure is described in terms of this example controller  800 . After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how to implement the disclosure using other computer systems and/or computer architectures. Although operations may be described as a sequential process, some of the operations may be performed in parallel, concurrently, and/or in a distributed environment, and with program code stored locally or remotely for access by single or multi-processor machines. Also, in some embodiments, the order of operations may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the disclosed subject matter. 
     Processor device  804  may be a special purpose or a general-purpose processor device. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art, processor device  804  may also be a single processor in a multi-core/multiprocessor system, such system operating alone, or in a cluster of computing devices operating in a cluster or server farm. Processor device  804  may be connected to a communication infrastructure  806 , for example, a bus, message queue, network, or multi-core message-passing scheme. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, controller  800  may include a display interface  802 , for example, a video connector, to transfer data to a display unit  830 , for example, a monitor. Controller  800  may also include a main memory  808 , for example, random access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory  810 . Secondary memory  810  may include, for example, a hard disk drive  812 , and a removable storage drive  814 . Removable storage drive  814  may include a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flash memory, or the like. Removable storage drive  814  may read from and/or write to a removable storage unit  818  in a well-known manner. Removable storage unit  818  may include a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, etc., which may be read by and written to by removable storage drive  814 . As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art, removable storage unit  818  may include a computer-usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and/or data. 
     In alternative implementations, secondary memory  810  may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into controller  800 . Such means may include, for example, a removable storage unit  822  and an interface  820 . Examples of such means may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units  822  and interfaces  820  which allow software and data to be transferred from removable storage unit  822  to controller  800 . 
     Controller  800  may also include a communications interface  824 . Communications interface  824  allows software and data to be transferred between controller  800  and external devices. Communications interface  824  may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a PCMCIA slot, and card, or the like. Software and data transferred via communications interface  824  may be in the form of signals, which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being received by communications interface  824 . These signals may be provided to communications interface  824  via a communications path  826 . Communications path  826  carries signals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link, or other communications channels. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, operations in method  10  may be stored in main memory  808  and/or secondary memory  810  as computer programs (also called computer control logic). Computer programs may also be received via communications interface  824 . Such computer programs, when executed, enable controller  800  to implement different embodiments of the present disclosure as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable processor device  804  to implement the processes of the present disclosure, such as the operations in method  10 . Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of controller  800 . The software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into controller  800  using removable storage drive  814 , interface  820 , and hard disk drive  812 , or communications interface  824 . 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure also may be directed to computer program products including software stored on any computer useable medium. Such software, when executed in one or more data processing devices, causes a data processing device to operate as described herein. An embodiment of the present disclosure may employ any computer useable or readable medium. Examples of computer useable mediums include, but are not limited to, primary storage devices (e.g., any type of random-access memory), secondary storage devices (e.g., hard drives, floppy disks, CD ROMS, ZIP disks, tapes, magnetic storage devices, and optical storage devices, MEMS, nanotechnological storage device, etc.). 
     The embodiments have been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. 
     The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the disclosure that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance. 
     The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 
     Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not to the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 
     Moreover, the word “substantially” when used with an adjective or adverb is intended to enhance the scope of the particular characteristic; e.g., substantially planar is intended to mean planar, nearly planar and/or exhibiting characteristics associated with a planar element. 
     Further use of relative terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, “down”, and “side-to-side” are used in a relative sense to the normal orientation of the apparatus.