Patent ID: 8821475

Claim:
A method for delivering a target volume of fluid to a destination using a pumping apparatus comprising one or more variable volume pumping chambers each having a pneumatically actuated flexible membrane to pump the fluid in a plurality of incremental volumes and an electronic controller to measure the volumes pumped and to control the pumping apparatus, the method comprising: selecting a low fill mode of operation of the pumping apparatus from at least two available modes of operation comprising a standard mode and a low fill mode; selecting a target volume of fluid from a pre-determined range of target volumes, said pre-determined range being less than a standard range of target volumes available in the standard mode; in a first phase, applying pneumatic pressure to the flexible membrane of the one or more pumping chambers to pump a first volume of fluid to the destination in increments each having approximately a first incremental volume, the first volume of fluid being less than the target volume; measuring the volume of fluid pumped to the destination using the electronic controller receiving input from a transducer associated with the pumping apparatus; determining using the electronic controller whether the volume of fluid pumped is less than the target volume by a pre-determined amount at least as large as the first incremental volume; suspending the pumping of the first volume of fluid; in a final phase, applying pneumatic pressure to the flexible membrane of at least one of the one or more pumping chambers to pump a finish volume of fluid to the destination in increments each having approximately a second incremental volume, the second incremental volume being less than the first incremental volume; after each second incremental volume is delivered, measuring the volume of fluid pumped to the destination using the electronic controller receiving input from the transducer; determining using the electronic controller when the approximate target volume has been reached; and terminating delivery of the fluid to the destination.