Methods circuits devices assemblies systems and associated computer executable code for sensing and analyzing fluid characteristics within a conduit of a medical device and air bubbles
Inventors
Eitan, Boaz • Yosef, Andrei • Mizrahi, David • Shtoltz, Ram • Greenfield, Rafi
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10894131-B2
Publication Date
2021-01-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention includes methods, circuits, devices, assemblies, systems and associated computer executable code for monitoring medical conduits, sensing and measuring parameters of fluids (liquid and/or gas) within medical conduits and/or processing sensed/measured parameters of fluids within medical conduits. The present invention further includes medical infusion devices and/or systems including the monitoring, sensing, measuring and analyzing devices and methods described herein.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an assembly for spectral analysis of fluid within a conduit using a multi-spectral light emitter and a multi-spectral light sensor mounted on opposing sides of the conduit. The assembly includes emitter-line and sensor-line interfaces and signal processing circuitry that receives and analyzes electrical signals generated by the sensor to detect parameters indicative of fluid transitions within the conduit and distinguish between liquid and gas.
The spectral analysis distinguishes at least a first liquid and at least a second liquid by comparing spectral signatures relative to air at different wave bands. For the first liquid, the spectral signature is similar to air at a first wave band and distinct from air at a second wave band, while for the second liquid the spectral signature is similar to air at the second wave band and distinct from air at the first wave band.
In a medical system for delivery of fluid, the invention includes a pressure sensor and a clamp adapted to apply force to the conduit to at least partially obstruct fluid flow. First signal processing circuitry measures a rate of change of pressure within the conduit upon application of the clamp based on output from the pressure sensor, and second signal processing circuitry analyzes the multi-spectral light sensor output to detect parameters indicative of fluid transitions, including parameters used to identify and characterize air bubbles and resolve ambiguous readings.
Claims Coverage
The partial document includes two independent claims, covering four inventive features. These features combine multi-spectral emitter/sensor spectral analysis to distinguish liquid versus gas during fluid transitions, wave-band spectral signature discrimination of different liquids, and in a medical system a pressure-sensing, clamp-based mechanism that measures pressure rate-of-change while also detecting fluid transitions.
Multi-spectral conduit fluid transition spectral analysis assembly
An assembly for spectral analysis of fluid within a conduit with a multi-spectral light emitter adapted to emit light in two or more distinct wave bands, a multi-spectral light sensor, an emitter-line interface and a sensor-line interface mounted on opposing sides of the conduit, and signal processing circuitry configured to receive and analyze an electrical signal generated by the sensor to detect parameters indicative of fluid transitions within the conduit to distinguish between liquid and gas.
Wave-band spectral signature discrimination of different liquids
Distinguishing a first liquid and a second liquid based on wave-band spectral signature relationships to air, wherein the first liquid has a spectral signature similar to air at a first wave band and distinct from air at a second wave band, and the second liquid has a spectral signature similar to air at the second wave band and distinct from air at the first wave band.
Pressure sensor with flow-obstructing clamp measuring pressure rate-of-change
A medical system for delivery of fluid with a pump pumping fluid through a conduit, a pressure sensor mounted upon the pump to sense pressure within the conduit, a clamp adapted to apply force to the conduit thereby at least partially obstructing fluid flow through the conduit, an interface adapted to attach or secure the clamp to the conduit, and first signal processing circuitry coupled to the pressure sensor and the clamp to measure a rate of change of pressure within the conduit upon application of the clamp based on output from the pressure sensor.
Integrated multi-spectral emitter/sensor and processing for liquid-gas transition detection in the medical system
A multi-spectral light emitter adapted to emit light in two or more distinct wave bands, a multi-spectral light sensor, emitter-line and sensor-line interfaces configured to mount the emitter and sensor to the pump on opposing sides of the conduit, and second signal processing circuitry configured to receive and analyze an electrical signal generated by the multi-spectral light sensor and, in response to the analyzing, detect parameters indicative of fluid transitions within the conduit to distinguish between liquid and gas.
The claims cover spectral analysis using a multi-spectral light emitter and sensor mounted on opposing sides of a conduit, with signal processing to detect fluid-transition parameters for distinguishing liquid and gas using wave-band spectral signature relationships to air. A medical delivery system further integrates a pressure sensor and a clamp that at least partially obstructs fluid flow, enabling measurement of pressure rate-of-change upon clamp application while maintaining multi-spectral liquid-gas transition detection.
Stated Advantages
Distinguish between liquid and gas based on detected parameters indicative of fluid transitions within the conduit.
Differentiate at least a first liquid and at least a second liquid using wave-band spectral signatures relative to air at different wave bands.
Measure a rate of change of pressure within the conduit upon application of a clamp that at least partially obstructs fluid flow.
Documented Applications
Medical infusion line monitoring within a conduit of a medical system for delivery of fluid, including distinguishing liquid from gas during fluid transitions and detecting parameters indicative of air bubbles.
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