Liquid measurement systems, apparatus, and methods optimized with temperature sensing
Inventors
White, James • Whalley, Richard • Sihlanick, Kevin • Legrand, Matthew
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11984204-B2
Publication Date
2024-05-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
An apparatus for measuring liquid volume in a container includes a plurality of light sources for emitting electromagnetic radiation (EMR) toward the container, a plurality of sensors optically coupleable to the plurality of light sources, each sensor of the plurality of sensors for detecting the EMR emitted by at least a portion of the plurality of light sources, a temperature sensor for measuring at least one temperature associated with a liquid in the container, and at least one processor for receiving data representative of the portion of the detected EMR from each of the plurality of sensors, comparing the at least one measured temperature to a temperature guideline to identify any temperature events associated with the received data; normalizing the received data based on any temperature events associated with the received data; and converting the normalized data into a signature representative of the EMR detected by the plurality of sensors.
Core Innovation
The invention is a liquid quantity sensor-based drug measurement system that detects a volume of a drug contained within a container and measures at least one temperature associated with the drug in the container. The system uses a processor to receive data representative of the drug volume from the liquid quantity sensor and to receive data representative of the measured temperature from the temperature sensor. The processor adjusts the volume data based on the measured temperature to produce compensated data.
After temperature compensation, the processor compares the at least one measured temperature to a temperature guideline to determine whether a temperature event has occurred. The processor sends, via a communication interface operatively coupled to the processor, a notification based on the temperature event to a computer device remote from the processor. The temperature guideline and the temperature event are explicitly linked so that temperature information can trigger remote notifications.
In the described embodiments and claim refinements, compensated data is used to produce dose information for the drug and to support evaluation outputs associated with the temperature event. The document further indicates that temperature information can be used to determine efficacy and expiration status, and to provide user notifications and alerts, while volume-derived dose information supports dose remaining and dose delivered determinations.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims, apparatus, method, and system. Across these claims, the core inventive features are the combination of liquid quantity sensing with temperature sensing, temperature-guideline comparison to detect a temperature event, and sending a remote notification based on that event, with temperature-adjusted volume data as the basis for further dose-related determinations in dependent claim refinements.
Temperature-compensated volume sensing with a temperature sensor
A liquid quantity sensor detecting a volume of a drug contained within a container; a temperature sensor measuring at least one temperature associated with the drug in the container; and a processor receiving volume data and temperature data and adjusting the data received from the liquid quantity sensor based on the at least one measured temperature to produce compensated data.
Temperature guideline comparison to determine a temperature event
The processor comparing the at least one measured temperature to a temperature guideline to determine whether a temperature event has occurred.
Remote notification based on the temperature event
Sending, via a communication interface operatively coupled to the processor, a notification based on the temperature event to a computer device remote from the processor.
Removably coupleable measurement device including liquid quantity and temperature sensors
A container containing a volume of a drug, and a measurement device configured to be removably coupleable to the container, the measurement system including a liquid quantity sensor disposed and configured to detect a volume of the drug contained within the container, a temperature sensor disposed and configured to measure at least one temperature associated with the drug in the container, and a processor configured to receive volume data and temperature data, adjust the volume data based on the measured temperature to produce compensated data, compare the measured temperature to a temperature guideline to determine whether a temperature event has occurred, and send a notification based on the temperature event to a computer device remote from the processor.
Overall claim coverage centers on producing compensated data by adjusting liquid-quantity measurements using measured temperature, using a temperature guideline to detect a temperature event, and sending a notification remotely based on that event. Dependent refinements further tie the temperature event and compensated data to dose information and additional outputs such as efficacy, safety/comfort levels, and expiration status.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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