System and method for measuring fluid flow from a syringe
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12013267-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device and method for measuring a volume of liquid expelled from a syringe is provided. The device generally includes a syringe barrel, a plunger actuated with a plunger rod, and a sensor. The sensor may include two ports with one port being in fluid communication with a source of fluid external to the syringe barrel, while the second port is in fluid communication either with a proximal end portion of the syringe barrel or a hollow plunger rod having a first end closed by the plunger. The method may include expelling liquid from the syringe; detecting and recording differential pressure with the sensor over time; and calculating the volume of liquid expelled from the syringe from the recorded differential pressure over time.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a syringe-based device that monitors fluid expulsion by using a sensor having a first port and a second port to measure pressure differential between a fluid volume inside the syringe and a source of fluid external to the syringe barrel. The syringe barrel includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and a plunger slides within the syringe barrel while providing a seal between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The proximal end portion defines a barrier, and a first internal volume is disposed between the plunger and the barrier.
The sensor operates with the second port in fluid communication with the source of fluid external to the syringe barrel via a second internal volume. In the disclosed arrangements, the second internal volume is disposed between the source of fluid external to the syringe barrel and the barrier, and the second internal volume is open to the source of fluid external to the syringe barrel. The sensor is configured to operate using the second port through this external fluid-exposed internal volume, enabling differential pressure measurement during plunger movement.
In a further configuration, the invention employs a hollow plunger rod having a first end closed by the plunger, a second end in fluid communication with the first port, and an opening in fluid communication with the proximal end portion. This hollow plunger rod places the sensor in fluid communication with the proximal end portion while the plunger slides to provide the seal and move fluid through the syringe barrel. A controller records pressure differential readings over time and uses the readings to estimate total volume expelled.
Claims Coverage
The provided content includes two independent claims. The main inventive features are differential pressure sensing with a sensor having first and second ports, the barrier/open external-fluid internal volume arrangement, and the hollow plunger rod that fluidly connects the sensor to the proximal end portion.
Barrier-defined proximal internal volume with externally open second internal volume for sensor operation
A syringe device having a syringe barrel with a proximal end portion defining a barrier and a first internal volume disposed between the plunger and the barrier, where the sensor has a first port in fluid communication with the proximal end portion and a second port in fluid communication with a source of fluid external to the syringe barrel via a second internal volume that is open to the external fluid source so the sensor operates with the second port in fluid communication with the source of fluid external to the syringe barrel.
Hollow plunger rod fluidly connecting proximal end portion to the sensor ports
A syringe device including a hollow plunger rod having a first end closed by the plunger, a second end in fluid communication with the first port of a sensor, and an opening in fluid communication with the proximal end portion, where the syringe barrel defines an internal volume between proximal and distal end portions with the proximal end portion defining a barrier at least partially sealing the proximal end portion and the plunger slidingly seals the proximal end portion from the distal end portion.
Both independent claims focus on differential pressure sensing using a sensor with first and second ports, where the proximal syringe region is defined by a barrier and fluid communication to the sensor is established either through an internal volume arrangement that is open to an external fluid source or through a hollow plunger rod that provides an opening to the proximal end portion. The disclosed dependents further connect the sensor to a controller for recording pressure differential readings and for calculating total volume expelled.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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