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Publication Number
US-12259268-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
The disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for sensing the volume of liquid in a container, such as within a medical device. The systems, devices, and methods can measure the properties of a signal sent across a container using non-intrusive components that remain outside the container. The measured properties can be used to determine the volume of liquid in the container, as well as changes to the volume of liquid representing flow into and out of the container.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a non-intrusive flow sensor system for determining liquid volume in a container and for determining flow-related volume change. The sensor includes an RF transmission line between an RF transmitter and an RF receiver, where both the RF transmitter and the RF receiver are non-intrusive to the container.
An RF impedance measuring circuit measures an RF impedance in the RF transmission line that varies with a liquid volume in the container. The RF impedance measuring circuit is in communication with a control system, and the control system is programmed to determine a liquid volume in the container based on the measured impedance.
The described embodiments further include RF impedance measuring circuit implementations such as narrow bandpass filtering and signal conditioning using an operational amplifier. In medical-fluid contexts, the system is applied as a dialysis-system example integrating the sensor into a dialysis system controller to determine volume and flow-related changes and to control pumps/valves for generating and dispensing peritoneal dialysis fluid.
Claims Coverage
The relevant independent claim recites one core inventive concept: an RF transmission-line impedance measurement that varies with a liquid volume in a container, together with a non-intrusive RF transmitter/receiver and a control system programmed to determine the liquid volume from the measured impedance. Dependent claims specify how the control system output relates to volume-rate or flow rate and refine the RF impedance measuring circuit and liquid context.
Non-intrusive RF transmission line impedance measurement for liquid volume
An RF transmission line between an RF transmitter and an RF receiver; an RF impedance measuring circuit measuring an RF impedance in the RF transmission line that varies with a liquid volume in a container; the RF transmitter and RF receiver both non-intrusive to the container.
Control system programmed to determine liquid volume from measured RF impedance
The RF impedance measuring circuit in communication with a control system; the control system programmed to determine a liquid volume in the container based on the measured impedance.
Rate of change of liquid volume based on impedance measurement
The control system determines the rate of change of the liquid volume in the container based on the measured impedance.
Fluid flow rate entering or exiting a container based on impedance measurement
The control system determines a fluid flow rate entering or exiting a container by using the RF impedance measurements.
Narrow bandpass filtering impedance measurement on an RF transmission line
An impedance measuring circuit comprising a narrow bandpass filter and an RF transmission line carrying an RF signal within the filter’s passband.
Operational amplifier impedance measuring circuit
The impedance measuring circuit uses an operational amplifier.
Purified water dielectric-property basis for volume determination in medical admixture
Purified water suitable for admixture with an injectable medical fluid, where the liquid volume in the container is determined based on the dielectric properties of the purified water.
Across the independent claim and its dependent refinements, the coverage centers on non-intrusive RF transmission-line impedance measurement whose impedance varies with liquid volume, coupled to a control system that determines liquid volume from the measured impedance, with dependent features extending the outputs to volume rate of change or flow rate and specifying RF conditioning (narrow bandpass filter; operational amplifier) and a purified-water medical context tied to dielectric properties.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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