Infusion system using optical imager for controlling flow and method thereof
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A flow meter apparatus, comprising:
- a drip chamber including an optically clear wall configured to connect to an output tube;
a drip tube having a first end connected to a source of fluid and a second end disposed in the drip chamber, the second end configured to position a drop of fluid from the source of fluid within the drip chamber;
an illumination system including a light source configured to transmit light through the wall of the drip chamber;
a pattern configured such that the pattern, when illuminated by the illumination system, is viewable in relation to the drop of fluid;
an optical system having a sensor configured to receive light transmitted through the drip chamber, wherein the transmitted light provides pattern data regarding distortions in the pattern; and
at least one microprocessor configured to;
receive pattern data from the sensor;
generate using the pattern data, one or more images of the drop; and
calculate a volume of the drop of fluid from the one or more images based on distortions of the pattern in relation to the drop of fluid.
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Abstract
A method of operating an infusion pump includes transmitting light through or around a drop of fluid suspended from an end of a drip tube for the infusion pump, the end of the drip tube located in a drip chamber for the infusion pump, wherein the drip tube is configured for connection to a source of the fluid; receiving, using an optical system for the pump, light transmitted through or around the drop; transmitting, to a specially programmed microprocessor and using the optical system, data regarding the received light; and, using the microprocessor to calculate a volume of the drop using the data.
46 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A flow meter apparatus, comprising:
- a drip chamber including an optically clear wall configured to connect to an output tube;
a drip tube having a first end connected to a source of fluid and a second end disposed in the drip chamber, the second end configured to position a drop of fluid from the source of fluid within the drip chamber;
an illumination system including a light source configured to transmit light through the wall of the drip chamber;
a pattern configured such that the pattern, when illuminated by the illumination system, is viewable in relation to the drop of fluid;
an optical system having a sensor configured to receive light transmitted through the drip chamber, wherein the transmitted light provides pattern data regarding distortions in the pattern; and
at least one microprocessor configured to;
receive pattern data from the sensor;
generate using the pattern data, one or more images of the drop; and
calculate a volume of the drop of fluid from the one or more images based on distortions of the pattern in relation to the drop of fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- a drip chamber including an optically clear wall configured to connect to an output tube;
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14. A flow meter apparatus, comprising:
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a drip chamber including an optically clear wall configured to connect to an output tube; a drip tube having a first end connected to a source of fluid and a second end disposed in the drip chamber, the second end configured to position a drop of fluid from the source of fluid within the drip chamber; an illumination system including a light source configured to project a pattern such that the pattern is viewable on the surface of the drop of fluid; an optical system having a sensor configured to; receive light transmitted through the drip chamber, receive pattern data regarding the pattern on the surface of the drop, and transmit pattern data related to the received light; and at least one microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor is configured to; receive the pattern data from the sensor; generate one or more images of the drop of fluid; and calculate a volume of the drop of fluid from the one or more images based on distortions of the pattern on the drop of fluid. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A flow meter apparatus comprising:
- a drip chamber including an optically clear wall configured to connect to an output tube;
a drip tube having a first end connected to a source of fluid and a second end disposed in the drip chamber, the second end configured to position a drop of fluid from the source of fluid within the drip chamber;
an illumination system including a light source to transmit light through the wall of the drip chamber;
a pattern configured such that the pattern is viewable in relation to the drop of fluid;
an optical system having a sensor configured to receive light transmitted through the drip chamber, wherein the transmitted light provides pattern data related to the pattern in relation to the drop of fluid; and
at least one microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor is configured to;
receive pattern data from the sensor;
generate one or more images of the drop of fluid; and
calculate at least one fluid property based on a distortion of the pattern, wherein the fluid property is volume. - View Dependent Claims (19)
- a drip chamber including an optically clear wall configured to connect to an output tube;
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20. A method for operating a flow meter, comprising:
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transmitting light through or around a drop of fluid in a drip chamber; positioning a pattern viewable in relation to the drop of fluid; receiving, using an optical system having a sensor, light transmitted through or around the drop of fluid, wherein the light transmitted provides pattern data regarding the pattern; transmitting, to one or more microprocessors, pattern data from the sensor; generating, using the one or more microprocessors, one or more images of a drop of fluid and the drip chamber; and calculating, using the one or more microprocessors, a volume of the drop of fluid from the one or more images. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification