Fluid level detection system
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a fluid level in a fluid maintaining device, comprising:
- retrieving a desired absorption coefficient based upon expected conditions within the fluid maintaining device, such that the desired absorption coefficient is sufficient for use in determining whether fluid is present in an optical transmission path;
calculating a wavelength to transmit light energy based on a length of the optical transmission path and the desired absorption coefficient;
emitting light from each light energy transmitter of a transmitter array positioned in association with the fluid maintaining device at the wavelength calculated in the calculating step through the fluid maintaining device, wherein the wavelength of light emitted from each light energy transmitter is individually controlled to emit light at the wavelength calculated in the calculating step through the fluid maintaining device;
sensing the light emitted from each light energy transmitter by each sensor of a receiver array positioned in association with the fluid maintaining device, wherein each sensor numerically matches and positionally cooperates with a corresponding light energy transmitter of the transmitter array;
determining the fluid level in the fluid maintaining device based on a received wavelength at each sensor of the receiver array; and
adjusting the fluid level in the fluid maintaining device based on the received wavelength at each sensor, wherein adjusting the fluid level comprises activating a pump to;
expel fluid from the fluid maintaining device when an amount of fluid is detected above a preset excess fluid level threshold, andfill the fluid maintaining device when an amount of fluid is detected below a preset low fluid level threshold,wherein the steps of retrieving, calculating, emitting, sensing, determining and adjusting are performed by electrical circuitry of the fluid maintaining device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical device fluid sensing system in provided. The system includes a transmitter array positioned in association with a fluid maintaining device, such as a reservoir in a cassette. Electrical circuitry is connected to the transmitter array and configured to cause the transmitter array to transmit light energy at a predetermined wavelength and producing a desired absorption coefficient based on expected conditions within the fluid maintaining device. The system also includes a receiver array configured to receive light energy transmitted through the fluid maintaining device and originating from the transmitter array, and a controller configured to determine fluid level in the fluid maintaining device based on conditions sensed by the receiver array. In one embodiment, three transmitters and three matching sensors are provided in a surgical cassette, and when optical energy having predetermined characteristics is provided to the transmitter array, the presence or absence of fluid is determined.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a fluid level in a fluid maintaining device, comprising:
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retrieving a desired absorption coefficient based upon expected conditions within the fluid maintaining device, such that the desired absorption coefficient is sufficient for use in determining whether fluid is present in an optical transmission path; calculating a wavelength to transmit light energy based on a length of the optical transmission path and the desired absorption coefficient; emitting light from each light energy transmitter of a transmitter array positioned in association with the fluid maintaining device at the wavelength calculated in the calculating step through the fluid maintaining device, wherein the wavelength of light emitted from each light energy transmitter is individually controlled to emit light at the wavelength calculated in the calculating step through the fluid maintaining device; sensing the light emitted from each light energy transmitter by each sensor of a receiver array positioned in association with the fluid maintaining device, wherein each sensor numerically matches and positionally cooperates with a corresponding light energy transmitter of the transmitter array; determining the fluid level in the fluid maintaining device based on a received wavelength at each sensor of the receiver array; and adjusting the fluid level in the fluid maintaining device based on the received wavelength at each sensor, wherein adjusting the fluid level comprises activating a pump to; expel fluid from the fluid maintaining device when an amount of fluid is detected above a preset excess fluid level threshold, and fill the fluid maintaining device when an amount of fluid is detected below a preset low fluid level threshold, wherein the steps of retrieving, calculating, emitting, sensing, determining and adjusting are performed by electrical circuitry of the fluid maintaining device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A medical device, comprising:
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a fluid maintaining device; a pump; a transmitter array positioned in association with the fluid maintaining device, the transmitter array comprising a plurality of light energy transmitters placed at different desired locations in association with the fluid maintaining device, wherein the wavelength of light emitted from each light energy transmitter is individually controlled to emit a light at a wavelength calculated through the fluid maintaining device; electrical circuitry connected to the transmitter array and configured to; retrieve a desired absorption coefficient based upon expected conditions within the fluid maintaining device, such that the desired absorption coefficient is sufficient for use in determining whether fluid is present in an optical transmission path, calculate the wavelength to transmit light energy based on a length of the optical transmission path and the desired absorption coefficient, and cause the transmitter array to transmit light energy at the wavelength calculated; a receiver array comprising a set of sensors configured to receive light energy transmitted through the fluid maintaining device and originating from the plurality of light energy transmitters of the transmitter array, wherein each sensor of the set of sensors of the receiver array numerically matches and positionally cooperates with a corresponding light energy transmitter of the plurality of light energy transmitters, and the receiver array is further configured to determine an absorption coefficient based on conditions within the fluid maintaining device; and a controller configured to determine fluid level in the fluid maintaining device based on a wavelength received at the set of sensors of the receiver array. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification