Wireless strain gauge/flow sensor
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- dispensing fluid from a fluid container into a patient;
sensing, in a sensor module coupled to the fluid container, a fluid parameter of the fluid;
placing a control module in close proximity to the sensor module, but physically spaced from it by a layer of material;
powering the sensor module by near field coupling from a control module that is adjacent to the sensor module by passing RF radiation through the layer of material;
transmitting the fluid parameter as data indicative of the fluid parameter from the sensor module to the control module;
controlling a flow rate of the fluid by use of the control module based at least in part on the fluid parameter data that was received from the sensor module;
transmitting data to the sensor module from the control module using near field coupling that passes the data through the layer of material; and
performing a repeatable feedback series loop of operations, the repeatable feedback series loop of operations including;
transmitting RF radiation from the control module to the sensor module through the layer of material;
after transmitting RF radiation from the control module to the sensor module, transmitting present fluid parameter data from the sensor module as an RF signal back to the control module;
after transmitting the fluid parameter data from the sensor module as an RF signal back to the control module, transmitting a flow rate command based at least in part on the present fluid parameter data from the control module to a fluid dispenser;
after transmitting the flow rate command based at least in part on the present fluid parameter data from the control module to the fluid dispenser, providing an adjusted fluid flow rate of fluid from the fluid dispenser in response to the flow rate command; and
repeating the repeatable feedback series loop of operations at least two more times.
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Abstract
A flow rate sensor is provided in a wireless, leadless package. The flow rate sensor includes a MEMs sensor coupled to an ASIC and an antenna. The flow rate sensor is powered by radiation received from a control module adjacent the flow rate sensor. The flow rate sensor is placed within a fluid and monitors the flow rate of the fluid. The control module is not in the fluid and receives flow rate data from the flow rate sensor.
33 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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dispensing fluid from a fluid container into a patient; sensing, in a sensor module coupled to the fluid container, a fluid parameter of the fluid; placing a control module in close proximity to the sensor module, but physically spaced from it by a layer of material; powering the sensor module by near field coupling from a control module that is adjacent to the sensor module by passing RF radiation through the layer of material; transmitting the fluid parameter as data indicative of the fluid parameter from the sensor module to the control module; controlling a flow rate of the fluid by use of the control module based at least in part on the fluid parameter data that was received from the sensor module; transmitting data to the sensor module from the control module using near field coupling that passes the data through the layer of material; and performing a repeatable feedback series loop of operations, the repeatable feedback series loop of operations including; transmitting RF radiation from the control module to the sensor module through the layer of material; after transmitting RF radiation from the control module to the sensor module, transmitting present fluid parameter data from the sensor module as an RF signal back to the control module; after transmitting the fluid parameter data from the sensor module as an RF signal back to the control module, transmitting a flow rate command based at least in part on the present fluid parameter data from the control module to a fluid dispenser; after transmitting the flow rate command based at least in part on the present fluid parameter data from the control module to the fluid dispenser, providing an adjusted fluid flow rate of fluid from the fluid dispenser in response to the flow rate command; and repeating the repeatable feedback series loop of operations at least two more times. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method, comprising:
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transmitting data from a sensor module that is positioned within a fluid through a layer of material using a near field communication protocol; powering the sensor module that is positioned within the fluid by sending a power signal from a control module to the sensor module through the layer of material; sensing a fluid parameter of a fluid that is adjacent to the sensor module and in physical contact therewith; sensing a temperature parameter of the fluid in addition to the fluid parameter of the fluid; transmitting, via a near field coupling protocol, data indicating the sensed fluid parameter and temperature parameter from the sensor module to the control module by passing the data through the layer of material; outputting a signal from the control module to a dispensing mechanism that causes the fluid to be dispensed at a controllable rate; dispensing the fluid from a fluid container at a controlled rate; and providing feedback to adjust the controlled rate of the dispensed fluid, the feedback including repeating, in the following order, the operations of; sending the power signal from the control module to the sensor module through the layer of material; transmitting through the near field coupling protocol data indicating the present sensed fluid parameter and temperature parameter from the sensor module to the control module; providing in the control module a flow rate command based at least in part on the present sensed fluid parameter and temperature parameter; transmitting the flow rate command from the control module to the dispensing mechanism; and dispensing the fluid from the fluid container at a current controlled rate that is based on the flow rate command. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method comprising:
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dispensing fluid from a fluid container into a patient; sensing, in a sensor module coupled to the fluid container, a pressure parameter of the fluid, the pressure parameter indicating a pressure of the fluid; placing a control module in close proximity to the sensor module, but physically spaced from it by a layer of material; powering the sensor module by near field coupling from a control module that is adjacent to the sensor module by passing RF radiation through the layer of material; transmitting the pressure parameter as data indicative of the pressure parameter from the sensor module to the control module; controlling a flow rate of the fluid by use of the control module based at least in part on the pressure parameter data that was received from the sensor module; transmitting data to the sensor module from the control module using near field coupling that passes the data through the layer of material; and performing a repeatable feedback series loop of operations, the repeatable feedback series loop of operations including; transmitting RF radiation from the control module to the sensor module through the layer of material; after transmitting RF radiation from the control module to the sensor module, transmitting present pressure parameter data from the sensor module as an RF signal back to the control module; after transmitting the pressure parameter data from the sensor module as an RF signal back to the control module, transmitting a flow rate command based at least in part on the present pressure parameter data from the control module to a fluid dispenser; after transmitting the flow rate command based at least in part on the present pressure parameter data from the control module to the fluid dispenser, providing an adjusted fluid flow rate of fluid from the fluid dispenser in response to the flow rate command; and repeating the repeatable feedback series loop of operations at least two more times. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification