Differential conductivity hemodynamic monitor
First Claim
1. A method for quantitatively determining a flow rate in a tube of a first fluid having a first electrical conductivity and a corresponding first concentration of conductivity producing ions, comprising:
- altering the electrical conductivity of the first fluid;
measuring the electrical conductivity at a measuring location of the first fluid after the conductivity is altered;
determining the period of time over which the altered conductivity fluid passes the measuring location;
integrating the measured conductivity over the period of time; and
interpreting the time integrated value of conductivity to determine flow rate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flow rate of a fluid flowing in a tube is quantitatively determined by altering the electrical conductivity of the fluid by injection of a bolus of saline. The electrical conductivity of the altered conductivity is measured over the time it takes the altered conductivity fluid to pass a conductivity measuring location. The measured conductivity is integrated over the time it take to pass the conductivity measuring location. The integral is interpreted to determine the flow rate.
10 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for quantitatively determining a flow rate in a tube of a first fluid having a first electrical conductivity and a corresponding first concentration of conductivity producing ions, comprising:
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altering the electrical conductivity of the first fluid;
measuring the electrical conductivity at a measuring location of the first fluid after the conductivity is altered;
determining the period of time over which the altered conductivity fluid passes the measuring location;
integrating the measured conductivity over the period of time; and
interpreting the time integrated value of conductivity to determine flow rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20)
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11. An apparatus for determining a rate of flow of a first fluid in a tube, said first fluid having a first electrical conductivity and a first concentration of conductivity producing ions, comprising:
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means for altering the electrical conductivity of the first fluid; and
means for measuring the electrical conductivity of the first fluid after the conductivity is altered;
means for determining the period of time over which the altered conductivity fluid passes the measuring location;
means for integrating the measured conductivity over the period of time; and
means for interpreting the time integrated value of conductivity to determine flow rate. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification