Flow monitoring system for a flow control apparatus

• US 20050278072A1
• Filed: 05/25/2004
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardinal Health Ireland Unlimited Company (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Inventors: Gaines, Robert B., Hudson, Joseph A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,092,797 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/16868 Downstream occlusion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/16872 Upstream occlusion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3351 Controlling upstream pump pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3375 Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14232 Roller pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16831 Monitoring, detecting, signalling or eliminating infusion flow anomalies low-level float-valves causing cut-off A61M5/40; indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of flow in general G01P13/0066
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0688 by combined action on throttling means and flow sources G05D7/0694 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/13 Infusion monitoring

Abstract

A flow control apparatus having a flow monitoring system capable of detecting and identifying flow present within the administration feeding set loaded to the flow control apparatus is disclosed. The flow control apparatus comprises a single sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of fluid in the administration feeding set. A software subsystem may be operatively associated with the single sensor that is capable of identifying between upstream and downstream flow conditions present within the administration feeding set loaded to the flow control apparatus.

Claims

1. A flow control apparatus comprising:

a) a flow control apparatus adapted to be loaded with an administration feeding set having an upstream side and a downstream side,

b) a single sensor for detecting the presence or absence of fluid in said upstream side of said administration feeding set, and

c) a software subsystem in operative association with said single sensor, wherein said software subsystem is capable of identifying between an upstream flow condition and a downstream flow condition present within said administration feeding set.

2. The flow control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a means for preventing fluid flow in said administration feeding set, said means for preventing fluid flow being in operative association with said software subsystem.

3. The flow control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said software subsystem prevents fluid flow in said administration feeding set to identify said downstream flow condition.

4. The flow control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said software subsystem identifies between said upstream flow condition and said downstream flow condition present in said administration feeding set based upon the presence or absence of fluid within said administration feeding set.

5. The flow control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said software subsystem is capable of identifying whether or not a downstream occlusion exists.

6. The flow control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said software subsystem is capable of identifying whether or not a bag empty condition or an upstream occlusion exists.

7. The flow control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said software subsystem is capable of identifying whether or not normal flow exists.

8. The flow control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said single sensor comprises an ultrasonic transmitter assembly that transmits an ultrasonic signal through said administration feeding set.

10. The flow control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said single sensor comprises an ultrasonic transmitter assembly that transmits an ultrasonic signal through said administration feeding set.

9. A flow control apparatus comprising:

a) a flow control apparatus adapted to be loaded with an administration feeding set;

b) an administration feeding set having an upstream side and a downstream side, said administration feeding set loaded to said flow control apparatus, and

c) a single sensor for detecting the presence or absence of fluid in said upstream side of said administration feeding set, and

d) a software subsystem in operative association with said single sensor, wherein said software subsystem is capable of identifying between an upstream flow condition and downstream flow condition present within said administration feeding set loaded to said flow control apparatus.

11. A method of monitoring fluid flow comprising:

a) engaging one end of said administration feeding set according to claim 9 to at least one fluid source;

b) loading said administration feeding set to a flow control apparatus according to claim 9;

c) engaging another end of said administration feeding set according to claim 9;

and

d) identifying between an upstream flow condition and a downstream flow condition present within said administration feeding set utilizing said flow control apparatus according to claim 9.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said step of identifying further comprises preventing fluid flow in said administration feeding set to identify said downstream flow condition present in said administration feeding set.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein said another end of said administration feeding set according to claim 9 is engaged to a patient.