Fluid monitoring device
First Claim
1. An optical fluid sensor device for detecting presence of fluid in a chamber, comprising:
- a radiation source;
a first sensor disposed so that the chamber is situated between the radiation source and the first sensor, and disposed to receive a majority of radiation emitted from the radiation source when the portion of the chamber through which the emitted radiation passes contains no fluid;
a second sensor disposed so that the chamber is situated between the radiation source and the second sensor, and disposed to receive a majority of radiation emitted from the radiation source when the portion of the chamber through which the emitted radiation passes contains fluid;
a logic means for controlling the radiation source, and for detecting as a first signal an amount of radiation falling on the first sensor, and for detecting as a second signal an amount of radiation falling on the second sensor, and for comparing the first and second signals; and
means for indicating when no fluid is detected in the chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to a device to monitor the administration of a fluid through a conduit, such as intravenous fluid, and detect the completion of fluid delivery by monitoring the fluid level inside a chamber. The device will monitor, through an optical fluid sensor comprising a radiation source, two sensors, a logic means, and an indicating means, the bottom half of any “user supplied” drip chamber that is normally full during the administration of fluids. When the fluid level in the chamber drops below a predetermined level, the indicating means will initiate an electromechanical device that releases a pinching device to occlude the conduit. The pinching device is a rotary pincher that derives its force from a torsion spring and is held in the open position by the electromechanical device.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An optical fluid sensor device for detecting presence of fluid in a chamber, comprising:
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a radiation source;
a first sensor disposed so that the chamber is situated between the radiation source and the first sensor, and disposed to receive a majority of radiation emitted from the radiation source when the portion of the chamber through which the emitted radiation passes contains no fluid;
a second sensor disposed so that the chamber is situated between the radiation source and the second sensor, and disposed to receive a majority of radiation emitted from the radiation source when the portion of the chamber through which the emitted radiation passes contains fluid;
a logic means for controlling the radiation source, and for detecting as a first signal an amount of radiation falling on the first sensor, and for detecting as a second signal an amount of radiation falling on the second sensor, and for comparing the first and second signals; and
means for indicating when no fluid is detected in the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12)
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4. A pinch-off mechanism for occluding a conduit, comprising:
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a torsion spring;
means for loading the torsion spring having a rotary pincher and a pawl; and
an electromechanical device having a lever engaging the pawl, whereby, when activated, the electromechanical device disengages the lever from the pawl of the loading means releasing stored energy in the torsion spring which rotates the rotary pincher thereby applying pressure against the conduit thereby occluding it. - View Dependent Claims (5, 13, 14)
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6. A fluid monitoring device, comprising:
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(i) an optical fluid sensor device for detecting presence of fluid in a chamber, comprising;
a radiation source;
a first sensor disposed so that the chamber is situated between the radiation source and the first sensor, and disposed to receive a majority of radiation emitted from the radiation source when the portion of the chamber through which the emitted radiation passes contains no fluid;
a second sensor disposed so that the chamber is situated between the radiation source and the second sensor, and disposed to receive a majority of radiation emitted from the radiation source when the portion of the chamber through which the emitted radiation passes contains fluid;
a logic means for controlling the radiation source, and for detecting as a first signal an amount of radiation falling on the first sensor, and for detecting as a second signal an amount of radiation falling on the second sensor, and for comparing the first and second signals; and
means for indicating when no fluid is detected in the chamber; and
(ii) a pinch-off mechanism for occluding a conduit, comprising;
a torsion spring;
means for loading the torsion spring having a rotary pincher and a pawl, wherein the pincher is located in a position on the conduit distal to the optical fluid sensor device in the direction of fluid flow; and
an electromechanical device having a lever engaging the pawl, whereby, the indicating means activates the electromechanical device thereby disengaging the lever from the pawl of the loading means releasing stored energy in the torsion spring which rotates the rotary pincher thereby applying pressure against the conduit thereby occluding it. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification