Infusion monitoring device system and method
First Claim
1. An infusion monitoring device, for monitoring infusion in a patient from a fluid source, the device comprising:
- a fluid valve, disposed in a fluid connection between said fluid source and said patient, and operable for preventing or allowing the flow of fluid from said fluid source to said patient;
a variable volume chamber, fluidly coupled between said fluid valve and said patient, for allowing the fluid volume contained in the infusion monitoring device to increase and decrease;
a fluid inspection window, disposed in said fluid connection between said variable volume chamber and said patient, for allowing a view of fluid in said infusion monitoring device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a manual or automated device, system, and method for the monitoring and administration of fluids into a patient. The invention determines if a proper infusion site is being maintained by stopping the infusion fluid, creating a negative pressure differential between the device and the patient, and observing either manually or automatically the fluid being drawn into the device. The presence or absence of blood in the device is an indication of a failed or faulty infusion site depending on the condition being monitored. The system may also be used to inspect the patient'"'"'s blood for certain characteristics, and to monitor the characteristics of the infusate being delivered to the patient. The invention may be used for either intermittent or continuous injection and may be used separately of other patient care devices, or integrated into or with them.
33 Citations
51 Claims
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1. An infusion monitoring device, for monitoring infusion in a patient from a fluid source, the device comprising:
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a fluid valve, disposed in a fluid connection between said fluid source and said patient, and operable for preventing or allowing the flow of fluid from said fluid source to said patient;
a variable volume chamber, fluidly coupled between said fluid valve and said patient, for allowing the fluid volume contained in the infusion monitoring device to increase and decrease;
a fluid inspection window, disposed in said fluid connection between said variable volume chamber and said patient, for allowing a view of fluid in said infusion monitoring device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for automatically monitoring an infusion in a patient receiving an infusion from a fluid source, the system comprising:
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an infusion monitoring device comprising;
a fluid valve, disposed in a fluid connection between said fluid source and said patient, and operable for preventing or allowing the flow of fluid from said fluid source to said patient;
a variable volume chamber, fluidly coupled between said fluid valve and said patient, for allowing the creation of a pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient; and
a fluid inspection window, disposed in said fluid connection between said variable volume chamber and said patient, for allowing a view of fluid drawn from said patient into said infusion monitoring device when said fluid valve is closed and said variable volume chamber creates a negative pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient;
at least one sensor, disposed proximate with said fluid inspection window, for facilitating automated inspection of said fluid in said fluid inspection window; and
a controller, coupled to said fluid valve and to said at least one sensor, for controlling operation of said fluid valve between an open and a closed position and responsive to said sensor, for performing automated inspection of said fluid in said fluid inspection window and determining the status of said infusion. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for monitoring and controlling the site of an infusion in a patient, said method comprising the acts of:
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providing an infusion monitoring device, said infusion monitoring device including;
at least one fluid valve, coupled between the infusion fluid source and the patient, a variable volume chamber coupled between the at least one fluid valve and the patient, and a fluid inspection window disposed between the variable volume chamber and the patient;
closing said at least one fluid valve;
creating a pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient causing the potential for fluid from said patient to flow into said fluid inspection window of said infusion monitoring device; and
monitoring said fluid in said fluid inspection window of said infusion monitoring device. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A method for monitoring an infusion in a patient, said method comprising the acts of:
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providing an infusion monitoring device, said infusion monitoring device including a fluid inspection window disposed between the fluid valve and the patient; and
monitoring said fluid in said fluid inspection window of said infusion monitoring device. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50)
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51. A method for keeping a patient infusion open comprising the acts of:
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providing an infusion monitoring device, said infusion monitoring device including at least;
a fluid valve, disposed in a fluid connection between a fluid source and a patient, and operable for preventing or allowing the flow of fluid from said fluid source to said patient and a variable volume chamber, fluidly coupled between said fluid valve and said patient, for allowing the creation of a negative pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient tending to draw fluid from the patient into the variable volume chamber and for allowing the creation of a positive pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient tending to push fluid back from said variable volume chamber to said patient;
closing said fluid valve;
creating a negative pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient causing fluid from said patient at an infusion site to be drawn into said variable volume chamber of said infusion monitoring device;
creating a positive pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient causing fluid from variable volume chamber to be pushed into said patient at said infusion site; and
repeating the cycle of drawing fluid from and pushing fluid to the patient.
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Specification