Method and device for regulating fluid pump pressures
First Claim
1. A method for estimating the relative elevation between a first location and a second location, the method comprising:
- placing a fluid flow control device at the first location, the fluid flow control device having a membrane pump in valved communication with the second location, the membrane pump having a pressure transducer;
isolating the membrane pump from the second location;
calibrating the pressure transducer;
establishing communication between the membrane pump and the second location;
measuring the pressure in the membrane pump with the pressure transducer; and
estimating the relative elevation based on the pressure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for regulating fluid pump pressures by detecting an elevation differential between a fluid flow control device and the distal end of a fluid line in communication with the fluid flow control device. A fluid flow control device, for instance a peritoneal dialysis device, is at a first height, a distal end of a fluid line is at a second height, and a valved outlet, when open, affords communication between the fluid flow control device and the distal end of the fluid line. The elevation differential is correlatable with a pressure measurable during a calibration procedure provided as a part of the methodology.
95 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for estimating the relative elevation between a first location and a second location, the method comprising:
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placing a fluid flow control device at the first location, the fluid flow control device having a membrane pump in valved communication with the second location, the membrane pump having a pressure transducer;
isolating the membrane pump from the second location;
calibrating the pressure transducer;
establishing communication between the membrane pump and the second location;
measuring the pressure in the membrane pump with the pressure transducer; and
estimating the relative elevation based on the pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A computer program product for use on a processor for determining an elevation differential between a first location and a second location, wherein a fluid flow control device is located at the first location, the fluid flow control device including at least one liquid volume in valved communication with a second location via a distal end of a fluid line, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code thereon, the computer readable program code including:
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program code for reading and storing pressure values within the pumps;
program code for computing and identifying correlations between stored pressure values;
program code for calculating pressure values based on the identified correlations; and
program code for estimating the elevation differential based upon the calculated pressures. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. A computer program product for use on a processor for regulating fluid pump pressures, wherein a fluid flow control device is located at the first location, the fluid flow control device including at least one liquid volume in valved communication with a second location via a distal end of a fluid line, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code thereon, the computer readable program code including:
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program code for reading and storing pressure values within the pumps;
program code for computing and identifying correlations between stored pressure values;
program code for calculating pressure values based on the identified correlations; and
program code for calculating a desired pumping pressure based on the identified correlations.
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7. A fluid flow control device for detecting an elevation differential between a first location and a second location, wherein the device is located at the first location, the fluid flow control device comprising:
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at least one liquid volume;
a fluid line in valved pressure communication with the liquid volume, the fluid line having a distal end located at the second location;
at least one transducer for measuring pressure associated with the liquid volume; and
a processor for;
reading and storing pressure values;
computing and identifying a correlation between the pressure values;
calculating pressure values based on the identified correlations; and
estimating the elevation differential based upon the calculated pressures. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification