FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM AND FLOW CONTROL THEREFOR
First Claim
1. A positive displacement flow sensor for use in connection with a medical fluid infusion system including an administration set having an administration tube, the positive displacement flow sensor comprising:
- a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, the ports being operatively connected to the administration tube;
a first rotor positioned within the housing between the inlet port and the outlet port;
a second rotor positioned within the housing between the inlet port and the outlet port, the second rotor being positioned adjacent to the first rotor, the first and second rotors each having a plurality of lobes, the lobes of the first rotor engaging the lobes of the second rotor in a gearing relationship and arranged to rotate in response to a flow of medical fluid in the administration tube for detecting flow of the medical fluid in the administration tube; and
a cover enclosing the housing such that when the medical fluid flows into the inlet port it causes the first rotor to rotate and thereafter the medical fluid exits through the outlet port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid delivery system having a closed-loop control process for delivering a medical fluid to a patient. A fluid infusion system includes a pump for delivering a fluid to a patient via an administration tube. A flow sensor associated with the administration tube provides an indication of the actual flow rate of fluid in the administration tube. Such a flow sensor may comprise a positive displacement flow sensor constructed using micro-fabrication and/or micro-molding techniques. A reader reads the actual flow rate signal and provides an indication to a controller for controlling the pump. The flow rate information can also be used for providing status information, such as the existence of a blockage in the fluid delivery system.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A positive displacement flow sensor for use in connection with a medical fluid infusion system including an administration set having an administration tube, the positive displacement flow sensor comprising:
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a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, the ports being operatively connected to the administration tube; a first rotor positioned within the housing between the inlet port and the outlet port; a second rotor positioned within the housing between the inlet port and the outlet port, the second rotor being positioned adjacent to the first rotor, the first and second rotors each having a plurality of lobes, the lobes of the first rotor engaging the lobes of the second rotor in a gearing relationship and arranged to rotate in response to a flow of medical fluid in the administration tube for detecting flow of the medical fluid in the administration tube; and a cover enclosing the housing such that when the medical fluid flows into the inlet port it causes the first rotor to rotate and thereafter the medical fluid exits through the outlet port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A positive displacement flow sensor for use in connection with a medical fluid infusion system including an administration set having an administration tube, the positive displacement flow sensor comprising:
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a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, the ports being operatively connected to the administration tube; a first rotor positioned within the housing between the inlet port and the outlet port; a second rotor positioned within the housing between the inlet port and the outlet port, the second rotor being positioned adjacent to the first rotor, the first and second rotors each having a plurality of lobes, the lobes of the first rotor engaging the lobes of the second rotor in a gearing relationship and arranged to rotate in response to a flow of medical fluid in the administration tube for detecting flow of the medical fluid in the administration tube; and a generally transparent cover enclosing the housing such that when the medical fluid flows into the inlet port it causes the first rotor to rotate and thereafter the medical fluid exits through the outlet port; wherein the flow sensor is selected from a MEMS device, an assembly of micro-molded components, a deep reactive ion etching device, and a UV-LIGA device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification