OPTICAL SENSOR FOR DETECTING INFECTION AND OTHER ANOMALOUS CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH CATHETER SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting anomalous conditions associated with effluents of catheter systems, comprising:
- a refractive liquid sensor to sense the presence of the effluent in a catheter system;
a color sensor adapted to sense a color of the effluent; and
a clarity sensor adapted to sense a clarity of the effluent.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and method are provided to monitor for early detection of anomalous conditions in a discharge fluid through a catheter tube. A liquid sensor is configured to detect the presence of liquid in the catheter tube. A unique photo-Darlington turbidity sensor may be configured to monitor turbidity of a discharge liquid exiting through the catheter tube. A color sensor may be configured to monitor color of the discharge liquid exiting through the catheter tube. A processing circuit may be coupled to the liquid sensor, photo-Darlington turbidity sensor, and color sensor and configured to determine whether an anomalous condition exists based on readings provided by the liquid sensor, photo-Darlington turbidity sensor, and/or color sensor. A warning device provides an alert if an anomalous condition is detected.
71 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting anomalous conditions associated with effluents of catheter systems, comprising:
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a refractive liquid sensor to sense the presence of the effluent in a catheter system; a color sensor adapted to sense a color of the effluent; and a clarity sensor adapted to sense a clarity of the effluent. - 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. An effluent monitoring device, comprising:
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means for sensing the presence of the effluent in a catheter system; means for sensing a color of the effluent; and means for sensing a clarity of the effluent. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A method for monitoring for anomalous conditions of a effluent for a catheter system, comprising:
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sensing the presence of the effluent in a catheter system; sensing a color of the effluent; and sensing a clarity of the effluent. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification