DRIP CHAMBER AND FLUID LEVEL SENSING MECHANISM FOR A FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM

• US 20090247865A1
• Filed: 06/02/2009
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Speicher, Jonathan R., Stokes, Jerry A. JR., O'Meara, Linda M., Shearer, John D. JR., Hussain, Mirza Hyder, Scutt, Christopher M., Zelenski, Karen M., Kwo, Jennie, Callan, Gerald W., Haury, John A., Beaulieu, Roderick H., Spohn, Michael A., Dedig, James Albert, Barlow, William D., Joyce, Thomas P., Critchlow, Richard G., Felix, Susan Lynn, Kopacko, Ralph, Ehrenberger, Michael J., Grubic, Herb, Pedraza, Luis A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,147,464 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/431
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0503 Holders, support devices for receptacles, e.g. for drainage or urine bags hanging-up devices for infusion A61M5/1414
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1402 Priming
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14553 comprising a pressure jacket
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3128 Incorporating one-way valves, e.g. pressure-relief or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0009 Assemblies therefor designed for particular applications, e.g. contrast or saline injection, suction or irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/11 with means for preventing cross-contamination when used for multiple patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/007 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1413 Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14228 with linear peristaltic action, i.e. comprising at least three pressurising members or a helical member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1424 Manually operated pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16881 Regulating valves on-off valves, e.g. clamps A61M39/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31 Details
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/36 with means for eliminating or preventing injection or infusion of air into body dialysis systems, blood oxygenators A61M1/14; haemofiltration equipment A61M1/34; automatic tube cut-off A61M39/281

Abstract

The fluid injector system includes a source of injection fluid, a pump device, a fluid control device operably associated with the pump device, and a fluid path set in fluid connection with the source of injection fluid and the pump device. The fluid path set includes a drip chamber including an elongated body having a top end, a bottom end and a raised projection, the raised projection being substantially rectangular in shape and extending longitudinally from the top end along the drip chamber body and terminating adjacent to the bottom end. A fluid level sensing mechanism is operably associated with the fluid control device, and includes a drip chamber support for supporting the drip chamber body and a fluid level sensor associated with the drip chamber support. The drip chamber support is adapted to support the drip chamber body such that the raised projection is in operational contact with the fluid level sensor and the fluid level sensing mechanism is operable to transmit ultrasonic or light energy through the raised projection to be sensed by the fluid level sensor for sensing the injection fluid level in the drip chamber.

Claims

1. An injector system comprising:

a source of injection fluid;

a pump device;

a fluid control device operably associated with the pump device;

a fluid path set in fluid connection with the source of injection fluid and the pump device, the fluid path set comprising a drip chamber comprising an elongated body having a top end, a bottom end and a raised projection, the raised projection being substantially rectangular in shape and extending longitudinally from the top end along the drip chamber body and terminating adjacent to the bottom end; and

a fluid level sensing mechanism operably associated with the fluid control device, the fluid level sensing mechanism comprising;

a drip chamber support for supporting the drip chamber body; and

a fluid level sensor comprising an ultrasonic or an optical sensor associated with the drip chamber support, the drip chamber support adapted to support the drip chamber body such that the raised projection is in operational contact with the fluid level sensor and the fluid level sensing mechanism is operable to transmit ultrasonic or light energy through the raised projection to be sensed by the fluid level sensor for sensing the injection fluid level in the drip chamber.

2. The injector system of claim 1 wherein the pump device comprises a powered injector.

3. The injector system of claim 1 wherein the fluid control device comprises a valve actuator and the fluid path set further comprises a multi-position valve adapted to be placed in operative engagement with and actuated by the valve actuator.

4. The injector system of claim 3 wherein the valve actuator comprises a position indicator indicating a position of the multi-position valve.

5. The injector system of claim 3 wherein the valve actuator further comprises a retainer for removably supporting the multi-position valve.

6. The injector system of claim 3 wherein the valve actuator comprises a sensor indicating the presence of the multi-position valve in the valve actuator and adapted to close the multi-position valve to stop flow of the injection fluid to the patient at substantially any pressure or flow rate generated by the pump device for delivering a sharp bolus of the injection fluid to the patient

8. The injector system of claim 1, further comprising an air detector assembly operatively engaged with a portion of the fluid path set and adapted to detect the presence of air in the fluid path set.

9. The injector system of claim 8 wherein the air detector assembly comprises:

an air column detector adapted to detect the presence of air in the portion of the fluid path set; and

a retaining device for securing the portion of the fluid path set in operative engagement with the air column detector, the retaining device comprising;

a base adapted for association with the air column detector; and

a closure member connected to the base and adapted to secure the portion of the fluid path set in operative engagement with the air column detector, wherein the closure member is movable from a closed position wherein the closure member secures the portion of the fluid path set in operative engagement with the air column detector, and an open position allowing the portion of the fluid path set to be disassociated from the air column detector, the closure member biased to the open position.

10. The injector system of claim 9 wherein the closure member is secured in the closed position by a releasable locking mechanism

11. The injector system of claim 9 wherein the closure member is formed of substantially clear plastic material to permit viewing of the portion of the fluid path set.

12. The injector system of claim 10 wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to maintain the closure member in the closed position against the biased closure member and is automatically releasable to allow the biased closure member to move to the open position.

13. The injector system of claim 12 wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to be automatically released by actuating a button associated with the locking mechanism.

14. The injector system of claim 1, further comprising:

a source of medical fluid associated with the fluid path set; and

a pump operatively associated with the fluid path set for supplying the medical fluid to the patient.

15. The injector system of claim 14, further comprising a second air detector assembly operatively associated with the fluid path set.

16. The injector system of claim 14 wherein the fluid control device further comprises a shut-off valve associated with the fluid path set for stopping flow of the medical fluid from the pump to the patient.

17. The injector system of claim 16 wherein the shut-off comprises an automated pinch valve.

18. The injector system of claim 14 wherein the pump comprises a peristaltic pump.

19. The injector system of claim 14 wherein the fluid control device further comprises guides for securing the fluid path set in association with the pump.

20. The injector system of claim 1 wherein the fluid control device is disposed downstream of the pump device.

7. The injector system of 1, further comprising a hand held control device in operative association with the fluid control device for controlling the flow rate of the injection fluid delivered by the pump device.