FLUID LEVEL SENSOR
First Claim
1. A capacitance fluid level sensor to determine the fluid level within a container used to receive fluid from a human body, the container connected to means for removing fluids from a human body and a port for entry of fluid into the container, a capacitor formed of a series of conductive lates located outside of the container adjacent to an external wall of the container, means to sense the relative change in capacitance between the series of conductive plates as the fluid level rises the container and for generating a signal to indicate fluid level positions within the container.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid level sensor to determine the level of fluid into a container used in negative pressure wound therapy. The sensor includes an array of conductive plates to produce electric field lines through the container and fluid within, the plates serving as the plates of a capacitor. The plates (1-4), are located close to the wall of the container, and are connected to a circuit board, electronics and software to determine the fluid level in the container based on the relative changes of capacitance between the plates. The capacitance is converted into a voltage signal representative of the change. The algorithms are designed to check the fluid level over predefined time periods to indicate the fluid level at more than one point and also track the fluid level. The fluid sensor can be used in the vertical, horizontal or other position of the container as desired.
-
Citations
29 Claims
- 1. A capacitance fluid level sensor to determine the fluid level within a container used to receive fluid from a human body, the container connected to means for removing fluids from a human body and a port for entry of fluid into the container, a capacitor formed of a series of conductive lates located outside of the container adjacent to an external wall of the container, means to sense the relative change in capacitance between the series of conductive plates as the fluid level rises the container and for generating a signal to indicate fluid level positions within the container.
-
10. A system for measuring fluid received from a human body, the system including:
-
a. a container including a port for entry of fluid into the container; b. a set of conductors situated outside the container and adjacent an external wall of the container, wherein at least some of the conductors lack electrically conductive connection therebetween; c. a circuit configured to provide signals indicative of changes in capacitance between the conductors; whereby monitoring of the changes in capacitance provides information regarding the amount of fluid in the container. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A system for measuring fluid received from a human body, the system including:
-
a. a container including; (1) container walls surrounding a container interior, and (2) a port opening onto the container interior; b. conductors; (1) situated outside the container interior, (2) arrayed at least substantially parallel to the container walls, and (3) defining one or more capacitors; c. a circuit; (1) in communication with the conductors, and (2) configured to provide signals indicative of changes in capacitance; whereby monitoring of the changes in capacitance provides information regarding the amount of fluid in the container. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
Specification