AUTOMATED INTRAVENOUS MONITORING DEVICE

• US 20100309005A1
• Filed: 06/04/2010
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Warner Tod H, Wayne Carman
• Original Assignee: Warner Tod H, Wayne Carman
• Inventors: Carman, Wayne, WARNER, Tod. H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,692,678 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/606
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1689 Drip counters
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/06 Indicating or recording devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/0755 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 3/00 Measuring the volume flow of fluids or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through the meter in successive and more or less isolated quantities, the meter being driven by the flow measuring a proportion of the volume flow G01F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection

Abstract

An automated intravenous (IV) monitoring device is provided comprising a sensor for sensing drips passing through an IV drip chamber, a processing unit for calculating the total infused volume over a predetermined period of time, and a display for displaying the total infused volume. The IV monitoring device preferably also calculates and displays the flow rate of the drips. Additionally, an alarm can be activated if the flow rate drops below a predetermined value. A method of providing data pertaining to IV drips being infused into a body is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An automated intravenous (IV) monitoring device comprising:

a sensor for sensing drips passing through an IV drip chamber;

a processing unit for receiving information from the sensor, the information indicating a sensed drip;

the processing unit including a memory portion for tracking total infused volume over a predetermined period of time;

wherein the processing unit is configured to increment a value in the memory portion upon receiving the information; and

a display in communication with the processing unit, the display configured to indicate the value in the memory portion.

2. The IV monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to use the information to calculate flow rate of the drips passing through the IV drip chamber, and wherein the display is configured to indicate the flow rate.

3. The IV monitoring device of claim 2 further comprising an alarm configured to activate if the flow rate is below a predetermined value.

4. The IV monitoring device of claim 3 wherein the alarm comprises a light emitting diode.

5. The IV monitoring device of claim 1 further comprising a reset mechanism, wherein the value in the memory portion is reset by activation of the mechanism.

6. The IV monitoring device of claim 1 wherein the monitoring device is removably mountable on the drip chamber.

7. The IV monitoring device of claim 6 wherein the device includes a cylindrical groove for receiving a drip chamber.

8. The IV monitoring device of claim 7 wherein the sensor is located on an inside wall of the cylindrical groove to be in close proximity with the drip chamber when the drip chamber is received in the groove.

9. The IV monitoring device of claim 7 wherein the cylindrical groove includes a circumferential indent for receiving a collar on the drip chamber.

10. The IV monitoring device of claim 1 wherein the monitoring device is battery-operated and includes a “

low battery”

indicator.

11. A method of providing data pertaining to IV drips being infused into a body comprising the steps of:

a sensor detecting the presence of a drip from an IV drip chamber;

the sensor forwarding information to a processing unit, the information indicating the sensed drip, and the processing unit including a memory portion for tracking total infused volume over a predetermined period of time;

the processing unit incrementing a value in the memory portion upon receiving the information; and

displaying the value on a display.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

the processing unit calculating the flow rate of the drips passing through the IV drip chamber; and

displaying the calculated flow rate on the display.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of activating an alarm if the flow rate is below a predetermined value.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the value in the memory portion is resetable using a reset mechanism.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the monitoring device is battery-operated, and further comprising the step of indicating on the display when the battery needs replaced.

16. A computer readable medium having stored thereon computer readable instructions for performing a method of providing data pertaining to IV drips being infused into a body, the computer readable instructions including instructions to perform steps comprising:

a sensor detecting the presence of a drip from an IV drip chamber;

the sensor forwarding information to a processing unit, the information indicating the sensed drip, and the processing unit including a memory portion for tracking total infused volume over a predetermined period of time;

the processing unit incrementing a value in the memory portion upon receiving the information; and

displaying the value on a display.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein said instructions further include instructions to perform the steps of:

the processing unit calculating the flow rate of the drips passing through the IV drip chamber; and

displaying the calculated flow rate on the display.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein said instructions further include instructions to perform the step of activating an alarm if the flow rate is below a predetermined value.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein the value in the memory portion is resetable using a reset mechanism.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein the monitoring device is battery-operated, and wherein said instructions further include instructions to perform the step of indicating on the display when the battery needs replaced.