DIFFERENTIAL FORCE SENSOR
First Claim
1. An apparatus for monitoring fluid flow through a fluid line having a reduced cross-section orifice along the length of the fluid line, comprising:
- a first sense die and a second sense die positioned adjacent to one another in a common sensor package, wherein said first sense die is responsive to movement of a first flow diaphragm that is exposed to a first pressure in the fluid line upstream of the reduced cross-section orifice, and said second sense die is responsive to movement of a second flow diaphragm that is exposed to a second pressure in the fluid line downstream of the reduced cross-section orifice.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A differential force sensor method and apparatus for automatically monitoring manual injections through an intravenous line. The differential force sensor includes two piezoresistive sense die that are packaged in close proximity utilizing a number of packaging processes. The two piezoresistive sense die can be utilized to measure forces exerted on a diaphragm on either side of an orifice. The piezoresistive sense die can be packaged in close proximity to make intimate contact with the diaphragms on either side of the orifice. The differential force sensor further includes two plungers that make intimate contact with the diaphragm and transfer the force into the piezo-resistive sense dies. Additionally, one or more ASICs and microcontrollers can be utilized to provide thermal calibration and differential calculation.
32 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for monitoring fluid flow through a fluid line having a reduced cross-section orifice along the length of the fluid line, comprising:
a first sense die and a second sense die positioned adjacent to one another in a common sensor package, wherein said first sense die is responsive to movement of a first flow diaphragm that is exposed to a first pressure in the fluid line upstream of the reduced cross-section orifice, and said second sense die is responsive to movement of a second flow diaphragm that is exposed to a second pressure in the fluid line downstream of the reduced cross-section orifice. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
11. An apparatus for monitoring fluid flow through a fluid line having a reduced cross-section orifice along the length of the fluid line, comprising:
a first sense die and a second sense die positioned adjacent to one another and fixed relative to a common substrate, wherein said first sense die is responsive to movement of a first flow diaphragm that is exposed to a first pressure in the fluid line upstream of the reduced cross-section orifice, and said second sense die is responsive to movement of a second flow diaphragm that is exposed to a second pressure in the fluid line downstream of the reduced cross-section orifice. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
16. A method for monitoring fluid flow through a fluid line having a reduced cross section orifice along the length of the fluid line, comprising:
-
providing a package that includes a first sense die and a second sense die positioned adjacent to one another, wherein said first sense die is responsive to movement of a first flow diaphragm that is exposed to a first pressure in the fluid line upstream of the reduced cross-section orifice, and said second sense die is responsive to movement of a second flow diaphragm that is exposed to a second pressure in the fluid line downstream of the reduced cross-section orifice; and transferring a first force exerted by movement of said first flow diaphragm in response to said first pressure to said first sense die, and transferring a second force exerted by movement of said second flow diaphragm in response to said second pressure to said second sense die. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification