INFUSION SYSTEM USING OPTICAL IMAGER FOR CONTROLLING FLOW AND METHOD THEREOF
First Claim
1. An infusion pump, comprising:
- a first specially programmed microprocessor;
a drip chamber for connection to an output tube;
a drip tube for connection to a source of fluid and with an end disposed in the drip chamber;
an illumination system;
with a light source for transmitting light through a wall of the drip chamber to a drop of fluid suspended from the end of the drip tube; and
,for controlling illumination properties of the light transmitted to the drop; and
,an optical system for;
receiving light transmitted through the drop; and
,transmitting, to the first microprocessor, data regarding the received light, wherein the first processor is for;
generating, using the data, an image of the drop;
locating, using the image, an outer edge of the drop to define a boundary of the drop;
integrating an area enclosed by the boundary; and
,calculating a volume of revolution for the drop with respect to an axis for the drop that intersects the end of the drip tube, assuming symmetry of the drop with respect to the axis.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An infusion pump, including: a microprocessor; a drip chamber; a drip tube with an end in the drip chamber; and an illumination system: with a light source for transmitting light through the drip chamber to a drop of fluid suspended from the drip tube; and for controlling illumination properties of the light transmitted to the drop. The pump includes an optical system for: receiving light transmitted through the drop; and transmitting, to the microprocessor, data regarding the received light. The microprocessor: generates, using the data, an image of the drop; locates, using the image, an outer edge of the drop to define a boundary of the drop; integrates an area enclosed by the boundary; and calculates a volume of revolution for the drop with respect to an axis for the drop that intersects the end of the drip tube, assuming symmetry of the drop with respect to the axis.
105 Citations
48 Claims
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1. An infusion pump, comprising:
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a first specially programmed microprocessor; a drip chamber for connection to an output tube; a drip tube for connection to a source of fluid and with an end disposed in the drip chamber; an illumination system; with a light source for transmitting light through a wall of the drip chamber to a drop of fluid suspended from the end of the drip tube; and
,for controlling illumination properties of the light transmitted to the drop; and
,an optical system for; receiving light transmitted through the drop; and
,transmitting, to the first microprocessor, data regarding the received light, wherein the first processor is for; generating, using the data, an image of the drop; locating, using the image, an outer edge of the drop to define a boundary of the drop; integrating an area enclosed by the boundary; and
,calculating a volume of revolution for the drop with respect to an axis for the drop that intersects the end of the drip tube, assuming symmetry of the drop with respect to the axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An infusion pump, comprising:
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a specially programmed microprocessor; a drip chamber for connection to an output tube; a drip tube for connecting the drip chamber to a source of fluid, the drip tube including an end disposed within the drip chamber; an illumination system including a lighting element for transmitting light through or around a drop of fluid hanging from the end of the drip tube; and
,an optical system for receiving light transmitted through or around the drop and transmitting, to the microprocessor, data regarding the received light, wherein; the microprocessor is for calculating a volume of the drop using the data; and
,the illumination system includes one of; a telecentric lighting element including a telecentric lens and a first light source, wherein the telecentric lens bundles light rays from the first light source and directs the bundled light rays toward the drop; a structured lighting element including a second light source and a structural element placed between the second light source and the drop to block or alter light emanating from the second light source; a pair of laser light sources disposed at an acute angle with respect to each other and for generating respective light beams that interact to form an interference pattern;
or,a projection lens with a pattern in or on a surface of the lens and through which the lighting element transmits light to project the pattern on to the drop.
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10. An infusion pump, comprising:
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a specially programmed microprocessor; a drip chamber for connection to an output tube; a drip tube for connecting the drip chamber to a source of fluid, the drip tube including an end disposed within the drip chamber; an illumination system, including a light source for transmitting light into the drip tube such that; the light reflects off a plurality of portions of an internally facing surface of the drip tube; the reflected light is transmitted through the end of the drip tube into an interior of a drop of the fluid hanging from the end of the drip tube such that the interior of the drop is uniformly illuminated; and
,an optical system for receiving light transmitted from the interior of the drop and transmitting, to the microprocessor, data regarding the received light, wherein the microprocessor is for calculating a volume of the drop using the data. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. An infusion pump, comprising:
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a specially programmed microprocessor; a drip chamber for connection to a source of fluid and an output tube; and
,an illumination system including a light source for transmitting light, at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis for the drip chamber, into the drip chamber such that the light reflects, at the acute angle, off a surface of the fluid pooled within the drip chamber; and
,an optical system for receiving light reflected off the surface and transmitting, to the microprocessor, data regarding the received light, wherein the microprocessor is for calculating a position of the surface using the data regarding the received light. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A infusion pump, comprising:
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an illumination system; an optical system; and
,a specially programmed microprocessor, wherein; the illumination system is for; illuminating an end of a drip tube located within a drip chamber of the infusion pump, the drip tube for connecting the drip chamber to a source of fluid; and
,illuminating a drop of the fluid hanging from the end of the drip tube; the optical system is for; receiving first light emanating from the end of the drip tube and second light emanating from the drop; and
,transmitting data regarding the received light to the microprocessor; and
,the microprocessor is for; generating respective images of the drop and the end of the drip tube from the data; locating an apex of the drop from the image, the apex being a portion of the drop at a furthest distance from the end of the drip tube; determining, using the location of the apex, an orientation of the drop with respect to the end of the drip tube; and
,calculating, using the orientation of the drop with respect to the end of the drip tube, an orientation of the drip chamber. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. An infusion pump, comprising:
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a specially programmed microprocessor; a drip chamber for connection to an output tube; a drip tube for connecting the drip chamber to a source of fluid, the drip tube including an end disposed within the drip chamber; and
,an illumination system; including a light source for transmitting light through the wall of the drip chamber to a drop of fluid suspended from the first end of the drip tube; and
,for controlling the illumination properties of the light transmitted to the drop; and
,an optical system for; receiving light transmitted through the drop; and
,transmitting data regarding the received light to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor is for; generating respective images of the drop and the end of the drip tube from the data; calculating, using the respective images, a boundary of the end of the drip tube; and
,using the boundary as a reference plane for calculating a volume, shape, or location of the drop. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. An infusion pump, comprising:
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a microprocessor; a drip chamber for connection to an output tube; a drip tube for connection to a source of fluid and with an end disposed in the drip chamber; and
,an illumination system; including a light source for transmitting light through the wall of the drip chamber to the end of the drip tube or proximate the end of the drip tube; and
,for controlling the illumination properties of the transmitted light; and
,an optical system for; receiving light transmitted through the end of the drip tube or proximate the end of the drip tube; and
,transmitting, to the microprocessor, data regarding the received light, wherein the microprocessor is for; generating an image of the end of the drip tube from the data; determining that a drop of the fluid is absent from the end of the drip tube for a specified period of time; and
,generating an empty bag alarm or an air-in-line alarm.
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21. An infusion pump, comprising:
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a specially programmed microprocessor; a drip chamber for connection to an output tube; a drip tube for connection to a source of fluid and with an end disposed in the drip chamber; and
,an illumination system; including a light source for transmitting light through the wall of the drip chamber to a drop of fluid suspended from the first end of the drip tube; and
,for controlling the illumination properties of the transmitted light; and
,an optical imaging system for; receiving light transmitted through the drop; and
,transmitting, to the microprocessor, data regarding the received light, wherein the microprocessor is for; creating a plurality of temporally successive images of the drop from the data; calculating a respective volume for the drop in each successive image; identifying changes in the respective volumes; and
,calculating a flow rate of fluid to the output tube based on the changes in the respective volumes. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. An infusion pump, comprising:
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a specially programmed microprocessor; a drip chamber for connection to an output tube; a drip tube for connection to a source of fluid and with an end disposed in the drip chamber; an illumination system; including a light source for transmitting light through a wall of the drip chamber to a drop of fluid suspended from the end of the drip tube; and
,for controlling the illumination properties of the transmitted light; an optical imaging system for; receiving light transmitted through the drop; and
,transmitting, to the microprocessor, data regarding the received light; and
,a pumping mechanism acting on the output tube to displace fluid from the drip chamber through the output tube, wherein the microprocessor is for; creating a plurality of temporally successive images of the drop from the data; calculating a respective size for the drop in each successive image; identifying changes in the respective sizes; calculating a flow rate of fluid to the output tube based on the changes in the respective sizes; and
,controlling the pumping mechanism to match the flow rate of fluid with a desired flow rate of fluid.
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24. A dual infusion pump configuration, comprising:
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a specially programmed microprocessor; first and second drip chambers for connection to first and second output tubes, respectively; first and second drip tubes for connection to first and second sources of fluids, respectively, and with first and second ends disposed in the first and second drip chambers, respectively; first and second illumination systems; including first and second light source for transmitting first and second light through walls of the first and second drip chambers, respectively, to drops of the first and second fluids, suspended from the first and second ends of the first and second drip tubes, respectively; and
,for controlling first and second illumination properties of the first and second light transmitted to the drops of the first and second fluids, respectively; first and second optical systems for; receiving first and second light transmitted through the drops of the first and second fluids, respectively; and
,transmitting, to the microprocessor, first and second data regarding the first and second received light; and
,first and second pumping mechanisms for acting on the first and second output tubes to displace first and second fluid from the first and second drip chambers through the first and second output tubes, respectively, wherein the microprocessor is for; operating the first pumping mechanism to generate a first flow rate for the first fluid from the first drip chamber through the first output tube; creating, from the first data, a plurality of temporally successive images of the drop of the first fluid; determining, using the first plurality of temporally successive images, that the first source of fluid is empty when the drop of the first fluid is absent from the first end of the first drip tube for a specified period of time; and
,operating the second pumping mechanism to generate a second flow rate for the second source of fluid from the second drip chamber through the second output tube in response to determining that the first source of fluid is empty.
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25. A method for operating an infusion pump, comprising:
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transmitting light through a wall of a drip chamber for the infusion pump to a drop of fluid suspended from an end of a drip tube for the infusion pump, wherein the drip tube is for connection to a source of fluid and the end of the drip tube is disposed in the drip chamber; controlling, using an illumination system for the infusion pump, illumination properties of the light transmitted to the drop; receiving, using an optical system for the pump, light transmitted through the drop; detecting, using the optical system, an image; transmitting, to a first specially programmed microprocessor and using the optical system, data regarding the image; and
,using the first microprocessor to; locate, from the data, an outer edge of the drop to define a boundary of the drop; integrate an area enclosed by the boundary; and
,calculate a volume of revolution for the drop with respect to an axis for the drop that intersects the end of the drip tube, assuming symmetry of the drop with respect to the axis. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of operating an infusion pump, comprising:
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transmitting light through or around a drop of fluid suspended from an end of a drip tube for the infusion pump, the end of the drip tube located in a drip chamber for the infusion pump, wherein the drip tube is for connection to a source of the fluid; receiving, using an optical system for the pump, light transmitted through or around the drop; transmitting, to a specially programmed microprocessor and using the optical system, data regarding the received light; and
,using the microprocessor to calculate a volume of the drop using the data, wherein transmitting light includes; using a telecentric lighting element including a telecentric lens and a first light source, wherein the telecentric lens bundles light rays from the first light source and directs the bundled light rays toward the drop; using a structured lighting element including a second light source and a structural element placed between the second light source and the drop to block or alter light emanating from the second light source; using a pair of laser light sources disposed at an acute angle with respect to each other to generate respective light beams that interact to form an interference pattern;
or,transmitting light through a projection lens, the lens having a pattern in or on a surface of the lens, to project the pattern onto the drop.
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34. A method of operating an infusion pump, comprising:
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transmitting light into a drip tube for the infusion pump, an end of the drip tube disposed in a drip chamber for the infusion pump such that; the light reflects off a plurality of portions of an internally facing surface of the drip tube; and
,the reflected light is transmitted through the end of the drip tube into an interior of a drop of fluid hanging from the end of the drip tube such that the interior of the drop is uniformly illuminated, wherein the drip tube is for connection to a source of the fluid; receiving, using an optical system for the pump, light transmitted from the interior of the drop; transmitting, to a specially programmed microprocessor and using the optical system, data regarding the received light; and
,calculating, using the microprocessor, a volume of the drop using the data. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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36. A method of operating an infusion pump, comprising:
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transmitting light, at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis for a drip chamber for the infusion pump, into the drip chamber such that the light reflects, at the acute angle, off a surface of fluid pooled within the drip chamber; receiving, using an optical system for the pump, light reflected from the surface; transmitting, to a specially programmed microprocessor and using the optical system, data regarding the received light; and
,calculating, using the processor, a position of the surface using the data regarding the received light. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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38. A method of operating an infusion pump, comprising:
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illuminating, using an illumination system for the infusion pump, an end of a drip tube located within a drip chamber of the infusion pump, the drip tube for connecting the drip chamber to a source of fluid; illuminating, using the illumination system, a drop of the fluid hanging from the end of the drip tube; using an optical system to; receive first light emanating from the end of the drip tube and second light emanating from the drop; and
,transmit data regarding the received first and second light to a specially programmed microprocessor; and
,using the microprocessor to; generate respective images of the end of the drip tube and the drop from the data; locate an apex of the drop, the apex being a portion of the drop at a furthest distance from the end of the drip tube; determine, using the location of the apex, an orientation of the drop with respect to the end of the drip tube; and
,calculate, using the orientation of the drop with respect to the end of the drip tube, an orientation of the drip chamber. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41)
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42. A method of operating an infusion pump, comprising:
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transmitting light through a wall of a drip chamber for the infusion pump to a drop of fluid suspended from an end of a drip tube for the infusion pump wherein the drip tube is for connection to a source of fluid and the end of the drip tube is disposed in the drip chamber; controlling, using an illumination system for the infusion pump, illumination properties of the light transmitted to the drop; using an optical system for the pump to; receive light transmitted through the drop; and
,transmit to a specially programmed microprocessor, data regarding the received light; and
,using the microprocessor to; generate, from the data, respective images of the drop and of the end of the drip tube; calculate, using the respective images, a boundary of the end of the drip tube; and
,calculate a volume, shape, or location of the drop using the boundary as a reference plane. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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44. A method of operating an infusion pump, comprising:
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transmitting light through a wall of a drip chamber for the infusion pump to an end of a drip tube or proximate the end of the drip tube, wherein the drip tube is for connection to a source of fluid and the end of the drip tube is disposed in the drip chamber; controlling, using an illumination system for the infusion pump, illumination properties of the transmitted light transmitted to the drop; using an optical system for the pump to; receive light transmitted through the end of the drip tube or proximate the end of the drip tube; and
,transmit, to a specially programmed microprocessor, data regarding the received light; and
,using the microprocessor to; generate an image of the end of the drip tube from the data; determine, from the image, that a drop is absent from the end of the drip tube for a specified period of time; and
,generate an empty bag alarm or an air-in-line alarm.
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45. A method of operating an infusion pump, comprising:
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transmitting light through a wall of a drip chamber for the infusion pump to a drop of fluid suspended from an end of a drip tube for the infusion pump wherein the drip tube is for connection to a source of fluid and the end of the drip tube is disposed in the drip chamber; controlling, using an illumination system for the infusion pump, illumination properties of the light transmitted to the drop; using an optical system for the pump to; receive light transmitted through the drop; and
,transmit, to a specially programmed microprocessor, data regarding the received light; and
,using the microprocessor to; create a plurality of temporally successive images of the drop from the data; calculate a respective volume for the drop in each successive image; identify changes in the respective volumes; and
,calculate a flow rate of fluid to the output tube based on the changes in the respective volumes. - View Dependent Claims (46)
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47. A method of operating an infusion pump, comprising:
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transmitting light through a wall of a drip chamber for the infusion pump to a drop of fluid suspended from an end of a drip tube for the infusion pump wherein the drip tube is for connection to a source of fluid and the end of the drip tube is disposed in the drip chamber; controlling, using an illumination system for the infusion pump, illumination properties of the light transmitted to the drop; using an optical system for the pump to; receive light transmitted through the drop; and
,transmit, to a specially programmed microprocessor, data regarding the received light; displacing fluid from the drip chamber through the output tube by operating a pumping mechanism for the infusion pump acting on the output tube; and
,using the microprocessor to; create a plurality of temporally successive images of the drop from the data; calculate a respective volume for the drop in each successive image; identify changes in the respective volumes; calculate a flow rate of fluid to the output tube based on the changes in the respective volumes; and
,control the pumping mechanism to match the flow rate of fluid with a desired flow rate of fluid.
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48. A method of operating a dual infusion pump configuration, the configuration including a specially programmed microprocessor;
- first and second drip chambers connected to first and second output tubes, respectively;
first and second drip tubes connected to first and second sources of fluids, respectively, and with first and second ends disposed in the first and second drip chambers, respectively;
first and second illumination systems; and
first and second optical systems, comprising;transmitting first and second light through walls of the first and second drip chambers to drops of the first and second fluids, suspended from the first and second ends of the first and second drip tubes, respectively; controlling, using the first and second illumination systems, first and second illumination properties of the first and second light transmitted to the drops of the first and second fluids, respectively; receiving, using the first and second optical systems, first and second light transmitted through the drop of the first and second fluids, respectively; transmitting, to the microprocessor and using the first and second optical systems, first and second data regarding the first and second received light; acting on the first and second output tubes, using the first and second pumping mechanisms, to displace first and second fluid from the first and second drip chambers through the first and second output tubes, respectively; and
,using the microprocessor to; operate the first pumping mechanism to generate a first flow rate for the first source of fluid from the first drip chamber through the first output tube; create, from the first data, a plurality of temporally successive images of the drop of the first fluid; determine, using the plurality of temporally successive images, that the first source of fluid is empty when the drop of the first fluid is absent from the first end of the first drip tube for a specified period of time; and
,operate the second pumping mechanism to generate a second flow rate for the second source of fluid from the second drip chamber through the second output tube in response to determining that the first source of fluid is empty.
- first and second drip chambers connected to first and second output tubes, respectively;
Specification