Infusion monitoring device, system and method
First Claim
1. A system for automatically monitoring an infusion in a patient receiving an infusion from a fluid source, the system comprising:
- an infusion monitoring device comprising;
a fluid valve, disposed in a fluid connection between said fluid source and said patient, and operable for preventing or allowing the flow of fluid from said fluid source to said patient;
a variable volume chamber, fluidly coupled between said fluid valve and said patient, for allowing the creation of a pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient;
a fluid inspection window, disposed in said fluid connection between said variable volume chamber and said patient, for allowing a view of fluid drawn from said patient into said infusion monitoring device when said fluid valve is closed and said variable volume chamber creates a negative pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient;
at least one sensor, disposed proximate with said fluid inspection window, for facilitating automated inspection of said fluid in said fluid inspection window; and
a controller, coupled to said fluid valve and to said at least one sensor, for controlling operation of said fluid valve between an open and a closed position and responsive to said sensor, for performing automated inspection of said fluid in said fluid inspection window and determining the status of said infusion.
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Abstract
A system for automatically monitoring an infusion in a patient receiving an infusion from a fluid source, the system including: an infusion monitoring device comprising: a fluid valve, disposed in a fluid connection between the fluid source and the patient, and operable for preventing or allowing the flow of fluid from the fluid source to the patient; a variable volume chamber, fluidly coupled between the fluid valve and the patient, for allowing the creation of a pressure differential between the variable volume chamber and the patient; and a fluid inspection window, disposed in the fluid connection between the variable volume chamber and the patient, for allowing a view of fluid drawn from the patient into the infusion monitoring device when the fluid valve is closed and the variable volume chamber creates a negative pressure differential between the variable volume chamber and the patient.
14 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for automatically monitoring an infusion in a patient receiving an infusion from a fluid source, the system comprising:
- an infusion monitoring device comprising;
a fluid valve, disposed in a fluid connection between said fluid source and said patient, and operable for preventing or allowing the flow of fluid from said fluid source to said patient; a variable volume chamber, fluidly coupled between said fluid valve and said patient, for allowing the creation of a pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient; a fluid inspection window, disposed in said fluid connection between said variable volume chamber and said patient, for allowing a view of fluid drawn from said patient into said infusion monitoring device when said fluid valve is closed and said variable volume chamber creates a negative pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient; at least one sensor, disposed proximate with said fluid inspection window, for facilitating automated inspection of said fluid in said fluid inspection window; and a controller, coupled to said fluid valve and to said at least one sensor, for controlling operation of said fluid valve between an open and a closed position and responsive to said sensor, for performing automated inspection of said fluid in said fluid inspection window and determining the status of said infusion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- an infusion monitoring device comprising;
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13. A method for monitoring an infusion in a patient, said method comprising the acts of:
- providing an infusion monitoring device, said infusion monitoring device including a fluid inspection window disposed between the fluid valve and the patient; and
monitoring said fluid in said fluid inspection window of said infusion monitoring device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
- providing an infusion monitoring device, said infusion monitoring device including a fluid inspection window disposed between the fluid valve and the patient; and
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16. A method for keeping a patient infusion open comprising the acts of:
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providing an infusion monitoring device, said infusion monitoring device including at least;
a fluid valve, disposed in a fluid connection between a fluid source and a patient, and operable for preventing or allowing the flow of fluid from said fluid source to said patient and a variable volume chamber, fluidly coupled between said fluid valve and said patient, for allowing the creation of a negative pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient tending to draw fluid from the patient into the variable volume chamber and for allowing the creation of a positive pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient tending to push fluid back from said variable volume chamber to said patient;closing said fluid valve;
creating a negative pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient causing fluid from said patient at an infusion site to be drawn into said variable volume chamber of said infusion monitoring device;creating a positive pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient causing fluid from variable volume chamber to be pushed into said patient at said infusion site; and repeating the cycle of drawing fluid from and pushing fluid to the patient.
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17. A system for automatically monitoring an infusion in a patient receiving an infusion from a fluid source, the system comprising:
- an infusion monitoring device comprising;
a fluid valve, disposed in a fluid connection between said fluid source and said patient, and operable for preventing or allowing the flow of fluid from said fluid source to said patient; a variable volume chamber, fluidly coupled between said fluid valve and said patient, for allowing the creation of a pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient; and a fluid inspection window, disposed in said fluid connection between said variable volume chamber and said patient, for allowing a view of fluid drawn from said patient into said infusion monitoring device when said fluid valve is closed and said variable volume chamber creates a negative pressure differential between said variable volume chamber and said patient. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
- an infusion monitoring device comprising;
Specification