Method and device for combined measurement of bubbles and flow rate in a system for enriching a bodily fluid with a gas
First Claim
1. A gas-enrichment system for enriching a bodily fluid with a gas-enriched fluid in an extracorporeal circuit, comprising:
- a combination bubble detector/flow meter comprising an ultrasonic probe that is capable of generating a single ultrasonic signal for measuring both the flow rate and bubbles of the gas-enriched bodily fluid in the system; and
a signal processing unit for processing the single ultrasonic signal generated from the ultrasonic probe to determine the flow rate and measure the bubbles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention discloses a modular system having a base module, a mid-section control module, and a display module for preparing and administering a gas-enriched bodily fluid. Gas-enrichment is achieved by a gas-enriching device which can be in the form of a disposable cartridge. During operation, the gas-enrichment device is placed in an enclosure within the control module. An electronic controller manages the various aspects of the system such as the production of gas-enriched fluid, flow rates, bubble detection, and automatic operation and shut down. The system includes a combination bubble detector/flow meter that uses a single ultrasonic probe for measuring both bubbles and fluid flow rate.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A gas-enrichment system for enriching a bodily fluid with a gas-enriched fluid in an extracorporeal circuit, comprising:
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a combination bubble detector/flow meter comprising an ultrasonic probe that is capable of generating a single ultrasonic signal for measuring both the flow rate and bubbles of the gas-enriched bodily fluid in the system; and a signal processing unit for processing the single ultrasonic signal generated from the ultrasonic probe to determine the flow rate and measure the bubbles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for measuring flow rate and bubbles in a fluid along a fluid path utilizing a single ultrasonic signal in an extracorporeal circuit of a gas-enrichment system, the method comprising:
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providing an ultrasonic probe for generating a probing ultrasonic signal directed at the fluid; transmitting the probing signal to the fluid; receiving a return signal from the fluid; de-convoluting the return signal into a bubble signal component and a flow rate signal component; and measuring flow rate and bubbles based on the de-convoluted return signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification