VOLUME MONITORING DEVICE

• US 20140066860A1
• Filed: 08/23/2013
• Published: 03/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Osprey Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Osprey Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Houfburg, Rodney L., Doan, Tuan
• Granted Patent: US 10,413,677 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/207
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3379 Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31568 Means keeping track of the total dose administered, e.g. since the cartridge was inserted
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31573 Accuracy improving means

Abstract

An apparatus includes a syringe housing and a plunger slidably received within the syringe housing. A plunger magnet is secured to the plunger. A potentiometer housing is fixed to the syringe housing and includes a potentiometer disposed therein. A wiper magnet is also disposed within the potentiometer housing. Movement of the plunger magnet causes a corresponding movement of the wiper magnet.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a syringe housing;

a plunger slidably received within the syringe housing;

a plunger magnet secured to the plunger;

a potentiometer housing fixed to the syringe housing;

a potentiometer disposed within the potentiometer housing; and

a wiper magnet slidably received within the potentiometer housing, wherein a movement of the plunger magnet causes a corresponding movement of the wiper magnet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of leads extending from the potentiometer.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an interface for connecting the plurality of leads to a measuring device, and wherein the measuring device displays a total volume injected and emits a warning of a critical outcome.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the potentiometer housing is releasably fixed to the syringe housing.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising means for releasably securing the potentiometer housing to the syringe housing.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the means comprises at least one of a clamp, a clasp, a hook and loop fastener, and a magnet.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the means for releasably securing the potentiometer is secured to the potentiometer housing.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the means for releasably securing is releasably secured to the potentiometer housing.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a syringe housing;

a plunger slidably received within the syringe housing;

a potentiometer secured to the syringe housing;

a first magnet movably positionable relative to the potentiometer; and

a second magnet, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are adapted to move in tandem.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a lead for sending an output signal from the potentiometer to an interface, wherein the interface displays a total volume injected and emits a warning of a critical outcome.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the output signal varies based on a position of the first magnet relative to the potentiometer.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first magnet is disposed proximate the potentiometer.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second magnet is fixed to the plunger.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second magnet comprises a plurality of magnets.

15. An apparatus comprising:

a syringe housing;

a potentiometer secured to the syringe housing;

a first magnet movably positionable relative to the potentiometer; and

a plunger slidably received within the syringe housing, wherein the first magnet is movable based at least in part on a movement of the plunger.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a second magnet secured to the plunger and aligned with the first magnet.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a third magnet secured to the plunger and aligned with the first magnet.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first magnet is disposed within a magnetic field formed by at least one of the second magnet and the third magnet.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a potentiometer housing, wherein the potentiometer and the first magnet are disposed within the potentiometer housing.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a lead for sending an output signal from the potentiometer to an interface, wherein the interface displays a total volume injected and emits a warning of a critical outcome.