Air leak detector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for detecting presence of air in a fluid carrying tube, comprising:
- a. optical sensing means for producing a signal in response to an air bubble in the fluid carrying tube;
b. integrating means connected to receive signals from said optical sensing means and operable to integrate said signals; and
c. switching means connected to said integrating means, said switching means operable to change states when the integrated signal reaches a predetermined value, thereby providing an indication of excessive air in the fluid.
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Abstract
A device for detecting the presence of air bubbles within a fluid-carrying tube, for example a blood tube used in medical procedures. The tube is placed between a light source and an optical sensor which produces signals when bubbles pass through the tube. These signals are integrated and a switch changes state when the integration reaches a predetermined value. The detector thus responds to a predetermined quantity of air, either by a large air bubble or an accumulation of small air bubbles. In a preferred embodiment, the switch releases a springloaded clamp which pinches off the tube when an excessive amount of air is detected.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. Apparatus for detecting presence of air in a fluid carrying tube, comprising:
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a. optical sensing means for producing a signal in response to an air bubble in the fluid carrying tube; b. integrating means connected to receive signals from said optical sensing means and operable to integrate said signals; and c. switching means connected to said integrating means, said switching means operable to change states when the integrated signal reaches a predetermined value, thereby providing an indication of excessive air in the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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4. An air leak detector comprising:
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a. a housing; b. means in said housing defining a tube receiving channel for receiving a blood carrying tube; c. tube clamp means positioned adjacent said channel; d. an actuating arm movably mounted adjacent said channel opposite said tube clamp; e. spring biasing means attached to said actuating arm for urging said arm toward said clamp across said channel; f. electrically operated means for selectively holding said actuating arm away from said tube clamp; g. optical sensing means mounted adjacent the channel for producing a signal in response to an air bubble in the blood carrying tube; h. integrating means connected to receive signals from said optical sensing means and operable to integrate said signals; and i. switching means connected to said integrating means and to said electrically operated means, for releasing said actuating arm to clamp the tube when the integrated signal reaches a predetermined value, indicating an excessive amount of air in the blood. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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12. Apparatus for detecting presence of air in a fluid carrying tube, comprising:
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a. sensing means for producing a signal in response to an air bubble in the fluid carrying tube; b. integrating means connected to receive signals from said sensing means and operable to integrate said signals; c. switching means connected to said integrating means, said switching means operable to change states when the integrated signal reaches a predetermined value, thereby providing an indication of excessive air in the fluid; and d. clamp means connected to said switching means, said clamp means operable to clamp off flow in the tube when said switching means changes states, thereby preventing flow of fluid when excessive air is present.
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13. An air leak detector comprising:
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a. a housing; b. means in said housing defining a tube receiving channel for receiving a blood carrying tube; c. tube clamp means positioned adjacent said channel; d. an actuating arm movably mounted adjacent said channel opposite said tube clamp; e. spring biasing means attached to said actuating arm for urging said arm toward said clamp across said channel; f. electrically operated means for selectively holding said actuating arm away from said tube clamp; g. sensing means mounted adjacent the channel for producing a signal in response to an air bubble in the blood carrying tube; h. integrating means connected to receive signals from said sensing means and operable to integrate said signals; and i. switching means connected to said integrating means and to said electrically operated means, for releasing said actuating arm to clamp the tube when the integrated signal reaches a predetermined value, indicating an excessive amount of air in the blood. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification