Microprocessor controlled intravenous feed system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An intravenous feed system, comprising:
- A. a free hanging container for intravenous fluid, including a gravity feed outlet to a flexible, intravenous tube, and constriction means for the said tube;
B. sensing means for detecting a weight change in the free hanging container to produce an analogue signal when intravenous fluid is fed therefrom;
C. means for converting the analogue signal into digital pulses;
D. clock means for determining Δ
t;
E. a plurality of microelectronic circuit registers to receive and output digital pulses, including;
i. an input register for receiving preset data for dw/dt flow rate and weight settings;
ii. accumulating registers to store updated container weight and constriction settings; and
,iii. output registers for outputting updated constriction settings, flow rate data, fluid weight data and alarm data;
F. a ROM, including;
i. a look-up table for determining updated constriction settings;
ii. a sequencing memory for converting input and instruction information into address words;
iii. a control sequence memory for generating program steps and jump pulses to control output operations; and
,G. an arithmetic unit for;
i. determining Δ
w, and dw/dt as measured;
ii. comparing the measured dw/dt with the preset dw/dt; and
,iii. determining the revised constriction settings based on the look-up table.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control system for an intravenous feed tube is provided that functions by sensing weight changes with respect to time, i.e., dw/dt, of an intravenous solution supplied to a patient, the solution being maintained as a free hanging load. The weight changes are detected by strain gauge sensors, and then applied as signals to a microprocessor that is programmed to produce suitable control responses. These responses are fed to a motor which applies a constrictive force to the intravenous tube and maintains the solution flow at the desired rate.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An intravenous feed system, comprising:
-
A. a free hanging container for intravenous fluid, including a gravity feed outlet to a flexible, intravenous tube, and constriction means for the said tube; B. sensing means for detecting a weight change in the free hanging container to produce an analogue signal when intravenous fluid is fed therefrom; C. means for converting the analogue signal into digital pulses; D. clock means for determining Δ
t;E. a plurality of microelectronic circuit registers to receive and output digital pulses, including; i. an input register for receiving preset data for dw/dt flow rate and weight settings; ii. accumulating registers to store updated container weight and constriction settings; and
,iii. output registers for outputting updated constriction settings, flow rate data, fluid weight data and alarm data; F. a ROM, including; i. a look-up table for determining updated constriction settings; ii. a sequencing memory for converting input and instruction information into address words; iii. a control sequence memory for generating program steps and jump pulses to control output operations; and
,G. an arithmetic unit for; i. determining Δ
w, and dw/dt as measured;ii. comparing the measured dw/dt with the preset dw/dt; and
,iii. determining the revised constriction settings based on the look-up table. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14)
-
-
13. An intravenous feed system, including a free hanging container for intravenous fluid, a gravity feed outlet from the container to a flexible, intravenous tube, and constriction means for the said tube to control fluid flow rate therethrough, comprising:
-
A. sensing means for detecting a weight change in the free hanging container to produce an analogue signal when intravenous fluid is fed therefrom; B. means for converting the analogue signal into digital pulses; C. a plurality of microelectronic circuit registers to receive and output digital pulses, the registers being adapted to;
receive preset data for flow rate settings, store updated container weight data and constriction settings, and output constriction settings; and
,D. ROM memories adapted to;
calculate revised constriction settings, and access and control constriction settings. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification