Differential occlusion sensing method and apparatus

• US 4,526,574 A
• Filed: 05/23/1983
• Issued: 07/02/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Pekkarinen, Michael O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasko, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lester, Michelle N.
• Application Number:
  US06/497,369
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 604/31, 604/53, 604/65, 604/67, 604/245, 604/246, 604/49, 604/118, 128/DIG. 13, 128/DIG. 3, 340/611, 340/614, 340/626, 73/119 A, 73/730
• US Class Current: 604/505
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/13 Infusion monitoring

Abstract

The present invention provides an accurate method and apparatus for sensing and monitoring any buildup in the downline tubing pressure in a fluid infusion system. The initial fluid pressure as indicated by the tubing location is sensed after a delay period and is utilized as a base pressure if it is within allowable limits. The infusion tubing location or pressure is then monitored and compared with the base location or pressure. The system will alarm if a preset differential location or pressure change is exceeded.

Claims

1. A method of sensing and monitoring downline fluid pressure in a fluid infusion system, comprising:

providing a fluid tubing;

providing a positive fluid flow in said tubing;

sensing an initial base operating location of a single portion of said tubing;

monitoring the tubing portion location;

comparing the monitored location against the initial base operating location; and

setting an alarm if said monitored location exceeds a predetermined location differential.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 including:

sensing said initial base operating location after a predetermined time delay.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 including:

providing an absolute alarm location;

comparing the monitored location against the absolute alarm location; and

setting an alarm if said monitored location exceeds said absolute alarm location.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 including:

providing an allowable initial location range;

comparing said initial base operating location against said allowable initial location range; and

setting an alarm if said initial base operating location is outside of said allowable initial location range.

5. The method as defined in claim 1 including:

converting said initial base operating location and said monitored location to values indicative of the internal tubing pressure and representing an initial base pressure and a monitored pressure; and

setting said alarm if said monitored pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure differential.

6. The method as defined in claim 5 including:

sensing an initial infusion operating pressure after a predetermined time delay;

providing an allowable initial pressure range;

comparing said initial infusion operating pressure against said allowable initial pressure range; and

setting an alarm if said initial infusion operating pressure is outside of said allowable initial pressure range.

7. The method as defined in claim 6 including:

providing an absolute alarm pressure;

comparing the monitored pressure against the absolute alarm pressure; and

setting an alarm if said monitored pressure exceeds said absolute alarm pressure.

8. An apparatus for sensing and monitoring downline fluid pressure in the fluid tubing of a fluid infusion system, comprising:

means adapted to be coupled to the fluid tubing for sensing the location of a single portion thereof;

means coupled to said sensing means for monitoring said sensed portion location and comparing it to an initial sensed infusion operating location; and

means for setting an alarm if said sensed portion location exceeds a predetermined location differential.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 including:

delay means for sensing said initial infusion operating location after a predetermined time delay.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 including:

means for comparing the monitored location against an absolute alarm location; and

means for setting an alarm if said monitored location exceeds said absolute alarm location.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 including:

means for comparing said initial infusion operating location against a predetermined allowable initial location range; and

means for setting an alarm if said initial infusion operating location is outside of said predetermined allowable initial location range.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein:

said location sensing means include a fluid transducer adapted to be fluidly coupled to the tubing.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 including:

means for converting said sensed portion location and said monitored location to values indicative of the internal tubing pressure and representing an initial infusion operating pressure and a monitored pressure; and

means for setting said alarm if said monitored pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure differential.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 including:

delay means for sensing said initial infusion operating pressure after a predetermined time delay;

means for comparing said initial infusion operating pressure against an allowable initial pressure range; and

means for setting an alarm if said initial infusion operating pressure is outside of said allowable initial pressure range.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 14 including:

means for comparing the monitored pressure against an absolute alarm pressure; and

means for setting an alarm if said monitored pressure exceeds said absolute alarm pressure.