Fault detection apparatus and method for parenteral infusion system
First Claim
1. Fault detection apparatus for use with a parenteral administration system having an infusion device for infusing parenteral fluid through a fluid tube to the vascular system of a patient, comprising:
- pressure transducer means for monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the fluid tube and producing a corresponding pressure signal;
fault detection means for evaluating the pressure signal over a period of time to detect characteristic patterns in the waveform of the pressure signal evaluated which are indicative of improper fluid communication between the fluid tube and the vascular system of the patient; and
means for producing a corresponding alarm signal whenever the fault detection means detects such a characteristic pattern.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and related method for use in a parenteral administration system, for detecting fault conditions such as an infiltration, an open fluid line or an air bubble in the fluid line. The apparatus is particularly adapted for use with a parenteral administration system of the type that includes a pulsing infusion device for incrementally infusing fluid through a fluid tube to a patient'"'"'s venous or arterial system. The apparatus qualitatively evaluates the pressure in the fluid tube to detect characteristic patterns indicative of each such fault condition and actuates an alarm whenever one is detected.
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Citations
53 Claims
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1. Fault detection apparatus for use with a parenteral administration system having an infusion device for infusing parenteral fluid through a fluid tube to the vascular system of a patient, comprising:
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pressure transducer means for monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the fluid tube and producing a corresponding pressure signal; fault detection means for evaluating the pressure signal over a period of time to detect characteristic patterns in the waveform of the pressure signal evaluated which are indicative of improper fluid communication between the fluid tube and the vascular system of the patient; and means for producing a corresponding alarm signal whenever the fault detection means detects such a characteristic pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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6. Fault detection apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the pressure change sensing means includes:
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means for sampling the pressure signal at spaced intervals of time; and means for comparing the current pressure signal with the previous pressure signal to determine if the pressure signal has increased by more than the predetermined amount during the interval between signals.
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11. Infiltration detection apparatus for use with a parenteral administration system having a pulsing infusion device for incrementally infusing a parenteral fluid through a fluid tube to the venous system of a patient, comprising:
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pressure transducer means for monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the fluid tube and producing a corresponding pressure signal; and infiltration detection means for evaluating the pressure signal over a period of time to detect a characteristic pattern in the waveform of the pressure signal evaluated wherein the pressure signal fails to return substantially to a steady state level within a predetermined time period following an infusion pulse, and producing an infiltration alarm signal whenever such an occurrence is detected. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. Infiltration detection apparatus for use with a parenteral administration system having an infusion device for infusing a parenteral fluid through a fluid tube to the venous system of a patient, comprising:
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pressure transducer means for monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the fluid tube and producing a corresponding pressure signal; and infiltration detection means for evaluating the pressure signal over a period of time to detect a characteristic pattern in the waveform of the pressure signal evaluated wherein the pressure signal increases by more than a predetermined amount during a predetermined time period and producing an infiltration alarm signal whenever such an ocurrence is detected. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. Infiltration detection apparatus for use with a parenteral administration system having an infusion device for infusing a parenteral fluid through a fluid tube to the arterial system of a patient, comprising:
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pressure transducer means for monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the fluid tube and producing a corresponding pressure signal; and infiltration detection means for evaluating the pressure signal over a period of time to detect a characteristic pattern in the waveform of the pressure signal evaluated wherein the mean value of the pressure signal drops below a predetermined threshold value and for producing an infiltration alarm signal whenever such an occurrence is detected. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. Infiltration detection apparatus for use with a parenteral administration system having an infusion device for infusing a parenteral fluid through a fluid tube to the arterial system of a patient, comprising:
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pressure transducer means for monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the fluid tube and producing a corresponding pressure signal; and infiltration detection means for evaluating the pressure signal to detect a dropout in signal components attributable to the patient'"'"'s heartbeats and for producing an infiltration alarm signal whenever such an occurrence is detected. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. Open line detection apparatus for use with a parenteral administration system having a pulsing infusion device for incrementally infusing a parenteral fluid through a fluid tube to the vascular system of a patient, comprising:
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pressure transducer means for monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the fluid tube and producing a corresponding pressure signal; and open line detection means for detecting an underdamped characteristic in the pressure signal following each infusion pulse of the infusion device, such an underdamped characteristic indicating an open fluid line or an air bubble in the fluid line, the detection means producing an open line alarm signal when it detects such a characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A parenteral administration system for infusing a parenteral fluid into the vascular system of a patient, comprising:
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an infusion device; a fluid coupled between the infusion device and the vascular system of a patient, such that the device can infuse a parenteral fluid into the vascular system; pressure transducer means for monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the fluid tube and producing a corresponding pressure signal; and fault detection means for evaluating the pressure signal over a period of time to detect characteristic patterns in the waveform of the pressure signal evaluated which are indicative of improper communication between the fluid tube and the patient'"'"'s vascular system; and means for producing a corresponding alarm signal whenever the fault detection means detects such a characteristic signal pattern. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for detecting fluid infiltrations suitable for use in a parenteral administration system having a pulsing infusion device for incrementally infusing a parenteral fluid through a fluid tube to the venous system of a patient, comprising steps of:
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monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the fluid tube and producing a corresponding pressure signal; and evaluating the pressure signal over a period of time to detect if the signal fails to return substantially to a steady state level within a predetermined time period following an infusion pulse, and producing an infiltration alarm signal whenever such an occurrence is detected. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for detecting fluid infiltrations for use in a parenteral administration system having an infusion device for infusing a parenteral fluid through a fluid tube to the venous system of a patient, comprising steps of:
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monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the fluid tube and producing a corresponding pressure signal; and evaluating the pressure signal over a period of time to detect a characteristic pattern in the waveform of the pressure signal evaluated wherein the pressure signal increases by more than a predetermined amount during a predetermined time period, and producing an infiltration alarm signal whenever such an occurrence is detected. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 47)
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42. A method for detecting fluid infiltrations for use in a parenteral administration system having an infusion device for infusing a parenteral fluid through a fluid tube to the arterial system of a patient, comprising steps of:
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monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the fluid tube and producing a corresponding pressure signal; and evaluating the pressure signal over a period of time to detect a characteristic pattern in the waveform of the pressure signal evaluated wherein the mean value of the pressure signal drops below a predetermined threshold, and producing an infiltration alarm signal whenever such an occurrence is detected. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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44. A method for detecting fluid infiltrations for use in a parenteral administration system having an infusion device for infusing a parenteral fluid through a fluid tube to the arterial system of a patient, comprising steps of:
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monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the fluid tube and producing a corresponding pressure signal; and evaluating the pressure signal over a period of time to detect a characteristic pattern in the waveform of the pressure signal evaluated wherein an indicative decrease occurs in variable signal components attributable to the patient'"'"'s heartbeats drop below a predetermined limit, and producing an infiltration alarm signal whenever such an occurrence is detected. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46)
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48. A method for detecting an open fluid line suitable for use in a parenteral administration system having a pulsing infusion device for incrementally infusing a parenteral fluid through a fluid tube to the vascular system of a patient, comprising steps of:
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monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the fluid tube and producing a corresponding pressure signal; detecting an underdamped characteristic in the pressure signal following each infusion pulse for the infusion device, such an underdamped characteristic indicating an open fluid line or an air bubble in the fluid line; and producing an open line alarm signal whenever the step of detecting detects such an underdamped characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A method of detecting faults in the operation of a parenteral administration system wherein an infusion device infuses a parenteral fluid through a tube to the vascular system of a patient in a pulsing fashion, said method comprising:
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monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the tube and producing a corresponding pressure signal; evaluating the pressure signal over a period of time to detect characteristic patterns in the waveform of the pressure signal evaluated which are indicative of improper fluid communication between the fluid tube and the vascular system of the patient; and producing an alarm signal whenever such characteristic patterns are detected.
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Specification