Apparatus for the registration of drops in an infusion device
First Claim
1. A drop registration apparatus for use with an infusion device having an infusion fluid reservoir, a drip chamber, and a tube in fluid communication, said apparatus comprising:
- at least one light source;
at least two light sensors disposed such that drops in said drip chamber fall in sequence between said light source and each of said light sensors;
at least two detector channels respectively allocated to said light sensors, each detector channel independently generating a detector output signal when the light sensor allocated thereto senses a drop;
a logic means having inputs connected to said detector channels for generating a logic output signal indicating proper operation of said infusion device when at least one of said detectors generates a detector output;
a discriminator means having inputs connected to said detector channels, said discriminator means generating a discriminator output signal if a detector output signal is not received from all detector channels within a first selected time period; and
a fault/alarm means having an input connected to said discriminator means for generating a fault/alarm signal upon receipt of said discriminator output signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for the registration of drops in an infusion device has a drip chamber from which fluid is supplied from a reservoir through a tube to a patient, with a drop sensor disposed in the region of the drip chamber. The drop sensor is divided into at least two levels, each level having a processing channel allocated thereto including an amplifier, a comparator and a memory. The outputs of each channel are supplied to a logic unit. As long as signals are supplied by each channel to the logic unit, normal and proper operation is assumed, however, a discriminator unit triggers a fault display or an alarm when a signal from only one channel is present within a predetermined time.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A drop registration apparatus for use with an infusion device having an infusion fluid reservoir, a drip chamber, and a tube in fluid communication, said apparatus comprising:
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at least one light source; at least two light sensors disposed such that drops in said drip chamber fall in sequence between said light source and each of said light sensors; at least two detector channels respectively allocated to said light sensors, each detector channel independently generating a detector output signal when the light sensor allocated thereto senses a drop; a logic means having inputs connected to said detector channels for generating a logic output signal indicating proper operation of said infusion device when at least one of said detectors generates a detector output; a discriminator means having inputs connected to said detector channels, said discriminator means generating a discriminator output signal if a detector output signal is not received from all detector channels within a first selected time period; and a fault/alarm means having an input connected to said discriminator means for generating a fault/alarm signal upon receipt of said discriminator output signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A drop registration apparatus for use with an infusion device having an infusion fluid reservoir, a drip chamber, and a tube in sequential fluid communication, said apparatus comprising:
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a sensor means dividing said drip chamber into at least two sensing planes; detector means respectively independently allocated to each sensing plane for generating a signal when a drop is sensed in the plane allocated thereto; means connected to said detector means for determining and indicating proper operation of said infusion device when a signal is generated by a detector means for at least one sensing plane; and means connected to said detector means for generating a fault signal when a drop has not been sensed in all sensing planes within a selected time period. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification