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Fluid flow monitoring method and system

  • US 4,743,228 A
  • Filed: 08/18/1986
  • Issued: 05/10/1988
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1986
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for monitoring the pressure of parenteral fluid in a fluid delivery system which includes a pump, tubing for transmitting pumped fluid to a cannula adapted to be inserted into a patient'"'"'s blood vessel, the pressure monitoring system comprising:

  • (a) means to control the rate of fluid flow through the delivery system to the patient at a predetermined low flow rate (FLow) and at a predetermined high flow rate (FHi);

    (b) means to sense the fluid pressure within the fluid delivery system;

    (c) means to determine the difference in fluid pressure within the fluid delivery system during periods of the predetermined low flow rate and during period of the predetermined high flow rate;

    (d) means to determine the difference between the predetermined high flow rate and the predetermined low flow rate;

    (e) means to determine the resistance (R) of the fluid delivery system to fluid flow therethrough from the ratio of the fluid pressure difference to the fluid flow rate difference;

    (f) means to calculate a pressure limit (PLim) from the product of resistance (R) and the high flow rate (FHi);

    (g) means to compare the fluid pressure sensed within the fluid delivery system during a monitoring period with the calculated pressure limit (PLim); and

    (h) means to generate an alarm signal when the pressure sensed exceeds the calculated pressure limit.

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