Intravenous fluid flow monitor
First Claim
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1. A system for monitoring the flow of fluid through a fluid delivery system to a patient comprising:
- (a) means for monitoring fluid pressure in the fluid delivery system supplying fluid to a patient;
(b) means for controlling the fluid flow through the fluid delivery system at sequentially different flow rates in a predetermined manner;
(c) means responsive to the sensed pressures and the sequentially different fluid flow rates, for determining resistance to fluid flow in the fluid delivery system; and
(d) means for comparing the determined resistance with predetermined limits and for generating output signals responsive thereto.
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Abstract
An improved system for monitoring the fluid flow through a fluid delvery system to a patient wherein the fluid flow rate is varied in a predetermined sequential manner. Corresponding changes in pressure in the line connecting the vein of a patient and the pump are detected and are used to derive signals indicative of the resistance or impedance in the line, which in turn can be used to determine whether the vein is normal, whether it is phlebitic, whether it is occluded, whether infiltration of the canula into the patient'"'"'s soft tissue has occurred, or whether the continuity of tubing to the vein has been interrupted.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring the flow of fluid through a fluid delivery system to a patient comprising:
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(a) means for monitoring fluid pressure in the fluid delivery system supplying fluid to a patient; (b) means for controlling the fluid flow through the fluid delivery system at sequentially different flow rates in a predetermined manner; (c) means responsive to the sensed pressures and the sequentially different fluid flow rates, for determining resistance to fluid flow in the fluid delivery system; and (d) means for comparing the determined resistance with predetermined limits and for generating output signals responsive thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for monitoring the flow of fluid through a fluid delivery system to a patient comprising:
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(a) monitoring fluid pressure in the fluid delivery system supplying fluid to a patient; (b) controlling the fluid flow through the fluid delivery system at sequentially different flow rates in a predetermined manner; (c) determining resistance to fluid flow in the fluid delivery system in response to the sensed pressure and to the sequentially different fluid flow rates; and (d) comparing the determined resistance to predetermined limits and generating output signals responsive thereto. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification