In-line infiltration detection apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting whether a fluid is being properly supplied to a patient through conduit means by a flow controller which is located upstream from the detection apparatus and which infuses fluid in a normal delivery pattern at any of a plurality of selected infusion rates through conduit means to the patient, comprising:
- (a) means for diverting and accumulating a predetermined volume of the upstream flow from the flow controller for use as a test pulse;
(b) means for delivering the test pulse of the fluid through the conduit means to the patient with the test pulse being distinguishable from the normal delivery pattern and with the test pulse creating a pressure wave response in the conduit means;
(c) means for determining the area between a baseline and at least a portion of a pressure versus time curve representing the pressure wave response; and
(d) means responsive to the magnitude of said area for detecting if the fluid is being improperly supplied by the conduit means to the patient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a stand-alone, in-line device and method for detecting whether a fluid is being properly supplied to a patient, including means for delivering a test pulse of the fluid through conduit means to the patient with the test pulse being distinguishable from the normal delivery pattern and with the test pulse creating a pressure wave response in the conduit means. The device and method also includes means for determining the area between a baseline and at least a portion of a pressure versus time curve representing the pressure wave response, and means responsive to the magnitude of the area for detecting whether the fluid is being improperly supplied by the conduit means to the patient. Preferably, the device and method also includes means for diverting and accumulating a predetermined volume of the upstream flow from the infusion source for use as the test pulse.
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Citations
53 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting whether a fluid is being properly supplied to a patient through conduit means by a flow controller which is located upstream from the detection apparatus and which infuses fluid in a normal delivery pattern at any of a plurality of selected infusion rates through conduit means to the patient, comprising:
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(a) means for diverting and accumulating a predetermined volume of the upstream flow from the flow controller for use as a test pulse; (b) means for delivering the test pulse of the fluid through the conduit means to the patient with the test pulse being distinguishable from the normal delivery pattern and with the test pulse creating a pressure wave response in the conduit means; (c) means for determining the area between a baseline and at least a portion of a pressure versus time curve representing the pressure wave response; and (d) means responsive to the magnitude of said area for detecting if the fluid is being improperly supplied by the conduit means to the patient.
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2. A detection device for detecting whether a fluid is being properly supplied to a patient through conduit means by a flow controller, the flow controller being of the type that infuses fluid in a normal delivery pattern at any of a plurality of selected infusion rates, wherein:
said detection device is located between said flow controller and the patient and operates independently of said flow controller, and said detection device comprises (a) means for diverting at least a portion of the fluid flowing from the flow controller through the conduit means prior to delivery of a fluid test pulse, (b) means for delivering said test pulse through the conduit means to the patient, said test pulse being distinguishable from the normal delivery pattern of the flow controller and said test pulse creating a pressure wave response in the conduit means, (c) means for determining the area between a base line and at least a portion of a pressure versus time curve representing the pressure wave response, and (d) means responsive to the magnitude of said area for detecting if the fluid is being improperly supplied by the conduit means to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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27. A detection device for detecting whether a fluid is being properly supplied to a patient through conduit means by a flow controller, the flow controller being of the type that infuses fluid in a normal delivery pattern at any of a plurality of selected infusion rates, wherein:
said detection device is located between said flow controller and the patient and operates independently of said flow controller, and said detection device comprises (a) means for diverting at least a portion of the fluid flowing from the flow controller through the conduit means prior to delivery of a fluid test pulse, (b) means for delivering said test pulse through the conduit means to the patient, said test pulse being distinguishable from the normal delivery pattern of the flow controller and said test pulse creating a pressure wave response in the conduit means, and (c) means responsive to the pressure wave response in the conduit means for detecting if the fluid is being improperly supplied by the conduit means to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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41. An apparatus for detecting whether a fluid is being properly supplied to a patient by conduit means from a flow controller which is located upstream from the detection apparatus and which infuses fluid in a normal delivery pattern at any of a plurality of selected infusion rates through conduit means to the patient, comprising:
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(a) means for diverting and accumulating a predetermined volume of the upstream flow from the flow controller for use as a test pulse; (b) means for delivering said test pulse of the fluid through the conduit means to the patient with the test pulse being distinguishable from the normal delivery pattern, said test pulse creating a pressure wave response in the conduit means; and (c) means responsive to the pressure wave response in the conduit means for detecting whether the fluid is being improperly supplied by the conduit means to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43)
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44. A method for detecting whether a fluid is being properly supplied to a patient by conduit means from a flow controller which infuses fluid in a normal delivery pattern at any of a plurality of selected infusion rates through conduit means to the patient, comprising the steps of:
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(a) diverting and accumulating a predetermined amount of the upstream flow from the flow controller for use as a test pulse of fluid; (b) delivering said test pulse through the conduit means to the patient from a point downstream from the flow controller, with the test pulse being distinguishable from the normal delivery pattern and with the test pulse creating a pressure wave response in the conduit means; and (c) monitoring at least a portion of the pressure wave response in the conduit means to detect whether the fluid is being improperly supplied by the conduit means to the patient.
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45. A method for detecting whether a fluid is being improperly supplied to a patient by conduit means from a flow controller which infuses fluid in a normal delivery pattern at any of a plurality of selected infusion rates through conduit means to the patient, comprising:
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(a) diverting and accumulating a predetermined volume of the upstream flow from the flow controller for use as a test pulse; (b) delivering said test pulse through the conduit means to the patient, with the test pulse being distinguishable from the normal delivery pattern and with the test pulse creating a pressure wave response in the conduit means; (c) determining the area between a base line and at least a portion of a pressure versus time curve representing the pressure wave response; and (d)using the magnitude of said area to detect whether the fluid is being improperly supplied by the conduit means to the patient.
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46. A method for detecting whether a fluid is being improperly supplied to a patient by conduit means from a flow controller which infuses fluid in a normal delivery pattern at any of a plurality of selected infusion rates through conduit means to the patient, comprising the steps of:
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(a) diverting at least a portion of the upstream flow of fluid from the flow controller prior to delivery of a fluid test pulse; (b) delivering said test pulse through the conduit means to the patient at a point downstream from the flow controller, said test pulse being distinguishable from the normal delivery pattern of the flow controller and said test pulse creating a pressure wave response in the conduit means; and (c) monitoring at least a portion of the pressure wave response in the conduit means to detect whether the fluid is being improperly supplied by the conduit means to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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47. A method for detecting whether a fluid is being improperly supplied to a patient by conduit means from a flow controller which infuses fluid in a normal delivery pattern at any of a plurality of selected infusion rates through conduit means to the patient, comprising the steps of:
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(a) diverting at least a portion of the upstream flow of fluid from the flow controller prior to delivery of a fluid test pulse; (b) delivering said test pulse through the conduit means to the patient at a point downstream from the flow controller, said test pulse being distinguishable from the normal delivery pattern of the flow controller and said test pulse creating a pressure wave response in the conduit means; (c) determining the area between a base line and at least a portion of a pressure versus time curve representing the pressure wave response; and (d) monitoring the magnitude of said area to detect whether the fluid is being improperly supplied by the conduit means to the patient.
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Specification