Apparatus and method for the detection of air in fluid delivery systems
First Claim
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1. An infusion device, comprising:
- infusion pump means for delivering a liquid through an infusion conduit from a separate source of the liquid into a patient;
bubble detector means for detecting the presence of an air bubble in the infusion conduit; and
control means responsive to the bubble detector means for determining if the size of the air bubble is unacceptable;
which control means is configured to determine if during the time the air bubble is detected it advances a distance indicative of the unacceptable size.
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Abstract
An infusion device includes an infusion pump for delivering a liquid through an infusion conduit from a separate source of the liquid into a patient, a bubble detector for detecting the presence of an air bubble in the infusion conduit, and control circuitry responsive to the bubble detector for determining if the size of the air bubble is unacceptable. The control circuitry is configured to determine if during the time the air bubble is detected it advances a distance indicative of the unacceptable size, one embodiment counting the steps of a linear peristaltic infusion pump for that purpose.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An infusion device, comprising:
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infusion pump means for delivering a liquid through an infusion conduit from a separate source of the liquid into a patient; bubble detector means for detecting the presence of an air bubble in the infusion conduit; and control means responsive to the bubble detector means for determining if the size of the air bubble is unacceptable; which control means is configured to determine if during the time the air bubble is detected it advances a distance indicative of the unacceptable size. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of detecting an air bubble of unacceptable size in an infusion conduit through which liquid is being delivered into a patient, the method comprising:
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providing an infusion device having an infusion pump for delivering the liquid through the infusion conduit and a bubble detector arranged to detect the presence of an air bubble in the infusion conduit; determining if during the time the air bubble is detected it advances a distance indicative of the unacceptable size. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification