Apparatus and method for the detection of IV catheter obstruction and extravasation
First Claim
1. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer comprisinga chamber adapted for insertion in the flow path of a fluid conduit;
- means for varying the volume of the chamber in response to a predetermined drive signal;
means for sensing a variation in volume or pressure in said chamber in response to the variation in volume produced by said drive signal, said sensing means including a capacitive sensor having first and second capacitor plates, one of which is a part of said varying means; and
means for independently detecting each of a set of abnormalities in the flow path in response to the sensed variation.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer which includes a chamber placed in the conduit flow path and having one wall forming a piezoceramic bender that varies the chamber volume (or pressure) according to a predetermined waveform or noise spectrum and an associated piezoceramic pressure or displacement sensor. The time derivative of the displacement or the pressure are analyzed under computer control to identify conduit abnormalities. In particular application to intravenous fluid administration to patients, the system is capable of distinguishing a number of abnormalities including cathether obstruction, catheter needle out of the vein, catheter needle into the vein, as well as fluid bubble presence or conduit disconnection.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer comprising
a chamber adapted for insertion in the flow path of a fluid conduit; -
means for varying the volume of the chamber in response to a predetermined drive signal; means for sensing a variation in volume or pressure in said chamber in response to the variation in volume produced by said drive signal, said sensing means including a capacitive sensor having first and second capacitor plates, one of which is a part of said varying means; and means for independently detecting each of a set of abnormalities in the flow path in response to the sensed variation.
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2. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer comprising:
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a chamber adapted for insertion in the flow path of a fluid conduit; means for varying the volume of the chamber in response to a predetermined drive signal; means for sensing a variation in volume of said chamber in response to said drive signal, said sensing means including a capacitive sensor having first and second capacitor plates, one of which is a part of said varying means; and means for detecting an abnormality in the flow path in response to the sensed variation.
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3. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer comprising:
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a chamber adapted for insertion in the flow path of a fluid conduit; means for varying the volume of the chamber in response to a predetermined multicycle single frequency drive signal; means for sensing a variation in a condition within said chamber in response to said drive signal, said sensing means including a capacitive sensor having first and second capacitor plates, one of which is a part of said varying means; and means for detecting an abnormality in the flow path in response to the sensed variation.
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4. An in-line conduit condition analyzer comprising:
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a chamber adapted for insertion in the flow path of a fluid conduit; means for varying the volume of the chamber according to a predetermined multi-frequency drive signal; means for sensing a variation in a condition of a fluid in said chamber in response to the variation in volume produced by said drive signal, said sensing means including a capacitive sensor having first and second capacitor plates, one of which is a part of said varying means; and means for detecting an abnormality in the flow path in response to the sensed variation.
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5. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer comprising:
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a chamber adapted for insertion in the flow path of a fluid conduit; means for varying a condition of a fluid from said conduit in said chamber according to a predetermined drive signal; means for sensing a change in a fluid parameter associated with said chamber in response to the variation in condition produced by said drive signal, said sensing means including a capacitive sensor having first and second capacitor plates, one of which is a part of said varying means; and means for independently detecting each of a plurality of abnormalities in the flow path in response to the sensed change.
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6. An in line fluid conduit analyzer comprising:
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a chamber adapted for insertion in the flow path of a fluid conduit to be filled with fluid thereby; means for applying a force to the fluid in the chamber in response to a predetermined drive signal; means for sensing a variation in pressure in said chamber in response to the force applied to the fluid in said chamber produced by said drive signal, said sensing means including a capacitive sensor having first and second capacitor plates, one of which is a part of said varying means; and means for independently detecting each of a set of abnormalities in the flow path in response to the sensed variation.
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7. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer comprising
a chamber adapted for insertion in the flow path of a fluid conduit; -
means for varying the volume of the chamber in response to a predetermined drive signal; means for sensing a variation in volume or pressure in said chamber in response to the variation in volume produced by said drive signal; said varying and sensing means including a common plate and a respective electric-mechanical motivator and sensor affixed to opposite sides of said plate; and means for independently detecting each of a set of abnormalities in the flow path in response to the sensed variation.
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8. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer comprising:
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a chamber adapted for insertion in the flow path of a fluid conduit; means for varying the volume of the chamber in response to a predetermined drive signal; means for sensing a variation in volume of said chamber in response to said drive signal; said varying and sensing means including a common plate and a respective electric-mechanical motivator and sensor affixed to opposite sides of said plate; and means for detecting an abnormality in the flow path in response to the sensed variation.
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9. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer comprising:
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a chamber adapted for insertion in the flow path of a fluid conduit; means for varying the volume of the chamber in response to a predetermined multicycle single frequency drive signal; means for sensing a variation in a condition within said chamber in response to said drive signal; said varying and sensing means including a common plate and a respective electric-mechanical motivator and sensor affixed to opposite sides of said plate; and means for detecting an abnormality in the flow path in response to the sensed variation.
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10. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer comprising:
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a chamber adapted for insertion in the flow path of a fluid conduit; means for varying the volume of the chamber according to a predetermined multi-frequency drive signal; means for sensing a variation in a condition of a fluid in said chamber in response to the variation in volume produced by said drive signal; said varying and sensing means including a common plate and a respective electric-mechanical motivator and sensor affixed to opposite sides of said plate; and means for detecting an abnormality in the flow path in response to the sensed variation.
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11. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer comprising:
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a chamber adapted for insertion in the flow path of a fluid conduit; means for varying a condition of a fluid from said conduit in said chamber according to a predetermined drive signal; means for sensing a change in a fluid parameter associated with said chamber in response to the variation in condition produced by said drive signal; said varying and sensing means including a common plate and a respective electric-mechanical motivator and sensor affixed to opposite sides of said plate; and means for independently detecting each of a plurality of abnormalities in the flow path in response to the sensed change.
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12. An in line fluid conduit analyzer comprising:
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a chamber adapted for insertion in the flow path of a fluid conduit to be filled with fluid thereby; means for applying a force to the fluid in the chamber in response to a predetermined drive signal; means for sensing a variation in pressure in said chamber in response to the force applied to the fluid in said chamber produced by said drive signal; said varying and sensing means including a common plate and a respective electric-mechanical motivator and sensor affixed to opposite sides of said plate; and means for independently detecting each of a set of abnormalities in the flow path in response to the sensed variation.
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13. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber having a volume and configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit; means for generating a predetermined low frequency drive signal; a bender for varying said volume of said chamber in response to said predetermined low frequency drive signal wherein fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said predetermined low frequency drive signal; means for sensing variations in pressure in said chamber in response to said modulated fluid flowing therethrough; and means for detecting and distinguishing each of a set of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed variations in pressure of said chamber. - View Dependent Claims (19, 34)
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14. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber having a volume and configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit; means for generating a predetermined low frequency drive signal; a bender for varying said volume of said chamber in response to said predetermined low frequency drive signal wherein fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said low frequency predetermined drive signal; means for sensing variations in volume in said chamber in response to said modulated fluid flowing therethrough; and means for detecting and distinguishing each of a set of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed variations in volume in said chamber. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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15. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber having a volume and configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit; means for generating a predetermined multicycle single low frequency drive signal; a bender for varying said volume in said chamber in response to said predetermined multicycle single low frequency drive signal wherein fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said predetermined multicycle single low frequency drive signal; means for sensing variations in a condition of said chamber in response to said modulated fluid flowing therethrough; and means for detecting and distinguishing each of a set of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed variations in said condition in said chamber.
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16. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber having a volume and configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit; means for generating a predetermined low multi-frequency drive signal; a bender for varying said volume of said chamber according to said predetermined low multi-frequency drive signal wherein fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said predetermined low multi-frequency drive signal; means for sensing variations in a condition of said modulated fluid flowing through said chamber; means for detecting and distinguishing each of a set of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed variations in said condition in said modulated fluid flowing through said chamber.
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17. An in-line fluid condition analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber having a volume and configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit; means for generating a predetermined low frequency drive signal; a bender for varying a condition of a fluid flowing through said chamber according to said predetermined low frequency drive signal wherein said fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said predetermined low frequency drive signal; means for sensing changes in a fluid parameter associated with said modulated fluid flowing through said chamber; means for independently detecting and distinguishing each of a plurality of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed changes in said fluid parameter of said modulated fluid flowing through said chamber.
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18. An in-line fluid conduit analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit such that fluid flows through said chamber; means for generating a predetermined low frequency drive signal; a bender for applying a force to the fluid flowing through said chamber wherein the fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said predetermined low frequency drive signal; means for sensing variations in pressure in said chamber in response to said modulated fluid flowing through said chamber; means for independently detecting and distinguishing each of a set of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed variations in pressure in said chamber.
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20. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber having a volume and configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit; means for generating a predetermined low frequency drive signal; means for varying said volume of said chamber in response to said predetermined low frequency drive signal wherein fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said predetermined low frequency drive signal; a crystal detector for sensing variations in pressure in said chamber in response to said modulated fluid flowing therethrough; and means for detecting and distinguishing each of a set of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed variations in pressure of said chamber. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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21. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising;
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a chamber having a volume and configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit. means for generating a predetermined low frequency drive signal; means for varying said volume of said chamber in response to said predetermined low frequency drive signal wherein fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said low frequency predetermined drive signal; a crystal detector for sensing variations in volume in said chamber in response to said modulated fluid flowing therethrough; and means for detecting and distinguishing each of a st of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed variations in volume in said chamber.
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22. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber having a volume and configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit; means for generating a predetermined multicycle single low frequency drive signal; means for varying said volume of said chamber in response to said predetermined multicycle single low frequency drive signal wherein fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said predetermined multicycle single low frequency drive signal; a crystal detector for sensing variations in a condition of said chamber in response to said modulated fluid flowing therethrough; and means for detecting and distinguishing each of a set of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed variations in said condition in said chamber.
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23. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber having a volume and configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit; means for generating a predetermined low multi-frequency drive signal; means for varying said volume of said chamber according to said predetermined low multi-frequency drive signal wherein fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said predetermined low multi-frequency drive signal; a crystal detector for sensing variations in a condition of said modulated fluid flowing through said chamber; means for detecting and distinguishing each of a set of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed variations in said condition in said modulated fluid flowing through said chamber. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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24. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber having a volume and configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit; means for generating a predetermined low frequency drive signal; means for varying a condition of a fluid flowing through said chamber according to said predetermined low frequency drive signal wherein said fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said predetermined low frequency drive signal; a crystal detector for sensing changes in a fluid parameter associated with said modulated fluid flowing through said chamber; means for independently detecting and distinguishing each of a plurality of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed changes in said fluid parameter of said modulated fluid flowing through said chamber.
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27. An in-line fluid conduit analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit such that fluid flows through said chamber; means for generating a predetermined low frequency drive signal; means for applying a force to the fluid flowing through said chamber wherein the fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said predetermined low frequency drive signal; a crystal detector for sensing variations in pressure in said chamber in response to said modulated fluid flowing through said chamber; means for independently detecting and distinguishing each of a set of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed variations in pressure in said chamber.
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28. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber having a volume and configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit; means for generating a predetermined low frequency drive signal; means for varying said volume of said chamber in response to said predetermined low frequency drive signal wherein fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said predetermined low frequency drive signal; a capacitive sensor for sensing variations in pressure in said chamber in response to said modulated fluid flowing therethrough; and means for detecting and distinguishing each of a set of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed variations in pressure of said chamber.
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29. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber having a volume and configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit; means for generating a predetermined low frequency drive signal; means for varying said volume of said chamber in response to said predetermined low frequency drive signal wherein fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said low frequency predetermined drive signal; a capacitive sensor for sensing variations in volume in said chamber in response to said modulated fluid flowing therethrough; and means for detecting and distinguishing each of a set of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed variations in volume in said chamber.
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30. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber having a volume and configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit; means for generating a predetermined multicycle single low frequency drive signal; means for varying said chamber in response to said predetermined multicycle single low frequency drive signal wherein fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said predetermined multicycle single low frequency drive signal; a capacitive sensor for sensing variations in a condition of said chamber in response to said modulated fluid flowing therethrough; and means for detecting and distinguishing each of a set of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed variations in said condition in said chamber.
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31. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber having a volume and configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit; means for generating a predetermined low multi-frequency drive signal; means for varying said volume of said chamber according to said predetermined low multi-frequency drive signal wherein fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said predetermined low multi-frequency drive signal; a capacitive sensor for sensing variations in a condition of said modulated fluid flowing through said chamber; means for detecting and distinguishing each of a set of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed variations in said condition in said modulated fluid flowing through said chamber.
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32. An in-line fluid conduit condition analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber having a volume and configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit; means for generating a predetermined low frequency drive signal; means for varying a condition of a fluid flowing through said chamber according to said predetermined low frequency drive signal wherein said fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said predetermined low frequency drive signal; a capacitive sensor for sensing changes in a fluid parameter associated with said modulated fluid flowing through said chamber; means for independently detecting and distinguishing each of a plurality of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed changes in said fluid parameter of said modulated fluid flowing through said chamber.
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33. An in-line fluid conduit analyzer for use in a fluid flow path that includes a fluid conduit, comprising:
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a chamber configured for insertion in the fluid flow path of the fluid conduit such that fluid flows through said chamber; means for generating a predetermined low frequency drive signal; means for applying a force to the fluid flowing through said chamber wherein the fluid flowing through said chamber is modulated by said predetermined low frequency drive signal; a capacitive sensor for sensing variations in pressure in said chamber in response to said modulated fluid flowing through said chamber; means for independently detecting and distinguishing each of a set of abnormalities in the fluid flow path in response to sensed variations in pressure in said chamber.
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Specification