Apparatus and method for monitoring flow of infusion liquid
First Claim
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1. A flow detecting apparatus for detecting movement of an infusion fluid into the flow of a receiving fluid, the apparatus comprising:
- receiving duct means for conveying the receiving fluid;
infusion duct means connected to the receiving duct means for conveying the infusion fluid in an infusion direction into the receiving duct means; and
means for sensing whether the receiving fluid moves from the receiving duct means into the infusion duct means in a direction opposite to the infusion direction.
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Abstract
The invention includes a blood detector disposed on a medical liquid duct adjacent a connection to a duct for circulating blood outside the body. When the medical liquid ceases to flow, blood sediments in the liquid duct and is detected therein. The detector makes it possible to verify that the medical liquid is indeed flowing into the blood. The invention is applicable in numerous blood treatment techniques making use of a circuit for circulating blood outside the body, such as hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration, and plasmapheresis.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A flow detecting apparatus for detecting movement of an infusion fluid into the flow of a receiving fluid, the apparatus comprising:
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receiving duct means for conveying the receiving fluid; infusion duct means connected to the receiving duct means for conveying the infusion fluid in an infusion direction into the receiving duct means; and means for sensing whether the receiving fluid moves from the receiving duct means into the infusion duct means in a direction opposite to the infusion direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A flow detecting apparatus for monitoring a flow of an infusion liquid into a flow of blood in an extracorporeal blood circuit, the apparatus comprising:
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blood duct means for conveying blood; infusion duct means connected to the blood duct means for conveying, in an infusion direction, an infusion liquid from a source into the blood duct means; and sensing means for sensing blood movement in said infusion duct means, in a direction opposite to said infusion direction. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A flow detection apparatus for detecting a flow of a first liquid into a flow of a second liquid, the apparatus comprising;
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first tubing means for conveying the first liquid; second tubing means for conveying the second liquid, the first tubing means being connected to the second tubing means; sensing means for sensing the second liquid in the first tubing means; and pivotable support means for holding the first and second tubing means relative to the sensing means, the pivotable support means for selectively positioning the first tubing means in positions ranging from a horizontal position to a vertical position in order to vary a flow detection threshold.
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11. A method for monitoring the infusion of liquid into an extracorporeal blood circuit, the method comprising the steps of:
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flowing blood through an extracorporeal blood circuit; supplying an infusion liquid to the blood circuit through an infusion line connected to the blood circuit at an infusion location; and sensing the presence of blood in the infusion line. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification