Flow switch device for medical applications
First Claim
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1. An intravenous system for conducting an intravenous fluid, the system comprising:
- a flow indicator switch, including a fluid conductor having a transparent conical wall enclosing a fluid space extending between spaced apart proximal and distal annular shoulders, defining, respectively, inlet and outlet fluid orifices engaging the conductor, and, within the fluid space, an opaque movable stem body with a stem body biasing means providing a restoring force urging the stem body against the proximal shoulder, and further, a light emitter and a light sensor positioned in opposition lateral to the stem body and external to the fluid conductor, and further still, an opaque mask positioned between the light emitter and the light sensor, defining a narrow path for light to move from the light emitter, across the inlet fluid orifice to the light sensor;
such that with no fluid flow, the stem body abutting the proximal shoulder, light transfer to the sensor is fully blocked by the stem body, while with a fluid flow, the stem body is moved away from the proximal shoulder, light transfer to the sensor is enabled, the sensor providing a sensor electrical signal identifying start and stop of fluid flow in the conductor.
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Abstract
An intravenous system for monitoring the flow of IV fluids to a patient is embodied in a wristwatch sized unit for placement on the patient. The device includes a flow indicator switch capable of detecting when flow starts or stops. In one embodiment, the range of flow rates which may trigger a signal is increased using a plurality of sensor elements. The flow indicator switch uses a conical chamber with a movable flow element which reacts to the motion of the IV fluid. A light emitter-sensor arrangement provides a means for converting physical displacement into an electrical signal indicating displacement of the movable member.
99 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An intravenous system for conducting an intravenous fluid, the system comprising:
a flow indicator switch, including a fluid conductor having a transparent conical wall enclosing a fluid space extending between spaced apart proximal and distal annular shoulders, defining, respectively, inlet and outlet fluid orifices engaging the conductor, and, within the fluid space, an opaque movable stem body with a stem body biasing means providing a restoring force urging the stem body against the proximal shoulder, and further, a light emitter and a light sensor positioned in opposition lateral to the stem body and external to the fluid conductor, and further still, an opaque mask positioned between the light emitter and the light sensor, defining a narrow path for light to move from the light emitter, across the inlet fluid orifice to the light sensor;
such that with no fluid flow, the stem body abutting the proximal shoulder, light transfer to the sensor is fully blocked by the stem body, while with a fluid flow, the stem body is moved away from the proximal shoulder, light transfer to the sensor is enabled, the sensor providing a sensor electrical signal identifying start and stop of fluid flow in the conductor.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Specification