Altered fluid conductivity monitor
First Claim
1. A tubing set adapted for use with an apparatus for determining a degree of recirculation flow in a zone of a vessel into which a first fluid having a first electrical conductivity is being inserted and from which a second fluid having a second electrical conductivity is simultaneously being withdrawn, comprising:
- a first conduit adapted to convey the first fluid with the first electrical conductivity before it is inserted into the zone of the vessel, said first conduit comprising a first conductivity cell with a first conductivity cell upstream connection, a first conductivity cell downstream connection, and two branches connecting the upstream connection to the downstream connection with a continuous path configuration from the upstream connection to the downstream connection through one of the two branches and returning to the upstream connection through the other one of the two branches, the upstream connection being connectable to a source of the first fluid; and
a second conduit adapted to convey the second fluid with the second electrical conductivity after it is withdrawn from the zone of the vessel, said second conduit comprising a second conductivity cell with a second conductivity cell upstream connection, a second conductivity cell downstream connection, and two branches connecting the upstream connection to the downstream connection with a continuous path configuration from the upstream connection to the downstream connection through one of the two branches and returning to the upstream connection through the other one of the two branches, the downstream connection being connectable to a destination of the second fluid.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A differential conductivity recirculation monitor quantitatively determines the degree of recirculation in a fistula by comparing the conductivity of blood entering the fistula to the conductivity of blood being withdrawn from the fistula. A discrete quantity of a high conductivity marker fluid is injected into the blood entering the fistula, altering the conductivity of the blood entering the fistula. The altered conductivity blood enters the fistula and, if recirculation is present, co-mingles with blood in the fistula, altering the conductivity of the blood in the fistula in proportion to the degree of recirculation. Blood withdrawn from the fistula has an altered conductivity related to the degree of recirculation. Quantitative values of the conductivity of the altered conductivity blood entering the fistula and the conductivity of the blood being withdrawn from the fistula are measured and a difference determined. The determined difference between the conductivities is used to determine a quantitative measurement of the degree of recirculation in the fistula.
117 Citations
7 Claims
-
1. A tubing set adapted for use with an apparatus for determining a degree of recirculation flow in a zone of a vessel into which a first fluid having a first electrical conductivity is being inserted and from which a second fluid having a second electrical conductivity is simultaneously being withdrawn, comprising:
-
a first conduit adapted to convey the first fluid with the first electrical conductivity before it is inserted into the zone of the vessel, said first conduit comprising a first conductivity cell with a first conductivity cell upstream connection, a first conductivity cell downstream connection, and two branches connecting the upstream connection to the downstream connection with a continuous path configuration from the upstream connection to the downstream connection through one of the two branches and returning to the upstream connection through the other one of the two branches, the upstream connection being connectable to a source of the first fluid; and a second conduit adapted to convey the second fluid with the second electrical conductivity after it is withdrawn from the zone of the vessel, said second conduit comprising a second conductivity cell with a second conductivity cell upstream connection, a second conductivity cell downstream connection, and two branches connecting the upstream connection to the downstream connection with a continuous path configuration from the upstream connection to the downstream connection through one of the two branches and returning to the upstream connection through the other one of the two branches, the downstream connection being connectable to a destination of the second fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
Specification