Peristaltic pump occlusion detector and adjuster
First Claim
1. An apparatus for determining a degree of occlusion of a peristaltic pump for pumping an electrically conductive fluid, said pump comprising a flexible tube having a first tube location and a second tube location separated from the first tube location and at least one tube occluder which occludes the tube between the first and second tube locations, the apparatus comprising:
- an electrical connector which electrically connects the first tube location to the second tube location to create a closed electrical circuit comprising conductive fluid within the flexible tube between the first tube location and the second tube location and the electrical connector;
a source of periodically changing electrical current;
an electric current sensor;
an excitation coil inductively coupled to the closed electrical circuit at an excitation location and electrically connected to the source of periodically changing electrical energy; and
a sensing coil inductively coupled to the closed electrical circuit at a sensing location separated from the excitation location and electrically connected to the electric current sensor.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An method and apparatus for determining a degree of occlusion in the tubing loop disposed in the raceway of a peristaltic pump. An electrical circuit is formed in tubing loop by filling the loop with an electrically conductive fluid, such as blood, and electrically connecting the inlet portion to the outlet portion of the tubing loop. An excitation coil, which encircles a portion of the tubing loop, induces an alternating current in the tubing fluid. A sensing coil, also encircling a portion of the tubing loop, senses the induced current. The degree if occlusion in the tubing loop is correlated to the magnitude of the sensed current. The degree of occlusion may be adjusted, in response to the determined occlusion, while the pump is in operation using an occlusion adjuster.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An apparatus for determining a degree of occlusion of a peristaltic pump for pumping an electrically conductive fluid, said pump comprising a flexible tube having a first tube location and a second tube location separated from the first tube location and at least one tube occluder which occludes the tube between the first and second tube locations, the apparatus comprising:
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an electrical connector which electrically connects the first tube location to the second tube location to create a closed electrical circuit comprising conductive fluid within the flexible tube between the first tube location and the second tube location and the electrical connector; a source of periodically changing electrical current; an electric current sensor; an excitation coil inductively coupled to the closed electrical circuit at an excitation location and electrically connected to the source of periodically changing electrical energy; and a sensing coil inductively coupled to the closed electrical circuit at a sensing location separated from the excitation location and electrically connected to the electric current sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for determining a degree of occlusion of a peristaltic pump for pumping an electrically conductive fluid, said pump comprising a flexible tube having a first tube location and a second tube location separated from the first tube location and a tube occluder which occludes the tube between the first and second tube locations, the method comprising:
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filling the flexible tube with a conductive fluid; electrically connecting the first tube location to the second tube location to create a closed electrical circuit comprising the conductive fluid within the flexible tube between the first tube location and the second tube location; inducing a current at an excitation location; and sensing the current induced in the closed electrical circuit at a sensing location separated from the excitation location. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A peristaltic pumping apparatus for pumping an electrically conductive fluid comprising:
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a raceway for receiving a flexible tube having a first tube location and a second tube location separated from the first tube location the flexible tube having an electrical connector which electrically connects the first tube location to the second tube location to create a closed electrical circuit comprising conductive fluid within the flexible tube between the first tube location and the second tube location and the electrical connector; at least one tube occluder which occludes the tube between the first and second tube locations; a source of periodically changing electrical current; an electric current sensor; an excitation coil inductively coupled to the closed electrical circuit at an excitation location and electrically connected to the source of periodically changing electrical energy; and a sensing coil inductively coupled to the closed electrical circuit at a sensing location separated from the excitation location and electrically connected to the electric current sensor. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A tubing set for use in a medical procedure comprising:
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a flexible tube having a first tube location and a second tube location separated from the first tube location, the flexible tube being adapted for use in a peristaltic pump having at least one tube occluder which occludes the tube between the first and second tube locations; and an electrical connector which electrically connects the first tube location to the second tube location to create a closed electrical circuit comprising conductive fluid within the flexible tube between the first tube location and the second tube location and the electrical connector when it is desired monitor occlusion. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification