Non-invasive system and method for a fluid flow monitoring system
First Claim
1. A non-invasive monitoring system comprising, with a fluid delivery system having a fluid delivery pump delivering fluid having a particular fluid temperature in pulses through a fluid delivery tube:
- sensor means which comprises a self-heated temperature sensor calibrated at an initial temperature, with the initial temperature being different from the temperature of the fluid, the sensor means being adapted to engage an outer surface of the fluid delivery tube and thereafter responsive to the fluid when passing through the fluid delivery tube for changing the initial temperature of the sensor means as a result of the fluid temperature when the fluid is being passed through the fluid delivery tube, the sensor means returning to the initial temperature when the fluid is not being passed through the fluid delivery tube, the sensor means also being adapted for generating data corresponding with the initial temperature and the changing of the initial temperature thereof;
means for monitoring the data from the sensor means for detecting the changes in the initial temperature as influenced by the temperature of the fluid when passing through the fluid delivery tube; and
means for processing the data from the sensor means corresponding to the initial temperature and the changing of the initial temperature thereof for determining the status of the flow of fluid in the delivery tube, wherein said processing means comprises analyzing means adapted to identify steady data conditions corresponding to a steady temperature patern indicating that either no fluid is moving inside the fluid delivery tube or that the fluid delivery tube is empty and identifying oscillating data conditions corresponding to an oscillating temperature pattern indicating that fluid is being passed in pulses through the fluid delivery tube.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A non-invasive system and method is provided for a fluid delivery system of the type including a fluid delivery pump delivering fluid in pulses through a fluid delivery tube. The non-invasive monitoring system and method includes a sensor which is brought into engagement with an outer surface of the fluid delivery tube. The sensor is adapted for being calibrated at an initial temperature and is responsive to the fluid when passing through the fluid delivery tube. In particular, the present system and method is adapted to monitor the sensor and receives data corresponding to the changes in the initial temperature of the sensor as influenced by the temperature of the fluid when passing through the fluid delivery tube. The non-invasive monitoring system and method is further adapted to process the data from the sensor indicative of both the initial and changed temperatures for determining the status of the fluid in the fluid delivery tube. A display can also be provided for notifying the user of the device of the status of the fluid in the fluid delivery tube.
80 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A non-invasive monitoring system comprising, with a fluid delivery system having a fluid delivery pump delivering fluid having a particular fluid temperature in pulses through a fluid delivery tube:
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sensor means which comprises a self-heated temperature sensor calibrated at an initial temperature, with the initial temperature being different from the temperature of the fluid, the sensor means being adapted to engage an outer surface of the fluid delivery tube and thereafter responsive to the fluid when passing through the fluid delivery tube for changing the initial temperature of the sensor means as a result of the fluid temperature when the fluid is being passed through the fluid delivery tube, the sensor means returning to the initial temperature when the fluid is not being passed through the fluid delivery tube, the sensor means also being adapted for generating data corresponding with the initial temperature and the changing of the initial temperature thereof; means for monitoring the data from the sensor means for detecting the changes in the initial temperature as influenced by the temperature of the fluid when passing through the fluid delivery tube; and means for processing the data from the sensor means corresponding to the initial temperature and the changing of the initial temperature thereof for determining the status of the flow of fluid in the delivery tube, wherein said processing means comprises analyzing means adapted to identify steady data conditions corresponding to a steady temperature patern indicating that either no fluid is moving inside the fluid delivery tube or that the fluid delivery tube is empty and identifying oscillating data conditions corresponding to an oscillating temperature pattern indicating that fluid is being passed in pulses through the fluid delivery tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A non-invasive method for monitoring a fluid delivery system of the type including a fluid delivery pump delivering fluid having a particular fluid temperature in pulses through a fluid delivery tube, the non-invasive method comprising the steps of:
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providing a sensor means calibrated at an initial temperature and adapted for monitoring a temperature of a source external thereto, the sensor means being responsive to the temperature of the sensor means as a result of the external source temperature when in communication therewith, the sensor means being adapted to return to the initial temperature when not in communication with the external source and generating data corresponding with the initial temperature and the changing of the initial temperature thereof; calibrating the initial temperature of the sensor means different from the temperature of the fluid; contacting the sensor means with an outer surface of the fluid delivery tube; monitoring the data from the sensor means for detecting the changes in the initial temperature thereof as influenced by the temperature of the fluid when passing through the fluid delivery tube; and processing the data from the sensor means corresponding to the initial temperature and the changes in the initial temperature thereof for determining the status of the flow of the fluid in the fluid delivery tube, wherein the processing step involves identifying steady data conditions corresponding to a steady temperature pattern indicating that either no fluid is moving inside the fluid delivery tube or that the fluid delivery tube is empty and identifying oscillating data conditions corresponding to an oscillating temperature pattern indicating that fluid is being passed in pulses through the fluid delivery tube. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A non-invasive method for monitoring a fluid delivery system of the type including a fluid delivery pump delivering fluid having a particular fluid temperature in pulses through a fluid delivery tube, the non-invasive method comprising the steps of;
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providing a self-heated temperature sensor in engagement with an outer surface of the fluid delivery tube; calibrating the self-heated temperature sensor to an initial temperature different from the temperature of the fluid; monitoring the self-heated temperature sensor for determining the changes in the initial temperature thereof as influenced by the temperature of the fluid when passing through the fluid delivery tube; and processing the changes in the initial temperature of the self-heated temperature sensor for determining the status of the flow of the fluid in the fluid delivery tube, wherein said processing step includes identifying steady data conditions corresponding to a steady temperature pattern indicating that either no fluid is moving inside the fluid delivery tube or that the fluid delivery tube is empty and identifying oscillating data conditions corresponding to an oscillating temperature pattern indicating that fluid is being passed in pulses through the fluid delivery tube. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification