Air detector
First Claim
1. An infusion pump comprising:
- means for applying pumping action to a liquid flow-through tube;
an ultrasonic transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic signals;
an ultrasonic receiver for receiving ultrasonic signals, the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver being separated by the liquid flow-through tube;
circuit means in communication with the ultrasonic transmitter for generating a transmitted signal to activate the ultrasonic transmitter;
circuit means in communication with the ultrasonic receiver for detecting received signals; and
means in communication with the circuit means for detecting received signals and utilizing a logarithmic change in signal level for detecting whether the received signal is indicative of air or liquid in the liquid flow-through tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus for detecting excessive air in a liquid flow-through tube. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic signals and an ultrasonic receiver for receiving ultrasonic signals. The ultrasonic transmitter and ultrasonic receiver are separated by the IV tube. The apparatus further provides circuit means for generating at least two transmitting signals to actuate the ultrasonic transmitter and circuit means for detecting received signals. Means are provided for determining whether the received signal is indicative of air or liquid in the IV tube. The apparatus further relies on logarithmic detection of air in fluids rather than linear detection which provides a larger safety factor in prediction of air embolus.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. An infusion pump comprising:
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means for applying pumping action to a liquid flow-through tube; an ultrasonic transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic signals; an ultrasonic receiver for receiving ultrasonic signals, the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver being separated by the liquid flow-through tube; circuit means in communication with the ultrasonic transmitter for generating a transmitted signal to activate the ultrasonic transmitter; circuit means in communication with the ultrasonic receiver for detecting received signals; and means in communication with the circuit means for detecting received signals and utilizing a logarithmic change in signal level for detecting whether the received signal is indicative of air or liquid in the liquid flow-through tube.
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2. An apparatus for detecting excessive air in a liquid flow-through tube comprising:
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an ultrasonic transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic signals; an ultrasonic receiver for receiving ultrasonic signals, the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver being separated by the liquid flow-through tube; circuit means in communication with the ultrasonic transmitting for generating a first primary transmitting signal and second primary transmitting signal to activate the ultrasonic transmitter; circuit means in communication with the ultrasonic receiver for detecting received signals; and means in communication with the circuit means for determining whether the received signal is indicative of air or liquid in the liquid flow-through tube. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for detecting excessive air in a liquid flow-through tube comprising:
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an ultrasonic transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic signals; an ultrasonic receiver for receiving ultrasonic signals, the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver being separated by the liquid flow-through tube; circuit means in communication with the ultrasonic transmitter for generating a transmitting signal to activate the ultrasonic transmitter; circuit means in communication with the ultrasonic receiver for detecting received signals; and means in communication with the circuit means for detecting received signals and which utilizes a logarithmic change in signal level for determining whether the received signal is indicative of air or liquid in the liquid flow-through tube. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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Specification