Method and device for detecting malfunction in a gravity fed intravenous delivery system
First Claim
1. A device for detecting malfunction of a gravity fed intravenous delivery system that includes a fluid reservoir, a fluid flow-rate valve, and tubing for delivery of the fluid from the container to a catheter, the catheter being inserted intravenously in a patient, the device comprising:
- (a) a conduit body including;
(i) a housing configured for interconnection with the tubing, fluid flowing through an interior flow passage in said housing, said housing including at least one pressure release passage to allow the fluid to pass between said interior passage and a pressure-sensing region; and
(ii) an elastic non-permeable sheath deployed so as to circumscribe said housing such that said pressure-sensing region is located between an exterior wall of said housing and said sheath, wherein said sheath is configured such that, when a fluid pressure within said interior flow passage is less than atmospheric pressure, said sheath is pressed against said housing and, when a fluid pressure within said interior flow passage rises above atmospheric pressure, said sheath expands;
(b) a sensing mechanism deployed around said conduit body, said sensing mechanism including at least one sensor configured to discern the expansion of said sheath; and
(c) an indication system coupled to said sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described is an accurate, easy to use and inexpensive device and method for substantially immediate detection and indication of malfunction in an intravenous delivery system. The two piece device includes a disposable conduit body interconnected with the tubing of an intravenous delivery system and a reusable clamp apparatus that is deployed around the conduit body. The conduit body is highly sensitive to pressure changes inside the tubing. The clamp apparatus contains a sensing mechanism that discerns the responses of the conduit body to the change in line pressure from below to above atmospheric pressure. Also located in the clamp apparatus is an indication system that indicates if that change in pressure has occurred.
71 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device for detecting malfunction of a gravity fed intravenous delivery system that includes a fluid reservoir, a fluid flow-rate valve, and tubing for delivery of the fluid from the container to a catheter, the catheter being inserted intravenously in a patient, the device comprising:
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(a) a conduit body including;
(i) a housing configured for interconnection with the tubing, fluid flowing through an interior flow passage in said housing, said housing including at least one pressure release passage to allow the fluid to pass between said interior passage and a pressure-sensing region; and
(ii) an elastic non-permeable sheath deployed so as to circumscribe said housing such that said pressure-sensing region is located between an exterior wall of said housing and said sheath, wherein said sheath is configured such that, when a fluid pressure within said interior flow passage is less than atmospheric pressure, said sheath is pressed against said housing and, when a fluid pressure within said interior flow passage rises above atmospheric pressure, said sheath expands;
(b) a sensing mechanism deployed around said conduit body, said sensing mechanism including at least one sensor configured to discern the expansion of said sheath; and
(c) an indication system coupled to said sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 21)
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14. A method for detecting malfunction of a gravity fed intravenous delivery system that includes a fluid reservoir, a fluid flow-rate valve, and tubing for delivery of the fluid from the container to a catheter, the catheter being inserted intravenously in a patient, the method comprising:
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(a) monitoring a direction of pressure difference between ambient atmospheric pressure and the fluid inside the tubing, said direction of pressure difference being monitored at a location chosen such that, during normal operation of the gravity fed intravenous delivery system, the pressure of the fluid is normally below atmospheric pressure; and
(b) activating an alarm when said pressure inside the tubing exceeds atmospheric pressure. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification