Empty container detection using container side pressure sensing
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting when a fluid container has emptied during the course of an infusion, comprising:
- sampling pressure at a selected frequency within an infusion line connecting the fluid container with an infusion flow control device at a location of the infusion line between the container and a fluid movement mechanism forming a part of the infusion control device;
calculating a first averaged sampled pressure value by averaging sampled pressures sampled during a first selected period of time;
storing the first averaged sampled pressure value in a memory;
calculating a second averaged sampled pressure value by averaging sampled pressures sampled during a second selected period of time;
calculating a difference between the first averaged sampled pressure value and the second averaged sampled pressure value; and
providing a signal if the difference reaches a pre-determined threshold value indicative of the level of fluid remaining in the container.
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Abstract
A system and method for monitoring changes in the pressure of a fluid line upstream of an infusion pump to determine when a fluid container has emptied, and to provide a signal indicating that the container needs replacement or replenishment. The difference between averaged pressures over separate time periods is monitored to determine when the fluid container is empty. The system and method are applicable to primary and secondary fluid container setups and can detect the point where the secondary has been emptied and the primary flow has resumed.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for detecting when a fluid container has emptied during the course of an infusion, comprising:
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sampling pressure at a selected frequency within an infusion line connecting the fluid container with an infusion flow control device at a location of the infusion line between the container and a fluid movement mechanism forming a part of the infusion control device; calculating a first averaged sampled pressure value by averaging sampled pressures sampled during a first selected period of time; storing the first averaged sampled pressure value in a memory; calculating a second averaged sampled pressure value by averaging sampled pressures sampled during a second selected period of time; calculating a difference between the first averaged sampled pressure value and the second averaged sampled pressure value; and providing a signal if the difference reaches a pre-determined threshold value indicative of the level of fluid remaining in the container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for determining when a fluid container connected to an infusion pump having a pumping mechanism by an infusion line has been emptied of fluid, the system comprising:
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a pressure sensor in operable communication with the fluid line and disposed at a location between the container and the pumping mechanism, the pressure sensor capable of monitoring a pressure within the fluid line and providing signals representative of pressure related values of the monitored pressure; a memory adapted to store the pressure related values; and a processor in operable communication with the pressure sensor and the memory, the processor programmed to receive signals from the pressure sensor and sample the received signals at selected intervals, the processor also programmed to calculate a first averaged sampled pressure value from signals received during a first selected interval and store the first averaged sampled pressure value in the memory, the processor also programmed to compare the stored first averaged sampled pressure value with a second averaged sampled pressure value calculated from signals received during a second selected interval and provide a container empty signal if the comparison results in a difference between the first and second calculated averaged sampled pressure values reaches a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification