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Capacitor-based gas detection in an intravenous fluid delivery system

  • US 7,377,148 B2
  • Filed: 05/27/2005
  • Issued: 05/27/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system for detection of gas bubbles in an intravenous liquid flowing in intravenous tubing, the system comprising:

  • a body for retaining a section of intravenous tubing;

    a first electrode in the body positioned to engage a portion of the outer surface of intravenous tubing retained in the body;

    at least one ground electrode in the body positioned to engage a portion of the outer surface of the intravenous tubing in the body, the at least one ground electrode connected to ground;

    a reference capacitor having a fixed dielectric constant;

    a circuit coupled to the first electrode and operative to provide a charge on the first electrode and the reference capacitor and to provide a signal representing the capacitance of the tubing and liquid in the tubing; and

    a controller operative in response to the signal to provide an output indication of gas bubbles in the fluid in the tubing when the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.

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