Tilt sensor for use with proximal flow sensing device
First Claim
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1. A sensor adapted to detect and provide information related to tilted and non-tilted orientations, the sensor comprising:
- a first flow-through port adapted to receive a first fluid flow; and
a flow stopping member, wherein the flow stopping member is moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein, while the flow stopping member is in the first position, flow of the first fluid through the first flow-through port is measurably inhibited by the flow stopping member and an orientation of the sensor corresponds to a substantially non-tilted orientation.
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Abstract
A tilt sensor is provided that is generally adapted to detect tilted and non-tilted states of an object associated therewith, which in some cases is a ventilation circuit component. The tilt sensor may correspond to a pneumatically operated tilt sensor that can be used in conjunction with a ventilator to help prevent compromised measurements from certain elements which can be used in a ventilator patient circuit.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A sensor adapted to detect and provide information related to tilted and non-tilted orientations, the sensor comprising:
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a first flow-through port adapted to receive a first fluid flow; and a flow stopping member, wherein the flow stopping member is moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein, while the flow stopping member is in the first position, flow of the first fluid through the first flow-through port is measurably inhibited by the flow stopping member and an orientation of the sensor corresponds to a substantially non-tilted orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of determining an orientation of an object, comprising:
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receiving a fluid flow in a primary flow path; detecting at least one of an increase in the fluid flow through the primary flow path and a decrease in pressure in the primary flow path; in response to the detecting step, determining that the primary flow path comprises a tilted orientation, wherein the primary flow path comprises a sensor flow path in fluidic communication therewith and wherein the fluid flow through the sensor flow path occurs when the primary flow path comprises the tilted orientation; and a flow stopping member that is operable to inhibit the fluid flow through the sensor flow path when the primary flow path comprises a non-tilted orientation, wherein the flow stopping member comprises a plug that is movable by gravitational forces and wherein the sensor flow path comprises an orifice and at least one inclined surface that is adapted to draw the moveable plug over the orifice and inhibit flow of the fluid through the orifice when the sensor flow path is in a non-tilted orientation. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system, comprising:
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a primary fluid flow path; a tilt sensor comprising a fluid flow path and a flow stopping member adapted to inhibit fluid from flowing through the tilt sensor fluid flow path in a first position and further adapted to allow fluid flow through the tilt sensor fluid flow path in a second position; and a pressure sensor operable to detect that the flow stopping member is in the second position by detecting a decrease in fluidic pressure in the primary fluid flow path. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification