Infusion system using optical imager for controlling flow and method thereof
First Claim
1. An infusion pump, comprising:
- a first specially programmed microprocessor;
a drip chamber for connection to an output tube;
a drip tube for connection to a source of fluid and with an end disposed in the drip chamber;
a drop suspended from the end of the drip tube;
an illumination system;
with a light source for transmitting light through a wall of the drip chamber to the drop of fluid suspended from the end of the drip tube; and
,for controlling illumination properties of the light transmitted to the drop; and
,an optical system for;
receiving light transmitted through the drop; and
,transmitting, to the first microprocessor, data regarding the received light, wherein the first microprocessor is for;
generating, using the data, an image of the drop;
locating, using the image, an outer edge of the drop to define a boundary of the drop;
integrating an area enclosed by the boundary; and
,calculating a volume of revolution for the drop with respect to an axis for the drop that intersects the end of the drip tube, assuming symmetry of the drop with respect to the axis.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An infusion pump, including: a microprocessor; a drip chamber; a drip tube with an end in the drip chamber; and an illumination system: with a light source for transmitting light through the drip chamber to a drop of fluid suspended from the drip tube; and for controlling illumination properties of the light transmitted to the drop. The pump includes an optical system for: receiving light transmitted through the drop; and transmitting, to the microprocessor, data regarding the received light. The microprocessor: generates, using the data, an image of the drop; locates, using the image, an outer edge of the drop to define a boundary of the drop; integrates an area enclosed by the boundary; and calculates a volume of revolution for the drop with respect to an axis for the drop that intersects the end of the drip tube, assuming symmetry of the drop with respect to the axis.
100 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An infusion pump, comprising:
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a first specially programmed microprocessor; a drip chamber for connection to an output tube; a drip tube for connection to a source of fluid and with an end disposed in the drip chamber; a drop suspended from the end of the drip tube; an illumination system; with a light source for transmitting light through a wall of the drip chamber to the drop of fluid suspended from the end of the drip tube; and
,for controlling illumination properties of the light transmitted to the drop; and
,an optical system for; receiving light transmitted through the drop; and
,transmitting, to the first microprocessor, data regarding the received light, wherein the first microprocessor is for; generating, using the data, an image of the drop; locating, using the image, an outer edge of the drop to define a boundary of the drop; integrating an area enclosed by the boundary; and
,calculating a volume of revolution for the drop with respect to an axis for the drop that intersects the end of the drip tube, assuming symmetry of the drop with respect to the axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for operating an infusion pump, comprising:
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suspending a drop of fluid from an end of a drip tube disposed in a drip chamber for the infusion pump; transmitting light through a wall of a drip chamber for the infusion pump to the drop of fluid suspended from the end of a drip tube for the infusion pump, wherein the drip tube is for connection to a source of fluid; controlling, using an illumination system for the infusion pump, illumination properties of the light transmitted to the drop; receiving, using an optical system for the pump, light transmitted through the drop; detecting, using the optical system, an image; transmitting, to a first specially programmed microprocessor and using the optical system, data regarding the image; and
,using the first microprocessor to; locate, from the data, an outer edge of the drop to define a boundary of the drop; integrate an area enclosed by the boundary; and
,calculate a volume of revolution for the drop with respect to an axis for the drop that intersects the end of the drip tube, assuming symmetry of the drop with respect to the axis. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An infusion pump, comprising:
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a first specially programmed microprocessor; a drip chamber for connection to an output tube; a drip tube for connection to a source of fluid and with an end disposed in the drip chamber; a drop suspended from the end of the drip tube; an illumination system; with a light source for transmitting light through a wall of the drip chamber past the drop of fluid suspended from the end of the drip tube; and
,for controlling illumination properties of the light transmitted past the drop; and
,an optical system for; receiving the light transmitted past the drop; and
,transmitting, to the first specially programmed microprocessor, data regarding the received light, wherein the first specially programmed processor is for; generating, using the data, an image of the drop; locating, using the image, an outer edge of the drop to define a boundary of the drop; integrating an area enclosed by the boundary; and
,calculating a volume of revolution for the drop with respect to an axis for the drop that intersects the end of the drip tube, assuming symmetry of the drop with respect to the axis.
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Specification