Access disconnect detection system
First Claim
1. An access site disconnection detection method comprising:
- sending a radio-frequency transmission;
receiving the radio-frequency transmission when the access site is dry to establish a baseline level;
repeating the sending of the radio-frequency transmission at least once;
receiving the at least one repeated radio-frequency transmission at a level that has fallen below the baseline level if the access site is wet; and
sending a blood leakage detection signal in response to the at least one repeated radio-frequency transmission having fallen below the baseline level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An access site disconnection system and method are disclosed. Radio frequency transmitters and receivers are placed near an access site. When a patient receives dialysis treatment, wetness may arise from blood if the access needle becomes disconnected from the access site. Radio-frequency transmitters are mounted on or near gauze or other absorbent material placed adjacent the access site, as are radio-frequency receivers. After the sensors are placed, the dialysis machine and radio-frequency control circuit may be initialized or baselined, and dialysis treatment, such as hemodialysis, begun. If blood leaks from the access site, such as if the access needle is dislodged, the blood attenuates the radio frequency transmissions, which are detected by the receivers. A signal is sent to a controller or to an output device to raise an alert or sound an alarm.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An access site disconnection detection method comprising:
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sending a radio-frequency transmission; receiving the radio-frequency transmission when the access site is dry to establish a baseline level; repeating the sending of the radio-frequency transmission at least once; receiving the at least one repeated radio-frequency transmission at a level that has fallen below the baseline level if the access site is wet; and sending a blood leakage detection signal in response to the at least one repeated radio-frequency transmission having fallen below the baseline level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An access site disconnection detection method comprising:
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sending a radio-frequency transmission; receiving the radio-frequency transmission when the access site is dry to establish a baseline level; repeating the sending of the radio frequency transmission a plurality of times; receiving the repeated radio-frequency transmission a plurality of times at a level that has fallen below the baseline level if the access site is wet; and sending a blood leakage detection signal in response to the repeated radio-frequency transmission having fallen below the baseline level a plurality of times. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An access site disconnection detection method comprising:
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setting a baseline level for a radio-frequency transmission received by at least one radio-frequency receiver when the access site is dry; sending a radio-frequency transmission from at least one radio-frequency transmitter; receiving the radio-frequency transmission by the at least one radio-frequency receiver at a lower level than the baseline level if the access site is wet; and sending a blood leakage detection signal in response to the radio-frequency transmission being received at the lower level. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification