Fluid flow passage to improve air-in-line detection
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An infusion system comprising:
- at least one sensor;
a fluid delivery line comprising an inner passage extending longitudinally within the fluid delivery line, wherein the inner passage comprises;
an upstream portion;
a downstream portion; and
an orifice connecting the upstream portion to the downstream portion;
wherein;
(1) the infusion system further comprises a pump, the at least one sensor is disposed at the upstream portion, the orifice comprises an orifice inner diameter of 0.508 millimeters (0.020 inches) or smaller, and the upstream portion comprises a first volume which is at least 25 percent smaller than a second volume of fluid delivered by a stroke of the pump;
(2) the at least one sensor is disposed at the upstream portion, the orifice comprises the orifice inner diameter of 0.508 millimeters (0.020 inches) or smaller, and an upstream portion inner diameter of the upstream portion is 2.286 millimeters (0.090 inches) or larger;
(3) the at least one sensor is disposed at the downstream portion, and the downstream portion comprises a downstream portion inner diameter of 0.508 millimeters (0.020 inches) or smaller;
or (4) the at least one sensor is disposed at the upstream portion, and a cross-section of the upstream portion comprises an elliptical shape or a prolate spheroid shape in the shape of a football.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Infusion systems and methods containing unique inner passage configurations are provided to improve the in-line detection of air in a fluid delivery line of an infusion system by reducing the problems associated with the presence of bouncing air bubbles and stuck fluid droplets in the fluid delivery line.
55 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An infusion system comprising:
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at least one sensor; a fluid delivery line comprising an inner passage extending longitudinally within the fluid delivery line, wherein the inner passage comprises; an upstream portion; a downstream portion; and an orifice connecting the upstream portion to the downstream portion; wherein;
(1) the infusion system further comprises a pump, the at least one sensor is disposed at the upstream portion, the orifice comprises an orifice inner diameter of 0.508 millimeters (0.020 inches) or smaller, and the upstream portion comprises a first volume which is at least 25 percent smaller than a second volume of fluid delivered by a stroke of the pump;
(2) the at least one sensor is disposed at the upstream portion, the orifice comprises the orifice inner diameter of 0.508 millimeters (0.020 inches) or smaller, and an upstream portion inner diameter of the upstream portion is 2.286 millimeters (0.090 inches) or larger;
(3) the at least one sensor is disposed at the downstream portion, and the downstream portion comprises a downstream portion inner diameter of 0.508 millimeters (0.020 inches) or smaller;
or (4) the at least one sensor is disposed at the upstream portion, and a cross-section of the upstream portion comprises an elliptical shape or a prolate spheroid shape in the shape of a football. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An infusion system comprising:
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a pump; at least one sensor; a fluid delivery line connected to the pump for delivery fluid, the fluid delivery line comprising an inner passage extending longitudinally within the fluid delivery line, wherein the inner passage comprises; an upstream portion; a downstream portion; and an orifice connecting the upstream portion to the downstream portion; wherein;
(1) the at least one sensor is disposed at the upstream portion, the orifice comprises an orifice inner diameter of 0.508 millimeters (0.020 inches) or smaller, and the upstream portion comprises a first volume which is at least 25 percent smaller than a second volume of fluid delivered by a stroke of the pump;
(2) the at least one sensor is disposed at the upstream portion, the orifice comprises the orifice inner diameter of 0.508 millimeters (0.020 inches) or smaller, and an upstream portion inner diameter of the upstream portion is 2.286 millimeters (0.090 inches) or larger;
(3) the at least one sensor is disposed at the downstream portion, and the downstream portion comprises a downstream portion inner diameter of 0.508 millimeters (0.020 inches) or smaller;
or (4) the at least one sensor is disposed at the upstream portion, and a cross-section of the upstream portion comprises an elliptical shape or a prolate spheroid shape in the shape of a football;a processor in electronic communication with the pump and the at least one sensor; and a memory in electronic communication with the processor, wherein the memory comprises programming code for execution by the processor, and the programming code is configured to determine whether there is more than a threshold level of the air in the fluid delivery line based on measurements taken by the at least one sensor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for operating an infusion system comprising:
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pumping fluid with a pump through a fluid delivery line, the fluid delivery line comprising an inner passage, extending longitudinally within the fluid delivery line, comprising;
an upstream portion;
a downstream portion; and
an orifice connecting the upstream portion to the downstream portion;
wherein;
(1) at least one sensor is disposed at the upstream portion, the orifice comprising an orifice inner diameter of 0.508 millimeters (0.020 inches) or smaller, and the upstream portion comprising a first volume which is at least 25 percent smaller than a second volume of fluid delivered by a stroke of the pump;
(2) the at least one sensor is disposed at the upstream portion, the orifice comprising the orifice inner diameter of 0.508 millimeters (0.020 inches) or smaller, and an upstream portion inner diameter of the upstream portion is 2.286 millimeters (0.090 inches) or larger;
(3) the at least one sensor is disposed at the downstream portion, and the downstream portion comprises a downstream portion inner diameter of 0.508 millimeters (0.020 inches) or smaller;
or (4) the at least one sensor is disposed at the upstream portion, and a cross-section of the upstream portion comprises an elliptical shape or a prolate spheroid shape in the shape of a football;emitting and receiving signals from the at least one sensor into and from the fluid delivery line; processing measurements of the signals, using a processor, to determine whether there is more than a threshold level of air in the fluid delivery line; and turning on an alarm when the processor determines that there is more than the threshold level of the air in the fluid delivery line. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification