Controlling an ultrasonic transmitter

• US 9,250,216 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2014
• Issued: 02/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Incorporated (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Original Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Incorporated (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Inventors: Wright, Nigel, Magargi, Samuel Ernest III, Harbaugh, Jeremy Thomas, Zang, Michael John, Winniewicz, Regis Joseph, Beri, Joseph Stephen, Zatezalo, Douglas Mark, Monahan, Tom, Fox, Ronald Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): HOFSASS, JEFFERY A
• Application Number:
  US14/449,884
• Publication Number:
  US 20140345386A1
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 340/603, 340/608, 604/65, 604/67, 210/645, 210/646, 128/DIG.13
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/26 Iron; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/1816 Erythropoietin [EPO]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/152 Details related to the interface between cassette and machine
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/154 with sensing means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/155 with treatment-fluid pumping means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1561 at least one cassette surface or portion thereof being flexible, e.g. the cassette having a rigid base portion with preformed channels and being covered with a foil
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/16 with membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/342 Adding solutions to the blood, e.g. substitution solutions for preventing coagulation A61M1/3672
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3424 Substitution fluid path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3431 upstream of the filter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3462 Circuits for the preparation thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/14 Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3375 Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3576 with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 : by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/022 : Liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/024 : Mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/048 : Transmission, i.e. analysed material between transmitter and receiver
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/102 : one emitter, one receiver
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/2698 : Other discrete objects, e.g. bricks
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/02 : Analysing fluids using acoustic emission techniques G01N29/14 ; constructional or flow details for analysing fluids G01N29/222; optoacoustic fluid cells G01N29/2425
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/04 : Analysing solids using acoustic emission techniques G01N29/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/4427 : with stored values, e.g. threshold values

Abstract

This disclosure relates to detecting fluid in medical tubing. In certain aspects, a method is performed by a data processing apparatus. The method includes controlling repetitive activation of the ultrasonic transmitter. The method also includes receiving a signal from the ultrasonic receiver during an activation of the ultrasonic transmitter. The method also includes determining that fluid is absent or present in a portion of the medical fluid tube based on a comparison between the signal and a threshold value.

Claims

1. A medical system comprising:

a medical machine;

a control unit;

a medical fluid tube connected to the medical machine;

an ultrasonic transmitter positioned adjacent to the medical fluid tube;

an ultrasonic receiver positioned adjacent to the medical fluid tube configured to receive one or more signals in response to the activation of the ultrasonic transmitter; and

a computer storage medium encoded with computer program instructions that when executed by the medical system, cause the medical system to perform operations comprising;

controlling repetitive activation of the ultrasonic transmitter, wherein controlling repetitive activation of the ultrasonic transmitter comprises, for each repetition;

activating the ultrasonic transmitter for a first period of 2 to 15 milliseconds; and

deactivating the ultrasonic transmitter for a second period of 998 to 985 milliseconds.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein controlling repetitive activation of the ultrasonic transmitter comprises activating and deactivating the ultrasonic transmitter in a manner that minimizes cavitation in fluid carried in the medical fluid tube.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first period is 5 milliseconds and the second period is 995 milliseconds.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the medical fluid tube has an outer diameter of less than 0.128 inch.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the medical fluid tube has an inner diameter of less than 0.031 inch.

6. A method of applying an ultrasonic wave to a tube that contains fluid, the method comprising:

repeatedly activating an ultrasonic transmitter that is positioned adjacent to the tube containing fluid, wherein repeatedly activating the ultrasonic transmitter comprises, for each repetition;

activating the ultrasonic transmitter for a first period of 2 to 15 milliseconds; and

deactivating the ultrasonic transmitter for a second period of 998 to 985 milliseconds.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein repeatedly activating the ultrasonic transmitter comprises activating and deactivating the ultrasonic transmitter in a manner that minimizes cavitation in fluid carried in the tube.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the first period is 5 milliseconds and the second period is 995 milliseconds.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the medical fluid tube has an outer diameter of less than 0.128 inch.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the medical fluid tube has an inner diameter of less than 0.031 inch.

11. A system comprising:

a fluid tube;

an ultrasonic transmitter positioned adjacent to the fluid tube;

an ultrasonic receiver positioned adjacent to the fluid tube configured to receive one or more signals in response to the activation of the ultrasonic transmitter; and

a computer storage medium encoded with computer program instructions that when executed by the system, cause the system to perform operations comprising;

controlling repetitive activation of the ultrasonic transmitter, wherein controlling repetitive activation of the ultrasonic transmitter comprises, for each repetition;

activating the ultrasonic transmitter for a first period of 2 to 15 milliseconds; and

deactivating the ultrasonic transmitter for a second period of 998 to 985 milliseconds.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein controlling repetitive activation of the ultrasonic transmitter comprises activating and deactivating the ultrasonic transmitter in a manner that minimizes cavitation in fluid carried in the medical fluid tube.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the first period is 5 milliseconds and the second period is 995 milliseconds.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the fluid tube has an outer diameter of less than 0.128 inch.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the fluid tube has an inner diameter of less than 0.031 inch.