Light enhanced flow tube

• US 9,797,764 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2014
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spacelabs Healthcare, Inc. (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Spacelabs Healthcare LLC (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bluemner, Erik J., Kosmopoulos, George P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, R. A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): COURSON, TANIA C
• Application Number:
  US14/312,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20150107507A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,219 Days
• Field of Search: 116200, 116202, 116227-228, 116264, 116266, 116268-269, 116271-274, 116276, 116304, 116DIG 7, 116DIG 35, 73273, 73325, 73326, 7386142, 7386152, 7386153, 7386155, 7386157, 738613, 428 13
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/10 Furniture specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/001 Trolleys for transport of medicaments, food, linen, nursing supplies carts specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis A61B50/13; hand carts B62B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/01 specially adapted for anaesthetising A61M16/104, A61M16/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/022 Control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/101 using an oxygen concentrator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/22 Carbon dioxide-absorbing devices ; Other means for removing carbon dioxidecartridges with absorbing substances for respiratory apparatus A62B19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/584 having a color code
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/587 Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/084 Supporting bases, stands for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/22 by variable-area meters , e.g. rotameters
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/64 of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements

Abstract

An improved fluid flow gauging device includes a light enhanced acrylic block flow tube to optimize visualization of pressure readings. An LED or other light source is fitted to the top of the flow tube and illuminates a float or bobbin from above to provide more accurate readings, especially in low light conditions such as modern operating rooms. In addition, the light enhanced flow tube provides a mechanical backup in the case of failure of newer electronic systems and visually matches the graphical flow display, simultaneously providing a double-check of the electronic system.

Claims

1. A method of operating a fluid flow gauging device to measure a flow of fluid, the method comprising:

generating light from a source LED;

transmitting said light through a fiber optic pipe, wherein said fiber optic pipe terminates in a lens;

passing said light through said lens and into a top of a hollow tube, wherein said hollow tube has a length, a bottom and a bobbin and wherein the fluid flow gauging device comprises at least one unitary block of acrylic having a plurality of elongated sides parallel to the length of the hollow tube; and

illuminating said bobbin, wherein the bobbin is adapted to traverse the length of the hollow tube based on an amount of fluid pressure applied.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the source LED is positioned remote from the fluid flow gauging device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the fluid flow gauging device adjacent an electronic graphical flow display.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the light is blue and said bobbin is a spherical stainless steel ball.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the light is blue and said bobbin comprises white alumina ceramic.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the light is white and said bobbin comprises white alumina ceramic.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically switching on the source LED when fluid flows.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising measuring a pressure rise of the fluid using a pressure transducer.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of sides is a front face having a beveled portion.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein one of said plurality of sides is a side face having a beveled portion.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the hollow tube further comprises an inlet port configured to receive pressurized gas into said hollow tube.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the hollow tube further comprises an outlet port configured to enable an exit of said pressurized gas from said hollow tube.