Method and apparatus for preparing and monitoring an intravenous fluid bag
First Claim
1. An intravenous (IV) fluid monitoring system comprising:
- a bag sensing element carried by an IV fluid bag configured to store an IV fluid; and
first and second sensing elements positioned on opposite sides of the IV fluid bag and configured to interact with the bag sensing element, wherein the first and second sensing elements are physically separate from the IV fluid bag and the bag sensing element, wherein the bag sensing element and the first and second sensing elements are positioned such that a line of sight between the first sensing element and the bag sensing element extends through the IV fluid within the IV fluid bag in an instance in which the IV fluid bag is in a filled state, and wherein interaction between the first sensing element and the bag sensing element as defined by first signals communicated between the first sensing element and the bag sensing element differs from interaction between the second sensing element and the bag sensing element as defined by second signals communicated between the second sensing element and the bag sensing element by at least a predefined difference in an instance in which the IV fluid bag is in one of the filled state or a replacement requisition state, but interaction between the first sensing element and the bag sensing element as defined by the first signals differs from interaction between the second sensing element and the bag sensing element as defined by the second signals by less than a predetermined amount in an instance in which the IV fluid bag is in the other one of the filled state or the replacement requisition state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An intravenous (IV) fluid monitoring system and method are provided to facilitate notification that a replacement IV fluid bag should be prepared. In this regard, an IV fluid monitoring system includes a bag sensing element carried by an IV fluid bag. The IV fluid monitoring system further includes first and second sensing elements positioned on opposite sides of the IV fluid bag and configured to interact with the bag sensing element. The first and second sensing elements are physically separate from the IV fluid bag. The bag sensing element and the first and second elements are positioned such that a line of sight between at least the first sensing element and the bag sensing element extends through the IV fluid within the IV fluid bag while the IV fluid bag is in a filled state. A method and apparatus are also provided to facilitate preparation of an IV fluid bag.
132 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An intravenous (IV) fluid monitoring system comprising:
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a bag sensing element carried by an IV fluid bag configured to store an IV fluid; and first and second sensing elements positioned on opposite sides of the IV fluid bag and configured to interact with the bag sensing element, wherein the first and second sensing elements are physically separate from the IV fluid bag and the bag sensing element, wherein the bag sensing element and the first and second sensing elements are positioned such that a line of sight between the first sensing element and the bag sensing element extends through the IV fluid within the IV fluid bag in an instance in which the IV fluid bag is in a filled state, and wherein interaction between the first sensing element and the bag sensing element as defined by first signals communicated between the first sensing element and the bag sensing element differs from interaction between the second sensing element and the bag sensing element as defined by second signals communicated between the second sensing element and the bag sensing element by at least a predefined difference in an instance in which the IV fluid bag is in one of the filled state or a replacement requisition state, but interaction between the first sensing element and the bag sensing element as defined by the first signals differs from interaction between the second sensing element and the bag sensing element as defined by the second signals by less than a predetermined amount in an instance in which the IV fluid bag is in the other one of the filled state or the replacement requisition state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of monitoring intravenous (IV) fluid during delivery to a patient, the method comprising:
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communicating with at least one of a bag sensing element or first and second sensing elements while IV fluid is delivered from an IV fluid bag to the patient, wherein the IV fluid bag carries the bag sensing element, wherein the first and second sensing elements are positioned on opposite sides of the IV fluid bag during the delivery of the IV fluid, wherein the first and second sensing elements are physically separate from the IV fluid bag and the bag sensing element, wherein the bag sensing element and the first and second sensing elements are positioned such that a line of sight between at least the first sensing element and the bag sensing element extends through the IV fluid within the IV fluid bag in an instance in which the IV fluid bag is in a filled state, and wherein interaction between the first sensing element and the bag sensing element as defined by first signals communicated between the first sensing element and the bag sensing element differs from interaction between the second sensing element and the bag sensing element as defined by second signals communicated between the second sensing element and the bag sensing element by at least a predefined difference in an instance in which the IV fluid bag is in one of the filled state or a replacement requisition state, but interaction between the first sensing element and the bag sensing element as defined by the first signals differs from interaction between the second sensing element and the bag sensing element as defined by the second signals by less than a predetermined amount in an instance in which the IV fluid bag is in the other one of the filled state or the replacement requisition state; and determining a replacement requisition state of the IV fluid bag based upon information provided by the at least one of the bag sensing element or the first and second sensing elements. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for preparing an intravenous (IV) fluid bag prior to administration to a patient, the apparatus comprising a processor configured to:
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determine a prescribed drip rate for the patient; determine a preparatory time period in which another IV fluid bag is to be prepared; determine a fluid level of the IV fluid bag at which IV fluid remaining within the IV fluid bag will require at least the preparatory time period to be administered at the prescribed drip rate in order to facilitate placement of a bag sensing element upon the IV fluid bag based upon the fluid level; and based upon the fluid level, cause a visible indication to be provided of a location upon the IV fluid bag at which a bag sensing element is to be placed prior to the administration of the IV fluid to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of preparing an intravenous (IV) fluid bag prior to administration to a patient, the method comprising:
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determining a prescribed drip rate for the patient; determining a preparatory time period in which another IV fluid bag is to be prepared; determining, by a processor, a fluid level of the IV fluid bag at which IV fluid remaining within the IV fluid bag will require at least the preparatory time period to be administered at the prescribed drip rate in order to facilitate placement of a bag sensing element upon the IV fluid bag based upon the fluid level; and based upon the fluid level, causing an indication to be visibly provided of a location upon the IV fluid bag at which a bag sensing element is to be placed prior to the administration of the IV fluid to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification