Infusion devices and fluid identification apparatuses and methods
First Claim
1. A method for identifying a fluid for delivery to a body of a user, the method comprising:
- holding a first fluid in a reservoir;
coupling the reservoir to a device housing having a conduit;
coupling the device housing to an infusion device with a connector, wherein the connector comprises;
a coupling directly connected to the reservoir to establish fluid communication from the reservoir to the conduit;
a wall having an internal surface and an external surface, wherein the internal surface bounds the conduit;
a transmitter element mounted on the connector;
a receiver element mounted on the connector; and
an identifier element mounted on the connector and coupled to the receiver element;
directing flow of the first fluid through the conduit;
transmitting an initial beam of energy from the transmitter element into contact with the first fluid;
altering the initial beam of energy through interaction with the first fluid by absorbing, refracting and/or reflecting the beam of energy to create a first altered beam of energy, wherein the first altered beam of energy is different from the initial beam of energy;
receiving the first altered beam of energy with the receiver element; and
analyzing the first altered beam to identify the first fluid with the identifier element.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Medical devices and methods and apparatuses for identifying fluids in a conduit of a device are provided. An exemplary apparatus for identifying an infusate in a conduit of an infusion device includes a transmitter element for transmitting a beam of energy for interaction with the infusate. Further, the apparatus includes a receiver element for receiving a signal from the beam of energy after interaction with the infusate. Also, the apparatus includes an identifier element coupled to the receiver element for analyzing the signal to identify the infusate. The transmitter element and receiver element may form a spectroscopy device and may transmit and receive a beam of infrared light or near infrared light.
246 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for identifying a fluid for delivery to a body of a user, the method comprising:
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holding a first fluid in a reservoir; coupling the reservoir to a device housing having a conduit; coupling the device housing to an infusion device with a connector, wherein the connector comprises; a coupling directly connected to the reservoir to establish fluid communication from the reservoir to the conduit; a wall having an internal surface and an external surface, wherein the internal surface bounds the conduit; a transmitter element mounted on the connector; a receiver element mounted on the connector; and an identifier element mounted on the connector and coupled to the receiver element; directing flow of the first fluid through the conduit; transmitting an initial beam of energy from the transmitter element into contact with the first fluid; altering the initial beam of energy through interaction with the first fluid by absorbing, refracting and/or reflecting the beam of energy to create a first altered beam of energy, wherein the first altered beam of energy is different from the initial beam of energy; receiving the first altered beam of energy with the receiver element; and analyzing the first altered beam to identify the first fluid with the identifier element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification