Optical pressure monitoring system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for infusing solution into a patient, the device comprising:
- an infusion pump having a rotor for moving solution through a tube;
an infusion set having a tube engaged by the rotor of the infusion pump;
at least one optical signal sensor disposed along the tube, the optical sensor having an optical signal emitter and an optical signal receiver disposed on a side of the tube opposite from the optical signal emitter, the optical signal sensor being configured to detect changes in the diameter of the tube; and
wherein the at least one optical signal sensor comprises a first optical signal sensor disposed along the tube upstream from the rotor, and a second optical signal sensor disposed along the tube downstream from the rotor.
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Abstract
An optical pressure monitoring system includes a tube from an infusion set and an optical signal sensor disposed to detect changes in the diameter of the tube and thereby determine pressure changes within the tube. By selecting the position of the tube relative to the optical signal emitter and optical signal receiver, the optical signal sensor can both detect pressure changes and provide an integrity check for both the functioning of the optical signal sensor and the placement of the tube. By modifying the tube to exaggerate changes in tube diameter responsive to pressure changes, the sensitivity of the optical signal sensor can be increased.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An apparatus for infusing solution into a patient, the device comprising:
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an infusion pump having a rotor for moving solution through a tube; an infusion set having a tube engaged by the rotor of the infusion pump; at least one optical signal sensor disposed along the tube, the optical sensor having an optical signal emitter and an optical signal receiver disposed on a side of the tube opposite from the optical signal emitter, the optical signal sensor being configured to detect changes in the diameter of the tube; and wherein the at least one optical signal sensor comprises a first optical signal sensor disposed along the tube upstream from the rotor, and a second optical signal sensor disposed along the tube downstream from the rotor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for administering a solution to a patient, comprising:
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an infusion pump; an elongate flexible infusion tube; an abutment member positioned within said infusion pump and configured for engaging a surface of said elongate flexible tube for substantially preventing expansion of said elongate flexible tube in the direction of said abutment member; and an optical signal sensor positioned ad said abutment member for measuring expansion and contraction of said elongate flexible tube; and wherein the pump comprises a door, and wherein the door is configured to maintain an infusion tube against the abutment member when the door is closed. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for delivering solution to a patient comprising:
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an infusion pump; an infusion tube engaged by the infusion pump to move fluid therethrough; and at least one optical sensor disposed adjacent the infusion tube so as to detect changes in diameter of the tube; and further comprising an adapter, the adapter comprising; a first connector for connecting to an inflow tube and to a first end of the infusion tube; a second connector for connecting to an outflow tube and to a second end of the infusion tube; and an abutment member configured for engaging the infusion tube to inhibit movement in one direction and thereby enhance movement due to pressure changes and perceptible by the optical sensor. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus for delivering solution to a patient comprising:
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an infusion pump; an infusion tube engaged by the infusion pump to move fluid therethrough; and an optical emitter and an optical detector disposed such that light travels from the emitter to the detector, and such that the infusion tube partially blocks the light from reaching the detector; and wherein a section of the infusion tube responsible for blocking light comprises a wall thickness which is thinner that the wall thickness of the rest of the infusion tube to thereby exaggerate expansion due to pressure in said section. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification