Automated fluid flow control system
First Claim
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1. A fluid control system, comprising:
- a fluid pathway assembly defining a fluid pathway and having an inline flow sensor element received within said fluid pathway, said sensor element movable in response to a fluid flowing in said fluid pathway;
a flow control device removably attachable to said fluid pathway assembly and having a sensor for detecting movement of said inline flow sensor element;
said fluid pathway assembly having a variable flow resistor which is manually adjustable to regulate a rate of fluid flow in the fluid pathway when said flow control device is removed from said fluid pathway assembly;
a motor attached to the flow control device, said motor operably coupled to said variable flow resistor when said flow control device is attached to said fluid pathway assembly; and
said variable flow resistor adjustable by said motor under automatic control in response to electronically sensed interactions between said inline flow sensor element and said sensor.
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Abstract
A device for control of fluid flow with closed loop quasi static adjustment of in-line pressure-based resistance. The disclosed device and methods of using the device provide for the ability to control a flow rate with a highly portable device; the ability for an operator to safely use the device with minimal training; the ability to automatically switch between a primary and secondary fluid; the ability to maintain a flow rate through a tubing set even when the control device is removed; and the ability to measure fluids introduced with a manual bolus injection.
91 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fluid control system, comprising:
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a fluid pathway assembly defining a fluid pathway and having an inline flow sensor element received within said fluid pathway, said sensor element movable in response to a fluid flowing in said fluid pathway; a flow control device removably attachable to said fluid pathway assembly and having a sensor for detecting movement of said inline flow sensor element; said fluid pathway assembly having a variable flow resistor which is manually adjustable to regulate a rate of fluid flow in the fluid pathway when said flow control device is removed from said fluid pathway assembly; a motor attached to the flow control device, said motor operably coupled to said variable flow resistor when said flow control device is attached to said fluid pathway assembly; and said variable flow resistor adjustable by said motor under automatic control in response to electronically sensed interactions between said inline flow sensor element and said sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling a flow of fluid from a fluid source to a patient, said method comprising:
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connecting a first fluid source containing a first fluid to be infused into a patient to a first inlet of a fluid pathway assembly having a manually adjustable variable flow resistor, the fluid pathway assembly defining a fluid pathway and having an inline flow sensor element received within the fluid pathway, the sensor element movable in response to fluid flowing in the fluid pathway; providing a fluid control device which is removably attachable to the fluid pathway assembly, the fluid control device having a sensor for detecting movement of the inline flow sensor element; calculating an actual flow rate based on sensed movement of the inline flow sensor element; and if the fluid control device is attached to the fluid pathway assembly, monitoring the actual flow rate and automatically adjusting the variable flow resistor to achieve a first target flow rate. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for controlling a flow of fluid in a fluid flow control system, said method comprising:
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connecting a fluid source to an inlet of a fluid pathway assembly, the fluid pathway assembly defining a fluid pathway and having an inline flow sensor element received within the fluid pathway, the sensor element movable in response to fluid flowing in the fluid pathway; providing a fluid control device having a sensor for detecting movement of the inline flow sensor element; applying a force to the inline flow sensor element; detecting a response of the inline flow sensor element to the force applied to the inline flow sensor element; calculating an actual flow rate based on the detected response of the inline flow sensor element to the force applied to the inline flow sensor element.
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Specification