# US 12,223,144 B2 · Detection device and infusion pump > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,223,144 B2 - Document ID: US12223144B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/939,905 - Filed: 2022-09-07 - Published: 2023-01-05 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-11 - Assignees: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Shohei Sasaki; Koji Hagi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12223144B2 ## CPC - A61M 5/16831: {Monitoring, detecting, signalling or eliminating infusion flow anomalies (low-level float-valves causing cut-off A61M5/40; indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of flow in general G01P13/0066)} - G06F 3/0425: {using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected (tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386)} - A61M 5/365: {Air detectors (A61M5/1684 takes precedence; in extracorporeal blood circuits A61M1/3626)} - G06F 3/0421: {by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen} - A61M 5/142: Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps - A61M 2205/3306: Optical measuring means - A61M 2205/502: User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A detection device according to the present disclosure includes: an irradiation unit configured to emit an infrared ray toward an infusion tube; an imaging unit configured to generate a captured image obtained by imaging the infusion tube irradiated with the infrared ray by the irradiation unit; and a control unit configured to detect blockage of the infusion tube and air bubbles in the infusion tube based on a light intensity distribution in the captured image. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A detection device comprising: an irradiation unit configured to emit an infrared ray toward an infusion tube; an imaging unit configured to generate a captured image obtained by imaging the infusion tube irradiated with the infrared ray by the irradiation unit; and a control unit configured to: determine a light intensity value of each pixel included in the captured image, specify high light intensity regions having a light intensity value equal to or more than a predetermined threshold as regions including opposing side wall portions of the infusion tube captured in the captured image based on a light intensity distribution in the captured image, and detect blockage of the infusion tube and air bubbles in the infusion tube based on the specified high light intensity regions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to detect blockage of the infusion tube based on an outer diameter of the infusion tube captured in the captured image. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to detect air bubbles in the infusion tube based on a width of at least one of the high light intensity regions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The detection device according to claim 1, wherein: the irradiation unit comprises a first light source and a second light source configured to emit infrared rays toward the infusion tube from directions facing each other in a radial direction of the infusion tube; and the control unit is configured to detect blockage of the infusion tube and air bubbles in the infusion tube based on a captured image obtained by imaging the infusion tube in a state in which the infrared rays are emitted from both the first source and second light source. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The detection device according to claim 1, wherein: the irradiation unit comprises a plurality of light sources configured to emit infrared rays toward the infusion tube from different directions; and the control unit is configured to detect blockage of the infusion tube and air bubbles in the infusion tube based on a plurality of captured images obtained by imaging the infusion tube in a state in which the infrared rays are emitted from different light sources. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The detection device according to claim 1, further comprising: a contact portion that contacts the infusion tube from both sides of the infusion tube in a radial direction at two locations spaced apart from each other in an extending direction of the infusion tube; wherein: the control unit is configured to detect blockage of the infusion tube and air bubbles in the infusion tube based on a light intensity distribution between the two locations in the extending direction of the infusion tube captured in the captured image. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The detection device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to determine that the infusion tube is blocked when a change in the outer diameter of the infusion tube from an initial outer diameter to a determined current outer diameter is outside a predetermined range. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The detection device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit is configured to determine that an air bubble is in the infusion tube when a change in a width of at least one of the high intensity regions is outside a predetermined range. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The detection device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit is configured to determine that an air bubble is in the infusion tube when a change in a width of a first of the high intensity regions is outside a first predetermined range and a change in a width of a second of the high intensity regions is outside a second predetermined range. ### Claim 10 An infusion pump comprising: a detection device comprising: an irradiation unit configured to emit an infrared ray toward an infusion tube, an imaging unit configured to generate a captured image obtained by imaging the infusion tube irradiated with the infrared ray by the irradiation unit, and a control unit configured to: determine a light intensity value of each pixel included in the captured image, specify high light intensity regions having a light intensity value equal to or more than a predetermined threshold as regions including opposing side wall portions of the infusion tube captured in the captured image based on a light intensity distribution in the captured image, and detect blockage of the infusion tube and air bubbles in the infusion tube based on the specified high light intensity regions. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The infusion pump according to claim 10, further comprising: a pump body; and an infusion cartridge that is detachable from the pump body. ### Claim 12 A detection device comprising: one or more infrared ray light emitting diodes configured to emit an infrared ray toward an infusion tube; an image sensor configured to generate a captured image obtained by imaging the infusion tube irradiated with the infrared ray by the one or more infrared ray light emitting diodes; and a control unit comprising a memory and a processor and configured to; determine a light intensity value of each pixel included in the captured image, specify high light intensity regions having a light intensity value equal to or more than a predetermined threshold as regions including opposing side wall portions of the infusion tube captured in the captured image based on a light intensity distribution in the captured image, and detect blockage of the infusion tube and air bubbles in the infusion tube based on the specified high light intensity regions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The detection device according to claim 12, wherein the control unit is configured to detect blockage of the infusion tube based on an outer diameter of the infusion tube captured in the captured image. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The detection device according to claim 12, wherein the control unit is configured to detect air bubbles in the infusion tube based on a width of at least one of the high light intensity regions. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The detection device according to claim 12, wherein: the one or more infrared ray light emitting diodes comprises a first infrared ray light emitting diode and a second infrared ray light emitting diode configured to emit infrared rays toward the infusion tube from directions facing each other in a radial direction of the infusion tube; and the control unit is configured to detect blockage of the infusion tube and air bubbles in the infusion tube based on a captured image obtained by imaging the infusion tube in a state in which the infrared rays are emitted from both the first light source and the second light source. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The detection device according to claim 12, wherein: the one or more infrared ray light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of infrared ray light emitting diodes configured to emit infrared rays toward the infusion tube from different directions; and the control unit is configured to detect blockage of the infusion tube and air bubbles in the infusion tube based on a plurality of captured images obtained by imaging the infusion tube in a state in which the infrared rays are emitted from different infrared ray light emitting diodes. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The detection device according to claim 12, further comprising: a contact portion that contacts the infusion tube from both sides of the infusion tube in a radial direction at two locations spaced apart from each other in an extending direction of the infusion tube; wherein: the control unit is configured to detect blockage of the infusion tube and air bubbles in the infusion tube based on a light intensity distribution between the two locations in the extending direction of the infusion tube captured in the captured image.