Flow sensor system and method for using same
AssigneeAmsino Medical Inc.
InventorsPeter J. Sacchetti, Hannu Pulli
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flow sensor system for detecting the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system. The flow sensor system includes a channel configured to retain the conduit therein, a heat source disposed at a first location at a first portion of the conduit, and a heat detector disposed at a second location at a second portion of the conduit. The heat source may include an IR LED, and the heat detector may include a thermopile sensor. A method for using the flow sensor system to detect the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system is also disclosed.
Claims21
A flow sensor system for detecting the presence or absence of a flow of liquid through a conduit of an enteral feeding system, comprising:
- a channel configured to retain the conduit therein;
- a heat source disposed at a first location at a first portion of the conduit;
- a heat detector disposed at a second location at a second downstream portion of the conduit;
- and
- a controller configured to consecutively:
- (a) stop the flow of the liquid;
- (b) activate the heat source for a programmed time interval;
- (c) restart the flow of the liquid;
- (d) monitor a relative temperature signal of liquid passing by the second locations over time;
- and
- (e) process the relative temperature signal to detect an occlusion in the conduit.
A flow sensor system for detecting the presence or absence of a flow of liquid through a conduit of an enteral feeding system, comprising:
- a channel configured to retain the conduit therein;
- a heat source disposed at a first location at a first portion of the conduit, the heat source including an IR LED;
- a photodiode IR sensor at a location proximate the IR LED, wherein the photodiode IR sensor is configured to be illuminated by the IR LED, and whereby the photodiode IR sensor is used to detect the presence of the conduit in the channel;
- a heat detector disposed at a second location at a second downstream portion of the conduit, the heat detector including a thermopile sensor;
- and
- a controller configured to consecutively:
- (a) stop the flow of the liquid;
- (b) activate the heat source for a programmed time interval;
- (c) restart the flow of the liquid;
- (d) monitor a relative temperature signal of liquid passing by the second location over time;
- and
- (e) process the relative temperature signal to detect an occlusion in the conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.