Intravenous Flow Rate Controller
AssigneeHospira, Inc.
InventorsMichael G. Lowery, Brian G. Markey, James A. Markey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Tilting of a drip chamber from its vertical axis during fluid administration can have negative effects upon the accuracy of systems configured for drop counting and/or for volumetric measurement of individual drops passing through the drip chamber. To address these negative effects, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid delivery system engages in a fluid control process that comprises determining an error parameter, based at least in part on a tilt signal, generating an error condition, and either holding the fluid flow at the present rate or stopping the flow.
Claims13
An apparatus for controlling fluid flow in a fluid delivery system comprising a drip chamber and a length of tubing, the apparatus comprising:
- a. a cradle configured to receive the drip chamber in a substantially vertical orientation;
- b. a valve configured to receive the length of tubing and to control a rate of fluid flow through the length of tubing;
- c. a flow rate determination element configured to determine a flow rate of fluid passing through the drip chamber;
- d. a tilt-detection element configured to detect tilt of the drip chamber;
- and
- e. a controller configured to adjust the valve based on a signal produced by the tilt-detection element.
A method for regulating fluid flow in a fluid delivery system including a drip chamber and a length of tubing, the method comprising:
- providing a fluid delivery system comprising a cradle configured to receive a drip chamber, a valve configured to receive the length of tubing and to control a rate of fluid flow through the length of tubing, a tilt-detection element configured to detect tilt of the drip chamber, and a controller configured to adjust the valve in response to a signal from the tilt detection element;
- detecting a tilt of the drip chamber at a first time using the tilt-detection element and generating a tilt signal indicating a magnitude of detected tilt;
- determining whether the magnitude of the tilt signal exceeds a tilt threshold;
- generating a tilt warning signal if the magnitude of the tilt signal exceeds the tilt threshold;
- and
- adjusting the valve if a tilt warning signal is generated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.