# US 2014/0155865 A1 · Infrared reflective air-in-line sensor system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155865 A1 - Document ID: US20140155865A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/234,768 - Filed: 2012-07-09 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-07-25 - Assignees: Nestec S.A. - Inventors: Adam Hartman; Paul Nguyen; David Charles Cummings - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155865A1 ## 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)} - A61J 15/0026: {Parts, details or accessories for feeding-tubes (external tubes from medical containers to a connector outside of the body A61M39/08)} - A61M 5/14228: {with linear peristaltic action, i.e. comprising at least three pressurising members or a helical member} - A61M 5/14232: {Roller pumps} - A61M 5/365: {Air detectors (A61M5/1684 takes precedence; in extracorporeal blood circuits A61M1/3626)} - G01N 21/05: Flow-through cuvettes (G01N21/09 takes precedence; handling fluid samples G01N1/10) - G01N 21/41: Refractivity; Phase-affecting properties, e.g. optical path length (G01N21/21 takes precedence) - G01N 21/47: Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection (G01N21/25, G01N21/41 take precedence {G01N21/55 takes precedence}) - G08B 21/182: {Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold} - A61M 2205/12: with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit - A61M 2205/18: with alarm - A61M 2205/3306: Optical measuring means - A61M 2205/3313: used specific wavelengths - 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)} - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS ## Abstract Air-in-line sensor systems and methods of using same are provided. The system includes an adapter (60) including first and second cylindrical portions defining a fluid flow channel, the first cylindrical portion comprising two adjacent wedge-shaped protrusions (68). Each wedge-shaped protrusion is infrared transmittive and defines an outer surface and an inner surface. The system further includes a tube and an infrared reflective sensor having an infrared light emitter (42,52) and an infrared light detector (44,54). The infrared light emitter and the infrared light detector are positioned at or near an adapter so that an infrared light can be transmitted to the adapter and at least a portion of the infrared light reflected off the adapter can be detected by the infrared light detector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adapter device comprising: first and second cylindrical portions defining a fluid flow channel, the first cylindrical portion comprising two adjacent wedge-shaped protrusions, each wedge-shaped protrusion having at least a portion that is infrared transmittive and each protrusion defining an outer surface and an inner surface, the fluid flow channel extends through both of the first and second cylindrical portions, and a portion of the interior surface is infrared transmissive. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The adapter of claim 1, wherein the inner surfaces of the wedge-shaped protrusions define a substantially triangularly shaped recess. ### Claim 3 (canceled) ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The adapter of claim 3, wherein a portion of the interior surface is flat and is infrared reflective. ### Claim 5 (canceled) ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter is manufactured from polypropylene. ### Claim 7 A cassette comprising: a rigid frame; a tube; and at least one adapter comprising first and second cylindrical portions defining a fluid flow channel, the first cylindrical portion comprising two adjacent wedge-shaped protrusions, each wedge-shaped protrusion having at least a portion that is infrared transmittive and each protrusion defining an outer surface and an inner surface, the fluid flow channel extends through both of the first and second cylindrical portions, and a portion of the interior surface is infrared transmissive. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The cassette of claim 7, wherein the at least one adapter is located on an end of the cassette. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The cassette of claim 7, wherein the first portion of the adapter is so constructed and arranged to mate with the tube. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The cassette of claim 7, wherein the second portion of the adapter is so constructed and arranged to mate with a second tube. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The cassette of claim 7, the cassette comprising first and second adapters, the first adapter located on a first end of the cassette and the second adapter located on a second end of the cassette. ### Claim 12 A sensor system comprising: a pumping device comprising at least one infrared reflective sensor having an infrared light emitter and an infrared detector; and a cassette removably attached to the pumping device, the cassette comprising a tube and at least one adapter comprising first and second cylindrical portions defining a fluid flow channel, the first hollow cylindrical portion comprising first and second adjacent wedge-shaped protrusions, each wedge-shaped protrusion having at least a portion that is infrared transmittive and each protrusion defining an outer surface and an inner surface, the fluid flow channel extends through both of the first and second cylindrical portions, and a portion of the interior surface is infrared transmissive, wherein the infrared reflective sensor is positioned so that an infrared light can be transmitted through the outer surface of a first wedge-shaped protrusion and at least a portion of the infrared light reflected off an inner surface of the first cylindrical portion can be detected by the infrared detector. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The sensor system of claim 12, wherein the pumping device is an enteral feeding pump. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The sensor system of claim 12, wherein the infrared light emitter and the infrared detector are positioned on the same side within the pumping device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The sensor system of claim 12, wherein the infrared light emitter and the infrared detector are located on a bottom, interior portion of the pumping device such that the infrared light emitter emits the infrared light in an upward direction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The sensor system of claim 15, wherein the at least one adapter is located on an end of the cassette and is configured such that the first and second adjacent wedge-shaped protrusions are oriented downward to communicate with the infrared light emitter and the infrared detector. ### Claim 17 A method of detecting air in a tubing set for an enteral feeding system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a cassette having an adapter sealingly attached to an enteral feeding tube, the adapter comprising first and second portions defining a fluid flow channel, the first portion comprising two adjacent wedge-shaped protrusions, each wedge-shaped protrusion having at least a portion that is infrared transmittive and each protrusion defining an outer surface and an inner surface, the fluid flow channel extends through both of the first and second cylindrical portions, and a portion of the interior surface is infrared transmissive; and detecting air within the enteral feeding tube by transmitting an infrared light to the outer surface of the first wedge-shaped protrusion and detecting an amount of reflected infrared light using a detector. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the infrared light is transmitted through the outer surface of a first wedge-shaped protrusion, and wherein the reflected infrared light passes through the outer surface of a second wedge-shaped protrusion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 further comprising inserting the cassette into a pumping device to administer an enteral feeding to a patient. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 further comprising stopping an enteral feeding cycle if air is detected in the enteral feeding tube. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 further comprising sounding an audible alarm if a threshold amount of air is detected in the enteral feeding tube.