Method and apparatus for detection of air bubbles in tubing
AssigneeCobe Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsDennis J. Hlavinka, Byron W. Larson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for assisting in the detection of bubbles in a fluid stream such as an intravascular line. Tubing having ribbing or other texturing spaced along the longitudinal axis to enhance signal transmission characteristics and to increase the number of signals intercepted by a passing bubble, is placed between an ultrasonic or other transmitter and detector. In other embodiments, bubbles are concentrated into a detection zone by a centrifugator or are concentrated and recirculated in a detection zone by an eddy-producing protrusion in the fluid stream.
Claims17
An apparatus to engage a device for detecting bubbles in a fluid stream, the device having a transmitting transducer for transmitting signals into the fluid and a receiving transducer for receiving signals from the fluid, the apparatus comprising a channel with an interior surface in contact with the fluid and an exterior surface in contact with the transducers, the exterior surface having at least-one portion that is recessed relative to an unrecessed portion, so that at least one of the transducers contacts the unrecessed portion and is adjacent to but not in contact with the recessed portion.
A method for detecting air in a fluid stream in a channel, comprising placing a segment of the channel adjacent to a transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer, the segment having at least one portion that is recessed relative to an unrecessed portion, so that at least one of the transducers contacts the unrecessed portion of the segment and is adjacent to but does not contact the recessed portion, transmitting a signal from the transmitting transducer into the fluid, and receiving and processing the signal to detect the passage of air in the channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.