Air in-line sensor for ambulatory drug infusion pump
AssigneeBaxter International Inc.
InventorsMichael Platt, Ralph LaBedz, Patrick Hovis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An air in-line sensor for detecting air bubbles in a therapeutic solution flowing through a tube utilizes a unitary type sensor having a channel for receiving the tube. The channel has a tube loading section. A signal emitting member is positioned on one side of the tube and a signal receiving member is positioned on an opposite side of the tube. A first air baffle is positioned between the signal emitting and signal receiving members.
Claims34
An air in-line sensor for detecting air bubbles in a therapeutic solution flowing through a tube, the sensor comprising:
- a channel for receiving the tube having a tube loading section;
- a signal emitting member positioned on one side of the tube and a signal receiving member positioned on an opposite side of the tube;
- and,
- a first air baffle positioned between the signal emitting member and the signal receiving member.
An air in-line sensor for detecting air bubbles in a therapeutic solution flowing through a tube, the sensor comprising:
- a channel for receiving the tube having a first lead-in section, and a tube loading section;
- a signal emitting member positioned on one side of the tube and a signal receiving member positioned on an opposite side of the tube;
- and,
- a first air baffle positioned between the signal emitting member and the signal receiving member.
An air in-line sensor for detecting air bubbles in a therapeutic solution flowing through a tube, the sensor comprising:
- a channel for receiving the tube having a tube loading section;
- a first lead-in section comprising an upper portion of a first sidewall of the channel, the first lead-in section tapers upwardly and outwardly from an intermediate portion of the first sidewall to the upper portion of the first sidewall;
- a second lead-in section comprising an upper portion of a second sidewall of the channel, the second lead-in section tapers upwardly and outwardly from an intermediate portion of the second sidewall to the upper portion of the second sidewall;
- and,
- the tube loading section having a stationary section and a movable section hingedly connected to the stationary section, the movable section having a blade having a radius of curvature for positioning the tube in the tube loading section.
An air in-line sensor system for detecting air bubbles in a therapeutic solution flowing through a tube located in a pumping mechanism, the tube extending from a supply bag of the therapeutic solution to a patient through the system, the system comprising:
- a channel for receiving the tube having a first lead-in section, and a tube loading section;
- a signal emitting member positioned on one side of the tube and a signal receiving member positioned on an opposite side of the tube;
- a first air baffle positioned between the signal emitting member and the signal receiving member;
- and,
- the tube loader having a stationary section and a movable section hingedly connected to the stationary section, the movable section having a blade having a radius of curvature for positioning the tube in the tube loading section.
An air in-line sensor for detecting air bubbles in a therapeutic solution flowing through a tube, the sensor comprising:
- means for emitting an ultrasonic signal through the tube;
- means for preventing the ultrasonic signal from traveling around the tube;
- means for detecting the ultrasonic signal emitted through the tube;
- means for measuring the strength of the ultrasonic signal emitted through the tube;
- means for comparing the strength of the ultrasonic signal to a preset voltage value;
- means for outputting a preset, maximum value for liquid and a preset, minimum value for air;
- and,
- means for determining whether to sound an air in-line alarm.
An air in-line sensor for detecting air bubbles in a therapeutic solution flowing through a tube, the sensor comprising:
- a channel for receiving the tube having a tube loading section;
- a signal emitting member positioned on one side of the tube and a signal receiving member positioned on an opposite side of the tube;
- a first lead-in section comprising an upper portion of a first sidewall of the channel, the first lead-in section tapers upwardly and outwardly from an intermediate portion of the first sidewall to the upper portion of the first sidewall;
- and,
- a second lead-in section comprising an upper portion of a second sidewall of the channel, the second lead-in section tapers upwardly and outwardly from an intermediated portion of the second sidewall to the upper portion of the second sidewall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.