Apparatus for monitoring a fluid conduit
AssigneeGambro AB
InventorsOlof Ekdahl, Per-Ola Wictor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for determining the presence of a fluid conduit at a predetermined location and at least one characteristic of the fluid in the conduit are disclosed. The apparatus includes a light source for generating radiated light in a direction towards the predetermined location, such that when the fluid conduit is present at the predetermined location the radiated light passes in a direction through the fluid conduit, a first optical sensor for detecting the radiated light through the fluid conduit, and a second optical sensor for detecting the radiated light which is reflected by the fluid conduit.
Claims20
Apparatus for determining the presence of a fluid conduit having an exterior surface comprising:
- a light source disposed for generating radiated light in a direction towards a predetermined location, whereby when said fluid conduit is present at said predetermined location said radiated light passes in a direction through said fluid conduit;
- a first optical sensor for detecting a first portion of said radiated light passing through said fluid conduit;
- and
- a second optical sensor disposed for detecting a second portion of said radiated light, which is reflected by said exterior surface of said fluid conduit.
A method for determining the presence of a fluid conduit at a predetermined location and at least one characteristic of said contents of said fluid conduit, said method comprising directing radiated light towards said predetermined location whereby when said fluid conduit is present at said predetermined location, said radiated light passes in a direction through said conduit, detecting a first portion of said radiated light passing through said fluid conduit and detecting a second portion of said radiated light which is reflected by an exterior surface of said fluid conduit.
A method for determining the presence of a fluid conduit with an exterior surface at a predetermined location and at least one characteristic of said contents of said fluid conduit, said method comprising:
- directing radiated light towards said predetermined location whereby when said fluid conduit is present at said predetermined location said radiated light passes in a direction through said conduit;
- detecting a first portion of said radiated light passing through said fluid conduit and detecting a second portion of said radiated light which is reflected by said exterior surface of said fluid conduit;
- comparing said first and second portions of said radiated light with predetermined values therefor whereby:
- when said first portion of said radiated light is at a predetermined high level and said second portion of said radiated light is at a predetermined low level, determining that said fluid conduit is not present at said predetermined location;
- when said first portion of said radiated light is at a predetermined medium level and said second portion of said radiated light is at a predetermined high level, determining that said fluid conduit is present at said predetermined location and said fluid is not present in said fluid conduit;
- when said first portion of said radiated light is at a predetermined high level and said second portion of said radiated light is at a predetermined high level, determining that said fluid conduit is present at said predetermined location and said fluid comprises a transparent fluid;
- when said first portion of said radiated light is at a predetermined low level and said second portion of said radiated light is at a predetermined high level, determining that said fluid conduit is present at said predetermined location and said fluid comprises an opaque fluid;
- when said first portion of said radiated light is at a predetermined low level and pulses at a predetermined high level, and said second portion of said radiated light is at a predetermined high level, determining that said fluid conduit is present at said predetermined location and said fluid comprises an opaque fluid including air bubbles;
- and
- when said first portion of said radiated light is at a predetermined low or medium level and said second portion of said radiated light is at a predetermined low level, determining that an error condition exists.
A method for determining the presence of a fluid conduit with an exterior surface at a predetermined location, said method comprising:
- directing radiated light towards said predetermined location whereby when said fluid conduit is present at said predetermined location said radiated light passes in a direction through said conduit;
- detecting a first portion of said radiated light passing through said fluid conduit and detecting a second portion of said radiated light which is reflected by said exterior surface of said fluid conduit;
- comparing said first and second portions of said radiated light with predetermined values therefor whereby:
- when said first portion of said radiated light is at a predetermined high level and said second portion of said radiated light is at a predetermined low level, determining that said fluid conduit is not present at said predetermined location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.