Infusion system and method of use which prevents over-saturation of an analog-to-digital converter

A method for detecting air in a fluid delivery line of an infusion system comprising:

• pumping infusion fluid through a fluid delivery line adjacent to at least one sensor;
• transmitting and receiving a first signal using the at least one sensor into and from the fluid delivery line;
• transmitting a second signal from the at least one sensor to an electronic detection device, the second signal indicative of whether there is air in the fluid delivery line;
• operating, using at least one processor, the at least one sensor at a resonant frequency or at a modified frequency which is different than the resonant frequency;
• determining whether the electronic detection device would be saturated as a result of operating the at least one sensor at the resonant frequency;
• wherein if it is determined that operating the at least one sensor at the resonant frequency would saturate the electronic detection device, operating the at least one sensor at the modified frequency, wherein operating the at least one sensor at the modified frequency causes the amplitude of the second signal to be lower than required to saturate the electronic detection device and greater than the minimum level of useful signal strength of the electronic detection device;
• and
• wherein if it is determined that operating the at least one sensor at the resonant frequency causes the amplitude of the second signal to be lower than the saturation level of the electronic detection device and greater than the minimum useful signal strength of the electronic detection device, operating the at least one sensor at the resonant frequency.

A method for arranging and using an infusion system comprising:

• determining a resonant frequency of at least one sensor;
• determining a saturation level of an electronic detection device;
• disposing the at least one sensor adjacent to a fluid delivery line;
• connecting a pump to the fluid delivery line;
• electronically connecting the electronic detection device to the at least one sensor;
• electronically connecting at least one processor to the pump, to the at least one sensor, and to the electronic detection device;
• and
• programming the at least one processor to operate the at least one sensor at a resonant frequency or at a modified frequency which is different than the resonant frequency;
• determining whether the electronic detection device would be saturated as a result of operating the at least one sensor at the resonant frequency;
• wherein if it is determined that operating the at least one sensor at the resonant frequency would saturate the electronic detection device, operating the at least one sensor at the modified frequency, wherein operating the at least one sensor at the modified frequency causes the amplitude of a signal from the at least one sensor to be lower than required to saturate the electronic detection device and greater than the minimum level of useful signal strength of the electronic detection device;
• and
• wherein if it is determined that operating the at least one sensor at the resonant frequency causes the amplitude of the signal from the at least one sensor to be lower than the saturation level of the electronic detection device and greater than the minimum useful signal strength of the electronic detection device, operating the at least one sensor at the resonant frequency.