DEVICE, METHOD, AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE DELIVERY OF FLUIDS THROUGH A DRIP CHAMBER

摘要

A device, method, and system are provided for monitoring the delivery of fluids through a drip chamber. The device includes an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) source and an EMR detector. A device body is employed to position the source and detector about the drip chamber so that the source and detector define an optical path across the drip chamber. A processor device is employed to detect fluid drops from differences between detector signal values separated by a lag time. The flow rate is determined from a drip factor and the detection of multiple drops. In the context of delivering intravenous (IV) fluids, a battery powered handheld monitoring device that includes the source, detector, device body, and processor device may be affixed to a drip chamber included in an infusion set. The device includes a user interface, including buttons, a display, and an audio speaker, for the input and output of information.

主权项

1. A flow rate monitoring device for monitoring a flow rate of fluid through a drip chamber, the device comprising:
(a) a source enabled to emit electromagnetic radiation (EMR); (b) a detector enabled to generate a detector signal; (c) a device body configured and arranged to position the source and the detector about at least one outer surface of the drip chamber such that the source and the detector define an optical path across the drip chamber, wherein fluid between the source and the detector inhibits EMR travelling along the optical path; and (d) a processor device that executes instructions that perform actions, comprising:
i. detecting a fluid drop based on at least a difference between a plurality of detector signal values temporally separated by a predetermined lag time; andii. determining the flow rate of fluid based on at least a predetermined drip factor and detecting a plurality of fluid drops.