Empty container detection using container side pressure sensing

摘要

A system for determining when a fluid container connected to an infusion pump having a pumping mechanism by an infusion line has been emptied of fluid is disclosed. The system comprises a pressure sensor in operable communication with the fluid line and disposed at a location between the container and the pumping mechanism. The pressure sensor is capable of monitoring a pressure within the fluid line and providing signals representative of pressure related values of the monitored pressure. The system further comprises a memory adapted to store the pressure related values; and a processor in operable communication with the pressure sensor and the memory, the processor programmed to receive signals from the pressure sensor and sample the received signals at selected intervals. The processor is also programmed to calculate a first averaged sampled pressure value from signals received during a first selected interval and store the first averaged sampled pressure value in the memory. The processor is also programmed to compare the stored first averaged sampled pressure value with a second averaged sampled pressure value calculated from signals received during a second selected interval and provide a container empty signal if the comparison results in a difference between the first and second calculated averaged sampled pressure values reaches a predetermined threshold.