Medical treatment system and methods using a plurality of fluid lines
A medical treatment system, such as peritoneal dialysis system, may include control and other features to enhance patient comfort and ease of use. For example, a peritoneal dialysis system may include patient line state detector for detecting whether a patient line is primed before it is to be connected to the patient. The patient line state detector can also the ability to detect whether a patient line has been properly mounted for priming. Both patient line presence/absence and fill state can be determined using an optical system, e.g., one that employs a single optical sensor.
1 . A tubing state detector comprising:
a detector housing having an outward side comprising a connector holding channel for a connector located on a distal end of a tubing segment, the connector having a first portion connected to the distal end of the tubing segment and a second portion for direct connection to a patient catheter;
the detector housing having an opposing inner side comprising a cavity in which a plurality of sensor elements are positioned;
the sensor elements comprising one or more light emitters and an optical sensor, each said emitter and the optical sensor positioned adjacent to a transparent or translucent portion of the detector housing and configured for the optical sensor to sense light from the one or more light emitters;
the connector holding channel comprising a cradle substantially conforming to a shape of the connector and configured to secure the connector within the connector holding channel;
wherein the tubing state detector is arranged to detect the presence of the tubing segment or connector after the connector is placed within the connector holding channel.
2 . The tubing state detector of claim 1 , wherein the one or more emitters and optical sensor are adjacent a transparent or translucent portion of the connector holding channel such that the emitted light is transmitted through the connector.
3 . The tubing state detector of claim 1 , wherein the connector holding channel comprises two opposing side walls having a shape configured to engage mating recesses of the connector to assist locking the connector in place.
4 . The tubing state detector of claim 3 , wherein the connector and the connector holding channel are configured to allow the connector to be disengaged from the detector housing by applying a pre-determined threshold pulling force against the connector.
5 . The tubing state detector of claim 1 , wherein the transparent or translucent portion is constructed from plexiglass.
6 . The tubing state detector of claim 1 , wherein the connector holding channel includes a raised element configured to generally conform to a shape of a connector cap or connector flange.
7 . The tubing state detector of claim 1 , wherein the connector holding channel includes a stabilizing tab having a shape to substantially conform to a curvature of the connector to secure the connector in the connector holding channel.
8 . The tubing state detector of claim 7 , wherein the stabilizing tab is configured to impede movement of the connector during fluid priming of the tubing segment.
9 . The tubing state detector of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to receive data from the optical sensor, the controller programmed to perform an algorithm to detect the presence or absence of a tubing segment or connector, to detect whether fluid is present within the tubing segment or connector, or to detect movement or improper positioning of the tubing segment or connector with respect to the detector housing.
10 . A tubing state detector comprising:
a detector housing having an outward side comprising a connector holding channel for a connector located on a distal end of a tubing segment and a tube portion to receive the tubing segment, the connector having a first portion connected to the distal end of the tubing segment and a second portion for direct connection to a patient catheter;
the detector housing having an opposing inner side comprising a cavity in which a plurality of sensor elements are positioned;
the sensor elements comprising one or more light emitters and an optical sensor, each said emitter and the optical sensor positioned adjacent to a transparent or translucent portion of the detector housing and configured for the optical sensor to sense light from the one or more light emitters;
the connector holding channel comprising a cradle substantially conforming to a shape of the connector and configured to secure the connector within the connector holding channel;
the tube portion is axially aligned with the connector holding channel and positioned below the connector holding channel;
wherein the tubing state detector is arranged to detect the presence of the tubing segment or connector after the connector is placed within the connector holding channel.
11 . The tubing state detector of claim 10 , wherein the emitter and optical sensor are adjacent a transparent or translucent portion of the tube portion of the detector housing such that the emitted light is transmitted through the tubing segment.
12 . The tubing state detector of claim 10 , wherein the cradle is configured to conform to the shape of the connector, which is different than the shape of the distal end of the tubing segment.
13 . A tubing state detector comprising:
a detector housing having an outward side comprising a connector holding channel for a connector located on a distal end of a tubing segment, the connector having a first portion connected to the distal end of the tubing segment and a second portion for direct connection to a patient catheter, the detector housing further including a tube portion for receiving the tubing segment connected to the first portion of the connector, the connector holding channel being positioned above the tube portion of the detector housing;
the detector housing having an opposing inner side comprising a cavity in which a plurality of sensor elements are positioned;
the sensor elements comprising one or more light emitters and an optical sensor configured for the optical sensor to sense light emitted from the one or more light emitters, each said light emitter and the optical sensor positioned adjacent to a transparent or translucent portion of the tube portion of the detector housing such that the emitted light is transmitted through the tubing segment; and
the connector holding channel comprising a cradle substantially conforming to a shape of the connector and configured to secure the connector within the connector holding channel;
wherein the tubing state detector is arranged to detect the presence of the tubing segment after the connector is placed within the connector holding channel.