Empty container detection using container side pressure sensing

1. A method for detecting when a fluid container has emptied during the course of an infusion, comprising:

sampling pressure at a selected frequency within an infusion line connecting the fluid container with an infusion flow control device at a location of the infusion line between the container and a fluid movement mechanism forming a part of the infusion control device;

calculating a first averaged sampled pressure value by averaging sampled pressures sampled during a first selected period of time;

storing the first averaged sampled pressure value in a memory;

calculating a second averaged sampled pressure value by averaging sampled pressures sampled during a second selected period of time;

calculating a difference between the first averaged sampled pressure value and the second averaged sampled pressure value; and

providing a signal if the difference reaches a pre-determined threshold value indicative of the level of fluid remaining in the container.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

continuing to sample the pressure within the infusion line and calculating averaged sampled pressure values, incrementing the selected period of time for each calculation;

comparing a latest averaged sample pressure value to a next previous averaged sampled pressure value;

calculating a difference between the latest averaged sample pressure value and the next previous averaged sampled pressure value; and

providing the signal indicative of the level of fluid remaining in the container if the difference reaches the pre-determined threshold value.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

processing multiple averaged sample pressure values to provide a measure of a rate of change of the multiple averaged sample pressure values, and

determining when the measure of the rate of change indicates the existence of a pre-defined condition within the infusion line.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the signal indicative of the level of fluid remaining in the container provides an indication that the container is empty.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein providing the signal indicative of the level of fluid remaining in the container provides an indication that more than one container is empty.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of synchronizing the sampling with movement of the fluid movement mechanism that causes the fluid to flow from the fluid container.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of sampling the pressure within an infusion line connecting a primary and a secondary fluid container with the fluid movement mechanism and based on the steps of calculating averaged sampled pressure values, storing averaged sampled pressure values, and calculating a difference, providing a first signal if the difference reaches a first threshold indicating that the secondary is empty, and providing a second signal if the difference reaches a second threshold indicating that the primary is empty.

8. 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, the system comprising:

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 capable of monitoring a pressure within the fluid line and providing signals representative of pressure related values of the monitored pressure;

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 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 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.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the pressure sensor is located within a housing of the infusion pump.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the processor is remote from the infusion pump.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the processor is in communication with an information system of an institution, and wherein the container empty signal is communicated to the information system for dissemination to at least one care giver within the institution.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the processor is programmed to count a number of revolutions of the pumping mechanism, and to calculate the averaged pressure value when a predetermined number of revolutions have been completed.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the pressure sensor is disposed in direct contact with the fluid line.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the processor is configured to sample the received signals in synchronization with movement of the pumping mechanism.

15. The system of claim 8 wherein the processor is further configured to sample the pressure within an infusion line that connects a primary and a secondary fluid container with the pumping mechanism.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the processor is configured to indicate the secondary is empty when the comparison results in a difference reaching a first threshold and to indicate the primary is empty when the comparison results in a difference reaching a second threshold.