Device for monitoring an infusion set
A device 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 device connects to a monitor which may continuously monitor the detected drips.
1. A device for monitoring fluid through a drip chamber, comprising:
an emitter mounted to the drip chamber and positioned to emit electromagnetic radiation across the drip chamber;
a detector mounted to the drip chamber and positioned to define a path across the drip chamber between the emitter and the detector, the detector further being positioned to generate a detector signal in response to electromagnetic radiation received from the emitter, wherein when the fluid is in the path between the emitter and the detector, the fluid inhibits electromagnetic radiation travelling along the path; and
an interface mounted to the device, the interface being configured to convey data representative of the detector signal from the device to a remote monitoring device.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the interface further comprises a first plurality of contacts mounted on the device and configured to mate with a second plurality of contacts positioned on the remote monitoring device.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the interface further comprises a wired tether and a connector, the wired tether extending from the device to the connector, the first plurality of contacts being positioned on the connector.
4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the connector comprises one or more projecting surfaces configured to be received in one or more corresponding channels in the remote monitoring device, whereby the connector is removably retained within the remote monitoring device when the one or more projecting surfaces is positioned within the one or more corresponding channels.
5. The device of claim 3 , wherein the emitter and the detector are permanently mounted to the drip chamber.
6. The device of claim 5 , further comprising a housing mounted on the device, and further wherein the wired tether extends from the housing.
7. The device of claim 5 , wherein the first plurality of contacts are connected to an electrical circuit on the device, the electrical circuit being connected to the emitter and the detector, the electrical circuit further being configured to be controlled by a processor on the remote monitoring device when the first plurality of contacts are in engagement with the second plurality of contacts.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the electrical circuit is configured to be powered by a power source of the remote monitoring device, the power being conveyed to the device from the second plurality of contacts to the first plurality of contacts.
9. The device of claim 2 , further comprising a housing on the device and mounted to the drip chamber, and wherein the first plurality of contacts is mounted on the housing.
10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the housing comprises one or more projecting surfaces configured to be received in one or more corresponding channels in the remote monitoring device, whereby the housing is removably retained within the remote monitoring device when the one or more projecting surfaces is positioned within the one or more corresponding channels.
11. The device of claim 9 , wherein the emitter and the detector are permanently mounted to the drip chamber.
12. The device of claim 9 , wherein the first plurality of contacts are connected to an electrical circuit on the device, the electrical circuit being connected to the emitter and the detector, the electrical circuit further being configured to be controlled by a processor on the remote monitoring device when the first plurality of contacts are in engagement with the second plurality of contacts.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the electrical circuit is configured to be powered by a power source of the remote monitoring device, the power being conveyed to the device from the second plurality of contacts to the first plurality of contacts.
14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a transceiver configured for wireless communication with the remote monitoring device.
15. A system for monitoring fluid through a drip chamber, comprising:
a sensor device body, comprising:
an emitter mounted to the drip chamber and positioned to emit electromagnetic radiation across the drip chamber;
a detector mounted to the drip chamber and positioned to define a path across the drip chamber between the emitter and the detector, the detector further being positioned to generate a detector signal in response to electromagnetic radiation received from the emitter, wherein when the fluid is in the path between the emitter and the detector, the fluid inhibits electromagnetic radiation travelling along the path; and
an electrical circuit including the emitter and the detector, the electrical circuit further having an interface configured to convey data representative of the detector signal; and
a remote monitoring device physically separated from the sensor device body, the remote monitoring device comprising:
an outer case;
a display;
a processor; and
a memory, the memory containing stored programming instructions operable by the processor to cause the processor to receive the data representative of the detector signal from the sensor device body.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the sensor device body is removably attachable to the outer case of the remote monitoring device.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the electrical circuit is in signal communication with the processor and is configured to be controlled by the processor on the remote monitoring device when the sensor device body is removably attached to the remote monitoring device.
18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the sensor device body further comprises a wired tether and a connector, the connector being configured for removable attachment to the remote monitoring device.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the electrical circuit is in signal communication with the processor and is configured to be controlled by the processor on the remote monitoring device when the connector is removably attached to the remote monitoring device.
20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the electrical circuit further comprises a transceiver configured for wireless communication with the remote monitoring device.
21. A device for monitoring fluid through a drip chamber, comprising:
an emitter permanently mounted to the drip chamber and positioned to emit electromagnetic radiation across the drip chamber;
a detector permanently mounted to the drip chamber and positioned to define a path across the drip chamber between the emitter and the detector, the detector further being positioned to generate a detector signal in response to electromagnetic radiation received from the emitter, wherein when the fluid is in the path between the emitter and the detector, the fluid inhibits electromagnetic radiation travelling along the path;
a microcontroller mounted to the device and a power source mounted to the device, the microcontroller being in communication with the detector signal; and
a user interface permanently mounted to the device, the user interface having a user input device and a display panel, the microcontroller further being configured to cause the display panel to present a display in response to the detector signal.
22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the microcontroller is permanently mounted to the drip chamber.
23. The system of claim 22 , wherein the power source is permanently mounted to the drip chamber.
24. The system of claim 21 , further comprising a housing, the microcontroller and the battery being permanently contained within the housing.
25. The system of claim 24 , wherein the user input device and the display panel are mounted on the housing.
26. The system of claim 21 , wherein the emitter and the detector are glued to the drip chamber.
27. The system of claim 21 , wherein the emitter and the detector are molded into the drip chamber.
28. The system of claim 21 , wherein the display panel comprises one or more light emitting diodes.
29. The system of claim 21 , wherein the user input device comprises a button attached to the device.
30. The system of claim 21 , wherein the user input device and the display panel are configured as a touch-sensitive display panel, the touch-sensitive display panel being mounted to the device.