SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR KINK DETECTION IN A CANNULA
Systems and methods relate to a kink or obstruction detection system for use in a minimally invasive implant, such as a disease management device. The kink or obstruction detection system can detect changes in pressure in the fluid flow path of a fluid being delivered to a patient. The kink or obstruction detection system can be included in a device between a pump and the cannula.
1 . A disease management device comprising:
a medical delivery pump configured to deliver a medication from a medication pouch to a patient via a cannula implanted in a patient; and
a kink detection system configured to measure an obstruction in the cannula, the kink detection system comprising:
a fluid receiving portion configured to receive fluid from the medical delivery pump;
a diaphragm coupled to the fluid receiving portion, the diaphragm configured to deform in correspondence with a change in pressure in the fluid received;
a sensor configured to measure an extent of deformation of the diaphragm;
one or more hardware processors configured to:
determine a pressure in the fluid based on the extent of deformation;
determine if a change in the pressure in the fluid passes a threshold change; and
output an alert to the patient if the change in pressure passes the threshold change; and
a fluid outlet configured to deliver the fluid to the patient.
2 . The disease management device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a capacitive sensor.
3 . The disease management device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a conductive sensor.
4 . The disease management device of claim 2 , wherein the capacitive sensor is located with in a capacitive sensing circuit, the capacitive sensing circuit comprising:
a bias resistor;
a touchpad;
a capacitor; and
a controller.
5 . The disease management device of claim 4 , wherein an electrical capacitance of the touchpad is configured to correspond to movement of the diaphragm.
6 . The disease management device of claim 3 , wherein the conductive sensor is located within a conductive sensing circuit, the conductive sensing circuit comprising:
a bias resistor;
a conductive strip; and
a controller.
7 . The disease management device of claim 6 , wherein the conductive strip is configured to stretch as the pressure in the fluid is increased.
8 . The disease management device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more hardware processors are further configured to communicate with peripheral devices via bluetooth.
9 . A detection system configured to detect an obstruction within a fluid flow path, the detection system comprising:
a fluid receiving portion configured to receive fluid from a delivery pump;
a diaphragm coupled to the fluid receiving portion, the diaphragm configured to deform in correspondence with a change in pressure in the fluid received;
a sensor configured to measure an extent of deformation of the diaphragm; and
one or more hardware processors configured to:
determine a pressure in the fluid based on the extent of deformation;
determine if a change in the pressure in the fluid passes a predetermined pressure threshold; and
output an alert to a user if the change in pressure passes the predetermined pressure threshold.
10 . The detection system of claim 9 , wherein the sensor is a capacitive sensor.
11 . The detection system of claim 9 , wherein the sensor is a conductive sensor.
12 . A method of detecting a kink within a disease management device, the method comprising:
passing fluid from a fluid source to a pump through a fluid flow path within the disease management device;
passing fluid from the pump to a kink detector through the fluid flow path;
sensing movement of a diaphragm connected to the kink detector in response to the fluid passing;
measuring pressure of the fluid based on movement of the diaphragm;
determining if a kink is present within the fluid flow path based on the pressure of the fluid exceeding a predetermined pressure threshold; and
passing fluid from the kink detector to a cannula located at an implantation site of a patient.
13 . The method of claim 12 further comprising alerting a patient of the kink based on a determination of a kink presence.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein a capacitive sensor senses movement of the diaphragm.
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein a conductive sensor senses movement of the diaphragm.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the conductive sensor is located within a conductive sensing circuit comprising:
a conductive strip configured to measure a force of the diaphragm;
a bias resistor; and
a controller.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the conductive strip is configured to stretch as the pressure in the fluid is increased.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the capacitive sensor is located within a capacitive sensing circuit comprising:
a bias resistor;
a touchpad;
a capacitor; and
a controller.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the capacitor measures an electrical capacitance of the touchpad.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the electrical capacitance is configured to correspond to the movement of the diaphragm.
21 . A method of detecting a kink within medication delivery system, the method comprising:
passing fluid from a fluid source to a pump through a fluid flow path within the disease management device;
passing fluid from the pump to a kink detector through the fluid flow path; and
sensing an increase in pressure in the fluid or a lack of a flow of fluid when the flow is expected.
22 . A disease management device comprising:
a medical delivery pump configured to deliver a flow of medication to a patient; and
a kink detection system having a sensor, the kink detection system configured to indicate an increase in pressure in the flow or a lack of the flow when the flow is expected.