Granted Patent
B2
US 12,571,665 · App. 18/439,582 · Granted Mar 10, 2026
Air detection system and method for detecting air in a pump of an infusion system
Inventors:
Timothy L. Ruchti (Gurnee, IL); Brian G. Markey (Park Forest, IL); Anatoly S. Belkin (Glenview, IL); Paul T. Kotnik (Commerce Township, MI); Mohammad M. Khair (Streamwood, IL)
Assignee:
ICU Medical, Inc.
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Abstract
Various systems and methods for detecting air in a chamber of an infusion system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a determination is made that air is contained in the chamber on the basis of a change in the average force exerted against the plunger utilizing a derivative spike for event detection and a systematic reduction in the average force to confirm the nature of the change. In another embodiment, a determination is made that the chamber contains air when a difference between the current force profile and a baseline force profile crosses a threshold. In an additional embodiment, a force profile is classified as being an air force profile or a liquid force profile based on extracted features of the force profile.
Claims (28)
1 . A method for detecting air in a chamber of an infusion system comprising:
preprocessing a force profile based on a measurement of force acting on a plunger as the plunger moves against the chamber containing fluid;
extracting features from the force profile; and
classifying the force profile as being an air force profile or a liquid force profile based on the extracted features, wherein the extracted features comprise a shape of the force profile.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the classifying of the force profile as being the air force profile or the liquid force profile is done without applying signal normalization to normalize to a baseline force profile.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the preprocessing comprises: acquiring the force profile; re-sampling the force profile for a set of angles; selecting a sub-set of angles for the force profile; and calculating a derivative of the force profile based on the force profile at the sub-set of angles.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the preprocessing comprises: acquiring the force profile; applying a low pass filter to the force profile; re-sampling the force profile for a set of angles; applying a range limit to the force profile; and calculating a difference of the force profile with respect to a baseline force profile.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the extracting of the features comprises calculating scores of the force profile or applying a linear discriminate analysis to the force profile.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising shutting down an infusion pump based on the classifying of the force profile indicating being the air force profile.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the classifying comprises k-nearest neighbor analysis.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the classifying comprises support vector machines analysis.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the classifying comprises a combination of a linear discriminated analysis, a k-nearest neighbor analysis, and a support vector machines analysis.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the classifying comprises use of Bayesian networks.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the classifying comprises use of a fuzzy logic algorithm.
12 . A system for detecting air in a chamber of an infusion system, the system comprising one or more hardware processors configured to:
preprocess a force profile based on a detected force acting on a plunger as the plunger moves against the chamber containing fluid;
extract features from the force profile; and
classify the force profile as being an air force profile or a liquid force profile based on the extracted features, wherein the extracted features comprise a shape of the force profile.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the classifying of the force profile as being the air force profile or the liquid force profile is done without applying signal normalization to normalize to a baseline force profile.
14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the preprocessing comprises: acquiring the force profile; re-sampling the force profile for a set of angles; selecting a sub-set of angles for the force profile; and calculating a derivative of the force profile based on the force profile at the sub-set of angles.
15 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the preprocessing comprises: acquiring the force profile; applying a low pass filter to the force profile; re-sampling the force profile for a set of angles; applying a range limit to the force profile; and calculating a difference of the force profile with respect to a baseline profile.
16 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the extracting of the features comprises calculating scores of the force profile or applying a linear discriminate analysis to the force profile.
17 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the classifying comprises k-nearest neighbor analysis.
18 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the classifying comprises support vector machines analysis.
19 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the classifying comprises a combination of a linear discriminated analysis, a k-nearest neighbor analysis, and a support vector machines analysis.
20 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the classifying comprises use of Bayesian networks.
21 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the classifying comprises use of a fuzzy logic algorithm.
22 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the one or more hardware processors are further configured to shut down an infusion pump based on the classifying of the force profile indicating being the air force profile.
Assignments (1)
SECURITY INTEREST
Recorded Oct 31, 2025
From: ICU MEDICAL, INC.; EXCELSIOR MEDICAL CORPORATION; TANGENT MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073428/0588 →
Continuity (6)
Provisional Application
61618129
· Mar 30, 2012
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