Intravenous fluid monitoring

1. An in-line multi-parametric intravenous fluid monitoring apparatus comprising an electrical sensor for determining the identity and concentration of components of an intravenous fluid, the apparatus comprising:

a housing adapted for fluidic interface with a fluid line assembly of a system for intravenous delivery of fluid into a patient, the housing comprising a cavity in fluid communication with the fluid;

a first sensor element comprising a pair of electrodes having a first sensing surface that is configured to interact with the intravenous fluid and to detect a complex admittance or impedance of the intravenous fluid in contact with the first sensing surface;

a second sensor element comprising a second sensing surface that is configured to interact with the intravenous fluid and to detect a complex admittance or impedance of the intravenous fluid at the second sensing surface; and

a processor configured to receive complex admittance or impedance data from the first sensing surface and the second sensing surface, wherein the first sensing surface provides independent electrical property signals relative to the second sensing surface, further wherein the processor comprises a comparator configured to compare parameters derived from the first and second sensor elements with stored expected parameter values to identify one or more components of the intravenous fluid.

2. A system for multi-parametrically monitoring the composition of fluid delivered intravenously into a patient, the system comprising:

a fluid line assembly including one or more conduits and having a first end adapted for fluid communication with a fluid source and a second end adapted for fluid communication with an intravenous infusion device for infusion of fluid into the vascular system of the patient, and

a first sensor element comprising a pair of electrodes having a first sensing surface configured to interact with the intravenous fluid and to detect a complex admittance or impedance of the intravenous fluid in contact with the first sensing surface;

a second sensor element comprising a second sensing surface that is configured to interact with the intravenous fluid and to detect a complex admittance or impedance of the intravenous fluid at the second sensing surface; and

one or more circuits in communication with the first and second sensor elements for activating the sensor elements or for receiving, processing, storing, displaying or transmitting data originating from the first sensing surface and second sensing surface, wherein the first and second sensing surfaces provide independent electrical property signals, wherein the one or more circuits is adapted to identify and determine the concentration of one or more active pharmaceutical agents within the fluid.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 , further comprising a third sensor element comprises an optical element.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein the first sensor element comprises an admittance or impedance sensor configured to determine the complex admittance or impedance over a range of frequencies.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein the second sensor element is an admittance or impedance sensor configured to measure the complex admittance or impedance of the intravenous fluid and comprises at least one electrode separate from the pair of electrodes of the first sensor element.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein the processor comprises stored expected parameter values and is able to uniquely identify one or more pharmaceuticals in a carrier solution, wherein the carrier solution comprises one of: D5W, 3.3% Dextrose / 0.3% saline, Half-normal saline, Normal saline, and Ringers lactate, and the one or more pharmaceuticals comprises one or more of: an anticoagulant, a hormone, an anesthetic, and an analgesic.

7. A method for determining the identity and concentration of an intravenous fluid delivered to a subject in need thereof, the method comprising:

contacting a first sensor surface with the fluid and detecting a complex admittance or impedance at the first sensor surface;

contacting a second sensor surface with the fluid and detecting a complex admittance or impedance at the second sensor surface, wherein the first and second sensing surfaces provide independent electrical property signals administering the fluid to the subject;

generating a multi-parametric profile characteristic of the composition of the fluid based on the independent electrical property signals from the first and second sensor surfaces; and

comparing the multi-parametric profile to stored expected parameter values to identify and determine the concentration of one or more components of the fluid.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of comparing the multi-parametric profile comprises simultaneously identifying and determining the concentration of one or more components of the fluid.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of generating a multi-parametric profile characteristic comprises generate two or more independent parameter values.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of generating a multi-parametric profile characteristic comprises generate two or more independent parameter values, wherein at least one of the parameter values comprises the complex admittance or impedance of the intravenous fluid measured between two or more electrodes.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of generating a multi-parametric profile characteristic comprises generate two or more independent parameter values, wherein at least one of the parameter values comprises an electrical parameter and one of the parameter values comprises an optical parameter.

12. A multi-parametric intravenous fluid monitoring apparatus for determining the composition of an intravenous fluid, the apparatus comprising:

a housing adapted for fluidic interface with a fluid line assembly of a system for intravenous delivery of fluid into a patient, the housing comprising a cavity to fluidly connect with intravenous fluid and a first end adapted for fluid communication with the source of intravenous fluid and a second end adapted for fluid communication with an intravenous infusion device for infusion of the intravenous fluid into the vascular system of the patient;

a first sensor element within the cavity having a first sensing surface, the first sensor element configured to measure a first complex admittance or impedance of the intravenous fluid at the first sensing surface;

a second sensor element within the cavity having a second sensing surface formed of a different conductive material than the first sensing surface, the second sensor element configured to measure a second complex admittance or impedance of the intravenous fluid at the second sensing surface; and

a processor configured to receive complex admittance or impedance data from the first sensor element and the second sensor element, wherein the processor comprises a comparator configured to compare parameters derived from the first and second sensor elements with stored expected parameter values to identify and determine the concentration of one or more components of the intravenous fluid.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first and second sensing surfaces are each formed of a different conductive material selected from the group consisting of: Au, Pt, Pd, Ag, W, Ti, Ni, Sn, and Co.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a third sensor element, further wherein the processor is configured to receive and compare data from the third sensor element to identify and determine the concentration of one or more component of the intravenous fluid.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising an optical sensor element.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first sensor element comprises an admittance or impedance spectroscopy sensor configured to determine complex admittance or impedance at a plurality of frequencies.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the second sensor element comprises an admittance or impedance spectroscopy sensor configured to determine complex admittance or impedance at a plurality of frequencies.