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Flow Sensor IV Infusion Applications
IV Pump
Adding a flow sensor to an intravenous (IV) infusion pump yields several outstanding
benefits.
- Actual flow is measured and feedback control of the fluid pump assures the IV
pump output is exactly as programmed, regardless of rate, temperature,
viscosity, back-pressure and head-pressure over the duration of the infusion.
- Precision volumetric pump mechanisms become a thing of the past, replaced
by inexpensive pumping technologies where the output is measured and
controlled.
- Flow rates across the full range of 0.1 ml/hr to 1000 ml/hr
- Automatic air-in-line detection (to 10 microliters) eliminates dedicated air
detectors
- Instantaneous occlusion detection (< 1 second), regardless of rate, eliminates
pressure transducers as actual flow sensing detects a slowdown in flow.
Sensing an occlusion without pressure build-up eliminates a bolus release after
the blockage is cleared.
- Disposable, injection molded flow tube is integrated into the administration set
for pennies while the durable sensor is reused over the product’s life.
- The flow sensor is extremely robust with no moving parts to wear out.
IV Controller
The TheraFuse flow sensor replaces the original drop counters in early controllers
with an embedded flow measurement in a very simple, cost effective system.
- The corded appendage ‘drop sensor’ is eliminated permitting a clean controller
implementation similar to today’s IV pumps.
- Gravity performs the work of moving fluids with a variable flow occluder
controlled by the flow sensor in a feedback control system to assure output
rates are as commanded.
- No pumping of fluid equates to a very small, lightweight system powered only
by batteries which last for weeks.
- Air-in-line and occlusion detection are built in to the flow sensor further
reducing cost and complexity.
IV line Monitor
This is the simplest implementation for the flow sensor. Any IV line, including gravity
lines controlled by roller clamps, can be monitored.
- Unit can be the size of a wrist watch.
- Data generated can be ‘wirelessly’ transmitted to a network node in the
hospital. Even IV pushes are captured.
- Monitoring is an important aspect for anesthesia management, particularly for
safety and data generation and tracking.
- Safety is assured with air-in-line and occlusion detection.
- Flow rates can be displayed in real time.
Completely disposable IV pump
The TheraFuse flow sensor enable low cost pumping technologies like quarter sized
piezoelectric disposable pumps controlled in a closed loop format. This further
enables a complete single use disposable pump system for those applications which
require:
- Rapid deployment and single patient use with embedded battery power.
- Minimal size and complexity for efficient storage without a need for any
maintenance, calibration or servicing.
- Full set of safety features like air-in-line detection, occlusion detection, and
closed loop flow control.
- Well suited to automatic, wireless programming from a hospital LAN source or
a handheld PDA type controller.
- Ideal for emergency response, transport, and military applications.
- This system can be expensed versus capitalized.
Hybrid disposable pump and flow path with reusable sensor and
electronics.
This is a standalone IV pump with where the active pumping mechanism is part of the
disposable flow path. The reusable becomes all solid state electronics and flow sensor
optics with a disposable pump element and flow tube as part of the administration set.
- Significant competitive advantage over today’s IV pumps
- The durable is very low cost and an expensed item for the consumer
- The extra cost of the disposable pump element is justified in the extraordinary
savings gained by the low cost of the durable sensor and electronics, without a
need for service, calibration and maintenance.
- An excellent choice for third world and developing countries
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