US3596515A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drop flow sensor and resilient clamp therefor
Assignee: Ivac Medical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1967-11-27
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1987-11-27
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for monitoring drop flow in the drip chamber of an intravenous set and including a sensor housing containing a reference light source located a fixed distance from a photocell to define a fixed optical sensing gap therebetween, with a reference light beam normally impinging upon the photocell. The housing can be selectively clamped upon the drip chamber with the drip chamber positioned within the sensing gap to intercept the reference beam. A falling drop of fluid within the drip chamber interrupts the reference beam, and the variation in the electrical response of the photocell is communicated to an indicator to indicate the presence of a drop. A spring-biased sleeve clamps the housing onto any size drip chamber without altering the size of the sensing gap. The clamping sleeve is provided with rods which extend radially outward from opposite sides of the sleeve and, in conjunction with one end of the housing, define a syringe-type grip for positioning the sleeve.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A Cramer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06M; G06M1/00; G06M1/08; G06M1/10; G06M1/101; A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/168; A61M5/16886; A61M5/1689; G01; G01P; G01P13/00; G01P13/008; G01P13/0086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
A sensing device adapted to be mounted on the drip chamber of an intravenous set, said sensing device comprising: a generally oblong housing having a sensing gap therein, said gap being adapted to receive said drip chamber; a light source positioned in a first end of said housing, the light from said light source being formed into a narrow reference beam directed through said sensing gap and any drip chamber contained therein; photosensitive means positioned in a second end of said housing said photosensitive means being in the path of said reference beam; a hollow conduit communicating with said first end and said second end of said housing and establishing the spacing therebetween; means within said conduit for electrically interconnecting said light source and said photosensitive means; clamping means for detachably clamping said device to said drip chamber, said clamping means comprising a sleeve disposed around one of said first and second ends of said housing in sliding relationship therewith, said sleeve being resiliently urged across said gap, and at least one grip rod extending from said sleeve, said grip rod forming a syringe-type grip in conjunction with an external face of said one of said first and second ends of said housing; and means for electrically connecting said photosensitive means to an indicating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
A sensing device adapted to be mounted on the drip chamber of an intravenous set, said sensing device comprising: a generally oblong housing having a sensing gap therein, said gap being adapted to receive said drip chamber; a light source positioned in a first end of said housing, the light from said light source being formed into a narrow reference beam directed through said sensing gap and any drip chamber contained therein; photosensitive means positioned in a second end of said housing said photosensitive means being in the path of said reference beam; a hollow conduit communicating with said first end and said second end of said housing and establishing the spacing therebetween; means within said conduit for electrically interconnecting said light source and said photosensitive means; clamping means for detachably clamping said device to said drip chamber, said clamping means comprising a sleeve disposed around one of said first and second ends of said housing in sliding relationship therewith, said sleeve being resiliently urged across said gap, and at least one grip rod extending from said sleeve, said grip rod forming a syringe-type grip in conjunction with an external face of said one of said first and second ends of said housing; and means for electrically connecting said photosensitive means to an indicating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The sensing device of claim 1, wherein said photosensitive means is spaced a fixed distance from said light source, said clamping means serving to detachably clamp said device to said drip chamber without altering the spacing between said light source and said photosensitive means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
164 words
sensing apparatus for sensing drop flow in a fluid conduit, comprising: a light source; photosensitive means; housing means for supporting said light source and said photosensitive means in fixed spatial relationship relative to each other, whereby said light source and said photosensitive means are spaced apart by a predetermined distance defining a sensing gap; means for defining a reference light beam from said light source, said reference beam being directed across said sensing gap to impinge upon said photosensitive means; and resiliently urges clamping means adjacent said sensing gap for retaining a fluid conduit within said gap in the path of said reference beam, said clamping means including a spring biased sleeve surrounding at least a part of said housing means, and at least one grip rod extending from said sleeve to define a syringe like grip with one end of said housing means, said clamping means enabling retention of different size conduits within said sensing gap without altering the size of said gap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
164 words
sensing apparatus for sensing drop flow in a fluid conduit, comprising: a light source; photosensitive means; housing means for supporting said light source and said photosensitive means in fixed spatial relationship relative to each other, whereby said light source and said photosensitive means are spaced apart by a predetermined distance defining a sensing gap; means for defining a reference light beam from said light source, said reference beam being directed across said sensing gap to impinge upon said photosensitive means; and resiliently urges clamping means adjacent said sensing gap for retaining a fluid conduit within said gap in the path of said reference beam, said clamping means including a spring biased sleeve surrounding at least a part of said housing means, and at least one grip rod extending from said sleeve to define a syringe like grip with one end of said housing means, said clamping means enabling retention of different size conduits within said sensing gap without altering the size of said gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Sensing apparatus as set forth in claim 3, and further including means cooperatively associated with said light source and said clamping means for positioning a conduit closer to said light source than to said photosensitive means. Pg,16
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
Sensing apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said housing means including: a first substantially tubular housing for said light source; and a second substantially tubular housing for said photosensitive means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Sensing apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said spring biased sleeve surrounds and is concentric with at least one of said substantially tubular housings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Sensing apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said sleeve surrounds only said second housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
Sensing apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said means for defining said reference beam includes means for defining at least one columnating aperture within at least one of said housings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
Sensing apparatus as set forth in claim 6, including a pair of grip rods extending outwardly from said sleeve on opposite sides thereof to define a syringe-type grip with one end of said housings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
Sensing apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said clamping means includes coil spring means within said housing for urging said sleeve across said sensing gap.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |