Drop discriminator system

Claim 2

In a drop detection system for use with fluid flow control apparatus, in the parenteral administration of liquids through a feeding tube from a liquid source to a patient, the combination comprising: first means for generating electrical signals in response to detection of drop flow activity; second means for receiving said electrical signals to determine the occurrence of individual drops; third means, responsive to said second means, for providing drop signals indicative of drop flow events to the fluid flow control apparatus; fourth means, also responsive to said second means, for qualitatively evaluating the waveforms of each of said electrical signals representing individual drop configurations to determine their conformity with prescribed waveform characteristics, whereby proper drop flow events may be qualitatively distinguished from improper drop flow events; and fifth means, responsive to the electrical output of said fourth means, for providing an indication of nonconformity in the waveform characteristics of a prescribed number of said electrical signals to determine proper operation of the fluid flow control apparatus.

Claim 3

A combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fourth means includes means for evaluating the amplitude of each of said electrical signals to determine their conformity with prescribed amplitude characteristics.

Claim 4

A combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein said fourth means includes means for evaluating the amplitude of each of said electrical signals by comparing said amplitude with a plurality of prescribed amplitude levels.

Claim 5

A combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein said second means provides an indication of nonconformity in the amplitudes of a prescribed number of said electrical signals.

Claim 6

A combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fourth means includes means for evaluating the time duration of each of said electrical signals to determine their conformity with prescribed time duration characteristics.

Claim 7

A combination as set forth in claim 5, wherein said fourth means includes means for evaluating the time duration of each of said electrical signals by comparing said time duration with a plurality of prescribed time duration frames.

Claim 8

A combination as set forth in claim 5, wherein said second means provides an indication of nonconformity in the time durations of a prescribed number of said electrical signals.

Claim 9

A combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fourth means includes means for evaluating both the amplitude and the time duration of each of said electrical signals to determine their conformity with prescribed amplitude and time duration characteristics, respectively.

Claim 10

A combination as set forth in claim 8, wherein said fourth means includes means for evaluating the amplitude and the time duration of each of said electrical signals by comparing said amplitude and said time duration with a plurality of prescribed amplitude levels and a plurality of prescribed time durations, respectively.

Claim 11

A combination as set forth in claim 8, wherein said second means provide an indication of nonconformity in the amplitudes and time durations of a prescribed number of said electrical signals.

Claim 12

In a drop detection system for use with a fluid flow control apparatus, in the parenteral administration of liquids through a feeding tube from a liquid source to a patient, the combination comprising: first means for generating electrical signals in response to detection of drop flow activity; second means for receiving said electrical signals to determine the occurrence of individual drops; third means, responsive to said second means, for providing drop signals indicative of drop flow events to the fluid flow control apparatus; fourth means for qualitatively evaluating the amplitude of each of said electrical signals representing individual drop flow events during a prescribed time frame to determine their conformity with prescribed amplitude characteristics during said time frame, whereby proper drop flow events may be qualitatively distinguished from improper drop flow events; and fifth means, responsive to the electrical output of said fourth means, for providing an indication of nonconformity in the waveform characteristics of a prescribed number of said electrical signals to determine proper operation of the fluid flow control apparatus.

Claim 13

In a drop detection system for use with a fluid flow control apparatus, in the parenteral administration of liquids through a feeding tube from a liquid source to a patient, the combination comprising: first means for generating electrical signals in response to detection of drop flow activity; second means for receiving said electrical signals to determine the occurrence of individual drops; third means, responsive to said second means, for providing drop signals indicative of drop flow events to the fluid flow control apparatus; fourth means for qualitatively evaluating the amplitude of each of said electrical signals representing individual drop flow events during a prescribed time frame to determine their conformity with prescribed amplitude characteristics during said time frame, whereby proper drop flow events may be qualitatively distinguished from improper drop flow events; and fifth means, responsive to the electrical output of said fourth means, for providing an indication of nonconformity in the waveform characteristics of a prescribed number of said electrical signals to determine proper operation of the fluid flow control apparatus.

Claim 14

A combination as set forth in claim 11, wherein said fourth means includes means for evaluating the amplitude of each of said electrical signals during a plurality of successive time frames to determine their conformity with prescribed amplitude characteristics.

Claim 15

A combination as set forth in claim 11, wherein said fourth means includes means for evaluating the amplitude of each of said electrical signals by comparing said amplitude with a plurality of prescribed amplitude levels.

Claim 16

A combination as set forth in claim 13, wherein said fourth means includes means for evaluating the amplitude of each of said electrical signals during a plurality of successive time frames to determine their conformity with prescribed amplitude characteristics.

Claim 17

In a drop detection system for use with fluid flow control apparatus, in the parenteral administration of liquids through a feeding tube from a liquid source to a patient, the combination comprising: first means for generating electrical signals in response to detection of drop flow activity; second means for receiving said electrical signals to determine the occurrence of individual drops; third means, responsive to said second means, for providing drop signals indicative of drop flow events to the fluid flow control apparatus; fourth means for qualitatively evaluating the time duration of each of said electrical signals representing individual drop flow events within a prescribed amplitude range to determine their conformity with prescribed time duration characteristics, whereby proper drop flow events may be qualitatively distinguished from improper drop flow events; and fifth means, responsive to the electrical output of said forth means, for providing an indication of nonconformity in the waveform characteristics of a prescribed number of said electrical signals to determine proper operation of the fluid flow control apparatus.

Claim 18

In a drop detection system for use with fluid flow control apparatus, in the parenteral administration of liquids through a feeding tube from a liquid source to a patient, the combination comprising: first means for generating electrical signals in response to detection of drop flow activity; second means for receiving said electrical signals to determine the occurrence of individual drops; third means, responsive to said second means, for providing drop signals indicative of drop flow events to the fluid flow control apparatus; fourth means for qualitatively evaluating the time duration of each of said electrical signals representing individual drop flow events within a prescribed amplitude range to determine their conformity with prescribed time duration characteristics, whereby proper drop flow events may be qualitatively distinguished from improper drop flow events; and fifth means, responsive to the electrical output of said forth means, for providing an indication of nonconformity in the waveform characteristics of a prescribed number of said electrical signals to determine proper operation of the fluid flow control apparatus.

Claim 19

A combination as set forth in claim 15, wherein said fourth means includes means for evaluating the time duration of each of said electrical signals within a plurality of prescribed amplitude ranges to determine their conformity with prescribed time duration characteristics.

Claim 20

A combination as set forth in claim 15, wherein said fourth means includes means for evaluating the time duration of each of said electrical signals by comparing said time duration with a plurality of prescribed time frames.

Claim 21

In a drop detection system for use with fluid flow control apparatus, in the parenteral administration of liquids through a feeding tube from a liquid source to a patient, the combination comprising: sensing means for detecting drop flow activity; means responsive to said sensing means for generating electrical signals representative of the individual drops detected; means for qualitatively evaluating the waveforms of each of said electrical signals to establish the occurrence of individual drop flow events, whereby individual drop flow events may be qualitatively distinguished from artifacts, and for providing drop signals indicative of individual drop flow events to the fluid flow control apparatus; amplitude discrimination means for qualitatively evaluating the amplitude of each of said electrical signals representing individual drop configurations to determine their conformity with prescribed amplitude characteristics, whereby proper drop flow events may be qualitatively distinguished from improper drop flow events; timing means for establishing a time frame during which the amplitude of each of said electrical signals representing individual drop configurations is evaluated by said amplitude discrimination means; and means responsive to qualitative evaluation of said drop flow events, for determining proper operation of the fluid flow control apparatus.

Claim 22

In a drop detection system for use with fluid flow control apparatus, in the parenteral administration of liquids through a feeding tube from a liquid source to a patient, the combination comprising: sensing means for detecting drop flow activity; means responsive to said sensing means for generating electrical signals representative of the individual drops detected; means for qualitatively evaluating the waveforms of each of said electrical signals to establish the occurrence of individual drop flow events, whereby individual drop flow events may be qualitatively distinguished from artifacts, and for providing drop signals indicative of individual drop flow events to the fluid flow control apparatus; amplitude discrimination means for qualitatively evaluating the amplitude of each of said electrical signals representing individual drop configurations to determine their conformity with prescribed amplitude characteristics, whereby proper drop flow events may be qualitatively distinguished from improper drop flow events; timing means for establishing a time frame during which the amplitude of each of said electrical signals representing individual drop configurations is evaluated by said amplitude discrimination means; and means responsive to qualitative evaluation of said drop flow events, for determining proper operation of the fluid flow control apparatus.

Claim 23

A combination as set forth in claim 18, and further including means for initiating said timing means in response to said amplitude discrimination means.

Claim 24

A combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein said timing means includes means for establishing a plurality of successive time frames during which the amplitude of each of said electrical signals is evaluated by said amplitude discrimination means.

Claim 25

A combination as set forth in claim 18, and further including: indicator means for providing an indication of non-conformity in the amplitudes of a prescribed number of said electrical signals.

Claim 28

A method as set forth in claim 22, comprising the additional step of: indicating a lack of conformity in the waveforms of a predetermined number of said electrical signals.

Claim 31

A method as set forth in claim 24, and further including the step of: indicating a lack of conformity in the amplitudes of a predetermined number of said electrical signals.

Claim 32

In a drop detection system for use with fluid flow control apparatus, in the parenteral administration of liquids through a feeding tube from a liquid source to a patient, the combination comprising: sensing means for detecting drop flow activity; means responsive to said sensing means for generating electrical signals representative of the individual drops detected; first discriminator means for qualitatively determining whether the amplitude of each of said electrical signals exceeds a first level, whereby the occurrence of an individual drop flow event is detected; second discriminator means for qualitatively determining whether the amplitude of each of said electrical signals representing an individual drop configurations exceeds a second level greater than said first level; timing means responsive to said first discriminator means for establishing first and second successive time frames during which the amplitude of each of said electrical signals is compared with said second level; and means responsive to qualitative evaluation of said drop flow events, for determining proper operation of the fluid flow control apparatus.

Claim 33

In a drop detection system for use with fluid flow control apparatus, in the parenteral administration of liquids through a feeding tube from a liquid source to a patient, the combination comprising: sensing means for detecting drop flow activity; means responsive to said sensing means for generating electrical signals representative of the individual drops detected; first discriminator means for qualitatively determining whether the amplitude of each of said electrical signals exceeds a first level, whereby the occurrence of an individual drop flow event is detected; second discriminator means for qualitatively determining whether the amplitude of each of said electrical signals representing an individual drop configurations exceeds a second level greater than said first level; timing means responsive to said first discriminator means for establishing first and second successive time frames during which the amplitude of each of said electrical signals is compared with said second level; and means responsive to qualitative evaluation of said drop flow events, for determining proper operation of the fluid flow control apparatus.

Claim 34

A combination as set forth in claim 26, and further including: indicator means for indicating whether the amplitude of each of said electrical signals representing an individual drop flow event does not exceed said second level during said first time frame or does exceed said second level during said second time frame.

Claim 35

A combination as set forth in claim 26, and further including: first counting means for counting each electrical signal with an amplitude exceeding said first level, whereby a count of individual drop flow events is provided; and second counting means for counting each electrical signal counted by said first counting means and having an amplitude which also does not exceed said second level during said first time frame, whereby a count is provided of improper drop flow events as distinguished from proper drop flow events.

Claim 36

A combination as set forth in claim 28, and further including: alarm means responsive to said first and second counting means for triggering an alarm when the ratio of the count in said first counting means to the count in said second counting means exceeds a prescribed level.

Claim 37

A combination as set forth in claim 29, including means for resetting both said first counting means and said second counting means if the count in said first counting means exceeds a prescribed level.

Claim 38

A combination as set forth in claim 26, further including: first counting means for counting each electrical signal with an amplitude exceeding said first level, whereby a count of individual drop flow events is provided; and second counting means for counting each electrical signal counted by said first counting means and having an amplitude which also exceeds said second level during said second time frame, whereby a count is provided of improper drop flow events as distinguished from proper drop flow events.

Claim 39

A combination as set forth in claim 31, further including: alarm means responsive to said first and second counting means for triggering an alarm when the ratio of the count at said first counting means to the count at said second counting means exceeds a prescribed level.

Claim 40

A combination as set forth in claim 32, including means for resetting both said first counting means and said second counting means if the count in said first counting means exceeds a prescribed level.

Claim 41

In a drop detection system for use with fluid flow control apparatus, in the parenteral administration of liquids through a feeding tube from a liquid source to a patient, the combination comprising: first means for generating electrical signals in response to detection of individual drops; second means for qualitatively evaluating the waveforms of each of said electrical signals representing individual drop configurations to determine their conformity with prescribed waveform characteristics, whereby proper drop flow events may be qualitatively distinguished from improper events and artifacts; and third means, responsive to the electrical output of said second means, for determining proper operation of the fluid flow control apparatus.

Claim 42

In a drop detection system for use with fluid flow control apparatus, in the parenteral administration of liquids through a feeding tube from a liquid source to a patient, the combination comprising: first means for generating electrical signals in response to detection of individual drops; second means for qualitatively evaluating the waveforms of each of said electrical signals representing individual drop configurations to determine their conformity with prescribed waveform characteristics, whereby proper drop flow events may be qualitatively distinguished from improper events and artifacts; and third means, responsive to the electrical output of said second means, for determining proper operation of the fluid flow control apparatus.

Claim 43

A combination as set forth in claim 34, wherein said second means includes means for evaluating the amplitude of each of said electrical signals to determine their conformity with prescribed amplitude characteristics.

Claim 44

A combination as set forth in claim 35, wherein said second means includes means for evaluating the amplitude of each of said electrical signals by comparing said amplitude with a plurality of prescribed amplitude levels.

Claim 45

A combination as set forth in claim 35, wherein said second means includes means for providing an indication of non-conformity in the amplitudes of a prescribed number of said electrical signals.

Claim 46

A combination as set forth in claim 34, wherein said second means includes means for evaluating the time duration of each of said electrical signals to determine their conformity with prescribed time duration characteristics.

Claim 47

A combination as set forth in claim 38, wherein said second means includes means for evaluating the time duration of each of said electrical signals by comparing said time duration with a plurality of prescribed time duration frames.

Claim 48

A combination as set forth in claim 38, wherein said second means includes means for providing an indicacion of non-conformity in the time durations of a prescribed number of said electrical signals.

Claim 49

A combination as set forth in claim 34, wherein said second means includes means for evaluating both the amplitude and the time duration of each of said electrical signals to determine their conformity with prescribed amplitude and time duration characteristics, respectively.

Claim 50

A combination as set forth in claim 41, wherein said second means includes means for evaluating the amplitude and the time duration of each of said electrical signals by comparing said amplitude and said time duration with a plurality of prescribed amplitude levels and a plurality of prescribed amplitude levels and a plurality of prescribed time durations, respectively.

Claim 51

A combination as set forth in claim 41, wherein said second means include means for providing an indication of non-conformity in the amplitudes and time durations of a prescribed number of said electrical signals.