US4600401A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid flow control system
Assignee: Baxter International Inc
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Filing: 1983-10-18
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Granted: 1986-07-15
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Expires: 2003-10-18
Abstract
Abstract In a system for controlling fluid flow from a reservoir to a patient, a first signal representative of reservoir weight and a second signal representative of desired weight are compared digitally to generate a signal representative of their dissimilarity. An analog strain gauge may be used together with an analog-to-digital converter for generating the reservoir weight signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean L. Kamen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/168; A61M5/16886; A61M5/16895; A61M5/172; G; G01; G01G; G01G17/00; G01G17/04; G01G17/06; G05; G05D; G05D7/00; G05D7/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
A system for controlling in a desired manner the flow of fluid in a line from a reservoir to a patient, such system comprising: first means, for generating a first digital electrical signal indicative of the weight of the fluid in the reservoir, such first signal hereinafter called the "weight mesurement signal"; second means, for generating a second digital electrical signal indicative of the desired rate of decrease in weight of the fluid in the reservoir, and thereby indicative of the desired rate of flow of fluid from the reservoir, such second signal hereinafter called the "weight reference signal"; and digital comparator means, having two inputs, on one of which is impressed the weight measurement signal and on another of which is impressed the weight reference signal, for producing an output indicative of the dissimilarity between the weight measurement and weight reference signals; third means, for controlling flow of the fluid from the reservoir at a rate dependent upon an electrical input thereto, such input being connected so as to receive a signal related to that present at the output of the digital comparator means, such third means being incrementally adjustable between closed and open conditions; and fluid delivery means, for delivering fluid from the reservoir to the patient, such means subject to control of the third means, so that flow of fluid to the patient is controlled at the desired rate established by the second means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
237 words
A system for controlling in a desired manner the flow of fluid in a line from a reservoir to a patient, such system comprising: first means, for generating a first digital electrical signal indicative of the weight of the fluid in the reservoir, such first signal hereinafter called the "weight mesurement signal"; second means, for generating a second digital electrical signal indicative of the desired rate of decrease in weight of the fluid in the reservoir, and thereby indicative of the desired rate of flow of fluid from the reservoir, such second signal hereinafter called the "weight reference signal"; and digital comparator means, having two inputs, on one of which is impressed the weight measurement signal and on another of which is impressed the weight reference signal, for producing an output indicative of the dissimilarity between the weight measurement and weight reference signals; third means, for controlling flow of the fluid from the reservoir at a rate dependent upon an electrical input thereto, such input being connected so as to receive a signal related to that present at the output of the digital comparator means, such third means being incrementally adjustable between closed and open conditions; and fluid delivery means, for delivering fluid from the reservoir to the patient, such means subject to control of the third means, so that flow of fluid to the patient is controlled at the desired rate established by the second means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 1, further comprising: a threshold alarm, having an input connected to the digital comparator means output, and providing a detectable output whenever the first comparator output signal represents a value outside a predetermined limit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein the threshold alarm provides a detectable output whenever the digital comparator means output signal represents a value the absolute value of which is outside a predetermined limit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 1, further comprising: a display connected to the digital comparator means output, for displaying the value represented by the digital comparator means output signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the first means includes an analog weight measuring device and an analog-to-digital converter connected to such device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system, according to claim 5, wherein the analog weight measuring device includes a strain gauge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system, according to claim 5, wherein the second means including a counter and means for incrementing the counter at a user-selected rate indicative of the desired rate of flow from the reservoir.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-14 | 1990-01-13 | 1990-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-14 | 1994-01-13 | 1994-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-14 | 1998-01-13 | 1998-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |