intravenous infusion device with two application possibilities possible.

摘要

DUAL MODE I.V. INFUSION DEVICE WITH DISTAL SENSORABSTRACT OF THE INVENTIONAn improved dual mode peristaltic device is providedfor infusing I.V. solutions to a patient through an I.V. tube.In a first mode of operation, the device functions as a peris-taltic pump and in the second mode of operation it functions likea controller. Included in the device and associated with theI.V. tube is a pressure sensing strain gauge assembly that moni-tors dimensional changes in the outer diameter of the I.V. tubeas an indication of fluid pressure changes in the tube. Thestrain gauge assembly is positioned relative to the device'speristaltic means to alternately monitor fluid pressure in apatent I.V. tube upstream and downstream from the gauge assembly.A pair of stationary fingers surround the strain gauge assemblyto isolate it from the pulsitile nature of the peristaltic actionof the device. In the first mode (pump mode), the device isprogrammed to alarm and cease operation when fluid pressure down-stream from the gauge assembly reaches a preselected value. Inthe second mode (controller mode), the device is programmed toalarm and cease operation when there is no differential betweenfluid pressure upstream and downstream from the gauge assembly.