Patent ID: 11927465
Assignee: ALCOR SCIENTIFIC LLC
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 21:
22. A method of detecting the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system, comprising the steps of:
providing a flow sensor system for detecting the presence or absence of flow through the conduit, the flow sensor system including
a substantially planar front portion,
a substantially U-shaped channel formed in the front portion and configured to retain the conduit therein, the channel dimensioned to maintain a round cross-sectional geometry of the conduit without compressing the conduit within the channel,
a heat source disposed at a first location at a first portion of the conduit and
a heat detector disposed at a second location at a second portion of the conduit;

determining a reference temperature T1 of the liquid nutrient formula at the second location;
activating the heat source;
measuring a second temperature T2 of the liquid nutrient formula at the second location;
calculating the difference between the reference and second temperatures; and
determining from the difference between the reference and second temperatures whether a partial or complete occlusion is present in the conduit.