Patent ID: 6337631
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An automatic infusion-monitoring instrument, comprising a clip having two claws, a detecting unit including an emitter and a receiver mounted on said clip, an alarm unit electrically connected to said detecting unit, and a floater;said clip being adapted to firmly clamp a rigid flow-indicating cylinder of an infusion set between said two claws without deforming said flow-indicating cylinder; and said claws being provided at inner surfaces facing each other with curved portions for said claws to fitly contact with an outer surface of said flow-indicating cylinder which has a round cross section; said emitter and said receiver of said detecting unit being mounted in said claws of said clip at predetermined positions; and said emitter being able to emit wave and said receiver being able to receive said wave emitted by said emitter as a signal to control an actuation of said alarm unit; said alarm unit being electrically connected to said detecting unit via a conducting wire to receive a signal from said detecting unit; and said floater being an opaque member pre-disposed in said flow-indicating cylinder, and having dimensions permitting said floater to freely float on an infusion liquid in said flow-indicating cylinder and descend along with a lowered liquid level in said flow-indicating cylinder; whereby when there is sufficient amount of infusion liquid in said infusion set, said floater constantly stays in said flow-indicating cylinder at a normal position corresponding to said emitter and said receiver of said detecting unit, and when said infusion liquid in said infusion set runs out and said liquid level in said flow-indicating cylinder lowers, said floater descends to locate below said emitter and said receiver.