Patent ID: 8489341
Filing Date: 2013-07-16
Classification: A61M,G01F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for monitoring the amount of gas in a fluid in a fluid line, comprising: a first capacitor comprising a first plate and a second plate, the first and second plates being separated by and positioned on opposing sides of the fluid line such that fluid moving through the fluid line passes between the first and second plates, wherein the first capacitor is configured to sense the capacitance of the fluid line; a reference capacitance equal to the capacitance of the first capacitor while an initializing fluid from which all gas has been purged is in the fluid line; a processor in communication with the first capacitor, wherein the processor is configured to compare the sensed capacitance at the first capacitor with the reference capacitance to determine whether there is gas present in the fluid in the fluid line.