Patent ID: 8672875
Filing Date: 2014-03-18
Classification: A61M,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for actively detecting a fault condition in an intravenous (IV) set having a primary line coupled to a first fluid source, a secondary line coupled from a second fluid source to a fitting, upstream of a pumping mechanism, on the primary line, a check valve in the portion of the primary line between the first fluid source and the fitting, a valve in the portion of the secondary line between the second fluid source and the fitting, and a portion of the primary line that is downstream of the fitting being coupled to the pumping mechanism of an infusion pump, the method comprising: measuring a pressure of a fluid in the primary line at a point between the fitting and the pumping mechanism; determining a baseline pressure based on the measured pressure; infusing a bolus of fluid into the primary line between the fitting and the pumping mechanism; determining a characteristic of an increase in the measured pressure above the baseline pressure subsequent to the infusion of the bolus of fluid; comparing, using a processor, the determined characteristic with a threshold; and when the determined characteristic is greater than the threshold, providing an alert indicating a fault condition of the secondary line.