Abstract:
A battery/self powered electronic pressure gauge having electronic measurement, control, output, and display capability is described having the flexibility of using a sampling rate that is variable, based on either a random sampling scheme or one that learns from the history of use during the previous minutes, hours, days, months, etc. The variable sampling rate enables extended operational time before replacement of the battery. The pressure gauge can be configured to sense “intent” to change pressure in the outlet line and to revise its sampling protocol. This “intent” can be defined by the detection of the proximity of a user&#39;s hand to the pressure regulator.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/212,437, titled “System and Method for Measuring Fluid Pressure,” filed Apr. 10, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     I. Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a pressure/vacuum monitoring system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an independently powered electronic pressure gauge used to monitor the pressure or vacuum in a gas-fluid system. 
     II. Background 
     Pressure regulators can be used to control the level of fluid-gas pressure within an output line attached to a pressure or vacuum source. The pressure regulator generally resides at a location where it can be accessed by an operator for the purposes of reading the level of pressure within the output line and controlling or changing the pressure if desired. The pressure being delivered into the output line can be greater than ambient pressure or it can be below the ambient pressure. In the latter case, where the pressure is below the ambient pressure, the output line generally provides a vacuum and the pressure regulator is a vacuum pressure regulator. Vacuum and above ambient pressure sources are found in various places including machine shops, manufacturing areas, automotive repair areas, hospitals, laboratories, and the like. 
     Hospital applications for vacuum and pressure sources can be found in the patient room, the operating theater, the catheterization lab, the recovery room, and the like. A vacuum outlet in a room is often found on the wall or in a ceiling drop. Unregulated hospital vacuum sources, which are connected to a centralized vacuum pump system, can range between about 0 and 760 millimeters of mercury (zero to minus 1 atmosphere). The centralized vacuum pumping system generally uses a vacuum pump and a storage tank for the low-pressure fluid, which is generally air. In order for the pressure or vacuum to be of maximum utility, the level of the vacuum or pressure is ideally controlled to within a predetermined range or to a pre-determined level. This control over the vacuum or pressure is accomplished with a pressure regulator. 
     The traditional vacuum regulator, as used in the hospital environment, calls upon a simple mechanical gauge to display negative pressure applied to the output line. As the practitioner adjusts the vacuum to be applied to the patient, the gauge measures and displays the resultant pressure. The vacuum is used to suction secretions, blood, etc, or to maintain negative pressure in a closed cavity as when inflating a collapsed lung. The mechanical gauge, circular in nature, similar to a clock face, has a dial hand that swings from zero to minus full scale pressure. For example, the gauge might read from 0 to 300-mmHg or 760-mmHg, although other gauge ranges are also available. 
     Pressure regulating means to display the regulated pressure has traditionally fallen upon mechanical gauges with tried and proven technology and here thereto have been reliant on power from the main. Therefore, there has been a long standing need for a pressure regulator system and method that utilizes a non-mechanical display and also provides power independence for an extended period of time. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of reducing power consumption in a pressure (vacuum) regulator system is provided by waking the regulator upon detection of a person&#39;s hand proximity prior to adjustment of a pressure controller, comprising: defining a sampling time-window to sample a pressure in the pressure regulator system; generating a random number of pressure samples within the defined sampling time-window; acquiring data of the randomly generated number of pressure samples within the defined sampling time-window; adjusting the defined sampling time-window in response to a triggering of a proximity sensor; and transmitting the data to an output device. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a pressure (vacuum) regulator system is provided capable of reducing power consumption by waking a regulator upon detection of a person&#39;s hand proximity prior to adjustment of a pressure controller, comprising: means for defining a sampling time-window to sample a pressure in the pressure regulator system; means for generating a random number of pressure samples within the defined sampling time-window; means for acquiring data of the randomly generated number of pressure samples within the defined sampling time-window; means for detecting a proximity; means for adjusting the sampling time-window in response to a triggering of the means for detecting the proximity; and means for transmitting the data to an output device. 
     In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a reduced power consumption, non-mains pressure (vacuum) regulator system is provided, comprising: a non-mains powered regulator controller capable of sampling pressure values in a sampling time window; an input port and an output port; an adjustment valve coupled to at least one of the input port and output port; a knob attached to the adjustment valve; an output pressure transducer coupled to the output port; and a proximity detector coupled to the controller, wherein the proximity detector upon triggering adjusts a random pressure sampling time-window. 
     In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided of reducing power consumption in a pressure (vacuum) regulator system by waking the regulator upon detection of a person&#39;s hand proximity prior to adjustment of the pressure controller, comprising: initiating a sampling of pressure; acquiring a next sampling of pressure after a randomly generated time delay; adjusting the time delay in response to a triggering of a proximity sensor; acquiring another sampling of pressure after adjustment of the adjusted time delay; and transmitting the data to an output device. 
     In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a pressure (vacuum) regulator system is provided capable of reducing power consumption by waking the regulator upon detection of a person&#39;s hand proximity prior to adjustment of the pressure controller, comprising: means for initiating a sampling of pressure; means for acquiring a sampling of pressure after a randomly generated time delay; means for adjusting the time delay in response to triggering of a proximity sensor, wherein the means for acquiring acquires another sampling of pressure after adjustment of the adjusted time delay; and means for transmitting the data to an output device. 
     For purposes of summarizing the disclosed subject matter, certain aspects, advantages and novel features are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosed subject matter may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. These and other advantages will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       A general architecture that implements the various features of the disclosed subject matter will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and not to limit the scope of disclosure herein. Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a side illustration of an exemplary pressure or vacuum regulator. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of an exemplary vacuum regulator as used in an operating room to pull suction on a chest drainage tube. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of the components of an exemplary pressure regulator. 
         FIG. 4   a  illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary encoding scheme for pressure measurement wherein the number of samples taken within a sampling interval is randomly generated. 
         FIG. 4   b  illustrates an exemplary flow chart of an encoding scheme wherein the time to acquisition of the next sample is randomly generated, with an option to modify the time to next sample as a function of the magnitude of the pressure change since the last measurement. 
         FIG. 5   a  illustrates an exemplary flow chart of another encoding scheme for pressure measurement wherein the measuring interval, within which a random number of samples are taken, is reduced upon detection of the intent to change pressure. 
         FIG. 5   b  illustrates an exemplary flow chart of an encoding scheme for pressure measurement wherein the time before the next pressure measurement is reduced upon detection of the intent to change pressure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side block view of an exemplary detection system for intent to change pressure integrated into a pressure or vacuum regulator. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope is therefore indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 
     As described herein, the use of an electronic measuring and display system provides opportunity to deliver additional information to the practitioner. Low power microcontrollers along with low power pressure sensors allow for a battery-powered electronic gauge, isolated from 60- or 50-cycle main current. Isolation is- critical both for patient safety and for user convenience. A battery-powered gauge is mobile, light weight, and un-tethered to an electrical outlet, hence it can be used in remote environments where 60- or 50-cycle main power is not available or not reliable. Furthermore, electronic sensing of pressure allows for feedback control of the regulated pressure. In applications where precise control of pressure is desired, the measured output pressure could feedback, via appropriate amplification, to the regulator control and compensate for drift or fluctuations. In such applications, the use of shape memory allow wire (Nickel Titanium Alloy), solenoids, servo motor, stepper motor, etc, would provide for mechanical movement and consequent pressure adjustment. 
     Another important feature of vacuum regulators as they apply to patient care is the ability to intermittently release pressure to ambient. When a negative pressure is applied to a tube situated within a body cavity, fragile tissue can be “sucked” into the orifice of the tube. If maintained for a period of time greater than several seconds to minutes, this trauma to the tissue may result in ischemia, mechanical damage, or bleeding. Thus, intermittent suctioning is desired. This allows for the friable tissue to “float” away from the tube orifice and to minimize damage. 
     A battery or independently powered pressure regulator, to be of commercial viability, is anticipated to have a 10-year battery life, without need for recharging. Hence, an electronic measuring gauge designed to provide operation for an extended period of time should be designed in such a way as to conserve power most of the time, and yet measure pressure continuously. The device should provide instant feedback to a health care practitioner when an adjustment is made. Various embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for measuring pressure, displaying the results, conserving power, and providing feedback to the health care practitioner when an adjustment of pressure is required. 
     One aspect of an embodiment(s) is the ability to continuously measure pressure, respond to the practitioner&#39;s input, and minimize power consumed. In most applications, pressure will be maintained at a clinically appropriate level for both short and long periods of time (minutes, hours or days). It is anticipated that sampling of pressure can be infrequent during long periods of steady state. The exemplary circuit design described herein allows for the system to enter “sleep” mode during which time the power consumption is minimal (microwatts). However, when adjustment of regulated pressure is required by the clinical situation, the circuit will awaken to monitor pressure continuously, thereby providing instant feedback to the practitioner during pressure adjustment. To avoid any small latency between user input and measured output, it is desirable to detect proximity of the user to the regulator, as one of several possible mechanisms for detecting user input. As a user&#39;s hand approaches the regulator to adjust the pressure, the circuitry, acting as a proximity sensor, in this instance, will detect this motion and command the microcontroller and pressure sensor to “wake up” and sample with greater frequency, that is, with smaller time intervals between samples. In a non-limiting example, while in the steady-state clinical setting, where pressure is not being changed, the circuitry might sample once during each 10 second interval (10 seconds just being one of several possible time intervals). When the clinical personnel deems a change in pressure is required, and as their hand approaches the regulator the proximity detector (using, any one or more of capacitance, inductance, thermal, ultrasonic, and so forth detection mechanism(s)) will sense this motion and provide an interrupt signal to the microcontroller. At this command, the sampling frequency might be one hundred times per second, providing a mere 10 milliseconds between samples. This frequency of pressure sampling could persist for several seconds to minutes following any perturbation, and then revert back to sleep mode. This provides for instant feedback of pressure change to the practitioner, while providing a very low duty cycle of increased power consumption. Most of the time the circuitry is drawing a few microamps of current, while for a small percentage of time the current requirements would increase to a few milliamps. 
     Another of a proximity trigger of sampling frequency is that the user could simply “wave” their hand close to the regulator to “wake” it up and increase the sampling frequency (decrease the sampling interval). Hence, if a clinical situation changes or dictates close observation, the user would not have to adjust the regulator to enhance the time-based resolution of the measuring device. Furthermore, as the system “awakens” as a hand approaches, it anticipates a user input, and can be in an increased frequency-of-sampling mode even before any mechanical movement or adjustment of the regulator. Thus, transients associated with pressure sensor power-up are resolved even before the user makes any manual adjustments. 
     In certain embodiments, the vacuum regulator can sample the pressure in the outlet line at irregular, or random, intervals. An advantage of random interval sampling is that it uses less electrical power than does continuous or regular interval sampling and thus provides less drain on the battery power supply than either of the other two sampling modalities. When the system is not sampling the pressure, it can revert to a dormant or sleep mode to reduce power consumption. The random sampling provides for a low duty cycle operation of the system which optimally saves battery power. 
     Another feature of random sampling is the ability to cancel out periodic pressure variations. In various embodiments, the sampling interval is performed on a random basis during each given time period. The random sampling prevents the sampling period from coinciding with a mechanical fluctuation of the regulator or vacuum pump. For example, if the pump or regulator has an inherent mechanical oscillation at 10 cycles per second, and the sampling took place at a regular interval of once every 10 seconds, then it is possible that the sample would always occur at a nadir or zenith of pressure. If the pressure is sampled at a regular interval, then cyclic fluctuations of pressure in the main hospital system could synchronize with the sampling frequency and provide an inaccurate measure of true pressure. 
     Stated differently, sampling could become synchronized with the pressure fluctuations, much as a stroboscope light is synchronized with some linear or angular motion, thereby halting apparent motion. The random nature of the sampling within any given time interval or time-window avoids this potential synchronization, and cancels out either periodic or non-periodic fluctuations in the input pressure/vacuum line. The sampling window, or interval, can range from about 0.1 seconds to about 100 seconds with a range of about 5 seconds to 20 seconds. The actual frequency of sampling is random within an infinite expanding range. The range would expand based upon user inactivity. For example: if the random sampling interval is every 2 seconds during the first hour after perturbation, the sampling interval would increase over time (minute-to-minute; hour-to-hour; etc.) provided the user has not incited the proximity switch. In this way the controlling circuit has “learned” from the user&#39;s activity, decreasing sampling frequency (increasing sampling interval) in accordance with the clinical need. This represents a unique power saving approach. 
     In certain embodiments, the system can operate using a power supply that is provided by the mains in the room. In other embodiments, the power supply can be a battery contained within the pressure regulator or affixed thereto. In some embodiments the battery can be non-rechargeable, while in other embodiments, the battery can be rechargeable. The battery charger can be internally or externally mounted to the regulator or it can be an entirely separate device that is affixed by a connecting wire and plug, for example, or it can be in close proximity to allow for inductive (non-contact) charging. Such inductive charging avoids direct electrical connection to 60/50-cycle high-voltage conductors. In the hospital or clinic setting, such exposure to 60/50-cycle current is potentially dangerous and to be avoided. 
     It should be appreciated that while the term “battery” is used herein to describe an independent source of power for the exemplary regulating system, a non-battery device or mechanism, such as a fuel cell, capacitor, energy storage device and so forth may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. 
     In certain embodiments, the system can be configured to provide an audio alarm, a visual alarm, or both, should the pressure in the output line, the input line, or both, vary beyond a confidence band around the set point or points. In other embodiments, the control unit can provide signal alarms to remote stations using radio frequency, microwave, infrared, local area network, or other communications means. Alarms can be used by attending personnel to generate an alert when an out of compliance condition exists within the system, said condition requiring attention and potential adjustment. In a vacuum regulator system, for example, a vacuum line to a patient can become kinked, blocked, filled with debris, or otherwise rendered inoperable. Such an event could cause a change in vacuum pressure or flow such that an alarm would be tripped once the sensors measured the event and compared it to the desired set-point range. 
     In some embodiments, the rate of pressure sampling or the total number of samples per unit time can be increased upon some perturbation in the system that might require attention on the part of the controller to change the pressure or vacuum applied to the patient. Such perturbations in the system that could result in increasing the sampling rate, or stated alternatively, reducing the sampling interval, include rapid decrease in flow such that might be seen with an obstructed tube in a body orifice. For example, if the sampling frequency is once every 10 seconds, then should an obstruction of the tube occur, the microcontroller would “wake up” and increase the sampling frequency, providing almost instant change in the displayed pressure or alarm. 
     In various embodiments, however, a proximity switch can comprise a capacitance sensor, inductance sensor, ultrasonic sensor, etc., that senses the user&#39;s hand in close proximity to the regulator. The sensor and associated control circuitry triggers the microcontroller to increase the sampling interval. Thus, a simple “wave of the hand” towards the wall-mounted regulator would invoke a change in sampling frequency. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a pressure regulator  100  with internal components shown in block form. The pressure regulator  100  comprises a case  102 , an input port  104 , an output port  106 , a controller  108 , a selector switch  118 , a control valve  120 , an adjustment valve  116  further comprising a knob  114 , an output pressure transducer  124 , a transducer bridge amplifier  126 , a display controller  110 , an audio output device  128 , and a visual display  112 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the case  102  houses all the other components, or the other components are affixed thereto. The input port  104  is affixed to the case  102  and further comprises a hollow interior lumen through which fluid can flow into or out of (vacuum) the regulator  100 . The output port  106  is affixed to the case  102  and further comprises a hollow lumen through which fluid can flow into or out of the regulator  100 . The input port  104  and the output port  106  are operably connected by tubing, channels, or hollow pipe  130  with intervention by various valves. Air channel(s)  132  is connected to the control valve  120  and (optionally) adjustment valve  116 . The control valve  120  resides between the input port  104  and the output port  106  and restricts or opens the channel for flow therebetween in response to electrical or fluidic signals received from the controller  108 . The controller  108  can comprise a computer, memory, input-output devices, embedded software, and other components commonly found in electronic control devices. The controller  108  can be operably connected to the control valve  120  via a bus, wiring, electrical interconnects, or the like (not shown). The controller  108  can be further connected to the output or visual output controller  110  with electrical wiring, a bus, interconnects, or the like (not shown). The controller software can be isolated, or it can be rendered upgradeable using infrared, short-distance radio frequency, other wireless means, or simple wiring means such as USB, and so forth. 
     The input of the audio output device  128  is operably connected by electrical wiring to an output of the controller  108 . The audio output device  128  is affixed to the case  102  and can be a buzzer, a loudspeaker, or other sound generation device along with appropriate amplification, frequency synthesis, and volume control systems as according to design preference. The display controller  110  is electrically connected at its input to an output line of the controller  108 . The output of the display controller  110  is operably connected with an electronic bus to the input port of the visual output device  112 . The display controller  110  and the visual output device  112  can be affixed to the case  102  or other intermediate structures. 
     The visual output device  112  can comprise a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) array, single LEDs, and so forth. The visual output device  112  can be configured to output data such as, but not limited to, set pressure, output line pressure, time, battery level, alarm mode, warning mode, etc. The audio output device  128  can generate single tones, modulated tones, musical notes or strings of musical notes making up a tune, informational tones such as in the case of spoken language, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, the audio alarm could be configured for different conditions—such as when the vacuum pressure exceeds 165 mm/Hg, as one possible example of a threshold alarm condition. This value could be hard coded into the microcontroller and would be appropriate for pediatric clinics, for example. Of course, other alarm conditions could be devised, suited for standard or surgical or any other clinic or situation desired. Each of these conditions may be hard coded or modifiable by the clinician by selecting a switch or other mechanism—thus adjusting the threshold(s) for alarming. 
     It should be understood that with advances in electronics, the display controller  110  and the controller  108  may be facilitated by a single device/chip/processor, as well as with transducer bridge amplifier  126 . Therefore, it is expressly understood that the exemplary embodiments are not constrained to have separate controllers  110  and  108 , etc. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary pressure regulator  100  connected to a cardiotomy reservoir  204 , pleural evacuation chamber, or the like via a length of vacuum output tubing  202 . The pressure regulator  100  is configured as a vacuum regulator in this embodiment and is affixed to, as well as being operably connected, at its input port  104 , to a wall vacuum outlet  218 , which is affixed to a wall plate  216 . The reservoir  204  further comprises a fluid input plenum  206  further comprising a vacuum output port  220  and a vacuum source port  222 . 
     The vacuum source port  222  is operably connected to the vacuum output tubing  202 , which is operably connected to the vacuum output line  106  of the regulator  100  via optional coupler  214 . The vacuum output port  220  is operably connected to a vacuum line  208 , which is affixed to the proximal end of a suction catheter or drainage tube  212  at its hub  210 . 
     The pressure regulator  100  is configured to maintain suction, or vacuum, that is sufficient to remove fluid and debris from a patient (not shown) through the drainage tube  212  but not so great as to cause tissue damage. Thus, careful control of the pressure regulator  100  output is necessary and desirable. For instance, the drainage tube  212  can be placed such that its distal end resides within the patient&#39;s pleural space to serve as a chest drainage tube for a pneumothorax. Loss of suction could cause the lung to re-collapse so maintenance of a correct vacuum is imperative, as is the need to monitor for the presence of blockage with the chest tube such that if the vacuum becomes compromised within the patient, a caregiver will be notified so that remedial action can be initiated to remove the blockage. The reservoir  204  is configured with the vacuum input port  222  high, as is the vacuum output port  220 . Thus, liquid that drains from the patient will collect in the container of the reservoir  204  and not be introduced into the regulator  100  by way of the vacuum line  202 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary pressure regulator  100 . The pressure regulator  100  comprises a fluid input port  302 , an adjustment valve  304 , a pressure accumulator  312 , a pressure output port  318 , an output line pressure sensor  316 , a bridge amplifier  324 , a display processor  326 , a visual display device  320 , a battery  328 , a controller  310 , an adjustment device  308 , an intent to modify sensor  333 , an ambient air vent  306 , a control valve  314 , and an audio output system  322 . The components are operably, electrically connected by a wiring bus  330 , illustrated with a single line, and they are operably, fluidically connected by a fluid line  332 , illustrated with a double line. 
     Referring to the diagram of  FIG. 3 , all electrical components may be operably electrically connected, for example, using electrical wiring, a wiring bus, a wireless interface, or a combination thereof. The electrical connections can be digital, analog, or a combination thereof. The fluid input port  302  is operably connected to an external pressure source (not shown). The fluid input port  302  is connected to the control valve  304 , either directly or indirectly, by a length of tubing, pipe, a manifold, or other leak-free fluid conducting structure. The output line  318  is operably connected to the pressure accumulator  312  by a portion of the fluid conduit  332 . The pressure sensor  316 , which can be a typical pressure transducer that uses changes in resistance, voltage, or the like and is fluidically coupled to the output line  318 , the accumulator  312 , or the connecting fluid conduit  332 . The pressure sensor  316  can be electrically connected to the bridge amplifier  324 , or similar device, which is electrically connected to the controller  310  and the display processor  326  by the electrical bus  330 . In an alternative embodiment, the pressure sensor is self-contained, with appropriate sensor, amplifier, and analog to digital converter, all packaged in a device that can be attached to a printed circuit board. This attachment may use wave-soldering techniques, hand soldered, inserted, etc. The display processor  326  is electrically connected to the visual display  320  by the electrical bus  330 . The audio output system  322  can be electrically connected to the controller  310  or the bridge amplifier by the electrical bus  330 . 
       FIG. 4   a  illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary encoding scheme for pressure measurement wherein the number of samples taken within a sampling interval is randomly generated. The encoding scheme illustrated in  FIG. 4   a  can be hard wired or it can be generated using software, either embedded or provided from an external input. The encoding scheme comprises defining a sampling time-window  402 , generating a random number of samples  404  within the sampling window  402 , taking the samples  408  in accordance with the sampling rate generated in step  404 , closing  410  the time-window, and then simultaneously displaying  412  the output on a visual output device (or sending  412  the data to a controller), and returning from step  410  to generate another random number of samples  404  within the sampling time-window  402 . With no further intervention, this program continues to run in a random fashion in such a way as to minimize the amount of electrical energy required in the sampling process. When not taking a sample, the microcontroller brings the entire display and control circuitry into “sleep” mode, thereby minimizing power consumption. Upon detecting an “intent” to change pressure, as when a user&#39;s hand approaches the device, the microcontroller “wakes up” and begins sampling at a much more frequent rate. 
       FIG. 4   b  illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary encoding scheme wherein the time to acquisition of the next sample is randomly generated, with an option to modify the time to next sample as a function of the magnitude of the pressure change since the last measurement. The sampling methodology, as encoded within the instruction set of the system, comprises randomly generating a new time to next sample  424 , taking one or more samples  426  once the time to next sample  424  has elapsed, evaluating  428  the change in pressure, and adjusting the time to the next sample  430 . These data are then sent to the display or controller  432 . The time to the next sample  424 , is modified by the time adjustment  430 . 
       FIG. 5   a  illustrates a flow chart of another exemplary encoding scheme for pressure data measurement wherein the measuring interval, within which a random number of data samples are taken, is decreased upon proximity detection. That is, instead of taking random samples, the samples are taken at more frequent intervals. In some embodiments, the randomness of sampling may be continued, however, with the sampling frequency increased. The encoding scheme, or method, can be embedded in firmware, software, memory, externally input, hardwired, or the like. The method comprises defining a new sampling time-window  502 , generating a random number of samples  504  within the sampling time-window  502 , taking  508  the randomly generated number of samples  504  within the sample time-window  502 , adjusting  510  the sample time-window in response to activation of a proximity sensor  516 , closing  512  the sampling time-window, transmitting the data to an output device or controller  514 , while also looping back to define a new sampling time-window  502  and beginning the scheme again. 
     Activation of the proximity sensor  516  can comprise moving a hand close to a sensor, for example, embedded within the wall-mounted regulator such that the presence of the human hand or object can be detected by the proximity sensor. The proximity sensor can be an impedance sensor, capacitance sensor, motion sensor, inductance sensor, ultrasonic detector, and so forth. The sample time-window adjustment  510  generally comprises shortening the length of the sampling time-window so that additional samples are taken within a given period of time. The sample time-window adjustment  510  can further comprise evaluation of changes, more specifically a lack thereof, in the pressure measurements such that when pressure remains constant for a period of time, the sampling time-window can be increased, or opened up to provide fewer samples per unit time. The sample time-window adjustment  510  can also comprise evaluation of changes in pressure such that significant changes in pressure over a given period of time can result in reducing the sample time-window to a smaller value such that more samples are taken in a given time period. Thus, should an obstruction in the line either within a body cavity or external to the patient&#39;s body occur, the resultant change in pressure would trigger an increased frequency of sampling (that is, a decrease in sampling interval) and if reproduced over several samples could trigger an audible or visual warning signal, or in the event of a threshold value being exceeded. 
       FIG. 5   b  illustrates a flow chart of an encoding scheme for pressure measurement wherein the time before the next pressure measurement is reduced upon detection of intent to change pressure. The method comprises initiating pressure or data sampling  522 , generating a random time until acquisition of the next sample  524 , taking the sample or samples  526 , evaluating any change in the pressure  528 , adjusting a sample delay  530  in response to activation of a proximity sensor  536 , determining an adjustment to the next sample time delay  532 , and then looping back to define a new time to next sample  524  again while at the same time sending the data for display  534 . 
     The encoding scheme of  FIG. 5   b  provides a logic analysis of activation of a proximity sensor  536  such that an adjustment can be made to the time to acquisition of the next data packet. Typically, activation of the proximity sensor will decrease the time to the next sample due to anticipated changes in the system pressure occurring. Following a period of no or minimal change, the time to next sample can be adjusted to a larger number. For example, if the random number generator determined the time to next sample to be 1 minute and there was no proximity sensor activation, the delay would remain 1 minute. However, if the proximity sensor was activated, it might reduce this time period by 99% for the next sample such that the actual delay would reduce to milliseconds. The system might sample every 50 milliseconds, as one example, for a period of time until the pressure stabilized, at which point, the randomly generated time delay would return to the “sleep” mode interval of many seconds. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a side block view of a detection system for intent to change pressure integrated into a pressure or vacuum regulator  100 . The vacuum regulator  100  comprises the pressure input port  104 , the pressure output port  106 , the adjustment knob  114 , the proximity sensor  602  embedded within the regulator case  102 , the proximity sensor support electronics  604 , the control valve  116 , the controller  108 , the case  102 , the visual display  112 , the pressure sensor  124 , the bridge amplifier  126 , and the adjustment valve  116 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the proximity sensor  602  may be affixed to the inside of the case  102 . The location of the proximity sensor element will be determined by the physical dimensions of the case  102 , and may be located in the knob  114 , along the face of the case, along the side of the case, etc. The location of the proximity sensor element may be based on sensitivity requirements, the physical layout of the internal components of the regulator, and the material used for the case of the regulator, and so forth. The nature of the construction material of the case  102  may be determined by cost, toxicity, durability, etc., and may be plastic, metal, or other material. The proximity sensor  602  feeds input to the proximity sensor support electronics  604 , which, in turn feeds electronic signals to the controller  108 . The controller  108  alters the sampling intervals or sampling delays for the pressure sensor  124  and its bridge amplifier  126 , and the like. The output of the bridge amplifier  126  can be input to the controller  108  and ultimately end up in the visual display  112 . The proximity sensor  602  can comprise an impedance sensor, a capacitance sensor, a motion sensor, and the like. The pressure sensor  124  can be operably set to sample the pressure in the output line  106 , the input line  104 , or both. 
     In certain embodiments, the vacuum regulator comprises visual output devices such as, but not limited to, LCD, LED, or other displays. In some embodiments the vacuum pressure regulator comprises audio output devices such as, but not limited to, loudspeakers, buzzers, bells, vibrators, or the like. The output devices are controlled by electronic circuitry that is electrically, operably coupled to a microprocessor or other controller that monitors pressures and changes in pressure per unit of time. 
     Aspects of the claimed subject matter may be implemented as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof to control a computer or computing components to implement various aspects of the claimed subject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or media. For example, computer readable media can include but are not limited to magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips . . . ), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD) . . . ), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive . . . ). Additionally it should be appreciated that a carrier wave can be employed to carry computer-readable electronic data such as those used in transmitting and receiving voice mail or in accessing a network such as a cellular network. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications may be made to this configuration without departing from the scope or spirit of what is described herein. 
     What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 
     The above presents a description of the devices and methods contemplated for carrying out the present neurointervention and methods of providing said neurointervention, and of the manner and process of making and using the devices, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use these neurointerventional devices and methods. These devices and methods are, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above that are fully equivalent. Therefore, the various examples and embodiments disclosed herein may be applicable in non-medical arenas. Consequently, these devices and methods are not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, these devices and methods cover all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the devices and methods are as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of these devices and methods.