Apparatus for controlling the rate of dripping of intravenous fluid

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the rate of dripping of an intravenous fluid, comprising (i) drip-detecting means for detecting that an intravenous fluid has dripped into a drip-feed bottle, (ii) a clock for measuring time and indicating the current time, (iii) constricting means connected to a fluid-supply pipe extending from the drip-feed bottle in a downstream direction, for constricting the supply pipe, and (iv) a flow controller for controlling the amount of constriction of the supply pipe by the constricting means, based on a signal of detection of a drip from the drip-detecting means and a time signal from the clock. The apparatus enables one to accurately control the interval of time at which an intravenous fluid drips into the drip-feed bottle and, hence, to administer the fluid to a patient at a desired rate.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the rate at which a fluid such as blood, a nutritive solution, or a Ringer's solution is administered in drips into a vein of a patient. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The rate at which an intravenous fluid, such as blood, a nutritive solution, or a Ringer's solution, is to be administered to a patient depends upon such factors as the particular kind of operation to be performed on the patient, the seriousness of the patient's illness or injury, or the patient's pulse rate, blood pressure or heart condition. For example, 500 milliliters of intravenous fluid are usually administered in 1 to 3 hours, but are sometimes administered in 4 or 5 hours. A conventional dripping apparatus is shown in Fig. 5. A vial 10 filled with an intravenous fluid is hung upside down on a stand (not shown). The vial 10 is stopped by a cork plug 12. A needle projecting upward from a tube 14 is inserted into the cork plug 12. The fluid flows through the needle into the tube 14. A drip-feed bottle 18 is connected to the lower end of the tube 14. The fluid that has flowed into the tube 14 drips into the drip-feed bottle 18, and remains there for a certain period of time. In the bottle 18 air bubbles are separated from the fluid. A vinyl pipe 20 is connected to the lower end of the bottle 18. An intravenous needle 32 is connected to the lower end of the vinyl pipe 20. From the bottle 18, drips of the fluid flow through the pipe 20 into the intravenous needle 32. A roller clamp 26 is connected to the vinyl pipe 20. One can constrict the vinyl pipe 20 by operating the vinyl pipe 20. By constricting the pipe 20 or releasing it from constriction, he or she can control the rate of dripping of the fluid into the bottle 18 and, hence, the rate at which drips of the fluid are administered into a vein of the patient. However, the roller clamp 26 is operated manually and, hence, it is not easy to accurately control the rate of dripping of the fluid. In order to overcome these difficulties there have been several proposals to provide a drip-detecting means which detects the dripping of an intravenous fluid into a drip-feed bottle and generates an electrical signal for each individual drop of said fluid passing through a detection passage. The corresponding electrical signals in combination with signals generated by an electronic clock are then used to automatically determine the actual dripping rate and to compare its value with a preset value. If a positive or negative difference between said two values occurs the dripping rate is automatically changed in order to adapt it to the preset value. Systems of said kind are, for example disclosed in GB-A-2 106 670, US-A-4 507 112 and EP-A-0 018 817. In the first two citations the detection means is implemented by means of a light barrier, i.e. a light source and a photo sensor between each of the drops to be detected has to pass. The intensity of light coming from the light source and falling upon the photo sensitive surface of the sensor is reduced whenever a drop passes said detection passage and this darkening causes the photosensor to generate a corresponding electrical signal. In the system according to EP-A-0 018 817 an ultrasonic generator and a corresponding receiver are used rather than the above mentioned light source and photo sensor. The basic principle, however, is the same: a transmitter (light source or ultrasonic generator) generates a radiation field and a corresponding sensor detects changes of said field which are caused by fluid drops passing therethrough. This basic principle causes the problem that the respective radiation (light or ultrasonic) field can also be influenced by changes of an ambient parameter, for example the ambient light or ambient noise and such influences can be mis-interpreted by the sensor which either detects the passing of a non existent drop or does not detect the actual passing of a drop because of a corresponding interference. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus which enables an accurate control of the rate at which a fluid such as blood, a nutritive solution, or a Ringer's solution is administered in drips into a vein of a patient and which is free from the foregoing drawbacks of the prior art. In order to achieve that goal the invention proposes to detect an effect which is caused in the system by the falling drops directly and is so specific that its detection is not disturbed by ambient changes. This direct effect is that each falling drop causes variations in pressure when it impinges on the surface of fluid accumulated in said drip-feed bottle. These variations in pressure can either be detected directly or by detecting the sound waves or the vibrations which they cause. In any case no transmitter for generating a field of radiation is required. A further advantage is that the drip detector according to the invention can be connected to the supply pipe directly. As a consequence one and the same detector can be used for a wide variety of sizes and shapes of drip-feed bottles. The connection of the drip detector according to the invention can be easily be obtained by simple clipping means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Fig. 1 shows an apparatus of the invention for controlling the rate of dripping of an intravenous fluid; Fig. 2 shows a flow controller used for the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a computer program that may be used for the flow controller of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a flow chart of another computer program that may be used for the flow controller of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 shows prior art; and Fig. 6 shows a drip-detecting device that may be used for the apparatus of Fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An apparatus which embodies the invention in one preferred form will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. In Fig. 1 a vial 10 is hung upside down on a stand (not shown). The vial 10 is filled with a fluid, such as blood, a nutritive solution, or a Ringer's solution, to be administered in drips into a vein of a patient. The vial 10 is stopped by a cork plug 12. A needle projecting upward from a tube 14 is inserted into the cork plug 12. The fluid flows through the needle into the tube 14. A drip-feed bottle 18 is connected to the lower end of the tube 14. The fluid that has flowed into the tube 14 drips into the drip-feed bottle 18. A flexible fluid-supply pipe 20, such as a vinyl pipe, is connected to the lower end of the drip-feed bottle 18. An intravenous needle (not shown) is connected to the lower end of the pipe 20. From the bottle 18, drips of the fluid flow through the pipe 20 into the intravenous needle. A microphone 34 is located below the bottle 18, and is positioned by the side of the pipe 20. The microphone 34 detects the sound waves produced by a drip of the fluid falling into the drip-feed bottle 18. For example, a microphone detecting sound waves within the range of 20 cycles to 70 cycles per second may be used. Below the microphone 34 is located a device 36 for constricting the pipe 20 to adjust the rate of flow of the fluid. The constricting device 36 comprises an element (not shown) to constrict the pipe 20 directly and a stepping motor (not shown) to operate the constricting element. The microphone 34 is electrically connected to a flow controller 38. The sound waves detected and converted into an electrical signal by the microphone 34 are input to the flow controller 36 via an amplifier (not shown) and a frequency discriminator (not shown). A clock 40 is also connected to the flow controller 38. From the clock 40 the current time is always input to the flow controller 38. The flow controller 38 sends an electrical signal to the constricting device 36 through a transmission line 42 in order to rotate the stepping motor of the constricting device. Referring to Fig. 2, the flow controller 38 comprises an input port 46, a microcomputer 44, and an output port 48. The electrical signal from the microphone 34, as well as a time signal from the clock 40, is input to the input port 46. The microcomputer 44 includes a CPU 50, a RAM 52, and a ROM 54. A program to control the CPU 50 is written in the ROM 54. In accordance with this program the CPU 50 receives necessary data from the input port 46 or receives or sends data from or to the RAM 52, and performs necessary arithmetic operations. The CPU 50 processes data as required, and outputs it to the output port 48. The output port 48 includes a latching circuit which receives an output port signal sent from the CPU 50 through a transmission line 58, and stores the data temporarily and outputs it to a digital-to-analog converter 60. The converter 60 converts the data from the output port 48 into an analog signal. The analog signal is output into the constricting device 36 to control the stepping motor thereof. The program written in the ROM 54 is shown in Fig. 3. When the program starts, step 1 is performed to cause the CPU 50 to send a port-specifying signal to the input port 46 through a transmission line 56 and check to see if there is a signal of detection of a drip (i.e., an electrical signal output from the microphone 34) in the input port 46. If there is one, it is input to the CPU 50. If not, program execution goes back to START. In step 2 the CPU 50 sends a port signal to the input port 46, and reads the time input to the input port 46 from the clock 40. In step 3 it is determined whether there are a total of two or more time readings, including that taken immediately before this, in the CPU 50. If not (it means that the drip detected in step 1 is the first drip), execution goes back to START. If yes, step 4 is performed. In step 4 the CPU 50 subtracts the preceding time (i.e., the time read in step 2 during the preceding execution of the program) from the current time read in step 2 (i.e., the most recent time reading) to determine the interval of time at which the intravenous fluid has dripped from the tube 14 into the drip-feed bottle 18. Also in step 4, based on data stored in the RAM 52, the CPU 50 calculates the actual rate at which the intravenous fluid drips from the tube 14 into the drip-feed bottle 18. In step 5, from the actual rate obtained in step 4 and a predetermined rate stored in the computer 44 in advance, a correction value is calculated . In step 6, based on the correction vale obtained in step 5, the amount by which to constrict the supply pipe 20 or to release the supply pipe 20 from constriction is calculated. Also in step 6, a signal indicative of that amount is sent to the output port 48, and is output thence to the D/A converter 60 and converted into an analog signal thereby. The analog signal is output to the stepping motor of the constricting device 36. When step 6 has been completed, program execution goes back to START. In accordance with the invention, the amount of an intravenous fluid to be administered to a patient may be programmed in advance. If such an amount has been programmed in advance, the program of Fig. 3 has the following additional steps. Between steps 2 and 3 the total amount of the intravenous fluid that has dripped into the bottle 18 is calculated, and after step 6 that total amount is compared with the programmed amount. Then, if the actual total amount is smaller than the programmed amount, execution goes back to step 1. When the programmed amount is reached, a signal is output to the constricting device 36 to cause the constricting device 36 to constrict the supply pipe 20 such that the flow of intravenous fluid is stopped. Thereupon the program is completed. In addition, in accordance with the invention, the period of time for which an intravenous fluid is to De administered to a patient may be programmed in advance. If such a period of time has been programmed in advance, the program of Fig. 3 has the following additional steps. Measurement of time that elapses is started when the first signal of detection of a drip is detected by the CPU 50 (in step 2). After step 6, the time that has actually elapsed is compared with the programmed time. Then, if the actual time that has elapsed is shorter than the programmed period of time, execution goes back to step 1. When the programmed period of time is reached, a signal is output to the constricting device 36 to cause the constricting device 36 to constrict the supply pipe 20 such that the flow of intravenous fluid is stopped. Thereupon the program is completed. Fig. 4 shows a program for causing an intravenous fluid to drip at predetermined regular intervals of time. When this program is started, step 1 is performed to determine whether there is a "release signal", or a signal to rotate the stepping motor of the constricting device 36 such that the supply pipe 20 is released from constriction. If not, execution goes back to START. If there is one, step 2 is performed to rotate the stepping motor for a predetermined angle such that the supply pipe 20 is released from constriction. In step 3 the CPU 50 checks to see if there is a signal of detection of a drip (of the intravenous fluid) in the input port 46. If not, execution goes back to step 2. If there is one, it is input to the CPU 50. Then, in step 4 the stepping motor is so rotated as to constrict the supply pipe 20 such that the flow of intravenous fluid is stopped (by the constricting device 36). In step 5 the total amount of intravenous fluid that has dripped from the tube 14 into the bottle 18 is calculated. In step 6 it is determined whether a programmed total amount of intravenous fluid has been reached. If not, execution goes back to START. If yes, step 7 is performed to stop the fluid from dripping into the bottle 18 and give an alarm. Thereupon the program is completed. If desired, a drip-detecting device of Fig. 6 may be used for the construction of Fig. 1. The drip-detecting device of Fig. 6 includes a pair of opposed clipping elements 22a and 22b located with the supply pipe 20 between. The two clipping elements are biased toward each other by means of a spring (not shown). An air bag 24 is connected to the inside of one clipping element 22a, while a cushioning element 28 is connected to the inside of the other clipping element 22b. Both the air bag 24 and the cushioning element 28 are of elastic material. A microphone 34 is located in an opening of the clipping element 22a and is connected to the outside of the air bag 24. Since the two clipping elements are biased toward each other, the air bag 24 attaches very closely to the supply pipe 20. Thus, if such a drip-detecting device is used, the sound waves, or vibration, produced by the intravenous fluid dripping into the bottle 18 is transmitted, without fail, to the microphone 34 through the air bag 24. In addition, it will be appreciated that such a drip-detecting device can be very easily connected to or removed from the supply pipe 20.

Claims: An apparatus for controlling the rate of dripping of an intravenous fluid comprising drip-detectinq means for detecting that an intravenous fluid has dripped into a drip-feed bottle (18), a clock (40) for measuring the time and indicating the current time, constricting means (36) connected to a fluid-supply pipe (20) extending from the bottle (18) in a downstream direction, for constricting the supply pipe (20), and a flow controller (38) for controlling the amount of constriction of the supply pipe (20) by the constricting means (36), based on a signal of detection of a drip from the drip-detecting means and a time signal from the clock (40), characterized in that the drip detecting means is adapted to detect a variation in pressure caused by each of the drops of the intravenous fluid dripping into the bottle (18). Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the drip-detecting means comprises a microphone (34) that detects sound waves produced by the intravenous fluid dripping into the bottle (18). Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the drip-detecting means comprises means for detecting vibrations caused by the intravenous fluid dripping into the bottle (18). Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the drip-detecting means comprises a pair of clipping elements (22a, 22b) between which the supply pipe (20) is located and which are biased toward each other by means of a spring, and an air bag (24) connected to the inside of one of the clipping elements and pressed against the supply pipe (20), whereby the means for detecting the variation in pressure caused by the intravenous fluid dripping into the bottle (18) are connected to the air bag (24). Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the flow controller (38) includes means for determining the interval of time at which the intravenous fluid has dripped into the bottle (18), based on signals of detection of drips from the drip-detecting means, means for calculating the actual rate of dripping of the intravenous fluid into the bottle (18), based on said interval of time, and for comparing said actual rate and a programmed dripping rate and calculating a correction value by which said interval of time is adjusted, and means for calculating an amount by which the supply pipe (20) is to be constricted, based on said correction value, and for outputting to the constricting means (36) a signal to constrict the supply pipe (20) by said amount. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the flow controller (38) further includes a means for calculating the total amount of the intravenous fluid that has dripped into the bottle (18), based on the signals of detection of drips from the drip-detecting means, and means for outputting to the constricting means (36) a stop signal to cause the constricting means (36) to constrict the supply pipe (20) such that the intravenous fluid is stopped from dripping, when a programmed total amount of the intravenous fluid to be administered to a patient has been reached. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that the flow controller (38) further includes means for giving an alarm after said stop signal has been output. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the flow controller (38) further includes means for calculating the total period of time for which the intravenous fluid has dripped, based on the signals of detection of drips from the drip-detecting means, and means for outputting to the constricting means (36) a stop signal to cause the constricting means (36) to constrict the supply pipe (20) such that the intravenous fluid is stopped from dripping, when a programmed total period of time has been reached. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the flow controller further includes means for giving an alarm after said stop signal has been output. Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the flow controller (38) includes means for outputting to the constricting means (36) a signal to rotate a steppinq motor of the constricting means (36) for a predetermined angle such that the supply pipe (20) is released from constriction by a predetermined amount, and means for outputting to the constricting means (36) a signal to rotate the stepping motor of the constricting means (36) such that the supply pipe (20) is constricted, based on signals of detection of drips from the drip-detecting means.

Inventors: OGAWA GENSHIRO, OGAWA, GENSHIRO
Applicants: OGAWA GENSHIRO, OGAWA, GENSHIRO
Application year: 1992
Main classification: G05D7
IPC codes: A61M5, G05D7