Patent Publication Number: US-2022221436-A1

Title: Reassurance control system and method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The following application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/137,319 filed Jan. 14, 2021 entitled REASSURANCE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD. The above-identified application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a reassurance control system and method, and more particularly, a reassurance control system used to assure no mismatch of identified connection fluid and actual connection fluid. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When utilizing various fluids to be provided to a user or patient, specifically as used for medical gases in NFPA 99, it is advantageous and/or necessary to make sure that pressure transducers, custom designed circuit boards and/or programmable logic controller (PLC) circuits intended for use on one fluid are not accidentally applied to another. Typically, pressure transducers have a way of identifying themselves so that a PLC will recognize if a cross connection exists. In some instances pressure transducers, such as transducers using silicon wafer or other technologies, can be configured to utilize a low voltage input and generate an output that is proportional to an applied pressure or vacuum condition. The output can be a voltage or current value that is recognized by the analog input terminals of a custom designed circuit board and/or a PLC and displayed or used for any logic function. 
     Another typical output is a recognized output provided by a HART system, where a sine wave is superimposed on the output signal of the transducer, with the modulation of the sine wave frequency carrying identification information. To utilize the HART system the PLC analog input circuit must have a compatible HART recognition adapter as well. 
     Transducers typically lack identifying elements. One common method of manufacturing standard (non-identifying) transducers uses a 4 to 20 milliamp current that is proportional to the applied pressure, with 4 milliamps being generated when the pressure is at ambient condition, and 20 milliamps at whatever the maximum range is assigned to be. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the present disclosure includes a reassurance control system. The reassurance control system comprises a controller having one or more input ports, wherein each of the one or more ports is assigned a fluid identity. The reassurance control system further comprises a transducer coupled the controller via a first port of the one or more ports having a first fluid identity. The transducer produces an identity signal and a pressure signal and transmits the identity signal and pressure signal to the controller. The controller matches the assigned fluid identity of the first port to the identity signal. The reassurance control system additionally comprises a display coupled to and in communication with the controller, wherein responsive to a first fluid being coupled to the transducer and the assigned fluid identity of the first port matching the identity signal, the controller based upon the received identity signal displays an identity match of the fluid and wherein based upon the received pressure signal displays a pressure of the fluid. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a method of using a reassurance control system. The method comprises assigning fluid identity to a first import port of a controller having one or more import ports, a first fluid connector connected via a transducer to the first input port, the transducer coupled to the controller, and responsive to the assigned fluid identity of the first fluid, producing an identity signal and transmitting the identity signal to the controller. The method further comprises responsive to a pressure of the first fluid, producing a pressure signal and transmitting the pressure signal to the controller, responsive to matching the assigned first fluid identity of the first port to the identity signal, displaying an identity match of the fluid and wherein, based upon the received pressure signal, displaying a pressure of the fluid. 
     Yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes a reassurance control system. The system comprises a controller having one or more input ports, wherein each of the one or more input ports is assigned a fluid identity and a transducer coupled to the controller via a first port of the one or more ports. The first port has an assigned first fluid identity, the transducer produces a ready signal comprising a ready current for a ready duration, an identity signal comprises an identity current for an identity duration and a pressure signal compromising a pressure current proportional to the pressure of the first fluid for a pressure duration. The transducer transmitting the ready signal, the identity signal and the pressure signal to the controller, the controller matching the assigned first fluid identity of the first port to the identity signal. The system includes a display coupled to and in communication with the controller, wherein responsive to coupling a first fluid to the transducer and the assigned first fluid identity of the first port matching the identity signal, the controller, based upon the received identity signal, displays an identity match of the fluid and wherein, based upon the received pressure signal, displays a pressure of the fluid, responsive to the controller determining the assigned first fluid identity of the first port does not match the identity signal, the controller instructs the display to present an alarm. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon consideration of the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts unless described otherwise throughout the drawings and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a portion of a gas distribution assembly having a display constructed in accordance with one example embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a portion of a gas distribution assembly having a display constructed in accordance with one example embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a portion of a gas distribution assembly having a display constructed in accordance with one example embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a front side elevation view of a display screen, in accordance with one example embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a front side elevation view of a display screen coupled to a gas distribution assembly, in accordance with one example embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a front side elevation view of a display screen coupled to a gas distribution assembly illustrating a mismatch, in accordance with one example embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is schematic diagram of a reassurance control system for use in a gas distribution assembly having a display, in accordance with one example embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is an example signal representation for use in a gas distribution assembly, in accordance with one example embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating a process of connecting and identifying inputs in a gas distribution assembly, in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating a process of a controller receiving information from an input in a gas distribution assembly, in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the figures generally wherein like numbered features shown therein refer to like elements throughout unless otherwise noted. The present disclosure relates to a reassurance control system and method, and more particularly, a reassurance control system used to assure no mismatch of identified connection fluid and actual connection fluid. 
     A reassurance control system  120  (see  FIG. 7 ) involves utilizing a number of transducers  102 ,  102   2 ,  102   n , to transmit a pressure of an associated fluid (e.g., medical gasses, fluids, etc.), and to transmit an identity signal  210  (see  FIG. 8 ), wherein a controller  108  is programed to verify the identity signal for each transducer of the number of transducers as identifying the associated fluid of each transducer. In the illustrated example embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3 , a gas distribution assembly  100  supporting the reassurance control system  120  is illustrated. It should be appreciated that the reassurance control system  120  can be used by any type of fluid or gas distribution system. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the reassurance control system  120  is illustrated. In this example embodiment, the transducer  102  is coupled to a fluid  116  via a fluid connector  118 . It should be appreciated that while one transducer  102  is being described, the system  120  is constructed to use and distinguish between an unlimited number of transducers  102 ,  102   2 ,  102   n  for different fluid types  116 ,  116   2 ,  116   n . The transducer  102  converts pressure (e.g., pressure of the fluid) into an electrical signal. Further, the transducer  102  is programed to include a signal  200 , including the identity signal  210  (see  FIG. 8 , discussed in detail below). One example transducer is a transducer having part number ASI-471 made by Anfield Corporation. The transducer  102  is coupled to a power source  114  (e.g., a DC or AC voltage) and to an input channel  104  for coupling to an input port  106  of a controller  108 . The input port  106  is also coupled to the power source  114 . In one example embodiment, the controller  108  is a programmable logic controller (PLC) but could also be a personal or commercial computer or computing system. In this example embodiment, the controller  108  is programmed to recognize the identity signal  210 . In one example embodiment, the controller  108  has multiple input ports  106 , wherein each input port is programmed to recognize a different and/or unique identity signal  210  from different transducers  102 ,  102   2 ,  102   n . The controller  108  is coupled to and in communication with a display screen  110  (see, for example,  FIG. 4 ). Wherein the display screen  110  coupled to the controller  108  displays an identified type of fluid  110   a  and/or the pressure  110   b  of the identified type of fluid  116  for each transducer  102 ,  102   2 ,  102   n  (see, for example,  FIG. 5 ). Responsive to the identity signal  210  provided by the transducer  102  to the input port  104  not matching an identity signal check  211 ,  211   2 ,  211   n  programmed into the controller  108  received from the respective transducers  102 ,  102   2 ,  102   n  at the input port  106 , the display screen  110  displays a mismatch alarm, and/or emits a mismatch alarm sound (see, for example,  FIG. 6 ). 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 8  is an example transducer  102  signal  200 . The signal  200  includes data packets  213  of information  215 , such as fluid types, fluid pressures, fluid temperature, fluid flow and/or the like. In  FIG. 8 , a y-axis  204  represents a signal value in milliamps and an x-axis  206  represents time in seconds. A signal line  202  represents the signal value in milliamps as time in seconds progresses. In this example embodiment, the signal line  202  represents a ready signal  208   a  at a first value (e.g., 3 milliamps) for a first duration (e.g., 3 seconds), followed by the identity signal  210   a  at a second value (e.g., 8.5 milliamps) for a second duration (e.g., 2 seconds). The signal line  202  proceeds with an information signal  215 , such as a pressure signal  212   a  at a variable value for a third duration (e.g., 5 seconds). The signal line  202  continues, illustrating the ready signal  208   b ,  208   c ,  208   d  at the first value for the first duration, followed, respectively, by the identity signal  210   b ,  210   c ,  210   d  at the second value for the second duration. Each cycle of ready signal  208 , and identity signal  210 , is followed by a pressure value  212  (e.g., based on the variable pressure of the fluid  116 ) for the third duration. The signal line  202  cycle repeats until the fluid  116  is disconnected from the transducer  102  and/or the transducer is turned off. In another example embodiment, the signal line  202  cycle repeats until an identity duration is reached (e.g., 2 minutes) at which time the transducer  102  stops transmitting the ready signal  208  and the identity signal  210  and transmits solely the information signal  215 , such as the pressure signal  212 . A second fluid coupled to a second transducer  102   2  would have a different signal line than the signal line  202 . In one example embodiment, a second signal line  202  would have a second ready signal, a second identity signal, and a second pressure signal. In one example embodiment, the second signal line  202  would have the same ready signal  208 , including the same first value and first duration. In another example embodiment, the second signal line  202  would have a different ready signal  208 , including a different first value and/or first duration. In one example embodiment, the second identity signal would have a different second value and/or different second duration than the identity signal  210 . A second information signal  215 , such as pressure signal  212  remains a function of the information or pressure of the second fluid, while the duration of the second pressure signal  212  is at least one of the same or different than the third duration of the pressure signal  212 . In one example embodiment, the values of the ready signal  208 , the identity signal  210 , and the information  215  or pressure signal  212  are between 0-20 milliamps. Additionally, in another example embodiment, the duration of the first duration (e.g., the duration of the ready signal  208 ) is between 0.5 seconds to about 5 seconds, the duration of the second duration (e.g., the duration of the identity signal  210 ) is between 1 seconds to about 6 seconds, and the duration of the third duration (e.g., the duration of the pressure signal  212 ) is between 2 seconds to about 10 seconds. 
     The controller  108  is programmed to receive a specific signal  200  for each input port  106 , wherein the controller is pre-programmed with the first, second and third durations of the ready signal  208 , the identity signal  210 , and the pressure signal  212 , further wherein the controller is pre-programmed with the values of the ready signal and the identity signal. The controller  108  is further programmed to display the information  215  signal and/or the pressure signal  212  as a pressure of the fluid  116  on the display screen  110  (see, for example,  FIG. 5 ). As the controller  108  is programmable, and the transducer  102  is programmable, no additional parts are needed to confirm correct connection of the fluid  116  to the correct input port  106 . 
     Stated another way, for the first duration of the ready signal  208  a portion of the display  110  devoted to identifying the type of fluid  116  would indicate “waiting” or “sensor not detected” or some other neutral condition. Once the second duration of the identity signal  210  commences (e.g., the controller  108  receives the identity signal), the controller  108  processes the identity signal (e.g., within milliseconds of the beginning of the second duration), and the display shows the type of fluid  116  (e.g., a gas type such as oxygen, nitrogen, air, or the like) associated with that transducer  102 . In another embodiment, the display  110  shows identity match of the fluid  116 , wherein the identity match indicates the matching fluid is coupled to the matching port  106 . In one instance the identify match comprises continuing normal operation of the display  110 . Additionally, in one example embodiment, the controller  108  is programmed to signal a mismatch, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     Responsive to the pressure value  212  of the signal  200  being sent to the controller  108  (e.g., after the first and second duration) a portion of the display  110  is updated to give the actual value of the pressure condition. After the conclusion of the first cycle of the first, second and third durations, the current pressure value is not available, as the second cycle of the ready signal  208   b , and the identity signal  210   b  are being transmitted for the first and second durations, the display  110  displays the last known pressure value. While the pressure was used in the current example, it would be appreciated that other information  215  could be presented individually or in combination with pressure. Such information  215  includes temperature, volumetric flow rate and/or the like. 
     Turning to  FIG. 9  a method  900  of connecting the fluid  116 , coupled to the transducer  102 , to the controller  108  is illustrated. At  902 , a fluid connector  118  is connected via the transducer  102  to a first input  106  designated for a first fluid. For example, the fluid connector  118  is connected to oxygen, and the first input  106  is designated for oxygen. At  904 , the transducer  102  generates the signal  200  and the identity signal  210  and the pressure signal  212  in a repeating cycle to identify the first fluid to the controller  102 . In another example embodiment, the repeating cycle of the transducer  102  includes the ready signal  208 , prior to the identity signal  210 . At  906 , the transducer  102  provides the identity signal  210  and the pressure signal  212  to the controller  108 . In this example embodiment, the identify signal  210  and the pressure signal  212  are provided to the controller in a repeating cycle (see  FIG. 8 ). In another example embodiment, the repeating cycle provided to the controller  108  includes the ready signal  208 , prior to the identity signal  210 . 
     At  908 , the controller  108  determines that the identity signal  210  matches the first fluid (e.g., the first fluid is oxygen and the identity signal is for oxygen). At  910 , the controller  108  displays on the display  110  the pressure (determined from the pressure signal  212 ) and the first fluid (determined from the identity signal). At  912 , the controller  108  determines that the identity signal  210  does not match the first fluid (e.g., the first fluid is nitrogen and the identity signal is for oxygen). At  914 , the controller  108  displays on the display  110  an alarm indicating the mismatch and/or emits an alarm indicating the mismatch (see, for example,  FIG. 6 ). 
     Turning to  FIG. 10 , a method  1000  of using the transducer  102  to send one or more signals is illustrated. At  1002 , the transducer  102  sends the ready signal  208  having a first current (e.g., value) for the first duration to the controller  108 . At  1004 , the transducer  102  sends the identity signal  210  having a second current (e.g., value) for the second duration to the controller  108 . In one example embodiment, the first duration and the second duration are different, and/or the first current and the second current are different. At  1006 , the transducer  102  sends the pressure signal  212  having a third current, which is proportional to the pressure being applied to the transducer, for the third duration to the controller  108 . In one example embodiment, steps  1002 - 1006  repeat until the transducer  102  is decoupled from the fluid  116  and/or powered off. In one example embodiment, the first, second, and third durations are different. 
     The reassurance control system  120  utilizing the programmed transducer  102  allows for the production of alarm panels that meet NFPA 99 requirements without requiring the use of custom circuit boards. Further, any controller  108  (such as a PLC) with analog input ports  106  is configurable to function using the signal  200 . The reassurance control system  120  provides an advantage in product design flexibility, reduced development time, and compatibility with applicable safety standards, as the controllers  108  will typically be already in compliance with the applicable safety standards. Further, using existing controllers  108  removes the need to show compliance with custom circuit boards, which is difficult and expensive. 
     In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings. 
     The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued. 
     Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one non-limiting embodiment the terms are defined to be within for example 10%, in another possible embodiment within 5%, in another possible embodiment within 1%, and in another possible embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected or in contact either temporarily or permanently, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed. 
     To the extent that the materials for any of the foregoing embodiments or components thereof are not specified, it is to be appreciated that suitable materials would be known by one of ordinary skill in the art for the intended purposes. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.