Patent ID: 8493224

Claim:
A system for clamping a tube containing medical fluids, comprising: an axially movable inner wire coupled at one end to a slidable clamp and at the other end to a driver, wherein the inner wire is an electrical conductor; an elongated hollow outer casing, wherein the inner wire is coaxially and slidably disposed substantially within the casing, and wherein the casing is comprised of an electrically conductive cylindrical member; an insulating layer disposed between the inner wire and the electrically conductive cylindrical member, wherein the insulating layer electrically isolates the inner wire from the electrically conductive cylindrical member, and wherein the insulating layer is subject to wear as the inner wire slides within the casing; and an electrical continuity detector coupled to the inner wire and the electrically conductive cylindrical member, wherein the detector is configured to compare the continuity between the inner wire and the electrically conductive cylindrical member with a threshold, and to generate a wear indication in response to the comparison.