KR20200020075A - Fluid drops detecting apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting IV drops. The apparatus for detecting IV drops comprises: a light-receiving element comprising a first light-receiving element and a second light-receiving element, arranged on the other circumferential surface of a drip chamber opposite to one circumferential surface, and receiving a light-receiving signal containing light emitted from a single light-emitting element disposed on the one circumferential surface of the drip chamber of an IV set; and an analysis portion for counting the number of IV drops through waveform analysis of the light-receiving signal received by the light-receiving element, in order to detect the number of IV drops supplied from an IV supply portion in the upper portion of the drip chamber, wherein the first light-receiving element and the second light-receiving element may be disposed on the other circumferential surface at a predetermined interval along a longitudinal direction of the drip chamber.

Description

Fluid drop detection device and method {FLUID DROPS DETECTING APPARATUS AND METHOD}

The present application relates to a droplet detection device and method.

In general, patients who are unable to eat food, surgery patients, and patients who need to supply nutrients due to a decrease in the function of the human body, are given fluids to the blood vessels of the patient through the infusion set. The general configuration of the infusion set can be more readily understood with reference to FIG. 1.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a conventional infusion set.

Referring to Figure 1, the infusion set is generally infused with a sap container (10), the inlet is connected via a dropper container (10) from the infusion container (10) so that the drop of the sap drop 20, The hose 30 is connected to the drop container 20, the fluid regulator 40 to adjust the amount of fluid, and may be composed of a syringe 50 injected into the blood vessels of the patient. Here, the drop container 20 is a main body 21 in which a certain amount of the sap is stored, the inlet hole 22 into which the sap of the infusion container 10 flows, and the outflow pipe 23 through which the sap flows into the hose 30. It may include.

When administering an infusion using such an infusion set, the infusion rate of the infusion should be appropriately adjusted according to the condition of the patient or the type of infusion or medicine that is administered. Conventionally, a nurse or guardian drops the infusion drop inside the drop container 20 ( By controlling the knob 41 of the infusion regulator 40 while watching the dropping speed of W), the proper infusion rate could be adjusted.

However, in the case of prolonged infusion administration, it is administered out of the range of the initially set administration rate faster, or later, or the infusion tube is influenced by external factors (for example, If the hose is twisted or the like) may be a problem such as not administered, in this case, the nurse or guardian need to adjust the fluid regulator 40 again.

At this time, if the infusion rate is slower than the intended infusion rate, the effect of the infusion prescription drug may be lowered. In addition, when the fluid administration rate is faster than the intended administration rate, the sodium concentration in the body is lowered, the brain cell fluid is moved due to the osmotic pressure, which may cause brain edema into the brain. Such brain edema can cause dizziness, cramps, and even lead to death. In addition, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease patients may be in a dangerous situation, such as acute complications, cerebral hemorrhage, pulmonary edema if incorrectly administered.

In addition, when the patient is being prescribed the fluid, the empty fluid pack or the infusion bottle should be removed.If the fluid needle is not removed even though the fluid is fully administered, air bubbles are injected into the patient's blood vessels through the fluid tube. Therefore, thrombosis can be dangerous to the patient's life.

Therefore, for more stable fluid administration, careful attention and consideration are frequently required to check the dosage and administration status of the fluid and observe the remaining amount during the fluid administration process. As a result, it is inconvenient to observe the administration of fluid and the condition of the patient.

In particular, nurses usually care for several patients, so they do not always stay next to patients who are receiving fluids, and they often go around the room to make sure that the fluids are being administered properly. Failure to take may put the patient at risk.

In order to alleviate this inconvenience, conventionally, for example, a water level detection device is placed in a ringer's container to detect the level of the sap, and then output the alarm signal when the sap reaches a certain level. "Signaler" and "Ringer (Low-Gel) Liquid Level Detection Alarm" of Utility Model No. 310677, designed to measure the amount of ringer by weighing using strain gauge, and to carry out residual fluid amount or alarm function. It has been done.

However, the above-described prior arts still have the inconvenience of having a nurse or guardian always stay in the room or periodically check the condition of the patient and Ringer for monitoring the IV administration process.

The present application is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, the administration of fluids to various patients while minimizing the waste of personnel and copper wires of nurses or caregivers from time to time to check whether the administration of the sap is properly performed It is an object of the present invention to provide an infusion monitoring system that enables monitoring (monitoring) of a state (eg, infusion rate, infusion completion, etc.) in real time.

The present application is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, the administration of the drug out of the range of the initially set the speed of administration, to be administered sooner or later, or the fluid tube is affected by external factors (for example It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid administration monitoring system that makes it easier and more intuitive to determine whether a problem occurs such as when a hose connected to a drop container is twisted or the like.

In order to accurately identify (estimate) the status of fluid administration, such as the rate of fluid administration, the amount of fluid administration, and the remaining amount, the present application accurately detects (measures and senses the number of drops falling from the inside of a drop container even if the drop container is inclined. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for detecting droplets that can be counted.

However, the technical problem to be achieved by the embodiments of the present application is not limited to the technical problems as described above, and other technical problems may exist.

As a technical means for achieving the above technical problem, the fluid droplet detection device according to the first aspect of the present application, the housing is disposed to surround the at least a portion of the drop container to be coupled to the drop container of the infusion set; An optical element disposed so as to face an inner surface of a housing facing each other with the drop container therebetween to detect the number of drops of the fluid drop supplied from an infusion solution upper portion in the drop container; And a control unit for controlling the operation of the optical device, wherein the optical device is disposed on one inner surface of one of the inner surfaces of the housing facing each other and is disposed on the other inner surface of the inner surface of the housing facing each other and the single light emitting device emitting light. At least one light receiving device for receiving a light receiving signal including light emitted from the light emitting device.

As a technical means for achieving the above technical problem, the infusion droplet detection apparatus according to the second aspect of the present application, a light receiving signal including light emitted from a single light emitting element disposed on one side circumferential surface of the drop container of the infusion set A light receiving element including a first light receiving element and a second light receiving element disposed on the other circumferential surface of the drop container opposite to the receiving one circumferential surface; And an analysis unit for counting the number of drops of the fluid droplets through the waveform analysis of the light receiving signal received through the light receiving element, in order to detect the number of drops of the fluid droplets supplied from the upper fluid supply unit in the drop container. The first light receiving element and the second light receiving element may be disposed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the drop container on the other peripheral surface.

As a technical means for achieving the above technical problem, the fluid droplet detection device according to the third aspect of the present application, the fluid administration monitoring system comprising the fluid droplet detection device, the infusion set for administering the fluid to the subject The fluid drop detection device coupled to the drop container and transmitting counting information counting the number of drops of the fluid drop supplied from the fluid supply unit in the upper part of the drop container to the external terminal as the fluid drop detection information; And an external terminal configured to receive the fluid droplet detection information transmitted from the fluid droplet detection device and to display the fluid administration status related information analyzed on the screen based on the received fluid droplet detection information.

As a technical means for achieving the above technical problem, the operation control method of the infusion droplet detection apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present application, generating a control signal for controlling the operation of the infusion droplet detection apparatus; And controlling the operation of the infusion droplet detection device based on the generated control signal, wherein the controlling comprises: operating the light emitting device such that a single light emitting device included in the infusion droplet detection device emits light. The at least one light receiving element may be controlled so that the at least one light receiving element included in the fluid drop detection device receives a light receiving signal including light emitted from the light emitting element.

As a technical means for achieving the above technical problem, the fluid droplet detection method through the fluid drop detection apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present application, the light from a single light emitting element disposed on one side circumferential surface of the drop container of the fluid set Releasing it; Receiving a light receiving signal including light emitted from the light emitting element through a light receiving element including a first light receiving element and a second light receiving element disposed on the other circumferential surface of the dropping tube facing the one circumferential surface; And counting the number of drops of the fluid droplets through the waveform analysis of the light received signal received through the light receiving element to detect the number of drops of the fluid droplets supplied from the upper fluid supply unit in the drop container. The first light receiving element and the second light receiving element may be disposed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the drop container on the other peripheral surface.

The above-mentioned means for solving the problems are merely exemplary, and should not be construed as limiting the present application. In addition to the above-described exemplary embodiments, additional embodiments may exist in the drawings and detailed description of the invention.

According to the above-described problem solution means of the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect (measure, sense, count) the number of the drops falling from the inside of the drop container through the fluid drop detection device having one light emitting part and two light receiving parts. The present application can accurately count the number of drops falling from the inside of the drop container even if the drop container is inclined, and more accurately grasp the fluid administration status such as the infusion rate, infusion amount, remaining amount, and completion of the infusion bottle (estimation). )can do.

According to the above-described problem solution means of the present application, it is possible to provide a liquid droplet detection device that is light, inexpensive, simple, not complicated, and compact.

According to the above-described problem solving means of the present application, by controlling the light emitting unit in the chopping mode, disturbance light can be effectively identified (divided) and removed in the light receiving signal received by the light receiving unit. The present application effectively reduces the measurement error of the number of drops of fluid drops due to disturbance light, it is possible to more accurately count the number of drops of fluid drops using the received light signal from which the disturbance light is removed.

According to the aforementioned problem solving means of the present application, it is possible to simultaneously display the fluid administration status related information for a plurality of patients on the screen of the external terminal. This allows the nurse or guardian to go around the room from time to time without the need to check whether the administration of the sap properly, it is possible to monitor the status of the administration of fluids for various patients in real time while minimizing the waste of personnel and copper.

The present application provides a faster or more delayed dose beyond the initial set rate of administration, or the fluid tube is affected by external factors (for example, if the hose to the drop container is twisted). Etc.) may be provided so that determination (recognition) of whether a problem such as not being administered is made more easily and intuitively by the information related to the fluid administration state displayed on the screen of the external terminal.

However, the effects obtainable herein are not limited to the effects as described above, and other effects may exist.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a conventional infusion set.
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the fluid droplet detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.
3 is a view schematically showing a state in which the droplet detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is coupled to the drop container of the infusion set.
4 is a view showing a perspective view of the droplet detection device and the drop container according to an embodiment of the present application.
Figure 5 is a (a) top view, (b) front view, (c) one of the inner surface of the inner surface of the housing, and (d) one of the inner surface of the housing of the infusion droplet detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application It is a figure which shows the other inner surface.
6 is a view for explaining the detection of the droplets in the drop container using a single light emitting element and two light receiving elements of the infusion droplet detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.
7 is a view for explaining the position of the first light receiving element and the second light receiving element included in the droplet detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which two light emitting devices and two light receiving devices are disposed to face each other for detecting droplets.
9 illustrates a waveform of a first light receiving signal received by a first light receiving element changed by a drop and a second light receiving element in the process of dropping an infusion drop in an infusion supply unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 2 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of a second received light signal.
10 is a view showing when the drop container combined with the drop detection device according to an embodiment of the present application is not tilted (a) and when tilted (b).
FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an example of a waveform of a first light receiving signal received by a first light receiving element in an infusion droplet detecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
12 is a view showing an example of the waveform of the second light receiving signal received by the second light receiving element in the infusion droplet detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.
13 is a view showing a schematic configuration of the infusion administration monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an example in which a plurality of fluid droplet detection devices are provided in the fluid administration monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
15 is a view showing an example of the fluid administration status related information displayed on the screen of the external terminal in the fluid administration monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of infusion administration state related information displayed on a screen of an external terminal in an infusion administration monitoring system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.
17 is a schematic operation flowchart of an operation control method of an infusion droplet detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.
18 is a schematic operation flowchart of the method of detecting the droplets through the infusion droplet detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present disclosure. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted for simplicity of explanation, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

Throughout this specification, when a part is "connected" to another part, it is not only "directly connected" but also "electrically connected" or "indirectly connected" with another element in between. "Includes the case.

Throughout this specification, when a member is said to be located on another member "on", "upper", "top", "bottom", "bottom", "bottom", this means that any member This includes not only the contact but also the case where another member exists between the two members.

Throughout this specification, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, it means that it can further include other components, without excluding the other components unless otherwise stated.

2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the fluid droplet detection device 10 according to an embodiment of the present application. 3 is a view schematically showing a state in which the droplet detection device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is coupled to the drop container 20 of the infusion set 1, and FIG. 4 is in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. It is a figure which shows the perspective view of the fluid droplet detection apparatus 10 and the drop container 20. As shown in FIG. 5 is a (a) top view, (b) front view, (c) one of the inner surfaces 11a of the inner surface of the housing 11 of the fluid droplet detection apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present application, and ( d) The figure which shows the other inner surface 11b which opposes the one inner surface 11a among the inner surfaces of the housing 11. 6 illustrates the detection of fluid droplets in the drop container 20 using the single light emitting device 12 and the two light receiving devices 13a and 13b of the fluid droplet detection device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. It is a figure for following.

Hereinafter, the fluid droplet detection device 10 according to an embodiment of the present application will be referred to as the device 10 for convenience of description.

2 to 6, the apparatus 10 may be arranged to be coupled to the dropping tube 20 of the infusion set 1.

The apparatus 10 may be applied to the drop container of the general infusion set described above with reference to FIG. 1, but is not limited thereto, and may be applied to the drop container of an existing or developed infusion set. Therefore, detailed description of each component of the infusion set (1) will be omitted.

In addition, the device 10 is not only applied to the drop container of an infusion set used for the purpose of administering an infusion, but also as an example, a nasogastric tube inserted into a patient for patients who cannot eat. It can also be applied to drip barrels, which are used for the purpose of feeding nutrients through L-tubes.

The apparatus 10 may include a housing 11, optical devices 12, 13a and 13b, a control unit 14, an analysis unit 15, a communication unit 16, and a memory unit 17. Here, the optical device may include a single light emitting device 12 (that is, one light emitting device) and at least one light receiving device 13a and 13b. In the apparatus 10, at least one light receiving element may include two light receiving elements, that is, a first light receiving element 13a and a second light receiving element 13b. A more detailed description is as follows.

The housing 11 may be disposed to surround a circumference of at least a portion of the drop container 20 so as to be engageable with the drop container 20 of the infusion set 1.

On both sides of the housing 11, for example, coupling grooves 11c for coupling with the upper member 21 of the drop container 20 may be formed. By fitting the upper member 21 of the dropping cylinder 20 into the coupling groove 11c, the apparatus 10 may be coupled (fixed) to the dropping cylinder 20.

To this end, the thickness T1 of the coupling groove 11c may be substantially the same as the thickness T2 of the upper member 21 of the dropping tube 20. Here, the fact that the thickness T1 of the coupling groove 11c is substantially the same as the thickness T2 of the upper member 21 of the dropping tube 20 is fixed to the upper member 21 by being fitted into the coupling groove 11c. It is preferable to understand that the thickness T1 of the coupling groove 11c is slightly larger than the thickness T2 of the upper member 21 so that the coupling groove 11c may be coupled.

In addition, in one example of the present application, the upper member 21 is fitted to the coupling groove 11c, but the present apparatus 10 is illustrated as being only coupled to the dropping cylinder 20, but is not limited thereto.

As another example, the coupling groove 11c may not be formed in the apparatus 10. In this case, the housing 11 may be fitted with respect to the circumference of the drop container 20 so that the upper surface of the housing 11 of the apparatus 10 is in contact with the lower surface of the upper member 21. At this time, the length between the one inner surface 11a and the other inner surface 11b of the inner surface of the housing 11 is such that the device 10 can be fitted and fixed to the drop container 20 of the drop container 20 It may be substantially equal to the diameter (width, width) length. Here, the length is substantially the same can be understood to be the same to or similar to that described above that the thickness is substantially the same.

In addition, when the coupling groove 11c is not formed in the housing 11, the length (height) of the housing 11 in the longitudinal direction is determined by the housing (when the coupling groove 11c is formed in the housing 11). It can be formed shorter than the length (height) in the longitudinal direction of 11). For example, when the coupling groove 11c is not formed in the housing 11, the length (height) of the housing 11 is equal to the length of the housing 11 positioned below the coupling groove 11c. It may be of a corresponding length.

In addition, the housing 11 may be made of, for example, a material such as plastic, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the housing 11 may have a predetermined elastic force on both sides of the housing 11 so that the device 10 coupled to the drop container 20 can be more stably fixed to the drop container 20. .

In addition, the housing 11 may be formed to surround at least a circumferential length of half of the entire circumferential length of the drop container 20.

In addition, in one example of the present application, the upper surface of the housing 11 is illustrated as having a 'c' shape, but is not limited thereto, and may be formed in various shapes such as a 'C' shape and a '⊂' shape.

The optical elements 12, 13a, and 13b are disposed between the drop cylinders 20 to detect the number of drops of the fluid droplets W supplied from the upper fluid supply unit 22 in the upper portion of the drop container 20. It may be disposed to face the inner surface (11a, 11b) of the housing 11 facing each other.

The optical device may include a single light emitting device 12 (that is, one light emitting device) disposed on one inner surface 11a of the inner surfaces of the housing 11 facing each other to emit light. In addition, the optical device is arranged on the other inner surface (11b) of the inner surface of the housing 11 facing each other at least one light receiving element (13a, 13b) for receiving a light receiving signal including light emitted from the light emitting element 12 It may include.

In one example of the present application, two light receiving elements may be included as at least one light receiving element. The two light receiving elements may be the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b.

The light-receiving element has a first spaced at a predetermined interval along the longitudinal direction of the dropping tube 20 on the other inner surface 11b of the inner surfaces 11a and 11b of the housing facing each other with the dropping tube 20 therebetween. The light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b may be included. In other words, the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b may be disposed on the other inner surface 11b of the housing 11 at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the dropping tube 20.

Here, the interval between the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b, that is, a predetermined interval may be determined in consideration of the position and size of the infusion droplet W supplied from the infusion supply unit 22. .

In other words, the position of each of the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b disposed on the other inner surface 11b of the housing 11 is that the device 10 is coupled to the dropping tube 20. In the state can be determined in consideration of the position and the size of the infusion drops (W) supplied from the infusion supply unit (22). The description thereof may be more easily understood with reference to FIG. 7.

7 is a view for explaining the position of the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b included in the droplet detection apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present application.

Figure 7 shows the shape of the sap when the droplets are formed in the sap supply part (22) at the maximum size (a) and the sap drops falling in the sap supply part (22) at the maximum size (b) is shown, considering such a shape Thus, the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b may be arranged as follows.

Referring to FIG. 7, the first light receiving element 13a is the maximum size of the fluid supply part 22 of the other inner surface 11b of the housing 11 while the device 10 is coupled to the dropping container 20. It may be disposed at a position corresponding to the intermediate point (p2) of the infusion droplet (W). Here, the middle point p2 of the sap drop W may mean an intermediate point between the start point p1 and the end point p3 of the sap drop W.

The second light receiving element 13b has the maximum amount of the sap droplet W formed on the fluid supply part 22 of the other inner surface 11b of the housing 11 while the device 10 is coupled to the dropping tube 20. It may be disposed at a position corresponding to a position below the end point p3 of the).

In particular, in the second light receiving element 13b, the sap drop W 'that falls after the sap droplet W formed at the maximum size in the sap supply part 22 is dropped from the other inner surface 11b of the housing 11. At the position corresponding to the midpoint p5 of the falling fluid drop W 'when the starting point p4 of the fluid reaches the end point p3 of the fluid drop W formed at the maximum size in the fluid supply part 22. Can be arranged.

According to this, the predetermined interval, which is the interval between the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b, is in the middle of the position of the midpoint p2 of the fluid drop W and the fluid drop W 'falling. It may mean an interval between the positions of the point (p5). Specifically, the predetermined interval is the position of the middle point (p2) of the fluid droplet (W) formed in the sap supply unit 22 to the maximum size and the starting point (p4) of the drop of the fluid drop (W ') is the sap supply part 22 It may mean the interval between the position of the intermediate point (p5) of the falling fluid drop (W ') when reaching the end point (p3) of the fluid drop (W) formed in the maximum size.

In the device 10, the other inner surface 11b corresponding to the position (specifically, the position of the midpoint p2 of the sap droplets formed to the maximum size in the sap supply part) in order to confirm the presence or absence of the sap droplet (W). ), The first light receiving element 13a may be disposed. In addition, in the present apparatus 10, in order to detect a drop (W ') falling from the sap supply part 22, the drop of the sap (specifically, the drop of the drop W') drops below the maximum size. Of the other side inner surface 11b corresponding to the end point p3 of the sap droplet W 'dropped when reaching the end point p3 of the sap droplet W formed at the maximum size in the supply section 22). The second light receiving element 13b may be disposed at the position.

The single light emitting element 12 may be disposed at a position corresponding to an intermediate position between the position of the first light receiving element 13a and the position of the second light receiving element 13b in one inner surface 11b of the housing 11. have. In other words, the light emitting element 12 is one side of the housing 11 that faces an intermediate position between the first light receiving element 13a and the second light emitting element 13b disposed on the other inner surface 11b of the housing 11. It may be disposed on the inner surface 11a.

In other words, the apparatus 10 may include a single light emitting element 12 disposed on one side circumferential surface of the drop container 20 of the infusion set 1. In addition, the apparatus 10 may include light receiving elements 13a and 13b for receiving a light receiving signal including light emitted from the single light emitting element 12. Here, the light receiving elements 13a and 13b may include the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b disposed on the other circumferential surface of the dropping cylinder 20 opposite to the one circumferential surface of the dropping cylinder 20. It may include. In addition, the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b may be disposed on the other circumferential surface of the dropping cylinder 20 at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the dropping cylinder 20.

The controller 14 may control the operation of the optical device. In particular, the controller 14 may control the operation of the light emitting device 12 to emit light from the light emitting device 12.

Under the control of the controller 14, the light emitting element 12 may irradiate light having a predetermined wavelength such as infrared light or visible light. For example, the light emitting device 12 may emit (irradiate) red light having a wavelength of 900 nm, but is not limited thereto.

In addition, the controller 14 controls the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b to receive the light emitted from the light emitting element 12. ) Each operation can be controlled.

Under the control of the controller 14, each of the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b may receive light emitted from the single light emitting element 12. The signal received by the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b may be referred to as a light receiving signal. In detail, the signal received by the first light receiving element 13a may be referred to as a first light receiving signal, and the signal received by the second light receiving element 13b may be referred to as a second light receiving signal.

At this time, the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b receive the light signal (the first light receiving signal and the second light receiving signal) in addition to the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 and unintentional external light. (I.e., ambient light by ambient light, electric light, or illumination) may be included.

When disturbance light is included in the received light signal received by the light receiving elements 13a and 13b, the analysis unit 15 to be described later detects a droplet of fluid based on the received light signal received in the light receiving signals 13a and 13b ( In particular, inaccurate results may be caused by disturbance light in counting the number of drops of the sap drop.

Therefore, when the light receiving signal (ie, the first light receiving signal and the second light receiving signal) received by the light receiving elements 13a and 13b includes disturbance light (in other words, the light emitted from the light emitting element and the disturbance) When receiving a light receiving signal including light), the controller 14 is emitted from the light emitting element 12 so that the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 included in the light receiving signal can be more effectively distinguished from the disturbing light. The light can be turned on / off at preset time intervals.

That is, the controller 14 emits light so as to discriminate extraneous light from the received light signals received by the light receiving elements 13a and 13b so as to effectively identify only the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 so as to accurately detect fluid drops. The operation of the light emitting device 12 may be controlled so that the device 12 emits light that is turned on / off at a predetermined time interval.

In other words, the controller 14 may control the light emitting device 12 in a chopping mode. By the chopping mode, the light emitting element 12 can emit light that is turned on / off at a predetermined time interval. That is, the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 by the chopping mode may be alternately turned ON / OFF at a predetermined time interval.

In this case, the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b may be controlled to always receive a signal regardless of whether the light emitting element 12 is turned on or off (regardless).

According to this, the controller 14 controls the light emitting element 12 to operate in the chopping mode, so that the analysis unit 15 to be described later receives the light receiving element even though disturbance light is included in the light receiving signal received by the light receiving elements 13a and 13b. In the received light signals received by 13a and 13b, the light (chopped light) emitted from the light emitting element 12 which is distinguished from the disturbance light can be easily identified (divided). Thereafter, the apparatus 10 removes the disturbance light from the received light signals received by the light receiving elements 13a and 13b, and detects the infusion droplet based on the received light signal from which the disturbance light is removed (that is, the number of drops of the infusion drop is determined. Counting), it is possible to effectively reduce the measurement error of the fluid droplet detection by the disturbance light.

In other words, when there is external light (that is, light by sunlight, electric light, or illumination as ambient light) when the device 10 operates, the light irradiated from the light emitting element 12 and the external light are synthesized ( As mixed) is input to the light receiving elements 13a and 13b, measurement errors may occur due to disturbance light. That is, when external light is present during the operation of the apparatus 10, the light receiving elements 13a and 13b emit light by the external light even when the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 is blocked due to the liquid droplet. A recognition error may occur that the light irradiated from the element 12 is not blocked.

Thus, the apparatus 10 may operate the light emitting element 12 in the chopping mode in order to minimize the influence of the measurement error caused by external factors (eg, external light). In other words, the controller 14 may operate the light emitting element 12 in the chopping mode to detect the fluid droplet. For example, the chopping mode may refer to a method of transferring light to the light receiving elements 13a and 13b while alternately turning on / off the power of the light emitting element 12 at a high frequency.

As the light emitting device 12 operates in the chopping mode, the analysis unit 15 to be described later distinguishes between an electric signal by light emitted (emitted) from the light emitting device 12 and an electric signal by external light. I can do it. At this time, the analysis unit 15 may detect the fluid drop (counting the number of drops of the fluid drop) through the waveform analysis of the received signal, for this purpose, the analysis unit 15 is divided for the waveform analysis of the received signal Signal processing may be performed on the electrical signal. Accordingly, the analyzer 15 may acquire the signal (light receiving signal) of the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 with a certain level or more regardless of external light, and analyze the waveform of the wave light receiving signal based on the light receiving signal. Through more accurate detection of the droplets can be performed. The description of the analysis unit 15 will be described later in more detail.

On the other hand, the device 10 is characterized in that the liquid droplets are detected using one light emitting element 12 and two light receiving elements 13a and 13b, which will be described below. The significance of this will be explained. This can be more readily understood with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which two light emitting devices and two light receiving devices are disposed to face each other for detecting droplets.

Referring to FIG. 8, for example, two light emitting devices 12a and 12b and two light receiving devices 13a and 13b are disposed in the housing 11 to detect a droplet.

Specifically, it is assumed that the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b are disposed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the dropping tube 20 on the other inner surface 11b of the housing 11. In addition, the first light emitting element 12a is disposed at a position opposite to the first light receiving element 13a on one inner surface 11a of the housing 11, and the second light emitting element 12b is one side of the housing 11. It is assumed that the inner surface 11a is disposed at a position opposite to the second light receiving element 13b.

In the case where the droplets are to be detected using the two light emitting devices 12a and 12b disposed as described above, it can be confirmed that the light emitted from each of the two light emitting devices 12a and 12b overlaps each other.

Due to this overlap, the light emitted from the first light emitting element 12a is inputted to the second light receiving element 13b as well as the first light receiving element 13a disposed at a position opposite to the first light emitting element 12a. Similarly, the light emitted from the second light emitting element can be input to the first light receiving element as well as the second light receiving element disposed at a position opposite to the second light emitting element), and is also excessive in the light receiving elements 13a and 13b. As the output to the input occurs, measurement errors can occur. In addition, as the light emitted from the first light emitting element 12a is refracted by the droplet, the second light receiving element 13b is not the first light receiving element 13a disposed at a position opposite to the first light emitting element 12a. ) Can cause measurement error.

Therefore, the apparatus 10 causes the arrangement of a plurality of light emitting elements as shown in FIG. 8 by arranging one light emitting element 12 at a position opposite to the intermediate position between the two light receiving elements 13a and 13b. The measurement error due to the superposition of the plurality of light emitted from each light emitting element can be solved. Hereinafter, the analysis unit 15 will be described in more detail.

The analyzer 15 receives through the light receiving elements 13a and 13b to detect the fluid droplets (ie, detecting the number of drops of the fluid droplets) supplied from the fluid supply part 22 in the upper portion of the drop container 20. The number of drops of the fluid drop can be counted through the waveform analysis of the received light signal.

Specifically, the analyzer 15 receives a first receiver 13a that is changed by drop of the infusion fluid supplied from the infusion supplier 22 between the light receivers 13a and 13b and the light emitting device 12. The number of drops of the fluid drop may be counted through waveform analysis of the light receiving signal and the second light receiving signal received by the second light receiving element 13b. That is, the analysis unit 15 drops the number of drops of the fluid through the waveform analysis of the first light receiving signal received by the first light receiving element 13a and the waveform of the second light receiving signal received by the second light receiving element 13b. Can be counted. This can be more easily understood with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 illustrates a first light receiving device received by the first light receiving element 13a changed by the fluid drop in the process of dropping the fluid drop in the fluid supply part 22 in the fluid drop detection apparatus 10 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present application. The waveform of the signal and the waveform of the second light receiving signal received by the second light receiving element 13b are shown.

In FIG. 9, High TR may mean the first light receiving element 13a and Low TR may mean the second light receiving element 13b. Further, LED ON means when the light emitting element 12 emits light in the light emitting element 12 operating in chopping mode, and LED OFF means light emitting element in the light emitting element 12 operating in chopping mode. 12) may not emit light.

In the device 10, regardless of whether the light emitting element 12 is turned ON or OFF (regardless), the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b are always operated to receive a signal. The light receiving signal received through the light receiving elements 13a and 13b may be formed of four types of waveforms. Specifically, the four types of waveforms include the waveform of the first light receiving signal when the light of the light emitting element 12 is ON, the waveform of the first light receiving signal when the light of the light emitting element 12 is OFF, and the light emission. The waveform of the second light receiving signal when the light of the element 12 is in the ON state, and the waveform of the second light receiving signal when the light of the light emitting element 12 is in the OFF state can be included.

Referring to FIG. 9, when analyzing a waveform, the analyzer 15 may determine a first threshold within a waveform of a first light receiving signal (ie, in a high TR / LED ON waveform) when the light of the light emitting element 12 is in an ON state. After the waveform S1 or more is detected, the reduced waveform S2 that satisfies the predetermined condition is detected, and when the light of the light emitting element 12 is in the ON state, that is, within the waveform of the second light receiving signal (ie, Low TR). When a waveform equal to or greater than the second threshold size S3 is detected, the fluid droplet W supplied from the fluid supply part 22 is dropped in the drop container 20, so Counting information about the number of drops can be increased by one.

Here, the first threshold size S1 and the second threshold size S3 may be set to, for example, values having the same size, but are not limited thereto.

In addition, the preset condition may mean a condition in which the amount of reduction of the waveform size is changed to decrease by more than the preset size within a preset time.

According to this, the analysis unit 15 decreases, such as the S2 portion that is changed to decrease by more than the predetermined size within a predetermined time after the waveform of the first threshold size (S1) or more detected in the High TR / LED ON waveform in the waveform analysis When the waveform appears (if detected), it can be determined that the fluid drop (W) has dropped.

In other words, the analysis unit 15 is a reduced waveform that satisfies a predetermined condition after a waveform having a first threshold magnitude (S1) or more is detected in the High TR / LED ON waveform, and has a reduced waveform having a reduced variation amount of a preset waveform size. If it is detected (if detected), it can be determined that the fluid drop W has fallen.

 At this time, in the exemplary embodiment of the present application, after the waveform of the first threshold size S1 or more is detected in the waveform of the first light receiving signal (High TR / LED ON waveform), the reduced waveform S2 satisfying a preset condition is Counting information about the number of drops of the sap drops because the drop of the sap supplied from the sap supply section is dropped in the drop container when the waveform is detected, and in addition to the waveform of the second threshold size (S3) in the waveform of the second light receiving signal is detected. Although illustrated as increasing by 1, it is not limited thereto.

As another example, the analysis unit 15 may reduce a waveform that satisfies a predetermined condition after a waveform of a first threshold magnitude S1 or more is detected within a waveform of the first light receiving signal (High TR / LED ON waveform) during waveform analysis. Even if S2) is detected, counting information about the number of drops of the infusion droplet W can be increased by one because the infusion droplet W has fallen from the infusion supply unit 22. In this case, the waveform analysis result of whether a waveform larger than the second threshold size S3 is detected in the waveform of the second light receiving signal (Low TR / LED ON waveform) verifies whether or not the drop of the sap drops W is correct. Can be used to

That is, the analysis unit 15 detects a reduction waveform S2 that satisfies a predetermined condition after detecting a waveform equal to or greater than the first threshold size S1 within the waveform of the first light receiving signal (High TR / LED ON waveform). If it is determined that the fluid drops dropped, the counting information is increased by one, and if a waveform equal to or greater than the second threshold size S3 is detected within the waveform of the second light receiving signal (Low TR / LED ON waveform), the fluid supply part 22 From the sap droplet (W) can be determined to fall surely can maintain the counting information 1 previously increased as it is. A more detailed description is as follows.

The magnitude value of the waveform shown in FIG. 9 may have an inverse relationship with the magnitude value of the light reception signal received by the light reception element. That is, the smaller the magnitude (size value, the amount of received light) of the received signal received by the light receiving element, the larger the magnitude of the waveform shown in FIG. 9 (in other words, the greater the vertical axis (y-axis) value of the graph). May appear.

Specifically, when there is no fluid drop W formed in the fluid supply part 22 when the light of the light emitting element 12 is in the ON state, the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 is affected by the fluid drop W. It may be input to the first light receiving element 13a without a single one. In this case, the magnitude of the first light receiving signal received by the first light receiving element 13a may have a maximum magnitude value. Also, the waveform in this case may appear such that the value of the waveform size has a minimum size value, such as a portion of the High TR / LED ON waveform.

In addition, when the light of the light emitting element 12 is in the ON state, the fluid droplet W supplied from the fluid supply part 22 is formed in the fluid supply part 22, and the size of the fluid droplet W gradually increases to the maximum size. Since the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 is affected by the droplet B (that is, it is gradually obscured by the larger droplet), the first light receiving element 13a receives the light. The magnitude (size value, the amount of received light) of the first light received signal may be changed to gradually become smaller. In this case, the waveform may appear such that the value of the waveform size gradually increases as in the b portion of the High TR / LED ON waveform. That is, when the size of the fluid droplets W formed in the infusion supply unit 22 gradually increases, the size of the first light receiving signal is gradually reduced and the waveform of the first light receiving signal is as shown in the b portion of the High TR / LED ON waveform. It may appear to change gradually.

In addition, when the fluid droplet W forms a maximum magnitude in the fluid supply part 22 when the light of the light emitting element 12 is in the ON state, the waveform of the first light receiving signal (that is, the High TR / LED ON waveform) is suppressed. The waveform may have a magnitude greater than or equal to one threshold magnitude S1.

Thereafter, when the sap droplet W formed to the maximum size falls (drops) from the sap supply part 22, the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 by the drop of the sap droplet W is dropped by the sap droplet W. Since the change is not obscured, the magnitude (size value, light reception amount) of the first light reception signal received by the first light receiving element 13a may be changed to become large instantaneously. In this case, the waveform may be changed in such a manner as to rapidly decrease the value of the waveform size, such as the S2 portion of the High TR / LED ON waveform.

Therefore, the analysis unit 15, if a waveform having a reduction amount of the predetermined waveform size is detected (detected) after the waveform having the first threshold magnitude (S1) or more is detected in the High TR / LED ON waveform, the fluid supply unit 22 Counting information about the number of drops of the fluid drop (W) can be increased by 1 because the fluid drop (W) has dropped from the.

In addition, in the present apparatus 10, the sap drop is below the maximum size formed on the sap supply part 22, that is, the end point of the sap drop (W ') in which the sap drop W' falls to the sap supply part 22 at the maximum size. The second light receiving element 13b may be disposed at the position of the other inner surface 11b corresponding to the position of the midpoint p5 of the falling droplet W 'when it reaches (p3). Accordingly, the magnitude of the second light receiving signal received by the second light receiving element 13b when the light of the light emitting element 12 is in the ON state appears as a maximum value before the drop of the fluid drop W falls and sags. When the drop (W) falls, it may appear to have a value of the minimum size by the drop of the sap (W). In this case, the waveform may appear in a form in which the magnitude of the waveform size increases and decreases momentarily, as in the c portion of the Low TR / LED ON waveform.

Therefore, when the waveform of the second threshold magnitude S3 or more is detected in the Low TR / LED ON waveform, the analyzer 15 may determine that the fluid droplet W is surely dropped from the fluid supply part 22. After the waveform of the first received signal is detected in the waveform analysis result of the first threshold size (S1) or more after the reduction waveform having a reduction amount of the predetermined waveform size is displayed, it is possible to maintain the increased counting information as it is.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 9, the waveform of the first light receiving signal (High TR / OFF waveform) when the light of the light emitting element 12 is OFF and the second light receiving signal of the light of the light emitting element 12 are OFF. The waveform (Low TR / OFF waveform) distinguishes whether the received light signal received by the light receiving elements 13a and 13b includes the disturbance light, and when the received signal contains the disturbance light, the received signal from which the disturbance light has been removed Can be used to obtain. This can be more easily understood through the description with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 described below.

If it is determined that counting the drop number of the fluid drop through the waveform analysis of the second light reception signal is impossible, the analyzer 15 may determine that the light reception area of the first light receiving element 13a due to the fluid drop is equal to or larger than the preset area value. Counting information about the number of drops of the sap can be increased by one. This can be more readily understood with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a view showing when the drop container 20 to which the fluid droplet detection device 10 is coupled does not tilt (a) and when tilted (b) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, when the drop container 20 to which the apparatus 10 is coupled is not inclined (a), the fluid drop W falls vertically from the fluid supply part 22 in the drop container 20. You can see that. On the other hand, when the drop container 20 to which the device 10 is coupled is inclined (b), it can be seen that the drop of fluid (W) supplied from the infusion supply unit 22 falls down the inner wall of the drop container 20. have.

As such, when the drop container 20 is inclined as shown in FIG. 10B, the waveform of the received signal received by the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b is determined by the drop container 20. It may appear differently when it is not inclined as shown in FIG. In particular, as the drop of the infusion drop by the second light receiving element 13b is difficult, counting the drop number of the infusion drop through the waveform analysis of the second light receiving signal may be impossible.

Therefore, for example, if the analysis unit 15 determines that the drop count of the fluid drop through the waveform analysis of the second light reception signal is impossible, the light receiving area of the first light receiving element 13a by the fluid drop W is previously determined. You can check whether the set area value or more. Thereafter, the analysis unit 15 counts the number of drops of the sap droplets when the drop of the sap drops when the incidence area of the first light receiving element 13a by the sap droplets W is equal to or larger than the preset area value. You can increase the information by 1.

As another example, when it is determined that counting the number of drops of the fluid droplet through the waveform analysis of the second light receiving signal is impossible, the analysis unit 15 may have an integral value with respect to the waveform area of the first light receiving signal more than a preset integral value. When the fluid drop W drops, the counting information on the number of drops of fluid drop can be increased by one.

The present application more accurately detects the number of drops of fluid drops even when the drop container 20 to which the device 10 is coupled is inclined or counting the number of drops of fluid drops through the waveform analysis of the second light receiving signal. (Measurement, sensing, counting).

In addition, the analysis unit 15 removes the disturbance light signal known in advance for each of the first light reception signal and the second light reception signal, and the first light reception signal from which the disturbance light signal has been removed and the second light reception from which the disturbance light signal has been removed. You can use the signal to perform waveform analysis.

In this case, when the light of the light emitting element 12 is in the OFF state, the light receiving signal received by the light receiving elements 13a and 13b may be a disturbance light signal.

In order to more accurately count the number of drops of fluid droplets, the apparatus 10 receives in advance a light receiving signal when the light of the light emitting element 12 is turned off through the light receiving elements 13a and 13b and is described later. You can store it in (17). Thereafter, the analyzer 15 receives the first and second light receiving signals obtained from the light receiving elements 13a and 13b by using the received light receiving signal (that is, the light receiving signal when the light of the light emitting element is OFF). For each received signal, a disturbance light signal (that is, a received light signal received in advance) is removed, and a fluid drop is performed by using the first light signal from which the disturbance light signal is removed and the second light signal from which the disturbance light signal is removed. Waveform analysis can be performed for counting the number of drops.

In addition, when the light emitting device 12 is controlled in a chopping mode in which the light emitting device 12 is turned on / off at a predetermined time interval, the first light receiving device 13a is provided when the light emitted from the light emitting device 12 is ON. The first light receiving signal from which the disturbance light signal is removed through the difference between the first light receiving signal received by the first light receiving element 13a and the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 is OFF. Can be obtained. In addition, when the light emitting device 12 is controlled in a chopping mode in which the light emitting device 12 is turned on / off at a predetermined time interval, the second light receiving device 13b when the light emitted from the light emitting device 12 is ON. The second light receiving signal from which the disturbance light signal is removed through the difference between the second light receiving signal received by the second light receiving element 13b and the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 are OFF. Can be obtained. Subsequently, the analyzer 15 may perform waveform analysis using the first received signal from which the acquired disturbance light signal is removed and the second received signal from which the acquired disturbance light signal is removed. This can be more readily understood with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of waveforms of a first light receiving signal received by the first light receiving element 13a in the fluid droplet detecting apparatus 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 11, High TR may mean the first light receiving element 13a. Further, LED ON means when the light emitting element 12 emits light in the light emitting element 12 operating in chopping mode, and LED OFF means light emitting element in the light emitting element 12 operating in chopping mode. 12) may not emit light.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the light of the light emitting element 12 is in an ON state (LED ON state), the waveform of the first light receiving signal is displayed in the form of a waveform like part a when there is no disturbance light, and b when there is disturbance light. It can appear in the form of a waveform like a part. In addition, when the light of the light emitting element 12 is in an OFF state (LED OFF state), the waveform of the first light receiving signal is displayed in the form of a waveform such as part c when there is no disturbance light, and the waveform of part d when there is disturbance light. It can appear in the form of.

In the waveform analysis for drop counting of the sap drops, when the waveform of the first light receiving signal including the disturbance light is used, an accurate analysis result (sap drop detection result) may not be derived.

Therefore, in order to reduce the measurement error of the fluid drop, the analysis unit 15 is controlled in the chopping mode in which the light emitting element 12 is turned on / off at a predetermined time interval, the difference between the two light receiving signals, that is, the light emitting element 12 ), When the light emitted from the first light receiving element 13a receives the first light receiving signal (ie, the first light receiving signal corresponding to the High TR / LED ON waveform) and the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 When it is OFF, the difference between the first light receiving signal received by the first light receiving element 13a (that is, the first light receiving signal corresponding to the High TR / LED OFF waveform) can be calculated.

In this case, when looking at the waveform of the first received signal calculated as the difference between the two received signals (that is, the High TR / Difference waveform), the waveform of the e part calculated as the difference between the b part and the d part does not include disturbance light in the LED ON state. It can be seen that it is similar to the waveform when it is not (ie, a partial waveform). This may mean that due to the difference between the two received signals, a received signal having a level substantially equivalent to that when no disturbance light is included may be obtained. That is, it may mean that the first light receiving signal from which the disturbance light is removed may be obtained by the difference between the two light receiving signals.

Therefore, the analysis unit 15 removes the disturbance light signal through the difference between the two light reception signals (ie, the difference between the light reception signal corresponding to the High TR / LED ON waveform and the light reception signal corresponding to the High TR / LED OFF waveform). A first light receiving signal (ie, a first light receiving signal corresponding to a High TR / Difference waveform) may be obtained.

At this time, the analyzer 15 applies a low pass filter (LPF) to the first light receiving signal (ie, the first light receiving signal corresponding to the High TR / Difference waveform) from which the disturbance light signal has been removed. A received signal at the same level as the waveform of the portion a can be obtained.

The analysis unit 15 analyzes the waveform for counting the number of drops of the infusion droplet using the first received signal from which the acquired disturbance light signal has been removed (in particular, the first received signal from which the disturbance light signal to which the low pass filter is applied) has been removed. Can be performed.

12 is a view showing an example of the waveform of the second light receiving signal received by the second light receiving element 13b in the infusion droplet detection apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present application.

In FIG. 12, Low TR may refer to the second light receiving element 13b. Further, LED ON means when the light emitting element 12 emits light in the light emitting element 12 operating in chopping mode, and LED OFF means light emitting element in the light emitting element 12 operating in chopping mode. 12) may not emit light.

At this time, the description of the waveform of the second light receiving signal received by the second light receiving element 13b shown in FIG. 12 is described with reference to the first light receiving element 13a described above with reference to FIG. The same as or similar to the contents of the waveform can be understood, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

According to the description with reference to FIGS. 11 to 12, the analyzer 15 may determine the received light signal using the first light signal from which the acquired disturbance light signal is removed and the second light signal from which the acquired disturbance light signal is removed. You can perform waveform analysis and count the number of drops of fluid through the waveform analysis.

The communication unit 16 may perform communication (network communication) with an external terminal (external user terminal). In this case, communication (network communication) between the communication unit 16 and an external terminal may include radio frequency (RF) communication, near field communication (NFC), Bluetooth communication, beacon communication, WiFi communication, and 3GPP. (3rd Generation Partnership Project) Network Communications, Long Term Evolution (LTE) Network Communications, World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX) Network Communications, Internet Communications, Local Area Networks, Wireless Local Area Networks It can mean all wired / wireless communication such as communication, and is not limited to this. Communication schemes can be applied.

The communication unit 16 may transmit counting information regarding the number of drops of the fluid droplets counted by the analyzer 14 under control of the controller 14 to the external terminal through the communication with the external terminal as the fluid droplet detection information. .

In other words, the controller 14 may transmit the counting information regarding the number of drops of the fluid droplets counted by the analysis part 15 to the external terminal through the communication unit 16 as the fluid droplet detection information.

The memory unit 17 may store counting information regarding the number of drops of the fluid droplets counted by the analyzer 15 as the fluid droplet detection information. In other words, the controller 14 may store counting information regarding the number of drops of the fluid droplets counted by the analyzer 15 as the fluid droplet detection information in the memory unit 17.

The controller 14 stores the counting information by the analyzer 15 in the memory unit 17 and / or transmits the counting information by the analyzer 15 to the external terminal in consideration of whether the apparatus 10 is in a state where communication with the external terminal is possible. Can be.

For example, when the apparatus 10 is in a state capable of communicating with an external terminal, the controller 14 does not store counting information regarding the number of drops of the sap drops counted by the analyzer 15. It can be transmitted to the external terminal in real time without. As another example, when the apparatus 10 is in a state capable of communicating with an external terminal, the controller 14 may store counting information in the memory unit 17 and simultaneously transmit the counting information to the external terminal.

If the apparatus 10 is in a state where communication with an external terminal is impossible, the controller 14 may store counting information in the memory unit 17.

In this case, when the communication with the external terminal is impossible and the communication is changed into a state in which communication is possible, the controller 14 may transmit all counting information stored in the memory unit 17 to the external terminal until immediately before the communication is possible. . Alternatively, when the communication with the external terminal is not possible and the communication state is changed, the control unit 14 may include the last counting information stored in the counting information stored in the memory unit 17 until immediately before the communication is possible. That is, only counting information, which is counted immediately before the communication is switched to the enabled state, may be transmitted to the external terminal.

Hereinafter, a fluid administration monitoring system including the apparatus 10 will be described in more detail.

13 is a view showing a schematic configuration of the infusion administration monitoring system 100 according to an embodiment of the present application.

Hereinafter, the fluid administration monitoring system 100 according to an embodiment of the present application will be referred to as the system 100 for convenience of description. In addition, the infusion administration monitoring system 100 may be expressed differently as an infusion administration management system.

Referring to FIG. 13, the system 100 may include an infusion droplet detecting device 10 and an external terminal 30. Here, the fluid droplet detection device 10 shown in FIG. 13 is the same device as the device 10 described above, and the descriptions of the device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The same may be applied to the description of the droplet detection apparatus 10.

The device 10 and the external terminal 30 may be connected to the network 40. Here, since the description of the network has been described in detail above, the redundant description will be omitted.

The device 10 may be coupled to the drop container 20 of the infusion set 1 for administering an infusion to a subject (eg, user, patient, etc.). The apparatus 10 uses the counting information counting the number of drops of the fluid droplets supplied from the fluid supply part 22 in the upper portion of the drop container 20 to the external terminal 30 as the fluid droplet detection information. ) Can be sent.

The external terminal 30 (the external user terminal) may receive the droplet detection information transmitted from the apparatus 10 and perform analysis of the fluid administration state related information based on the received droplet detection information. Thereafter, the external terminal 30 may display the analyzed fluid administration status related information on the screen based on the received fluid droplet detection information.

In this case, the fluid administration status related information displayed on the screen includes the fluid administration status related information analyzed based on the droplet detection information, and includes the maximum and minimum values of the fluid administration speed, the real-time fluid administration speed, the fluid administration time, and the fluid dosage. At least one of (infusion amount) may be included. In addition, the information related to the fluid administration status may include fluid remaining amount, fluid administration progress, and the like. In addition, the information related to the fluid administration state displayed on the screen may include unique identification information (ID information) donated to the fluid droplet detecting apparatus 10 (the present apparatus) that has transmitted the fluid droplet detection information.

The external terminal 30 may be, for example, a personal communication system (PCS), a global system for mobile communication (GSM), a personal digital cellular (PDC), a personal handyphone system (PHS), a personal digital assistant (PDA), or an IMT. (International Mobile Telecommunication) -2000, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) -2000, WCode Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA), Wireless Broadband Internet (WBRO) terminals, Smartphones, SmartPads, Tablet PCs And wired and wireless communication devices of all kinds, such as notebooks, wearable devices, desktop PCs, and the like, but are not limited thereto.

The external terminal 30 may refer to a terminal possessed by a person (for example, a nurse, a doctor, a guardian, a caregiver, etc.) who wants to monitor a patient's fluid administration.

For example, the external terminal 30 may refer to a terminal possessed by a nurse who cares for a patient in which fluid or nutrient supply is performed. In this case, the terminal possessed by a nurse may mean, for example, a desktop PC existing at a desk where a nurse in a hospital works, or a portable terminal (smartphone, tablet PC, etc.) possessed by a nurse. It is not limited to this.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the external terminal 30 will be described as an example as a desktop PC existing at a desk where a nurse of a hospital sees an example.

In addition, the external terminal 30 is provided with a plurality of fluid drop detection device 10 (this apparatus), each of a plurality of fluid drop detection devices analyzed based on the fluid drop detection information received from each of the plurality of fluid drop detection device Information related to the fluid administration status can be displayed on the screen at the same time. This may be more readily understood with reference to FIGS. 14-16.

14 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of fluid droplet detection devices are provided in the fluid administration monitoring system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Referring to FIG. 14, the system 100 may be applied to a facility such as a hospital, a nursing home, or the like that cares a plurality of patients in need of fluid or nutrient supply.

For example, suppose there are six patients who are infused with fluid in room A of the hospital. In this case, the fluid droplet detection device (this apparatus) 10 may be provided corresponding to each of six patients. That is, the fluid droplet detection device may be provided in plurality (eg, six) in a number corresponding to the number of patients. That is, the drop container of the infusion set used by six patients may be provided with one drop detection device (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F).

At this time, each of the six fluid drop detection apparatus (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F), each of the six fluid droplet detection information (that is, counting information on the number of drops of fluid drops) through the communication unit It may be transmitted to the terminal 30.

Here, the fluid droplet detection information transmitted from each of the six fluid droplet detection apparatuses 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, and 10F is, for example, an external terminal 30 through a router (Ruter, R1) disposed in a hospital A room. ) Is delivered to a router (Ruter, R3) arranged in the space where the location is located, through which the external terminal 30 (for example, a nurse terminal) receives the drop detection information transmitted from the drop detection device can do.

Here, the routers disposed in each ward may be represented differently as sub-routers, and the routers arranged in the space where the external terminal 30 is located may be represented differently as the central management router R3. As a specific example, the routers disposed in the room A may be represented as a first sub-router R1 and the routers disposed in the room B may be referred to as a second sub-router R2.

15 is a view showing an example of the fluid administration status related information displayed (displayed) on the screen of the external terminal 30 in the fluid administration monitoring system 100 according to an embodiment of the present application.

The fluid administration state related information shown in FIG. 15 is in the fluid droplet detection information received from the first fluid droplet detection device 10A among the 6 fluid droplet detection devices 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, and 10F. It may mean information related to the fluid administration status analyzed based on.

Referring to FIG. 15, in the first area s1 of the screen of the external terminal 30, unique identification information (ID information) donated to the droplet detection device that has transmitted the droplet detection information among the fluid administration state related information is displayed. Can be displayed. For example, the unique identification information donated to the first infusion droplet detection apparatus 10A may be one.

In addition, in the second area s2 of the screen of the external terminal 30, the maximum value of the fluid administration rate among the fluid administration status related information is displayed in the left region, and the minimum value of the fluid administration rate among the fluid administration status related information is the right region. Can be displayed. For example, the maximum value of the fluid dose rate analyzed for the first droplet detection device 10A may be 90, and the minimum value of the fluid dose rate may be 60.

The maximum and minimum values of the fluid administration rate may be automatically determined in one example or set by another user (eg, nurse, etc.) input in consideration of the condition of the patient to which the fluid is administered, or the type of fluid or drug to be administered. Can be.

In addition, the third area s3 of the screen of the external terminal 30 may display a value of the real-time infusion rate of the infusion solution-related information. At this time, the value of the real-time infusion rate can be calculated in consideration of the time the drop detection device 10A counted the number of drops of the drop.

To this end, the infusion droplet detection apparatus 10A may store the counted time together in the memory unit whenever the drop number of the infusion droplet is counted. In addition, the infusion droplet detecting apparatus 10A may transmit the number of drops of the counted infusion droplets and time (counting time) information when counting the infusion droplets to the external terminal 30.

In this case, the external terminal 30 takes into account the time when counting the sap droplets received from the sap drop detection device 10A, and the counting time of the previous sap drops counted before and the next sap drops counted next time. The difference between the counting times can be used to calculate the real-time infusion rate.

The maximum, minimum, and real-time infusion rate values of the infusion rate displayed on the screen of the external terminal 30 may be displayed in units of (gtt / min) as drops falling in one minute.

If the value of the real-time infusion dose rate displayed on the screen of the external terminal 30 is greater than the maximum value of the infusion tour rate, the user monitoring the infusion administration state related information of the first infusion droplet detection apparatus 10A ( For example, the nurse may determine that the fluid administration through the fluid set corresponding to the first fluid droplet detection device 10A is an abnormal situation in which the fluid is administered faster than the range of the fluid administration rate initially set. .

Similarly, when the value of the real-time infusion dose rate displayed on the screen of the external terminal 30 is smaller than the maximum value of the infusion tour rate, the user monitoring the infusion administration state related information of the first infusion droplet detection apparatus 10A ( For example, the nurse may determine that the fluid administration through the fluid set corresponding to the first fluid droplet detection device 10A is an abnormal situation in which the fluid is slowly administered out of the range of the fluid administration rate initially set. .

That is, the system 100 determines whether an abnormal situation (problem) with respect to the administration of the fluid to the patient through the fluid administration status related information displayed on the screen of the external terminal 30 by the user (for example, a nurse, etc.) It can be provided for awareness, and can be taken to take immediate action on anomalies.

In addition, in the fourth region s4 of the screen of the external terminal 30, the infusion administration time may be displayed in the infusion administration state related information. In this case, the infusion administration time may be displayed by the elapsed time from the time when the droplet was first detected (ie, the time when the first droplet was dropped and counted) through the droplet detection apparatus 10A. In this case, the elapsed time may be displayed, for example, in seconds, but is not limited thereto.

In addition, the fifth area s5 of the screen of the external terminal 30 may display the fluid dosage (infusion amount) in the fluid administration state related information. In this case, the fluid dose may mean, for example, the total amount of fluid to be administered to the patient.

In addition, in the sixth area s6 of the screen of the external terminal 30, the fluid administration progress information among the fluid administration state related information may be displayed.

For example, the fluid administration progress information may include the fluid dosage information so far administered, which may be expressed in%, for example, compared to the target fluid dosage. In this case, the amount of the infusion administered so far may be calculated based on the number of drops of the counted infusion of the bar.

Also, as another example, the fluid administration progress information may include information on the amount of fluid administration remaining up to the target fluid dosage. As another example, the fluid administration progress information may include the fluid administration time information remaining until the target fluid dosage.

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the fluid administration progress information may display various information related to the progress of the fluid administration.

In addition, the external terminal 30 is abnormal in the administration of the fluid administration state (for example, the fluid administration rate is faster than the predetermined upper threshold speed, or slower than the predetermined lower threshold speed, or is not administered or If it is determined that the sap administration is not normally performed, it is possible to provide the nurses with a notification function for the abnormal situation through the display of a pop-up window on the screen of the external terminal 30. have.

16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of fluid administration status related information displayed on the screen of the external terminal 30 in the fluid administration monitoring system 100 according to an embodiment of the present application. The module shown in FIG. 16 may refer to the device (a fluid drop detection device) as a fluid administration monitoring module.

Referring to FIG. 16, on the screen of the external terminal 30, for example, the fluid administration state related information corresponding to each of six fluid drop detection apparatuses 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, and 10F is displayed together on one screen. Can be. In this case, each of the six fluid drop detection apparatuses 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, and 10F may be provided with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 as unique identification information.

In this way, the system 100 provides a plurality of fluid administration status related information corresponding to a plurality of fluid drop detection devices to be simultaneously displayed on one screen, so that a user (for example, a nurse, etc.) is able to receive fluids of a plurality of patients. It may be provided for easier recognition of the administration state (ie, intuitively and easily).

In addition, the external terminal 30 of the present system 100 is based on the strength of the communication signal between the router and the apparatus 10 using a plurality of routers, the patient is administered infusion monitoring monitoring by the apparatus 10 in the hospital (I.e., the device 10 is coupled to an infusion set, thereby performing tracking (tracking the movement position) of the movement of the patient to which the dosing administration is monitored.

In addition, the external terminal 30 of the present system 100 can check (monitoring) whether or not the patient of the patient in the fluid administration monitoring is performed by the device 10 in the room using a router. In other words, the system 100 may include an In / Out Check function to determine whether the infusion solution patient corresponding to the device 10 has left the room.

For example, a patient in which fluid administration monitoring is performed by the first drop detection device 10A (ie, a patient corresponding to the first drop detection device) is in room A and exits room A. Let's go to

In this case, as the first infusion droplet detecting apparatus 10A gradually moves away from the first router R1 in room A, the strength of the communication signal between the first infusion droplet detecting apparatus 10A and the first router R1 is It gradually weakens, and the communication with the first router R1 may be interrupted when the first infusion droplet detecting apparatus 10A goes out of the communication allowable area of the first router R1. Subsequently, when the first infusion droplet detecting apparatus 10A gradually approaches the C ward in another ward, the strength of the communication signal between the first infusion droplet detecting apparatus 10A and the router disposed in the C sickroom may gradually increase. have. At this time, when the strength of the communication signal between the first infusion droplet detection apparatus 10A and the router disposed in the hospital room C falls within a preset strength range, the external terminal 30 in the ward in which the hospital room C is located is the first infusion bottle. It can be determined that the detection apparatus 10A is located in the C hospital room.

Accordingly, the system 100 may identify (monitor) the direction of movement of the patient or the position of the patient by using the strength of the communication signal between the router and the apparatus 10 based on the plurality of routers.

In addition, the system 100 uses the at least one router arranged in the ward located in the hospital room A as the patient moves out of the communication allowance area of the at least one router disposed in the ward in which the hospital room A is located. Even if it is not possible, at least one router in another ward can be used to locate the patient. That is, according to the present system 100, a nurse corresponding to an external terminal disposed in another ward (that is, a nurse in another ward) may recognize that a patient has moved in a side ward by an external terminal disposed in another ward. And take action on the patient (for example, calling a nurse).

In other words, the system 100 establishes a wireless network to allow a patient in a first wireless network (eg, within a communication allowance area for a first ward that can be monitored using at least one router disposed in the first ward). It may be provided to detect information related to the fluid administration status of the. In addition, when the patient leaves the communication allowance area of the first wireless network, the system 100 may notify the nurses through a pop-up window or the like, for example, on a screen of the external terminal 30.

In addition, the system 100 uses at least one router deployed in another second wireless network (eg, in a second ward other than the first ward, even when the patient is outside the communication tolerance of the first wireless network). Communication permissible area for the second monitorable ward may be used to detect information about the patient's fluid administration status. In the system 100, when the patient enters the communication allowance range of the second wireless network and the communication with the second wireless network becomes possible, an external terminal belonging to the second wireless network is connected to the patient's sap via the second wireless network. The droplet detection information may be obtained from the detection apparatus, and the fluid administration status related information of the patient may be monitored based on the acquired droplet detection information.

According to the present application, it is possible to provide hardware and software for the infusion administration monitoring system 100 using a wireless communication-based optical device. In addition, according to the present application, it is possible to provide an optical element-based fluid drop detection device 10 for monitoring fluid administration. Here, the fluid droplet detection device 10 may be expressed differently as, for example, a fluid administration monitoring module.

In addition, in the system 100, for communication between the device 10 and the central management router (which may mean a router corresponding to an external terminal), for example, wireless communication such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and wireless communication Can be configured as a TCP / IP network based on a router that converts to wired communication (which may mean routers deployed in a room and may be otherwise represented as a repeater).

In other words, the network applied to the present application may be made of, for example, TCP / IP based socket communication. Each of the plurality of apparatuses 10 may transmit the droplet detection information detected by itself to one router through wireless communication, and the external terminal 30 may receive and collect a plurality of droplet detection information from the router. have.

In addition, according to the present application, the external terminal 30 may classify collected from a plurality of the present device 10, and display information related to the fluid administration status of patients to a user (eg, a nurse), and may be centrally monitored. Can be performed.

The external terminal 30 may perform data classifier of the data collected from the apparatus 10, monitor the fluid administration to the patient and estimate the fluid administration rate based on the collected data.

In this case, the classification of the data refers to identifying and classifying the fluid droplet detection apparatuses that transmit the fluid droplet detection information with respect to the plurality of fluid droplet detection information received by the external terminal 30. Classification may be performed using unique identification information (ID information) donated to. In addition, the estimation of the fluid dosing rate can be estimated using the time at which the drop count of the drop was counted (ie, the counting time of the drop).

In addition, the external terminal 30 may receive a type of drug to be administered to the patient from a user (for example, a nurse, etc.), in which case the user input for the type of drug may touch the screen of the external terminal 30 or , Keyboard, mouse, and the like. In addition, the external terminal 30 may display the analyzed fluid administration rate based on the fluid droplet detection information received from the apparatus 10 in real time.

According to the present application, it is possible to prevent small and large medical accidents occurring during the administration of fluid in the hospital through the system 100 can effectively secure the safety of the patient during treatment. In addition, according to the present application, by allowing the patient to monitor the administration of fluid in real time in the nurse room, it is possible to minimize the waste of personnel and copper wire of the nurse can increase the work efficiency. In addition, according to the present application, it is possible to provide a higher quality of service through increasing work efficiency and securing patient safety.

In addition, according to the present application, it is possible to precisely detect the fluid droplets through the present device 10 in which the optical element is disposed below the position where the fluid droplets are formed in the drop container and the maximum size of the fluid droplets.

In addition, when the device 10 is determined that the abnormal situation occurred during the administration of the fluid (for example, when the fluid administration is not made or the fluid administration rate is faster or slower than the predetermined rate), as an example to the device 10 A notification may be generated through a speaker unit (not shown) provided by the self.

In addition, by installing the apparatus 10 in each patient's infusion set, the external terminal 30 can simultaneously monitor the infusion administration state for a plurality of patients in real time. In addition, according to the present application, it is possible to reduce the medical accident related to the fluid administration through the nurse call function of the system 100.

In addition, according to the present application, through the real-time fluid administration monitoring through the system 100 can minimize the manpower used for the existing infusion administration confirmation, thereby promoting an effective circulation of the hospital.

Hereinafter, based on the details described above, the operation flow of the present application will be briefly described.

17 is a schematic operation flowchart of an operation control method of the fluid droplet detection apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present application.

The operation control method of the fluid droplet detecting apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 17 may be performed by the fluid droplet detecting apparatus 10 (the present apparatus) described above. Therefore, even if omitted below, the contents described with respect to the droplet detection apparatus 10 (this apparatus) may be equally applied to the description of the operation control method of the droplet detection apparatus 10.

Referring to FIG. 17, in step S11, the controller 14 may generate a control signal for controlling the operation of the apparatus 10.

In this case, in step S11, the controller 14 may generate a control signal such that the single light emitting device 12 included in the apparatus 10 operates in a chopping mode in which light is turned on / off at a predetermined time interval. In addition, in step S11, the controller 14 may generate a control signal to operate in an ON mode such that at least one of the light receiving elements 13a and 13b included in the apparatus 10 always receives a light receiving signal.

Next, in step S12, the controller 14 may control the operation of the apparatus 10 based on the control signal generated in step S11.

In step S12, the control unit 14 controls the light emitting device such that the single light emitting device 12 included in the device 10 emits light, and at least one light receiving device 13a and 13b included in the device 10. At least one light receiving element 13a, 13b may be controlled to receive a light receiving signal including light emitted from the light emitting element. Here, the at least one light receiving element may mean two light receiving elements.

At this time, in step S12, the control unit 14 controls the light emitting element 12 to operate in a chopping mode, and the light receiving elements 13a and 13b always transmit a signal (a light receiving signal) regardless of the chopping of the light emitting element 12. Can be controlled to receive.

That is, in step S12, under the control of the control unit 14, the light emitting element 12 emits light to be turned on / off at a predetermined interval, and the light receiving elements 13a and 13b emit light emitted from the light emitting element 12. Can be received.

In addition, although not shown in the drawings, the operation control method of the infusion droplet detection apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present application, by the operation control by the control unit 14, in the analysis unit, the droplet is at least one light receiving element (I.e., two light receiving elements) and a second light receiving signal received by the first light receiving element 13a and the second light receiving element 13b that are changed by falling between the light emitting elements 12 The method may further include analyzing a waveform and counting the number of drops of the fluid droplet through the waveform analysis.

In addition, in the operation control method of the infusion droplet detection apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present application, after the counting step, the counting information on the number of drops of the counted fluid droplets through the communication unit as the fluid droplet detection information through the communication unit The method may further include transmitting to.

In addition, the operation control method of the fluid droplet detection apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, after the counting step, storing the counting information on the number of drops of the counted fluid droplets as the fluid droplet detection information in the memory unit It may further comprise a step.

In the above description, steps S11 to S12 may be further divided into additional steps or combined into fewer steps, according to an embodiment herein. In addition, some steps may be omitted as necessary, and the order between the steps may be changed.

FIG. 18 is a schematic operation flowchart of a method of detecting a droplet through a fluid droplet detecting apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

18 may be performed by the infusion droplet detecting apparatus 10 (the present apparatus) described above. Therefore, even if omitted below, the contents described with respect to the droplet detection apparatus 10 may be equally applicable to the description of the droplet detection method.

Referring to FIG. 18, in step 21, light may be emitted from a single light emitting device disposed on one circumferential surface of the drop container of the infusion set. In other words, in step S21, the light emitting device may emit light under the control of the controller 14.

In this case, in step S21, the light emitting device may emit light to be turned on / off at a predetermined time.

Next, in step S22, the light receiving signal including the light emitted in step S21 (that is, the light emitted from the light emitting element) is disposed on the first circumferential surface of the other side of the drop container opposite to the one circumferential surface of the drop container. It may be received through a light receiving device including a device and a second light receiving device. In other words, in step S22, the light receiving element may receive the light receiving signal under the control of the controller 14.

In this case, the first light receiving element and the second light receiving element may be arranged at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the drop container on the other peripheral surface. In addition, the light emitting device may be disposed at a position corresponding to an intermediate position between the position of the first light receiving element and the position of the second light receiving element of one side circumferential surface.

In addition, the predetermined interval may be determined in consideration of the position and the size of the sap drops supplied from the sap supply unit.

According to this, the first light receiving element may be disposed at a position corresponding to the midpoint of the sap droplet formed to the maximum size of the sap supply part of the other peripheral surface. In addition, the second light receiving element may be disposed at a position corresponding to a position below an end point of the infusion droplet having a maximum size on the infusion supply portion of the other peripheral surface.

In addition, the second light receiving element is in the middle of the drop of the sap that falls when the starting point of the drop of the sap drops falling to the sap supply portion reaches the end point of the sap drop formed to the maximum size of the sap supply section after the drop of the sap drops formed in the sap supply section It may be disposed at a position corresponding to the point.

Further, in step S23, the analysis unit 15 analyzes the waveform of the received signal received through the light receiving element in step S22 in order to detect the number of drops of the infusion droplets supplied from the infusion container of the upper part in the drop container. The drop number of the sap can be counted.

At this time, in step S23, the analysis unit 15 waveforms of the first light receiving signal received by the first light receiving element and the second light receiving signal received by the second light receiving element, which are changed by dropping the fluid drop between the light receiving element and the light emitting element. The analysis allows counting the number of drops in the sap.

In step S23, after the waveform analysis, a waveform having a predetermined threshold size or more is detected in the waveform of the first light receiving signal, and then a reduced waveform that satisfies a predetermined condition is detected, and in the waveform of the second light receiving signal, a waveform having a second threshold size or more is detected. When the waveform is detected, the drop supplied from the infusion supply unit is regarded as falling in the drop container, so that the analysis unit 15 may increase the counting information regarding the number of drops of the infusion drop by one.

In addition, in step S23, when it is determined that counting of the drop number of the fluid drop through the waveform analysis of the second light reception signal is impossible, the analysis unit 15 sets the light receiving area of the first light receiving element by the fluid drop in advance. If it is larger than the area value, the counting information about the number of drops of the sap drop may be increased by one.

In addition, in step S23, when the analysis unit 15 determines that counting the number of drops of the fluid droplet through the waveform analysis of the second light receiving signal is impossible, the integral value for the waveform area of the first light receiving signal is set in advance. If the value is greater than the integral value, the counting information on the number of drops of the sap drop may be increased by one.

Further, in step S23, the analysis unit 15 removes the disturbance light signal known in advance for each of the first light reception signal and the second light reception signal, and the first light reception signal and the disturbance light signal from which the disturbance light signal has been removed are added. The waveform analysis may be performed using the removed second light receiving signal.

In addition, in step S23, when the light emitting device is controlled in a chopping mode in which the light emitting device is turned on / off at a predetermined time interval, the first light receiving device receives the first light receiving device when the light emitted from the light emitting device is ON. When the light receiving signal and the light emitted from the light emitting device are OFF, the first light receiving signal from which the disturbance light signal is removed may be obtained through a difference between the first light receiving signal received by the first light receiving device. In addition, the analyzer 15 may include a second light receiving signal received by the second light receiving device when the light emitted from the light emitting device is ON and a second light receiving device received by the second light receiving device when the light emitted from the light emitting device is OFF. The second received signal from which the disturbance light signal is removed may be obtained through the difference between the signals. Thereafter, the analyzer 15 may perform waveform analysis using the first received signal from which the obtained disturbance light signal has been removed and the second received signal from which the disturbance light signal has been removed.

Subsequently, although not shown in the figure, the fluid drop detection method through the fluid drop detection device 10 according to an embodiment of the present application in the step S23 counting information about the number of drops of the fluid drops counted by the analysis unit The detection information may be transmitted to the external terminal through the communication unit.

In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the fluid drop detection method through the fluid drop detection apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present application in the step S23 counting information about the number of drops of the fluid drops counted by the analysis unit in the fluid drop It can be stored in the memory unit as the detection information.

In the above description, steps S21 to S23 may be further divided into additional steps or combined into fewer steps, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, some steps may be omitted as necessary, and the order between the steps may be changed.

The operation control method and the droplet detection method through the droplet detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application is implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed by various computer means can be recorded on a computer readable medium have. The computer readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination. Program instructions recorded on the media may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well-known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape, optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, and magnetic disks such as floppy disks. Magneto-optical media, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine code generated by a compiler, but also high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware device described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

In addition, the operation control method and the drop detection method through the drop detection device according to an embodiment of the present application described above is also implemented in the form of a computer program or application executed by a computer stored in the recording medium Can be.

The above description of the present application is intended for illustration, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be easily modified in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present application. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single type may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present application is indicated by the following claims rather than the above detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the present application.

100: infusion monitoring system
10: fluid drop detection device
11: housing 12: light emitting element
13a: first light receiving element 13b: second light receiving element
14: control unit 15: analysis unit
16: communication unit 17: memory unit
30: external terminal

Claims (11)

A fluid drop detection device,
A first light receiving element disposed on the other circumferential surface of the drop container opposite to the one circumferential surface receiving the light receiving signal including light emitted from a single light emitting element disposed on one circumferential surface of the drop container of the infusion set; A light receiving element including two light receiving elements; And
An analysis unit for counting the number of drops of the fluid droplets through waveform analysis of the light receiving signal received through the light receiving element, in order to detect the number of drops of the fluid droplets supplied from the upper fluid supply unit in the drop container;
Including,
And the first light receiving element and the second light receiving element are arranged on the other circumferential surface at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the drop container. The method of claim 1,
The analysis unit,
Drop of the sap drop through waveform analysis of the first light receiving signal received by the first light receiving element and the second light receiving signal received by the second light receiving element, which are changed by falling between the light receiving element and the light emitting element. Sap drop detection device, which counts the water. The method of claim 2,
The analysis unit,
In the waveform analysis, after a waveform having a first threshold magnitude or more is detected in the waveform of the first light reception signal, a reduced waveform that satisfies a predetermined condition is detected, and a waveform having a second threshold magnitude or more in the waveform of the second light reception signal is detected. If it is detected that the fluid drops supplied from the fluid supply portion is dropped in the drop container is to increase the counting information on the number of drops of the fluid drop by one, the fluid drop detection device. The method of claim 2,
The analysis unit,
If it is determined that counting the drop number of the fluid drop through the waveform analysis of the second light receiving signal is impossible, if the light receiving area of the first light receiving element by the fluid drop is equal to or greater than a predetermined area value, the drop number of the fluid drop is Increasing counting information about 1, the infusion droplet detection device. The method of claim 2,
The analysis unit,
If it is determined that counting the number of drops of the fluid drop through the waveform analysis of the second light reception signal is impossible, if the integral value of the waveform area of the first light reception signal is greater than or equal to a preset integral value, the number of drops of the fluid drop is Increasing counting information about 1, the infusion droplet detection device. The method of claim 2,
The analysis unit,
The waveform is removed by using a first received signal from which the disturbance light signal is removed and a second received signal from which the disturbance light signal has been removed. The droplet detection device, which is to perform the analysis. The method of claim 2,
The analysis unit,
When the light emitting device is controlled in a chopping mode that is turned ON / OFF at a predetermined time interval,
Disturbance through the difference between the first light receiving signal received by the first light receiving element when the light emitted from the light emitting element is ON and the first light receiving signal received by the first light receiving element when the light emitted from the light emitting element is OFF Obtaining a first light receiving signal from which the light signal has been removed;
Disturbance through the difference between the second light receiving signal received by the second light receiving element when the light emitted from the light emitting element is ON and the second light receiving signal received by the second light receiving element when the light emitted from the light emitting element is OFF Obtaining a second light receiving signal from which the light signal has been removed;
And performing the waveform analysis using the obtained first received signal from which the disturbance light signal has been removed and the second received signal from which the disturbance light signal has been removed. The method of claim 1,
Control unit for transmitting the counting information on the number of drops of the fluid counted in the analysis unit to the external terminal through the communication unit as the droplet detection information,
Sap drop detection device further comprising. In the fluid droplet detection method through the fluid droplet detection device of claim 1,
Emitting light from a single light emitting element disposed on one circumferential surface of the drop container of the infusion set;
Receiving a light receiving signal including light emitted from the light emitting element through a light receiving element including a first light receiving element and a second light receiving element disposed on the other circumferential surface of the dropping tube facing the one circumferential surface; And
Counting the number of drops of the fluid droplets through the waveform analysis of the received signal received through the light receiving element to detect the number of drops of the fluid droplets supplied from the upper fluid supply unit in the drop container;
Including,
And the first light receiving element and the second light receiving element are arranged at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the drop container on the other peripheral surface. The method of claim 9,
The counting step,
Drop of the sap drop through waveform analysis of the first light receiving signal received by the first light receiving element and the second light receiving signal received by the second light receiving element, which are changed by falling between the light receiving element and the light emitting element. Sap drop detection method that counts the water. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method of claim 9 or 10 on a computer.

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