ES1078212U - Device to warn of the emptying of a container of liquid for medical use (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Device to warn of the emptying of a container of liquid for medical use, of those used in infusion or drip systems, Characterized in that it is interposed between the fixed or mobile support and the liquid container and is actuated by the weight of the container. It comprises a calibrated spring (6) with one end (8) integral with the box (0) that contains the device, while the other end (7) is soldered with a hook (3) to hang the liquid container and with a actuator (5) that operates a microswitch (16), which feeds an electronic circuit (17) that produces an audible warning through a piezoelectric speaker (18) or the like. It also comprises a mechanism (10, 11 and 12) for adjusting the vertical position of the microswitch. The box also contains the battery or power battery (13), the ignition switch (15) and the connector (14) for charging the battery. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

Device to notify of the emptying of a liquid container for medical use.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device responsible for warning that the contents of a liquid container for medical use (of the type of physiological serum, intravenous food, intravenous medication or the like) is nearing completion. It is a question of complementing the drip infusion mechanism from a container maintained at a certain height on the patient's body by means of a fixed or mobile support, commonly called a dropper, so as to avoid the concern of the medical staff, the accompanying person or the own sick on termination of medical liquid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

o o

In the field of health care, especially in hospital, the introduction is very frequent ......

or

of IIquids for medical use in the patient's body, both for its own benefits (such as serum ..f.

o o o o

physiological, blood products or medications in liquid form), as for their use as a vehicle in the administration of other medications. In both cases, the infusion is used as an intravenous mode of introduction, taking advantage of the force of gravity on the liquid to overcome intravenous resistance. The regulation of the infusion rate is usually done by ......

o o

a simple clamp-type device that exerts a variable pressure on the flexible tube that serves as or

o o

conduit to the liquid, varying the passage section of the liquid. When it is necessary to ensure the infusion rate or flow of the liquid, a volumetric regulating pump is used, which detects the card frequency or frequency of the liquid drops by means of a flow sensor.

o o o o

o o o

In other situations the liquid is used as an element that keeps a part or moist and / or clean. or of the patient's body, as in certain ophthalmologic surgical interventions.

o o

In both cases it may be necessary, or at least convenient, that the flow of the liquid is not interrupted ......

or pa without the person responsible for it notices. In the general case, the goal is to keep 00 or

or

o o o

o o o

the flow introduced to the patient in the range of values prescribed by the doctor and even to avoid

the air intake through the vra, if the available liquid in the container is used up. In the second case, the lack of liquid, even for a short period of time, may make the intervention unfeasible, forcing its suspension.

.....

o o o o o o o ~ o

Until now the proximity to the completion of the liquid in the container is detected by observation

.....

o o

direct visual, since the use of other complex and expensive devices has made its widespread extension unfeasible. The use of transparent liquids and low lighting in hospital rooms during the night make this observation difficult. o o

or

••• 111.

Due to social and labor changes in hospitals, it is common for surveillance of the level of liquid in the recipient to fall on the patient himself or on his companion. This can cause them a disproportionate restlessness, especially during the night, that makes it difficult and prevents their rest.

To respond to these problems the device of the invention has been developed, with special

concern in its simplicity, low cost and ability to adapt to different scenarios.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device for detecting the end of the liquid described in this invention is based on the detection of the weight of the container when the liquid it contains reaches an amount that advises its replacement. It is a device that is sandwiched between the metal support (dropper) and the liquid container, which uses a helical spring that supports the weight of the container and whose elongation is reduced as the container empties and decreases its weight, until it reaches at a length that causes an activation lever attached to its free end to activate a limit switch micro-switch, closing the circuit formed by a rechargeable battery or battery of the appropriate voltage and an electronic circuit that warns of the expected circumstance.

The electronic circuit may consist of a sound generator (intermittent or musical) that feeds a small piezoelectric speaker, a small coded transmitter, by any other means of warning, or a combination of the above, with the fundamental criteria of its Low cost, based on the use of common components in the market, avoiding the cost of developing and manufacturing custom elements. Additionally, light emitting diodes (LEO) can be used to signal the ignition and / or warning situation. The use of a coded radio transmitter allows the use of several announcers forming a group, such as in an Intensive Care Unit, so that they send coded identification signals to a single receiver, which is responsible for visualizing the origin of the warning .

There are liquid infusion equipment on the market, such as infusion pumps, which detect the frequency of the drop coffee or its interruption, by detecting the drop coffee through the drip chamber, with in order to ensure the flow of the liquid with the value of

or •

preset flow The present invention has a different objective, which is to notify in advance of the ...... next termination of the liquid of the container, obtaining the following advantages: or

Cost, for the simplicity of its components and the use of market components

or •

Independence, because it does not use external sources of power or signaling. ......

or

or •

Autonomla, no battery power or rechargeable battery is consumed except at the time of the warning, ...... so the time between battery changes or battery recharge is very long. or

Ease of use by the user, limited to an external on and off switch. ...

• or •

· • .. or

Easy adjustment for different containers: bags, bottles, etc. of different capacity and weight

Possibility of adapting to the different environments of use, such as a hospital room, an operating room, an Intensive Care Unit, etc. · · ...

...

· ..

Accuracy at the time of activation of the alarm, enhanced by the use of the activation lever, which doubles the movement of the free end that will act on the micro-switch. or

..... or

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ·. .

. .

o o

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better

or • understanding of the features and possibilities of the invention, are attached to the present specification ..... or

.

descriptive, as an integral part of it, some planes with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, or. including the schematic representation of a device made in accordance with the purpose of the present invention

Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of a possible device implementation.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the same implementation, eliminating some elements electrical and adjustment, in order to better represent the axis that supports the weight and the arrangement of panels.

DESCRIPTION OF A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF THE FORM OF INVENTION

The practical example shown in Figures 1 and 2 illustrates the device in a simplified configuration, which can be completed as detailed herein.

The whole device is contained in a box (O), preferably of plastic material, in an approximate form of rectangular prism, of dimensions adjusted to the needs, in order to reduce the total volume and the loss of height of the Irquido container for medical use .

The device comprises two clamping plates, one fixed (1) and another mobile (2). The fixed plate (1) supports the batteries or power batteries (13), the electronic warning circuit (17) and the piezoelectric speaker (18). The mobile plate (2) supports the micro-Switch (16) and the support projections (9) and (10). The position of this movable plate (2) is adjusted by means of the screws (11) that act on the nuts (12), definitively modifying the position of the micro-switch (16).

The on / off switch (15) and the connector (14) for charging the battery (13) are mounted by means of two holes in the device box.

The rod (4), from which the Irquldo tank hangs by means of the hook (3), is integral with the activation lever (5) that joins the spring (6) by means of the joint (7). The opposite end of the spring (6) is integral to the device case through the joint (8), which is hung from the support of the drip system by means of a ring or the like.

· .......

The battery (13) is recharged from the outside using the connector (14) when necessary. If a non-rechargeable battery is used, the box (O) will have an opening for replacement. He ·

"The device is switched on by means of the switch (15).

The device is hung from the usual support of the drip system by means of the support with

· ........

ring (8), while the serum container or similar is hung from the bottom hook (3), of the same · way that is previously done in the drip holder. The weight of the container filled with liquid stretches. the spring (6), the activation lever (5) does not rest on the micro-switch cam (16), so the · warning circuit (17) is without power. As the container is emptied, its weight decreases and the spring (6) recovers its resting dimensions, dragging the lever of .. activation (5) until it connects the microswitch (16). If the power switch (15) · ·.

....

It was connected, the warning circuit (17) goes into operation, producing an acoustic signal a ·.

.....

through the piezoelectric speaker or similar (18). Alternatively, an electronic circuit with another function can be used, varying if necessary the characteristics of rechargeable batteries or batteries · ....... (13). ·

· "..

The adaptation of the device to the weight of the different vessels is carried out by means of the externally accessible screws (11), which modify the position of the adjustment plate (2) and therefore of the microswitch (16).

.....

. . . .

It is not considered necessary to make this description more extensive for any expert in the ·

......

matter understands the scope of the invention and the advantages derived therefrom. . .

. .

..... ·

The materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements will be subject to variation ·

.....

as long as this does not imply an alteration in the essentiality of the invention. ·

The terms in which this report has been written must always be taken in a broad and non-limiting sense.

Claims (1)

1. Device for warning of the emptying of a container of liquid for medical use, of those used in infusion or drip systems, characterized in that it is sandwiched between the fixed or mobile support and the liquid container and is actuated by the weight of the container. It comprises a calibrated spring (6) with one end (8) integral with the housing (O) that contains the device, while the other end (7) is integral with a hook (3) to hang the liquid container and with an actuator (5) that operates a micro-switch (16), which feeds 10 an electronic circuit (17) that produces an audible warning through a piezoelectric speaker (18) or the like. It also includes a mechanism (10, 11 and 12) for adjusting the vertical position of the microswitch. The box also contains the battery or power supply (13), the power switch (15) and the connector (14) for charging the battery. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic circuit also includes a transmitter of an encoded radio signal, which identifies the device that warns, and that is received in a centralized device that triggers an acoustic alarm and shows the device identification that generated the alarm · ....... · .... Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by having a mechanism for · .. " Improved fit with indication of the possible liquid container models, depending on their weight. . ..... · . ..... ... ... .... . . · ....... · · .. " .... . ..... · .. · .. . ..... .. .. ..... · · ..... ·