MXPA00003688A - Beam current detection and control system for a cathode ray tube - Google Patents

Abstract

A beam current control system for detecting and controlling a beam current generated by a cathode ray tube. The system comprises a video processing circuit (220) that receives a first signal, and which generates a second signal which is provided to the cathode ray tube (210). The cathode ray tube generates a beam current corresponding to the second signal. A storage element coupled between the video processing circuit and the cathode ray tube clamps the second signal at a first predetermined level, and stores an electrical charge corresponding to the video signal portion of the beam current during a first time interval. A first circuit coupled at one end to the storage element and at the other end, to the video processing circuit, is operable upon receipt of a control signal from the video processing circuit, corresponding to the synchronization signal during the first time interval, to facilitate discharge of the electrical charge into the first circuit. The first circuit generates a third signal representative of a magnitude of the electrical charge. A second circuit coupled to the first circuit is configured to provide an output signal to the video processing circuit, the output signal corresponding to a difference between the third signal and a second predetermined level, for adjusting the beam current during a following time interval.

Description

MIXER ASSEMBLY FOR NUTRITIONAL FLUIDS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to assemblies for the transfer of a plurality of individual fluids from multiple source containers to a collector container, and specifically relates to such assembly that controllably transfers the individual fluids to a collection container in dependence, by The least partial, of a determination of the type of fluids transferred. In many cases, it is necessary that an individual be given food by administering a nutritional solution to said patient. For example, such administration can be carried out by the administration of a nutritional solution directly in the patient's digestive system or by the administration of a solution in the patient's intravenous system. Often, the desired solution will vary from one patient to another, and in many places, such as hospitals, or other care centers, there may be a large number of individuals who need to receive these solutions. That is why it is desirable that these solutions are prepared in a safe, efficient and accurate manner. There are several devices designed to compose a desired nutritional solution in the collector container by varying the amount of each of the nutritional components that are added to the container. One of these exemplary apparatuses is the Automix mixer sold by Baxter Healthcare Corporation of Deerfield, Illinois.

Within a method for the use of such devices, a pharmacist or a nutritionist will determine the nutritional solution to be administered and specify the desired amounts of each nutritional component that is needed to form the desired solution. A number of source containers of the individual nutritional components can be brought close and connected to a collection container for the nutritional solution. A desired amount of one or more of the components is transferred from the source containers to the collection container in a controlled manner. Once this process is finished, the collector container is disconnected and eventually transferred to the individual for administration. As can be appreciated, it is highly desirable that the mixing method adds the nutritional components to the collection container in an accurate manner. In one example, the method can use a mixer that transfers, in a controlled manner, the desired amounts of the nutritional components to the collection container. Although the mixer has been well instructed in the manner of making the nutritional solution, an accurate determination of the amount and type of component that is added to the container during the transfer process is also desirable. To ensure the sterility of the nutritional solution, the surfaces with which any of the nutritional fluids have contact must be kept clean. In order to implement this requirement, the mixing apparatuses often use a sterile disposable transfer set or kit to connect the containers where the sterile nutritional components are to the collection container. At appropriate intervals, the transfer set is replaced and properly disposed of the used game. However, these transfer sets can hinder the use of fluid sensors that must necessarily have contact with a fluid in order to distinguish between the different types of fluids in the mixer method. That is why, typically if transfer sets are used, it is highly desirable that the mixing device be operable without the use of sensors that require contact with the fluid for proper operation. In general, with mixing solutions such as nutritional solutions, the type of source solution in a particular container is one of the input to the mixer. Neverthelessle. , in some instances, there may be the possibility that one of the input solutions is entered incorrectly. It would be highly desirable to have a mixer that independently verifies the type of solution flowing from a particular container in order to detect any errors. A type of sensory system that is found in mixing methods is presented in U.S. Pat. published Number 5,612,622, issued on March 18, 1997 with the name "Apparatus for the identification of container components using electrical conductivity". However, it has been found that with such a system it can be difficult to distinguish between two or more of the fluids that are typically used in methods of nutritional mixing. Therefore, other types of sensory systems or processes may be desirable.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting for the transfer of component fluids from a number of individual source containers to a receiver or collector container. A related objective is to provide such a montage that will controlly transfer the amounts The desired components of the fluid components and compounds to a nutritional solution in a collection container at least partially depend on the determination of the type of fluids that are transferred.Another objective of the present invention is to provide an assembly for the transfer and mixing of a number of predetermined nutritional solutions in a collection container in an efficient and accurate manner.Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly for the transfer of various component fluids and to compose a desired solution by adding, in a manner controlled, the components to the collection container to form the desired solution A related objective is to provide as an introduction to the mixing process, the type and quantity of components that have been transferred to the collection container. Still another objective the present invention is to provide a assembly for the transfer of fluids of components where The assembly is adapted to use a disposable transfer kit to connect the 20 original component containers to a receiver or collector container. A related objective is to provide an assembly that has sensors uniquely suited to operate with such a set and without requiring contact with the fluids during the mixing process.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a mounting for the transfer of fluids of components and the mixing of the desired solution, with an assembly having the ability to verify the type of fluid of components that is transferred during the mixing process. A related objective is to provide such an assembly where the types of fluids of components that are transferred, are introduced into the system and the mixing assembly independently verifies the component solutions during the mixing process. Another additional objective of the present invention is to provide such an improved assembly for the transfer of fluids of components and the mixing of the desired solution, wherein the assembly has a controller that uses software routines that carry out mixing processes in such a way that it minimizes the probability of false alarm signals and that nevertheless achieves a safe and reliable operation. Another additional object of the present invention is to provide such an assembly that has been adapted to provide the necessary indications of alarm signals when justified during operation, but which utilizes operating strategies that exclude alarms when known, for example, by the conditions Obviously, some additional limited mixing activity may proceed. Still another object of the present invention is to provide such an improved assembly having a sophisticated operation that can distinguish between the absence of a transfer play conduit, and the presence of such conduit and when it is empty, and can identify the fluid within the duct non-invasively, and use such capabilities to distinguish to control the production of selective alarm indications very accurately. A more detailed objective is found in the provision of being able to control the pump motors associated with each of a plurality of origin containers in the transfer set in such a way that it is extremely unlikely that an engine could inadvertently be set off. as a result of a single switch failure. Another object of the present invention is to provide such an improved assembly that advantageously uses its ability to identify fluids within a transfer game conduit and to use this information, together with the information of the flow rate during the mixing operation to safely and certainly complete a mixing operation under well-known and monitored conditions that under other circumstances could activate a pre-selected alarm condition. A related objective is found in the provision of providing an improved assembly that is convenient for the user to operate and that minimizes the generation of false disruptive alarm indications during operation.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of the transfer apparatus forming a portion of a preferred aspect of the current invention; FIGURE 2 is a flat front view of the controller within the controller panel and forms a portion of a preferred aspect of the current invention; FIGURE 3 is a perspective view with portions of the apparatus of FIG. 1 dismantled with a sensory block that is part of the fluid transfer apparatus that is demonstrated in an open position; FIGURE 4 is an elevated view of the sensory block of FIG. 2 in an open position; FIGURE 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of the sensory block taken generally through line 4a-4a of FIG. 4; FIGURE 5 is a schematic block diagram that generally represents a portion of the controller and operating system of the fluid transfer apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIGURE 6 is a flow chart illustrating at least a portion of a preferred method for identifying a distinctive feature of a component fluid to be transferred through the apparatus of FIG. 1; FIGURE 7 is a flow chart illustrating at least a portion of a preferred method for identifying a second distinctive feature of a component fluid to be transferred through the apparatus of FIG. 1; FIGURE 8 is a presentation of the transfer set adapted for use with the transfer apparatus of FIG. 1; FIGURE 9 is a plan view from above with portions removed from a block forming part of the transfer set of FIG. 8; and FIGURE 10 is a plan view from above of the block of FIG. 8 illustrating the movement of the block. FIGURES 11 through 26, 27A, 27, 28A and 28B together represent flow charts illustrating the operation of the appearance preferred of the fluid transfer assembly of the current invention.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED INCORPORATION With reference to FIG. 1, a preferred aspect of the fluid transfer assembly of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. The illustrated embodiment of assembly 10 includes pump apparatus 12, as well as the mixer, examples of which include these mixers as depicted in the Patent. US No. 4,712,590 called "ELECTRICAL CONNECTION METHODS FOR MULTIPLE SYSTEMS OF GRINDING MIXERS", U.S. No. 4,513,796 called "HIGH-SPEED BULB MIXER"; and U.S. Patent No. 5,228,485 called "FLEXIBLE PROBE OCCLUSION SENSOR", the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The pumping apparatus 12 is shown using the transfer set 14 to position several source containers 16 in fluid communication with a receiver or collector container 18. In operation, individual fluids 20 within the source containers 16 are pushed at least by a pump 24 forming a part of the pumping apparatus 12, through the set 14 to the receiver 18. Examples of the collecting container 18 include bags and syringes, among others.

In the preferred embodiment, the pump 24 is a plurality of pumps, preferably six (6) peristaltic pumps 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36 which are contained within the containers 38a, 38b which are positioned in a topped manner. The transfer set 14 includes conduits 40 formed by flexible probe 44 arranged to form at least a portion of the fluid path 46 (FIG 4a) d the individual source containers 16 to the receiver container 18. To put the pumps in hydraulic contact with the fluid 20 in the probe 44, a portion of each probe 44 is placed around cylinders 47 which form part of the peristaltic pump 26-36 corresponding to the individual segment. In operation, the peristaltic pump 24 transfers fluid in a specific container of origin 16 to a receiving container 18 by selective rotary movement of the cylinders 47. This movement causes the pump 24 to have hydraulic contact with the fluid 20 by compressing the walls of the probe 44 to apply a positive pressure in the fluidthus forcing the flow of fluid through the probe. For example, the pump 24 can create a vacuum within the collection container 18 or an intermediate chamber (not shown) to force the flow of the fluid through the probe 44. Also with reference to FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment, each of the pumps 26-36 will be controlled individually and operatively by a controller indicated generally at 48. The desired quantities of the component fluids are transferred by the selective operation of the individual pumps 26-36 by the controller 48. The controller 48 controls the pumps 26-36 in a dependency, at least partial, of several inputs and data that may be provided by several sensors, a separate remote controller or an operator. Preferably the controller 48 is located within the environment 50 connected to the containers 38a, 38b but which can also be placed in another location, such as in the containers 38a or 38b (FIG 1). In general, the controller 48 includes at least one microprocessor connected to various combinations of volatile and non-volatile memory. Typically, the panel 54 has an input keyboard 56, and a plurality of deployment stations 58 corresponding to each pump 26-36. Each deployment station 58 is associated with one of the source containers 16 and can be color coded for identification purposes. Keypad 56 is a 16-character keyboard that has the digits from 0 to 9, a recall key (RCL) and a delete key (CLR) as well as other keys that are described below. Also, each of the deployment stations 58 includes a volume to be delivered to display 60 and a corresponding entry keyboard 64; a specific gravity display 66 and an input keyboard 68; and a familiar display of source component 70 and an input keyboard 74. The control panel 54 also includes an Identification 76 display for the collector container 18 and an alarm display 78. Referring also to FIG. 2, the values for the volume that must be delivered; the specific gravity; and the fluid solution family of each individual source container 16 can be entered manually or through a remote controller 80.

In one of the deployment stations 58, the type of component fluid to be transferred to the associated pump 26-36 is input by pressing the input keypad 74 to review the various types in the display 70 until the correct type appears . For the volume to be delivered and the specific gravity, the eigenvalues are entered through the input keyboards 64, 68 and the keyboard 56. Pressing one of the other input keyboards 64, 68, 74 introduces the values that have been introduced and demonstrated in the deployment station 58. The entry of a value for the respective display blinking. If the value is incorrect, the respective keyboard 64, 68, 74 is pressed and then the delete 90 keyboard is pressed until the value is deleted, and the input process is repeated.

As noted above, the input values can also be charged to the controller 48 by a remote controller 80. An example of such an automatic method and assembly for carrying out such a method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,010 entitled "MIXING SYSTEM" the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. To position the controller 48 in the appropriate function to accept the selected input values of the controller panel 50 or the remote controller 80 or a combination of the two, one of the corresponding keypads of the plurality of function keypads 94 is pressed. Function keyboards 94 may include Auto I / S (AI) for when the next patient identification in a row is automatically downloaded from the controller 80 to enter the values of a particular patient or a medical prescription. A third function keyboard, that of the Standard Function (STD), positions the controller 48 in the function of accepting the values entered by means of the controller panel 50, as described above. When the controller 80 is used, the patient identification can be displayed on the controller panel 50 using the display of the volume to be delivered 60 of one or more of the stations 58. An identification of the collecting container 18 can be displayed in the display of container identification 76. Other values such as identification of the origin or family of fluid components can be downloaded with the remote controller. The identification of the patient and the collector container that appear in the display can then be verified with the files (not shown). The identification of the origin of the component fluid can be verified in comparison with the origin of components connected to station 54 (and pump 26-36). If the operator determines that all the values of the display are correct, the verification keyboard 84 can be pressed. Then the remote controller 80 can be lowered to the controller 48 and deployed to the station 58 for verification of the input values for the specific gravity. and the volume to be delivered for one or more of the component fluids 29 that will be used. Referring again to FIGURE 1, the collection container 18 as well as the flexible bag 98 is operatively connected to a weighing sensor 99, preferably suspended from a load cell 100, which transmits information as to the weight of the container 18 together with the content of the controller 48. The load cell 100 can be connected with a clamp 101 and forms part of the pump apparatus 12. If the weigh sensor 99 takes another form, such as a scale (not shown), the container 18 You may need to position yourself on the scale to establish operational contact. A transfer probe 104 forming part of the transfer set 14 can be connected to a collection bag 18 and a multiple seal 106. The multiple joint 106 also puts in communication, with each other, all the probes 44 of the original containers 16. The ends of the probes 44 are generally fused to the manifold 106 in such a way that the joint block forms a part of the transfer set 14. In contrast, the transfer probe 104 is connected in a manner that can be removed from the manifold 106 to allow an amount of collection containers to be filled in order by a connection to a single manifold. A base 108 is connected to the container 38b and configured to accept the multiple seal 106 of only one predetermined desired orientation. As described below, the joint between the base 108 and the manifolds 106 promotes an appropriate junction of the transfer juice 14 with the transfer assembly 10. Part of the transfer assembly 10 is a fluid sensory apparatus or assembly indicated in general at 200. Preferably, the sensor assembly 200 non-invasively provides an indication of the type of fluid within each of the individual probes 44 in fluid communication with the corresponding source containers 16. The sensor assembly 200 operates with the inclusion , at least partial, of a sensory method that is described in a basic form in US Pat. No. 5,612,622, entitled "APPARATUS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF PARTICULAR ENTITIES IN A LIQUID USING ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY CHARACTERISTICS", and more specifically in U.S. Patent Application. number 08 / 762,578, requested on December 5, 1996, the content of which is included herein by reference. The preferred method of the present invention includes detecting electrical characteristics in the probe 44 and in the contents of the probe at predetermined times and positions within the probe and comparing the readings to provide a distinguishing characteristic of the type of fluid within the probe. Referring in particular to FIGURES 3 and 4, the sensory assembly 200 includes a container 202 that is formed by a base member 204 and a cover member 206 that are joined to one another in the form of a clam shell. When it is in the closed position (shown in FIGURE 1), the base member 204 and the cover member 206 define the channels 208 (FIGURE 4) for the reception of at least a portion of the probe 44. Because it is desirable to check each of the fluids, probes 44 of each source container 16 extend through the corresponding pumps 26- 36 P and through a separate channel 208a-f. The individual channels 208a-f are preferably arranged in parallel in a single plane. Within the container 202 and disposed across all the channels 208 there is a plurality of sensory elements generally indicated at 214. A transfer member 216 is disposed at the top of the respective channels 208a-f. A first receiver or sensor element 218 is disposed at a first predetermined distance from the first transmitter element 216 and preferably below the first element in the probe. A second sensor receiver element 220 is disposed at a second predetermined distance from the transmitter element 214 and the first receiver element 216 and preferably further down the probe of the receiver element. A signal is applied by the transmitter element 214 to the probe 44 and any content fluid in the transmitting element. The first receiving element 218 and the second receiving element 220 detect the signal after the signal has been transmitted through the probe 44 and the fluid content. The distinctive characteristic of the contents of the probe 44 can be determined by referencing the signal detected through the applied signal. In the preferred embodiment of sensory assembly 200, the signal includes a pulse that forms a square sling of a predetermined frequency and voltage. This square sling can take many values such as 5v to around 39 Kilo hertz. The pulse is applied to the first sensing element 216. The first receiving element 218 and the second receiving element 220 then acquire the signal. The voltage level of the acquired signal is then tested in a discrete first and second time after the applied pulse. By a comparison of the voltage difference tested in the first and second time period and the voltage difference tested between the first 218 and the second receiving element 220, the distinctive characteristic of the fluid type can be determined. The presence of air or absence of liquid in segment 40 of probe 44 near one or more of any of the sensory elements 216, 220 is also one of the distinguishing characteristics of one of the fluids that can be seen by the method desired sensory. The ability of the sensory assembly 200 to distinguish between an empty probe condition and a non-probe condition is beneficial for several reasons. As an empty probe or non-probe condition results in a highly predictable output from the sensory assembly 200, a diagnostic check to determine if the system is functioning correctly can be carried out easily from time to time, such as when the user requests it or perhaps when restarting the operation after the installation of the transfer set or the system becomes operational when restarting operations. Although in the preferred embodiment the sensing elements 214 have contact with the probe 44, it is envisioned that the sensory elements may be arranged in other positions and still function to practice the preferred method of the invention. These sensory elements 214 must have sensory contact with the probe and its contents. The sensory contact includes the arrangement of the transmitting element 216 and the receiving elements 218, 220 in such a way that the signal can be transmitted to the probe 44 and its contents and be received from the probe and its contents in such a way that it can be determined its distinctive feature. In other embodiments, other types of signals may be used. For example, a magnetic field or an electric pulse of another sling form can be used. The sensor assembly 200 is also configured in such a way that each channel 208a-f corresponds to one of the pumps 26-36. A) Yes, fluid pumped by a particular pump 26-36 must flow through the received probe into the corresponding particular channel 208 a-f. However, it has been found that in the mix of nutritional solutions for patients, there may be types of source solutions for which the characteristic of the fluid given by the distinctive method described may not be as distinctive as desired to distinguish between solutions . For example, solutions high in dextrose content and a solution containing branched chain amino acids may exhibit similar characteristics when exposed to the detection method. Therefore, for some fluids exhibiting similar characteristics, it may be advantageous to supplement the detection method with a second additional method that distinguishes between such fluids. One of these methods is to distinguish between fluids through an examination of fluid flow rates while pumping fluids. Frequently the fluids have distinctive physical characteristics which, together with the hydraulic flow resistance found in the transfer set 18, has an effect on the fluid flow rate within the set. The manifold 106 is an example of a portion of the transfer set 14 that forms hydraulic flow resistance for fluid flow through the set. For example, as can be seen, dextrose has a higher viscosity than a fluid containing branched chain amino acids. Thus, under similar pumping conditions, the dextrose flow rate through the transfer set 14 will typically be less than the flow rate of the source fluid containing branched chain amino acids.

With reference also to FIGURE 1, one way in which the differential flow rate can be indicated is by the novel use of the weight change per unit time of the collection container 18 as measured by the weight sensor 99 and that occurs during pumping. By way of example, because the pumps 26-36 exhibit similar pumping characteristics, the flow rate of each of the fluids 20 through the transfer set 14 depends, at least partially, on the viscosity of each fluid. This variation in the flow rate will be indicated, at least partially, in the difference between the weight increase per unit time per container 18 upon receiving a fluid type of components 20 compared to a second type of component fluid. Thus, the weight change of container 18 per unit of time during pumping will vary, in many instances, between the various fluids, and that indicates the differential flow rate and thus the type of fluid entering the container. A particular advantage of using the sensory assembly 200 and the weight sensor 99 in the method described herein is that the identification of the fluid is carried out by means of sensory apparatuses that do not require contact with the fluid for its correct operation. In fact, a disposable transfer set 14 is easily accommodated in these sensory devices. With reference again to FIGURES 3, 4 and 4a, and giving more detail to the previous sensory assembly, the container 202 is connected to an upper container 38a (FIG 1). The container 202 (FIG.3) is preferably placed at an angle relative to horizontal to facilitate placement of the probe 44 within the container and the container inlet near the clamp 101. The container 202 includes a secure assembly 226 for retaining the base element 204 and a cover element 206 in a closed position (see FIGURE 1). Referring to FIGURES 4 and 4a, both the base member 204 and the cover element 206 of the container 202 include the outer shell 228 and an inner element 230. Preferably, the channels 208 are defined in the inner element 230 of the base 204 while the surface 231 the inner member 230 of the cover 206 is generally planar. In alternate embodiments, a portion of the channel 208 can be defined in the interior element 230 of both the base 204 and the cover 206. Arranged along each channel are the transmission element 216, the first receiving element 218, and the second receiving element 220. To facilitate assembly and assembly, all sensory elements 214 are formed in a similar manner. In the preferred embodiment, the sensory elements 214 are formed as a tubular segment having a "C" shaped cross section and an inner surface 234 that forms an interior into which a portion of the probe 44 is inserted. cross-section shown in FIGURE 4a, the inner surface 2234 is generally circular and has the size to fit tightly around the probe 44. The element 214 is formed such that the central axis 236 of 1 probe 44 is interior of, or recessed directly opposite the probe 44. Thus, the element 214 preferably envelops a majority of the circumference of the probe. It has been found that the probe can be introduced into the hole defined by the edges 240 with the elements that then grasp, with the possibility of being disconnected, the probe that promotes intimate contact between the sensory elements and the probe. Such contact facilitates the operation of the sensor assembly 200. To minimize pinching and piercing of the probe 44 by the elements r. 5 214, the outer edge 240 of the element is formed with a smooth radius. It has also been found that the texture of the inner surface 234 affects the elements 214 in the transmission and reception of signals. Although the separation between the elements 214 through the channel 208 can be varied, in the preferred embodiment the transmission element 216 is separated from the first sensing element 218 by approximately 0.2 inches, while the second sensing element 220 is separated from the transmission element 2214 by approximately 1.6 inches. To isolate the elements of potential electrical interference, the interior elements 230 are composed of a non-conductive electrical polymer and the assembly 15 200 generally includes flat shields 246 preferably of conductive electrical material that extends within the interior elements and generally of parallel to the channels 208 and on both sides of each of the channels. It has been found that similar shields are not necessary between the elements 216, 218 and 220 disposed through one of the channels 208. It is also provided that the sensor assembly 200 can be adapted in such a way that the transfer tube 104 also I could pass through the sensory montage. Such an arrangement however can lead to annoying alarm when the transfer probe 104 contains, most likely, fluid from a pumping cycle prior to the start of the second pump 24. Thus the controller 48 may find that it is not the same element. A time slot can be incorporated to reduce the annoying alarm. Referring to FIGURE 5, a block diagram illustrates the general scheme of the preferred embodiment of the circuit, generally indicated at 250, which forms part of the sensor assembly 200. The controller 48 activates a switch circuit 252 to activate the sensory elements 214 through a desired channel 208 for detecting the fluid in the probe 44 extending along the channel. The circuit 250 is preferably located on the base 204 (FIG 4). For example, during the operation of one of the pumps 24 (FIG.1), the controller 48 activates the channel 208 a-f corresponding to this pump. The controller 48 in general activates the sensor assembly 200 at predetermined times. Upon activating the sensing elements 214 for a desired channel, a signal generator 254 provides a signal, preferably a pulse consisting of a square sling of a predetermined frequency and voltage to a transmitting element 216. The signal is then transmitted through the element. of transmission 216 to probe 44 (FIG.1) and the contents of the probe. The signals received by the first receiver element 218 and the second receiver element 220 are amplified and transmitted to the test circuit 256 which, under the direction of a time circuit 257, samples the amplified signals at predetermined times, preferably from two separate times, related to the transmitted signal.

The sampled signals are then transmitted to an analysis circuit 258. In the preferred embodiment, the analysis circuit 258 is composed of at least and preferably two initial search tables 260, wherein the sampled signals of the first element 218 and the second element 220 are compared to the ranges of stored values representing the probes containing the known types of source solutions. The data of the initial search tables 260 is transmitted to a second look-up table 264 which also compares the signals to ranges of stored values representative of known source solution types. At least one of the initial search tables 260 and a second search table 264 contains a range of stored values corresponding to a probe containing air and the sampled signals are also compared to this range. If the signals fall within the ranges of values stored in at least the initial search tables 260 and the second search tables 264, a code representative of the corresponding composite fluid type is transmitted to the controller 48. If the signals do not fall Within the stored value ranges, an indicative code is sent back to controller 48. If the code indicating any type of unidentified fluid is received, the controller 48 preferably generates an alarm. Many of the operational steps for composing a solution are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,010 and 4,513,796 which is noted above, with disclosures of those patents incorporated herein by reference. The present invention, however, significantly increases the efficiency of these described methods. For example, when starting the pumping apparatus 1112, the controller 48 ratifies the specific gravity for each of the fluids pumping the pumping apparatus ff 5 with the specific gravity range for this type of fluid. As noted above, the specific gravity and the type of fluid solution are introduced to the controller 48 for each of the fluids to be pumped. The controller 48 also contains ranges of specific gravity values for the different types of component fluids 20. By pressing the start button 107, The controller 48 compares the introduction of specific gravity to the controller for each of the fluids to be pumped by the pumping apparatus 12 to the specific gravity range stored for this type of component fluid. If the specific gravity of introduction does not fall within the stored range, an alarm will sound and station 58 that does not have the results will flash equal. With reference to FIGURES 1, 6 and 7, a preferred method for using sensory assembly 200 and weight sensor 99 (FIGURE 1) is illustrated. The sensor assembly 200 provides a signal to the controller 48 (FIGURE 2) indicates the type of fluid within the segment of the probe 44 that extends through the container 202, as illustrated in block 300 in the figure. Then the controller 48 determines whether the signal indicates that the sensor assembly 200 has identified a type of solution as shown in the decision diamond 302. If the type of solution is not identified, the controller 48 for the operation of the transfer assembly of the fluid 10 and sound the alarm. Briefly, referring to FIGURE 2, the alarm can be deactivated by pressing the deactivation / deactivation button 109 on the controller panel 50. As illustrated in the decision diamond 304, if the sensor assembly 200 identifies the type of solution, the next step is determined if the type of fluid identified is one of those types of fluids, for example dextrose or branched chain amino acids, for which an additional distinguishing characteristic is needed. If an additional distinguishing feature is not desired, a determination is made in reference to whether the identified fluid type is air. If the type of fluid identified is air, as represented in decision diamond 306, Assembly 10 continues in normal operation and the process is repeated by the activation of the next signal 300 of the sensory assembly. If the fluid is not air, a comparison is made between the type of fluid identified and the type of fluid expected from the source container 16 that is connected to the probe 44 that is being identified, as illustrated in decision diamond 308 The type of fluid in the source container 16 and to be transferred to the pump 26-36 corresponds to the channel 208a-f that has previously been input to the controller 48, as described above. If the type of the identified fluid is equal to the type introduced, the mixer 12 continues its normal operation and the process is repeated by the introduction of the next signal 30. However, if the identified fluid is not equal to the type of fluid introduced, the respective one pump 24 stops operating, and an alarm as shown in block 310 sounds and appears on the screen of panel 54 (FIGURE 2). The display of such alarm state is preferably carried out by the blinking of the digits displayed in the corresponding deployment station 58 for is fluid and an error message such as "incorrect solution" appears in f. 5 the display of errors 78. With reference to FIGURES 1 and 7, during the pumping operation and using data from the weight sensor 99, the change of the weight of the container 18 and its contents during a predetermined time interval is the controller 48 Repeat the calculation constantly. It has been found that a time interval of 10 3 seconds gives satisfactory results, although other time intervals can also turn out to be satisfactory. The weight change calculation step is represented in block 312. Based on the data provided by decision diamond 304, controller 48 determines whether additional identifier characteristics for the fluid identified by sensor assembly 200 are needed, as indicated in decision diamond 314. If additional features are not desired, the controller returns to the weight change calculation stage. If additional features are desired, a determination is made as to whether the sensor assembly 200 has detected air in the probe through a predetermined time interval during which the weight change has been calculated. This air detection stage is represented on the decision diamond 316. As can be seen, the air flowing through the probe 44 can cause the weight of the container 18 and its contents to vary from what would have occurred if there had been flow of liquid during the entire period. Thus, the change in weight may not be indicative of the flow rate of a particular liquid. If air is detected in the probe 44 during the time interval in which the weighing of the container 18 is carried out, the controller returns to calculate the weight change per unit of time. If no air has been detected, the controller 48 compares the weight change with a weight change search table for a comparable time unit for the various fluids of potential components, as depicted in block 318. As indicated in the decision diamond 320, if the weight change is within the range of the stored weight change values for a particular source solution that is equal to one of the possible source solutions as indicated by the sensor assembly 200, that type of solution is identified, as identified in block 326, and if the alarm is not activated. Referring also to FIGURE 6, the identified solution is then compared to the type of introduction solution as depicted in decision diamond 308, described above. If they are not equal, assembly 10 stops operating the alarm sounds. If they are the same, the assembly continues its normal operation. Thus it can be noted that the controller 48 forming part of the mixing assembly 10 uses the data from the sensor assembly 200, and possibly the sensor 99 to distinguish and identify the type of solution flowing through a particular probe 44 and ends at the collection container 18. The identified solution is then compared to or verified against the type of solution that has been entered in the controller 48 for a particular pump 26-36, typically by the operator or remote controller 80. If the types are not the same, the alarm condition and the assembly 10 must be operated. Other methods of identifying an additional distinguishing feature of the transferred fluid are also included in the current invention. For example, the operation of a volumetric pump may depend on the type of fluid that is pumped. Thus, through the monitoring of the operation of the pump, the additional characteristic can be identified. With reference to FIGURES 1 and 3, it should be understood that the controller 48 can be positioned relatively far away from the containers 38a and 38b. There are a number of different ways through which signals can be transmitted between sensory assembly 200, controller 48 and load cell 100 and containers 38a and 38b. One way is through physical wiring. Another planned way is through infrared or radio transmission.

Also, the controller 48 can be configured to directly command or cause a signal to be sent to a transmitter electrode 2216 and read the signal detection inputs of the receiving electrodes 218, 220. The controller 48 can then carry out the method of identification of the respective signals. In the preferred method, at the initial start-up of the assembly 10, the sensor assembly 200 identifies the fluids within the probe extending through the channels 208. Because the fluid within a particular probe 44 may not flow immediately, the identification of The flow rate will not be carried out. The types of solutions identified by sensor assembly 200 are compared to the types of solutions introduced for corresponding pumps 26-36 and an alarm sounds if the solutions are not the same. Because there is no flow at the beginning, the solution identified by the sensor assembly 200 is one for which a second identification method is normally used, the second method is not carried out and instead the controller 24 verifies the indicated type of solution against the plurality of possible types of solution. If equal with any of these solutions, the assembly 10 follows its normal operation. After the initial start-up and when the fluid is being pumped through the probe 44, the controller 48 identifies the fluid or air in the probe 44 through which the fluid flows, using data from both the sensor assembly 200 and, if necessary, the weight change detected by the weight sensor 99, as described above. The type of solution identified is then compared to the type of solution introduced. If they are not equal, either during initial startup or during subsequent operation, the alarm sounds. Then the operator checks to ensure that the correct source container 16 is connected to station 58 that displays the alarm condition. The operator can also verify that the correct solution has been entered into station 58. In the preferred method of operation of the current invention, it is included to examine the data of the weight sensor 99 only when the sensing apparatus 200 determines that the type of one or more than the subgames of possible types of solutions. In other embodiments, the current invention may also include the use of data from the weight sensor 99 whatever the result of the type of solution detected by the sensing apparatus 200. It is intended that there will be instances where the source solution is correct, and the type of solution can be correctly entered into the system, and yet the controller 48 generates a lack of equality alarm. An example of such an occurrence is when the source solution container 16 having a particular type of solution is correctly replenished with a container having another type of solution, and the data of the new solution type is correctly input to the controller. Fluid of the first type of solution can remain in the probe 44 and the sensor assembly 200 can identify the old solution, thus generating an alarm. Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, to overcome such an alarm, the transfer set 14 is emptied by depressing the emptying switch 110 on the front face 54 of the controller panel 50. The pump 26-36 corresponding to the alarm station it is activated for a short period or until the new solution is detected, to empty the probe 44. If the correct type of solution is identified, then the mixing can be restarted. The collection container 18 is discarded, as indicated to the controller 48 by the absence of the weight of the loading card 100. A new collection container 18 is then hung from the load cell 100, and the mixing process becomes to start The controller 48 can also be configured in such a way that it compares the contents of the probe 44 relative to the operation of one of the pumps 26-36 to detect a free-flowing condition. For example, if the controller 48 receives from the sensor assembly 200 designating an empty probe 44 and then a subsequent reading receives a code designating liquid in the probe without the corresponding pump being in operation, a free flow condition can be identified. With reference to FIGURE 8 in conjunction with FIGURE 1, the preferred embodiment of the combination portion 274 of the transfer set 14 which finds particular application with the mixer 12 and the sensor assembly 200 is illustrated. The combining portion 274 includes a plurality of probe segments 276. A tip of each of the probe segments 276 can be connected to one of the source containers 14. Preferably, connectors 280 are connected to a tip of the probe 276 to facilitate the removable connection to the source containers 14. In the preferred embodiment, connectors 280 are tips for entering doors that form a part of the flexible solution container. An intermediate portion 282 of the probe segments 276 is uniquely configured to be connectable to one of the pumps 24 and includes retainers 284 to maintain the operational seal between the probe 276 and the pumps during operation. To facilitate the proper connection of the transfer set 14 with the mixer 12, the connector 280 and the retainers 284 of a particular segment 276 of the probe are color-coded to match the color codes in the deployment station 58 in the controller panel 50. The color codes also apply to the input port 57 of the pump 26-36 which is operatively connected to the display station 58 of a unique color code. The opposing tips of each probe 276 is connected to the manifold 106. As can be seen, it is important that a probe extending from a particular pump 5 to 26-36 is placed through the appropriate channel 208 because if it does not it will to have a situation of non-equality between the fluid sensory assembly is identified 200 and the type of fluid that that particular pump introduces. Also with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, to arrange the various probes 44 such that the individual probe is placed in channel 208a-f Correspondingly appropriate, a clamp 290 is used. The clamp 290 retains the individual probe segments 276 in a predetermined array relative to each other. The clamp 290 is preferably formed as two portions 292 configured in a similar manner that contain an equal amount of probe. The portions 292 are connected to each other by a living hinge 294 connected to a rear corner 292a of one of the portions 292 and the opposite rear corner 292b of the other portion. The hinge 294 allows the clamp 290 to be bent so that portions 292 extend along one another to facilitate packing of the mixing portion as taught in FIGURE 10. In addition, the hinge 294 allows portions 294 can be unfolded to a position where the portions are generally aligned with one another and an interference attached between the two portions 292 prevents further unfolding as shown in FIGURE 9. The clamp 290 forms passageways 296 for the probe 276 Opposing teeth 298 are formed within passage 296 to grip probe 276 and prevent probe 276 from sliding relative to clamp 290. Clamp 290 is important to facilitate attachment of connection portion 274 of transfer set 14. to the pumping apparatus 12. As noted previously, each of the channels 208 (FIGURE 4) corresponds to a particular pumping station 26-36 to which a fluid of components 20 has been identified by entering data into the controller (FIGURE 2). If the appropriate probe segment 276 is not inserted into the appropriate channel while the component fluid is flowing through the probe and from the wrong channel 208 where the fluid is identified by the sensor assembly 200, a nuisance alarm will be generated. The clamp 290 makes it very difficult that the wrong probe segment is inadvertently placed in a channel 208. The clamp 290, in the unfolded position lines the probe segments 276 in the proper order in relation to one another. In addition, in the preferred embodiment the clamp 290 is placed at a predetermined distance di from the manifold 106 through the probe segments 276. This distance di is determined by the space if between the cradle 108 and at least one of the upper edge 200a or the lower edge 200b of the sensor assembly 200. Preferably the distance di is determined by the space between the cradle 108 and the edge 200a so that the manifold 106 is placed in the cradle, the probe segments can be extended so that the clamp is positioned just above the top edge.

As noted above, the cradle 108 and the manifold 106 are configured such that the manifold can be received in the cradle only in the desired position. When the manifold 106 is placed within the cradle 108 and the probe segments 276 between the bracket 290 and the manifold seal extend so that the bracket does not touch the top edge 200a, the proper alignment of the probe segments becomes apparent . Orienting the clamp in the opposite direction causes the probe to be twisted and this reduces the effective length of the probe so that the multiple joint 106 can not be received in the correct orientation in the cradle 108. In addition, a lateral displacement of the clamp 290 in relation to sensor assembly 200 in either direction will cause at least one of the probe segments 276 not to be received in the corresponding channel 208. This "orphan" probe segment will interfere with the closure of the sensory assembly which indicates the loss. The operation of the preferred embodiment is carried out using the controller 48 which implements the above-described operations which have been described in general and described in connection with flow charts of FIGS. 6 and 7. The complete overall operation is carried out according to FIG. the flow diagrams shown in FIGS. 11-24 which will be described in general, and to follow will describe the specific functionality that represents important aspects of the current invention. With reference now to FIGURE 11, when the assembly is to mix a bag (block 320), the user closes the door and presses and releases the START button (block 322). Pre-start checks (block 324) are carried out, including pressing a check FS button 113 which is demonstrated in FIGURE 2 when a transfer set is installed in the mix assembly. This should produce a known result by sensory assembly which is an indication that the mixer assembly is operating properly. Then a transfer set is installed, and another FS check is carried out, which should also give a known result that gives an empty probe reading. If the sensor assembly continues to produce a non-probe reading for one of the channels 208, an alarm may be generated to indicate to the user that there is no installation or there is incorrect installation of the transfer set 14 in the sensor assembly 200. While these tests are In order to determine if the mixer assembly is operational, an alternate test may involve the installation of a test apparatus in which the transfer set is installed and having a known known result. It is determined if the test patterns are valid. (block 326). In this regard, sensor assembly 200 provides digital signals to controller 48 in four lines. If any of these lines shortens, false information could be transmitted. To verify such a condition, known test patterns consisting of 0101 and 1010 (as shown in FIGURE 22) are sent from sensor assembly 200 to controller 48. If the test pattern fails, then the alarm is sent. In this regard, it should be understood that the controller 48 receives input signals from the various sensors, including the weight sensor 99 and the sensor assembly 200, and determines whether the conditions are satisfied to generate one of the many alarm signals. pre-selected Such alarm signals result in alarm indications such as an audio alarm or visual alarms appearing in display 78 and other sites as previously described. You can describe all these events as the activation of an alarm. It should be understood that the assembly includes software logic for the handling of alarms to control the particular characteristics of the alarms that are generated. While the logic can be implemented in different ways, it is preferable to use a reference table that will control the alarm characteristics, including the text that is taught in the display, whether the LEDs illuminate steadily or blinking, whether it sounds a buzzer or other type of audio alarm. Certain alarms will require the assembly to stop the operation and wait for an operator to carry out a job. There is also a correlation between the type of alarm that is generated and the type of operation that can be continued. Some alarm conditions will allow one bag to be completed, while others will require that the bag be discarded. The flow diagrams related to the logic of the alarm will be discussed within this document in connection with FIGS. 26, 27 A, 27 B, 28 A and 28B. If the test patterns are valid, then the weights corresponding to the desired volume of the fluids to be transferred are calculated (block 328). after calculating the weights, the assembly starts pumping to all stations (block 330) and the motor use alarm checks are made (block 332), which if successful, provide an incorrect motor start alarm or a failure alarm at engine start. If the verifications of the motors are good, then the bag is mixed and the total amount delivered is reported (block 334) which results in a completion signal (block 336) if successful or an envelope alarm or non-delivery if not. With respect 5 ft to the report featureWhen the bag is completed, the volume of each component currently transferred to the bag is entered into a central computer for archival purposes and also for collection purposes. The routine of pumping all stations (block 330) is also taught in FIGURE 12 to include a flow chart that begins pumping to a single station (block 338) until the correct amount of this solution has been pumped (block 340). If it is detected that the solution being pumped is incorrect, an alarm sounds. If it is correct, then the next station is pumped (block 342) and when all the stations have been pumped, the routine is exited. 15 The routine of pumping a station is shown in FIGURE 13 and begins with determining the volume to be pumped. Although the volume to be pumped is zero (block 344), a flag to match the solution is set (block 346) to ensure that a correct solution looks like one more check. If it is not zero, then the pattern checks are run test (block 348). If the test patterns are valid, the assembly calculates the addition weight of the final rate (block 350), determines whether the weight corresponds to a volume greater than 35 milliliters (block 352). If yes, high-speed pumping (block 354) is carried out at the volume corresponding to the addition weight, the weight cell is stabilized (block 356) before pumping at a terminal velocity (block 358) which is at a low speed to complete the addition of the corresponding source component, the controller determines if there is an overfill or lack of full situation (block 360) that results in an alarm indication if an overflow or lack of full occurred or if There is flow detected after the engine has stopped. This would occur in a free-flowing condition where the weight sensor 99 detects an increase in the receiving container even if the engine station has stopped. If neither overflow nor overflow is detected, then the motor selection signals are turned off (block 362) and the routine is exited. With respect to the motor selection signals, it should be understood that each motor has two switches that must be closed in order for the motor to operate. A main power switch to the motors must be closed, as well as a motor selection switch for each of the motors. If the assembly is in the slow-turn mode where the user can enter data, such volume information or specific gravity of the source solution, or if there is an alarm type or flow type, the controller opens all the motors, selection switches and open the main switch can be. In this way, the possibility of the existence of a failure mode of a specific point that without warning would cause a motor to start is minimal. Thus, if the main power switch were to fail in an on position, the motor would still not operate because the motor selection switch is still in the on position as left by the controller. The last step of the routine of FIGURE 13 is to turn off all engine selection signals in any circumstance that has been filled or overfilled or not filled enough a receiving container to create the corresponding alarm indication. There is a routine for controlling the pump in high speed operation and with reference to FIGURE 14, the controller carries out a test for alarm condition (block 364) that if the alarm condition occurs it results in the output of the subroutine. If no alarm conditions are encountered, the pump is started (block 366) and a determination is made as to whether a motor controller error has been reported (block 368). If there is an error, a motor controller fault signal is generated. If not, the routine determines if an off button has been pressed (block 370) which results in the motors stopping. If not, the routine conducts a pump monitoring analysis (block 372). The routine then asks if the pumping has been turned off and on again (block 374) which, if it has occurred, returns to the step of starting the pump motor (block 366). If there is no pump shutdown and restart, the routine decides whether the final weight has been reached (block 376), and if not, this results in the return to block 368. If it has reached the final weight, the engine stops of the pump (block 378). The delivered volume is displayed (block 380), a pause occurs (block 382) to allow the load cell circuit to update the delivered volume and the newly delivered delivered volume to be displayed (block 384), and thus the subroutine There is a separate subroutine to operate the pump motor at a slower or finishing speed and with reference to FIGURE 15, the initial order to pump at the completion rate (block 358) results in a monitoring pump (block 372) . If no alarm condition is detected, the motor or pump 5 is started (block 386) and results in activation of the pump by a predetermined pulse time (block 388) before the motor stops (block 390). ). Here there is a small pause (block 392) which is necessary to stabilize the weight (block 394). The subroutine asks if the OFF button has been pressed (block 396), if the answer is positive, it results in the exit routine. And if not, a more exhaustive verification to determine alarm conditions is carried out (block 372). If there are no alarm conditions, the subroutine asks if the final weight has been reached (block 398) and if so, the subroutine is finished. If it has not been reached, then the subroutine determines whether the maximum number of impulse pulses or clicks of the motor have expired (block 400), which initially is 8 pulses or 32 pulses after a restart operation. If the maximum number of pulses has not expired, the subroutine displays the current delivered volume (block 402) and calculates the length of the? next motor pulse (block 404) before the motor starts (block 386). If the maximum number of pulses has expired (block 400), then generates a non-flow alarm signal. According to yet another important aspect of current invention, it is important that the finished mixing process produces a bag having the correct composition and that it is continued to be monitored after the bag has been filled to the prescribed amount and that the pumps have gone out. It is known that there may be a quantity of fluid flow that follows from the bag of origin to the receiving bag even if the pumps have been turned off if there is an incomplete seal in the operation of the peristaltic pump. That is why the monitoring of the weight of the receiver bag by sensor 99 should continue after the mix has been made. This is done by monitoring the weight sensor to determine that no fluid continues to flow into the receiving container before the operator seals the transfer probe and disconnects the receiving container from the load cell 100. If continuous free flow is monitored, then an alarm signal is generated by the controller and deployed. The process is shown in the subroutine of FIGURE 16. Once the test is invoked (block 360), the controller determines whether the amount of fluid delivered, as determined by the weight of the weight sensor 99 that verifies the container receiver and its content, is greater than or equal to the desired final weight plus a tolerance value (block 406). If it is greater than or equal to the desired final weight and tolerance, then an overfill alarm signal is generated, but if not, then the routine causes the quantity delivered to be measured to determine if it is less than or equal to the desired quantity minus the tolerance value (block 408). If so, the general controller a full alarm signal of less. If the quantity delivered is greater than the desired quantity minus the tolerance, then the routine pauses for about half a second (block 410) and determines whether the weight increase by a predetermined amount, such with at least 4 grams (block 412), and if so, results in a flow after the engine shutdown alarm. If a weight of at least 4 grams is not detected, then be sure of the subroutine. This flow determination after the engine is turned off is made once the engine has stopped. Another similar flow verification will be described in connection with FIGURE 25. The pump monitoring portion of the routine shown in FIGURE 14 (block 372) further compromises a subroutine shown in FIGURE 17 that results in the weight being read (block 414), and the controller determines whether the door to either of the two containers 38a or 38b or the sensor 200 (FIGURE 1) is open (block 416). If some of the doors are open, the flow rate is monitored (block 420) and the type of solution is determined (block 422) before the routine is finished. There is a subroutine that the controller performs when the step of waiting for the weight to stabilize is used (block 394) and this is shown in FIGURE 18 and includes a wait of about half a second (block 424) for the controller to determine if more than 50 milliliters have been programmed (block 426), and if so, it results in another wait of about half a second (block 428). If the programmed volume is less than 50 milliliters or the half-second wait has expired, the subroutine requests that the delivered volume be displayed (block 430) and then up to 10 waiting periods are carried out (block 432). If the highest measured weight is greater than the desired weight plus some tolerance (block 434), then the overfill alarm signal is generated. However, if it is less than the desired one plus a tolerance, the subroutine is finished. If the 10 waiting periods have not expired, the subroutine saves the highest weight that has been measured (block 436) and compares that weight to determine if it is equal to the previous weight plus some marginal tolerance (block 438). If the weight is not equal to the previous weight plus some tolerance, the subroutine returns to block 424. If it is equal to the previous weight plus some amount, then the subroutine ends. The controller also has a subroutine to carry out the verification of the flow rate monitoring (block 420) which is taught in FIGURE 19 and which it adapts to determine whether a negative flow condition, a non-flow condition, or a high flow condition. The subroutine initially determines if two consecutive negative weight increases greater than 11 grams (block 440) have occurred, which if they have occurred, result in a negative flow alarm. If not, the subroutine determines if the pump operated at high speed (block 442). If it is not operating at high speed, the software asks if it has been operating for at least 11 seconds since the beginning of pumping (block 444), and if not, it results in the output of the subroutine. If the engine is in high-speed operation, then it determines if at least 5 seconds have passed since the start of pumping or if a weight gain of at least 4 grams has occurred in consecutive half-second intervals (block 446), and if so, it results in a question of whether the minimum weight gain for this period has been reached (block 448). If not, it calculates the duration of the next pulse before operating the pump motor (block 450) and emits an n-flow alarm signal. If the maximum weight gain has been obtained, then ask if there has not been an exaggerated weight gain, ie, a weight gain of more than 100 grams, which if it were to occur (block 451), results in the generation of a High flow alarm signal. If the weight gain is not much, the subroutine is exited. As will be described, an alarm condition is generally emitted when the identified characteristic is not equal to the characteristic of the solution that has been entered as the correct solution, however, it is desirable to distinguish more if the identified feature does not conform with the correct characteristic due to an incorrect solution in the transfer probe or to a correct solution in the transfer probe and another condition that occurs that generates the characteristic identified as different. This is important because corrective actions required to indicate an incorrect solution may be more complicated than the corrective actions required for other conditions that may also result in different identified characteristics. By way of example, it may be desired to require a vacuum of the transfer probe and to get rid of the final mixing container if an incorrect solution alarm is generated, while an alarm generated by the depletion of the source container may only require the connection of a new solution container without the need for a vacuum or the disposal of the probe. A non-flow alarm can also be generated by such occurrences as a bend in the probe of the transfer set as well as an empty origin contender. Thus, according to another important aspect of the present invention, it has been found that a false signal of incorrect solution can be generated when the pump motor is operated at a high speed range and a source container is empty due to the fact of that there is a partially empty probe or channels that can produce readings by sensory assembly 200 that there is an incorrect solution present. According to the present invention, an incorrect solution alarm signal only if 10 consecutive determinations of no (• Equal solutions 5. If an empty probe reading occurs, the current inventor's controller uses that empty probe reading to reset the consecutive equal-success counter to the incorrect solution, as typically the empty source container condition is accompanied by empty probe readings apart from incorrect solution readings, the completion of the combination of These conditions thus eliminate most of the false signals of incorrect solution that would otherwise occur under these conditions. It must be understood that returning the counter of the lack of equality does not apply when the engine is in a finishing operation or a low speed of pumping. Besides, it is preferred in order to be able to differentiate the non-flow condition of the incorrect solution, that the weight increase i.e., the flow of the fluid to the recipient container, be verified in three consecutive intervals of half a second. If any of the half-second intervals shows low flow, i.e., less than 3 grams, then a non-flow situation is indicated instead of a false alarm of incorrect solution. This aspect of the present invention is carried out by the The controller according to the flow diagrams shown in FIGS. 20, 21 and 23. According to yet another important aspect of the present invention, the assembly is designed in such a way that when in the original bag 16 the fluid runs out, a non-flow indicator alarm should occur. However, when non-ventilated collapsible containers run out of fluid, the system may generate an incorrect solution alarm signal instead of a non-flow alarm. It is believed that the cause of this discrepancy is due to partial solution segments remaining in the transfer set probe near sensor assembly 200. The preferred embodiment of the current invention uses data from load cells 100 in conjunction with sensory assembly data to determine if the inequality between the identified solution and the PID solution is due to a non-flow condition instead of a wrong solution in the transfer probe before generating an incorrect solution alarm signal. This determination of a non-flow is generally carried out by monitoring the weight change rate and determining that the change in weight is less than expected by a standard pumping sequence. Therefore, the system generates a non-flow alarm signal before it generates an incorrect solution alarm signal. In this regard, it is preferable that the system wait approximately three seconds before determining any weight change after the pump has started its operation. More particularly, with respect to the determination of the type of solution identifying the assembly 200, and with reference to FIGURES 20 and 21, it initiates the subroutine with the determination of whether the pump motor is operating at a fast speed (block 452) or if it is between pulses in slow speed operation. If the answer is no, it leaves the subroutine, that is continuous pumping. If the answer is yes, the subroutine expects a positive identification reading of the sensor 200 (FIGURE 1) indicating the identified solution corresponds to the solution entered and executes a time out decision (block 454). If no reading is received within the time period outside of approximately 1 second, then a time out alarm signal is generated. If there has been no time out, then the routine asks to determine if there have been 10 consecutive illegal solution codes (block 456). If 10 illegal codes have been received, the routine then determines if a low-flow condition existed within the time period out (block 458) and if so, the routine exits. If the answer is no, the subroutine stops and attempts to analyze the problem (block 462) and generates an alarm condition. If 10 illegal codes have not been received (block 456), the software determines if a non-read condition has occurred (block 464), and if the answer is yes, it results in the subroutine exiting. If the answer is no, ask if an empty probe reading has been made (block 466). If so, a double dextrose check inhibitor meter is placed at about half a second (block 468) and it is asked if the pump is operating in a high speed mode and if more than 20 milliliters has been pumped (block 470). If not, the subroutine exits, but in this case a reversion to 10 of inequality of the solution is re-set (block 472) and the routine exits. The inhibitor meter is placed because there is an empty probe, because there is no fluid entering the bag, then there is no need to monitor the flow rate. If there has not been an empty probe reading (block 466), that means that it has flowed into the probe and the luxury rate can be measured, which in itself takes time to carry out because the flow rate history is implied . The subroutine then determines whether the solution is dextrose (block 474) and if so, that results in carrying out an incorrect solution check (block 476). If the solution is not dextrose, then the subroutine determines if the solution is water (block 478) and asks if the solution is incorrect (block 480) and if not, gives ft 5 as a result of putting the equal solution indicator (block 4844). If the solution is neither dextrose nor water, a determination is made as to whether the programmed solution is equal to the reading (block 482) of positive identification ("PID"). If it is the same, the solution equality indicator (block 484) is produced, which returns the countdown to 10 (block 472) for non-equality of solution, and it results in the exit of the subroutine. If the solution is not equal to the PID reading, the subroutine determines if there are 10 consecutive non-equal solutions (block 486), and if not, it results in the subroutine being exited. If the answer to the questions in blocks 476, 480 and 486 is yes, then the subroutine follows FIGURE 21. It should be noted that a yes of any of the blocks 476 or 480 counts as one of the 10 solution inequalities in block 486. If the correct solution occurs within the grace period and with a low flow indication (block 488), then the subroutine does not count the last inequality of solution (block 489) and the subroutine goes out, ie, continuous pumping. The reason for this is that sensor assembly 200 is not seeing the correct solution and if a minimum flow criterion is not being met, an alarm of non-equality of solution is not activated, and the last not equality is not counted until it is has detected the flow of the fluid. Then, the alarm will not activate until the fluid flow has been measured. If the incorrect solution is not detected within the grace period in a non-flow condition, then the routine stops and attempts to analyze the 5 th problem (block 490) and then determines if a non-flow condition exists (block 492). ). If the answer is yes, the countdown is returned to 10 (block 494) of no equality and the subroutine goes out. However, if a non-flow condition is not detected, a countdown to 10 (block 496) of non-equality is reset and an incorrect solution alarm signal is generated. 10 When the subroutine of FIGURE 20 operates and comes to a stop to analyze the problem (block 462), the subroutine that you see in FIGURE 24 is started, which initially performs a determination to find out if at least 8 of the last 10 PID readings are empty probe or not (block 498). This determination is carried out because it has been found that under certain situations when a certain solution is being pumped, this can be combined with air, and may result in an empty probe indication. This determination effectively ensures that such false indication of empty probe and the consequent incorrect "install" alarm does not occur. If at least 8 of the last 10 readings are empty probe, an "install" alarm is generated to alert the user that the transfer set may not be properly installed. If there are less than 8 probe readings empty, the subroutine for the pump motor (block 500), delay for one second one half (block 502), take five PID readings (block 504) and then determine if the last 15 PID readings are illegal or are test pattern readings (block 506), and if so, an illegal solution alarm signal is generated. The last 15 PID readings are considered for a special circumstance that could occur as a result of stopping the engine and waiting 1.5 seconds. By waiting and for the engine, examining fewer readings, such as 5 PIDs, for example, could easily result in an incorrect solution alarm being generated. With the use of 15 readings, the possibility of generating a false alarm of incorrect solution is greatly reduced. With respect to the wait of a second and a half, this allows the mixing between any solution and the air that may be present in the sensor assembly 200 to settle, essentially allowing gravity to influence the flow of the fluid through the assembly. This phenomenon has been experienced and waiting largely eliminates the problem. If the last 15 PID readings are not illegal codes or test patterns, the subroutine asks if there was at least one empty probe reading (block 508), and if so, it results in generating an alarm signal of no flow. If not, the subroutine determines if there are at least three correct solution readings (block 510), if so, it results in a non-flow alarm signal being generated. However, if the determination was no, the subroutine determines whether the station is indeed programmed to pump electrolytes (block 512), and also determines whether there is lack of probe or electrolyte readings (block 513). If they exist, a non-flow alarm is generated, but if not, the subroutine determines whether dextrose or water was detected in the last 15 PID readings (block 514). If detected, a non-flow alarm is generated, but if not, the pump motor is turned on for one second (block 515). A non-determination that electrolytes are not being pumped (block 512) also results in the engine being turned on for about one second (block 515), a 5 pauses (block 516) and a determination is made a weight gain of at least 6 grams has been detected (block 518). If not, a non-flow alarm signal is generated, and if it does, an incorrect solution alarm signal is generated. The logic contained in blocks 512, 513 and 514 is used to avoid the situation where electrolytes are being pumped and air is found in the solution, which often resulted in the generation of an incorrect solution alarm. However, the logic in blocks 512, 513 and 514 largely eliminates this possibility. In a similar subroutine, the stopping and analyzing problem (block 490) of FIGURE 21 also composes a subroutine shown in FIGURE 23 for determine a type inequality determination (block 490). Initially software determines if an incorrect solution alarm condition was initially detected (block 522). If not, the subroutine goes to block 462 in FIGURE 24, but if it does, the motor stops (block 524), a wait of 1.5 seconds is made (block 526), and five additional PID readings are acquired (block 528), it is done a determination of whether at least three of the readings were empty probe readings (block 530). If not, the routine determines if there has been a weight gain in the last two half-second samples that has been less than 4 grams each (block 531). If yes, a non-flow alarm is generated, and if not, an incorrect solution alarm signal is generated. An example of the decoding of the solution code is carried out by the subroutine shown in FIGURE 22 starting with (block 532). The subroutine determines if the code is present in the reference table (block 534) and if so, it returns the found code of the table, and if it does not, it performs an inspection on the test pattern codes (block 536) that can result in a non-reading response. If not, it determines if they have received ten consecutive illegal codes (block 538) and if not, it results in a negative reading indication. If 10 illegal codes have been consecutively returned, the subroutine determines if there is already an alarm pending (block 539) and if not, it results in the generation of an illegal code alarm signal, and if so, the subroutine is exited. While the flow has been described after the routine of stopping motors in FIGURE 16, that routine is only carried out once after the engine has been stopped. Another similar flow monitor with a motor in a state of slow running is provided by the mixer assembly of the current invention and is shown in the flow diagram of FIGURE 25. The routine starts at 540 and initially determines if there are time periods in which occurs the same flow rate consecutively (block 542), with the same reading being within 6.25% of a previous measurement. If such a consecutive flow is detected, the mixer determines whether the engine is in a state of turning in slow gear (block 544) or if the bag is complete. If the mixer is in the state of turning in slow motion, and an empty bag is placed on the hook, it is apparent that the mixer assembly should not be started if the weight sensor 99 has detected an increase in weight. If it is in the state of turning in slow gear, then a flow alarm indicator (block 548) is set in the state of turning in slow gear which will produce an alarm if the start button is depressed and the situation has not been rectified. Another different situation exists if it is complete and a state of turning in slow gear has been detected. In this case, the routine waits seven seconds from a weight gain detection) block 550) and then determines if the weight has returned to the armed weight after the pause (block 552). If the weight has been returned, then the program returns to block 542. If it has not been returned, then the flow detection alarm occurs with the engine in a state of slow idle. The armed weight is the one that exists after a weight increase has been detected, i.e., at the beginning of the period. If a weight increase of one gram per minute is detected, then the flow alarm will occur with the engine in a state of turning in slow gear. The reason for waiting seven seconds (block 550) is because after the bag has been filled, it is common practice, to hang on the hook (as shown in FIGURE 1) until the pharmacist passes to initial or approve otherwise. It has been found that the process of initializing the bag will move it and cause the detection of a change in weight. The seven-second wait facilitates the occurrence of such a practice without creating a flow detection alarm in the state of spinning in slow motion. It should be understood that the waiting period may be somewhat less than seven seconds and may be appreciably longer, i.e., up to twenty seconds or more, if desired. The seven-second wait does not start until the weight gain has been detected which means that the bag can remain on the hook for an extended period until the pharmacist or other technician passes and moves it The routine also has a detection step of superfluous flow (block 546) that measures greater weight increases over several seconds that can result from a pump that is working longer than it should or a probe that is not properly installed in a rotor so that a large volume of flow could occur. If such superfluous flow is detected, a state determination of the mixer is taken as discussed previously (block 544). If a superfluous flow is not detected, the routine determines if the weight has returned to the armed weight (block 554) and if so, the flow indicator (block 556) is returned to the idle state, but if no, this step is skipped so that when the start button is pressed (block 558), a check is carried out to verify if the flow indicator has been turned back into the state of turning in idle (block 560) and if yes, it results in the alarm being generated, and if not, it allows the mixing to begin. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there has been a problem where an incorrect solution alarm signal may occur in situations where the correct solution is actually being pumped if the source container is emptied such that a non-flow alarm signal to a point near the desired container volume, ie, within approximately 5 millimeters of completion. If then the pump is restarted, then the desired rate can be reached by filling the bag with solution found in the probe between the sensory assembly 20 and the last receiving container without the installation of a new solution container. The current invention allows a restart of a non-flow alarm if the medical prescription is nearing completion. Apart from this the invention can be configured to only allow termination if sensor assembly 200 has reported the correct solution and only empty probe values from the moment the pump is restarted, and then the desired weight is achieved. In other words, the assembly can be configured in such a way as to allow the bag to finish filling when it is very close to full and it is known that only the correct solution reading or empty probe has occurred after the new start. The logic of the alarm process is determined by routines that are illustrated in FIGURES 26, 27 A, 27B, 28A and 28B that start working each time there is an alarm condition. As previously described with respect to the flowcharts found in this current invention, different types of alarms can be generated; each can result in a different type of alarm condition, as well as several deployments, including flashing displays and various audio type alarms. The software shown in the flow chart of FIGURE 26 is initially called with the alarm handler of block 570 representing the start operation. As a result, the software searches for the alarm in an alarm table (block 573) which can result in a deployment alarm (block 574) or a paging display (block 576). The subroutine determines if the host link is activated (block 578), this is the link to the computer controller that carries out several calculations to verify how a medical prescription is going to be mixed, carries out the printing of the labels of the medical prescriptions and other functions. If the host link is activated, the subroutine searches to determine if the alarm condition is one that requires crushing a stop button to clear or if it is an invalid PID (block 580). If any of these occurs, then the routine waits for the user to clear the alarm (block 584. If the alarm is not the result of an invalid PID or one that requires the stop button to be pressed, the alarm condition is sent to the host computer (block 582) resulting in the same waiting state (block 584) In the waiting state of the alarm, the user must press the STOP button or remove the full bag to reset the alarm. In the subroutine that waits for the user, is shown in FIGURE 27A and 27B with block 584 initiating the subroutine. The logic determines whether the STOP button has been pressed (block 586), which does not result in a determination of whether one of the conditions in which the door is open, a non-flow condition or a solution alarm occurred. incorrect If the STOP button has been pressed, then the logic reboots the system to restart and exits (block 590). It should also be appreciated that restarting to restart (block 590) does not necessarily allow the user to reboot. This is because the decision to allow a reboot is one that is determined in the routine that initially causes the alarm routine to enter. If there is no non-flow, alarm 2, incorrect solution or open door condition, the subroutine creates a ring signal (block 592) and initiates a vacuum subroutine (block 594) and monitors the host's communication link (block 596) to determine if 15 rings have occurred or if a stop button has been pressed (block 598). The meaning of the 15 rings is only to stop ringing after a reasonable time, approximately 15 seconds in a preferred embodiment. If either of these two has occurred, the subroutine of the vacuum station is started (block 600), but if not, the subroutine returns to the bell (block 592). If the subroutine of the vacuum station (block 600) is running, then the host monitoring communication link is continuously monitored (block 602) and a determination is made as soon as the STOP button has been pressed or not (block 604) ). If it has been pressed, the system restarts before restarting (block 590) but if not, the subroutine returns to empty additional stations. In this regard, it should be recognized that for certain alarm states, they can be distinguished only by carrying out the vacuum operation, carried out by the user by pressing the vacuum button, it must also be understood that the subroutine of the vacuum station shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B does not result in the stations being emptied, but simply monitors to determine if the buttons of the vacuum station have been pressed so that the alarm condition can then be extinguished. Positive identification of block 588 causes the routine to move to FIGURE 27B and a determination is made as to whether a START button has been pressed or a final bag has been removed (block 606). If it has been removed, the system is initialized to restart (block 590). If it has not been removed, then the bell is generated (block 608) and the host's communication link is monitored (block 610). Then a determination is made if the 15 rings have occurred or if the STOP button has been pressed (block 6112), and if not, the subroutine returns to block 606. However, if any of these events has occurred, the subroutine it determines if the START button has been pressed or if the final bag has been removed (block 614) and if it does, the reinitialization results to start again (block 590). Otherwise, the subroutine causes the host's communication link to be monitored (block 616) until the STOP button has been pressed. Once the STOP button has been pressed, the system resets to restart. The need to monitor the communication link of the host throughout the routine is due to the fact that there are messages generated by the host computer that are sent to the mixer, that require recognition or if the host computer will not generate an error condition. With respect to the vacuum alarm subroutine and with reference to FIGS. 28A and 28B, the subroutine determines whether the alarm is one of incorrect solution (block 620) and if it is not, it results in the question of whether it is an alarm of please empty (block 622). If not, the subroutine is exited, but if it is, the subroutine determines if the solution alarm is in a current station (block 624). If it is not, the subroutine determines if the vacuum button has been pressed (block 626) which, if not, results in the subroutine being exited. If pressed, turn off the ringer (block 628) and monitor if the empty operation of the current station has occurred (block 630) and advance to the next station (block 632) and then the subroutine determines if more stations remain (block 634). If there are more, go back to block 624 and if not, ask if there are correct solutions in all stations (block 636). If not, the subroutine comes out. If yes, the incorrect solution alarm indicator (block 638) goes off or the subroutine exits. If the alarm is one of the incorrect solution of block 620, the subroutine moves to FIGURES 28B where a determination is made to determine if the vacuum button has been pressed (block 640) and if so, the bell is turned off (block 642), a vacuum monitoring operation of the current station occurs (block 644) and asks whether the vacuum has succeeded (block 646). If not, the routine is exited, as in the case that it is determined that the vacuum button has not been pressed (block 640). If the vacuum has been successful (block 646), the correct solution indicator (block 638) goes off and the subroutine goes out. With reference to FIGURE 1, another important feature of the present invention is the monitoring of the vacuum of the transfer set 14 during the vacuum operation. Before, to ensure that an incorrect solution of the transfer set 14 had been completely removed, processes of a complete vacuum of the probe 44 had to be used in the transfer set. For example, to ensure the flow of the correct amount through the transfer probe 44, the weight change in final container 18 can be monitored. When the necessary weight change that corresponded to the desired amount of vacuum occurred, it would be finished. the vacuum process. Alternatively, a specific pumping time or a specific number of pumping cycles that would be required after the start of the vacuum cycle. In either case, it will probably result in more than the correct solution being emptied of what was necessary, which turns out to be a waste. With the present invention the vacuum cycle continues until the sensory assembly 200 registers the appropriate source solution. In addition, it may be desirable that a small additional volume is pumped to compensate for the segment of the probe between sensory assembly 200 and multiple joints 106. Although it may be necessary to use other methods to ensure that the small additional volume is pumped, such volume is very small and any waste is going to be tiny. While several representations of the current invention have been shown and described, it must be understood that other modifications, substitutions and alternatives are apparent to one who is familiar with this field. Such modifications, substitutions and alternatives can be made without departing from the spirit and vision of the invention, which should be determined from the appended claims. Several features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an assembly that controllably transfers fluid components from a plurality of individual source containers through a transfer set to form or compose a desired mixture. (5) in a collection container while determining or identifying the type of fluid being transferred, then the type of component fluid already identified can be compared to the desired type of fluid to verify that the fluid that is being The transfer assembly of the current invention includes a sensory assembly that has sensory contact with the component fluid while the fluid flows through the transfer set and provides a distinctive feature of the mixture being transferred. In the embodiment, the sensor assembly has non-invasive sensory contact with the component fluid during the flow. The distinctive feature provided by the sensory assembly identifies, with accuracy, to at least one of the component fluids without the need for more information. Another embodiment of the invention is that the transfer assembly identifies a feature that may correspond to a plurality of fluid types. Then, if the distinctive feature is not sufficient to identify a particular fluid, the transfer assembly examines a characteristic additional introduction of at least one of the component solution types and identifies the component fluid with the desired accuracy. In another embodiment, the mixing assembly includes a pump that operatively operates on at least one of the component fluids within the transfer set to force fluid flow in at least a portion of the transfer set. The flow rate, particularly within the transfer set, varies, at least in partial dependence on a distinctive feature of the fluid. The mixing assembly also has the ability to determine the differences between the flux rates of component fluids and thus provide a further distinguishing feature of the component fluid that is flowing through the transfer set. In another embodiment, the sensory assembly includes a plurality of sensors that are disposed in close proximity to probes that are part of the transfer set. A signal transmitted by one of the sensors is received by a second sensor, the received signal indicates a distinctive feature of the fluid within the probe. In another embodiment, the mixing assembly includes a weight sensor that is in operative contact with the collection container to distinguish the varying flow rates of different component solutions through measuring the weight change of the container during a predetermined time interval. . In another embodiment that is described, the mixing assembly includes a type of controller that is adapted to control the assembly operation, acquire, receive and process the signals generated by the various assembly sensors and control the operation of the pump motors and generate selectively pre-selected alarm indication signals during assembly operation and includes an alarm that provides both visual and audio alarm indications to the user.

Claims (23)

CLAIMS REVEALS THE FOLLOWING:

1. An assembly for controllably transferring fluids from a plurality of individual source containers, through a transfer set of the type having a plurality of conduits through which the fluid can pass to form a desired mixture in the receiver container, each game conduit being adapted to place one of the source containers in fluid communication with the receiver container, the assembly comprising: a pump assembly adapted to operatively act on the fluid in at least one conduit to force a flow of said fluid through it, varying the flow rate in at least partial dependence on a characteristic of said fluid, said pumping assembly operating in response to predetermined signals applied to it; a first sensor adapted to be in operative contact with the receiving container to generate a signal indicating the weight of the receiving container and its contents; a second sensor being adapted to be positioned next to at least one of the mentioned conduits when properly installed, said second sensor being in non-invasive sensory contact with the fluid present in at least one of the mentioned conduits, and adapted to feel and selectively determine the absence of at least one of the mentioned conduits, the absence of fluid in at least one of the aforementioned well-installed conduits, and a characteristic of the fluid present in at least one of the mentioned conduits and generate signals that they indicate such determination; a controller for controlling the operation of said apparatus, including said pump assembly and for processing said signals of said first and second sensors and being adapted to generate preselected alarm signals in response to predetermined conditions; and, an alarm indicator operatively connected to said controller to provide pre-selected alarm indications being generated by said controller.

2. An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said controller generates one of said pre-selected alarm signals in response to said second sensor sensing the absence of said conduit.

3. An assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said alarm indicator includes a display operatively connected to said controller to provide a visual display of said pre-selected alarms.

4. An assembly as defined in claim 2 of which said alarm instrument includes an audio alarm operatively connected to said controller to provide an audio indication of said pre-selected alarms.

5. An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first sensor includes an extension in which the receiving container is adapted to be connected in such a way that it is easy to remove it, said controller that It generates one of said pre-selected alarm signals in the event that said first sensor detects an increase in the weight of the receiving container subsequent to said controller having finished the operation of said pumping assembly.

6. An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said alarm indicator is adapted to provide a response to the non-flow indication alarm to said controller and thus generating a non-flow alarm signal, a response to the indication alarm of incorrect solution to said controller and thus generating an incorrect solution alarm signal, said controller processes said weight signals and characteristic signals of said fluid during the operation of said pump apparatus and initially generates a non-flow alarm signal said weight signals indicate a weight change lower than expected and said fluid characteristic signals are sufficient to generate an incorrect solution alarm signal.

7. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said controller is operative to postpone for a predetermined period of time, after starting the operation of said pumping apparatus, before said weight signals are processed.

8. An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said pumping apparatus is composed of at least two pumps, each having a pump motor for driving the same, said controller being adapted to control the operation of each pump motor by the selective controller of a central power switch and a pump motor selector switch, both of them must be in an operational state in order to operate a pump motor, said switches being activated in response to said controller selectively generating signals for putting said switches in said operation state, said controller placing said central power switch and said pump motor selector switch in a non-operating state in response to the generation of said pre-selected alarm signals.

9. An assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said controller is adapted to be placed in a rotational slow-moving position within which not all pump motors are working and a user of the apparatus can enter operating data and information to the apparatus, said controller putting said central power switch and said pump motor selector switch in a non-operative state in response to said controller being in a condition to turn in idle.

10. A mounting for controllably transferring fluids from a plurality of individual source containers through a transfer set of the type having a plurality of conduits through which fluid can pass to form a desired mixture in the receiver container, each conduit set being adapted to place one of the source containers in fluid communication with a receiver container, the assembly comprising: A pump apparatus that is adapted to operatively act on fluid in at least one conduit to force a flow through the container. same, the flow rate varies in at least partial dependence on the characteristic of said fluid, said pumping apparatus operating in response to predetermined signals being applied to it; a first sensor adapted to be in operative contact with a receiving container adapted to generate a signal indicating the weight of the receiving container and its content; a second sensor adapted to be placed close to at least one of the mentioned conduits when properly installed, said second sensor being in non-invasive sensory contact with the fluid present in at least one of the mentioned conduits, and adapted to sense and determine selectively a feature that at least partially identifies the fluid present in at least one of said ducts and generates signals that indicate such a determined characteristic and identifies and selectively determines the absence of fluid in at least one of the well-installed ducts and generates signals that indicate an empty conduit; a controller for controlling the operation of said apparatus, including said pump assembly and for processing said signals of said first and second sensors and being adapted to generate pre-selected alarm signals in response to predetermined conditions, said controller includes a memory having data which identify at least one fluid in at least one of said conduits; and an alarm indicator operatively connected to said controller to provide preset alarm indications in response to said controller generating preset alarm signals, said alarm indicator being adapted to provide a non-flow indication alarm in response to said controller has generated a non-flow alarm signal and an incorrect solution alarm alarm in response to that controller generating an incorrect solution alarm signal; said controller being adapted to begin to acquire a predetermined plurality of said fluid characteristic signals during the operation of said pumping apparatus and to compare each said plurality with said fluid identifying data in said memory and generates an alarm signal and solution incorrect when said comparison indicates an incorrect solution; said controller being adapted to immediately acquire another plurality of characteristic signals in response to said second sensor selectively determining the absence of fluid in at least one of said well-installed conduits, thus preventing said comparison of said characteristic signals from being completed previously acquired and the possible generation of an incorrect solution alarm signal.

11. An assembly as defined in claim 10 within which ("* 5" said plurality consists of 10 successive signals, and said controller generates an incorrect solution signal with 10 successive signals that are not correctly compared.

12. An assembly as defined in claim 10 within which said controller is adapted to generate a non-flow alarm signal when a plurality of said weight signals, during successive intervals of approximately half a second, indicate a minor weight change to the expected and prevent the generation of an alarm signal generated incorrect solution.

13. An assembly as defined in claim 10 within which said pump assembly is adapted to operate selectively at a high speed or a low speed, said controller being prevented from immediately initiating the acquisition of another plurality of characteristic signals at response to a second sensor selectively determines the absence of fluid 20 in at least one of the conduits installed when said pump assembly is operating at said low speed.

14. An assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein during the high-speed operation of said pump assembly, said controller deviates from acquiring a predetermined plurality of said fluid characteristic signals during the operation of said pump assembly until a The predetermined amount of fluid has been pumped after the start of the operation of said pump assembly.

15. An assembly for transferring fluids controlled from a plurality of individual source containers through a transfer set of the type having a plurality of conduits through which fluid can pass to form a desired mixture in a receiver container, each conduit set being adapted to place a source container in fluid communication with a receiver container, the assembly is composed of: a pump assembly that is adapted to operatively act on fluid in at least one conduit to force the flow of said fluid through it, varying the flow rate in at least partial dependence on the characteristic of said fluid, said pump assembly operating in response to predetermined signals that are applied therein; a first sensor adapted to be in operative contact with a receiving container adapted to generate a signal indicating the weight of the receiving container and its content; a second sensor adapted to be placed close to at least one of the mentioned conduits when properly installed, said second sensor being in non-invasive sensory contact with the fluid present in at least one of the mentioned conduits, and adapted to sense and determine selectively a feature that at least partially identifies the fluid present in at least one of said conduits and generates signals that ("5 indicates such a determined characteristic and identifies and selectively determines the absence of fluid in at least one of the well-installed conduits and generates signals that indicate an empty conduit, a controller to control the operation of said apparatus, including said pump assembly and to_ process said signals of said first 10 and second sensors and being adapted to generate pre-selected alarm signals in response to predetermined conditions, said controller includes a memory having data specifying the weight and identity of the fluid in said conduit; and an alarm indicator operatively connected to said controller for 15 providing preset alarm indications in response to said controller generating preselected alarm signals, said alarm indicator being adapted to provide a no-flow indication alarm in response to said controller generating a non-flow alarm signal and an incorrect solution indicator alarm in response to that controller 20 has generated an incorrect solution alarm signal; said controller being adapted to begin to acquire a predetermined plurality of said fluid characteristic signals during the operation of said pumping apparatus and to compare each said plurality with said fluid identifying data in said memory and generates an alarm signal and solution incorrect when said comparison indicates an incorrect solution; said controller being adapted to prevent the generation of said alarm signals of incorrect solution if said weight signal indicates that the weight n > 5 of said container and its content is within a predetermined amount of said fluid weight in the receiving container as indicated by said data in said memory, and the last identified feature corresponds to the identity of the fluid in at least one of said duct that has been specified for said duct in said memory. 16. An assembly for controllably transferring fluids from a plurality of individual source containers, through a transfer set of the type having a plurality of conduits through which the fluid can pass to form a desired mixture in the container receiver,

Each gaming conduit being adapted to place one of the source containers in fluid communication with the receiving container, the assembly comprising: a pump assembly adapted to operatively act on the fluid in at least one conduit to force a flow of said fluid through it, 20 varying the flow rate in at least partial dependence on a characteristic of said fluid, said pump assembly operating in response to predetermined signals that are applied to it; a first sensor adapted to be in operative contact with the receiving container to generate a signal indicating the weight of the receiving container and its contents; a second sensor being adapted to be positioned next to at least one of the mentioned conduits when properly installed, said second sensor being in non-invasive sensory contact with the fluid present in at least one of the mentioned conduits, and adapted to feel and selectively determine the absence of at least one of the mentioned conduits, the absence of fluid in at least one of the aforementioned well-installed conduits, and a characteristic of the fluid present in at least one of said conduits and generate signals that they indicate such determination; a controller for controlling the operation of said apparatus, including said pump assembly and for processing said signals of said first and second sensors and being adapted to generate preselected alarm signals in response to predetermined conditions; and, an alarm indicator operatively connected to said controller to provide pre-selected alarm indications being generated by said controller. said controller that processes said weight signals during the operation of said pump assembly and generates a non-flow alarm signal when said weight signals indicate a weight change lower than expected. said controller acquiring a predetermined plurality of said fluid characteristic signals during the operation of said pump assembly and comparing each said plurality with fluid identification data in said memory and being adapted to generate an incorrect solution alarm signal when said comparison indicate an incorrect solution unless you are prevented from doing so; 5 said controller being adapted to prevent the generation of said alarm signals of incorrect solution if said weight signal indicates that the weight of the fluid within a segment of said conduit that is located between the receiver container and said second sensor is within a predetermined amount of said specified weight of fluids in the receiving container 10 which is indicated by said data within said memory, and the identified characteristic corresponds approximately to the fluid immediately before a non-flow alarm signal has been generated, indicates that the fluid was a correct solution, and identified characteristics from which it was detected. generated said non-flow alarm signal indicated that said conduit is empty, said controller 15 then said pump assembly operates to pump said fluid in said segment of said conduit to the receiving container.

17. An assembly as defined in claim 1 within which said controller is adapted to determine the flow rate of the fluid entering the receiver container through determining the change in weight of the receiver container per unit of time during the operation of said container. pump assembly.

18. A mount for the selective transfer of fluids from one or more source containers to form a desired mixture in the receiver container, the assembly consisting of: a pump assembly that is adapted to force the fluid through ft 5 each duct in response to applied impulse signals; a first sensory assembly to generate a signal indicating the weight of the receiving container; a second sensory assembly in non-invasive sensory contact with the fluid present in a segment of the conduit extending between the origin container and the recipient container, the second sensor being adapted to selectively determine the absence of a conduit, the presence of a empty conduit, and a characteristic of the fluid present in the conduit and generating signals indicating such determinations; a controller for controlling the pumping assembly, for processing the signals of the sensory assembly, and for selectively generating alarm signals; and an alarm indicator connected to the controller to provide alarms when alarm signals are received from the controller.

19. An assembly for the selective transfer of fluids from one or more containers of origin to form a desired mixture and a desired weight in the receiver container, the assembly comprising: a pump assembly that is adapted to force the fluid through each conduit in response to applied impulse signals; a first sensory assembly to generate a signal indicating the weight of the receiving container and its content; a second sensory assembly in non-invasive sensory contact with the fluid present in a segment of the conduit extending between the container of origin and the receiver container, the second sensor being adapted to selectively determine the absence of a conduit, the presence of a conduit vacuum, and a characteristic of the fluid a characteristic of the fluid that at least partially identifies the fluid present in the conduit and to generate signals indicating such determinations; a controller for controlling the pumping assembly, for processing the signals of the sensory assembly, and for selectively generating alarm signals; and an alarm indicator connected to the controller to provide alarms when alarm signals are received from the controller. a controller that acquires a number of fluid characteristic signals during the operation of the pump assembly that compares each of them with the fluid identifying data that is in the memory and generates an incorrect solution alarm signal when the comparison indicates a solution not correct, unless the weight signal indicates that the weight received by the receiving container is very close to the desired weight, and the last identified characteristic corresponds to the identity of the fluid in the conduit that is specific for that conduit.

20. An assembly for the selective transfer of fluids from one or more source containers through respective conduits to form a desired mixture in the receiver container having a desired weight, the assembly comprising: a first sensor assembly to generate a signal indicating the weight of the receiving container and its contents; a second sensory assembly in non-invasive sensory contact with the fluid present in a segment of the conduit extending between the container of origin and the receiver container, the second sensor being adapted to selectively determine the absence of a conduit, the presence of a conduit vacuum, and a characteristic of the fluid present in the conduit and generating signals indicating such determinations; a controller for controlling the pumping assembly, for processing the signals of the sensory assembly, and for selectively generating alarm signals; and an alarm indicator connected to the controller to provide alarms when alarm signals are received from the controller. a controller that acquires a number of fluid characteristic signals during the operation of the pump assembly that compares each of them with the fluid identifying data that is in the memory and generates an incorrect solution alarm signal when the comparison indicates a solution not correct, unless the weight signal indicates that the weight of the fluid within a segment of the conduit that is located between the receiving container and a second sensor is within a predetermined amount of specific weight of fluids in the receiving container that it is indicated by the data in said memory, and the identified characteristic corresponds approximately to the fluid immediately before the non-flow alarm signal is generated that indicates that the fluid is the correct solution, and identifies characteristics since said signal has been generated of no-flow alarm indicating that the conduit was empty, the controller would then operate The pump assembly is used to pump the fluid in the conduit segment to the receiving container.

21. An assembly for controllably transferring fluids from a plurality of individual source containers, through a transfer set of the type having a plurality of conduits through which the fluid can pass to form a desired mixture in the receiver container, each game conduit being adapted to place one of the source containers in flow communication with a multiple joint that is communicating with the receiving container via a multiple transfer conduit, the assembly comprising: a pump assembly adapted to act operatively in the fluid in at least one conduit for forcing a flow of said fluid therethrough, the flow rate varying in at least partial dependence on a characteristic of said fluid, said pumping assembly operating in response to predetermined signals to be apply to it; a first sensor adapted to be in operative contact with the receiving container to generate a signal indicating the weight of the receiving container and its contents; a second sensor being adapted to be positioned close to at least one of the mentioned conduits when properly installed, said second sensor being in non-invasive sensory contact with the fluid present in at least one of the mentioned conduits, and adapted to sensing and selectively determining the absence of at least one of said conduits, the absence of fluid within said conduit, a characteristic of the fluid present in said conduit and generating signals indicating such determination; a controller for controlling the operation of said apparatus, including said pump assembly and for processing said signals of said first and second sensors and being adapted to generate pre-selected alarm signals in response to predetermined conditions, said controller 15 includes a memory having data identifying at least one fluid in at least one of said conduits; and an alarm indicator operatively connected to said controller to provide preset alarm indications in response to preset alarm signals generated by said controller;

22. An assembly for the selective transfer of fluids from one or more source containers to form a desired mixture in the receiver container, the assembly comprising: a pump assembly that is adapted to force the fluid through each conduit in response to applied impulse signals; a first sensory assembly to generate a signal indicating the weight of the receiving container; a second sensory assembly in non-invasive sensory contact with the fluid present in a segment of the conduit extending between the container of origin and the receiver container, the second sensor being adapted to selectively determine the absence of a conduit, the presence of a conduit vacuum, and a characteristic of the fluid present in the conduit and generating signals indicating such determinations; a controller for controlling the pumping assembly, for processing the signals of the sensory assembly, and for selectively generating alarm signals; and an alarm indicator connected to the controller to provide alarms when alarm signals are received from the controller. said controller monitoring said signals of the first sensory assembly and data related to the formation of the desired mixture in the receiver container, and determining if the weight increase is occurring after the mixing of the desired mixture is completed when the pump assembly is not at work, said controller inhibits the generation of an alarm signal for a predetermined period of time after receiving the signals from said first sensory assembly indicating an increase in weight has been incurred, said controller receiving signals from said first sensory assembly to determine whether the Container weight returns to the finished weight that existed before those signals will be received indicating that a weight increase has occurred, and generating an alarm signal in the event that it has not returned to the completed weight.

23. An assembly as defined in claim 22 within which the predetermined period of time is within the range of about 5 to about 20 sec.