WO2022182913A1

WO2022182913A1 - Sensor apparatus for sensing characteristic of fluid, and method

Info

Publication number: WO2022182913A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/017771
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adam Atkins; Robert KHEDERIAN; Rowan HERSHBERGER; Kendra NORBAKA; Kristen Leroy; Anna Galea
Original assignee: Vivonics, Inc.
Priority date: 2021-02-26
Filing date: 2022-02-24
Publication date: 2022-09-01

Abstract

A sensor apparatus includes a conduit receiver having an opening with a height that is greater than its width, such that the opening receives a portion of a fluid conduit with a diameter greater than the width of the opening. The fluid conduit is for simultaneously transporting at least a first fluid and a second fluid. A sensor is disposed adjacent to the opening in the conduit receiver and configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. A sensing height of the sensor is greater than the width of the opening of the conduit receiver. A processor is configured to receive signals output from the sensor and to make a determination related to the first fluid and the second fluid based on the received signals. A method is described for conducting such sensing.

Description

SENSOR APPARATUS FOR SENSING CHARACTERISTIC OF FLUID, AND METHOD

RELATED APPLICATIONS PARAGRAPH

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/154,463, filed February 26, 2021. The entire teachings of the above application are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a sensor apparatus configured to sense a characteristic of a fluid and make a determination related thereto, and a related method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In certain blood diffusion systems, such as an artificial lung, it is known to arrange blood and a carrier fluid, such as perfluorodecalin (PFD), such that oxygen diffuses into the blood from the carrier fluid and carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood and into the carrier fluid. In such blood diffusion systems, it is important that a large of an amount of PFD is not allowed to remain in the blood when it is returned to a patient.

[0004] Some amount of PFD in the blood is acceptable, as the human body can tolerate small amounts of PFD in the blood stream. However, large amounts of PFD can be disadvantageous. PFD, having a greater viscosity than blood, can obstruct small blood vessels. Additionally, small amounts of PFD over time can accumulate faster than the body is able to clear them from the blood vessels. Large amounts of PFD are relatively easy to monitor for and separate out, ensuring that they do not enter the blood return to a patient. However, small amounts of PFD are harder to sense.

[0005] The presence of carrier fluid in blood can be monitored by measuring the percentage of hemoglobin oxygen saturation using two lights at different frequencies, one in the red range and one in the infrared range.

[0006] Also, the presence of one fluid in another fluid along a circular tube can be monitored using a sensor across a cross section of the flow. However, this technology has limited sensitivity because the signal received by a sensor, through the cross section of the circular tube, includes a substantial amount of both fluids, thus reducing the signature of the fluid of interest.

[0007] Consequently, there is a need for apparatuses and methods for more precisely monitoring the presence of a carrier fluid, such as PFD, in blood, or vice versa, to ensure there is an acceptable level of PFD, if any, in blood being returned to a patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] One aspect of the disclosure relates to a sensor apparatus. The sensor apparatus comprises a conduit receiver, a sensor, and a processor. The conduit receiver having an opening with a height of the opening that is greater than a width of the opening such that the opening is configured to receive a portion of a fluid conduit that has a diameter greater than the width of the opening, wherein the fluid conduit is for simultaneously transporting at least a first fluid and a second fluid having one or more characteristics different from the first fluid. The sensor disposed adjacent to the opening in the conduit receiver and configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid within the portion of the fluid conduit received within the opening of the conduit receiver, wherein a sensing height of the sensor is greater than the width of the opening of the conduit receiver. The processor configured to receive signals output from the sensor and to make a determination related to the first fluid and the second fluid based on the received signals.

[0009] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method for detecting at least one characteristic of at least one of a first fluid and a second fluid. The method comprising: flowing the first fluid and the second fluid through a portion of a fluid conduit having a width and a height greater than the width; detecting, with a sensor, at least one characteristic of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid within the portion of the fluid conduit; and making a determination, with a processor, related to the first fluid and the second fluid based on signals received from the sensor.

[0010] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The above discussed, and many other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawings will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the primary components of one embodiment of a system, having a sensing apparatus, for sensing the presence and quantity of a second fluid in a first fluid.

[0013] FIG. 2A is a front elevation view showing in further detail one embodiment of the sensing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing in further detail the sensing apparatus shown in FIG. 2A. [0015J FIG. 2C is a perspective view showing in further detail the sensing apparatus shown in FIG. 2A.

[0016] FIG. 2D is a front elevation view showing in further detail the conduit receiver of the sensing apparatus shown in FIG. 2A.

[0017] FIG. 2E is a front cross-sectional view showing in further detail an alternative embodiment of the conduit receiver of the sensing apparatus shown in FIG. 2A.

[0018] FIG. 2F is a front cross-sectional view showing in further detail an alternative embodiment of the conduit receiver of the sensing apparatus shown in FIG. 2A.

[0019] FIG. 2G is a front cross-sectional view showing in further detail the sensor of the sensing apparatus shown in FIG. 2A.

[0020] FIG. 2H is a top cross-sectional view showing in further detail the sensor of the sensing apparatus shown in FIG. 2A.

[0021] FIG. 21 is a top cross-sectional view showing in further detail an alternative embodiment of sensor of the sensing apparatus shown in FIG. 2A.

[0022] FIG. 2J is a top cross-sectional view showing in further detail another alternative embodiment of sensor of the sensing apparatus shown in FIG. 2A.

[0023] FIG. 2K is a top cross-sectional view showing in further detail another alternative embodiment of sensor of the sensing apparatus shown in FIG. 2A.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a fluid conduit containing a first fluid and a second fluid.

[0025] FIG. 4A is a front cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a detection portion of the fluid conduit shown in FIG. 3 containing a first fluid and a second fluid.

[0026] FIG. 4B is a front schematic of a portion of the detection portion shown in FIG. 4A passing through one embodiment of the sensor of the sensor apparatus. [0027J FIG. 5A is a front cross-sectional view of the detection portion of the fluid conduit shown in FIG. 3 showing an alternate embodiment of a flow configuration.

[0028] FIG. 5B is a front schematic of the sensor apparatus shown in FIG 4B showing the embodiment of the flow configuration in FIG. 5 A.

[0029] FIG. 6A is a front cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of a detection portion of a fluid conduit containing a first fluid and a second fluid.

[0030] FIG. 6B is a front schematic of a portion of the detection portion of the fluid conduit shown in FIG. 6A passing through another embodiment of a sensor of the sensor apparatus.

[0031] FIG. 7A is a front cross-sectional view of the fluid conduit shown in FIG. 6A showing another embodiment of a flow configuration.

[0032] FIG. 7B is a front schematic of the sensor apparatus shown in FIG 6B showing the embodiment of the flow configuration in FIG. 7 A.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a block-diagram showing the components of one embodiment of the sensing apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Aside from the preferred embodiment or embodiments disclosed below, this invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Thus, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. If only one embodiment is described herein, the claims hereof are not to be limited to that embodiment. Moreover, the claims hereof are not to be read restrictively unless there is a clear and convincing evidence manifesting a certain exclusion, restriction, or disclaimer.

[0035] For ease of reference, embodiments in the present disclosure are described specifically with respect to oxygenating and removing carbon dioxide from a physiological fluid. However, it is to be understood that the apparatus and methods described herein apply to and can be used for other applications for detecting the presence and quantity of a second fluid in a first fluid. [0036J OVERVIEW

[0037J FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a system 10 containing a sensor apparatus 100. The system 10 also includes a fluid conduit 200, having a detection portion 210, a first fluid source or reservoir 310 for providing a first fluid 300, a second fluid source or reservoir 410 for providing a second fluid 400, and a pump 500. The flow of the first fluid 300 originates at the first fluid reservoir 310 and is transported along the fluid conduit 200 by way of the pump 500. The flow of the second fluid 400 originates at the second fluid source 410 and is made to join the flow of the first fluid 300 such that both fluids are transported along the fluid conduit 200 simultaneously.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid conduit 200 is configured to transport the first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400 simultaneously once the second fluid 400 meets the first fluid 300 to form a single flow (F). The single flow (F) containing the first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400 is then made to pass through a detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200. The detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200 is some or all of the portion of the fluid conduit 200 that passes through the sensor apparatus 100. The sensor apparatus 100 is configured to sense the presence and quantity of the second fluid 400 in the first fluid 300 in or along the detection portion 210. Alternately, the sensor apparatus 100 may be configured to sense the presence and quantity of the first fluid 300 in the second fluid 400 in or along the detection portion 210.

[0039] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF SENSOR APPARATUS

[0040] FIGS. 2A-2K show an embodiment a sensor apparatus 100, with exemplary variations of components or aspects thereof. In this embodiment, the sensor apparatus 100 includes a housing 140, a conduit receiver 110, a sensor 120, and a processor 130, which are described in more detail below.

[0041] Housing

[0042] FIGS. 2A-2C show an embodiment of the housing 140 of the sensor apparatus 100. The housing 140 is configured to house at least the conduit receiver 110 and the sensor 120. Additionally, the processor 130 may be disposed in the housing 140. [0043J The housing 140 is preferably configured to have a housing opening 145. The housing opening 145 is positioned along a top face 142 of the housing 14 and the sensor apparatus 100. The housing opening 145 extends through a front side 146 of the housing opening 145 and a back side 147 of the housing opening 145. The housing opening 145 has a length (LI), which is configured to extend from a plane containing the front side 146 of the housing opening 145 to a plane containing the back side 147 of the housing opening 145.

[0044] In this embodiment, the conduit receiver 110 is located within the housing opening 145. Preferably, the housing opening 145, containing the conduit receiver 110, is configured to receive the detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200, which enters at the front side 146 of the housing opening 145 and exits at the back side 147 of the housing opening 145.

[0045] The housing 140 may further comprise a retention mechanism 141 configured to prevent the fluid conduit 200 from exiting the housing opening 145 in an upward or height (HI) direction of a conduit receiver opening 111. The retention mechanism 141 may be configured to be openable and closable in order to facilitate easy placement and removal of the fluid conduit 200 on and from the conduit receiver 110. In one embodiment, the retention mechanism 141 may be further configured to swing open by way of hinge, such as a pin 144, attaching the retention mechanism 141 to the housing 140. The retention mechanism 141 may further include a clip 143 to secure the sensing apparatus 100.

[0046] The housing 140 and/or the retention mechanism 141 of the sensor apparatus 100 may be, for example, formed of plastic materials. In a preferred embodiment, the housing 140 of the sensor apparatus 100 and/or the retention mechanism 141 may comprise a clear or transparent material. The clear or transparent materials may be made of conventional materials known in the field. A clear or transparent material provides the user with the ability to observe the fluid conduit 200 within the housing 140 and the conduit receiver 110.

[0047] Conduit Receiver [0048J In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2D, the conduit receiver 110 is disposed in the housing 140 and is configured to have a conduit receiver opening 111. The conduit receiver opening 111 is further configured to include an emitter side 112 of the conduit receiver opening 111, a receptor side 113 of the conduit receiver opening 111, a bottom side 114 of the conduit receiver opening 111, and a top side 115 of the conduit receiver opening 111. The conduit receiver opening 111 has a height (HI) that is greater than a width (Wl) of the conduit receiver opening 111 such that the conduit receiver opening 111 is configured to receive and pinch at least a portion the detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200. The conduit receiver 200 is configured to pinch the detection portion 210 so as to increase the height (H2) of the detection portion 210 relative to the width (W2) of the detection potion 210 in order to obtain better sensing and sampling of the fluids contained therein.

[0049] In one embodiment, the height (HI) of the conduit receiver opening 111 is a measure of the distance along a plane perpendicular to, and located between, a plane containing the bottom side 114 of the conduit receiver opening 111 and a plane containing the top side 115 of the conduit receiver opening 111. The width (Wl) of the conduit receiver opening 111 is a lateral measurement of the distance between the emitter side 112 and the receptor side 113 of the conduit receiver opening 111. The conduit receiver 110 is configured to receive the detection portion 210 in the height (HI) direction of the conduit receiver opening 111.

[0050] In one embodiment, the conduit receiver 110 is configured to secure at least a portion of the fluid conduit 200 passing through the conduit receiver opening 111 of the sensor apparatus 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the conduit receiver 110 is configured to secure and position the fluid conduit 200 along a detection portion 210 such that the detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200 is pinched and the cross-section of the detection portion 210 is thereby narrowed.

[0051] FIGS. 2E and 2F illustrate different examples of the conduit receiver 110 receiving and pinching the fluid conduit 200. In both configurations, a lower portion near the bottom side 114 of the conduit receiver opening 111, preferably is configured to have a width that is wider than a width at an upper portion near the top side 115 of the conduit receiver opening 111. Having a wider width at the lower portion of the conduit receiver opening 111 than in the upper portion of the conduit receiver opening 111 serves to at least create additional space in the lower portion of the conduit receiver 111 for the fluid conduit 200 and to prevent an edge of the fluid conduit 200 from kinking within the conduit receiver opening 111. In at least the upper portion, the width of the conduit receiver 110 is less than a cross-sectional diameter (D) of the fluid conduit 200, though preferably the width of both the upper portion and the lower portion 110 is less than a cross-sectional diameter (D) of the fluid conduit 200.

[0052] In alternate embodiments shown in FIGS. 2J and 2K (described below in relation to the sensor 120), the sensor apparatus 100 may be configured to contain a plurality of conduit receivers 110 in a series within the housing 140. Additionally, the sensor apparatus 100 may be configured to contain a conduit receiver 110 that is disposed either before, after, or before and after the sensor 120 along the length (LI) of the housing opening 145. In such an embodiment, the sensors 120 would be positioned in a plane that is either before or after the conduit receiver 110.

[0053] Fluid Conduit

[0054] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the fluid conduit 200 for simultaneously transporting at least a first fluid 300 and a second fluid 400. The fluid conduit 200 has a cross-sectional diameter (D). The cross-sectional diameter (D) being greater than the width (Wl) of the conduit receiver opening 111. In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid conduit 200 may be a 1/8” OD tube.

[0055] The fluid conduit 200 may be made of conventional materials known in the field, so long as the materials are capable of being deformed to allow the fluid conduit 200 to be fit within the conduit receiver 110 and are appropriate for transferring the first fluid 300 and second fluid 400. The fluid conduit 200 should be formed of a material that permits transmission of the sensing mechanism of the sensor 120 and, more preferably, is a clear material.

[0056] The fluid conduit 200 has a detection portion 210. The detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200 is configured to pass through the conduit receiver opening 111 of the sensing apparatus 100. In certain embodiments, the detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200 may further be configured to be received by and narrowed by the conduit receiver 110, thus altering the cross section of the fluid conduit 200. The detection portion 210 may be a predetermined length of the fluid conduit 200. Alternatively, the detection portion 210 may be any length of the fluid conduit 200 that is placed within the conduit receiver opening 111 merely due to its positioning within the conduit receiver opening 111 of the sensor apparatus 100.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the cross-section of the detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200 includes dimensions that are narrower than the cross-section of portions of the fluid conduit 200 that are not part of the detection portion 210 (the non-fluid detection portion) depicted in FIG. 3. As discussed above, the dimensional change of the fluid conduit 200 at the detection portion 210 is due to the pinching of the detection portion 210 due to the pinching effect of the conduit receiver 110.

[0058] In one embodiment, the detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200 is configured to have a height (H2) and a width (W2) wherein the height (H2) is greater than the width (W2) of the detection portion 210. In certain embodiments, the height (H2) of the detection portion 210 may be less than the height (HI) of the conduit receiver opening 111 and the width (W2) of the detection portion 210 may be less than the width (W 1) of the conduit receiver opening 111. The height (HI) and the width (Wl) of the conduit receiver opening 111 being configured to correspond directionally with the height (H2) and the width (W2) of the detection portion 210. One effect of this narrow configuration of the cross section of the detection portion 210 is increased effectiveness of optical sensing when, for example, the first fluid 300 is blood and the second fluid 400 is any liquid that is immiscible with and has a different density than blood, such as PFD.

[0059] In one embodiment, the narrowing of the detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200 may be achieved by squeezing the fluid conduit 200. More specifically, the fluid conduit 200 may, at the detection portion 210, achieve its shape by squeezing the fluid conduit 200. The fluid conduit 200 may be made from a piece of flexible tube or piping, or formed from a narrowed section of a rigid pipe, among other methods. As such, in preferred embodiments, the diameter (D) of the fluid conduit 200 may differ from the height (H2) and the width (W2) of the detection portion 210.

[0060] In certain embodiments, the pinching of the detection portion 210, as a result of being slid into the conduit receiver 110, at the top of the sensor apparatus 100, may serve to facilitate a desired flow, e.g., a thin ribbon flow, between the first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400.

[0061] First Fluid and Second Fluid

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, at least two or more fluids (including the first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400), flow through the fluid conduit 200 and are preferably immiscible fluids. For example, the first fluid 300 may be a liquid, such as a liquid containing blood, plasma, serum, proteins, or any combination thereof. As another example, the second fluid 400 may be a gas, such as a gas containing oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and nitric oxide, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the second fluid 400 may be gas liquid, or solid or semi-solid particles. .

[0063] In one embodiment, the first fluid 300 is blood, plasma, serum, or a liquid that contains proteins and the second fluid 400 is any liquid that is immiscible with and has a different density than the first fluid 300. In a preferred embodiment, the secondary fluid 400 is a carrier fluid capable of exchanging small molecules with the blood, plasma, serum, or liquid that contains proteins. Preferably, the second fluid 400 is a carrier fluid such as perfluorocarbon and more preferably perfluorodecalin (PFD). One such application involves the flowing of both blood (as the first fluid 300) and a carrier fluid (as the second fluid 400) through the fluid conduit 200 to facilitate diffusion between the blood 300 and the carrier 400. Diffusion in blood 300 involves the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide into and out of the blood 300.

[0064] In an alternate embodiment, the fluid conduit 200 may also contain multiple fluids in addition to the first fluid 300. For example, in one embodiment, the fluid conduit 200 may transport blood, gas, and PFD through the detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200 such that each fluid is capable of detection by the sensor 120. For the purposes of this disclosure, in certain embodiments, the second fluid 400 may comprise both gas and a carrier fluid such as PFD.

[0065] The first fluid and 300 second fluid 400 have one or more characteristics that differ between the two fluids and that are detectable by the sensor 120. For example, detectable characteristics may include the presence of the second fluid 400 in the first fluid 300, a location of the first fluid 300 and/or the second fluid 400 along the height (HI) of the conduit receiver opening 111 of the conduit receiver 110, a difference in optical clarity between the first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400, a difference in the index of refraction between the first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400, and/or a difference in sound propagation through the first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400. As specific examples, blood is optically dense and absorbs especially well in the red-light region of the spectrum, while PFD is optically clear and denser than blood and gas is optically clear and less dense than blood.

[0066] Sensor

[0067] The sensor 120 is configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one of the first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400 within the detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200 received within the conduit receiver opening 111. For example, the sensor 120 can be configured to sense the second fluid 400, such as droplets or a stream of PFD, in a stream of mostly the first fluid 300, such as blood.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 2G-2K and 4B, the sensor 120 preferably comprises at least one emitter 121 and at least one receptor 122. The emitter 121 is disposed adjacent to the conduit receiver opening 111 on the emitter side 112 of the conduit receiver opening 111. The receptor 122 is disposed on an opposing side of the emitter 121 and adjacent to the conduit receiver opening 111 on the receptor side 113 of the conduit receiver opening 111. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor 120, containing the emitter 121 and the receptor 122 are positioned in a plane that is in line with the conduit receiver 110. The sensor 120 can be configured in a variety of different ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the sensor 120 may be positioned adjacent to the conduit receiver opening 111 by having the emitter 121 and the receptor 122 positioned on the left and the right (in the orientation shown in FIG. 21) of the conduit receiver opening 111.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 2J, the sensor 120 can include a plurality of emitters 121 and receptors 122 that are positioned adjacent to the conduit receiver openings 111. In a further alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 2K, the sensor 120 may be positioned adjacent to the conduit receiver opening 111 by having the emitter 121 and the receptor 122 positioned between (in a flow direction) the conduit receiver openings 111.

[0069] The at least one emitter 121 is configured to communicate signals 123 through the detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200 when transporting the least two or more fluids (including the first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400) and to the receptor 122. In a preferred embodiment, the detection potion 210 is free of a membrane separating the first fluid 300 and the second fluid. In an alternate embodiment, the detection portion 210 may contain a membrane such that the sensor is able to communicate signals 123 through the membrane of the detection portion 210.

[0070] The sensor 120 is configured to assist in identifying differing characteristics between the first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400. The sensor 120 can be formed of one or more types of sensors. For example, the sensor 120 may include an optical sensor that is configured to emit and detect, respectively, optical signals communicated from the emitter 121 to the receptor 122 through the detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200. In another example, the sensor 120 may include an ultrasound sensor that is configured to emit and detect, respectively ultrasound signals communicated from the emitter 121 to the receptor 122 through the detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200. The ultrasound type of sensor 120 may, for example, be used for detecting gas bubbles in fluid such as PFD. In yet another example, the sensor 120 may include an electrical impedance sensor that is configured to emit and detect, respectively, electrical signals transmitted communicated from the emitter 121 to the receptor 122 through the detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200. A sensor 120 also could be formed from combinations of the different types of sensors described above. [0071J In a preferred embodiment, the sensor 120 has a sensing height (Hs), as shown in FIGS. 4B, 5B, 6B, and 7B, that is greater than the width (W 1) of the conduit receiver opening 111 of the conduit receiver 110, as shown in FIG. 2D. The sensing height (Hs) is preferably less than the height (HI) of the conduit receiver opening 111, as shown in FIG. 2D. The sensor 120 may be configured to detect the location of the second fluid 400 along the height (HI) of the conduit receiver opening 111.

[0072] In embodiments shown in FIGS. 4B, 5B, 6B, and 7B, the sensor 120 may include a plurality of sensor members (120a, 120b, and 120c) positioned at different heights (Hsl, Hs2, and Hs3) along the height (HI) of the conduit receiver opening 111. Each of the sensor members (120a, 120b, and 120c) may be configured to sense, at each respective height (Hsl, Hs2, and Hs3) of the sensor members (120a, 120b, and 120c), at least one characteristic of at least one of the first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400 within the detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200 received within the conduit receiver opening 111 of the conduit receiver 110. While three sensor members (120a, 120b, and 120c) are illustrated, more or fewer sensor members could be utilized depending on need, such as the desired resolution. In the sensor 120, each of the sensor members (120a, 120b, and 120c) may be the same type of sensor (the types of sensors are described above) or the sensor members (120a, 120b, and 120c) may be different types of sensors that are configured in a combination that is suitable for the desired purpose.

[0073] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4B, 5B, 6B, and 7B, the sensor 120 may further include a plurality of emitters (121a, 121b, and 121c) positioned at different heights (Hsl, Hs2, and Hs3) along the height (HI) of the conduit receiver opening 111. Additionally, the sensor 120 may further include a plurality of receptors (122a, 122b, and 122c) positioned at different heights (Hsl, Hs2, and Hs3) along the height (HI) of the conduit receiver opening 111. In this embodiment the first emitter 121a and the first receptor 122a are configured to correspond with each other and are positioned adjacent to each other. Similarly, the second emitter 121b and the second receptor 122b are configured to correspond with each other and are positioned adjacent to each other. Further, the third emitter 121c and the third receptor 122c are configured to correspond with each other and are positioned adjacent to each other. [0074] The sensor 120 is versatile and can be adapted to a variety of configurations. For example, FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5 A, and 5B are schematic end-views showing an embodiment of a fluid conduit 200 that is formed (e.g., by the conduit receiver 110) to have a detection portion 210 with a height (H2) that is much larger than its width (W2). In the configuration of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the second fluid 400 has a greater density than the first fluid 300, such that the first fluid 300 is positioned higher along the height (H2) of the detection portion 210. In the configuration of FIGS. 5 A and 5B, the first fluid 300 has a greater density than the second fluid 400, such that the second fluid 400 is positioned higher along the height (H2) of the detection portion 210. As other examples, FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B are schematic end-views showing an embodiment of a fluid conduit 200 that is formed (e.g., by the conduit receiver 110) to have a detection portion 210 with a height (H2) that is not as large relative to its width (W2). In the configuration of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the second fluid 400 has a greater density than the first fluid 300, such that the first fluid 300 is positioned higher along the height (H2) of the detection portion 210. In the configuration of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the first fluid 300 has a greater density than the second fluid 400, such that the second fluid 400 is positioned higher along the height (H2) of the detection portion 210.

[0075] Processor

[0076] As shown in FIG. 8, the sensor apparatus 100 further comprises the processor 130. The processor 130 preferably is configured to be positioned in the housing 140, but embodiments are envisioned in which it is positioned outside of the housing 140.

[0077] The processor 130 is configured to receive data related to the signals 123 output by the sensor 120 (in particular, the receptor(s) 122) and to make a determination related to the first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400 based on the received signals. Preferably, the processor 130 is configured to receive data related to signals 123 sent from the emitter 121 to the receptor 122 by passing through the detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200.

[0078] The processor 130 may be configured to make a variety of determinations based on the one or more of the characteristics of the first fluid 300 and/or the second fluid 400. For example, the processor 130 may make a determination related to the presence of the second fluid 400 in the first fluid 300, or vice versa. Alternatively, the processor 130 may make a determination of the volume of the first fluid 300 and/or the second fluid 400 passing through the detection portion 210. Alternatively, the processor 130 may make a determination regarding the identity (e.g., blood, gas, or perfluorodecalin) of the first fluid 300 and/or the second fluid 400. The determination made by the processor 130 may include any combination of the above-mentioned determinations among additional determinations generally recognized as being associated with distinguishable fluid features.

[0079] The sensor 120 can be configured in a variety of ways to provide information or data regarding detectable characteristics of the first fluid 300 and/or the second fluid 400 (such as optical clarity, density, index of refraction, sound propagation, etc.), which can be used by the processor 130 to make determinations. The processor 130 also may be preprogrammed to have other information helpful in determinations, such as the volume of the fluid that is contained within the detection portion 210, the flow rates of the fluid, etc.

[0080] For example, when the first fluid 300 and second fluid 400 have different densities, the detectable characteristics, e.g., optical properties or sound propagation, could be used to provide information regarding the second fluid 400. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the sensor member 120c will provide information or data different from the sensor members 120a and 120b, because the sensor member 120c is transmitting signals through the second fluid 400, while the sensor members 120a and 120b are transmitting signals through the first fluid 300. This information or data allows the processor 130 to determine, for example, the presence of the second fluid 400 in the first fluid 300. Additionally, the information or data could be used by the processor 130 to determine the height of the second fluid 400, which could be used to determine the volume of the second fluid 400.

[0081] As a further example, at least one of the sensor members 120a, 120, 120c may operate using a low intensity infrared light, and its signal 123 will not transmit well through blood (first fluid 300) to the receptor 122, but will transmit well through PFD or gas (second fluid 400) to the receptor 122. An approximately equal ratio of red to infrared light indicates the presence of a clear second fluid 400, such as PFD or gas in the stream. One effect of the light based sensor 120 is that the light based sensing method enables detection of the distortion at the beginning and at the end of a bubble. The system also can be configured to differentiate PFD from gas due to the density of the second fluid 400. More specifically, PFD droplets would be present low in the stream while gas bubbles would be present high in the stream. Thus, based on which sensor members are indicating the presence of a clear fluid, the processor 130 can make a determination with regard to whether the clear fluid is PFD or gas.

[0082] The block-diagram shown in FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a number of the components of the sensing apparatus 100. The sensing apparatus may include one or more circuits, processors 130, and/or hardware components including on/off switch 131, a battery 132, a reverse polarity protection component 133, a comparator 134, a latch component 135, a first LED 136, a second LED 137, and a reset button 138.

[0083] The first LED 136 may be configured to turn on to identify when the second fluid 400 has been detected in the stream and to turn off when it is no longer being detected. The second LED 137 may be configured to turn on and stay on (until it is reset by the user) once the second fluid has been detected. Thus, the user can see real time information regarding the second fluid 400 conditions by watching the first LED 136, while allowing the user to be alerted, by the illumination of the second LED 137, that a second fluid condition has occurred, even if the user was not present at the time of the second fluid 400 condition.

[0084] An exemplary system for implementing the overall system or portions of the disclosure might include a computing device that includes, for example, a processing unit, a system memory, and a system bus that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit. The system memory may include read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM) or other non-transitory storage medium. The computer may also include a magnetic hard disk drive for reading from and writing to a magnetic hard disk, a magnetic disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk, and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk such as a CD ROM or other optical media. The drives and their associated machine-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of machine-executable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for the computer.

[0085] In general, an innumerable number of different architectures, including various combinations of software, hardware, circuit logic, sensors, networks, etc. may be used to implement the various components illustrated in FIG. 8. The processor or processors may be implemented, for example, as a microprocessor and each memory may represent the random access memory (“RAM”) devices comprising a main storage, as well as any supplemental levels of memory, e.g., cache memories, non-volatile or backup memories (e.g., programmable or flash memories), read- only memories, etc. In addition, each memory may be considered to include memory storage physically located elsewhere in the sensing apparatus 100, e.g., any cache memory in a processor, as well as any storage capacity used as a virtual memory, e.g., as stored on a mass storage device or another computer controller. The processor illustrated in FIG. 8, or entirely separate processors, may be used to implement additional functionality in the sensing apparatus 100 outside of the purposes of making a determination based on the one or more characteristics detectable by the sensor 120 relating to the first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400.

[0086] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF A DETECTING METHOD

[0087] Another embodiment of the present disclosure features a method for detecting at least one characteristic of at least one of a first fluid 300 and a second fluid 400. The first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400 can be the same type as described above with respect to the first embodiment

[0088] In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises flowing the first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400 through a detection portion 210 of a fluid conduit 200 having a width (W2) and a height (H2) wherein the height (H2) is greater than the width (W2). The fluid conduit 200 and detection portion 210 used in the second embodiment can be the same type as described above with regard to the first embodiment. [0089J In the exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises detecting, with a sensor 120, at least one characteristic of at least one of the first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400 within the detection portion 210 of the fluid conduit 200. The sensor 120 used in the second embodiment can be the same type as described above with regard to the first embodiment. The signals 123 output from the sensor 120 can be the same type as described above with regard to the first embodiment. The characteristics detected by the sensor 120 can be the same characteristics as described above with regard to the first embodiment.

[0090] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises making a determination, with a processor 130, related to the first fluid 300 and the second fluid 400 based on signals 123 received from the sensor 120. The processor 130 used in the second embodiment can be the same type as described above with regard to the first embodiment.

[0091] Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not others, this is for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. The words “including”, “comprising”, “having”, and “with” as used herein are to be interpreted broadly and comprehensively and are not limited to any physical interconnection. Moreover, any embodiments disclosed in the subject of the application are not to be taken as the only possible embodiments.

[0092] The construction and arrangement of the apparatuses and methods as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g. variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the patent disclosure.

[0093] In addition, any amendment presented during the prosecution of the patent application for this patent is not a disclaimer of any claim element presented in the application as filed: those skilled in the art cannot reasonably be expected to draft a claim that would literally encompass all possible equivalents, many equivalents will be unforeseeable at the time of the amendment and are beyond a fair interpretation of what is to be surrendered (if anything), the rationale underlying the amendment may bear no more than a tangential relation to many equivalents, and/or there are many other reasons the applicant cannot be expected to describe certain insubstantial substitutes for any claim element amended.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A sensor apparatus comprising: a conduit receiver having an opening with a height of the opening that is greater than a width of the opening such that the opening is configured to receive a portion of a fluid conduit that has a diameter greater than the width of the opening, wherein the fluid conduit is for simultaneously transporting at least a first fluid and a second fluid having one or more characteristics different from the first fluid; a sensor disposed adjacent to the opening in the conduit receiver and configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid within the portion of the fluid conduit received within the opening of the conduit receiver, wherein a sensing height of the sensor is greater than the width of the opening of the conduit receiver; and a processor configured to receive signals output from the sensor and to make a determination related to the first fluid and the second fluid based on the received signals.

2. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one characteristic of the second fluid includes presence of the second fluid in the first fluid.

3. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one characteristic of the second fluid includes a location of the second fluid along the height of the opening of the conduit receiver, and the sensor is configured to detect the location of the second fluid along the height of the opening.

4. The sensor apparatus of claim 3, wherein the determination made by the processor includes a determination of the volume of the second fluid.

5. The sensor apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one characteristic of the second fluid further includes an optical clarity of the second fluid, and the determination made by the processor includes a determination of an identity of the second fluid.

6. The sensor apparatus of claim 5, wherein the identity of the fluid determined by the processer is one of blood, gas, and perfluorodecalin.

7. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a plurality of sensor members positioned at different heights along the height of the opening, and each of the sensor members are configured to sense, at the respective height of the sensor member, at least one characteristic of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid within the portion of the fluid conduit received within the opening of the conduit receiver.

8. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes an emitter disposed on one side of the opening of the conduit receiver and a receptor disposed on an opposing side of the opening.

9. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes an ultrasound sensor.

10. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes an optical sensor.

11. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes an electrical impedance sensor.

12. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein at least the conduit receiver and the sensor are disposed in the housing.

13. The sensor apparatus of claim 12, wherein the housing further comprises a retention mechanism configured hold the fluid conduit within the opening in the conduit receiver.

14. A method for detecting at least one characteristic of at least one of a first fluid and a second fluid, the method comprising: flowing the first fluid and the second fluid through a portion of a fluid conduit having a width and a height greater than the width; detecting, with a sensor, at least one characteristic of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid within the portion of the fluid conduit; and making a determination, with a processor, related to the first fluid and the second fluid based on signals received from the sensor.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the detected characteristic of the second fluid includes the presence of the second fluid in the first fluid.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the detected characteristic of the second fluid includes a location of the second fluid along the height of the portion of the fluid conduit.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the determination made by the processor includes a determination of the volume of the second fluid.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the detected characteristic of the second fluid further includes an optical clarity of the second fluid, and the determination made by the processor includes a determination of an identity of the second fluid.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the identity of the fluid determined by the processer is one of blood, gas, and perfluorodecalin.