The present invention relates to a sensing device, a method of use of a sensing device and a method of manufacture of a sensing device. Embodiments are generally configured as sensor arrays for detecting a pressure change within an infusion line to pre-empt or detect line occlusions in the administration of medical infusions. Generally, embodiments comprise a support component having a support surface for mounting thereon one or more electrically connected switches, a length of expandable tubing for passing a fluid therethrough and are secured to the support surface and in physical contact with the electrically connected switches. The one or more electrically connected switches forms a sensor array adapted to sense expansion of the expandable tubing indicative of pressure changes resulting from line occlusions.

A method of determining the status of a fluid cooled microwave ablation system is provided including providing an electrical current to a pump to pump fluid through an ablation system along a fluid path to cool the ablation system, measuring an electrical current drawn by the pump, and determining a status of the ablation system based on the measured electrical current. In another aspect of the disclosure, an ablation system is provided including an ablation probe defining a fluid path for circulation of fluid therethrough, a generator configured to supply energy to the ablation probe for treating tissue, a pump configured to pump fluid through the fluid path of the ablation probe to cool the ablation probe, a sensor configured to measure an electrical current drawn by the pump, and a computing device configured to determine a status of the ablation system based on the measured electrical current.

A system for monitoring upstream flow characteristics for a pump is provided. The system may receive one or more outputs from a fluid level sensor coupled with a pump. The system may detect based on at least the one or more outputs, an abnormal upstream flow condition in the pump, such as a full upstream occlusion in the tube, a partial upstream occlusion in the tube, an empty reservoir, and/or a backflow of the fluid into the drip chamber. The system may adjust, based on the detection of an abnormal upstream flow condition in the pump, operation of the pump.

A sensor for use in a fluid flow application is provided. The sensor includes an inlet chamber configured to receive a fluid flow from a first conduit, an outlet chamber configured to provide the fluid flow to a second conduit, and a membrane separating the inlet chamber from the outlet chamber, the membrane including a fluid passage to allow the fluid flow from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber. The sensor also includes a circuit component disposed on the membrane, having an electrical property configured to change according to a deformation of the membrane, and a conductor formed on a substrate and coupled with the circuit component, to provide an electrical signal based on a change in the electrical property of the circuit component. The membrane includes an epitaxial layer formed on the substrate. Methods for fabricating and using the above sensor are also presented.

A method includes measuring a fluid pressure of fluid in a fluid supply line of an infusion pump. The fluid pressure includes a motor pressure and a patient pressure. The method also includes determining the patient pressure. The determining includes removing, by an adaptive filter, to remove the motor pressure from the measured fluid pressure. The removing includes generating a predicted motor pressure based on the current of the motor, generating an error signal based on a comparison between the predicted motor pressure and the measured fluid pressure, and removing the motor pressure from the measured fluid pressure when an error value indicative of the error signal is less than an error threshold. The method also includes adjusting, based on the patient pressure, a setting of the infusion pump. Related methods and articles of manufacture, including apparatuses and computer program products, are also disclosed.

A flow sensor sub-assembly includes a flow tube having a lumen, an outside diameter, a first end, and a second end. An inlet fitting includes a conical orifice sized for insertion in either end of the flow tube, such that an internal passage of the inlet fitting is coaxial and concentric with the lumen and the end of the flow tube abuts a shoulder. An outlet fitting includes a conical orifice sized for insertion in either end of the flow tube, such that an internal passage of the inlet fitting is coaxial and concentric with the lumen and the end of the flow tube abuts a shoulder. A first piezo element integrated with the inlet fitting is arranged at an upstream position of the flow tube assembly and a second piezo element integrated with the outlet fitting is arranged at a downstream position of the flow tube assembly.

An infusion pump assembly includes a reservoir assembly configured to contain an infusible fluid. A motor assembly is configured to act upon the reservoir assembly and dispense at least a portion of the infusible fluid contained within the reservoir assembly. Processing logic is configured to control the motor assembly. A primary power supply is configured to provide primary electrical energy to at least a portion of the processing logic. A backup power supply is configured to provide backup electrical energy to the at least a portion of the processing logic in the event that the primary power supply fails to provide the primary electrical energy to the at least a portion of the processing logic.

A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a pressure sensor mounted at a proximal end of a patient line made of a distensible material that provides PD solution to a patient through a catheter. During treatment, an occlusion can occur at different locations in the patient line and/or the catheter. When an incremental volume of additional solution is provided to the patient line while the occlusion is present, a change in pressure results. The change in pressure depends on the dimensions and the distensibility of the non-occluded portion of the patient line. If the change in pressure, the incremental volume, the properties related to the distensibility of the patient line, and some of the dimensions of the patient line are known, the location of the occlusion can be inferred. The occlusion type can be inferred based on the determined location.

An infusion device (1) for administering a medical fluid to a patient (P) comprises a pump mechanism (11) for administering a medical fluid to a patient (P) through a line set (3), a sensor device (14) for measuring a measurement value indicative of a pressure in the line set (3), and a processor device (15) configured to automatically set, in an initial phase, a threshold value (15) to a value determined based on at least a mechanical characteristic of the line set (3) and/or the pump mechanism (11) and to determine, in an operational phase, whether an occlusion condition in the line set (3) is present based on the measurement value and the threshold value (P.sub.thres) —Herein, the processor device (15) is configured to adjust the threshold value (P.sub.thres) if in the operational phase a pressure variation condition in the line set (3) different than an occlusion condition is detected by the processor device (15). In this way an infusion device is provided which may be able to reliably detect an occlusion condition even in case of multiple infusion devices acting on a line set in a multiline infusion.

A wearable drug delivery device for monitoring unintended over-delivery and/or under-delivery of a stored liquid drug are provided. An absolute pressure sensor can be positioned within the fluid path of the drug delivery device. The absolute pressor sensor can detect both ambient pressure (e.g., absolute or atmospheric pressure) and relative pressure (gage or pumping pressure). Based on the detected pressures, the effects of external ambient pressure on air with the fluid path can be determined during both intended drug delivery events and unintended drug delivery events. In turn, under-delivery and/or over-delivery of the liquid drug can be determined. Based on the severity of the determined under-delivery or over-delivery of the liquid drug, alarms indicating different urgencies can be provided to the user.