INFUSION PUMP FOR IDENTIFYING THE COLOR OF A HOSE CLAMP WITH IR MARKERS

Abstract

A clamping module of or for a medical pump, and a method for identifying a hose clamp of a disposable infusion article insertable into the clamping module. The clamping module includes an electro-optical system for identifying the hose clamp, which has an optical marking. The electro-optical system includes a first light source for emitting at least a first light beam and a second light source for emitting at least a second light beam. The second light source is formed differently than the first light source. A photodetector receives a reflected light, and an optical window bundles the first light beam and/or the second light beam on the disposable infusion article, as well as the reflected light received by the photodetector. The method identifies the hose clamp based on a color and uses a measurement algorithm after insertion of the hose clamp into the medical pump.

Claims

1. A clamping module of or for a medical pump, which forms or has an electro-optical system for detecting a hose clamp, having at least a predetermined color and/or an optical marking, of a disposable infusion article insertable into the clamping module, having the following system components: a first light source for transmitting at least a first light beam having a first frequency; a second light source for transmitting at least a second light beam having a second frequency, wherein the second light source is formed differently from the first light source and/or the first frequency is formed differently from the second frequency; a photodetector for receiving light reflected from the disposable infusion article; and an optical window for focusing the first light beam and/or the second light beam on the disposable infusion article as well as the light reflected from the disposable infusion article.

2. The clamping module according to claim 1, wherein the first light source is an RGB LED, and the second light source is an IR LED, wherein the first light source comprises three LEDs which are configured to output the first light beam as a red, a green and/or a blue first light beam.

3. The clamping module according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined color and/or the optical marking comprises an optical marker, and wherein the optical marker is an infrared marker.

4. The clamping module according to claim 1, wherein the optical window is made of plastic.

5. The clamping module according to claim 1, wherein the first light source, the second light source, and the photodetector are arranged on a printed circuit board which is integratable/attachable to the clamping module.

6. The clamping module according to claim 5, wherein the first light source comprises three LEDs having a linear arrangement on the printed circuit board and are arranged at a distance to illuminate through the optical window.

7. The clamping module according to claim 5 , wherein the optical window is arranged between the hose clamp and the printed circuit board in such a way that: the first light beam and the second light beam hit the hose clamp through the optical window, the hose clamp reflects the first light beam and the second light beam, and the light reflected from the disposable infusion article hits the photodetector through the optical window.

8. A medical pump comprising the clamping module according to claim 1.

9. A method for identifying a hose clamp based on a color via a measurement algorithm after insertion of the hose clamp into a medical pump, the method comprising the steps of: measuring a temperature; measuring an ambient light; determining an ambient brightness; sequentially illuminating the hose clamp with red, green, blue and IR light; measuring a reflection of light from the hose clamp; and evaluating and determining the color by measuring the reflection of light and comparing a measurement of the reflection of light with an evaluation table stored in the medical pump.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein calibration data are available in a microprocessor, which are used to initialize the measurement algorithm, and the evaluation table has an optical characterization of the hose clamp used with regard to the reflection of light, and fluctuations in the measurement of the reflection of light are compensated via a value range stored in the microprocessor.

11. A hose clamp for insertion into the clamping module according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined color of the hose clamp is configured and provided to be usable by an algorithm, and/or the optical marking is configured and provided to separate similar colors and/or reflection spectra.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] FIG. 1 is a representation of a clamping module with a printed circuit board according to the present disclosure;

[0050] FIG. 2 is a representation of a vertical section through the clamping module as shown in FIG. 2 according to the present disclosure;

[0051] FIG. 3 is a representation of the structure of a printed circuit board according to the present disclosure;

[0052] FIG. 4 is a representation of an interior view of the clamping module as seen from a clamping side according to the present disclosure;

[0053] FIG. 5 is a representation of an exterior view of the clamping module as seen from the printed circuit board side according to the present disclosure;

[0054] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a hose clamp; and

[0055] FIG. 7 is a representation of a block diagram of a color measurement and its implementation within an infusion pump according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The following describes configuration examples of the present disclosure based on the accompanying figures.

[0057] FIG. 1 is a representation of a clamping module 1 with a printed circuit board 11 according to the present disclosure. The clamping module 1 is designed to be insertable/integratable into a medical pump, in particular an infusion pump. A printed circuit board 11 is attached to or integrated in the clamping module 1. The upper side of the printed circuit board 11 faces the clamping module 1. The printed circuit board 11 is fixed to the clamping module 1 with at least one fastening means 13, according to FIG. 1 with two fastening means 13. On the printed circuit board 11, a first part of an electro-optical system is placed and a second part of the electro-optical system is part of the clamping module 1. This is described in FIGS. 2 and 3 in more detail.

[0058] In addition, FIG. 1 shows a ribbon cable 12 that is plugged into a main board of the medical pump. Furthermore, it can be seen on the printed circuit board 11 where a microprocessor 14 is arranged. Details of this are described in more detail for FIG. 3.

[0059] FIG. 2 is a representation of a vertical section through the clamping module 1 as shown in FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure. In FIG. 1, a sectional axis A is drawn. Based on the sectional axis A, FIG. 2 is shown in a top view. Thus, in FIG. 2, the printed circuit board 11 is shown on the side of the clamping module 1 facing away from the viewer. In connection with the printed circuit board 11, the one fastening means 13 (screw, rivet, etc.) can be seen, which serves to fix the printed circuit board 11 to the clamping module 1, preferably via screws or soldering.

[0060] FIG. 2 further shows that a first light source 4, a second light source 6 with corresponding transmitting optics, and a photodetector 8 with corresponding receiving optics are arranged on the printed circuit board 11. The optical window 10 is arranged between the first light source 4, the second light source 6, and the photodetector 8. The optical window 10 is configured in such a way that at least a first light beam 5 and a second light beam 7 are bundled and pass through the optical window 10 onto the hose clamp 2 (not shown here, see FIG. 6) to be inserted. Furthermore, the optical window 10 consists of two plastic lenses and is designed so that a light 9 reflected by the hose clamp 2 is in turn bundled and received by the photodetector 8 on the printed circuit board 11.

[0061] The at least one first light beam 5 and the second light beam 7 is shown in FIG. 2 as an arrow pointing away from the printed circuit board 11. The reflected light 9 is shown in FIG. 2 as an arrow in the direction towards the printed circuit board 11. The optical window 10 forms such an opening in the housing of the clamping module 1 to allow the light beams 5 and 7 as well as the reflected light 9 to pass through.

[0062] Against this background, the arrangement of the printed circuit board 11, in particular with respect to the first light source 4 and to the second light source 6 as well as to the photodetector 8, to the clamping module 1 and to the hose clamp to be inserted into the clamping module 1 is clearly defined.

[0063] FIG. 3 is a representation of the structure of a printed circuit board 11 according to the present disclosure. The printed circuit board 11 is shown on the rear side. The printed circuit board in FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of the first light source 4, the second light source 6, and the photodetector 8 with respect to each other. Here, it can be seen that the first light source 4 and the second light source 6 are arranged next to each other in the width direction of the printed circuit board 11. The photodetector 8 is arranged with respect to the first light source 4 and the second light source 6 in the longitudinal direction thereof.

[0064] Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows the two fastening means 13 as well as a microprocessor 14, which is also arranged on the printed circuit board 11.

[0065] FIG. 4 is a representation of an interior view of the clamping module 1 as seen from a clamping side according to the present disclosure. In other words, FIG. 4 shows a section through the clamping module 1. Here, the printed circuit board is arranged on a side not facing the viewer and the cut is made such that the optical window 10 is visible. The clamping module 1 therefore shows the optical window 10, which consists of two plastic lenses and behind which the photodetector 8 and the first light source 4 as well as the second light source 6 are arranged.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a representation of an exterior view of the clamping module 1 as seen from the side of the printed circuit board 11 according to the present disclosure. In FIG. 5, the optical window 10 and the ‘receptacle’ of the printed circuit board 11 for attachment to the clamping module 1 are shown schematically. That is, FIG. 5 is shown from the other side in contrast to FIG. 4. In addition, the fastening means 13 are shown. On the depicted outside of the clamping module 1 for receiving the printed circuit board 11, the optical windows 10 or recesses can be seen through which the light beam 5 and 6 of the first light source 4, of the second light source 6, and of the photodetector 8 are depicted. The light source 4 and 6 as well as the photodetector 8 are not shown directly, but only their position when the printed circuit board 11 is inserted into the receptacle.

[0067] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a hose clamp 2. The hose clamp 2 has a tapered elongated hole 15 through which an infusion hose extends. The infusion hose is not closed at one end of the elongated hole 15 and is compressed when it is pushed to the other end of the elongated hole 15. When the disposable article is inserted, the hose clamp 2 is in an open state. In this state, the hose clamp 2 is inserted into the clamp module 1. When a front flap of the medical pump is closed, the hook shown on the hose clamp 2 engages an eyelet of the front flap (and at the same time, a pump-side clamp is closed to prevent free flow). When opening the front flap, the hose clamp 2 pulls over the infusion hose and thus closes the passage. In parallel, the medical pump 1 opens its pump-side clamp. Both together continue to prevent free flow. The reference sign 16 relates only to a reinforcement of the hose clamp 2 itself. Near the narrow end of the elongated hole 15, the hose clamp 2 has a measuring point 17. The measuring point 17 is provided and configured to reflect the at least one first light beam 5 and the at least one second light beam 7 and to return the reflected light 9 to the photodetector 8.

[0068] Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows the dimensions of the clamping module 2. The total length (31.6 mm) shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to a total length for identifying that the hose clamp 2 is inserted into the clamping module.

[0069] FIG. 7 is a representation of a block diagram of a color measurement and its implementation within an infusion pump according to the present disclosure. In a first step Si the sequential illumination of the sample or respectively of the measuring point 17 of the hose clamp 2 takes place.

[0070] The sequential illumination results in illumination spectra according to the representation to reference sign 18. Hereby, the measuring point 17 is hit by the at least one first light beam 5 in the colors red, green and blue starting from the first light source 4 and by the second light beam 7 starting from the second light source 6. The measuring point 17 reflects in a step S2 and the reflected light 9 hits the photodetector 8, which records the spectral properties of the material according to reference sign 19. In a third step S3, a remission spectrum generates a photocurrent in the photodetector 8. The resulting signal is output in an evaluation spectrum according to reference sign 20.

[0071] It is preferred to use thermoplastic based on polyolefin or polyoxymethylene with the following properties:

[0072] E-modulus: >1000 MPa

[0073] Yield strength: >27 MPa

[0074] Friction coefficients based on pen-writing friction test in accordance with ASTM G115 and DIN EN ISO 7148-2

TABLE-US-00002 Size Value Structure test pin: slide clamp test plate: hose material Measurement 20 cycles Cycle 1. feed motion (tR = 2 s) 2. standstill (tP = 2 s) 3. reset movement (tR = 2 s) 4. standstill (tP = 2 s) Friction path 15 mm Sliding speed 450 mm/min Surface pressure pN 2.7 +/− 0.1 MPa Hose material PVC-P and TPU