Determining the absence or presence of fluid in a dialysis system

US8836519B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Nigel Wright · California, US
• Samuel Ernest Magargi, III · Pittsburgh, US
• Jeremy Thomas Harbaugh · Cranberry, US
• Michael John Zang · Washington, US
• Regis Joseph Winniewicz, Jr. · Zelienople, US
• Joseph Stephen Beri · Gibsonia, US
• Douglas Mark Zatezalo · Washington, US
• Tom Monahan · Wexford, US
• Ronald Robert Fox · Glenshaw, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 10, 2012
• Grant date: Sep 16, 2014
• Expiry date: Jan 1, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2291/2698
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

This disclosure relates to detecting fluid in medical tubing. In certain aspects, a method is performed by a data processing apparatus. The method includes controlling repetitive activation of the ultrasonic transmitter. The method also includes receiving a signal from the ultrasonic receiver during an activation of the ultrasonic transmitter. The method also includes determining that fluid is absent or present in a portion of the medical fluid tube based on a comparison between the signal and a threshold value.