CLAIMS
1. A fluid flow speed measuring and flow rate control signal generating apparatus, comprising: an input means 33 for inputting the number of drops of drip of 1 ml necessary to calculate a fluid flow speed and convert a prescribed injection speed to a signal, the count number of drops of drip for determining the constant amount of injection necessary to measure a fluid flow speed, and an injection period of time necessary to measure a fluid flow speed during which the count number of drops of drip as determined is injected, and for operating the prescribed injection speed which is converted to a signal; a display means 37 for displaying data of the input means 33; a central processor 41 receiving data from the input means 33 to calculate data to fluid flow speed of drip thereby converting it to sound signals or light signals to be output; a signal generating part 41 receiving sound signals or light signals from the central processor 41 to generate the sound signals or light signals; and a body 30 forming an external form. 2. The fluid flow speed measuring and flow rate control signal generating apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the input means 33 comprises a MODE button 33-1 for indicating a mode; a SET button 33-2 for fixing function of the mode; a UP button 33-3 having functions of elevating or enlarging positions of numerals or characters when designating the mode and indicating numerals; a DOWN button 33-4 descending or reducing the position of numerals or characters when designating the mode and indicating numerals; and an operational button 33-5 for performing the functions of a sound signal generator 43-1 and a light signal generator 43-2.
3. The fluid flow speed measuring and flow rate control signal generating apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display means 37 comprises a LCD 37-1 and a backlight 37-2.
4. The fluid flow speed measuring and flow rate control signal generating apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the signal generating part 43 comprises a sound signal generator 43-1 , a light signal generator 43-2 and an earphone connection hole 43-3. 5. The fluid flow speed measuring and flow rate control signal generating apparatus of claims 1 and 4, wherein the sound signal generator 43-1 consists of one of a buzzer and a speaker.
6. The fluid flow speed measuring and flow rate control signal generating apparatus of claims 1 and 4, wherein the light signal generator 43-2 consists of LED.
7. The fluid flow speed measuring and flow rate control signal generating apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the central processor 41 has function of cutting off power automatically to prevent a waste of battery after the lapse of a predetermined period of time since the operational button 33-5 operates.
8. The fluid flow speed measuring and flow rate control signal generating apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the central processor has a telecommunication means 45.
9. A flow rate control method of a fluid flow speed measuring and flow rate control signal generating apparatus, comprising the steps of: inputting the number of drops of drip corresponding to 1 ml and a fluid flow speed as prescribed; calculating an injection speed of a drop of drip through data as inputted; converting to a signal; generating the converted signal; and controlling a drop of drip falling through a flow rate regulator of a drip set.
10. A fluid flow speed measuring method of a fluid flow speed measuring and flow rate control signal generating apparatus, comprising the steps of: inputting the number of drops of drip corresponding to 1 ml; inputting the count number of drops of drip corresponding to a constant volume; inputting an injection period of time being required to inject the constant volume; calculating an injection speed through data as inputted; and displaying on a display. |
TITLE THE CONTROL SIGNAL EMITTING AND CHECKING APPARATUS
FOR FLUID FLOW TO A PATIENT TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention is intended to solve problems of a conventional art, and the object of the present invention is to manufacture a portable apparatus for controlling a flow rate with an existing drip set and measuring an injection speed so as to allow the apparatus itself to perform only simple processes by inputting from the outside complex processes such as detecting sense functions that a device itself performs.
The apparatus is a device for detecting an injection speed by inputting data such as an injection time and a drip of volume from the outside, or for informing a medical curer of the prescribed speed by means of sounds or light signals by inputting a prescribed injection speed to the apparatus in controlling an injection capacity, thereby allowing the curer to control the injection capacity.
Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a fluid flow speed measuring and flow rate control signal generating apparatus for providing a medical curer with a portable apparatus that allows the curer from the outside to input data such as a drip of volume and a period of time during which a predetermined volume of a drip is injected, which was very complex processes to a conventional apparatus itself, and for detecting and controlling an injection amount or an injection speed of fluid or blood being injected into a patient with a convenient method different from the conventional method.
BACKGROUND ART
In a conventional technology, such fluid or blood is injected into a patient through a connection hose in a state that a bottle of Ringer's solution or a blood bag containing a fluid is suspended from an upper part of a support provided on the side of a patient bed. At this time, there is a method in which an injection amount of blood or fluid or an injection speed is roughly determined by using a fluid flow regulator as being separately attached to a supply tube while a medical curer keeps an eye on the falling movements of a drip, and more particularly there is a method by which a medical curer detects the inject speed by counting the number of drips injected into a drip vessel of a drip set in a predetermined time and determines the injection speed by performing repeatedly such processes, and there is an electronic method in which the apparatus itself measures and controls the drip speed.
In the case where the curer detects the injection speed by counting the number of drips injected during the predetermined time and then controls the flow rate of a drip with a flow rate regulator, there are problems that the curer may dally away an appropriate injection time because the curer should watch the drip movement falling into a drip vessel and a clock watch time about and control the flow rate of drip, that the curer cannot accurately control the flow rate because the curer cannot concentrate his attention on counting the number of drip, and that an appropriate injection amount or injection speed cannot be determined according to a skill of the curer or individual variation of the curer.
In the electronic method of measuring and controlling the drip speed electronically, the device itself illuminates the drip vessel with light, detects a variation of light characteristic caused by a falling drip, calculates the
injection speed, controls the flow rate, and serves to inject the fluid into a patient. However, in a case where the curer does not input data on the volume of a drip from the outside, the device should be additionally provided with a complex electronic circuit for detecting the volume of a drip to itself calculate the flow rate.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, to solve the above problems and accomplish the object, there are provided embodiments as follows to detect a fluid flow speed according to the present invention. First embodiment
Since one drip is different in its volume from one another according to the application and manufacturer of a drip set, the method of measuring a fluid flow speed comprises a step of inputting a volume of a drip, which is inputting a size of drip corresponding to each case; a step of inputting the number of drips counted to determine a predetermined injection amount by using said data inputted to detect the injection speed; a step of inputting an injection period of time during which the determined number of drips as many as counted is injected; a step of calculating an injection speed of drip using each of the steps; and a step of displaying an injection speed as calculated in each of the steps.
At this time, in the step of inputting a volume of a drip, the number of drips/ ml as indicated on a cover sheet of the drip set may be used or the inputting may be performed by manufacturing a drip set by which a volume of a drip may be appreciated. Even though the number of drips/ml as indicated on the cover sheet of the drip set is input, the volume of a drip may be
calculated by the device.
In addition, the step of inputting the number of drips counted does not include any basic principles fro determining the counted number of drips but helps to measure an accurate injection speed when setting up the number of drips injected more. Thus, to allow a period of time of the input to be reduced and an error of the injection speed to be reduced, it is preferable that the number of drips counted be determined as 5 to 10.
In addition, the step of calculating the injection speed includes using the following formula. Formula 1
V = Q/T, where V is an injection speed, Q is a predetermined volume as being injected, which may be a volume of a drip (ml)(x) 10 drips for this embodiment, and T indicates a period of time of injection as being varied during which a predetermined volume is injected (in this embodiment, the period of time during which 10 drips are injected).
Second embodiment
According to another embodiment of the present invention to accomplish the object, since a drip is different from one another according to the application and manufacturer, the method of controlling a flow rate comprises a step of inputting the number of drips per 1 ml, which is inputting a size of a drip corresponding each of cases; a step of inputting an injection speed as prescribed; a step of converting to a signal; and a step of controlling a flow rate.
In the step of inputting the number of drips per 1 ml, the number of drips/ml as indicated on the cover sheet of the drip set in the same manner as detecting the fluid flow speed may be used, or a drip set may be
manufactured to indicate a volume of a drip to thereby be inputted.
In addition, in the step of inputting the injection speed as prescribed, the inputting of the injection speed should carefully be performed by paying attention to the unit of the fluid flow speed as indicated on the display window. In addition, in the step of converting to a signal, the falling speed of a drip is converted to a light signal.
In addition, in the step of controlling the flow rate, the drip of falling in a drip vessel is controlled corresponding to the speed of light or sound.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above objects, other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG 1 is a perspective view of a drip injection according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG 2 is a perspective view showing a fluid flow speed measuring and flow rate control signal generator according to the present invention;
FIG 3 is a block diagram of a circuit according to the present invention; FIG 4 is a flow chart illustrating a control operation of flow rate according to the present invention; and
FIG 5 is a flow chart illustrating a control operation of fluid flow measurement according to the present invention.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will
be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a drip injection set according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A fluid vessel 20 is a device for storing fluid 21 , an inserting part 22 is made of a plastic rubber and the like for communicating fluid to a drip set so that an insertion needle 23 of the drip set may easily be inserted therein and the fluid may not be leaked out of the vessel 20. The insertion needle 23 is a means for injecting fluid into the drip set. A drip vessel 25 is made of a transparent material so that the state of fluid drip may be viewed outside and the number of drips as being injected may be counted through the transparent drip bag. A drop of drip 24 may fall down in the drip vessel 25 and injected into a human body. A flow rate regulator 26 is a means for controlling a fluid flow speed when injecting fluid to a patient, and a tube 27 of the drip set is made of PVE material and provided at the end thereof with an injection needle 28 to be inserted in a human body. Accordingly, it is possible that the fluid injection speed may be controlled and a wanted flow rate may be obtained even in any cases when injecting fluid or blood to a patient according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 2 is a perspective view of showing a fluid flow speed measuring and flow rate control signal generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. A body 30 indicates an external form of the product.
A power switch 31 is a means for supplying or cutting off a DC power to the present product.
An input means 33 consists of a MODE button 33-1 for setting up a mode for inputting outside data such as the number of drips per 1 ml, the number of drops of drip as counted and a period of time of injection; a SET
button 33-2 for selecting a button function, a UP button 33-3 having functions of elevating positions of numerals or characters when indicating the numeral or character, a DOWN button 33-4 descending the position of numeral or character and an operational button 33-5 for performing the functions of a sound signal generator 43-1 and a light signal generator 43-2.
A signal generator 43 consists of the sound signal generator 43-1 indicating the speed of falling drip as sound, the light signal generator 43-2 indicating the speed of falling drip as light and an earphone connection hole 43-3. The sound signal generator consists of a buzzer or speaker.
The light signal generator 43-2 consists of means generating light like
LED, and is intended to indicate the speed as light so that the injection speed may be measured and the flow rate may be controlled even in a nosy environment or an environment in which a person cannot hear any sounds well.
The earphone connection hole 43-3 was provided so that a medical curer can hear a sound signal well through an earphone even in the nosy environment like the light signal generator and only a medical curer can hear the sound signal in an environment requiring silence. The display means 37 consists of an LCD screen 37-1 for indicating various units or numerals and a backlight 37-2 radiating light so that letters or characters appearing on the LCD screen may be recognized well even in a dark environment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuitry according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A power supply means 40 consists of a DC power source device 40-1
for supplying an external power and a battery for internal charging or primary battery 40-2 that is used in a case where an external power cannot be supplied.
A central processor 41 is inputted with data such as the number of drops of drip through the input means 33 from the listing of the number of drops of drip = 1 ml as indicated on the cover sheet of the fluid drip set, and performs functions such as operation, storing, converting, outputting and the like according to the usage and the application.
A signal generator 43 consists of a sound signal generator 43-1 , a signal generator 43-2 and an earphone connection hole 43-3, and is a means for transmitting signals of light or sound which are converted from the values inputted, calculated, and converted in the central processor 41.
In addition, the central processor 41 has a store capacity and a store function by which personal information on each of patients and all contents helpful in medical treatment can be stored and is additionally provided with a telecommunication means 45 so that data of patients may be controlled/ managed by a remote control computer.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating control operations for a flow rate control according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the step 200 of confirming whether the number of drops of drip per
1 ml is indicated on an external sheet of the drip set after turning on the power switch 110 to supply power to the product, there is no need to separately input the number of drops of drip from the outside in a case where 1 ml = 20 drops is indicated on the external sheet (step 210), but the number of drops should be input using the input means 33 in a case where the number of drops is less or more than 20 drops.
New data on a flow speed appropriate to a patient is input in a case where the current speed is different from a prescribed flow speed (step 310) after checking a state of injection prior to injecting of a prescribed flow rate (step 300). After checking the steps as mentioned above, data on every step is stored (step 400), a signal is generated with the operational button 33-5 in the step of generating a signal (step 500), which is the last step that controls the flow rate, the flow rate is controlled through the flow rate control regulator 26 by having the flow rate correspond to the generated signal while the drip drop 24 falling is watched.
In addition, the apparatus is first operated with the operational button 33-5, and then a power is automatically cut off after the lapse of a predetermined period of time, thereby increasing the life span of the battery. The apparatus memorizes and stores the last operational mode when the power source switch Sλ/V is turned off, thereby starting at the last operational mode when the apparatus is again turned on. Of course, all the upper level of steps is designed to restart all over again at the same time as the power switch S/W are turned on and off.
FIG 5 is a flow chart illustrating a control operation of an injection speed according to the present invention.
The power switch is turned on (step 100), and power is supplied to the product (step 110). In the step 200 of confirming how many drops of drip per 1 ml is indicated in the outside of the drip set, there is no need to separately input at the outside thereof the number of drops of drip in the case of 1 ml = 20 drops (step 210). However, the number of drops of drip should be input using the input means 33 in the case where 1 ml is less or more
than 20 drops. To determine a constant flow rate to be injected, there needs to check the injection state (step 500). In a case where injection should be performed at a slow fluid flow speed, it is preferable that the count number of drops of drip should be set as lower than 10 through the input means 33. In a case where injection should be performed at a fast fluid flow speed, it is preferable that the count number of drops of drip should be set as higher than 10 through the input means 33 to accurately measure the fluid flow speed. However, it is convenient that the fixed value, i.e. input value "10" is used. As the last step of measuring the fluid flow speed being injected after checking the steps as mentioned above, period of time is input (step 520) while drops of drip 24 falling into the drip vessel 25 of the drip set is viewed. In the case where the count number of drops of drip is 10, the operational button 33-5 is operated, at the same time the number of drops of drip 24 is counted and reaches to 10, and at the same time the operational button 33-5 stops. At this time, the display means 37-1 displays the fluid flow speed.
The operational button 33-5 is operated and at the same time the fluid flow speed as measured once is erased. And it is designed that all of the measurement steps restarts all over again. In the foregoing, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained with the accompanying drawings, but the forgoing embodiments are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and
will be within the scope of the claims.
As mentioned above, in the present invention, when Ringer's solution or blood is injected, the volume of a drop of drip and the period of time, during which the constant volume of drops is injected, are inputted from the outside thereby electronically detecting the volume of a drop of drip, and the number of drops injected. Complex devices or circuits that were necessary to calculate the injection speed are removed thereby easily measuring the injection speed of drip solution and controlling the flow rate. As a result, it is effective that the apparatus may be manufactured at a low cost, light in weight, convenient to carry along, applicable to a wide range, accurately control the injection speed or the amount of injection injected to a patient, thereby conveniently injecting a drip solution and effectively treating the state.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As explained above, according to the present invention, there is an industrial applicability in checking the injection speed and controlling the flow rate when medical curer injects Ringer's solution or blood into a patient at a hospital.