The present invention relates generally to a pressure gauge and particularly to a gauge for a pressurised container such as a gas cylinder.

A gas cylinder or tank is a pressure vessel used to store gases at above atmospheric pressure. High-pressure gas cylinders are also called bottles, but a bottled gas may instead be in a liquid or dissolved state in the cylinder.

It is known to provide a pressure gauge (an instrument for measuring the pressure of a gas or liquid) for gas cylinders. This is useful for determining the amount of gas/liquid remaining. This is important in many cases, but particularly so in a medical environment in which running out of gas before/during procedures could be extremely dangerous for patient health.

Figure I shows an analogue gauge fitted to a regulator. A regulator (also known as a pressure regulator or dial flow regulator) is a device for regulating a generally variable inlet pressure to as constant as possible outlet pressure. A gas regulator is a kind of valve designed to regulate and stabilise system pressure downstream of its placement. Gas cylinder content is consumed stepwise during the operation and thus the pressure upstream of the regulator varies from full cylinder pressure to values close to zero. The task of the pressure regulator is to cope with such variation and maintain outlet parameters as stable as possible.

An aspect of the present invention provides a cylinder data unit, the unit comprising a body, the body housing a microprocessor arranged to generate data relating to a cylinder and a communications module communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, arranged to broadcast the data.

An aspect of the present invention provides a pressure vessel data unit, the unit comprising a body, the body housing a microprocessor arranged to generate data relating to a cylinder and a communications module communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, arranged to broadcast the data.

An aspect of the present invention provides a medical gas cylinder data unit, the unit comprising a body, the body housing a microprocessor arranged to generate data relating to a cylinder and a communications module communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, arranged to broadcast the data.

I The unit may further comprise a display, such as a screen.

The unit may comprise a pressure sensor/gauge.

The unit may be fitted/ retrofitted and/or form part of a cylinder, cylinder head/valve or the like.

An aspect of the present invention provides a retrofittable gas cylinder data unit, the unit comprising a body, the body housing a microprocessor arranged to generate data relating to a cylinder and a communications module communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, arranged to broadcast the data, the body being retrofittable into a pre-existing cylinder head.

The term“gas cylinder” may include pressure vessels, tanks, cylinders, dewars and the like for storing/transporting/dispensing fluids, including gasses and liquids.

In some embodiments the unit can be fitted to a cylinder at the point of manufacture, or to an existing cylinder, for example as part of a standard maintenance schedule.

In some embodiments the present invention is applicable to“integral” regulators and in other embodiments the present invention is applicable to“movable” regulators. Some embodiments, for example relate to (sometimes lightweight) ready-to-use cylinders having a built-in pressure regulator.

In some embodiments the present invention provides an instrumented digital pressure gauge. For example a gauge that collects and/or transmits data. Data could, for example, be stored locally and/or transmitted (for example using a wired and/or wireless communications technology or protocol).

In some embodiments an instrumented digital pressure gauge for a medical gas cylinder is provided. In some embodiments the gauge could be used in conjunction with any form of gas cylinder whether it was intended for medical use or otherwise, although it remains primarily aimed towards medical usage

The present invention also provides for the retrofitting of existing“dumb” analogue and digital gauges used in medical regulators with 'SMART' digital gauges. In some embodiments an instrumented digital pressure gauge is intended as a‘drop in’ retrofit for existing analogue and digital gauges and can be packaged in an enclosure of approximately the same dimensions as an analogue or digital gauge. Alternatively, new gas cylinders could be manufactured with pressure gauges formed in accordance with the present invention.

The gauge may be communications enabled. This would enable information about the cylinder to be communicated and monitored remotely.

A microprocessor may be communicatively coupled or couplable to an existing or new pressure sensor, arranged to generate pressure data representative of internal cylinder pressure and/or other cylinder data.

The present invention also provides a retrofittable gas cylinder smart pressure gauge, comprising: a microprocessor, communicatively coupled or couplable to a pressure sensor, arranged to generate pressure data representative of internal cylinder pressure; and a communications module communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, arranged to broadcast the pressure data from the smart pressure gauge.

The gauge may further comprise a pressure sensor, arranged, for example, to convert an internal pressure within the gas cylinder into an electrical voltage or determine an electrical voltage from an analogue pressure sensor.

Gauges/units formed in accordance with the present invention may further comprise an accelerometer and/or inclinometer and/or a means for determining shock loading.

The gauge may comprise means for generating an alert/alarm under certain circumstances, such a if the level of remaining gas reaches a predetermined threshold, or if a shock load is detected, or if the inclination is outside predetermined threshold values. The alarm/alert could be local and/or remote.

Some embodiments take power from existing power sources on a cylinder and/or existing gauge (where an existing gauge is modified); others have onboard power such as a battery.

Gauges/units formed in accordance with the present invention may further comprise further comprising a battery.

The communications module may operate using short-wave wireless communication. Data may be transmitted continuously. Alternatively or additionally, data may be transmitted periodically.

The transmission of data may be automatic or controlled/triggered by user input. In an example, data can be transmitted from the unit/device/gauge using a short-range wireless communications protocol such as: ANT, ANT+, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Cellular, IEEE 802. 15.4, IEEE 802.22, ISA 100a, Infrared, ISM Band, Near-Field Communications, RFID, 6L0WPAN, Ultra-Wideband, Wi-Fi, Wireless HART, WirelessHD, WirelessUSB, ZigBee, Z- Wave.

Bluetooth mesh networking may be used in some aspects and embodiments - a protocol based upon Bluetooth Low Energy that allows for many-to-many communication over Bluetooth radio.

Data may be transmittable to a proxy for onward transmission. For example, the data may be transmitted to an item of equipment such as a mobile phone, laptop computer or tablet, watch or any wearable device. From there, some or all of the data may be available and may be onwardly transmitted to, for example, a web server.

Data may be storable locally on the device. This could be useful, for example, if data transfer is temporarily not possible.

The present invention also provides a retrofittable smart pressure gauge for use with a gas cylinder, comprising: a digital pressure sensor, arranged to convert an internal pressure within the gas cylinder into an electrical voltage or determine an electrical voltage from an analogue pressure sensor; a microprocessor, communicatively coupled to the digital pressure sensor, arranged to generate pressure data representative of the internal pressure on the basis of the electrical voltage; and a communications module communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, arranged to communicate the pressure data from the smart pressure gauge.

The present invention also provides a smart pressure gauge for use with a gas cylinder, comprising: a digital pressure sensor, arranged to convert an internal pressure within the gas cylinder into an electrical voltage or determine an electrical voltage from an analogue pressure sensor; a microprocessor, communicatively coupled to the digital pressure sensor, arranged to generate pressure data representative of the internal pressure on the basis of the electrical voltage; and a communications module communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, arranged to communicate the pressure data from the smart pressure gauge.

In aspects and embodiments of the present invention the gauge/unit may derive one or more of: the remaining volume; shock loading; inclination/orientation; location (for example through triangulation, trilateration, GPS or the like).

The present invention also provides a gas cylinder fitted with a gauge or unit as described herein.

The present invention also provides a monitoring system for gas cylinders, comprising a plurality of receivers for receiving data relating to one or more cylinders and processing means for interpreting the data.

The present invention also provides a hospital medical gas supply monitoring system.

The gauge could be formed as an integral part of the cylinder or formed separately thereof and connectable thereto.

In some embodiments the present invention provides a retrofittable display/communications unit and/or gauge. For example in an existing analogue gauge cylinder the existing pressure sensor could be used and the analogue gauge is replaced by a digital gauge with a processor/communications module. For an existing digital cylinder display, the existing pressure sensor and display may be retained and a communications module may be added. I n other words, some aspects and embodiments provide a retrofitting solution for existing analogue/digital cylinder gauges, by replacing components to“comms-enable” the gauge; this may be a complete or partial replacement of existing components. Other embodiments provide a complete replacement unit. Other embodiments provide a completely new unit. Other embodiments provide the components required for a partial/complete replacement of a unit and/or provision of a new unit. Other embodiments provide the components for a purpose-built unit forming part of a valve, or forming an integral part of a cylinder.

The present invention also provides a pressurised container fitted with a gauge as described herein.

Some aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to add telemetry to the cylinders. Medical oxygen cylinders, for example, may be used in both the hospital and homecare environment.

Different types of cylinder/valve may need to be modified/designed in different ways.

The present invention may involve placement of the hardware within a valve regulator at the point of manufacture.

The present invention may be applicable to many different types of cylinders. The technology allows for different types of cylinder to be monitored.

Different types of cylinder to which the present invention may be applicable include:

Japanese Medical Gas Cylinders, for example http://www.tn-sanso-biomedical.com/catalog/pdf/mj_43.pdf http://www.tn-sanso-biomedical.com/catalog/pdf/mj_23.pdf http://www.tn-sanso-biomedical.com/catalog/pdf/mj_72.pdf

UK cylinders types may, for example, include: AZ; EA; ZA; AB; C; AD; ED; CD; DD; ZD; D; E; AF; DF; F; LF; VF; AV; EX; HX; ZX; G; AK; J; L; HL.

UK cylinder types may, for example, include: Oxygen; Nitrous Oxide; Entonox; Helium; Heliox2 l ; Carbon Dioxide; Oxygen/Carbon Dioxide Mixture.

Standard or integral valves may be present.

US medical gas cylinders may, for example, include: Medical Air, U.S.P. Grade; Carbon Dioxide (C02) U.S.P. Grade; Helium (He), U.S.P. Grade; Nitrogen (N2), NF Grade; Nitrous Oxide (N20), U.S.P. Grade; Oxygen (02), U.S.P. Grade; Specialty Gas Mixtures.

US medical gas cylinders may, for example, include: High Pressure Cylinders - sizes T, K, S, M, DEY, O, R, G FE, ME, MEXRS, D, MD, MDXRS; Cryogenic Containers; and dewars. The cylinder may contain, for example, gas, pressurised gas, liquid, cryogenic liquid, refrigerated liquid.

Valve types may include: pin-index side spindle valve; integral valve; handwheel valve; bullnose valve; handwheel side outlet.

Cylinder types may include: gas cylinders; dewars; cryogenic containers; high pressure cylinders.

The present invention may also involve the addition of telemetry to homecare cylinders, concentrators and liquid nitrogen tanks.

Tanks that contain liquid nitrogen must be stored and transported upright and the technology will, for example, allow this to be monitored at all times.

By adding a sensor we can monitor angle (ensuring its upright) and force i.e. if it has received a sudden shock. This can be added to any gas cylinder where its angle is important.

The telemetry may be placed on the outside of the tank ensuring that at all times it is being stored and used correctly by way of a gyroscope and accelerometer.

All current and new cylinders that with an integral valve could be made SMART, no matter what the gas within the cylinder is.

The present invention also provides a digital gas cylinder meter, the meter comprising a pressure sensor and an accelerometer, and a microprocessor arranged to generate data relating to a cylinder, and a communications module communicatively coupled to the microprocessor and arranged to broadcast data.

The meter may comprise, for example, means for measuring angle/inclination of a cylinder, and/or shock loading or other means is assessing the integrity or other criteria relating to the cylinder and/or its contents.

Medical gases and their associated equipment are widely used for treating patients in hospitals, at home, and by the emergency services. The present invention may relate to medical gas cylinders. The present invention may relate to medical gas regulators, demand valves or medical gas flow meters. Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

The present invention is more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a gas cylinder fitted with a pin index regulator having an analogue pressure gauge.

Figure 4 illustrates an instrumented digital pressure gauge formed in accordance with the present invention.

In this embodiment the instrumented digital pressure gauge contains the following components: • Pressure sensor. This can be either a digital MEMS type device or possibly a modified analogue sensor with its mechanism re-tasked to drive the arm of a potentiometer and give a voltage output proportional to pressure in the cylinder.

• 3-axis Accelerometer. The accelerometer will record the orientation of the gauge and hence the cylinder. In addition, any shock loading to the cylinder such as the cylinder toppling over or being impacted by some other object that could potentially compromise the cylinder will be recorded.

• Microprocessor. The microprocessor reads the outputs from the sensors and converts them into their appropriate units (voltage to pressure from the pressure sensor, g loadings from the accelerometer can be used to calculate angle of orientation and also to detect shock loading.

• Communications module. The communications module will communicate data accumulated by the microprocessor to gateway devices strategically placed around the hospital, for example in the cloud, so that the cylinder can be remotely monitored (location, level etc.).

• Display screen. The display screen uses an LCD to display information about the cylinder. This replaces the simple, single function analogue display of the analogue gauge. Information shown on this screen will primarily consist of pressure of the cylinder, time remaining before you need to refill the cylinder, and the battery life remaining.

• Battery. The whole device is powered by battery, which is a non-rechargeable cell that will power the device for a minimum of five years.

• Receiver: These receive the signals broadcasted by the communications module. It then relays this information onwards to a device monitoring the entire system, allowing medical personnel to check the status of any cylinder anywhere in the hospital. They are placed in fixed locations around the hospital.

Additional features

Configuration and Measurement of Quantity and Time Remaining

By making the LCD a touch screen a simple menu system can be implemented to afford factory or even on-site configuration of the gauge possible. In particular, selection of the cylinder type the gauge is installed on and/or the type of gas contained within of the cylinder. This should allow the gauge to be able to infer quantity of gas remaining from the pressure reading and also possible predict when the cylinder will become empty.

Location

Using a low powered radio technology such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) as the communications medium means that it will not be possible for the instrumented gauge to directly communicate with the cloud. Instead, the gauge will need to connect to cloud via some form of gateway or proxy device. The proxy will receive messages from one or more instrumented gauges over BLE and forward them on over TCP/IP to their destination in the cloud, this will occur once every thirty seconds. Additionally, the device will not generate an alert when it has been misplaced or is otherwise lost, nor will it function when it is beyond the range of its proxy.

Since BLE is a short-range protocol and proxy devices will need to be located in reasonably close proximity, the advantage of this architecture is that the approximate location of the gauge and therefore the cylinder can be derived. If a mesh of proxy devices are deployed then a form of triangulation can be used to further improve the accuracy of location.

Figures 5 and 6 show a different type of (integral) regulator fitted to a gas cylinder and provided with an analogue pressure gauge. Figure 7 shows the regulator retrofitted with a pressure gauge formed according to the present invention.

It is important to stress that the invention is not intended as a replacement to the current digital pressure sensors, but as a retrofit to the existing sensor allowing it to connect to the Cloud as described above while retaining all of its former function. Additionally, the original digital display can be used in most cases.

Figures 8 to 10 illustrate an example of a gas supply monitoring system formed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 8 shows a medical installation, such as a hospital 10.

The hospital has several gas cylinder store rooms 1 5a, 1 5b, 1 5c which service a plurality of medical rooms (such as wards and operating theatres).

A plurality of receivers 20 are placed around the hospital, including in or in the vicinity of the store rooms.

Cylinders 25 arrive at the hospital and are routinely placed in a store room. In some embodiments the cylinders carry oxygen.

When the cylinders pass into the store room the local receiver receives a signal from the cylinders smart unit. When the cylinder is placed in a storeroom, the associated unit/device/gauge is‘dormant’ and periodically sends out a signal once every, for example, two minutes; this allows hospital staff to easily and efficiently confirm the location and status of the cylinder whilst conserving power. The receivers act as a proxy for the information broadcast from the cylinders. This data can then, for example, be forwarded to a host in the Cloud for processing, interpretation, storage and onward communication.

Figure 9 shows one of the gas cylinders 25 moved into a ward 30. The receivers will receive signals indicative of the movement and the new position. In this situation the cylinder is now “active” will send out information once every, for example, 30 seconds giving details such as the internal pressure of the cylinder, flow rate (if in use) and the time left before it is predicted to run out of gas, as well as the other aforementioned features. Data is therefore offloaded from the cylinder units (for example using Bluetooth RTM) to the receivers.

Figure 10 shows what a system may look like with various cylinders placed around a hospital.

Figures I I and 12 illustrate a digital gas cylinder meter formed in accordance with the present invention.

In general terms the meter 50 includes: a pressure sensor 55; a communications module 60; a CPU 65; an accelerometer 70; and a display 75.

As shown in Figure 12a, the meter comprises a rear section 80 that comprises a pressure transducer housing 87 and a regulator connection 89, and an enclosure 90 that houses a battery 92, a printed circuit board 94, and an LCD display 96. Figure 12b is an exploded view of the meter.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.