Occlusion system and method for a flow control apparatus

Abstract

A flow control apparatus having a flow monitoring system capable of detecting and identifying a downstream occlusion present within an administration feeding set loaded to the flow control apparatus is disclosed. A software subsystem is associated with the flow control apparatus and administration feeding set, the software system plots at least one discrete date point against a standard occlusion profile to detect if a downstream occlusion present within the administration feeding set.

1 . A flow control apparatus comprising:
 a) a flow control apparatus adapted to be loaded with an administration feeding set having an upstream side and a downstream side,   b) a software subsystem in operative association with the flow control apparatus, the software subsystem is capable of identifying a downstream occlusion present within the administration feeding set; and   c) the software subsystem plotting at least one discrete data point against a standard occlusion profile for providing an occlusion detected condition.   
   
   
       2 . The flow control apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a single sensor for determining an absence and presence of fluid in the feeding set. 
   
   
       3 . The flow control apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said single sensor comprises an ultrasonic transmitter assembly that transmits an ultrasonic signal through said administration feeding set. 
   
   
       4 . The flow control apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the occlusion detected condition sounds an alarm. 
   
   
       5 . A method of monitoring fluid flow comprising:
 a) loading the administration feeding set on a flow control apparatus;   b) determining an average rotor revolution time;   c) plotting at least one discrete data point against a standard occlusion profile; and   d) identifying a downstream occlusion.   
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the step of plotting is calculating the discrete data point as NewTime less the average rotor revolution time. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the step of identifying is the at least one discrete data point matching the standard occlusion profile for at least one rotor revolution.