Multi-parametric fluid determination systems using complex admittance

Abstract

Apparatus, systems, and methods related to determining the identity and concentration of an intravenous fluid. The apparatus, systems, and methods described herein may provide near real-time monitoring and/or determination of the identity of the components of an intravenous fluid. The concentration and identify of all of the components of an intravenous fluid may be identified simultaneously.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-parametric intravenous fluid monitoring apparatus for determining the composition of an intravenous fluid, the apparatus comprising:
 a substrate adapted for fluidic interface with source of intravenous fluid prepared for delivery into a patient;   a first sensor element on the substrate comprising a pair of electrodes configured to measure the complex admittance or impedance of the intravenous fluid between them;   a second sensor element; and   a processor configured to receive data from the first sensor element and the second sensor element, wherein the processor comprises a comparator configured to compare parameters derived from the first and second sensor element with stored expected parameter values to identify and determine the concentration of one or more components of the intravenous fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second sensor element is configured to provide the processor with a parameter that is independent of the parameter provided by the first sensor element. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second sensor element comprises an optical element. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor element comprises an electrical admittance or impedance sensor configured to determine the complex admittance or impedance over a range of frequencies. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second sensor element is configured to measure a complex admittance or impedance from the intravenous fluid and comprises at least one electrode separate from the pair of electrodes of the first sensor element. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises stored expected parameter values able to uniquely identify one or more pharmaceuticals in a carrier solution, wherein the carrier solution comprises one of: D5W, 3.3% Dextrose/0.3% saline, Half-normal saline, Normal saline, and Ringers lactate, and the one or more pharmaceuticals comprises one or more of: an anticoagulant, a metabolically-active hormone, an anticoagulant, and an analgesic. 
     
     
         7 . A multi-parametric intravenous fluid monitoring apparatus for determining the composition of an intravenous fluid, the apparatus comprising:
 a substrate adapted for fluidic interface with source of intravenous fluid prepared for delivery into a patient;   a first sensor element on the substrate comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the first sensor element configured to measure a first complex admittance or impedance of the intravenous fluid between the first and second electrodes;   a second sensor element on the substrate comprising a third electrode formed of a different conductive material than the first and second electrodes, the second sensor element configured to measure a second complex admittance or impedance of the intravenous fluid between the third electrode and another electrode; and   a processor configured to receive complex admittance or impedance data from the first sensor element and the second sensor element, wherein the processor comprises a comparator configured to compare parameters derived from the first and second sensor elements with stored expected parameter values to identify and determine the concentration of one or more components of the intravenous fluid.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first, second and third electrodes are each formed of a conductive material selected from the group consisting of: Au, Pt, Pd, Ag, W, Ti, Ni, Sn, and Co. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the substrate is within a housing comprising one or more conduits and having a first end adapted for fluid communication with the fluid source and a second end adapted for fluid communication with an intravenous infusion device for infusion of fluid into the vascular system of the patient. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second sensor element comprises the third electrode and one of the first or second electrodes from the first sensor element. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a third sensor element, further wherein the processor is configured to receive and compare data from the third sensor element to identify and determine the concentration of one or more component of the intravenous fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising an optical sensor element. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first sensor element comprises an admittance or impedance sensor configured to determine complex admittance or impedance at a plurality of frequencies. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second sensor element comprises an admittance or impedance sensor configured to determine complex admittance or impedance at a plurality of frequencies. 
     
     
         15 . An intravenous fluid monitoring apparatus for determining the composition of an intravenous fluid, the apparatus comprising:
 a substrate adapted for fluidic interface with source of intravenous fluid prepared for delivery into a patient;   a sensor element on the substrate comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the sensor element configured to measure a first complex admittance or impedance of the intravenous fluid between the first and second electrodes;   a processor configured to receive parameter values incorporating the complex admittance or impedance data from the sensor element, wherein the processor comprises a comparator configured to compare the received parameter values with stored expected parameter values to identify and determine the concentration of components of the intravenous fluid.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second electrodes are formed of different conductive materials. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second electrodes are each formed of a conductive material selected from the group consisting of: Au, Pt, Pd, Ag, W, Ti, Ni, Sn, and Co. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the substrate is within a housing comprising one or more conduits and having a first end adapted for fluid communication with the fluid source and a second end adapted for fluid communication with an intravenous infusion device for infusion of fluid into the vascular system of the patient. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a second sensor element on the substrate, the second sensor element comprising a third electrode, the second sensor element configured to measure a first complex admittance or impedance of the intravenous fluid between the third electrode and another electrode. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the second sensor element comprises the third electrode and another electrode selected from either the first electrode or the second electrode of the first sensor element. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor element comprises an admittance or impedance spectroscopy sensor configured to determine complex admittance or impedance at a plurality of frequencies.