Medical tubing detection and management

Abstract

A medical tubing set can comprise a fluid conduit adapted to convey a medical fluid; an optical element coupled to the fluid conduit and configured to provide illumination; and a power source configured to power the optical element. A method of operating a medical tubing set, the medical tubing set comprising a fluid conduit adapted to convey a medical fluid, an optical element coupled to the fluid conduit and configured to provide illumination, and a power source configured to power the optical element, can comprise installing the medical tubing set in a medical device at a first end and in a patient at a second end; providing a source of power with the power source; applying the source of power to the optical element; and illuminating the fluid conduit with the optical element.

1 . A medical tubing set comprising:
 a fluid conduit adapted to convey a medical fluid;   an optical element coupled to the fluid conduit and configured to provide illumination; and   a power source configured to power the optical element.   
     
     
         2 . The medical tubing set of  claim 1 , wherein the optical element comprises a fiber optic coating and a light-generating element. 
     
     
         3 . The medical tubing set of  claim 1 , wherein the optical element comprises a light-emitting diode and the power source is a voltage to power the light-emitting diode. 
     
     
         4 . The medical tubing set of  claim 1 , wherein the optical element comprises an electroluminescent wire and the power source is an alternating current to power the electroluminescent wire. 
     
     
         5 . The medical tubing set of  claim 1 , wherein the optical element is located in the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         6 . The medical tubing set of  claim 1 , wherein the medical tubing set further comprises dual lumen tubing and the fluid conduit and optical element are located in discrete conduits. 
     
     
         7 . The medical tubing set of  claim 6 , wherein the dual lumen tubing further comprises a nested lumen set having an outer lumen and an inner lumen. 
     
     
         8 . The medical tubing set of  claim 1 , wherein the optical element displays colored light. 
     
     
         9 . The medical tubing set of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one sensor configured to sense at least one characteristic related to the medical tubing system.   
     
     
         10 . The medical tubing set of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a pressure sensor, an occlusion sensor, a temperature sensor, a fluid flow sensor, a liquid density sensor, an air bubble sensor, a salinity sensor, a pH sensor, a dissolved oxygen sensor, a conductivity sensor, or an electrolyte sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The medical tubing set of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an integrated circuit configured to transmit a signal to a device interface.   
     
     
         12 . The medical tubing set of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a microcontroller configured to receive a signal from the at least one sensor.   
     
     
         13 . The medical tubing set of  claim 12 , further comprising an interface adapted to program the microcontroller. 
     
     
         14 . The medical tubing set of  claim 13 , wherein the interface adapted to program the microcontroller is configured to program a standardized profile. 
     
     
         15 . The medical tubing set of  claim 12 , wherein the microcontroller is further configured to manage at least one operating mode related to the medical tubing system. 
     
     
         16 . The medical tubing set of  claim 12 , wherein the medical tubing set is operably coupled to a medical device and the interface is operable via the infusion pump. 
     
     
         17 . The medical tubing set of  claim 16 , wherein the microcontroller is housed in the medical device. 
     
     
         18 . A method of operating a medical tubing set, the medical tubing set comprising a fluid conduit adapted to convey a medical fluid, an optical element coupled to the fluid conduit and configured to provide illumination, and a power source configured to power the optical element, the method comprising:
 installing the medical tubing set in a medical device at a first end and in a patient at a second end;   providing a source of power with the power source;   applying the source of power to the optical element; and   illuminating the fluid conduit with the optical element.