US 12,235,208 B2
Adjustment of the thickness of a biological fluid being monitored by an optical detection assembly
Benjamin E. Kusters, Pleasant Prairie, WI (US); Daniel R. Boggs, Libertyville, IL (US); James Madsen, Chicago, IL (US); Jeannette Wu, Naperville, IL (US); and Matthew Fang, Deerfield, IL (US)
Assigned to Fenwal, Inc., Lake Zurich, IL (US)
Filed by Fenwal, Inc., Lake Zurich, IL (US)
Filed on Apr. 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/719,539.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/175,146, filed on Apr. 15, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0334049 A1, Oct. 20, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 21/05 (2006.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); G01N 21/03 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/05 (2013.01) [B01L 3/502746 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0627 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0832 (2013.01); B01L 2400/082 (2013.01); G01N 2021/036 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An optical detection assembly for monitoring a biological fluid in a vessel, comprising:
a first fluid-adjustment structure;
a second fluid-adjustment structure;
a light source;
a light detector;
a controller; and
a drive mechanism coupled to the controller, wherein
the first and second fluid-adjustment structures are spaced apart and configured to receive at least a portion of a biological fluid-containing vessel therebetween,
the light source is configured to emit light through a thickness of the biological fluid in said at least a portion of the vessel,
the light detector is configured to receive at least a portion of the light emitted by the light source after said at least a portion of the light has passed through the biological fluid in said at least a portion of the vessel, and
the controller is configured to first actuate the drive mechanism to cause at least a portion of at least one of the first and second fluid-adjustment structures to move with respect to at least a portion of the other one of the first and second fluid-adjustment structures so as to compress said at least a portion of the vessel and decrease the thickness of the biological fluid in said at least a portion of the vessel to zero and to subsequently actuate the drive mechanism to cause said at least a portion of said at least one of the first and second fluid-adjustment structures to move with respect to said at least a portion of the other one of the first and second fluid-adjustment structures so as to increase the thickness of the biological fluid in said at least a portion of the vessel from zero to a target thickness.