US 12,070,580 B2
Method and apparatus for wetting internal fluid path surfaces of a fluid port to increase ultrasonic signal transmission
Kaushal Verma, Bridgewater, NJ (US); Brandi Ford, Apex, NC (US); Shawn Wayne DeKalb, San Diego, CA (US); and Hong Zhu, Glen Rock, NJ (US)
Assigned to Becton, Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ (US)
Filed by Becton, Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ (US)
Filed on Mar. 18, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/822,496.
Application 16/822,496 is a continuation of application No. 16/293,929, filed on Mar. 6, 2019, granted, now 10,632,254.
Application 16/293,929 is a continuation of application No. 15/626,510, filed on Jun. 19, 2017, granted, now 10,258,742, issued on Apr. 16, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/351,459, filed on Jun. 17, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2020/0215265 A1, Jul. 9, 2020
Int. Cl. A61M 5/168 (2006.01); A61M 5/145 (2006.01); A61M 5/172 (2006.01); A61M 5/14 (2006.01); A61M 5/31 (2006.01); A61M 39/10 (2006.01); G01F 1/66 (2022.01)
CPC A61M 5/16886 (2013.01) [A61M 5/1452 (2013.01); A61M 5/16877 (2013.01); A61M 5/172 (2013.01); A61M 2005/1402 (2013.01); A61M 5/141 (2013.01); A61M 2005/3123 (2013.01); A61M 39/10 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3331 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3375 (2013.01); G01F 1/662 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
an ultrasonic fluid sensor including:
a fluid channel,
a fluid inlet at a first end of the fluid channel configured to couple to an outlet of an administrable fluid source that includes a syringe including a plunger, and
a fluid outlet at a second end of the fluid channel;
a flow restrictor configured to be attached to the fluid outlet of the ultrasonic fluid sensor; and
 a syringe actuation device configured to apply a force to the plunger of the syringe, which results in a pressure being applied to a fluid in the fluid channel when the flow restrictor is attached to the fluid outlet of the ultrasonic fluid sensor to wet an interior surface of the fluid channel with the fluid, thereby removing air bubbles from the fluid in the fluid channel to increase an ultrasonic signal transmission of the ultrasonic fluid sensor.
 
14. A system comprising:
an ultrasonic fluid sensor including:
a fluid channel,
a fluid inlet at a first end of the fluid channel configured to couple to an outlet of an administrable fluid source that includes a syringe including a plunger, and
a fluid outlet at a second end of the fluid channel;
a flow restrictor configured to be attached to the fluid outlet of the ultrasonic fluid sensor;
a syringe holder configured to vertically mount the syringe; and
a load configured to be applied to the plunger of the syringe when the syringe is vertically mounted in the syringe holder, which results in a pressure being applied to a fluid in the fluid channel when the flow restrictor is attached to the fluid outlet of the ultrasonic fluid sensor to wet an interior surface of the fluid channel with the fluid, thereby removing air bubbles from the fluid in the fluid channel to increase an ultrasonic signal transmission of the ultrasonic fluid sensor.
 
18. A system comprising:
an ultrasonic fluid sensor including:
a fluid channel,
a fluid inlet at a first end of the fluid channel configured to couple to an outlet of an administrable fluid source that includes a syringe including a plunger,
a fluid outlet at a second end of the fluid channel, and
at least one piezoelectric element; and
a flow restrictor configured to be attached to the fluid outlet of the ultrasonic fluid sensor,
wherein the at least one piezoelectric element is configured to be activated when a fluid is within the fluid channel and the flow restrictor is attached to the fluid outlet of the ultrasonic fluid sensor, thereby dislodging micro-bubbles from inner walls of the fluid channel.