The present disclosure relates to a field of medical devices. More specifically, it pertains to a simple, automatic, and effective system to continuously monitor level of fluid in intravenous fluid container.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the
information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed
invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Fluids and other substances are infused into patients for a variety
of reasons. For example, fluids may be given to a patient intravenously to hydrate the patient or to control overall blood volume. It is often important to control infusion of fluid into patients in order to optimize the therapy being provided. An intravenous fluid bottle is used to safely store intravenous fluid for delivering required amount of intravenous fluid directly into vein of patient. The intravenous fluid bottle being connected with needle, for inserting into patient, through suitable tube. Furthermore, mechanical pumps are configured with the intravenous fluid bottle for maintaining required pressure of the intravenous fluid inside the vein of the patient.
[0004] In various departments of hospital such as ICU, OT, NICU, CCU,
and OPD, hospital attendant need to constantly monitor intravenous fluid level in the intravenous fluid bottle. Unfortunately, sometime the hospital attendant may forget to change the intravenous fluid bottle at correct time due to busy schedule of hospital attendant. If intravenous fluid is completely exhausted from the intravenous fluid bottle, and hospital attendant forgot to shut off the intravenous fluid bottle then there are high chances that air bubble could enter into vein of the patient thereby can cause serious threat to patient which can even lead to immediate death of patient.
[0005] It is one of the most crucial problems that result in various health
issues such as backflow of the blood, blood loss, etc. This problem can also affect

the lifespan of the patient therefore constant monitoring of intravenous fluid is
required.
[0006] There is, therefore, a need in the art to provide an automatic and a
cost effective system to continuously monitor the level of the intravenous fluid in
the intravenous fluid bottle.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an efficient and
economical solution to continuously monitor level of fluid in fluid infusion bottle.
[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a fluid
infusion monitoring system which continuously monitor level of fluid in fluid
infusion bottle without any manual intervention.
[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a simple and
cost effective fluid infusion monitoring system, which reduces time, energy, and
human efforts of the attendant.
[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system
which is easy to install and handle.
[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system to
reduce the regular attention of nursing staff and caretaker.
[0013] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system to
access real-time data through a mobile computing device.
[0014] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system to
access fluid infusion monitoring by caretaker and doctor.
[0015] These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY
[0016] The present disclosure relates to a field of medical devices. More
specifically, it pertains to a simple, automatic, and effective system to
continuously monitor level of fluid in intravenous fluid container.
[0017] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a fluid infusion
monitoring system including a container for storing fluid, an ultrasonic sensor configured with the container to monitor fluid level in the container, and the ultrasonic sensor may include a transmitter to transmit signals to detect the fluid in said container, and a receiver configured to receive the transmitted signals, and correspondingly generate output signals, a regulating unit may be configured with the container to regulate flow of the fluid from the container; and a processing unit may be operatively coupled with the ultrasonic sensor, and the processing unit may be configured to extract level of fluid in the container from the received output signals, compare the extracted level of fluid with a pre-defined first threshold level and a pre-defined second threshold level, and generate alert signals, upon reaching of fluid to at least one of plurality of pre-defined threshold levels.
[0018] In an aspect, the processing unit may be configured to transmit the
generated alert signals to an alert unit, upon reaching to the first threshold level.
[0019] In an aspect, the processing unit may be configured to transmit the
generated alert signals to one or more mobile computing devices by a
communication unit, upon reaching to the second threshold level.
[0020] In an aspect, the alert signals may pertain to audio, visual and
vibratory signals, and the alert signals may be transmitted to an alert unit.
[0021] In an embodiment, the alert unit may include any or a combination
of buzzer, Light Emitting Diode (LED), and display unit.
[0022] In an embodiment, upon receiving the alert signals, a user
associated with at least one of the one or more mobile computing device may select at least one of a plurality of operations and correspondingly generate control signals.

[0023] In an aspect, the plurality of operations may be selected from a
group consisting of initiating the flow of fluid, stopping the flow of fluid,
reducing flow speed, and increasing flow speed.
[0024] In an aspect, the processing unit may be configured to receive the
generated control signals, analyse the received output signals to detect selected
operation from the plurality of operations, and correspondingly actuate the
regulating unit.
[0025] In an aspect, the processing unit may be configured to receive a
first set of signals from the associated one or mobile computing devices to check
fluid level in real-time, and upon receiving the first set of signals, the processing
unit may analyse the output signals received from the ultrasonic sensor, and
correspondingly generate and transmit a second set of signals, and the second set
signals may pertain information regarding fluid level in the container.
[0026] In an aspect, the communication unit may be selected from a
group consisting of GSM module, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Module, Bluetooth,
Li-Fi, and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).
[0027] In an aspect, the ultrasonic sensor, the regulating unit, the
processing unit, and the alert unit are operatively coupled to one or more power
supply units, and the one or more power supply units pertain to any or a
combination of batteries, inverters and power lines, where the one or more power
supply units may be configured to deliver electric power to the system.
[0028] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for fluid
infusion monitoring is disclosed. The method may including steps of detecting, by
an ultrasonic sensor, level of fluid in a container, analysing by one or more
processors, level of fluid collected from the ultrasonic sensors, generating alert
signals by one or more processors.
[0029] In an aspect, upon reaching of fluid to at least one of plurality of
pre-defined threshold levels, transmitting the generated alert signals to an alert
unit by one or more processors.
[0030] In an aspect, upon reaching of to a first threshold level, the
generated alert signals may be transmitted to an alert unit.

[0031] In an aspect, upon reaching of to a second threshold level, the
generated alert signals may be transmitted to one or more mobile computing
devices by a communication unit, and upon selecting at least one of a plurality
operation by one or more mobile computing devices, generating control signals
correspondingly, and actuating by one or more processors, a regulating unit to
control flow of fluid, based on the received control signals.
[0032] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive
subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0033] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.
[0034] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the
same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of the proposed fluid infusion
monitoring system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0036] FIGs. 2A-2B illustrate exemplary views of the system coupled with
a container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary representation of the system, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary view of a mobile application, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates a method of working of the proposed system, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the
disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0041] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth
in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. [0042] Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a field of medical devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a simple, automatic, and effective system to continuously monitor level of fluid in intravenous fluid bottle.
[0043] According to an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a
system to be attached to an intravenous fluid container, to monitor the fluid stored
in the container. The system can include an ultrasonic sensor configured with the
container to monitor level of fluid in the container, and a regulating unit can be
configured with the container to regulate flow of the fluid based on commands
received from one or mobile computing devices, where the mobile computing
devices can be associated with family members, doctors, nurses, and care takers.
[0044] In an embodiment, a processing unit can be operatively coupled
with the ultrasonic sensor and the regulating unit, the processing unit can include one or more processors coupled with a memory, the memory storing instructions

executable by the one or more processors. The processing unit can be configured to receive signals from the ultrasonic sensors, and correspondingly transmit signals to an alert unit and one or more mobile computing devices to alert one or more entities to take necessary action instantly.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of the fluid infusion
monitoring system 100 (interchangeably referred as system 100, hereinafter) is
disclosed. The system 100 can include a container 102 for storing fluid, an
ultrasonic sensor 104 to monitor level of fluid in the container, a regulating unit
106 can be configured with the container 102 to regulate flow of the fluid in the
container 102, and a processing unit 108 to determine a first level and a second
level, and correspondingly generate alert signals. In an embodiment, the
processing unit 108 can be operatively coupled with an alert unit 110, where the
alert unit 110 can be configured to alert nearby one or more entities.
[0046] In an embodiment, the container 102 (also referred as bottle,
herein) can be used to store fluid such as glucose solution, drug solution, blood,
isotonic saline, normal saline, lactated ringers, and the likes. In an exemplary
embodiment, the intravenous fluid container 102 can be made of material
including but not limited to polyvinyl chloride, plastic, and glass.
[0047] In an embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor 104 can be configured
with the container 102 to detect level of fluid stored in the container 102, and the number of ultrasonic sensor 104 can be more than one. The ultrasonic sensors 104 can include a transmitter 104A and a receiver 104 B, where the a transmitter 104A can be configured to transmit signals to detect the fluid in the container 102, and upon hitting the fluid the signals can be transmitted back, which can be received by the receiver 104B to receive the transmitted signals. Upon receiving the transmitted signals back, the receiver 104B can generate output signals correspondingly, and the generated output signals can be transmitted to the processing unit 108.
[0048] In an embodiment, the processing unit 108 can be operatively
coupled with the ultrasonic sensor 104, and communication in between the ultrasonic sensor 104 and the processing unit 108 can be established via a wired or

wireless connection as known in the art. The processing unit 108 can include a single processor or multiple processors in communication with each other, and the processor(s) can be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices stored in a memory of the processing unit 108. Each processor may include, or be communicatively coupled to, memory having computer executable storage instructions. The processing unit 108 may execute the computer executable storage instructions, causing the processor unit(s) to perform their function.
[0049] In an embodiment, the memory may be or employ random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, optical storage, magnetic storage, removable storage, erasable programmable read only memory and variations thereof, content addressable memory and variations thereof, flash memory, disk drive storage, removable storage, any other memory type feasible in the context of the present invention, any combination thereof, or the like. [0050] In an embodiment, the processing unit 108 can include an extraction unit (not shown) to extract level of fluid in the container 102 from the received output signals, and a comparison unit (not shown) can be configured to compare the extracted level of fluid with a pre-defined first threshold level and a pre¬defined second threshold level, and a signal generation unit (not shown) to generate alert signals, upon reaching of fluid to at least one of plurality of pre¬defined threshold levels.
[0051] In an embodiment, the processing unit 108 can be further configured to transmit generated alert signals to an alert unit 110, upon reaching the fluid to the first threshold level, also known as alert level. The alert signals can pertain to audio, visual and vibratory signals, and the alert unit 110 can include, but not limited to buzzer, Light Emitting Diode (LED), and display unit. [0052] In an exemplary embodiment, when the level of fluid found on alert level (i.e. first level) in the container 102, the processing unit 108 can actuate the alarm to produce sound to alert nearby doctor, hospital staff, and family members present nearby the patient, and they can take action accordingly. In another

exemplary embodiment, when the level of fluid found on alert level (i.e. first level) in the container 102, the processing unit 108 can actuate a display unit to display a notification to alert nearby doctor, hospital staff, and family members present nearby the patient, and they can take action accordingly. The display unit can be any suitable device that displays viewable images and/or text generated by the processing unit 108. For instance, the display unit may be any of or any combination of a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, a plasma display monitor, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED) monitor, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display monitor, or any other monitor that can display viewable images using television and/or computer protocols, such as Super Video Graphics Array, Digital Visual Interface, Phase Alternating Line, SECAM, NTSC, etc.
[0053] In an embodiment, the processing unit 108 can be further configured to transmit generated alert signals to one or more mobile computing devices (collectively referred as mobile computing devices, and individually referred as mobile computing device), upon reaching the fluid to the second threshold level, also known as risky level, and alert signals can pertain to audio, visual and vibratory signals. The one or more mobile computing devices can include, but not limited to laptop, computer, tablet, mobile phone, and cell phone, and these mobile computing devices can be associated to family member, doctor, nurse, hospital staff, and etc.
[0054] In an embodiment, the alert signals can be transmitted through a communication unit 112 to the associated one or more mobile computing devices to enable, entities such as family member, doctor, nurse, hospital staff to control flow of fluid from the associated mobile computing device from a remote location.
[0055] In an embodiment, the communication unit 112 can include, but not limited to GSM module, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Module, Bluetooth, Li-Fi, and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), and the likes.
[0056] In an embodiment, upon receiving the alert signals, a user (also referred as entity, herein )associated with at least one of the one or more mobile

computing device select at least one of a plurality of operations. The plurality of operations can include, but not limited to initiating the flow of fluid, stopping the flow of fluid, reducing flow speed, and increasing flow speed. Based on the selected operation, output signals can be generated and transmitted by the associated mobile computing device to the processing unit 108 to actuate the regulating unit 106. Upon actuation, the regulating unit 106 can initiate the chosen operation such as initiating the flow of fluid, stopping the flow of fluid, reducing flow speed, and increasing flow speed.
[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, when the glucose stored in the container 102 reached to a risky level, a notification can be transmitted to phone of family member, and hospital staff, and multiple operations can be displayed on the phone. They can choose stop flow, reduce speed, and the likes, and the regulating unit 106 can perform chosen operation automatically. [0058] In an embodiment, the processing unit 108 can be further configured to receive the first set of signals from the associated one or mobile computing devices to check fluid level in real-time. Upon receiving the first set of signals, the processing unit 108 can analyse the output signals received from the ultrasonic sensor 104, and correspondingly generate a second set of signals. The generated second set of signals can be transmitted to the associated mobile computing device, and the second set of signals can pertain information regarding fluid level in the container 102.
[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, when the doctor needs to check level of glucose in the container 102 from a remote location, the doctor can check easily in real -time by using a mobile application installed on the associated mobile phone. [0060] In an embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor 104, the regulating unit 106, the processing unit 108, and the alert unit 110 can be operatively coupled to one or more power supply units. The one or more power supply units can include to any or a combination of batteries, inverters and power lines, rechargeable battery, lithium (Li) ion cell, rechargeable cells, battery, electrochemical cells, storage battery, and secondary cell and the one or more power supply units can be configured to deliver electric power to the system 100.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 2A, an exemplary view of the container 102 is disclosed. The container 102 can be mounted on a pole, the container 102 can be removable and replaceable from the pole. While the embodiments of the invention are described in the context of the container 102 being mounted to the pole, the container 102 can be mounted to any support structure, such as a wall, a work station or a table.
[0062] In accordance with an exemplary embodiments, the container 102 can be adjustably mounted to a support structure (e.g. the pole) such that its height can be adjusted using a releasable clamp that clamps on the support structure can be moved up and down in order to accommodate different heights for convenient viewing and to provide the user with ergonomic access to the controls, for example, during a surgical procedure. The pole or other can include wheels at the base to enable it to be repositioned adjacent the patient.
[0063] In accordance with another exemplary embodiments of the invention, as shown in FIG. 2B, a container 102 can include an ultrasonic sensor, a regulating unit, a processing unit, and an alert unit, which can be operatively couple to each other to operate properly.
[0064] In accordance with some other exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, a system 100 can include a container 102 which can be coupled to drip glucose or any medical fluid inside the body of the patient. The container 102 can include an ultrasonic sensor 104 to detect the level of fluid in the container, the ultrasonic sensor 104 can be operatively coupled with a processing unit 108, where the processing unit 108 can receive signals from the ultrasonic sensors and level of fluid can be detected in the container 102. Upon receiving the level on alert level, an alert unit 110 can be actuated to produce alert signals to alert nearby entities. Moreover, upon receiving the level to risky level, notification can be transmitted to laptop, phone, PC, tablet associated with the caretaker, doctor and nurse to stop flow from a remote location.
[0065] In accordance with an exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, a view of a mobile application is disclosed. A container 102 can be displayed on mobile computing devices, and operation such as stop can be chosen from the

mobile computing device for example, phone, and the processing unit 108 can receive stop signals, and correspondingly actuate the regulating unit 106 to stop supply of fluid from the container 102 to the patient's body. [0066] As illustrated in FIG. 5, a method for fluid infusion monitoring is disclosed, at step 502, an ultrasonic sensor 104 can detect level of fluid in the container 102, and correspondingly output signals can be generated. [0067] In an embodiment, the method further comprises at block 504, analysing, level of fluid extracted from the received output signals by one or more processors of the processing unit 108.
[0068] In an embodiment, the method further comprises at block 506, generating alert signals, upon reaching of fluid to at least one of plurality of pre¬defined threshold levels, by the one or more processors of the processing unit 108. [0069] In an embodiment, the method further comprises at block 508, transmitting the generated alert signals to an alert unit 110, upon reaching of to a first threshold level, and transmitting the generated alert signals to one or more mobile computing devices by a communication unit 112 for example, Wi-Fi, upon reaching of to a second threshold level. The one or more mobile computing devices can include, but not limited to laptop, computer, tablet, mobile phone, and cell phone, and these mobile computing devices can be associated to a user for example, family member, doctor, nurse, and hospital staff.
[0070] In an embodiment, the method further comprises at block 510,
selecting at least one of a plurality operations by a user from the one or more
mobile computing devices, and correspondingly generating control signals.
[0071] In an embodiment, the method further comprises at block 512,
actuating a regulating unit 106 to control flow of fluid based on the received
control signals, the one or more processors of the processing unit 108.
[0072] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the
invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having

ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0073] The proposed invention provides a system which is efficient and
economical solution to continuously monitor level of fluid in fluid infusion bottle.
[0074] The proposed invention provides a fluid infusion monitoring
system which continuously monitor level of fluid in fluid infusion bottle without
any manual intervention.
[0075] The proposed invention provides a simple and cost effective fluid
infusion monitoring system, which reduces time, energy, and human efforts of the
attendant.
[0076] The proposed invention provides a system which is easy to install
and handle.
[0077] The proposed invention provides a system to reduce the regular
attention of nursing staff and caretaker.
[0078] The proposed invention provides a system to access real-time data
through a mobile computing device.
[0079] The proposed invention provides a system to access fluid infusion
monitoring by caretaker and doctor.

We Claim:

1. A fluid infusion monitoring system comprising:
a container 102 for storing fluid;
an ultrasonic sensor 104 configured with the container to monitor fluid level in said container 102, wherein said ultrasonic sensor 104 comprising:
a transmitter 104A configured to transmit signals to detect the fluid in said container; and
a receiver 104B configured to receive the transmitted signals, and correspondingly generate output signals; a regulating unit 106 configured with said container to regulate flow of the fluid from the container; and
a processing unit 108 operatively coupled with said ultrasonic sensor 104, and the processing unit 108 is configured to:
extract level of fluid in said container from the received output signals;
compare the extracted level of fluid with a pre-defined first threshold level and a pre-defined second threshold level;
generate alert signals, upon reaching of fluid to at least one of plurality of pre-defined threshold levels;
wherein upon reaching to the first threshold level, the processing unit 108 is configured to transmit the generated alert signals to an alert unit 110; and
wherein upon reaching to the second threshold level, the processing unit 108 is configured to transmit the generated alert signals to one or more mobile computing devices by a communication unit 112.
2. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alert signals pertain to
audio, visual and vibratory signals, wherein the alert signals are

transmitted to an alert unit, wherein the alert unit includes any or a combination of buzzer, Light Emitting Diode (LED), and display unit.
3. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein upon receiving the alert signals, a user associated with at least one of the one or more mobile computing device select at least one of a plurality of operations and correspondingly generate control signals, wherein the plurality of operations are selected from a group consisting of initiating the flow of fluid, stopping the flow of fluid, reducing flow speed, and increasing flow speed.
4. The system 100 as claimed in claim 3, wherein the processing unit 108 is configured to receive the generated control signals, analyse the received output signals to detect selected operation from the plurality of operations, and correspondingly actuate the regulating unit 106.
5. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit 108 is configured to receive a first set of signals from the associated one or mobile computing devices to check fluid level in real-time, wherein upon receiving the first set of signals, the processing unit 108 analyse the output signals received from said ultrasonic sensor, and correspondingly generate and transmit a second set of signals, wherein the second set signals pertain information regarding fluid level in the container 102.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication unit 112 is selected from a group consisting of GSM module, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Module, Bluetooth, Li-Fi, and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).
7. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic sensor 104, the regulating unit 106, the processing unit 108, and the alert unit 110 are operatively coupled to one or more power supply units, wherein the one or more power supply units pertain to any or a combination of batteries, inverters and power lines, wherein the one or more power supply units are configured to deliver electric power to the system 100.
8. A method for fluid infusion monitoring, the method comprising steps of:

detecting 502, by an ultrasonic sensor 104, level of fluid in a container 102;
analysing 504, by one or more processors, level of fluid collected from the ultrasonic sensors 104,
generating 506, by one or more processors, alert signals, upon reaching of fluid to at least one of plurality of pre-defined threshold levels;
transmitting 508, by one or more processors, the generated alert signals to an alert unit 110, upon reaching of to a first threshold level, and transmitting, the generated alert signals to one or more mobile computing devices by a communication unit 112, upon reaching of to a second threshold level; and
selecting 510 , by one or more mobile computing devices, at least one of a plurality operations, and generating control signals correspondingly; and
actuating 512, by one or more processors, a regulating unit 106 to control flow of fluid, based on the received control signals.