Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus is provided for monitoring a predetermined parameter of a patient's body fluid while infusing an infusion fluid into the patient. The apparatus comprises an infusion line and a catheter configured for insertion into a blood vessel of the patient, and a reversible infusion pump connected between a source of an infusion fluid and the infusion line and catheter. The apparatus further comprises a body fluid sensor assembly mounted in fluid communication with the infusion line and which includes a first sensor and a sample cell. The first sensor provides a signal indicative of a predetermined parameter of any fluid present in the infusion line. The sample cell is substantially transmissive to light comprising a wavelength λ. The apparatus further comprises a controller that is configured to operate the infusion pump in a forward direction so as to pump the infusion fluid through the infusion line and catheter for infusion into the patient. The controller is configured to intermittently interrupt its operating of the infusion pump in the forward direction to operate the infusion pump in a rearward direction so as to draw a body fluid sample from the patient through the catheter and infusion line. The body fluid sample drawn from the patient is disposed such that a first portion of the body fluid sample is in sensing contact with the first sensor of the body fluid sensor assembly, and a second portion of the body fluid sample is disposed within the sample cell of the body fluid sensor assembly. The controller further is configured to monitor the signal provided by the first sensor of the body fluid sensor assembly and to detect a change in the signal indicative of the arrival of the body fluid sample at the first sensor. The controller, in response to detecting the arrival of the body fluid sample at the first sensor, is configured to cease its operating of the infusion pump in the rearward direction. The signal produced by the first sensor provides an indication of a predetermined parameter of the patient's body fluid when the body fluid sample is in sensing contact with the first sensor.

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First Claim