The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 28, 2000
Filed:
Jan. 22, 1998
Nikolai Krivitski, Ithaca, NY (US);
Transonic Systmes, Inc., Ithaca, NY (US);
Abstract
A device for determining shunt flow in a hemodialysis shunt connected between two points in a cardiovascular-hemodialysis system includes a flow sensor connected to either the hemodialysis inflow (arterial) line or the outflow (venous) line. An indicator is preferably introduced into the system that is sensed by first and second sensors that are spaced apart and disposed effective for sensing the indicator at two locations in the cardiovascular-hemodialysis system. Natural indicators produced by the body, such as density variations in the blood caused by rhythmic breathing, are optionally used instead of an introduced indicator. A detector connected to the flow sensor and the first and second sensors determines, at a first flow rate, a first time a first indicator takes to move between the two locations, and at a second flow rate, a second time a second indicator takes to move between the two locations. The shunt flow is then calculated from the first and second times and the first and second flow rates.