Apparatus and method for determining state of liquid infusion tube

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining the state of a liquid infusion tube, the apparatus for determining the state of a liquid infusion tube comprising: a main body comprising an accommodation part in which a liquid infusion tube is mounted and an opening and closing part that opens and closes the accommodation part; a light source part disposed in the accommodation part and including a plurality of light sources outputting light of different wavelengths; a measurement unit for measuring the intensities of the plurality of light beams respectively output from the plurality of light sources; and a determination unit for determining whether the opening and closing part is opened or closed and the state of a liquid infusion tube on the basis of the measured intensities of the plurality of light beams.

Description

Device and method for judging the status of a sap tube

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for judging the status of a sap tube.

[0002] The drug infusion device is intended to administer a certain amount of medication or fluid into a patient's vein or artery, and has functions such as detecting air bubbles in the tube, detecting whether the tube is blocked, and detecting whether the door is open or closed.

[0003] However, conventional drug injection devices require multiple sensors and switches, such as using ultrasonic sensors to detect the amount of fluid flowing in the tube and whether the tube is clogged, using ultrasonic or optical sensors to detect whether air bubbles are generated in the tube, and using physical switches to detect the opening and closing of the door, resulting in structural and economic inefficiency.

[0004] The technology underlying this application is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1739650.

[0005] The present invention is intended to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and to provide a device and method for judging the state of an infusion tube, which has a simple structure and is cost-effective compared to the prior art, by judging the state of the infusion tube and whether the opening / closing part is open or closed using only a plurality of light sources having different wavelengths and a single light sensor.

[0006] However, the technical tasks to be achieved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the technical tasks described above, and other technical tasks may exist.

[0007] As a technical means for achieving the above-described technical task, an IV tube status determination device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a main body including a receiving portion in which an IV tube is mounted and an opening / closing portion for opening / closing the receiving portion, a light source portion including a plurality of light sources disposed in the receiving portion and emitting light of different wavelengths, a measuring portion for measuring the intensities of a plurality of lights respectively output from the plurality of light sources, and a determining portion for determining whether the opening / closing portion is open / closed and the IV tube status of the IV tube based on the measured intensities of the plurality of lights.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of light sources may include a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source, and the measuring unit may measure a first light intensity which is the intensity of light output from the first light source, a second light intensity which is the intensity of light output from the second light source, and a third light intensity which is the intensity of light output from the third light source.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the determination unit may obtain a first difference value, which is a difference value between the first luminosity and the third luminosity, and a second difference value, which is a difference value between the second luminosity and the third luminosity, and determine whether the opening / closing unit is open or closed based on a comparison result between the first difference value and a preset first threshold value and a comparison result between the second difference value and the preset first threshold value.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the determination unit may determine that the opening / closing unit is in an open state if the first difference value and the second difference value are less than the first threshold value, and may determine that the opening / closing unit is in a closed state if the first difference value and the second difference value are greater than or equal to the preset first threshold value.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the determination unit may obtain a first difference value, which is a difference value between the first luminosity and the third luminosity, and a second difference value, which is a difference value between the second luminosity and the third luminosity, and determine the state of the IV tube based on a comparison result between the first luminosity and the second luminosity, a comparison result between the first difference value and a preset second threshold value, and a comparison result between the second difference value and the preset second threshold value.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the state of the infusion tube may include whether the infusion tube is mounted on the receiving portion and whether there is infusion in the infusion tube.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the judgment unit may determine that the infusion tube is mounted in the receiving unit and that there is infusion fluid in the infusion tube if the first light intensity is lower than or equal to the second light intensity.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the determination unit may determine that the infusion tube is mounted in the receiving unit and that there is no infusion fluid in the infusion tube if the first light intensity exceeds the second light intensity and the first difference value and the second difference value are equal to or greater than a preset second threshold value.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the determination unit may determine that the infusion tube is not mounted in the receiving unit if the first light intensity exceeds the second light intensity and the first difference value and the second difference value are less than a preset second threshold value.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first light source may be a light source that outputs an infrared wavelength, the second light source may be a light source that outputs a wavelength of 635 nm or more and less than 700 nm, and the third light source may be a light source that outputs a wavelength of 520 nm or more and less than 560 nm.

[0017] As a technical means for achieving the above-described technical task, a method for determining the state of an IV tube according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a step of measuring the intensities of a plurality of lights each output from a plurality of light sources that output light of different wavelengths, and a step of determining whether an opening / closing unit for opening / closing a receiving unit in which the IV tube is mounted is open / closed and a state of the IV tube based on the measured intensities of the plurality of lights.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of light sources may include a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source, and the measuring step may be to measure a first light intensity that is the intensity of light output from the first light source, a second light intensity that is the intensity of light output from the second light source, and a third light intensity that is the intensity of light output from the third light source.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the determining step may be to obtain a first difference value, which is a difference value between the first luminosity and the third luminosity, and a second difference value, which is a difference value between the second luminosity and the third luminosity, and determine whether the opening / closing part is open or closed based on a comparison result between the first difference value and a preset first threshold value and a comparison result between the second difference value and the preset first threshold value.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the determining step may be to obtain a first difference value, which is a difference value between the first luminosity and the third luminosity, and a second difference value, which is a difference value between the second luminosity and the third luminosity, and determine the state of the IV tube based on a comparison result between the first luminosity and the second luminosity, a comparison result between the first difference value and a preset second threshold value, and a comparison result between the second difference value and the preset second threshold value.

[0021] The above-described problem-solving methods are merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. In addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, additional embodiments may be included in the drawings and detailed description of the invention.

[0022] According to the aforementioned means for solving the problem of the present invention, the state of the infusion tube and whether the opening / closing part is open or closed are determined using only a plurality of light sources having different wavelengths and a single light sensor, thereby having a simple structure compared to conventional technologies and being cost-effective.

[0023] However, the effects that can be obtained from this center are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects may exist.

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a device for judging the status of a sap tube according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a device for determining the status of a sap tube according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an example of a graph showing a state in which an opening and closing part according to one embodiment of the present invention is open and a sap tube is not installed.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an example of a graph showing a state in which an opening and closing part is opened and a sap tube is mounted according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing an example of a graph showing a state in which an opening and closing part is closed and a sap tube is mounted according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining whether an opening and closing part is open or closed, whether a fluid tube is mounted, and whether fluid is present in the fluid tube according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Fig. 7 is a drawing showing an example of a graph showing a waveform change depending on whether a motor is in operation according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 8 is a drawing showing an example of a graph showing waveform changes depending on whether there is occlusion according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 9 is a drawing showing an example of a graph showing a waveform change depending on whether bubbles are generated according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 10 is a flowchart of an operation for a method for determining the status of a sap tube according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail to facilitate easy implementation by those skilled in the art. However, the present invention can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, irrelevant parts have been omitted for clarity, and similar reference numerals have been used throughout the specification to indicate similar elements.

[0035] Throughout this specification, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly connected," but also the case where it is "electrically connected" or "indirectly connected" with another element in between.

[0036] Throughout this specification, when it is said that a member is located “on,” “above,” “upper,” “lower,” “lower” or “lower” another member, this includes not only cases where the member is in contact with the other member, but also cases where another member exists between the two members.

[0037] Throughout this specification, whenever a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0038] This invention relates to a device for judging the status of a sap tube.

[0039] Specifically, the device for judging the status of the infusion tube (100) may be expressed as an infusion pump, a fluid control device, a drug injection device, etc., or may be linked to devices expressed as such.

[0040] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a device for judging the status of a fluid tube according to one embodiment of the present invention. In addition, Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a device for judging the status of a fluid tube according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the sap tube status determination device (100) may include a main body (110), a light source (120), a measuring unit (130), and a determination unit (140).

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, the main body (110) may include a receiving portion (111), an opening / closing portion (112), and a mounting portion (113). Specifically, the receiving portion (111) is a space in which the infusion tube (200) is received, and the mounting portion (113) attached to the inside of the receiving portion (111) may be an element for fixing the infusion tube (200) so that the infusion tube (200) is mounted on the receiving portion (111).

[0043] In addition, the opening / closing part (112) is a door for opening and closing the receiving part (111), and when the opening / closing part (112) is closed, a predetermined pressure can be applied to the infusion tube (200), and the change in pressure of the infusion tube (200) due to the opening / closing of the opening / closing part (112) can electronically or physically affect the control of the injection amount of the drug (infusion) injected through the infusion tube (200). For example, when the opening / closing part (112) is closed, it can be said to be a stable state in which the drug can be injected accurately and stably, and when the opening / closing part (112) is open, it can be said to be a dangerous state in which there is a possibility of danger occurring.

[0044] In addition, the mounting portion (113) is formed on one side of the inside of the main body portion (110), and may be formed on one side of the inside of the receiving portion (111) corresponding to the inner side of the open opening / closing portion (112) when the opening / closing portion (112) is in the open state.

[0045] In addition, the mounting portion (113) may be a detachable infusion tube (200) through which a drug (infusion) injected into the human body is transferred. At this time, the infusion tube (200) may be formed of a material having a predetermined expansion force, and may be rubber as an example, but is not limited thereto.

[0046] The mounting portion (113) may be configured to fix the mounted infusion tube (200), but may fix the infusion tube (200) with a fixing force that allows the infusion tube (200) to be easily detached when an external force (e.g., an external force due to a user pulling the infusion tube (200)) is applied to the fixed infusion tube (200).

[0047] Referring to FIG. 1, the light source unit (120) may be placed in the receiving unit (111), and specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1, may be placed adjacent to the mounting unit (113) to irradiate light to the infusion tube (220) fixed by the mounting unit (113).

[0048] The light source unit (120) may include a plurality of light sources that output light of different wavelengths. Specifically, the plurality of light sources may include a first light source that is an infrared light source that outputs infrared wavelengths, a second light source that is a red light source that outputs red light having a wavelength of 635 nm or more and less than 700 nm, and a third light source that is a green light source that outputs green light having a wavelength of 520 nm or more and less than 560 nm.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 1, the measuring unit (130) may be positioned adjacent to the light source unit (120) to measure the intensity of light irradiated from the light source unit (120), and may measure the intensity of light that changes depending on whether the opening / closing unit (112) is opened / closed, whether the infusion tube (200) is mounted, and whether or not there is infusion fluid in the infusion tube (200).

[0050] In other words, the measuring unit (130) can measure the intensity of a plurality of lights output from a plurality of light sources. Specifically, the measuring unit (130) can measure a first light intensity, which is the intensity of light output from a first light source, a second light intensity, which is the intensity of light output from a second light source, and a third light intensity, which is the intensity of light output from a third light source.

[0051] In this regard, the light source unit (120) and the measuring unit (130) may be positioned adjacent to the mounting unit (113) to more accurately measure the light intensity for a stably fixed infusion tube (200), as illustrated in FIG. 1. In addition, the measuring unit (130) may be equipped with a single light sensor.

[0052] Specifically, in order to allow the measurement unit (130) to measure the change in light intensity for each of a plurality of light sources depending on whether the IV tube (200) is mounted and whether there is IV fluid in the IV tube (200), the light source unit (120) and the measurement unit (130) may be positioned with the IV tube (200) (or the position where the IV tube (200) is mounted) interposed therebetween. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the light source unit (120) and the measurement unit (130) may be positioned at various positions that can ensure a level of measurement accuracy that can determine whether the opening / closing unit (112) is open / closed, whether the IV tube (200) is mounted, and whether there is IV fluid in the IV tube (200).

[0053] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the judgment unit (140) can determine the state of the infusion tube (200) and whether the opening / closing unit (112) is open or closed based on the intensities of multiple lights measured by the measurement unit (130). Here, the state of the infusion tube may include whether the infusion tube (200) is mounted to the receiving unit (111) and whether there is infusion fluid in the infusion tube (200).

[0054] Specifically, the plurality of light sources of the light source unit (120) can each irradiate light of a certain intensity. In addition, the judgment unit (140) can judge whether the opening / closing unit (112) is open / closed and the state of the infusion tube (200) based on the intensity of light measured differently by the measurement unit (130) depending on whether the opening / closing unit (112) is open / closed and the state of the infusion tube (200).

[0055] Specifically, even if light of a constant intensity is irradiated from each of a plurality of light sources, the intensity of light measured by the measuring unit (130) may vary depending on the degree of divergence of light irradiated from the plurality of light sources of the light source unit (120) when the opening / closing unit (112) is open or closed. In addition, the intensity of light measured by the measuring unit (130) may vary depending on whether the infusion tube (200) is mounted or not at the position between the light source unit (120) and the measuring unit (130), and when the infusion tube (200) is mounted, the intensity of light measured by the measuring unit (130) may also vary depending on whether or not infusion is present in the mounted infusion tube (200). Accordingly, the judgment unit (140) can determine whether the opening / closing unit (112) is open / closed and the state of the infusion tube (200) based on the intensity of light, i.e., the luminous intensity, of each of the plurality of light sources measured by the measurement unit (130).

[0056] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the light intensity measurement result of the measuring unit (130) according to the open / closed status of the opening / closing unit (112) and the status of the infusion tube (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and a process of determining whether the opening / closing unit (112) is open / closed and the status of the infusion tube (200) by the judgment unit (140) based on the light intensity measurement result will be described in detail.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the first light source, the second light source, and the third light source included in the plurality of light sources may be an infrared light source, a red light source, and a green light source, respectively, as described above, and the first light intensity, the second light intensity, and the third light intensity may be expressed as IR Mean, RED Mean, and GREEN Mean, respectively.

[0058] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an example of a graph showing a state in which an opening and closing part according to one embodiment of the present invention is open and a sap tube is not installed.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 3, when the opening / closing part (112) is open and the infusion tube (200) is not mounted, it can be confirmed that the first luminous intensity (IR Mean) is measured to be about 21613.37, the second luminous intensity (RED Mean) is measured to be about 16248.22, and the third luminous intensity (GREEN Mean) is measured to be about 3175.06.

[0060] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an example of a graph showing a state in which an opening and closing part is opened and an infusion tube is installed according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 4 (a) is a graph showing a case in which there is no infusion in the installed infusion tube (200), and FIG. 4 (b) is a graph showing a case in which there is infusion in the installed infusion tube (200).

[0061] Referring to (a) of FIG. 4, when the opening / closing part (112) is open and the infusion tube (200) is mounted, but there is no infusion in the mounted infusion tube (200), it can be confirmed that the first luminous intensity (IR Mean) is measured to be about 39548.61, the second luminous intensity (RED Mean) is measured to be about 34977.29, and the third luminous intensity (GREEN Mean) is measured to be about 6032.37.

[0062] Referring to (b) of FIG. 4, when the opening / closing part (112) is opened, the infusion tube (200) is mounted, and there is infusion in the mounted infusion tube (200), it can be confirmed that the first luminous intensity (IR Mean) is measured to be approximately 14661.43, the second luminous intensity (RED Mean) is measured to be approximately 16049.12, and the third luminous intensity (GREEN Mean) is measured to be approximately 2306.18.

[0063] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a graph showing a state in which an opening and closing part is closed and an infusion tube is installed according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 5 (a) is a graph when there is no infusion in the installed infusion tube (200), and FIG. 5 (b) is a graph when there is infusion in the installed infusion tube (200).

[0064] Referring to (a) of FIG. 5, when the opening / closing part (112) is closed and the infusion tube (200) is mounted, but there is no infusion in the mounted infusion tube (200), it can be confirmed that the first luminous intensity (IR Mean) is measured to be about 123973.02, the second luminous intensity (RED Mean) is measured to be about 120267.45, and the third luminous intensity (GREEN Mean) is measured to be about 17889.37.

[0065] Referring to (b) of FIG. 5, when the opening / closing part (112) is closed, the infusion tube (200) is mounted, and there is infusion in the mounted infusion tube (200), it can be confirmed that the first luminous intensity (IR Mean) is measured to be about 179569.45, the second luminous intensity (RED Mean) is measured to be about 183277.90, and the third luminous intensity (GREEN Mean) is measured to be about 27303.41.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, it can be confirmed that the first to third light intensities both increase significantly when the opening / closing part (112) is in the closed state compared to the open state, and it can be confirmed that the first and second light intensities increase significantly when the infusion tube (200) is mounted compared to when the infusion tube (200) is not mounted.

[0067] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the first to third light intensities change in various cases depending on whether the opening / closing unit (112) is open / closed and the state of the infusion tube (200), and the infusion tube state judgment device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can judge both whether the opening / closing unit (112) is open / closed and the state of the infusion tube (200) using only a single light sensor capable of measuring the first to third light intensities.

[0068] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining whether an opening and closing part is open or closed, whether a fluid tube is mounted, and whether fluid is present in the fluid tube according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 6, the judgment unit (140) can obtain a first difference value, which is a difference between the first luminosity and the third luminosity, and a second difference value, which is a difference between the second luminosity and the third luminosity, and can determine whether the opening / closing unit (112) is open or closed based on a comparison result between the first difference value and the first threshold value (TH1) and a comparison result between the second difference value and the first threshold value (TH1).

[0070] In this regard, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the opening / closing part (112) is in an open state, the first difference value and the second difference value are approximately 10,000 to 40,000 (in FIG. 3, the first difference value = 18438.31, the second difference value = 13073.16, in FIG. 4 (a), the first difference value = 33516.24, the second difference value = 28944.92, in FIG. 4 (b), the first difference value = 12355.25, the second difference value = 13742.94), and referring to FIG. 5, when the opening / closing part (112) is in a closed state, the first difference value and the second difference value are 100,000 or more (in FIG. 5 (a), the first difference value = 106083.65, It can be confirmed that the second difference value = 102378.08, the first difference value = 152266.04, and the second difference value = 155974.49 in (b) of Fig. 5.

[0071] Accordingly, the judgment unit (140) may compare the first difference value and the second difference value with a preset first threshold value (TH1) (S101), and if the first difference value and the second difference value are less than the preset first threshold value (TH1), determine that the opening / closing unit (112) is open (S102), and if the first difference value and the second difference value are greater than or equal to the preset first threshold value (TH1), determine that the opening / closing unit (112) is closed (S103). Here, the preset first threshold value (TH1) may be set to any one value of 50,000 or more and less than 100,000, for example, based on the measurement results as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, but is not limited thereto.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 6, the judgment unit (140) can judge the state of the infusion tube (200) based on the comparison result of the first luminosity and the second luminosity, the comparison result of the first difference value and the second threshold value (TH2), and the comparison result of the second difference value and the second threshold value (TH2).

[0073] In this regard, referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, when the infusion tube (200) is not mounted on the receiving portion (111) or when the infusion tube (200) is mounted on the receiving portion (111) but no infusion is present, the first luminous intensity is a larger value than the second luminous intensity (in FIG. 3, first luminous intensity = 21613.37 > second luminous intensity = 16248.22, in FIG. 4 (a), first luminous intensity = 39548.61 > second luminous intensity = 34977.29, in FIG. 5 (a), first luminous intensity = 123973.02 > second luminous intensity = 120267.45), and when the infusion tube (200) is mounted on the receiving portion (111) and the infusion is present, the second luminous intensity is a larger value than the first luminous intensity (in FIG. 4 (b), first luminous intensity = 14661.43 < 2nd luminosity = 16049.12, and it can be confirmed that in (b) in Fig. 5, 1st luminosity = 1679569.45 < 2nd luminosity = 183277.90).

[0074] Accordingly, the judgment unit (140) may compare the first light intensity and the second light intensity (S104, S105), and if the first light intensity exceeds the second light intensity, it may be determined that the infusion tube (200) is not mounted on the receiving portion (111) regardless of whether the opening / closing portion (112) is opened or closed (S107, S108, S110), or if the infusion tube (200) is mounted on the receiving portion (111) but no infusion is present, and if the first light intensity is less than the second light intensity, it may be determined that the infusion tube (200) is mounted on the receiving portion (111) and that infusion is present in the infusion tube (200) (S109, S111).

[0075] In addition, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, when the opening / closing part (112) is open and the infusion tube (200) is not mounted on the receiving part (111), the first difference value and the second difference value are approximately 10,000 to 20,000 (in FIG. 3, the first difference value = 18438.31, the second difference value = 13073.16), and when the opening / closing part (112) is open and the infusion tube (200) is mounted on the receiving part (111) but no infusion tube (200) exists, the first difference value and the second difference value are approximately 20,000 to 40,000 (in FIG. 4 (a), the first difference value = 33516.24, the second difference value = 28944.92). You can check it.

[0076] Accordingly, the judgment unit (140) may compare the first difference value and the second difference value with a preset second threshold value (TH2) (S106), and if the first difference value and the second difference value are less than the preset second threshold value (TH2), it may be determined that the infusion tube (200) is not mounted in the receiving unit (111) (S107), and if the first difference value and the second difference value are greater than or equal to the preset second threshold value (TH2), it may be determined that the infusion tube (200) is mounted in the receiving unit (111) but no infusion is present in the infusion tube (200) (S108). Here, the preset second threshold value (TH2) may be set to about 20,000 as an example based on the measurement results as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, but is not limited thereto.

[0077] In other words, when the opening / closing unit (112) is in an open state (S102), the determination unit (140) can determine (S107) that the infusion tube (200) is not mounted on the receiving unit (111) if the first light intensity exceeds the second light intensity and the first difference value and the second difference value are less than the preset second threshold value (TH2), and can determine (S108) that the infusion tube (200) is mounted on the receiving unit (111) but no infusion is present in the infusion tube (200), and when the first light intensity is lower than or equal to the second light intensity, the infusion tube (200) is mounted on the receiving unit (111) and no infusion is present in the infusion tube (200). It can be judged as (S109).

[0078] In addition, when the opening / closing unit (112) is in a closed state (S103), the determination unit (150) can determine (S110) that the infusion tube (200) is mounted in the receiving unit (111) but no infusion is present in the infusion tube (200) if the first light intensity exceeds the second light intensity, and can determine (S111) that the infusion tube (200) is mounted in the receiving unit (111) and that infusion is present in the infusion tube (200) if the first light intensity is lower than or equal to the second light intensity.

[0079] In this regard, the judgment unit (140) may improve the accuracy of the judgment result by using an artificial intelligence model learned as learning data based on a plurality of light intensity measurement results regarding whether the opening / closing unit (112) is open / closed and the state of the infusion tube (200).

[0080] Specifically, as described above with reference to FIG. 6, the judgment unit (140) can judge whether the opening / closing unit (112) is open / closed and the state of the infusion tube (200) based on the light intensities of the plurality of light sources. However, if the difference between the values ​​to be compared is less than a threshold level (i.e., the two values ​​to be compared are similar to each other) for at least one of the comparison results between the respective light intensities of the plurality of light sources or the comparison results with the first threshold value and the second threshold value, or if the light intensities of the plurality of light sources exceed a preset error range within a preset time range, and thus the light intensities of the plurality of light sources are measured to have a possibility of affecting a decrease in the accuracy of the judgment result of the judgment unit (140), the judgment result according to the process as illustrated in FIG. 6 can be further supplemented using an artificial intelligence model in order to improve the accuracy of the judgment result regarding whether the opening / closing unit (112) is open / closed and the state of the infusion tube (200).

[0081] An artificial intelligence model according to one embodiment of the present invention is learned by using a plurality of light intensity measurement results for whether the opening / closing part (112) is open / closed and the state of the infusion tube (200) as learning data, and may be configured to input a first judgment result, which is a judgment result according to a process as shown in FIG. 6 (a comparison result between the respective light intensities of the plurality of light sources and a comparison result between the difference between the light intensities and the first threshold value and the second threshold value set in advance), and output at least one of evaluation information for the first judgment result and a second judgment result in which at least a portion of the first judgment result is modified.

[0082] In addition, the AI ​​model can automatically update its performance by continuously learning and repeating the learning based on the brightness and first judgment results for multiple light sources that are repeatedly input.

[0083] Such artificial intelligence models may include, for example, deep learning models, machine learning (machine learning) models, neural network models (artificial neural network models), neuro-fuzzy models, etc. As artificial intelligence models considered in this application, various neural network models for machine learning that are already known in the past or will be developed in the future, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), and deep neural networks, can be applied.

[0084] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a graph showing waveform changes depending on whether a motor is in operation according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 (a) is a graph showing waveform changes before / after motor operation for the first and second light intensities, and Fig. 7 (b) is a graph showing waveform changes before / after motor operation for the third light intensities.

[0085] Referring to (a) of Fig. 7, it can be confirmed that there are changes in the signal waveforms of the first and second light intensities before (about 31 seconds before) and after (about 31 seconds after) the motor is operated. On the other hand, referring to (b) of Fig. 7, it can be confirmed that there are no significant changes in the signal waveforms of the third light intensities before (about 31 seconds before) and after (about 31 seconds after) the motor is operated. Accordingly, the determination unit (140) can determine whether the motor is operated by monitoring the waveform changes for the first and second light intensities.

[0086] Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a graph showing waveform changes depending on the presence or absence of occlusion according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Fig. 8 (a) is a graph showing changes in signal waveforms for a first light intensity, Fig. 8 (b) is a graph showing changes in signal waveforms for a second light intensity, and Fig. 8 (c) is a graph showing changes in signal waveforms for a third light intensity.

[0087] Referring to Fig. 8, it can be confirmed that the offset of the signal increases when the first, second, and third light intensities are all in a blocked state, i.e., an occluded state, of the infusion tube (200), and then, when the blocked infusion tube (200) is unclogged, the offset of the signal decreases again. Accordingly, the judgment unit (140) can determine whether the infusion tube (200) is blocked by monitoring the change in the offset of the first, second, and third light intensities.

[0088] Figure 9 is a drawing showing an example of a graph showing a waveform change depending on whether bubbles are generated according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 9, when bubbles are generated in the fluid inside the infusion tube (200) between about 12 seconds and about 18 seconds and are measured by the measuring unit (130), it can be confirmed that changes in the signal waveforms occur in the first, second, and third light intensities, although the form and degree of change are different. Accordingly, the judgment unit (140) can determine whether bubbles are generated inside the infusion tube (200) by monitoring changes in the signal waveforms of the first, second, and third light intensities.

[0090] In other words, as described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9, the judgment unit (140) may be capable of judging whether the opening / closing unit (112) is open / closed, whether the infusion tube (200) is mounted, whether there is infusion fluid in the infusion tube (200), whether the motor is operating, whether there is occlusion, and whether there is bubble generation, using only the results of light intensity measurement through a single light sensor for multiple light sources.

[0091] That is, the device (100) for judging the state of the infusion tube according to one embodiment of the present invention can have the advantage of being able to judge various states with a simple structure and efficient cost compared to conventional technologies by judging whether the opening / closing part (112) is open / closed, whether the infusion tube (200) is mounted, whether there is infusion in the infusion tube (200), whether the motor is operating, whether there is blockage, and whether there is bubble generation, etc., using only a single light sensor and a plurality of light sources having different wavelengths.

[0092] Below, we will briefly review the operating flow of the present invention based on the detailed description above.

[0093] Figure 10 is a flowchart of an operation for a method for determining the status of a sap tube according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] The method for judging the status of the IV tube illustrated in FIG. 10 can be performed by the IV tube status judging device (100) described above. Therefore, even if the content is omitted below, the content described for the IV tube status judging device (100) can be equally applied to the description of the method for judging the status of the IV tube.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 10, in step S11, the measuring unit (130) can measure the intensity of a plurality of lights output from a plurality of light sources that output light of different wavelengths. At this time, the plurality of light sources are arranged in the receiving unit (111) and may include a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source that output light of different wavelengths. At this time, the first light source may be a light source that outputs an infrared wavelength, the second light source may be a light source that outputs a wavelength of 635 nm or more and less than 700 nm, and the third light source may be a light source that outputs a wavelength of 520 nm or more and less than 560 nm.

[0096] In other words, in step S11, the measuring unit (130) may measure the first luminous intensity, which is the intensity of light output from the first light source, the second luminous intensity, which is the intensity of light output from the second light source, and the third luminous intensity, which is the intensity of light output from the third light source.

[0097] Next, in step S12, the judgment unit (140) can determine whether the opening / closing unit (112) that opens / closes the receiving unit (111) in which the receiving tube (200) is mounted is open / closed and the state of the receiving tube (200) based on the intensities of the measured plurality of lights.

[0098] Specifically, in step S12, the judgment unit (140) obtains a first difference value, which is a difference value between the first luminosity and the third luminosity, and a second difference value, which is a difference value between the second luminosity and the third luminosity, and can determine whether the opening / closing unit (112) is open / closed based on a comparison result between the first difference value and a preset first threshold value and a comparison result between the second difference value and a preset first threshold value.

[0099] More specifically, in step S12, the judgment unit (140) may determine that the opening / closing unit (112) is in an open state if the first difference value and the second difference value are less than the first threshold value, and may determine that the opening / closing unit (112) is in a closed state if the first difference value and the second difference value exceed the preset first threshold value.

[0100] In addition, in step S12, the judgment unit (140) obtains a first difference value, which is a difference value between the first luminosity and the third luminosity, and a second difference value, which is a difference value between the second luminosity and the third luminosity, and can judge the state of the IV tube (200) of the IV tube based on the comparison result between the first luminosity and the second luminosity, the comparison result between the first difference value and the preset second threshold value, and the comparison result between the second difference value and the preset second threshold value.

[0101] More specifically, the status of the IV tube may include whether the IV tube (200) is mounted on the receiving portion (111) and whether there is IV fluid in the IV tube (200). In step S12, the determination portion (140) may determine that the IV tube (200) is mounted on the receiving portion (111) and that there is IV fluid in the IV tube (200) if the first light intensity is lower than or equal to the second light intensity.

[0102] In addition, in step S12, the judgment unit (140) may determine that the infusion tube (200) is mounted in the receiving unit (111) and that there is no infusion fluid in the infusion tube (200) if the first light intensity exceeds the second light intensity and the first difference value and the second difference value are greater than or equal to the preset second threshold value.

[0103] In addition, in step S12, the judgment unit (140) may determine that the sap tube (200) is not mounted in the receiving unit (111) if the first light intensity exceeds the second light intensity and the first difference value and the second difference value are less than the preset second threshold value.

[0104] In the above description, steps S11 and S12 may be further divided into additional steps or combined into fewer steps, depending on the implementation example of the present invention. Furthermore, some steps may be omitted as needed, and the order of the steps may be changed.

[0105] A method for determining the status of an IV tube according to one embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in the form of program commands that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program commands, data files, data structures, etc., either singly or in combination. The program commands recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and configured for the present invention or may be those known to and usable by those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program commands such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memories. Examples of program commands include not only machine language codes generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. The above hardware devices may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

[0106] Additionally, the aforementioned method for judging the status of the infusion tube can also be implemented in the form of a computer program or application executed by a computer stored in a recording medium.

[0107] The above description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention can be readily modified into other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single entity may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined manner.

[0108] The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. In the device for judging the status of the sap tube, A main body including a receiving portion in which a sap tube is mounted and an opening / closing portion for opening and closing the receiving portion; A light source unit including a plurality of light sources arranged in the above-mentioned receiving portion and outputting light of different wavelengths; A measuring unit for measuring the intensity of a plurality of lights respectively output from the plurality of light sources; and A judgment unit that judges whether the opening / closing part is open or closed and the state of the infusion tube of the infusion tube based on the measured intensities of the plurality of light, A device for judging the status of a sap tube, including:

2. In paragraph 1, The above plurality of light sources include a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source, The above-mentioned measuring unit is a device for determining the state of a sap tube, wherein the above-mentioned measuring unit measures a first light intensity which is the intensity of light output from the first light source, a second light intensity which is the intensity of light output from the second light source, and a third light intensity which is the intensity of light output from the third light source.

3. In paragraph 2, The above judgment unit obtains a first difference value which is a difference value between the first luminosity and the third luminosity and a second difference value which is a difference value between the second luminosity and the third luminosity, and determines whether the open / close unit is open or closed based on a comparison result between the first difference value and a preset first threshold value and a comparison result between the second difference value and the preset first threshold value. The device for judging the state of the infusion tube.

4. In paragraph 3, The above judgment unit determines that the opening / closing unit is in an open state if the first difference value and the second difference value are less than the first threshold value, and determines that the opening / closing unit is in a closed state if the first difference value and the second difference value are equal to or greater than the preset first threshold value. The device for judging the state of the infusion tube.

5. In paragraph 2, The above judgment unit obtains a first difference value which is a difference value between the first luminosity and the third luminosity and a second difference value which is a difference value between the second luminosity and the third luminosity, and determines the state of the infusion tube based on a comparison result between the first luminosity and the second luminosity, a comparison result between the first difference value and a preset second threshold value, and a comparison result between the second difference value and the preset second threshold value. The device for judging the state of the infusion tube.

6. In paragraph 5, A device for determining the status of an infusion tube, wherein the above-mentioned status of the infusion tube includes whether the infusion tube is mounted in the receiving portion and whether there is infusion inside the infusion tube.

7. In paragraph 6, The above judgment unit is a device for judging the state of an infusion tube, wherein, if the first light intensity is lower than or equal to the second light intensity, it is judged that the infusion tube is mounted in the receiving unit and that there is infusion inside the infusion tube.

8. In paragraph 6, The above judgment unit is a device for judging the state of an infusion tube, wherein, if the first light intensity exceeds the second light intensity and the first difference value and the second difference value are equal to or greater than a preset second threshold value, the device determines that the infusion tube is mounted in the receiving unit and that there is no infusion inside the infusion tube.

9. In paragraph 6, The above judgment unit is a device for judging the state of an infusion tube, wherein if the first light intensity exceeds the second light intensity and the first difference value and the second difference value are less than a preset second threshold value, the device determines that the infusion tube is not mounted in the receiving unit.

10. In paragraph 2, The above first light source is a light source that outputs infrared wavelengths, The above second light source is a light source that outputs a wavelength of 635 nm or more and less than 700 nm, The above third light source is a device for judging the status of a sap tube, which is a light source that outputs a wavelength of 520 nm or more and less than 560 nm.

11. In the method of judging the status of the sap tube, A step of measuring the intensity of a plurality of lights each output from a plurality of light sources that output light of different wavelengths; and A step of determining whether the opening / closing part that opens / closes the receiving portion in which the infusion tube is mounted is open / closed and the infusion tube state of the infusion tube based on the measured intensity of the plurality of light, A method for determining the status of a sap tube, comprising:

12. In paragraph 11, The above plurality of light sources include a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source, A method for determining the state of a sap tube, wherein the measuring step comprises measuring a first light intensity which is the intensity of light output from the first light source, a second light intensity which is the intensity of light output from the second light source, and a third light intensity which is the intensity of light output from the third light source.

13. In paragraph 12, The above-mentioned judging step obtains a first difference value which is a difference value between the first luminosity and the third luminosity and a second difference value which is a difference value between the second luminosity and the third luminosity, and determines whether the opening / closing part is open or closed based on a comparison result between the first difference value and a preset first threshold value and a comparison result between the second difference value and the preset first threshold value. A method for judging the state of an infusion tube.

14. In paragraph 12, The above-mentioned judging step obtains a first difference value which is a difference value between the first luminosity and the third luminosity and a second difference value which is a difference value between the second luminosity and the third luminosity, and determines the state of the infusion tube based on a comparison result between the first luminosity and the second luminosity, a comparison result between the first difference value and a preset second threshold value, and a comparison result between the second difference value and the preset second threshold value. A method for judging the state of an infusion tube.

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