Automated system for remotely monitoring fluid flow rates and corresponding method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automated system (100) for remotely monitoring fluid flow rates, comprising a fluid source (120), one or more flow rate sensors (110) connected to one or more respective outlets of each fluid source (120) and arranged to read the flow rate from the respective outlet, at least one input interface (140) for entering operating parameters of at least one corresponding flow rate sensor (110), at least one display interface (150) for displaying operating parameters and operational variables of the system (100), and a processing platform (130) for processing the operating parameters and obtaining operational variables, so that said processing platform (130) is connected to the outputs of the flow rate sensors (110) and / or to the at least one input interface (140) and / or to the at least one display interface (150).

Description

[0001]

[0002] AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR REMOTE MONITORING OF FLUID FLOWS AND CORRESPONDING METHOD

[0003] Technical sector

[0004] The present invention relates to the technical sector of control and regulation of fluid supplies (liquids, gases, etc.) in circuits in which it is necessary to control parameters such as the flow rate of said fluids, the total supply time required for a set objective, the time or volume of fluid remaining until reaching a safety operating limit and other operating parameters or thresholds in the industrial, health, technical or scientific field.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] The control, monitoring and regulation of fluid flows is applied in multiple sectors such as healthcare (in hospitals and similar facilities for the supply of oxygen, nitrous oxide, CO2 or helium, for example), food processing or the production of certain beverages (nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon, hydrogen, etc., all of them food grade), welding or cutting of metals (oxygen as an agent to facilitate combustion or combined with acetylene), pneumatic lubrication in railway systems, laboratory gases in research and development, etc.

[0007] Specifically, so-called medicinal gases are widely used in various healthcare procedures, including preventive, regenerative, and surgical procedures. In this regard, one of the most commonly used gases is oxygen, used to treat patients with respiratory problems or to improve outcomes during surgery and, for example, prevent hypoxia. In some of these applications (such as patients with respiratory problems), the timely and precise delivery of the gas in question allows for very little flexibility in terms of delivery times and quantities supplied, and real-time or near-real-time control is highly advisable, facilitating an immediate or very rapid response.In some cases, this response is enabled by the proximity of healthcare professionals to the monitored patient, for example, in the case of hospitals and clinics. However, this is not always the case, and in many situations, the affected user is located far from healthcare facilities, in their own home, with portable equipment that may be subject to deficiencies or breakdowns, or that simply requires timely maintenance and replacement of oxygen or any other medical gas.

[0008] In other areas, while the life of the user or professional may not be at imminent risk - due to poor control of gas or fluid flows -, it is true that other factors are affected, such as the safety of people (for example, in the railway sector), production or maintenance costs (in the aforementioned industrial sectors and due to the need to interrupt the chain or operation of the specific system to replace the corresponding fluid in each case), project completion deadlines in laboratories and in the scientific sector in general (in research plans in which a cut in the corresponding fluid / gas, or its supply in inadequate quantities, can cause, for example, a restart of the entire process with the consequent loss of time and material), etc.

[0009] It would therefore be highly desirable to have a system (and corresponding method) that facilitates precise remote control of fluid delivery devices and equipment and enables real-time action - and in response to such remote control - by professionals, operators or even end users of such devices / equipment.

[0010] Explanation of the invention

[0011] Taking into account the technical situation described in the previous section and some of the advantages or improvements accepted in the sector, the present invention provides an automated system for remote monitoring of fluid flows. The system comprises one or several (usually more than one) fluid sources; these fluid sources provide a gas or liquid, or a mixture of gases or liquids, depending on the technical sector of application. A corresponding flow sensor can be connected to each of the outlets of said fluid sources, arranged to read the flow rate delivered by that specific source; the gases or liquids may be for medicinal or healthcare, technical, industrial, scientific, etc. purposes.The system will also comprise one or more input interfaces for entering operating parameters linked to one or more of the flow sensors; there may be one input interface for each individual sensor or one input interface for each of the sensors grouped into a functional unit based on their common characteristics or operation. These parameters may be entered by users in charge of the system, may be loaded from external devices, or may be permanently or semi-permanently fixed. The system also includes at least one display interface arranged to display the aforementioned operating parameters and system operating variables; the system operating variables are quantities obtained by processing the operating parameters in relation to the outputs of the flow sensors.The user or organization using the system may determine which operating parameters and operational variables are appropriate for the system to operate appropriately according to the specific characteristics of each specific application. The processing of the operating parameters and output values ​​from the flow sensors is carried out by means of a processing platform that may be connected to the outputs of said sensors, to the input interface(s), and to the visualization interface(s). These connections may be wired or wireless and may conform to any of the commonly used technical or industrial communication protocols or techniques. Both the input interfaces and the visualization interfaces are understood to comprise the processing means and connectors necessary to fulfill the described functionalities and which, moreover, are common and well-known in the art.

[0012] According to one feature of the system of the present invention, the outputs of the flow sensors can be connected to the input interfaces and to the visualization interfaces. That is, it is contemplated that the values ​​of said flow sensors are transmitted independently to the processing platform, for subsequent processing together with the operating parameters that will also arrive there independently, or that they first arrive at one of the input interfaces and then are transmitted together with the operating parameters (in a single communication stream) to the processing platform. Said flow sensors could also be connected directly to the visualization interfaces for the presentation of the corresponding output values, or the latter could arrive at the visualization interfaces from the centralized processing platform.

[0013] According to another characteristic of the system of the invention, the fluid source may be a circuit permanently installed in a factory, in a health facility or in maintenance workshops, for example, a fluid circuit that can be transported assembled or disassembled and that can be deployed in different locations, a reusable fluid cylinder or cylinder that can be refilled as its contents are consumed, a disposable fluid cylinder or cylinder, a fluid tank permanently installed at the location of use or a mobile fluid tank.

[0014] According to a further feature of the system of the invention, the input interface and the display interface may constitute a single device, that is, a single interface used for both functions, for example, a touch screen or a screen and a keyboard or the like.

[0015] According to another characteristic of the remote monitoring system of the invention, the fluid sources may be sources of medicinal fluids, preferably medicinal gases, which are applied to patients either in healthcare facilities, in outpatient centers, in residences or in the patient's own home. In addition, the system may comprise a pulse oximeter for each or some of the patients and the same may be connected to the processing platform and to the input and display interfaces, to communicate its output values ​​as operating parameters.

[0016] Depending on an additional feature of the system in relation to the one mentioned in the previous paragraph, the operating variables may include, in addition to those mentioned above, the oxygen saturation level, heart rate, O2 flow rate supplied, and the battery level of the pulse oximeter.

[0017] The invention also relates to a method for remotely monitoring fluid flows. The method is applied to flow sensors connected to corresponding fluid sources and is carried out by means of a processing platform (which includes appropriate means for processing, memory, and signal transmission / reception) and input and display interfaces. In a prior step, the desired operating parameters for the flow sensors are entered; these parameters can be entered manually with an input interface, by means of some storage or communication medium or support, or they can be retrieved from a memory internal or external to the processing platform itself. In addition, said operating parameters include thresholds and operating value ranges, i.e., values ​​that establish an upper or lower limit or ranges of values ​​that must be controlled or monitored.Flow sensor output readings are then taken; these readings can be continuous, in analog mode, or can be triggered periodically, at intervals predetermined by a user or at specific times upon request. Optionally, and in parallel with the sensor output readings, flow sensor battery level readings can be obtained, if the sensors are powered by such a power supply. The flow rate and battery level readings, along with the entered or stored operating parameters, are then processed to obtain corresponding operating variables; the purpose is to calculate operating variables that are useful for monitoring the proper functioning of the fluid supply. These variables are displayed for possible supervision by operators or professionals in charge of the system.The system also issues warnings (in acoustic or visual format or a combination of both options) of critical operating states when the values ​​of the operating variables obtained exceed the pre-set operating thresholds (either upward or downward, as the case may be) or when these values ​​are outside / within the also pre-set operating value ranges.

[0018] According to a characteristic of the method of the invention, the steps in which the operating variables are displayed and critical operating states are warned can occur in the same place where the flow sensors are located and in remote locations such that these variables and warnings are accessible to professionals located in said locations and with responsibilities and the ability to act on the operation of those sensors.

[0019] In accordance with another feature of the method of the invention, the critical operating states may include one or more of current volume of a fluid source less than a critical minimum volume, current flow rate less than a critical minimum flow rate, current flow rate greater than a critical maximum flow rate, current flow rate outside of a range of safe flow rate values, current battery level of a flow sensor less than its critical battery level.

[0020] According to a further feature of the invention, the fluid sources may be sources of medicinal fluids (preferably medicinal gases) that are administered to patients in healthcare facilities, in nursing homes, or at home. In this case, the method further comprises a step of reading vital signs and another step of processing said vital signs together with the operating parameters and flow rate readings. The vital signs may be read periodically, at predetermined intervals, or at specific times at the user's request. These vital signs may preferably include the following parameters: blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature.

[0021] In the case of the method applied to patients, the operating variables may specifically include the current battery level of a pulse oximeter that may be applied to one or more of the patients. In this case, the operating parameters may include a critical battery level of a corresponding pulse oximeter, and then the critical operating states may include the current battery level of a pulse oximeter being lower than its corresponding critical battery level.

[0022] In both the system and the method described in the preceding paragraphs, the following operating parameters are provided, in addition to those already stated in said paragraphs: initial fluid volume in a fluid source, critical minimum volume in a fluid source, critical minimum flow rate measured by a flow sensor, critical maximum flow rate measured by a flow sensor, range of safe flow values ​​(i.e. ranges of values ​​that are considered safe for proper operation of the system and to not adversely affect products, devices, machinery or people to which the corresponding fluids are applied), critical battery level of a flow sensor (battery level that is considered too low and could cause problems in the system or method).In the same sense as the previous paragraph, the following operating variables are contemplated for the system and for the method of the invention, without prejudice to those mentioned above: remaining volume in a fluid source, remaining fluid supply time, current battery level of a flow sensor.

[0023] Brief description of the drawings

[0024] In order to complement this description and to facilitate the understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the following figures are attached in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

[0025] Figure 1 shows a general block diagram of an automated system for remote monitoring of fluid flows according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the system disclosed in the present invention.

[0027] Detailed description of the invention

[0028] In the following, with reference to the drawings, a detailed description will be given of some preferred embodiments of the invention for monitoring fluid flow rates generally set forth in the preceding sections.

[0029] A block diagram of the automated system (100) of the present invention can be seen in Figure 1. In said figure, for illustrative purposes, various flow monitoring locations are shown on the left side represented with a corresponding fluid source (120). All sources (120) have the same distinctive reference numeral, that is, 120, since they identify the same element in terms of functionality within the diagram and, in order to indicate possible individual differences that do not affect the essence set forth in the claims, secondary distinctive characters such as F1, F2, ... Fn have been used. The same can be applied to the rest of the elements of the block diagram, for example, S11 to S1m, S21 to S2p or Sn1 to Snq for flow sensors that have been assigned the reference numeral 110.

[0030] Continuing with the description of Figure 1, in the location corresponding to the source (120) of fluid F1, various flow sensors (110) S11 to S1 m have also been illustrated. In said location there could be more sources (120) of fluid or, for example, the source (120) F1 and the source (120) F2 could be in the same location. The term "location" is intended to refer to the same installation or industrial, sanitary, scientific, etc. space, and that includes one or more sources (120) of fluid monitored with the automated system (100). Likewise, one or several flow sensors (110) can be connected to each source (120) of fluid depending on the configuration of each location.For example, in a hospital there could be one or several sources (120) with a single respective flow sensor (110) connected to each of them (in the case of individual oxygen cylinders or tanks for example) and another or other sources (120) to which a respective plurality of flow sensors (110) had been connected (in the case that these sources (120) represented tanks or circuits installed with different intakes to reach patient vapors simultaneously).

[0031] The flow sensors (110) are reading, continuously, at intervals or on demand from a user, the flow rate delivered through the outlet of the fluid source (120) to which they are connected; the solid arrows indicate the direction of those flow rates. At the location corresponding to each fluid source (120), there is also at least one input interface (140) and at least one display interface (150). The input interface (140) is arranged to accept operating parameters of the system in relation to the operation of the sensors (110).At a single location with one or more fluid sources (120) there could be one or more input interfaces (140) and each of these input interfaces (140) could be arranged to receive operating parameters from a respective fluid source (120), from a group of sources (120) (previously delimited by a person in charge of that location based on specific needs) or from all the fluid sources (120) operating at that location.The term "operating parameter" as used throughout this specification is intended to mean parameters such as an initial or nominal fluid volume in each source (120), a start time for fluid delivery from a source (120) to a corresponding sensor (110), a maximum flow rate value that the system (100) should not reach or above which the system (100) should provide a warning when the instantaneous flow rate detected by the corresponding sensor (110) approaches that value, a minimum flow rate value, intervals of flow rate or time values ​​useful for controlling flow delivery from a respective sensor (110), a minimum battery level of a sensor (100) below which the instantaneous operating level should not drop, and other similar values.It can also be considered, in a general way, as an input operating parameter of the system (100), the reading of the instantaneous flow of each of the sensors (110) or of other devices for reading magnitudes associated with the environment of that sensor (110) (as will be seen later, for example, in relation to possible pulse oximeters (160) in a hospital environment).

[0032] At each location of one or more fluid sources (120), at least one display interface (150) is also shown for the visual presentation of the operating parameters described in previous paragraphs and of other variables or values ​​that will be described later. As in the case of the input interface (140), there could be an interface (150) for an individual fluid source (120), for a group (120) of sources or for all the sources (120) at that location. In some specific cases, the operation of various flow sensors (110) that are connected to sources (120) in different locations, even those significantly distant in space, could also be controlled or monitored (for example, in several hospitals in the same health network, in order to have a centralized view and a record of any incident, without prejudice to the fact that there were also one or more interfaces (140, 150) in each of those hospitals).The other values ​​that can be displayed on the visualization interfaces (150), in addition to the aforementioned operating parameters, may be the so-called operating variables here. With this expression we refer to all the values ​​or magnitudes that are obtained from the operating parameters introduced into the system (100) and which are carried out through a processing platform (130). These operating variables, in the same way as with the operating parameters, can be defined for each specific application case and may include values ​​such as the volume remaining in each fluid source (120), the time remaining until the volume of a fluid source (120) is exhausted taking into account the flow rates subtracted from it or the remaining operating time of a flow sensor (110) according to its battery level.All these values ​​can be displayed in absolute or relative terms, for example, as percentages relative to an initial or total value.

[0033] Although in the figures shown, the interfaces (140, 150) have been represented in the form of two independent elements to also cover this possibility as expressed in the claims, in one of the preferred embodiments said interfaces (140, 150) will be integrated in a single device or module, for example with a single outer casing and its corresponding keyboards, screens, touch panels, speakers, lights, connection and wiring means, processing means and the like.

[0034] Furthermore, said interfaces (140, 150) may be more or less close to the exact position of the flow sensors (110) depending on each application case. For example, in a hospital, these interfaces (140, 150) may be outside the room in which each sensor (110) is located (hospital rooms with patients in them) at a counter or monitoring center managed by the corresponding professionals and at a convenient distance to be able to act promptly, in each case, according to the urgency determined by protocols. In a laboratory, in a research project where punctual and instantaneous control of said sources (120) must be exercised, the interfaces (140, 150) could be, for example, attached to the application points of the same.

[0035] The interfaces (140, 150) are also connected to the processing platform (130) as indicated in the figures (the connections to the platform (130) are indicated by dotted and dashed lines). In this way, they communicate the operating parameters and can receive the operating variables obtained by the platform (130). The interfaces (140, 150) could also be connected to the flow sensors (110) as appropriate, which is indicated by the dashed lines. The flow sensors (110) can communicate their output values ​​directly to the processing platform (130) and / or to the interfaces (140, 150); if they communicate them only to the interfaces (140, 150), then those read flow values ​​could be transmitted en bloc to the processing platform (130) from said interfaces (140, 150) together with the other operating parameters listed above.In the figures, for simplicity, all sensors (110) have been drawn side by side and with a single connection line for both the interfaces (140, 150) and the platform (130), but it is clear that each flow sensor (110) can have (and preferably will have) its own independent connection to the platform (130) and, where appropriate, to the interfaces (140, 150). Furthermore, it follows - from the examples described above in relation, more specifically, to a hospital environment - that the flow sensors (110) will not normally be in adjacency. The connections may be wired or wireless.

[0036] The processing platform (130) receives all the parameters entered through the input interfaces (140) and the values ​​read from the flow sensors (110), and processes them to obtain operational variables that are displayed on the visualization interfaces (150). For this purpose, this platform (130) includes processing and memory means adapted for such functions. Based on these parameters and variables, it can also issue warnings or alerts when any of these variables meet certain conditions in relation to thresholds or intervals included in the input parameters. These warnings are shown to the users in charge of monitoring through the visualization interfaces (150) in the form of acoustic, text, visual messages, etc.

[0037] Figure 2 shows a block diagram similar to that of Figure 1 but specifically aimed at an application in a healthcare facility. For this purpose, in the upper left part of the figure, patients connected to the outputs of the fluid sources (110) with the intermediation of a corresponding flow sensor (110) have been represented. The fluid supplied could be oxygen in respiratory failure units. The system (100) also includes pulse oximeters (160) that could be applied to one or more of the patients. The pulse oximeters (160) also communicate their output data (such as oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature) to the processing platform (130), and this data is admitted as operating parameters for obtaining the operating variables and warnings mentioned above.Likewise, the pulse oximeters (160) could be connected directly to the interfaces (140, 150) which is not shown with lines in the figures so as not to hinder the interpretation of the different elements.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Automated system (100) for remote monitoring of fluid flows, comprising at least one fluid source (120), one or more flow sensors (110) connected to one or more respective outputs of each fluid source (120) arranged to read the flow rate of the respective output, at least one input interface (140) for entering operating parameters of a corresponding flow sensor or group of sensors (110), at least one interface (150) for displaying operating parameters and operating variables of the system (100), and a processing platform (130) arranged to process the operating parameters and consequently obtain operating variables, such that said processing platform (130) is connected to the outputs of the flow sensors (110) and / or to the at least one input interface (140) and / or to the at least one display interface (150).

2. Automated system (100) for remote monitoring of fluid flows according to claim 1, wherein the output of at least one of the flow sensors (110) is connected to at least one corresponding input interface (140) and / or to at least one corresponding display interface (150).

3. Automated system (100) for remote monitoring of fluid flows according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the source or sources (120) of fluid comprise at least one of: a permanently installed fluid circuit, a temporarily deployed fluid circuit, one or more refillable and reusable fluid cylinders or bullets, one or more disposable fluid cylinders or bullets, a fixed fluid tank, a transportable fluid tank.

4. Automated system (100) for remote monitoring of fluid flows according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the operating parameters of the flow sensors (110) comprise at least one of: initial fluid volume in the fluid source (120), critical minimum volume in the fluid source (120), critical minimum flow rate, critical maximum flow rate, range of safe flow values, critical battery level of a flow sensor (110).

5. Automated system (100) for remote monitoring of fluid flows according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the operating variables of the system (100) comprise at least one of: volume remaining in the fluid source (120), time remaining in fluid delivery, current battery level of the flow sensor (110).

6. Automated system (100) for remote monitoring of fluid flows according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one input interface (140) and the at least one display interface (150) are the same system interface.

7. Automated system (100) for remote monitoring of fluid flows according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid sources (120) comprise sources (120) of medicinal fluids applicable to corresponding patients and further comprising at least one pulse oximeter (160) applicable to a respective patient, each of the pulse oximeters (160) being connected to the processing platform (130) and / or to the at least one input interface (140) and / or to the at least one visualization interface (150).

8. Automated system (100) for remote monitoring of fluid flow rates according to the preceding claim, wherein the medicinal fluids comprise medicinal gases.

9. Automated system (100) for remote monitoring of fluid flows according to any of claims 7 and 8, wherein the operating variables of the system (100) further comprise at least one of: SpÜ2 oxygen saturation level, heart rate, O2 flow supplied, battery level of the pulse oximeter (160).

10. Method for remote monitoring of fluid flows, applied to at least one flow sensor connected to one or more corresponding fluid sources, and implemented by means of a processing platform, at least one input interface and at least one output interface, comprising: - previously, by means of an input interface, enter operating parameters corresponding to at least one of the flow sensors, where said operating parameters comprise thresholds and / or intervals of operational values; - read the flow rate corresponding to at least one flow sensor continuously and / or periodically and / or at pre-set intervals and / or at the request of a human user; - optionally, read the current battery level of each flow sensor; - process the reading of the flow rates and, where applicable, the battery levels of the flow sensors, in relation to the operating parameters that have been entered previously; - display operational output variables corresponding to the processing of the flow rates read in relation to the entered parameters; - warn of critical operating conditions or states if any of the operating variables cross a corresponding operating threshold and / or fall outside / within a corresponding operating value range.

11. Method for remote monitoring of fluid flows according to claim 10, wherein the stage of displaying output operating variables and / or the stage of warning of critical operating states is / are carried out at the location of the corresponding flow sensor(s) and / or at the location of professionals in charge of said sensor(s).

12. A method for remote monitoring of fluid flow rates according to any of claims 10 and 11, wherein the operating parameters of the flow sensors comprise at least one of: initial fluid volume in the fluid source, critical minimum volume in the fluid source, critical minimum flow rate, critical maximum flow rate, range of safe flow values, critical battery level of a flow sensor.

13. A method of remote fluid flow monitoring according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the output operating variables comprise at least one of: volume remaining in the fluid source, time remaining in fluid delivery, current battery level of the flow sensor.

14. Method of remote monitoring of fluid flow rates according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the critical operating states comprise at least one of: current volume less than minimum critical volume, current flow rate less than critical minimum flow rate, current flow rate greater than critical maximum flow rate, current flow rate outside safe flow rate range, current battery level of a flow sensor less than its critical battery level.

15. A method for remote monitoring of fluid flow rates according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the fluid sources comprise sources of medicinal fluids applied to corresponding patients and comprising the additional steps of reading vital signs of the patients periodically and / or at predetermined intervals and / or upon request of a human user and processing said vital signs together with the operating parameters and the flow rate readings to obtain the operating variables.

16. Method for remote monitoring of fluid flow rates according to the preceding claim, wherein the vital signs comprise at least one of: blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and body temperature.

17. A method of remote fluid flow monitoring according to any of claims 15 and 16, wherein the operating variables comprise the current battery level of a pulse oximeter used to read, among other values, the oxygen saturation of a corresponding patient.

18. A method of remote fluid flow monitoring according to claim 17, wherein the operating parameters comprise a critical battery level of a corresponding pulse oximeter.

19. The method of remote fluid flow monitoring according to claim 18, wherein the critical operating states comprise: current battery level of a pulse oximeter being lower than its corresponding critical battery level.

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