What applications do liquid flow sensors have in medical devices?

Liquid flow sensor in medical

With the unprecedented attention to healthcare issues in our time, the fields of in vitro diagnostics, drug research, patient examination, drug delivery methods and inserted medical devices are constantly updated and repeated. 

Sensors, as the starting point of intelligent technology, are tasked with sensing the environment and collecting information to help people accomplish more accurate and efficient disease prevention treatment and health detection in the medical field. 

Flow sensors have been used in the medical field for a long time. From hospital bed oxygen supply, laminar tube oxygen supply to oxygen machine, ventilator, anesthesia and other medical equipment, are inseparable from the flow sensor support.

Classification of liquid flow sensors

Thermal flow sensors utilize the change in temperature of the fluid as it passes through the sensor to calculate the flow rate, thermal expansion flow meters are based on the principle of thermal expansion, and thermistor flow meters utilize the property of resistance to change with temperature.

Vibrating flow sensors calculate flow by measuring changes in the frequency or amplitude of vibrations in the fluid. Vibrating tube flow meters and vibrating fork flow meters are common types.

Vortex flow sensors utilize the change in vortex frequency or amplitude as the fluid passes through the vortex device to calculate the flow rate.

Electromagnetic flow sensors calculate flow by measuring the change in induced voltage in the fluid, electromagnetic flow meters are common types.

Ultrasonic flow sensors utilize the time difference of ultrasonic waves propagating through the fluid to calculate the flow rate, and ultrasonic flow meters are the common type.

Applications in syringe pumps

In syringe pumps, liquid flow sensors can be used to accurately control the flow of medication. For example, in the injection treatment of insulin for diabetic patients, by using liquid flow sensors, it is possible to ensure that the injected dose of insulin is accurate to 0.1 unit, thus better controlling the blood glucose level. 

At the same time, liquid flow sensors can also be used in other areas where precise control of liquid flow is required, such as medical, pharmaceutical and laboratory analysis.

Application in hemodialysis machine

It can monitor blood flow in real time to ensure the accuracy and safety of the dialysis process. By reading the data provided by the sensor, operators can timely adjust the speed and quality of dialysis fluid to achieve accurate dialysis results. The sensor can also detect indicators such as blood lipids, dehydration and electrolyte balance, providing doctors with important reference information to help them make treatment decisions. 

Such use cases have been widely applied in the clinic, improving the effectiveness and safety of hemodialysis. The technology has a positive impact on patients' quality of life and health status.

Applications in Surgical Instruments

During surgical procedures, the flow of flushing liquids needs to be precisely controlled. Liquid flow sensors can be connected to an infusion tube to measure the flow of liquid through the tube. The sensor converts the volume of liquid into an electrical signal and displays it on a screen. 

Based on the displayed data, healthcare professionals can adjust the speed of the irrigation fluid to ensure that the surgical site is adequately cleaned. In addition, the liquid flow sensor can monitor the amount of bleeding during the procedure to assess the effectiveness of the surgery.