Pneumatic actuator for bolus generation in a fluid handling circuit

Abstract

The invention described herein includes a pneumatic actuator for bolus generation in a fluid handling circuit and a pneumatic actuator for bolus generation in a fluid handling circuit wherein the pneumatic actuator is used to insert an air pocket into the fluid stream to create the bolus. Further, The invention described herein includes a pneumatic fluid handling circuit including a pneumatic actuator for bolus generation including a pneumatic fluid handling circuit including a pneumatic actuator for bolus generation wherein the pneumatic actuator is used to insert an air pocket into the fluid stream to create the bolus.

1 . A pneumatic actuator for bolus generation in a fluid handling circuit, said pneumatic actuator comprising: 
 a channel including said fluid;    a controller;    a pressure generator connected to said controller; and    an isolator for isolating said pressure generator from said channel.    
   
   
       2 . A pneumatic actuator for bolus generation according to  claim 1  wherein said pressure generator further comprises: 
 a gas pocket connected to said channel through said isolator; and    a heater controlled by said controller and adapted to heat gas in said gas pocket.    
   
   
       3 . A pneumatic actuator for bolus generation according to  claim 3  wherein said pressure generator comprises a vent adapted to vent gas from said gas pocket.  
   
   
       4 . A pneumatic actuator for bolus generation according to  claim 2  wherein said pressure generator comprises: 
 a gas pocket connected to said channel by said isolator;    a flexible bladder connected to said gas pocket; and    a plunger connected to said flexible bladder, said plunger being controlled by said controller.    
   
   
       5 . A pneumatic actuator for bolus generation according to  claim 4  wherein said pressure generator comprises a vent adapted to vent gas from said gas pocket.  
   
   
       6 . A pneumatic actuator for bolus generation according to  claim 5  wherein said isolator comprises a hydrophobic patch.  
   
   
       7 . A pneumatic fluid handling circuit including a pneumatic actuator for bolus generation, said pneumatic fluid handling circuit comprising: 
 a channel including said fluid;    a fill detector positioned in said channel;    a pneumatic actuator connected to said channel upstream from said fill detector;    a controller connected between said fill detector and said pneumatic actuator;    a vent connected to said channel at a predetermined distance downstream from said fill detector; and    an analyte sensor positioned in said channel downstream from said vent.    
   
   
       8 . A pneumatic fluid handling circuit according to  claim 7  wherein said pneumatic actuator comprises: 
 a channel including said fluid;    a controller;    a pressure generator connected to said controller; and    an isolator for isolating said pressure generator from said channel.    
   
   
       9 . A pneumatic fluid handling circuit according to  claim 8  wherein said pressure generator comprises: 
 a gas pocket connected to said channel through said isolator; and    a heater controlled by said controller and adapted to heat gas in said gas pocket.    
   
   
       10 . A pneumatic fluid handling circuit according to  claim 9  wherein said pressure generator further comprises a vent adapted to vent gas from said gas pocket.  
   
   
       11 . A pneumatic fluid handling circuit according to  claim 8  wherein said pressure generator comprises: 
 a gas pocket connected to said channel by said isolator;    a flexible bladder connected to said gas pocket; and    a plunger connected to said flexible bladder, said plunger being controlled by said controller.