Sep 23 2014
Morgan Advanced Materials is continuing to meet the unique demands of customers in the medical OEM sector, with the addition of a new capability enabling the accurate measurement of bubble size in fluid delivery tubes using its ultrasonic air-in-line (AIL) sensors.
The presence of bubbles of any size in tubes used to convey fluids into the blood supply can be highly damaging. However, in other non-critical fluid handling applications, bubbles of a certain size may not affect the operation of the system. This means that bubbles of a known size can be allowed to pass the bubble detector without generating a ‘dry’ signal. Once above a certain threshold - which can be chosen by the user - the sensor will then see the bubble as air, generating a ‘dry’ signal.
This new technology draws on Morgan’s extensive experience in ultrasonic transducers and uses a bespoke system of electronics that can be tuned to exact customer requirements. In medical applications, the tube diameter is not restricted, but the technology is currently available off the shelf for 2-7mm tubes. The new capability extends the versatility of Morgan’s AIL sensors and was initially developed in response to more exacting requirements being driven by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Oliver Ridd, Graduate Engineer at Morgan Advanced Materials, explained:
Many delivery systems on the market operate via a simple ‘go/ no go’ system meaning they are frequently being shut off if a bubble of any size is detected by the AIL sensor. However, in some applications, very small bubbles do not present a danger and there is no need for flow to be interrupted.
The threshold at which shut-off is needed can vary depending on the application. As well as detecting bubbles ranging from a few microlitres to several millimetres in size, our sensors are able to fulfil the requirement of detecting foam as air. The new capability has been evaluated with our line of standard sensors but will be available as part of any individual solution for new customers, and can be tuned specifically to their requirements.
For more information, please visit http://www.morgantechnicalceramics.com/airsensors.
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