Monitoring Flow of 100 ML fluid at a a time.

[AD6KA]

Well this is not a ham radio project, but I figured, heh, there are
some really clever dudes on this Forum.

OK, one of the regular medical things I have to do for my 16 year old
Abyssinian Cat is give him 100 ml of subcutaneous fluids. This is just a small amount of saline type "IV" fluids under the "Scruff Of the Neck" every other day.

So what's the problem??  Well to get a good fast flow so he doesn't fuss, I hang the "IV Bag-1 litre to start), on the top of the bathroom door, then I have be with him on the floor taking the fluids keeping him calm.
The Problem is
I cannot see to the top (or even middle) of the bag to see when the 100 ml "hash lines" have been passed. 

I was wondering about some kind photo transistors or motion activated modules or IR transistors/modules.. All they would need to do is give an "Beep" when that bags fluid level had been drained down to.

Then again there is the problem of repeatability.  I  suppose building a "jig" with these sensors installed, and hang it every 10 days shouldn't be too bad.

I know some cat owners out there are saying "man up" and just hang the bag from a normal level 6 foot and give the fluids on the sink.  Yeah, OK tough guy. You do this for 13 years to a 7 pound cat, and the animal develops LOTS of scar tissue from hundreds of punctures....punctures that increase the pain of the IV every time.
I prefer a fast flow from a thin walled needle instead of torturing my animal every day

Thanks for in advance for any ideas, no matter now crazy sounding.
Hwy, with more and more cats owners actually giving subcutaneous
fluids for long term therapy some sort of electronic time might actually make some money....ya never know.

THNX AGN ES 73, KEN  AD6KA

[W5FYI]

Perhaps a scale with a BIG or remote display. 100 mL of saline solution would weigh about 100 grams, maybe a little more (premeasure 100 mL to make sure). Note the start weight and stop the IV when it's 100 g less. A bracket or basket could hold the scale and saline bag near the top of the door.

[KA4POL]

My approach would be also mostly mechanical for simplicity. Take a bar with a suspension in the middle. Now you need to calculate the good old lever rule. The liquid container on one side, a counter weight on the other which can be shifted to the equivalent weight in 100 ml steps. Now you can use a photo sensor to start the whistle when your scale is in balance.
You did not mention your homebrewing capabilities so here an easy solution for the electronics: http://astore.amazon.com/electronic-project-kit-20/detail/B00068U23Q

[TANAKASAN]

No sensors, no gauges, just buy a 100ml syringe from a medical supply shop and then build a pump around it. The easiest method would be to use a threaded rod and you don't even need a motor for this application as a ratchet and solenoid at one end will be enough. You can control flow rate using a 555.

Tanakasan (fellow cat person)

[KJ6AMF]

Get a wireless video baby monitor. B&W can be had for under $100, $150 or so for color. You might be able to get something cheaper if you hunt around on Craiglist.

Hang the bag on top shelf of a tall bookshelf with the camera pointing to it. Put a blank paper behind the bag with a color that maximizes the contrast. Keep the monitor on the floor next to your cat.

Sure it doesn't follow the ham spirit of homebrewing, but it sounds like you want a workable solution today.

[WB6BYU]

...My approach would be also mostly mechanical for simplicity. Take a bar with a suspension in the middle. Now you need to calculate the good old lever rule. The liquid container on one side, a counter weight on the other which can be shifted to the equivalent weight in 100 ml steps. Now you can use a photo sensor to start the whistle when your scale is in balance...

Or build a balance and adjust it, add a 100g (or so) weight to the bag, making that end hang lower.  When you've
drained 100g of saline from the bag, it will tip up.  You don't even need a photo cell to detect that - the mechanical
motion should be enough for you to see it, but you could add any sort if indicator if you want - such as a string
that hangs down to floor level and lifts a sign (or one on the other end that lowers, or a cat treat that falls off
the end when it tips.)

I'm presuming that +/- 10ml is close enough for this purpose - the accuracy will depend on the speed of delivery
and the sensitivity of the balance.

[KE4DRN]

hi,

how about using a syringe pump or IV pump for the 100cc dose?

may available used and your Vet should be
able to help you get one if they won't sell to you
directly.  many on Ebay.

if this is not an option, how about using one of those shaving type
magnifying mirrors on the wall so you can see the marks on the IV fluid bag?

73 james

[AD6KA]

Hey thanks for all the clever ideas, folks!

Tanaka, while a small IV pump or solenoid driven
100ml syringe sounds very clever, I would have to clean the tubing every couple litres or so.

While Ringer's Lactate is not exactly a strong "microbe-grow-out medium", I would still have to "clean the rig" more often. I think.
This way I can throw the "rig" (Venoset) away every 5-6, 1000ml bags.

I really like the idea of using the IR and IR Sensing boards,
built into a  permanent jig where all I have to do is Re-hang the bag every 9-10 days.  The poster who said delivery accuracy is NOT important very right on.

Thanks for ALL tips. To the fellow who suggested a "lookup and check the fluid level in a small mirror". VERY clever, but I have dizziness issues with that processs, tried that method unsuccessfully.

Get a partner to help? .Sigh.....I am only on my own with this because my XYL is recoverying from a massive CVA (stroke).
And we all know what kind of "in home help" the state hires.
$8/Hr Non English speaking "you want bath now?" help.
SERIOUSLY! That's al their good for..


Sri fer rant.
Thanks all great ideas. 73, Ken  AD6KA

[KG4LMZ]

How about you just mount a mirror at 45 degrees so you can see the fluid level in the bag?

[AC4RD]

There are programmable small-volume pumps just like you describe; check the web for "Harvard Apparatus" and you'll find them.  They are NOT cheap, though.