Electronics > Beginners
What is this(drip?) transducer?
(1/1)
soldar:
I found in the trash, near a clinic, these two identical transducers. They have connections for a tube and an electrical connection with four conductors. They look like they have some kind of optical detector.

I suspect the most likely use is they detect drops as they fall OR they might detect liquid level in the chamber. Maybe those serum bags you see in movies.

If you search Google images for serum drip transducer you can find similar-looking things.

Before I tear into them and destroy them I wonder if anyone is familiar with them and what kind of electrical circuit they might have. I wonder if the optical transducer can be put to any useful use. Maybe a drip watering system for delicate plants :)
Gyro:
I think it is an optical liquid presence detector. The presence or absence of liquid in the tube is going to change its refractive index, there's no space in there for anything to drip.

The term 'drip' is a generic term for IV bad infusion systems. The actual drip chamber is much bigger, having space for a small volume of fluid and the pipe where the drips emerge from at the top. My best guess is that it is used as a 'bag empty' sensor (end of infusion alarm).

EDIT: Looking closer, there does look to be a very small nozzle in the RH end of the left hand unit in your photo - this might just possibly cause a drip if maintained vertical (not sure how practical that would be in practice).
soldar:
I think it is inserted in the vertical hanging tube and it probably detects level in the chamber where the liquid drips. The question is how is the best way tp test the contacts. I assume two are for power and two for signal. What is the best way to approach an investogate? 
Rerouter:
starting point would be diode check, most chips ESD diodes mean there is going to be a diode drop between each supply and the output. so whichever pair has 2 drops is likely the supply connections.
soldar:
I did a quick resistance measurement but it does not tell me anything obvious.

At the same time I observe that, even though it is a proprietary connector, it has four wires with the standard USB colors and I see a tiny IC inside. What are the chances that it is USB? I do not want to risk connecting it to a computer USB port. Is there some non-risky way to test? Other ideas?


Navigation
Message Index
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...

Go to full version
Powered by SMFPacks Advanced Attachments Uploader Mod