Patent attributes
A method of monitoring pressure inside a fluid line and a system for implementing the method. The method is applicable to syringe pump systems. The method includes the steps of measuring a force value caused by a pressure inside the fluid line; collecting the measured force values during at least two consecutive moving time windows; calculating a slope of a best-fit line within each time window; calculating a slope difference of the slopes of the best-fit lines; comparing the slope difference with a pre-determined threshold gradient value; defining a baseline force as the detected force value when the slope difference is equal to the threshold gradient value; determining a relative force value by subtracting the baseline force from the detected force value; and, triggering an alarm if the relative force is greater than a pre-defined threshold force.