Abstract
This paper proposes a differential structure sensor for detecting Ringer's solution exhaustion, in which three C-type electrodes of 10 mm width are disposed on a ringer hose at a distance of 5 mm each other in the direction of Ringer's solution flow. In the center of middle electrode, two capacitances are formed at the proposed sensor. When ringer hose is filled with Ringer's solution, there is no difference between two capacitances. But capacitance difference exist under the Ringer's solution shortage, because the shortage causes the hose filled with air from the top position electrode. The capacitance difference got to maximum 1.81 pF, when air was filled between top and middle electrode and the last of hose was filled with 10 % dextrose injection Ringer's solution. The capacitance difference varied with hose-wraparound coverage of electrodes as well as the width of them. For hose-wraparound electrode coverage of 90 % and 70 %, the maximum capacitance difference was 1.81 pF and 1.56 pF, respectively. A differential charge amplifier converted the capacitance difference to electric signal, and minimized electrodes' adhering problem and external noise coupling problem.