Intelligent infusion monitoring device

Abstract

The invention relates to an intelligent drip monitoring device which is fixed on one side of a drip body by utilizing a fixed carrier when in use, and a drip tube assembly of the intelligent drip monitoring device is placed in a drip tube accommodating groove, so that an image capturing device can continuously shoot drip images; the identification module calculates the volume and the flow velocity of the dropping liquid according to the dropping liquid outline and the dropping liquid position change of the dropping liquid image, and then the processing module accurately estimates the use-up time of the dropping liquid body, and then the communication module sends warning information to a nursing station at the use-up time or before the use-up time is up. Therefore, a nurse can use the remote control module to remotely control the valve control piece of the fixed carrier in time, air injection or blood return is avoided, the timer is used for recording the time spent on replacement of the drip body, and the performance evaluation module generates corresponding evaluation information to serve as one of the basis for performance assessment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application provides an intelligent infusion monitoring device that can accurately monitor the flow rate of the infusion, quickly close the infusion remotely, and provide performance evaluation data. BACKGROUND

[0002] Medical personnel perform intravenous injection on patients to achieve timed and quantitative supply of medicine, supplies, or blood to the body, which is a very convenient and common medical behavior. This method is commonly known as infusion. In order to avoid the condition of backflow and air entering the patient's blood after the injection is completed, the patient himself / herself, the nurse, family members, or caregivers need to pay attention to the residual condition of the injection liquid at all times. This not only causes great psychological burden on the patient's family members, but also greatly increases the workload of nursing personnel, especially in the case of severe staff shortage. As a result, nursing personnel are more likely to overlook the timely replacement of infusion due to their busy schedule. Although there are currently so-called infusion monitoring systems that can use weight sensors, liquid level sensors, or camera recognition of liquid level to determine when the injection liquid is used up and send corresponding warning messages.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned infusion monitoring system has the following problems and defects that need to be improved when in use:

[0004] First, the residual amount sensing method using weight sensing is inaccurate because the weight acting point is offset due to the shaking of the pipeline, and it is difficult to accurately estimate the infusion completion time because each drop of infusion is only about 0.05 ml, resulting in poor sensing accuracy.

[0005] Second, the sensing or shooting method for liquid level is prone to large deviations in liquid level due to patient hand shaking or body movement, resulting in incorrect judgments.

[0006] Third, the monitoring method using sensors often directly contacts the injection liquid in order to improve accuracy, which raises health and safety concerns. Moreover, this monitoring method cannot estimate the infusion completion time in advance and can only set a low residual amount to alert.

[0007] Fourth, regardless of the monitoring method, the nursing personnel still need to go to the scene to close and replace the infusion after receiving the alert, which cannot quickly close to avoid the problem of air entering the blood or backflow.

[0008] Fifth, the performance of ward nurses is mostly evaluated by the head nurse, and the evaluation criteria include professional ability, error frequency, service attitude, and work efficiency. Most of the evaluation is based on the results, especially the work efficiency, which lacks data for evaluation. SUMMARY

[0009] The present application provides an intelligent infusion monitoring device which can accurately monitor the flow rate of the infusion, quickly shut down the infusion remotely, and provide performance evaluation data.

[0010] The main purpose of the present application is to provide a remote control module for nurses to quickly shut down the infusion, and to accurately estimate the end time of the infusion by using the image capture device and the recognition module, so that the nurses can arrange the replacement time properly.

[0011] Another main purpose of the present application is to provide an evaluation information for work efficiency evaluation according to the time spent by the nurses to replace the infusion by using the timer and the performance evaluation module.

[0012] To achieve the above purpose, the present application is connected to an infusion body which includes an infusion carrier, an infusion tube connected to the infusion carrier, and an infusion bottle assembly arranged on the infusion tube. The intelligent infusion monitoring device includes a fixed carrier, a drip tube accommodating groove, an image capture device, a recognition module, a processing module, a communication module, a remote control module, at least one valve control member, a timer, and a performance evaluation module. The fixed carrier is combined with the infusion tube, the drip tube accommodating groove is formed on the fixed carrier for arranging the infusion bottle assembly, the image capture device is arranged on the fixed carrier for shooting the infusion in the infusion bottle assembly to generate a plurality of infusion images, the recognition module is arranged on the fixed carrier and is information linked to the image capture device to calculate the volume and flow rate of the infusion according to the infusion profile and the infusion position change of the infusion image, the processing module is arranged on the fixed carrier and is information linked to the recognition module to estimate the end time of the infusion carrier according to the volume and flow rate, the communication module is arranged on the fixed carrier and is information linked to the processing module to send an alarm message at the end time or before the end time, the remote control module is information linked to the communication module and is operated by the user according to the alarm message to feed back a control message, the valve control member is arranged on the fixed carrier and is located on one side of the infusion tube to block the output of the infusion body when the control message is received, the timer is arranged on one side of the processing module to start timing when the communication module sends the alarm message and to stop timing when the infusion body is replaced, and the performance evaluation module is information linked to the timer to generate an evaluation information according to the timing length of the timer.

[0013] When the user integrates the intelligent drip monitoring device of this invention with the drip body, it is fixed to one side of the drip body using a fixing carrier, and the drip cylinder assembly is placed in the drip tube receiving groove. In this way, the image capture device can continuously capture drip images, and the recognition module can calculate the volume and flow rate of the drip based on the drip outline and drip position changes in the drip images. The processing module can then accurately estimate the end time of the drip body, and the communication module can send an alert message to the nursing station before the end time, allowing nursing staff to remotely control the valve control component of the fixing carrier in a timely manner using the remote control module to prevent air injection or blood backflow. The timer records the time spent replacing the drip body, and the performance evaluation module generates corresponding evaluation information, which serves as one of the bases for performance evaluation.

[0014] The above technologies can overcome the problems of poor sensing accuracy, easy misjudgment, difficulty in estimating or predicting the end time of use, and the need for nursing staff to go to the site to shut down the system. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a usage state diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of image capture according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3A This is a schematic diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of remote control according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is an action block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure label:

[0024] Bit by bit ontology...1;

[0025] Infusion carrier...11;

[0026] IV tubing...12;

[0027] Infusion cartridge assembly...13;

[0028] Fixed carrier...2;

[0029] Dropper container...21;

[0030] Infusion tubing container...211;

[0031] Valve control components...22;

[0032] Flow rate control unit...221;

[0033] Display devices...23;

[0034] Limiting component...24;

[0035] Manual control module...25;

[0036] Input module...26;

[0037] Image capture equipment...3;

[0038] Identification module...4;

[0039] Processing module...5;

[0040] Timer...51;

[0041] Record module...52;

[0042] Communication module...6;

[0043] Remote control module...7;

[0044] Performance evaluation module...8;

[0045] Grid...B. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The technical means employed in this invention and the technical effects obtained will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0047] Figures 1-2 This is a perspective view and usage diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The diagram clearly shows that the intelligent drip monitoring device of the present invention is connected to a drip body 1. The drip body 1 includes an infusion carrier 11, an infusion tube 12 connected to the infusion carrier 11, and a drip cylinder assembly 13 disposed on the infusion tube 12. The intelligent drip monitoring device includes:

[0048] A fixed carrier 2 is attached to the infusion tube 12;

[0049] A dropper receiving groove 21 is formed on the fixed carrier 2 for mounting the drip cylinder assembly 13;

[0050] An image capture device 3 is mounted on the fixed carrier 2 to capture images of the liquid inside the dripping tube assembly 13 and generate multiple images of the liquid.

[0051] A recognition module 4 is mounted on the fixed carrier 2 and is linked to the image capture device 3 to calculate the volume and flow rate of the droplets based on the droplet outline and droplet position changes in the droplet images.

[0052] A processing module 5 is disposed on the fixed carrier 2 and is linked to the identification module 4 to estimate the time of use of the infusion carrier 11 based on the volume and flow rate.

[0053] A communication module 6 is mounted on the fixed carrier 2 and is linked to the processing module 5 to issue a warning message before the end of the usage time or before the end of the usage time.

[0054] A remote control module 7 is linked to the communication module 6 and allows the user to operate according to the warning message, while providing a control message in return;

[0055] At least one valve control element 22 is disposed on the fixed carrier 2 and located on one side of the infusion tube 12, so as to block the output of the drip body 1 when the control message is received;

[0056] A timer 51, located on one side of the processing module 5, starts timing when the communication module 6 issues the warning message and stops timing when the drip body 1 is replaced; and

[0057] A performance evaluation module 8 is linked to the timer 51 to generate an evaluation message based on the duration of the timer 51.

[0058] The infusion body is one of a drip bottle, drip bag, or blood transfusion bag; the drip tube assembly 13 is the existing flow rate viewing tube of the drip body 1; the infusion tube 12 includes a flexible tube that connects upward to the drip body 1 and downward to the injection needle; the fixing carrier 2 is a structure that can be detachably assembled on the drip body 1, and in this embodiment, it is fixed by being sleeved on the drip tube assembly 13; the drip tube receiving groove 21 is a groove on the fixing carrier 2 corresponding to the shape of the drip tube assembly 13; the identification module 4 and the processing module 5 are chips set on the circuit board; the image capture device 3 is a camera electrically connected to the circuit board, and in this embodiment, a short focal length black and white camera is used as an example; the communication module 6 is a signal transceiver electrically connected to the circuit board, and in this embodiment, it is a Wi-Fi transceiver. The transceiver for the Fi network signal is implemented; the valve control component 22 is an electromagnetic valve electrically connected to the circuit board, or a motor-driven rod. In this embodiment, the two valve control components 22 are used as an example of object compression; the remote control module 7 can be a physical switch or a software switch, and in this embodiment, the operation of the software switch is implemented in conjunction with the computer of the nursing station; the performance evaluation module 8 is an assessment system integrated with a server, which is represented by a server in the diagram. A power supply device is also provided in the fixed carrier 2 to supply power to the circuit board. However, the corresponding forms of the above components are only examples of preferred embodiments. Any form with the same function is within the protection scope of this invention and is not limited to the above examples.

[0059] The above explanation has provided an understanding of the structure of this technology. Based on the corresponding combination of this structure, it can accurately monitor the drip rate and flow rate, remotely and quickly shut off the drip, and also provide performance evaluation data. A detailed description will follow.

[0060] Figures 1-5 The above-described perspective view to block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shows that, when the components are assembled, the infusion tube 12 is first separated from the infusion carrier 11, and the infusion tube 12 passes through the fixed carrier 2 from bottom to top before being reassembled with the infusion carrier 11. At this time, the upper end of the drip chamber assembly 13 is held against the inner side of the fixed carrier 2 and placed in the drip receiving groove 21. Therefore, by utilizing the design of the fixed carrier 2, the present invention can be easily assembled or disassembled with the drip body 1 without the need for special design for the style of the drip body 1. It is applicable to most drip bodies 1 and can be reused. Furthermore, because the drip receiving groove 21 has a semi-circular groove structure, the drip chamber assembly 13 can still be exposed outside the fixed carrier 2, without obstructing normal viewing of the operation of the drip chamber assembly 13. Even if one is not familiar with the operation and use of the present invention, one can still operate and use it in the same way as the original drip body 1.

[0061] When the infusion begins, the image capture device 3 continuously captures images of the dripping fluid. The recognition module 4 calculates the volume and flow rate of the dripping fluid based on the dripping fluid outline and positional changes in the images. In this embodiment, the recognition module 4 utilizes a deep learning-based Adaptive Temporal Consistency Model (ATCM) algorithm to capture dynamic images. By integrating spatiotemporal information within a specific video frame, it enhances the recognition performance for general object detection. Specifically, the image capture device 3 first captures images of the continuous dripping area and divides the entire space into several grids B using a grid method. Then, it counts the number of grids occupied by the dripping fluid and the number of grids in contact with each other. Finally, it calculates the overall volume of the dripping fluid based on the volume and area of ​​each grid B occupied (e.g., ...). Figure 3A As shown in the diagram, regarding the flow rate, the flow rate is calculated by comparing the drop positions of two consecutive drops to determine if they completely match, and by the time interval between the capture of the two matching images. Finally, the processing module 5 calculates the time required for each drop body 1 based on the total amount of the drop body 1 and the volume and flow rate calculated by the identification module 4, thus accurately estimating the time it takes for the drop body 1 to be used up. Since the image capture device 3 uses a short-focal-length black and white camera, which can capture images within 1cm of the field of view in front of the lens, the outline of the droplet can be clearly captured. Since the purpose of the droplet images is only to calculate the volume and flow rate, using a black and white camera can not only fully achieve the purpose, but also reduce the cost of the image capture device 3. This method of calculating the volume and flow rate of the droplet uses the image capture device 3 to capture droplet images from the outside, so all structures will not directly contact the injection liquid, ensuring absolute safety and hygiene. Furthermore, by identifying the droplet outline and droplet position, ambient light can be ignored, and misjudgments caused by shaking can be reduced.

[0062] Then, the communication module 6 sends a warning message to the nursing station before or at the end of the usage time. Since the end time is estimated based on the algorithm and the total amount of the IV drip 1, the warning message can be sent not only at the end time but also before the end time (e.g., 5 minutes in advance) as needed, providing greater flexibility. This allows nursing staff to reasonably arrange the replacement of the IV drip 1 and eliminates the need for patients and caregivers to constantly monitor the drip status. Furthermore, nursing staff can directly use the remote control module 7 at the nursing station to remotely control the IV drip and send a control message back to the communication module 6. This control message can either activate the valve control component 22 or delay the issuance of the warning message by the communication module 6 (e.g., send the warning message again after 1 minute). When the valve control component 22 on the fixed carrier 2 is activated, it will directly press the IV tubing 12 to stop its continued output, preventing air from entering the bloodstream or backflow caused by operational delays. The warning message can be one of the following: an audible signal, a visual signal, or a graphic notification message on the screen.

[0063] Furthermore, timer 51 can be used to start timing when the communication module 6 issues the warning message and stop timing when the drip body 1 is replaced. In this way, by recording the time spent replacing the drip body 1, the performance evaluation module 8 can generate corresponding evaluation messages based on the timing length of timer 51, which can serve as one of the bases for performance evaluation.

[0064] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As can be clearly seen from the figure, the difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is that a recording module 52 can be provided on one side of the processing module 5 to temporarily store the drip images. The recording module 52 is removed after the drip images are used. The recording module 52 is a buffer memory. To ensure the instruction cycle of the identification module 4 and the processing module 5, they are directly operated on the fixed carrier 2. Therefore, the drip images required for the operation are temporarily stored in the recording module 52. However, these drip images are only applicable to the corresponding drip body 1. Therefore, once the drip body 1 is used up or the end-of-use time is estimated, the drip images can be removed from the recording module 52. Of course, the recording module 52 can also help store end-of-use time, control information, evaluation information, etc., and can be transmitted to the nursing station or doctor's patient-related data in conjunction with the communication module 6, allowing medical staff to fully grasp the injection status of the drip body 1, such as whether the actual injection volume has reached the doctor's set value.

[0065] In addition, a display device 23 can be installed on the fixed carrier 2 to display at least one of the following: basic information of the drip body 1, basic patient information, or drip status. The basic information of the drip body 1 may include the name, total amount, and shelf life of the injection solution. The basic patient information may include the patient's name, age, medical record number, attending physician, and medical staff. The drip status may include the remaining amount of the injection solution, flow rate, and estimated time to use. This allows patients, their families, or caregivers to quickly obtain relevant information from the display device 23 at any time, and can also indirectly avoid medical disputes such as improper medication.

[0066] A limiting member 24 is provided at the opening of the dropper receiving groove 21, and an infusion tube receiving groove 21 1 is provided on one side of the dropper receiving groove 21. The infusion tube receiving groove 21 1 is a semi-circular groove structure with a diameter smaller than that of the dropper receiving groove 21 or the corresponding infusion tube 12. The limiting member 24 is a pivotally connected rod or plate. When the fixing carrier 2 is combined with the drip cylinder assembly 13, the limiting member 24 can be pivotally opened first, and the drip cylinder assembly 13 can be directly inserted from the surface of the dropper receiving groove 21 and the infusion tube 12 can be inserted from the surface of the infusion tube receiving groove 21 1. Then the limiting member 24 can be pivotally closed. In this way, the drip cylinder assembly 13 can be securely fixed, making the assembly operation simpler. Moreover, the setting of the infusion tube receiving groove 21 1 can reduce the shaking amplitude and the risk of detachment of the drip cylinder assembly 13.

[0067] In this embodiment, the valve control component 22 is exemplified by a motor-driven rod. Therefore, a flow rate control unit 221 can be further included within the valve control component 22 to fine-tune the flow rate of the drip. The fine-tuning action involves setting the rotation stroke of the motor to control the degree of pushing and squeezing by the rod, thereby achieving the purpose of adjusting the drip flow rate. Thus, the remote control module also has a corresponding flow rate control function, allowing caregivers to remotely control the flow rate according to the drip status. Alternatively, a manual control module 25 electrically connected to the flow rate control unit 221 can be installed on the fixed carrier 2. The manual control module 25 can be a button on the fixed carrier 2 or a function icon integrated into the display device 23 (touch screen). If a network signal abnormality occurs or the caregiver is too close to the patient, the drip flow rate can be directly adjusted using the manual control module 25, providing a more intuitive and diverse control method.

[0068] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As can be clearly seen from the figure, this embodiment is very similar to the above embodiment, except that an input module 26 is provided on the fixed carrier 2 for inputting the display content corresponding to the display device 23. The input module 26 is a keyboard or a barcode reader. This embodiment takes a barcode reader as an example. In this way, when the nursing staff changes the IV drip body 1, they only need to let the input module 26 read the barcode (such as QR Code) on the IV drip body 1 to quickly complete the input. It can also further provide the function of confirming the item of the IV drip body 1, which not only facilitates the input of data but also avoids medical errors.

[0069] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All simple modifications and equivalent structural changes made based on the description and drawings of the present invention fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An intelligent drip monitoring device, characterized in that, The device is connected to a drip body, the drip body comprising an infusion carrier, an infusion tube connected to the infusion carrier, and an infusion cylinder assembly disposed on the infusion tube. The intelligent drip monitoring device includes: A fixed carrier is attached to the infusion tube; A dropper receiving groove is formed on the fixed carrier for mounting the drip cylinder assembly; An image capture device is mounted on the fixed carrier to capture images of the droplets inside the dripping cylinder assembly, thereby generating multiple droplet images. An identification module, mounted on the fixed carrier and linked to the image capture device, calculates the volume and flow rate of the droplet based on the droplet outline and droplet position changes in the droplet image. A processing module, located on the fixed carrier and linked to the identification module, is used to estimate the time to use the infusion carrier based on the volume and the flow rate. A communication module, mounted on the fixed carrier and linked to the processing module, is used to issue a warning message before the end of the usage period or before the end of the usage period. A remote control module is connected to the communication module and allows the user to operate according to the warning message, while providing a control message in return; At least one valve control element is disposed on the fixed carrier and located on one side of the infusion tube, so as to block the output of the drip body when the control message is received; A timer, located on one side of the processing module, starts timing when the communication module issues the warning message and stops timing when the IV drip body is replaced; and A performance evaluation module, which links to the timer, generates an evaluation message based on the timer's duration.

2. The intelligent drip monitoring device as described in claim 1, wherein, The processing module has a recording module on one side for temporarily storing the droplet image, and the recording module is removed after the droplet image is no longer used.

3. The intelligent drip monitoring device as described in claim 1, wherein, The fixed carrier is provided with a display device for displaying at least one of the following: basic information of the drip body, basic patient information, or drip status.

4. The intelligent drip monitoring device as described in claim 3, wherein, The fixed carrier is equipped with an input module for inputting the display content corresponding to the display device.

5. The intelligent drip monitoring device as described in claim 1, wherein, A limiting element is provided at the opening of the dropper receiving groove.

6. The intelligent drip monitoring device as described in claim 1, wherein, The valve control unit has a flow rate control section for fine-tuning the flow rate of the droplet.

7. The intelligent drip monitoring device as described in claim 6, wherein, The fixed carrier is equipped with a manual control module electrically connected to the flow rate control unit.

8. The intelligent drip monitoring device as described in claim 1, wherein, The dropper receiving tank has an infusion tube receiving tank on one side.

9. The intelligent drip monitoring device as described in claim 1, wherein, The image capture device is a short-focal-length black and white camera.

10. The intelligent drip monitoring device as described in claim 1, wherein, The identification module uses a long-term target tracking algorithm based on deep learning to capture dynamic images.

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