APD Fluid Line Connection With Optical Tubing State Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and size of past machines and associated disposables for Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) modalities have dampened widespread patient acceptance, necessitating improvements in detection and connection systems for peritoneal dialysis to enhance usability and reduce contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a tubing state detector using optical sensors and light emitters to detect the presence and priming of tubing segments, along with a fluid handling cassette design that minimizes human interaction and reduces contamination risk, and a cap stripper mechanism for automated line connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated detection and connection systems are implemented, then contamination risk is reduced and usability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical connection operations with an automated optical detection and connection system. Optical sensors detect the presence and positioning of fluid line connectors, and a control system automatically guides the connection process, eliminating the need for manual manipulation and reducing contamination risk from human touch.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification through optical detection, automatically confirming proper connector positioning and line integrity without requiring manual inspection. The automated connection system serves itself by detecting and correcting positioning issues, reducing the need for external intervention and minimizing contamination opportunities.
2Productivity
If multiple fluid lines are managed manually, then flexibility is maintained, but connection time increases and contamination risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system performs preliminary verification of connector positioning before the actual connection is made. The system detects and confirms the presence and correct positioning of all fluid line connectors in advance, ensuring that connections are made quickly and correctly on the first attempt, thereby reducing overall connection time.
3Measurement precision
If optical sensors are used to detect tubing state, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system serves multiple functions: detecting the presence of tubing, verifying proper positioning, and confirming priming status. By using a single optical sensor system for multiple detection purposes, the patent reduces the need for separate detection mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances patient acceptance by simplifying the connection process, reducing contamination, and improving the usability of APD systems through automated detection and connection of fluid lines, thereby increasing the appeal of APD as an alternative to manual peritoneal dialysis methods.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporation of a tubing state detector using optical sensors and light emitters to detect the presence and priming of tubing segments
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2
AI summary
A power management system for a medical device while operating on battery power comprises a control circuitry, wherein the medical device has a plurality of functions. The control circuitry is configured to measure a state of charge remaining in a battery powering the medical device, to associate each of the plurality of functions with one of a plurality of operable states, and to correlate each operable state with a battery charge level. The control circuitry is further configured to select one of the plurality of operable states according to the state of charge remaining in the battery and to implement at least one function associated with the selected operable state.