Bag Balancer Apparatus for Infusion Pump Testing Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical infusion pump testing accuracy is compromised due to variations in input fluid height as liquid is consumed during testing, affecting the flow rate and precision of fluid administration.
Innovation Solution
A bag balancer apparatus with balancer arms, hooks, and a ballast bag system that maintains the input fluid height within a set range by rotating about a pivot point, ensuring consistent fluid delivery to the infusion pump, using a feed bag and ballast bag to adjust for fluid level changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If liquid is consumed during testing, then the testing duration is extended, but the input fluid height varies which reduces testing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ballast bag as a counterweight system that compensates for the weight loss of the feed bag as liquid is consumed. The ballast bag is initially heavier and as liquid is used from the feed bag, the device rotates about the pivot point to maintain the feed bag at a consistent height, thereby maintaining testing accuracy throughout the extended testing duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic rotation mechanism where the entire device rotates about a pivot point based on the changing weight balance between the feed bag and ballast bag. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to automatically maintain the feed bag at the correct height as liquid is consumed, resolving the contradiction between extended testing duration and maintained accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the feed bag is kept at a higher position to maintain input fluid height, then the flow rate consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the balancer mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The balancer mechanism uses a ballast bag as counterweight to offset the changing weight of the feed bag. This simple counterweight approach maintains the feed bag at a consistent height without requiring complex active control systems, motors, or sensors, thereby achieving flow rate consistency with minimal added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to automatically self-regulate the feed bag height through the weight-based rotation mechanism. As liquid is consumed and the feed bag becomes lighter, the system automatically rotates to maintain the correct height without requiring external intervention, control systems, or power sources, thus avoiding significant increases in device complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the balancer arms are positioned at an obtuse angle in deployed position, then the operational stability is improved, but the storage space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The balancer arms are designed to be dynamic rather than fixed, allowing them to rotate between an obtuse angle configuration during operation (providing stability) and a collapsed configuration during storage (reducing space requirements). This dynamic reconfiguration capability resolves the contradiction between operational stability and storage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The balancer arms can be collapsed into a compact, nested configuration for storage, where the arms fold against each other or against the main device body. This nesting approach minimizes the storage volume while allowing the arms to extend to their full operational length when deployed at obtuse angles for stable operation.
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
Maintains a consistent input fluid height, ensuring accurate and precise fluid administration and prolonged testing without the need for frequent feed bag replacements, while allowing for adjustable configurations to accommodate various bag sizes and weights.
Implementation Method 1
the ballast bag rotates the bag balancer apparatus about the aperture to maintain an input fluid height of the feed bag within a set range
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and devices for maintaining a consistent input fluid height as fluid is consumed during infusion pump testing including a first hook disposed on an end of a first balancer arm; a second hook disposed on an end of a second balancer arm; and an aperture disposed in a connecting member; where the aperture is configured to be a pivot point for the device; and where the device is rotatable between a deployed position and a stored position.