Blood Circuit Connection Detection via Flow Rate Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extracorporeal blood treatment apparatuses fail to properly detect connections to vascular access or high blood flow rate machines, leading to improper control procedures and potential safety issues during simultaneous therapies.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus equipped with pressure sensors and a control unit that analyzes pressure measurements to automatically identify whether the extracorporeal blood circuit is connected to a patient's vascular access or a high blood flow rate machine, adjusting operating parameters and preventing unnecessary alarms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure monitoring methods are used to detect access or return disconnection events, then disconnection detection is enabled, but detection fails when connected to ECMO machine due to minimal pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from pressure monitoring to flow rate monitoring. Flow rate sensors detect blood flow interruptions caused by disconnections, which remain effective even when connected to ECMO machines where pressure changes are minimal. This parameter substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining detection reliability while avoiding the precision limitations of pressure-based methods in high-flow ECMO environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure-based detection system with a flow-based detection system using flow rate sensors. This substitution enables reliable disconnection detection in ECMO connections where pressure monitoring fails, as flow interruptions provide a more distinct and measurable signal in high-flow extracorporeal circuits.
2Adaptability or versatility
If apparatus is connected to high blood flow rate machine like ECMO, then combined therapy is enabled, but control procedures based on pressure monitoring work improperly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal detection system using flow rate sensors that functions reliably across multiple connection types - both direct vascular access connections and ECMO machine connections. The flow-based control procedures replace pressure-based methods, providing consistent and reliable operation regardless of the connection configuration, thus enabling combined therapies while maintaining control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptation of control procedures based on the detected connection type. The system automatically adjusts operational parameters and detection thresholds when connected to ECMO machines versus direct vascular access, allowing the control system to maintain reliability across varying operational conditions and connection configurations.
3Ease of operation
If pressure monitoring is used for control procedures, then standard monitoring is implemented, but detection accuracy decreases when connected to ECMO due to lack of pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pressure monitoring with flow rate monitoring to detect connection types and disconnection events. Flow rate measurements provide superior precision in ECMO connections where pressure drops are minimal or absent, while maintaining ease of operation through automated sensor-based detection that requires no additional manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow rate sensors automatically detect connection types and trigger appropriate control procedures without requiring manual configuration or complex pressure analysis. The system self-adjusts based on flow characteristics, simplifying operation while improving detection precision across different connection scenarios.
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
Ensures accurate detection of connection types, preventing operational failures and enhancing patient and operator safety by correctly setting working parameters for both vascular access and high blood flow rate machine connections.
Implementation Method 1
The control unit is configured for detecting if the extracorporeal blood circuit of the apparatus is connected to a vascular access of a patient or to a blood circuit of a high blood flow rate machine
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment comprises an extracorporeal blood circuit configured for connection either to a vascular access of a patient (P) or to a blood circuit of a high blood flow rate machine (36). A control unit (100) is configured for checking the connection of the extracorporeal blood circuit by performing the following procedure: receiving a measured pressure from a pressure sensor (25, 26); detecting if the extracorporeal blood circuit is connected to the vascular access of the patient (P) or to the blood circuit of the high blood flow rate machine (36) by performing an analysis of the measured pressure or of a parameter correlated to the measured pressure; issuing a signal if the connection to the vascular access of the patient (P) and/or the connection to the blood circuit of the high blood flow rate machine (36) is detected.