Extracorporeal Blood Circuit Recirculation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting reversed connections between extracorporeal blood flow circuits and cardiovascular systems during extracorporeal blood treatment are not fully integrated or automatic, leading to potential inefficiencies and health risks due to recirculation of treated blood, which can go undetected.
Innovation Solution
A device and method using pressure measurements, specifically processing primary and secondary pressure signals from sensors in the extracorporeal blood flow circuit to calculate parameter values that determine the configuration of withdrawal and return devices, including a signal processor to compare these values with reference parameters and issue alarms for reversed configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual surveillance methods are used to detect recirculation, then the detection capability is limited and treatment efficiency is reduced, but implementing automatic detection systems increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the patient's own physiological pulse signals to detect recirculation automatically, eliminating the need for external manual surveillance equipment and complex additional sensors. The existing pressure sensors in the circuit are sufficient when combined with signal processing algorithms that analyze pulse characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual clinical examination and complex mechanical surveillance devices with electronic signal processing. The system processes electrical signals from pressure sensors to automatically detect recirculation patterns, substituting mechanical/manual detection methods with automated electronic analysis.
2Reliability
If recirculation detection is not implemented, then device complexity remains low, but patient safety and treatment effectiveness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs multiple functions using the same basic components: it monitors blood flow, detects recirculation patterns, and provides safety alerts. The pressure sensors and signal processor serve dual purposes - routine treatment monitoring and safety surveillance - eliminating the need for separate dedicated recirculation detection hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously analyzes pulse signals and provides real-time feedback about recirculation status. When recirculation is detected, the system generates alerts to notify operators, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism that automatically responds to abnormal conditions without requiring complex intervention systems.
3Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are added to detect recirculation, then detection accuracy improves, but the extracorporeal circuit becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines recirculation detection functionality with the existing pressure monitoring system. The same pressure sensors used for routine circuit monitoring are also utilized for recirculation detection through advanced signal processing, merging two functions into a single system rather than adding separate detection components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects recirculation by analyzing changes in pulse signal parameters (amplitude, shape, timing) rather than requiring additional physical sensors. By transforming and analyzing the temporal and amplitude characteristics of existing pressure signals, the system achieves high detection accuracy without adding hardware complexity.
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
This approach allows for real-time, automatic detection of reversed connections, reducing the risk of recirculation and improving treatment efficiency by ensuring accurate positioning of access devices, thereby enhancing patient safety and treatment effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a signal processor (29) configured to receive a measurement signal from a pressure sensor (4c) in the extracorporeal blood flow circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A device is arranged to detect a configuration of withdrawal and return devices (1, 14, 111, 112, 211, 212, 702, 703, 802, 803) coupling an extracorporeal blood flow circuit (20) to a cardiovascular system of a subject. The device comprises a signal processor (29), which is configured to receive a primary measurement signal obtained by a primary pressure sensor (4a, 4b, 4c) in the extracorporeal blood flow circuit (20). The device is further configured to process the primary measurement signal for extraction of primary pressure data originating from a subject pulse generator (3′) in the cardiovascular system or extracorporeal blood flow circuit (20), the primary pressure data comprising at least a part of a first pulse from the subject pulse generator (3′). The device is also configured to calculate a parameter value from the primary pressure data and to determine the configuration based at least partly on the parameter value.