Blood Set Connection Detection via Air Pressure Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current extracorporeal blood treatment systems face challenges in ensuring correct installation and airtight connection of pressure pods and return monitor lines, leading to potential invalid pressure sensor readings and equipment damage due to manual verification methods that do not guarantee correct installation.
Innovation Solution
An extracorporeal blood treatment system with an air pump apparatus, pressure transducers, and a controller that automatically verifies the connection of pressure pods and return monitor lines by monitoring air pressure changes, ensuring correct installation and reducing the risk of incorrect operation or damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual verification of pressure pod and return monitor line connection is used, then the setup process is simple, but the reliability of connection verification is insufficient leading to potential invalid pressure readings and equipment damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-verification of component connections by using the air pump to pressurize the air cavity and monitoring the pressure sensor for pressure changes that indicate proper connection. This eliminates the need for manual verification methods and provides reliable automated detection of whether pressure pods and return monitor lines are correctly installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the pressure sensor continuously monitors pressure changes in the air cavity and returns this information to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller can determine whether connections are proper and alert the user to connection issues, creating a closed-loop verification system that improves reliability.
2Reliability
If automated pressure monitoring is implemented to verify connections, then the reliability of connection verification improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs connection verification without requiring user intervention. The controller initiates the pressure monitoring sequence, interprets the pressure sensor data, and provides alerts for connection issues, making the system self-sufficient in verifying proper installation of pressure pods and return monitor lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical verification methods with an automated pneumatic monitoring system. Instead of relying on physical inspection or manual testing, the system uses controlled air pressure application and electronic pressure sensing to automatically detect connection status, substituting mechanical/manual operations with automated sensor-based detection.
3Measurement precision
If pressure pods are manually attached to pressure pod receptacle, then the operation is simple, but the connection may not be airtight leading to invalid pressure sensor readings
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary connection verification by applying air pressure to the air cavity before actual blood treatment begins. This preliminary pressure test detects potential leakage issues or improper connections before they can affect measurement accuracy during patient treatment, allowing users to correct connection problems in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor provides continuous feedback about the integrity of the connection between the pressure pod and receptacle. By monitoring pressure changes in the air cavity, the system can detect whether the connection is airtight and provide alerts to users about connection issues that would compromise pressure reading accuracy.
4Reliability
If return monitor line connection is not verified, then the setup process is faster, but incorrect operation and equipment damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of the return monitor line connection by monitoring pressure changes in the air cavity before blood treatment begins. This preliminary check ensures that the return line is properly connected and prevents incorrect operation or equipment damage during patient treatment, addressing safety concerns before they can manifest.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated pressure monitoring system rapidly assesses connection integrity by applying pressure and quickly analyzing the pressure sensor response. This fast verification process minimizes the time added to the setup procedure while still providing comprehensive safety checking, allowing the system to move quickly through the verification step without significant time loss.
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
The system provides independent verification of component connections, reducing the risk of erroneous pressure readings and equipment damage, while streamlining the setup process by eliminating the need for manual confirmation.
Implementation Method 1
monitor air pressure resulting from the provision of air to the at least one port to detect whether one or more components of the plurality of components are operatively connected to the system housing
Implementation Method 2
monitor air pressure resulting from the provision of air to the at least one port using at least one of the one or more pressure transducers
Data Source
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AI summary
Extracorporeal blood treatment systems and methods to detect the connection of one or more components (e.g., of an extracorporeal blood set) thereto (e.g., to one or more pressure transducers contained in the system housing) by, for example, controlling an air pump apparatus to provide air to a connection port at which the component is to be connected and monitoring pressure resulting therefrom to detect whether the component is operatively connected (e.g., based on a detected change in the monitored pressure due to the increased resistance, based on a monitored rate of decay of pressure of injected air, etc.).