Camera-Based Disposable Component Verification for Dialysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical device systems lack efficient methods for recording and verifying the state of disposable components and error conditions during medical procedures, leading to potential operational issues and diagnostic challenges.
Innovation Solution
A head-mounted display device equipped with a camera and processing circuit that captures images of medical devices and disposable components, compares them to predetermined data, and generates alerts or instructions for operators, enabling real-time verification and recording of component states and error conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual verification of disposable components is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of component state recording deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical verification of disposable components with an automated optical imaging system. A camera captures images of the disposable component, and image processing algorithms automatically verify component presence, orientation, and installation state, eliminating the need for manual verification while improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies (images) of the disposable component and its installation state. These images are processed and stored to provide a permanent record of component verification, allowing for accurate measurement and tracking without requiring continuous manual inspection.
2Reliability
If real-time error detection is implemented, then operational safety is improved, but response time and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system operates continuously or at key verification points during the medical procedure, automatically capturing images of disposable components and error conditions. This continuous monitoring enables real-time detection without interrupting the procedural flow, maintaining operational safety while minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback through visual and auditory alerts when errors or abnormal conditions are detected. The processing circuit analyzes captured images in real-time and notifies operators of issues such as incorrect component installation or presence, enabling rapid response while maintaining procedural efficiency.
3Productivity
If automated image processing is used, then productivity and diagnostic capability are improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary image processing and analysis automatically as images are captured. Key features such as component presence, orientation, and error conditions are identified in real-time during the procedure, rather than requiring post-procedure analysis, thereby improving procedural efficiency without excessive complexity.
4Ease of operation
If visual and auditory feedback is provided, then ease of operation is improved, but information processing requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements multiple feedback channels (visual display and auditory alerts) to communicate component verification status and error conditions to operators. This multi-modal feedback ensures operators receive comprehensive information about device state without overwhelming them with data, improving ease of operation while managing information processing efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of recording a state of an apheresis machine or a dialysis machine having a disposable component disposed thereon. The disposable component has tubing and a blood component bag. The disposable component is configured to be installed on the apheresis device or dialysis machine by a human operator. The method includes acquiring with a camera an image of a forward-facing external surface portion of the apheresis machine or dialysis machine and the tubing and the blood component bag of the disposable component. The image is acquired automatically without requiring user input. The method includes recording medical device information for the apheresis machine or dialysis machine comprising the image. The method includes generating a message comprising the image and transmitting the message comprising the image to a remote computer.