Closed-Loop Infusion Control for Stable Patient Vital Signs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual control of medication dosage to maintain blood pressure and other vitals during surgery is challenging, leading to frequent deviations from target ranges, which can be costly and detrimental to patient outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop system and method that uses sensors to continuously monitor vital signs and adjust medication dosage rates automatically, using a control algorithm to maintain vital signs within predetermined targets, with safeguards to prevent overcorrection and ensure safe dosage adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual control of medication dosage is used, then medical professionals can adjust dosage rates based on patient monitoring, but the patient's vital signs remain outside the target range for significant periods requiring continuous attention
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements closed-loop feedback by continuously monitoring patient vital signs and automatically adjusting medication dosage rates based on the monitored data. The processor receives vital sign information, compares it to target ranges, and generates revised dosage rates to maintain vital signs within target parameters, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention while ensuring reliable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the automated dosage adjustment system performs the control function independently. The processor automatically calculates and adjusts medication dosage rates based on real-time vital sign monitoring without requiring continuous manual intervention from medical professionals, allowing the system to serve itself in maintaining patient vital signs.
2Reliability
If frequent manual adjustments of medication dosage rates are made, then blood pressure optimization can be achieved, but continuous medical professional attention is required which is cost prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses continuous feedback from vital sign monitoring to automatically adjust medication dosage rates. The processor receives real-time vital sign data, compares it to target ranges, and generates revised dosage rates without requiring medical professional intervention for each adjustment, eliminating the time loss associated with frequent manual monitoring and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical system of manual monitoring and adjustment with an automated electronic control system. The processor and software algorithms substitute for medical professional actions, automatically performing the complex task of continuous vital sign monitoring and medication dosage adjustment, thereby freeing medical professionals from this time-consuming task.
3Ease of operation
If manual adjustments are made based on snapshot views of vital signs, then some control is achieved, but arbitrary adjustments lead to prolonged periods outside target range
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring that eliminates arbitrary snapshot-based adjustments. The processor continuously receives vital sign data and automatically adjusts dosage rates based on real-time conditions, ensuring precise control without the gaps and subjectivity inherent in manual snapshot assessments. This continuous feedback loop maintains vital signs within target ranges with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous useful action by constantly monitoring vital signs and continuously adjusting medication dosage rates as needed. Unlike manual snapshot adjustments that create gaps in control, the automated system maintains uninterrupted monitoring and adjustment, eliminating periods where vital signs might drift outside target ranges between manual checks.
Data Source
AI summary
Closed-loop systems and methods are described herein for regulating a flow of medication being intermittently infused to a patient based on one or more vital signs. The dosage rate of the medication can be adjusted periodically as needed to ensure the patient's vital sign remains with a target range. Various safeguards can be used to ensure the safety and efficacy of the closed-loop systems and methods.