Closed-Loop Infusion Control for Stable Patient Vital Signs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual control of medication dosage rates to maintain patient vitals during surgery is challenging, leading to frequent deviations from target ranges, which can negatively impact patient outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop system that uses a first control algorithm to continuously monitor vital signs and adjust medication dosage rates based on differential values to maintain vital signs within target ranges, incorporating safeguards to ensure safe and gradual adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control of medication dosage rates is used to maintain patient vitals, then medical professionals can adjust medication based on periodic checks, but patients spend significant time outside target ranges (50%+ of the time)
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring vital signs in real-time and automatically adjusting medication dosage rates based on the differential between actual and target values. This closed-loop control eliminates the periodic check limitation of manual control, keeping patients in target ranges significantly more often.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically adjusting medication dosage rates without requiring continuous medical professional intervention. The control algorithm independently monitors vital signs and modifies infusion rates, reducing the need for manual operation while improving control reliability.
2Reliability
If frequent manual adjustments of medication dosage rates are made to optimize blood pressure, then better vital sign control can be achieved, but continuous attention of medical professionals is required which is cost prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring vital signs and adjusting medication dosage rates without requiring continuous medical professional attention. The control algorithm independently makes frequent adjustments optimized for vital sign stability, eliminating the need for costly continuous human oversight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical system of manual medical professional intervention with an automated control algorithm. This substitution maintains reliable vital sign control through continuous monitoring and adjustment while eliminating the operational complexity of requiring skilled human attention at all times.
3Ease of operation
If manual control adjustments are made based on snapshot views of vital signs, then periodic monitoring is simple, but adjustments are arbitrary and patients remain outside target ranges frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous monitoring and adjustment of medication dosage rates, eliminating the snapshot approach of manual control. This continuous useful action ensures precise control by constantly comparing actual vital signs to target values and making real-time adjustments, keeping patients in target ranges significantly more often.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses continuous feedback from vital sign monitoring to guide medication dosage adjustments. Rather than arbitrary decisions based on periodic snapshots, the control algorithm receives continuous feedback and makes precision adjustments based on the differential between actual and target values, dramatically improving control accuracy.
4Reliability
If automated closed-loop control is implemented to continuously optimize dosage rates, then time outside target range is reduced by 50% and medication usage lowered by 40%, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closed-loop system uses continuous feedback from vital sign monitoring to automatically adjust medication dosage rates. This feedback mechanism achieves superior control reliability (50% reduction in time outside target range) and reduced medication usage (40% reduction) while managing system complexity through algorithmic automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system performs self-service by independently monitoring vital signs and adjusting dosage rates without human intervention. This self-service capability achieves high reliability outcomes while the complexity is contained within the automated control algorithm rather than requiring complex human operational procedures.
Data Source
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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.