Closed-Loop Medical Fluid Pump with Flow Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravenous fluid delivery systems rely on open-loop control, which is costly and complex, and lacks feedback mechanisms to accurately compensate for variations in disposable components, leading to increased manufacturing costs and potential inaccuracies in fluid delivery.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop system using flow regulators and a flow sensor to measure actual fluid flow, with a controller adjusting the regulators to maintain target flow rates, allowing for looser tolerances in component manufacturing and reducing costs while ensuring accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If open-loop pump control systems with highly engineered pumping mechanisms are used to achieve accurate fluid delivery, then fluid delivery accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop control system that uses a flow sensor to measure actual fluid flow and feeds this information back to a controller. The controller adjusts the pump driver based on the feedback signal to maintain the desired flow rate, replacing the need for highly engineered open-loop systems with tighter tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces highly engineered mechanical pumping mechanisms with a simpler pump mechanism controlled by a feedback-based electronic control system. The flow sensor and controller compensate for mechanical variations, allowing the use of less precisely manufactured components.
2Measurement precision
If tight tolerance specifications are applied to disposable components to ensure fluid delivery accuracy in open-loop systems, then fluid delivery accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closed-loop control system uses real-time flow measurement and feedback to compensate for variations in disposable component tolerances. The controller dynamically adjusts pump operation to maintain accurate flow rates despite manufacturing variations in tubing, connectors, and other disposable elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically compensates for component variations through feedback control, eliminating the need for manual quality control adjustments or expensive tight-tolerance manufacturing. The control system self-corrects for manufacturing variations in real-time.
3Measurement precision
If closed-loop systems with flow sensors are implemented to measure actual fluid flow, then fluid delivery accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates a flow sensor and controller into a unified closed-loop system where the sensor measures actual flow and the controller adjusts pump operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism provides accurate flow control while keeping the system architecture relatively simple and modular.
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 accurate and cost-effective medical fluid delivery by using sensors to regulate fluid flow, enabling the use of gravity as a delivery force and reducing the complexity and expense of fluid delivery apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
a flow sensor that measures actual fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
a flow regulator that restricts fluid flow through the fluid passageway
Implementation Method 3
a pump that delivers the medical fluid through the fluid passageway
Data Source
AI summary
A pump device includes a pump driver comprising a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm, the first and second diaphragms each comprising a middle portion bounded by an outer portion, the first and second diaphragms being spatially separated from each other at the respective outer portions, and coupled together at the respective middle portions. The pump also includes a fluid passageway and a pump chamber fluidly connected to the fluid passageway, wherein the pump chamber comprises a moveable wall coupled to the pump driver at the middle portions of the first and second diaphragms such that a fluid movement between the pump chamber and the fluid passageway is induced by movement of the middle portions. An input device is configured to obtain a target flow rate. A controller is configured to operate the pump driver and a flow regulator based on signals received from a flow detector.