Coupling Check for Extracorporeal Therapy Supply Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The correct coupling of an addition device to a therapy device with an extracorporeal circuit is error-prone, particularly on the suction side of the blood pump, leading to issues like incorrect agent administration, microbubble formation, and compatibility problems with third-party products.
Innovation Solution
A method involving pressure changes and measurements in a closed section of the extracorporeal circuit, comparing the pressure curve with a setpoint curve, and using a control device to automate the check, ensuring proper coupling of the addition device, such as a syringe pump, to the therapy device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual coupling of addition device to therapy device is performed, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to error-prone coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically checking the coupling status of the addition device before allowing operation. The control unit verifies proper connection through pressure measurements and system checks, ensuring reliability is established before the manual coupling process is completed by the user.
2Reliability
If pressure measurement and comparison method is implemented, then reliability of coupling check is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-verification by automatically measuring pressure, comparing it to expected values, and determining coupling status without requiring external verification tools or complex additional hardware. The existing pressure measurement capabilities of the therapy device are utilized for self-checking.
3Productivity
If automated control device is used for coupling check, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it controls the blood pump, monitors pressure, verifies coupling status, and manages treatment parameters. By making the control unit universal and multi-functional, the system achieves automated coupling verification without adding dedicated separate hardware, thus improving productivity while minimizing complexity increase.
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
This method effectively prevents errors in agent administration, ensures tight connections, and compensates for compatibility issues, thereby ensuring safe and accurate delivery of medications like heparin during extracorporeal blood treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure is changed and measured in this closed area
Implementation Method 2
The pump in the extracorporeal circuit is advantageously an occluding pump, in particular a peristaltic pump
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for checking the correct coupling of a supply device to a therapy device that comprises an extracorporeal circuit to which the supply device is connected such that a product can be introduced into the extracorporeal circuit by means of the supply device whilst the therapy device is in operation. The supply device is coupled to the extracorporeal circuit on the suction side of a pump in the extracorporeal circuit. The claimed method is characterised in that one section in the low pressure area of the extracorporeal circuit is isolated from the other parts of the extracorporeal circuit together with one section of the supply device and the pressure in said isolated section is modified and measured.