Centralized Evaluation Unit for Dialysis Device Error Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dialysis systems, it is challenging to distinguish between individual device malfunctions and supply system errors, as deviations in measured values can have multiple causes, including actuator or sensor malfunctions and common supply issues, making it difficult to ensure optimal patient safety and device functionality.
Innovation Solution
A system with a centralized evaluation unit compares measured values, device settings, and user preset values across multiple dialysis devices to identify errors, determining whether deviations are isolated to individual devices or the supply system, using algorithms to differentiate between device-specific and supply-related issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If redundant sensors or comparison circuits are designed to distinguish between device and supply system errors, then measurement precision and error identification capability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the error identification task into two segments: individual device sensors remain simple, while a central evaluation unit handles the complex comparison and error source identification. This segmentation allows each device to stay simple while the system as a whole achieves high measurement precision in error identification.
Solution Approach 2:
A central evaluation unit is introduced as an intermediary that receives data from multiple devices and supply sources, performs the complex comparison operations, and identifies error sources. This intermediary handles the computational complexity centrally, allowing individual devices to remain simple while achieving accurate error identification.
2Reliability
If independent measurement chains are designed for each device to avoid common mode errors, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement and evaluation functions are segmented between individual devices and a central evaluation unit. Each device performs simple local measurements, while the central unit handles the sophisticated error analysis by comparing data across multiple devices and supply sources, achieving reliability without duplicating complex measurement chains in each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation functions of multiple devices are merged into a single central evaluation unit that processes data from all devices and supply sources. This consolidation achieves the reliability benefits of independent verification through comparison while avoiding the complexity of implementing independent measurement chains in each device.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors and comparison circuits are implemented in each device, then error detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and design effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The central evaluation unit serves multiple devices and multiple supply sources simultaneously, providing error detection and identification capabilities for the entire system. This multi-functional approach achieves comprehensive error detection without requiring expensive redundant sensors in each individual device, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining high reliability.
4Productivity
If centralized evaluation of multiple devices is implemented, then productivity and system reliability are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A central evaluation unit acts as an intermediary that coordinates data collection and error analysis across multiple devices and supply sources. This centralized intermediary improves productivity by enabling systematic error identification that affects multiple devices, while managing system complexity through a dedicated specialized component rather than distributed complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system comprising a plurality of medical devices, preferably dialysis devices, which are connected to a common supply system, wherein the system has an evaluation unit which is connected to all devices of the system and which is configured such that values set in the different devices and/or predefined values and/or measured values, which are determined by means of at least one sensor and which relate to corresponding parameters, are compared with at least one expected value for recognizing errors of the supply system and/or of an individual device.