Drip Chamber Flow Control Using Optical Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid delivery systems in medical settings often lack precise control over fluid flow rates, especially in situations where infusion pumps are not available, leading to inaccuracies in fluid infusion.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a fluid flow meter, valve, and optional closed-loop or feedback configuration for monitoring, regulating, and controlling fluid flow, utilizing a drip chamber with features like a rotating arm, backlight, and image sensor to accurately measure and adjust flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a gravity-fed line with manual valve is used for fluid delivery, then the system is simple and does not require infusion pumps, but the flow rate control precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using an image sensor to detect drops in the drip chamber and a processor to calculate flow rate, then automatically adjusting the valve position to maintain the desired flow rate. This closed-loop feedback system resolves the contradiction by providing precise flow rate control without requiring complex infusion pump hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring and adjusting its own flow rate using the image sensor, processor, and integrated valve control. The system self-regulates the fluid delivery based on real-time drop detection and flow rate calculation, eliminating the need for external infusion pumps while maintaining precision.
2Measurement precision
If an infusion pump is used to strictly adhere to flow rate, then the flow rate control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a lightweight feedback control system consisting of an image sensor, processor, and simple valve mechanism. This intermediary system mediates between the gravity-fed fluid delivery and the control objective, providing infusion-pump-level precision through a much simpler architecture than traditional infusion pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical infusion pump system with an optical sensing system (image sensor detecting drops) combined with electronic processing and simple valve control. This substitution uses optical and electronic fields instead of complex mechanical pumping mechanisms to achieve precise flow rate control.
3Device complexity
If manual drop counting is used to estimate flow rate, then the system is simple, but the measurement precision of flow rate is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical drop counting with an automated optical sensing system using an image sensor that captures images of the drip chamber. The processor automatically detects and counts drops from these images, providing precise flow rate measurement without requiring manual intervention while keeping the overall system simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an optical copy (image) of the drops in the drip chamber using the image sensor, then analyzes this copy to determine flow rate. This copying approach allows automated, precise measurement of drop formation without direct manual observation, significantly improving measurement precision while maintaining system simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system and method for regulating fluid flow are disclosed. An apparatus for infusing fluid into a patient includes a housing, a tube-contact member, a rotating arm, and a tube-retention cover. The housing has an opening on a front side of the housing. The opening is sized to receive a drip chamber having an inlet tube and an outlet tube. The tube-contact member contacts one of the inlet tube and the output tube of the drip chamber when inserted into the opening. The rotating arm is coupled to the tube-contact member and is configured to rotate along an axis. The tube-retention cover is configured to close when the drip chamber is initially loaded into the opening.