Electric Field Sensors for Infusion Pump Patient Coupling Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Infusion pumps and dialysis machines often inadvertently continue pumping fluid even after disconnection from a patient, leading to waste and failure in delivering necessary fluids due to unnoticed tubing disconnections.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing two electric-field sensors, one on the patient and one on the fluid delivery device, measures differences in electric fields to determine if the pump is correctly coupled to the patient, preventing continuous fluid pumping when disconnection occurs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pump systems operate without connection detection, then the pump can continuously deliver fluid, but the system fails to detect disconnection leading to fluid waste and failed therapy delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical connection detection methods with electric field sensing technology. Electric field sensors detect the presence of a patient through changes in electrical conductivity or capacitance caused by body proximity, eliminating the need for complex mechanical switches or physical connection indicators while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electric field sensors as an intermediary detection mechanism between the pump system and the patient. These sensors act as mediators that indirectly detect patient presence through electromagnetic field interactions, providing reliable connection status information without requiring direct physical or electrical contact with the patient.
2Measurement precision
If multiple electric field sensors are used to improve detection accuracy, then connection status can be reliably determined, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into multiple electric field sensors positioned at different locations within the pump housing. Each sensor monitors a specific zone, and their combined signals provide comprehensive patient presence detection. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through spatial distribution of sensing points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the outputs of multiple electric field sensors through signal processing circuits that integrate their readings. By merging the detection signals from multiple sensors, the system achieves more accurate and reliable connection detection than any single sensor could provide, while managing complexity through unified signal processing.
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
Ensures accurate detection of patient connection, preventing fluid wastage and ensuring continuous delivery by alerting healthcare professionals or shutting down the pump when disconnection is detected.
Implementation Method 1
a first electric field sensor configured to estimate a first electric field associated with a patient, a second electric field sensor configured to estimate a second electric field associated with the patient
Data Source
AI summary
A pump for infusing fluid, the pump including a pumping mechanism, a fluid delivery device, a plurality of electric field sensors, and a measurement component. The plurality of electric field sensors is configured to estimate either an electric field that is associated with a patient, or an electric field that is associated with a fluid path of the pump, or both. The measurement component is configured to receive the electric field estimates from each of the electric field sensors and further configured to measure the difference between the electric field estimates.