Electrofluidic Fluid Volume Measurement System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring fluid delivery by insulin infusion devices are inaccurate due to external factors such as temperature, evaporation, vibrations, and humidity, which affect the precision of gravimetric balance measurements.
Innovation Solution
A test system with a housing containing input and output electrodes that apply a voltage potential to measure the volume of fluid dispensed by an insulin infusion device, using a conductive fluid to facilitate accurate measurement, and a processor to calculate and display the volume of fluid dispensed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gravimetric balance is used to measure fluid delivery, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to external factors such as temperature, evaporation, vibrations, humidity and air density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gravimetric balance system with an electrofluidic measurement system. Instead of measuring fluid delivery through mechanical weight changes that are sensitive to environmental factors, the invention uses electrical conductivity measurements between electrodes to detect fluid presence and volume, thereby eliminating susceptibility to temperature, evaporation, vibrations, humidity and air density variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach by using electrical conductivity as a mediator between the fluid and the measurement system. Rather than directly measuring fluid mass or volume through mechanical means, the system uses the electrical properties of the conductive fluid as an intermediary parameter that can be measured without direct mechanical interaction, thus avoiding environmental interference.
2Quantity of substance
If small amount of fluid is measured by gravimetric balance, then fluid delivery measurement is enabled, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to influence of external factors
Solution Approach 1:
For measuring small fluid amounts, the patent replaces the mechanical gravimetric balance with an electrofluidic detection system using electrodes. This substitution enables accurate measurement of small fluid volumes (nanoliters and microliters) by detecting changes in electrical conductivity, which is far more sensitive and accurate than mechanical balance methods for such small quantities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from mechanical weight to electrical conductivity. By measuring the electrical properties of the conductive fluid instead of its mass, the system achieves superior precision for small fluid amounts, as electrical conductivity measurements can detect minute changes in fluid presence and volume that would be imperceptible to mechanical balances.
3Measurement precision
If electrofluidic measurement system is used, then measurement precision is improved and resistance to external factors is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the conductive fluid itself as an intermediary medium that simplifies the measurement process. The fluid's electrical conductivity serves as a natural mediator between the electrodes and the measurement objective, eliminating the need for complex mechanical measurement apparatus while achieving high precision through simple electrical conductivity detection.
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 precise and accurate measurement of fluid delivery, resistant to environmental factors, enabling reliable determination of insulin infusion device accuracy, including measurements in nanoliters and microliters.
Implementation Method 1
The volume of fluid in the internal channel conducts current between the input electrode and the output electrode to facilitate measurement of the volume of fluid dispensed by the fluid infusion device
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a volume of fluid dispensed into a test housing includes creating an electrical potential across at least one input electrode of a plurality of input electrodes and at least one output electrode of a plurality of output electrodes. The input electrodes and the output electrodes are each coupled to the test housing. The method includes receiving at least one signal from the at least one output electrode based on the fluid dispensed into the test housing. The method includes calculating the volume of fluid dispensed into the test housing based on the at least one signal received from the at least one output electrode, a dimension associated with an internal channel defined within the test housing, and a distance between two input electrodes of the plurality of input electrodes.