Enteral Feeding Pump Wireless Certification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing certification systems for pumps require manual intervention and removal from the field, which is costly and disrupts patient care, as they rely on manual testing to verify pump components are within operational ranges.

Innovation Solution

A wireless certification system that communicates operating parameters of an enteral feeding pump to a remote certification application, allowing for continuous verification against specified metrics, enabling remote monitoring and reducing the need for manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual certification is performed using a special feeding set, then pump components can be verified to be within operational range, but the pump must be removed from the field and patient care is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification of pump component functionalityVSAvoidinterruption of patient care

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical certification processes with an automated electronic system. The pump controller automatically retrieves operational data, compares it against predetermined specifications, and determines certification status without requiring manual intervention or removal of the pump from the patient care setting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump performs self-certification by automatically monitoring its own operational parameters and comparing them against required specifications. The system autonomously determines whether it meets certification criteria without external intervention, allowing continuous operation during patient care.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual certification is performed, then pump components can be verified, but the process is costly and requires special feeding sets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification of pump component functionalityVSAvoidcost and complexity of certification process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pump controller serves multiple functions: it not only controls the pumping operation but also performs certification by retrieving operational data, comparing it against specifications, and determining certification status. This eliminates the need for separate certification equipment and special feeding sets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses electronic copies of operational data stored in memory rather than physical testing with special feeding sets. The controller retrieves digital records of pump operation and compares them against specification criteria, replacing physical certification artifacts with electronic data verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If occasional certification is performed manually, then pump reliability can be maintained, but frequent certification is needed to ensure consistent accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistent and accurate delivery of fluidsVSAvoidfrequency of certification interruptions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump continuously monitors its operational parameters and maintains certification status throughout operation. Rather than performing discrete certification events that interrupt service, the system continuously verifies compliance with specifications, enabling uninterrupted patient care while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS10215305B2Enteral feeding pump certification

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 KPR U S LLC

AI summary

A method of performing a certification on an enteral feeding pump based on at least one operating parameter of the pump includes communicating certification information between the pump and a certification application remote from the pump. The at least one operating parameter is compared to a specified operating metric to verify that the at least one operating parameter of the pump is within the specified operating metric.