Enteral Feeding Set Identification for Automatic Flow Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing enteral feeding pumps struggle to accurately adjust flow rates and delivery protocols based on the varying characteristics of different nutritional liquids, such as viscosity and caloric content, leading to potential errors in fluid administration.
Innovation Solution
An enteral feeding system with a feeding set that includes an identification member representing nutritional liquid characteristics, allowing the pump to automatically identify these traits and adjust flow rates accordingly, ensuring precise delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a peristaltic pump delivers feeding fluids with differing formulations and characteristics, then the pump can accommodate various nutritional liquids, but the flow behavior varies due to differences in viscosity, nutritional value, and caloric content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of flow rates with an automated identification system. The pump system automatically detects nutritional liquid characteristics through sensors and electronically adjusts flow parameters, eliminating the need for manual mechanical calibration and ensuring consistent flow behavior across different liquid formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical or chemical parameters of the system by introducing automated detection of liquid characteristics (viscosity, caloric content, nutritional value) and dynamically adjusting pump flow parameters based on these detected parameters, thereby maintaining reliable flow behavior despite variations in liquid composition.
2Ease of operation
If the pump manually adjusts flow rates for different nutritional liquids, then customization is possible, but the process is time-consuming and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system performs self-identification and self-adjustment of flow rates. The automated detection system identifies nutritional liquid characteristics and automatically configures appropriate flow parameters without requiring operator intervention, thereby eliminating setup time and human error while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification and configuration automatically upon detection of the nutritional liquid. The pump pre-adjusts flow parameters based on detected characteristics before delivery begins, eliminating the need for manual setup time and ensuring immediate accurate operation.
3Measurement precision
If the pump uses manual identification of nutritional liquid characteristics, then flow rates can be adjusted, but the accuracy and precision are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual identification methods with automated sensing and detection systems. Sensors and electronic detectors automatically measure nutritional liquid characteristics with high precision, eliminating human error and subjectivity while the electronic control system manages the complexity of parameter adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection system between the nutritional liquid and the pump control mechanism. This intermediary layer automatically translates liquid characteristics into appropriate flow parameters, enhancing measurement precision while managing system complexity through modular sensor and control architecture.
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 ensures accurate and appropriate delivery of nutritional liquids by automatically customizing flow rates based on the identified characteristics, reducing the likelihood of errors and ensuring compliance with prescribed treatment regimens.
Implementation Method 1
The rotating pump rotor engages the tubing of the feeding set, pinching off a portion of the tubing and pushing the feeding fluid forward from the pinch point, toward the patient. In this manner, a peristaltic action that is created by the rotation of the rotor drives fluid through the tubing.
Data Source
AI summary
A feeding set for use with a peristaltic enteral feeding pump to deliver nutritional liquid fluid to a patient includes a container having nutritional liquid. A conduit assembly includes tubing placeable in fluid communication with the container and adapted for mounting on the enteral feeding pump. The tubing provides a fluid pathway for delivering the nutritional liquid from the container to a patient when the tubing is mounted on the enteral feeding pump. An identification member is mounted on the conduit assembly and has at least one characteristic of a nutritional liquid associated with the feeding set represented by the identification member. The identification member is positioned on the conduit assembly so as to permit automatic identification by the enteral feeding pump of the at least one characteristic of the nutritional liquid upon mounting the conduit assembly on the enteral feeding pump.