Medical Fluid Fill-Level Release Detection Under Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical fluid containers face measurement errors due to position, acceleration, and compression, especially in flexible bags, making accurate fill level determination challenging, particularly during patient mobility or when deformed.
Innovation Solution
A detection device integrated with a position detector and acceleration sensor, such as an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), determines a release criterion by ensuring the container is in a stable position and experiencing minimal acceleration, allowing for accurate fill level measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flexible bags are used for medical fluids, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to container deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of acceleration sensors and position detectors that mediate between the flexible container and the measurement system. These sensors detect container state changes and provide correction data, allowing accurate measurements even when the container deforms. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by enabling both flexible container use and precise measurement.
2Ease of operation
If the container is moved during patient transport, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to position changes and acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where acceleration sensors and position detectors continuously monitor container state during movement. The measured acceleration and position data are fed back to the evaluation unit, which compensates for these changes in real-time. This allows the system to maintain measurement precision even during patient transport and container relocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of container position and acceleration before fill level measurement occurs. By anticipating and detecting movement conditions in advance, the system can prepare appropriate correction factors, ensuring accurate measurements even when the container is moved during patient care activities.
3Ease of operation
If the container is compressed during use, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to compression effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces acceleration sensors as an intermediary that detects container compression and deformation. These sensors provide data about the container state that mediates between the physical compression and the measurement system, allowing the evaluation unit to compensate for compression effects and maintain measurement accuracy.
4Ease of operation
If strong accelerations occur during patient mobility, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to ripples and position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through acceleration sensors that detect strong accelerations and position changes during patient mobility. The sensor data is fed back to the evaluation unit, which uses this information to compensate for ripple effects and position changes, maintaining measurement precision even during active patient care and mobility activities.
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 reliable fill level measurements by discarding invalid data from unstable conditions, ensuring accuracy and reducing measurement errors caused by tilting, movement, or compression.
Implementation Method 1
a position detector configured to determine the position of the level determination system
Implementation Method 2
an acceleration detector configured to determine the acceleration of the level determination system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Container (300) for a level determination system (1) for determining a level criterion of a medical fluid, wherein the container (300) is configured to receive the medical fluid, the container (300) comprising a holder by means of which a level measuring arrangement (200) and the container (300) are configured to be connectable to each other, wherein the holder on the container (300) comprises a pocket (307, 308) which is configured to receive the level measuring arrangement (200) according to a sword-sheath principle.