Flow-regulating module prevents air entry in IV lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravenous drug administration methods using piggybacking are costly, prone to errors, and can lead to bloodstream infections due to frequent connections and disconnections of secondary lines.
Innovation Solution
A drug administration system that includes a flow-regulating module with an air sensor and a flow valve, which prevents air from entering the main line by closing the flow valve when air is detected, allowing a clearing liquid to follow the liquid medication and ensure complete administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If piggybacking with a secondary line is used to administer liquid medication, then the medication can be administered, but the system becomes complex, expensive, and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the secondary line component from the piggybacking system. By removing the secondary line, the system reduces complexity while maintaining the ability to administer medication through a simplified single-line configuration with automated flow control
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs automated flow regulation where the pump itself controls the medication delivery based on sensor feedback. The air sensor automatically detects when the medication reservoir is empty and triggers the pump to switch to clearing liquid, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing human error
2Reliability
If a secondary line is used for piggybacking, then medication can be administered, but material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the secondary line and associated components (roller clamp, drip chamber, additional tubing) from the system. This extraction eliminates the material costs associated with these components while maintaining medication administration capability through a streamlined single-line design
Solution Approach 2:
The single primary line serves multiple functions: it delivers liquid medication, receives clearing liquid for flushing, and integrates with the automated pump system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate secondary line components, reducing overall material requirements
3Reliability
If piggybacking is used, then medication can be administered, but errors occur due to difficult setup
Solution Approach 1:
The system features automated flow regulation where the pump monitors medication levels via air sensors and automatically switches from liquid medication to clearing liquid without manual intervention. This automation eliminates setup errors and simplifies operation while ensuring reliable medication delivery
Solution Approach 2:
Air sensors provide continuous feedback on the medication reservoir status and line conditions to the pump controller. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment of pump operation and switching to clearing liquid, ensuring reliable delivery while simplifying the user interface and reducing operational errors
4Reliability
If a secondary line is connected to the primary line, then medication can be administered, but the risk of bloodstream infection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the secondary line connection point that creates potential infection pathways. By removing this additional connection, the system reduces the number of potential contamination sites while maintaining medication administration through a single, controlled line
Solution Approach 2:
The automated pump system with integrated flow control and air sensing provides self-regulating operation that eliminates manual handling and connection/disconnection of secondary lines. This automation reduces the risk of contamination from frequent manual interventions while ensuring complete medication delivery
5Productivity
If the flow valve remains open, then liquid medication flows freely, but air may enter the line when the reservoir is empty
Solution Approach 1:
Air sensors continuously monitor the line for air presence and provide feedback to the pump controller. When air is detected (indicating empty reservoir), the system automatically closes the flow valve and switches to clearing liquid, preventing air entry while maintaining high flow rates during medication delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual flow control with an automated electromechanical flow valve actuated by sensor feedback. This substitution ensures precise, reliable control of flow closure when air is detected, preventing air entry while maintaining optimal medication delivery rates during operation
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 that nearly all of the liquid medication is administered, reducing waste and the risk of errors, while minimizing the risk of bloodstream infections by eliminating the need for secondary lines.
Implementation Method 1
the air sensor is configured to stimulate or optically probe liquid or air in the main line and differentiate between liquid and air
Implementation Method 2
the pump preferentially pumps from the liquid medication reservoir due to the lower degree of resistance to fluid withdrawal
Implementation Method 3
the flow-regulating module can include an air sensor, a flow valve, and a fluid output from the flow-regulating module. When the air sensor detects liquid the flow valve is open, and when the air sensor detects air the flow valve is closed
Implementation Method 4
clearing liquid from the clearing liquid reservoir begins to be withdrawn... the clearing liquid is then pumped into the main line behind the liquid medication
Data Source
AI summary
A method of injecting primary liquid into a subject can include flowing primary liquid through a flow-regulating module with a pump. The flow-regulating module is configured to allow liquid flow and stop air flow. Liquid can be detected in the main line while the primary liquid flows through the flow-regulating module. Air can be detected in the main line after the primary liquid in the flow-regulating module, and then the flow valve of the flow-regulating module is closed when air is present in the main line. The pump can then cause the flowing of the clearing liquid into the main line behind with primary liquid without air entering the main line downstream from the flow-regulating module. As a result, the primary liquid is injected into the subject followed by clearing liquid without air.