Fluid Access Interface for Automated Blood Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for obtaining blood samples from in-dwelling catheters are cumbersome for patients and healthcare providers, and there is a need for automated systems that can provide comprehensive blood parameter testing while avoiding human recording errors and enabling central data analysis.
Innovation Solution
The development of a fluid access interface system that includes a flexible transfer tube, a micro-syringe, a piston pump, a shuttle device, an air jet fluid access port, and a distribution valve to access blood samples from vascular access lines and deliver them to test substrates for automated analysis, including blood glucose measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional manual blood sampling methods are used, then blood samples can be obtained from vascular access lines, but the process is cumbersome and painful for patients requiring frequent monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service blood sampling by using the patient's own body pressure to drive blood flow through the catheter and into the sampling device. The flexible transfer tube automatically responds to pressure changes, eliminating the need for manual manipulation or external pumping mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sampling systems with a simpler pressure-responsive flexible tube. The tube's flexibility allows it to passively respond to intravascular pressure changes, substituting active mechanical pumping with passive pressure-driven flow.
2Measurement precision
If frequent manual blood glucose testing is performed to monitor patient condition, then accurate blood chemistry data can be obtained, but the process becomes tedious and difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous or near-continuous blood sampling by automatically responding to each pressure pulse from the patient's circulatory system. Multiple samples can be obtained sequentially without manual intervention, maintaining continuous monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system performs sampling without requiring manual operation for each test. The flexible transfer tube automatically activates with each pressure change, eliminating the time-consuming manual steps of positioning, connecting, and operating sampling devices.
3Extent of automation
If automated blood sampling systems are implemented, then sampling efficiency and data management can be improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves automation through self-service mechanisms where the flexible transfer tube automatically responds to pressure changes in the patient's vascular system. This eliminates the need for complex external control systems, pumps, or manual operation while maintaining automated sampling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex automated mechanical systems with a simple pressure-responsive flexible tube. The tube's inherent flexibility allows it to automatically respond to intravascular pressure changes, substituting complex automation mechanisms with a passive, elegant solution.
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
This system allows for automated, efficient, and accurate blood sampling and analysis, reducing patient discomfort and healthcare provider burden, while enabling programmable sampling schedules and central data management.
Implementation Method 1
an alteration in the shape of the tube causes the tube to move from an open state to a closed state
Implementation Method 2
a micro-syringe, a piston pump
Implementation Method 3
a micro-syringe, a piston pump, a shuttle device
Implementation Method 4
an air jet fluid access port, which further comprises a valve and a low volume air pump
Implementation Method 5
a distribution valve wherein said distribution valve is used to redirect a main flow of fluid to a side path
Implementation Method 6
Glucose in the sample is oxidized by glucose oxidase (GO) in the presence of atmospheric oxygen, forming hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
Implementation Method 7
H2O2 reacts with indicator dyes using horseradish peroxidase (HRP), forming a chromophore or light-absorbing dye
Implementation Method 8
Reflectance photometry quantifies the intensity of the colored product generated by the enzymatic reaction. The colored product absorbs the light—the more glucose in a sample (and thus the more colored product on a test strip), the less reflected light
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to systems, apparatuses, and methods for obtaining a fluid sample from a patient. In particular, the present invention relates to a various types of fluid access interfaces for enabling contact between a patient blood sample and blood parameter sensors for the measurement of physiological parameters and blood constituents.