Fluid Flow Control in Medical Device Transport Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices for extracorporeal blood treatment face challenges in accurately determining and controlling fluid flow rates in transport lines, which can impact treatment quality and patient safety due to imprecision in fluid flow measurement and regulation.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that includes a control device connected to pumps and sensors, allowing for precise measurement and regulation of fluid flow rates by comparing values from sensors and pumps, and utilizing a second pump to verify and adjust the flow rates, ensuring accurate and reliable fluid management in waste lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pump is used to pump fluid through transport lines in medical devices, then fluid transport is achieved, but imprecision in fluid flow measurement and regulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a sensor detects the actual fluid flow rate in the transport line and feeds this information back to a control device. The control device compares the detected flow rate with the target flow rate and adjusts the pump operation accordingly to eliminate any deviation, thereby ensuring precise and reliable fluid flow control throughout the treatment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical pump-based flow control with a hybrid system that incorporates electronic sensing and control. Instead of relying solely on mechanical pump precision, the system uses electronic sensors to detect flow rate and electronic control devices to regulate pump operation, achieving superior measurement precision and control reliability compared to traditional mechanical systems alone.
2Measurement precision
If conventional fluid control systems are used in medical devices, then fluid transport is achieved, but accuracy of fluid flow rate determination is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensor system between the pump and the fluid destination. This sensor acts as a mediator that accurately measures the actual flow rate and communicates this information to the control device, enabling precise flow rate determination without requiring complete redesign of the entire fluid control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-regulation by automatically detecting flow rate deviations through sensors and adjusting pump operation without external intervention. The system monitors its own performance in real-time and corrects any inaccuracies autonomously, maintaining high measurement accuracy while managing complexity through automated self-service control.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for controlling a fluid flow rate in a fluid transport line (12, 15, 16) of a medical device, comprising at least a first pump, at least a first chamber (29, 29a) for collecting the fluid, at least a sensor for providing a first value (v1) correlated to the amount of fluid in the first chamber (29, 29a), and a control device (21, 21 a) configured for receiving a second value representative of the fluid flow rate through the first pump (18, 18a) and for correlating the second value with the first value (v1) in order to obtain an accuracy check of the second value. A method for controlling a fluid flow rate in a fluid transport line (12, 15, 16) of a medical device is also disclosed, comprising the steps of pumping a fluid, collecting the fluid in a first chamber (29, 29a), sensing a first value (v1) correlated to the amount of fluid in the first chamber (29, 29a), and detecting and sending a second value representative of the fluid flow rate through the first pump (18, 18a) to a control device (21, 21 a), sending the first value (v1) to the control device (21, 21 a), and correlating the second value with the first value (v1) in order to obtain an accuracy check.