Fluid Flow Control Valve with Rules-Based Clinical Decision Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clinical practices face challenges in ensuring accurate fluid administration to patients due to compatibility issues, incorrect dosages, and sequencing errors, which can lead to adverse reactions and errors in patient care settings.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a fluid inlet, outlet, flow stop, identification sensor, and flow state controller that uses a rules engine to determine the appropriate fluid flow based on encoded information from manually administrable fluid sources, patient data, and clinical guidelines, preventing errors through automated control and user feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated flow control with sensors and rules engine is implemented, then patient safety and accuracy of fluid administration is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fluid administration control into modular components: identification sensor for fluid source recognition, flow state controller for decision-making, fluid flow stop for execution, and rules engine for logic processing. Each component performs a specific function, making the overall complex system manageable and maintainable while achieving high reliability through distributed functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification sensor detects fluid source information before fluid administration begins, and the rules engine pre-evaluates compatibility, dosage, and sequencing rules. The flow state controller prepares the appropriate flow state in advance based on pre-processing of fluid source data, ensuring safety checks are completed before actual fluid delivery to prevent errors.
2Device complexity
If manual fluid administration with labeling is used, then device complexity is minimized, but human error in compatibility, dosage, and sequencing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by having the identification sensor automatically detect fluid source information and the rules engine autonomously evaluate compatibility, dosage, and sequencing without requiring manual verification. The flow state controller automatically adjusts fluid delivery based on detected information, eliminating human error while keeping the interface simple for clinical use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the identification sensor continuously detect fluid source information and feed it to the rules engine, which evaluates the data and provides feedback to the flow state controller. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures automatic verification of fluid compatibility, dosage accuracy, and proper sequencing, preventing human errors in manual administration.
3Measurement precision
If automated detection and control systems are added, then fluid administration accuracy is improved, but ease of operation decreases due to additional setup and monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the identification sensor, flow state controller, and rules engine into an integrated fluid delivery system. The sensor, controller, and execution mechanism are combined in a single device that automatically performs detection, evaluation, and flow control, eliminating the need for separate monitoring equipment and reducing the operational burden on clinicians despite the advanced functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling fluid delivery via a manually administrable medication container to a patient through a fluid delivery pathway are provided. The systems and methods described herein incorporate rules-based clinical decision support logic to drive a flow control valve within a flow pathway to determine whether the IV fluid connected to the input port is consistent with medical orders, accepted delivery protocols, and/or specific patient and patient histories. Related apparatus, systems, methods and articles are also described.