Non-Electric Fluidic Communication via Pressure Pulses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication methods in water treatment systems and medical devices, particularly blood treatment machines, face challenges in ensuring safe and efficient communication without electrical components, which can compromise patient safety and introduce susceptibility to external attacks.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a non-electrical communication system using pressure pulses through fluid lines, allowing devices connected via liquid lines to communicate without the need for additional communication lines or electrical modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electrical communication modules are used in blood treatment machines, then communication efficiency and networking capability are improved, but patient safety is compromised due to electrical hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical hazards to patient

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical communication systems with a mechanical communication system using pressure pulses transmitted through the fluid line. The transmitting device generates pressure pulses that propagate through the fluid to the receiving device, eliminating electrical components from the communication path while maintaining networking capability between treatment machines

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the fluid itself as an intermediary medium to transmit communication signals. The fluid line, originally serving only for fluid transport, becomes a dual-purpose medium that carries both the treatment fluid and the communication signals in the form of pressure waves, eliminating the need for separate communication cables

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional communication cables or modules are installed, then networking capability is improved, but device complexity and installation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetworking capabilityVSAvoidcommunication infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the fluid line multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a fluid transport conduit and as a communication channel. This eliminates the need for separate communication infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full networking capability between devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the fluid transport function and communication function into a single integrated system. The same physical infrastructure (fluid lines) carries both the treatment fluid and the communication signals, consolidating what would traditionally require separate cable systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Speed

If electrical communication is used, then data transmission speed is improved, but susceptibility to external attacks and interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidsecurity against external attacks

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the fluid as an intermediary that naturally isolates the communication system from external electrical interference and cyber attacks. Since the communication signals are transmitted as mechanical pressure pulses through the fluid rather than electrical signals through cables, they are inherently protected from electromagnetic interference and external hacking attempts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution eliminates the risk of electrical hazards, reduces susceptibility to external attacks, and enables efficient communication between fluid-related devices, enhancing both safety and operational efficiency in water treatment and medical settings.

Implementation Method 1

The fundamental idea of the inventive solution is thus that devices/devices connected to one another via a fluid line, which is conventionally used only for transporting fluids, communicate with one another non-electrically, via the line or the fluid conveyed therein, using pressure pulses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure pulse transmission: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4034185B1Method and system for non-electric communication in water treatment plants or medical appliances

Publication Date: 2025.04.16 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a communications device for non-electric communication between fluidically interconnected devices, the communications device being designed to be mounted in a position in a fluidic overall system formed by the fluidically interconnected devices and to receive and/or emit non-electric signals, in particular in the form of pressure or sound signals, the non-electric signals being transmitted via a line that fluidically interconnects the devices. The invention further relates to a method for non-electric communication between fluidically interconnected devices, the non-electric communication taking place preferably by means of pressure and/or sound signals via at least one line that fluidically interconnects the devices.