Guided Relay Infusion Pump for Syringe Handoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
The delivery of medical fluids from a single syringe can be problematic, particularly when the fluid has a short half-life or requires frequent syringe changes due to patient condition changes, leading to potential medication errors and hazards from inconsistent drug concentrations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for guided relay of medical fluid administration from multiple syringes, where the infusion pump transitions the delivery from one syringe to another by adjusting flow rates to maintain a constant overall delivery rate, with monitoring and alerts to prevent patient hazards and ensure continuity of drug delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single syringe is used for medical fluid delivery, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability deteriorates due to frequent syringe changes and potential medication errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the medication delivery function into multiple independent syringes (first syringe, second syringe) that can operate separately and be switched between. Each syringe is monitored independently, and the system manages them as separate units rather than one complex syringe, thereby improving reliability through redundancy while keeping individual components simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes monitoring parameters (first monitoring limits during single-syringe operation, second monitoring limits during transition periods) based on the operational state. This allows the system to adapt its sensitivity and thresholds to the current configuration, maintaining high reliability during transitions without requiring permanently complex monitoring for all states.
2Reliability
If monitoring limits are kept constant during syringe transitions, then the ease of operation is high, but the reliability deteriorates due to inconsistent monitoring sensitivity during critical transition periods
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring limits are made dynamic rather than static. The system automatically adjusts between first monitoring limits (during stable single-syringe operation) and second monitoring limits (during transition periods) based on the current operational phase. This dynamic adaptation improves patient safety during critical transitions without requiring manual intervention to change limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the operational state (which syringe is active, transition phase) and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the appropriate monitoring limits. This closed-loop approach ensures the correct sensitivity is applied at the right time, improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
3Productivity
If the transition between syringes is manual, then the ease of operation is high, but the productivity deteriorates due to clinician workload and potential delays in medication delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-management during syringe transitions. It automatically detects when a syringe is disconnected, initiates the transition protocol, applies appropriate monitoring limits, and ensures continuous medication delivery without requiring clinician intervention for each step. This reduces clinician workload while maintaining productivity through automated oversight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous medication delivery by overlapping the operation of first and second syringes during the transition period. Both syringes can be active simultaneously under coordinated control, preventing any interruption in medication flow to the patient. This maintains productivity while the system handles the complexity of seamless transition.
Data Source
AI summary
Guided relay infusion systems and methods are provided. The guided relay system may be a portion of an infusion pump that can simultaneously deliver a medical fluid from two syringes. When a first one of the syringes is running out of the medical fluid and a second one of the syringes is more full of the medical fluid than the first one of the syringes, guided relay messages are provided for a relay handoff from the first one of the syringes to the second one of the syringes that ensures a smooth continuous delivery of more of the medical fluid than the first one of the syringes holds.