Infusion Control Algorithm for Physiological Gating of PCA Drug Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) systems lack effective safety features to prevent drug administration to unconscious or unstable patients and are limited by device-specific software implementations.
Innovation Solution
An infusion control device with a drug-control algorithm that detects patient-controlled drug-requesting devices and sensor devices, authorizes drug delivery based on patient physiological data, history, and delivery criteria, ensuring safe administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional syringe pumps with basic PCA software are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but safety features to prevent drug administration to unstable patients are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system that sits between the patient-controlled drug-requesting device and the drug-delivery apparatus. This intermediary layer evaluates patient physiological data from sensor devices and applies pause control algorithms to determine whether drug delivery should be authorized, thereby enhancing safety without requiring complex software modifications to the original syringe pump devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to be universally applicable across different drug-delivery apparatuses and patient care systems. By implementing a standardized pause control algorithm that can interface with various sensor devices and delivery systems, the solution provides enhanced safety features without being device-specific, allowing the same control logic to protect patients across multiple different hardware configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If device-specific software implementations are used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but interoperability across different devices is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements a universal interface layer that can communicate with various drug-delivery apparatuses and sensor devices through standardized protocols. This allows the same pause control algorithm to function across different device manufacturers and types, enhancing interoperability without requiring custom software development for each specific device configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system architecture is segmented into distinct functional layers: the patient-controlled drug-requesting device, the intermediary control system with pause control algorithms, and the drug-delivery apparatus. This segmentation allows each component to remain relatively simple while the integrated system achieves high interoperability, as each layer communicates through well-defined interfaces rather than requiring full system integration.
3Reliability
If comprehensive sensor monitoring is implemented, then patient safety monitoring is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts sensor monitoring based on patient needs and clinical context. The pause control algorithm can modify which sensors are actively monitored and at what frequency, allowing comprehensive safety monitoring when needed while reducing power consumption during stable periods. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to maintain high reliability without continuously maximizing power usage across all sensor devices.
Data Source
AI summary
An infusion control device detects a patient-controlled drug-requesting device that is in operable communication with the infusion control device. The infusion control device identifies sensor devices and drug-delivery apparatuses separate from the infusion control device that are in operable communication with the infusion control device. The infusion control device selects a drug-control algorithm for approving drug requests received by the patient-controlled drug-requesting device. The infusion control device identifies a patient using the patient-controlled drug-requesting device, and receives patient physiological data from the sensor devices. The infusion control device receives a request for a drug to be delivered to the patient by a drug-delivery apparatus. The infusion control devices determines whether the patient is authorized to perform the drug request. And based on determining that the patient is authorized, the infusion control device causes delivery of the drug to the patient.