Infusion Drip Rate Calculation with Integer Error Minimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nurses face challenges in accurately converting drip infusion rates from drops per minute to drops per 10 or 15 seconds, as the calculations often result in non-integer values, requiring rounding to minimize error, and determining the optimal time interval for drip infusion adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a calculation program that executes arithmetic operations to determine the drop number per unit time, applies integer processing to convert non-integer values into integers, and outputs the drop number per unit time with the smallest whole error, displaying the result on a liquid crystal display for user notification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the number of drops per minute is converted to drops per 10 or 15 seconds by division, then the conversion is simple, but the result is not always an integer requiring rounding
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary calculation of both drops per 10 seconds and drops per 15 seconds, then compares the rounding errors of both options before presenting the optimal result to the user. This preliminary comparison action resolves the contradiction by providing accurate results without requiring the user to perform complex error analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcomputer acts as an intermediary that automatically performs the conversion calculation and error minimization analysis. Instead of requiring the nurse to manually divide and round, the device intermediates the calculation process, automatically determining whether to divide by 6 or 4 based on which produces the smaller rounding error.
2Ease of operation
If rounding is applied to convert non-integer drop numbers into integers, then the result becomes practical for use, but the error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the time interval parameter between 10 seconds and 15 seconds to minimize rounding error. By selecting the optimal time interval parameter, the system maintains higher accuracy while still providing practical integer values for clinical use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary error analysis on both possible rounding options (10-second and 15-second intervals) before presenting the final result. This preliminary comparison ensures that the rounded value with the smallest error is selected, balancing usability with accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If the optimal time interval is selected based on smallest whole error, then the accuracy improves, but the calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-service by automatically executing the entire calculation process including both conversion options, error analysis, and optimal result selection. The system serves itself by autonomously determining the best time interval without requiring external intervention or complex manual calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical calculation with electronic computation using a microcomputer. This substitution handles the calculation complexity internally, presenting only the simplified final result to the user, thereby improving accuracy without increasing the perceived complexity for the end user.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided an output device including: calculating a first operation execution number and a second operation execution number, on the basis of a total quantity of a target, required time to be spent for output of the target of the total quantity, and a quantity of the target output per one execution of the certain operation; executing fraction processing for each of the calculated first operation execution number and the calculated second operation execution number to change them into integers; and preferentially outputting the operation execution number per unit time of one of the first operation execution number and the second operation execution number having been changed into integers, on the basis of results of the fraction processing.