Infusion Pump Authentication for Certified Set Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infusion pumps lack the ability to authenticate and ensure the use of certified infusion products, posing a risk of patient harm from unsuitable or non-certified infusion items.

Innovation Solution

An infusion pump equipped with an authentication device, such as a sensor or mechanical locking mechanism, verifies the authenticity of infusion items through features like QR codes or RFID tags, ensuring compatibility and safety by comparing against a database.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional infusion pumps without authentication are used, then device simplicity and ease of operation are maintained, but patient safety and reliability are compromised due to inability to verify infusion item certification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient safetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication device verifies the infusion item's certification status before the infusion process begins. The sensor detects authentication features (QR codes, RFID tags, mechanical codes) on the infusion item, and the control unit validates this information against a database of certified items. This preliminary verification ensures that only certified infusion items are used, thereby improving patient safety without requiring complex authentication during the infusion process itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If authentication features are added to infusion items, then reliability and certification verification are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecertification verificationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable authentication features that can be easily integrated into single-use infusion items. These include QR codes printed on labels, RFID tags embedded in the infusion set, or simple mechanical coding features. Since infusion items are typically single-use, these authentication features can be added during manufacturing without significantly increasing cost, and they enable reliable verification of certification status when combined with the pump's authentication device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If electromagnetic sensors are used for authentication, then detection precision and authentication reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase compared to mechanical methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication detection precisionVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication device is designed with a universal approach that can detect multiple types of authentication features using a single sensor system. The sensor can read QR codes, RFID tags, or NFC tags, and the control unit is programmed to validate different authentication methods. This multi-functional design improves authentication reliability without requiring separate mechanical and electromagnetic systems, as the electronic sensor can handle various authentication feature types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Ensures reliable patient care by preventing the use of non-certified infusion products, thereby minimizing the risk of contamination and ensuring accurate dosing and safety.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor can detect an authentication feature located on the infusion device. Preferably, the sensor is an electromagnetic sensor. Advantageously, the sensor is designed as an optical sensor, in particular as a camera. Alternatively, the electromagnetic sensor can be designed as an RFID reader or NFC sensor.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4674448A1Infusion pump with authentification arrangement
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 B BRAUN MELSUNGEN AG
  • EP4674448A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4674448A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4674448A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Infusion pump (2) which is designed for use with at least one infusion article (38), wherein the infusion pump (2) has at least one authentication device (42) for authentication of the at least one infusion article (38) for use with the infusion pump (2).