Infusion Pump Common-Line Auto Flush for Accurate Fluid Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infusion pump systems face challenges when switching between therapeutic fluids, as residual fluid in the common line is not effectively cleared, leading to delayed administration, incorrect fluid delivery rates, and inaccuracies in fluid accounting, which can result in suboptimal therapy and errors in patient treatment.
Innovation Solution
The infusion pump system incorporates a method to automatically flush the common line by monitoring the volume of the second fluid infused at a first rate and switching to a second rate once the flush volume value is met, ensuring accurate clearance and accounting of the first fluid, thereby preventing residual fluid from interfering with the administration of the second fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If therapeutic fluid is delivered through a common line with switching between reservoirs, then multiple therapeutic fluids can be administered, but residual fluid in the common line causes delays and incorrect delivery rates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary flush action by delivering a predetermined flush volume at a first rate before switching to the second reservoir. This preliminary action clears residual fluid from the common line, ensuring that when the second therapeutic fluid is administered, there is no contamination or mixing with the previous fluid, thereby maintaining delivery accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
A flush solution is introduced as an intermediary substance between the first and second therapeutic fluids. This intermediary flush solution clears the common line of residual fluid, acting as a mediator that prevents direct mixing of therapeutic fluids while maintaining system continuity and enabling accurate delivery of subsequent fluids.
2Reliability
If residual fluid is cleared by flushing with second fluid at first rate, then fluid mixing is prevented, but administration time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the flow rate parameter dynamically: first delivering at a first rate to clear residual fluid and prevent mixing, then switching to a second rate for normal administration. This parameter change allows the system to prioritize reliability during the transition phase while maintaining efficiency during normal operation, minimizing overall time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system delivers a partial flush volume that is sufficient to clear the common line of residual fluid but not excessive enough to cause significant delay. By calculating and delivering only the necessary flush volume required to clear the line, the system achieves adequate fluid separation while minimizing administration time loss.
3Ease of operation
If pump switches between flow paths without flush, then operation is simple, but fluid accounting becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback by monitoring the volume of fluid delivered and using this information to determine when the flush volume has been achieved. The pump tracks the amount of flush solution delivered and automatically transitions to the second reservoir when the predetermined flush volume is reached, ensuring accurate fluid accounting while maintaining automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically managing the flush process and fluid transitions without requiring manual intervention. The pump autonomously calculates flush volumes, controls flow rates, monitors delivery accuracy, and manages reservoir switching, thereby maintaining both operational simplicity and measurement precision through automated self-regulation.
Data Source
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AI summary
An infusion pump system and method with common line auto flush, wherein the infusion pump system has a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a junction, a common line having one end in fluid connection with the junction and having a terminal fluid delivery end, and an infusion pump. The method includes infusing the first fluid at a first rate along a first flow path; entering a common line flush volume value for the common line; switching from the first flow path to a second flow path; driving the second fluid at the first rate along the second flow path; monitoring volume of the second fluid driven at the first rate; and driving the second fluid at a second rate along the second flow path when the monitored volume is equal to or greater than the common line flush volume value.