Infusion Pump Common-Line Auto Flush for Accurate Fluid Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Infusion pump systems face challenges when switching between two therapeutic fluids, as residual fluid in the common line can lead to delayed administration, incorrect dosing, and errors in fluid delivery tracking.
Innovation Solution
The infusion pump system incorporates a method that includes infusing the first fluid at a specific rate, receiving a common line flush volume value, switching to the second fluid, and monitoring its volume to determine when to switch to a higher rate for the second fluid, ensuring complete clearance of the first fluid from the common line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If therapeutic fluid is administered alternately from two reservoirs through a common line, then multiple therapeutic fluids can be delivered, but residual fluid in the common line causes delays and dosing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the residual fluid problem from the common line by introducing a separate flush line that connects to a flush reservoir. This allows the problematic residual fluid to be removed through a dedicated pathway rather than attempting to manage it within the shared common line, thereby resolving the conflict between multi-fluid delivery capability and dosing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary flushing action before switching between therapeutic fluids. The flush reservoir is pre-filled with flush solution, and the system automatically activates the flush line to clear residual fluid from the common line before initiating delivery of the next therapeutic fluid, preventing dosing errors and delays.
2Reliability
If residual fluid is cleared from the common line before switching fluids, then dosing accuracy improves, but administration time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by operating the flush line and common line simultaneously through independent pump control. The flush pump continues to deliver flush solution through the flush line while the infusion pump controls therapeutic fluid delivery through the common line, eliminating idle time and ensuring continuous patient therapy without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of the flush line based on real-time detection of residual fluid presence. The flush pump is activated only when residual fluid is detected and deactivated when the common line is clear, optimizing the balance between maintaining dosing accuracy and minimizing administration delays.
3Device complexity
If the common line is used for multiple fluids, then device complexity is reduced, but fluid tracking accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid delivery system into two independent pathways: a common line for therapeutic fluid delivery and a separate flush line for residual fluid clearance. This segmentation allows each line to be independently monitored and controlled, with separate pump systems that can be individually tracked, thereby resolving the conflict between system simplicity and tracking accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that detect the presence and volume of residual fluid in the common line. This feedback information is used to automatically control the flush pump operation and to accurately track the volume of therapeutic fluid delivered to the patient, ensuring precise fluid accounting despite the use of a shared common line.
Data Source
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.