Infusion Pump Drug Combination Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-channel infusion pump systems face errors in entering the correct drug, dose, and delivery sequence for complex drug combinations, which can lead to administration mistakes during medical treatments.

Innovation Solution

A drug infusion system that allows nurses or technicians to select a predefined drug combination icon, with preset timing and sequence, and tailors drug dosages based on patient weight or body surface area, using a networked or non-networked system of multiple pumps, where a master pump coordinates the delivery with delegate pumps to ensure accurate and efficient administration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If each drug is entered individually into the pump, then the system can deliver multiple drugs, but the opportunity for error increases in terms of entering the wrong drug, dose, or timing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug combination deliveryVSAvoidaccuracy of drug, dose, and timing entry
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures drug combinations with predetermined sequences, dosages, and timing parameters before the actual administration. The pump stores complete drug protocol information in advance, allowing the system to deliver multiple drugs accurately without requiring manual entry of each parameter during administration, thus reducing human error while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual entry of each drug parameter is required, then the system can be customized for each patient, but the complexity of operation increases and errors are more likely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient-specific customizationVSAvoidsimplicity of drug combination entry
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pump system incorporates a universal interface that allows selection from pre-programmed drug combination protocols. Instead of requiring manual entry of each drug parameter, the system provides standardized templates that can be selected and automatically configured for different patients, maintaining patient-specific customization while significantly simplifying operation through standardized, pre-validated protocols.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple drugs are delivered simultaneously through separate entries, then the system can handle complex combinations, but the time required for setup and the potential for timing errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplex drug combination capabilityVSAvoidtime for drug entry and sequence setup
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-establishes complete drug delivery protocols including sequencing, timing intervals, and dosage parameters before administration. By having the pump stored and executed pre-configured protocols, the system eliminates the time-consuming manual setup process while maintaining the ability to handle complex multi-drug combinations with precise timing, thus reducing setup time without compromising complexity capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2550616B1Multiple drug infusion system and method
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 BAXTER INT INC
  • EP2550616B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2550616B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2550616B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A drug infusion system includes an infusion pump; an input device; and a processor, the input device and processor configured to allow an operator to make a selection that specifies a combination of a plurality of drugs to be delivered to a patient, the input device and processor further configured to allow the operator to enter the weight of the patient, at least one of the plurality of drugs delivered based on the entered weight of the patient.