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 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 involves 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 by switching the fluid flow path between reservoirs, then multiple therapeutic fluids can be delivered through a common line, but the remaining therapeutic fluid in the common line causes delays and dosing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary flush action by driving the second fluid through the common line at a higher second rate before normal administration begins. This preliminary high-rate flow clears the remaining first therapeutic fluid from the common line, ensuring that when the second fluid reaches the patient, it is the correct fluid at the correct concentration, thereby eliminating dosing errors and delays.
2Reliability
If the therapeutic fluid remaining in the common line is cleared before switching, then dosing accuracy is improved, but the next therapeutic fluid is delayed from reaching the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by using a temporary high-rate flush phase followed by a return to normal administration rate. The pump operates at the second (higher) rate for a predetermined flush period to clear the common line, then transitions back to the normal second rate for therapeutic fluid delivery. This periodic high-rate operation achieves complete clearance without permanent delay, as the flush itself is part of the controlled administration sequence.
3Measurement precision
If the infusion pump monitors fluid volume to detect when the common line is flushed, then fluid delivery tracking accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback by continuously monitoring the volume of second fluid driven through the common line and comparing it against the predetermined common line flush volume value. When the monitored volume equals or exceeds the flush volume, the system detects that clearance is complete and automatically transitions from the second (flush) rate to the normal therapeutic administration rate. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures accurate fluid delivery tracking while automating the decision-making process, minimizing the need for complex manual monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
An infusion pump system and method with common line auto flush, wherein the infusion pump system has a reservoir, a fluid line in fluid connection with the reservoir and having a terminal fluid delivery end, and an infusion pump. The method includes receiving an instruction to flush the fluid line at a flush rate, wherein the fluid line comprises a fluid line volume of a second fluid; receiving an instruction to infuse the first fluid at an infusion rate; flushing the fluid line by infusing a fluid line volume of the first fluid from the reservoir at a flush rate greater than the infusion rate; determining that the fluid line volume of the first fluid has been infused at the flush rate; and changing to infusing the first fluid through from the reservoir at the infusion rate.