Infusion Pump Occlusion Detection via Force Rate-of-Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infusion pump assemblies face challenges in detecting occlusions, which can impede or prevent the delivery of infusible fluids, leading to potential medical complications for users.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining rate-of-change force readings corresponding to the delivery of infusible fluid doses and comparing these readings to threshold values to initiate an alarm sequence if the average rate-of-change exceeds the threshold, indicating a possible occlusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If infusion pump assembly is used to deliver infusible fluid, then fluid delivery is automated and precise, but occlusions may occur that impede or prevent delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring force readings during fluid delivery and comparing them against threshold values before occlusions fully develop. The method calculates rate-of-change of force readings and initiates alarm sequences when thresholds are exceeded, enabling early detection and intervention before complete delivery failure occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously measuring force readings during infusible fluid delivery, comparing actual readings against threshold values, and adjusting operation accordingly. When the rate-of-change of force readings exceeds predetermined thresholds, the system provides feedback through alarm sequences to alert operators and prevent complete occlusion-related failures.
2Device complexity
If manual fluid administration is used, then occlusion detection is simpler, but repeated small quantity administrations are impractically expensive and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The infusion pump assembly performs self-service by automatically monitoring its own operation through force reading sensors. The system independently calculates rate-of-change of force readings, compares them against integrated threshold values, and triggers alarm sequences without requiring external monitoring equipment or manual intervention, thereby maintaining simplicity while enabling continuous automated detection.
3Measurement precision
If force readings are monitored continuously, then occlusion detection precision is improved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial monitoring action by continuously measuring force readings but only performing detailed rate-of-change calculations and threshold comparisons when necessary. The method monitors all deliveries but initiates alarm sequences only when predetermined threshold exceedances occur, thereby maintaining high detection precision while avoiding the complexity and energy consumption of continuous active intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, computer program product, and infusion pump assembly for determining a first rate-of-change force reading that corresponds to the delivery of a first dose of an infusible fluid via an infusion pump assembly. At least a second rate-of-change force reading is determined that corresponds to the delivery of at least a second dose of the infusible fluid via the infusion pump assembly. An average rate-of-change force reading is determined based, at least in part upon the first rate-of-change force reading and the at least a second rate-of-change force reading.