Infusion Pump Occlusion Sensor Using Optical Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infusion pump systems lack effective occlusion detection in the fluid path, leading to potential underdosing or cessation of medication delivery due to kinks or blockages in the fluid flow line, which existing technologies fail to reliably address.
Innovation Solution
An occlusion sensor system integrated into the infusion pump, comprising a reusable controller device with a light emitter and sensor, and a light transmissive member in the disposable pump device, which detects occlusions by analyzing light reflection and fluid pressure changes, triggering an alarm if an occlusion is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an occlusion sensor system with light emitter and sensor is integrated into the infusion pump, then occlusion detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion sensor system is divided into separate components: a reusable controller device containing the light emitter and light sensor, and a disposable pump device containing the light transmissive member. This segmentation allows the complex sensing components to be reused across multiple pump devices, reducing the complexity burden on each individual disposable unit while maintaining reliable occlusion detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A light transmissive member is introduced as an intermediary element between the light emitter in the controller and the fluid path in the pump device. This intermediary allows optical signals to pass through while enabling occlusion detection, and it can be disposed of with the pump device, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Ease of manufacture
If reusable controller device with occlusion sensor is used across multiple disposable pump devices, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but ensuring consistent detection precision across devices becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The controller device is designed as a universal platform that can be paired with multiple different disposable pump devices. The standardized interface and alignment features ensure that the occlusion detection functionality remains consistent across different pump device models, allowing the expensive sensor components to be reused without compromising detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accommodates variations in different pump devices by allowing parameter adjustments in the control circuitry, such as light intensity thresholds and detection sensitivity levels. This enables the universal controller to maintain consistent detection precision across multiple disposable pump device variants despite manufacturing tolerances.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The occlusion sensor system reliably detects blockages in the fluid path, ensuring timely user notification and preventing underdosing by alerting the user to potential flow issues, while allowing reusable components to be used across multiple pump devices, enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The removable controller device may include a light emitter and a light sensor that are in electrical communication with control circuitry
Implementation Method 2
The light sensor receives light from the light emitter that is internally reflected by the light transmissive member
Implementation Method 3
The occlusion sensor system includes a light emitter and a light sensor arranged in the reusable controller device. The light emitter and the light sensor are in electrical communication with control circuitry of the reusable controller device. The occlusion sensor system also includes a light transmissive member arranged in the disposable single-use pump device
Data Source
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AI summary
Some embodiments of an infusion pump system may include an occlusion sensor that can be used to detect when an occlusion exists in the fluid path between the medicine reservoir and the infusion site on the user's skin. Such an occlusion may occur, for example, when the fluid flow line (e.g., a cannula, infusion set tubing, or the like) is kinked. If the medicine dispensation path to the user is occluded, the user may receive no dosage or a lower dosage of the medicine. As such, the occlusion sensor can be used to indicate when the fluid is flowing or not flowing, thereby permitting the infusion pump system to communicate an alarm to the user if an occlusion exists.