Infusion Pump Optical Drop Volume Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion systems fail to accurately measure the volume and flow rate of fluid in real-time, particularly for drops in free fall, leading to inefficiencies in pump control and potential alarms due to lack of precise optical imaging and illumination techniques.
Innovation Solution
An infusion pump equipped with a specially programmed microprocessor, a drip chamber, and an illumination system that transmits light through the drip chamber to a drop of fluid, combined with an optical system to receive and process light data, allowing for the calculation of drop volume and flow rate, and enabling control of the pumping mechanism to match desired flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical systems are used to measure drop volume in free fall, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision is insufficient for real-time flow control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical free-fall measurement systems with an optical imaging system that captures images of drops at rest or in controlled motion within a drip chamber. The microprocessor analyzes these images to calculate drop volume, eliminating the need for mechanical measurement methods and enabling more precise real-time monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a drip chamber as an intermediary component between the fluid source and the measurement system. This chamber provides a controlled environment where drops can be imaged optically, serving as a mediator that enables accurate measurement while maintaining fluid flow control.
2Measurement precision
If optical imaging is implemented for drop measurement, then flow rate calculation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical imaging system serves multiple functions: it captures drop images for volume measurement, tracks drop formation timing for flow rate calculation, and provides visual feedback for system monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate measurement components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates optical copies (images) of the physical drop, which can be analyzed by the microprocessor without interfering with the actual drop formation process. This allows precise measurement while keeping the optical system relatively simple, as it only needs to capture images rather than manipulate the physical drops.
3Measurement precision
If illumination systems are added to improve drop imaging, then image quality improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system operates periodically or intermittently rather than continuously, activating only when a drop is present in the imaging area or when measurement is required. This periodic operation maintains adequate image quality for measurement while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous illumination.
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
Enables precise real-time measurement and control of fluid flow, reducing errors in pump operation and improving alarm accuracy by generating images of the drop, calculating its volume, and adjusting the flow rate accordingly.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for transmitting light through a wall of the drip chamber to a drop of fluid suspended from the end of the drip tube
Implementation Method 2
an optical system for: receiving light transmitted through the drop; and transmitting, to the first microprocessor, data regarding the received light
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating an infusion pump includes transmitting light through or around a drop of fluid suspended from an end of a drip tube for the infusion pump, the end of the drip tube located in a drip chamber for the infusion pump, wherein the drip tube is configured for connection to a source of the fluid; receiving, using an optical system for the pump, light transmitted through or around the drop; transmitting, to a specially programmed microprocessor and using the optical system, data regarding the received light; and, using the microprocessor to calculate a volume of the drop using the data.