Infusion Pump Order Consistency Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Intravenous fluid delivery systems often experience inconsistencies in medication administration due to incorrect programming data or lack of synchronization between medication orders and delivery status, leading to potential interruptions or omissions in patient treatment.

Innovation Solution

A fluid medication delivery monitoring system that compares medication orders with delivery status information and provides notifications when inconsistencies are detected, using a network-connected architecture with medical devices, servers, and clients to ensure accurate and timely medication administration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual programming data entry is used for infusion pumps, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential incorrect parameter entry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical data entry with automated electronic data transfer. The system uses wireless communication and automated programming to transfer infusion parameters from the order entry system directly to the infusion pump, eliminating manual keyboard entry while maintaining ease of operation through automated processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary automated programming system that acts as a mediator between the order entry system and the infusion pump. This intermediary automatically retrieves order data, validates parameters, and programs the pump without requiring manual intervention, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If automated data loading from labels is used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional communication interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the order entry system multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as the primary ordering interface and as an automated programming source for infusion pumps. This universal system eliminates the need for separate label reading devices and complex communication interfaces at the pump level, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.

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

3Reliability

If frequent monitoring of infusion consistency is performed, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional monitoring activities

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors infusion delivery against ordered parameters through electronic communication between the pump and order entry system. This automated feedback provides real-time verification without requiring manual monitoring activities, thereby improving reliability while eliminating time loss associated with frequent manual checks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2968758B1Infusion order and delivery consistency
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 CAREFUSION 303 INC
  • EP2968758B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2968758B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2968758B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods for monitoring delivery of a medication are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving first information indicating an order for a fluid medication in a container for a patient, and second information indicating a current status of delivery of fluid medication to the patient. The method also includes determining whether the order for the fluid medication for the patient is consistent with the current status of delivery of fluid medication to the patient, and providing an alert indicating an inconsistency between the order for the fluid medication and the current status of delivery of fluid medication when the order for the fluid medication for the patient is inconsistent with the delivery of fluid medication to the patient. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.