Infusion Safety Tag Reader for Medication Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional infusion pumps face challenges in preventing medication errors due to the lack of a safe link between the medication, barcode reader, and infusion line, leading to potential misconnection and air entry into the infusion line, which can result in incorrect drug administration and patient safety risks.
Innovation Solution
An infusion safety device equipped with a tag reader that continuously reads medication tags on the reservoir, a processing unit connected to the infusion pump to recognize reservoir changes, and a controller that adjusts reading frequency based on power source, along with sensors and an active valve to prevent air entry and ensure correct drug administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a barcode reader is added to the pump to read medication tags, then medication identification capability is improved, but the risk of misconnection increases because there is no safe link between the medication, barcode reader, and infusion line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the barcode reader, reservoir detector, and infusion line sensor into an integrated safety system. The system merges multiple detection functions (barcode reading, reservoir presence detection, line connection status) into a unified control mechanism that verifies all connections before enabling infusion, thereby preventing misconnection errors while maintaining medication identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring the infusion line status and reservoir position throughout the infusion process. Sensors detect line disconnection or reservoir removal and provide real-time feedback to the controller, which automatically stops the infusion or alerts the user, ensuring ongoing verification of safe connections.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an Air In Line detector is placed one meter below the container, then air detection capability is improved, but the complexity of the system increases and response time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air detection function from a separate distant detector and integrates it into the pump unit itself. By placing the sensor at the pump inlet rather than one meter below the container, the system eliminates the need for long tubing and complex positioning while maintaining effective air detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump acts as an intermediary between the reservoir and the patient, incorporating the air detection sensor at its inlet. This intermediary position allows the system to detect air bubbles early in the infusion line before they reach the patient, providing a safer and more compact configuration.
3Manufacturing precision
If drop counting is used to monitor infusion, then infusion accuracy is improved, but the system becomes more complex and may give false alarms due to low liquid levels in the drip chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drop counting sensor with the reservoir level detection function in a single integrated sensor system. The same sensor that counts drops also detects when the reservoir liquid level becomes too low, eliminating the need for separate monitoring devices and reducing false alarms by correlating drop count data with reservoir level status.
4Measurement precision
If continuous barcode reading is implemented during the whole infusion, then medication verification accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic barcode scanning at key moments during the infusion process (at the start, when reservoir changes are detected, or when line disconnection is suspected) rather than continuous scanning. This periodic action maintains medication verification accuracy while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous reading.
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 solution provides 100% medication error prevention, automates infusion setup, and prevents air from entering the infusion line, ensuring accurate and safe drug delivery by continuously verifying the medication and detecting low reservoir levels, thus enhancing patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
a tag reader which is adapted to read a medication tag provided at an infusion medication reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a peristaltic pump mechanism
Implementation Method 3
sensors adapted to detect drops
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2a
AI summary
An infusion safety device comprises a tag reader (12) which is adapted to read a medication tag (1) provided at an infusion medication reservoir (5), in particular during the whole infusion and a processing unit (11) which is connected with said tag reader (12) and is provided to be connected with an infusion pump in which an infusion protocol is stored and is adapted to recognize a change of the medication reservoir (5), to read out the infusion protocol from the infusion pump, to cause said tag reader (12) to carry out a reading operation at the latest in case it recognizes a change of the medication reservoir (5) and to give an alarm in case there is no match between the medication read by said tag reader (12) and the medication required by the infusion protocol.