Ambulatory Infusion Sensor Testing via Supply Voltage Variation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ambulatory infusion devices face challenges in reliably detecting sensor failures, particularly due to issues with cabling and wiring susceptibility to failure, which can lead to undetected occlusions and other hazardous situations, and existing fault detection methods are limited to specific hardware architectures and dependent on numerous system parameters.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a sensor testing unit that varies the supply voltage/current and determines if this variation is reflected in the sensor assembly output, allowing for the detection of sensor failures and ensuring reliable operation across different device architectures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing fault detection methods are used, then device operation is maintained, but reliability is compromised due to undetected sensor failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sensor testing by applying known voltage variations before actual infusion operations. The sensor assembly is tested in advance to detect failures, ensuring reliability is maintained before the device enters critical operation mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives feedback from the sensor assembly output and compares it against expected variations. When the sensor output does not correspond to the applied voltage variation, the system identifies a failure condition and alerts the user, maintaining high reliability through continuous monitoring.
2Reliability
If sensor testing sequence is implemented, then sensor failure detection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly serves dual functions: it monitors infusion characteristics during normal operation and participates in self-testing during the sensor testing sequence. The same sensor assembly output is used for both infusion monitoring and failure detection, eliminating the need for separate testing hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly tests itself by applying voltage variations through the supply unit and measuring its own output response. The sensor assembly is both the instrument being tested and part of the testing system, reducing the need for external testing equipment and simplifying the overall device architecture.
3Measurement precision
If supply voltage/current is varied for testing, then sensor failure detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor testing sequence is executed periodically rather than continuously. The controller initiates testing at predetermined intervals or under specific conditions, allowing the sensor assembly to be tested at optimal times without requiring constant energy input for prolonged testing periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial voltage variations sufficient to detect sensor failures without requiring full-power continuous operation. The voltage variation is controlled to be just enough to elicit a detectable response from the sensor assembly, minimizing energy consumption while maintaining detection precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An ambulatory infusion device for infusion of a liquid drug into a patient's body over an extended period of time and methods thereof are disclosed. The device includes a sensor assembly, which produces a sensor assembly output based on an infusion characteristic of the ambulatory infusion device and based on a supply voltage/current, and a supply unit which is coupled to a sensor of the sensor assembly and generates the supply voltage/current. A sensor testing unit detects a failure of the sensor assembly, wherein the sensor testing unit is coupled to the sensor assembly and the supply unit, and the sensor testing unit carries out a sensor testing sequence. The sensor testing sequence includes controlling the supply unit so as to produce a variation of the supply voltage/current, and determining whether the variation of the supply voltage/current produces a corresponding variation of the sensor assembly output.