Injector Line Pressure Profiling to Detect Patient Line Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for fluid delivery systems and single-use disposable set connectors that encourage and enforce safe and hygienic practices to prevent contamination between patients, as users may be inclined to reuse single-use disposable set connectors to save time and cost, which is an unhygienic and potentially dangerous practice.
Innovation Solution
A fluid injector system that utilizes pressure measurements to detect the reuse of single-use disposable fluid path set components by comparing the pressure profile during priming with a predetermined profile, determining the presence of gas or liquid within the administration line, and generating alerts or permitting injection protocols based on the correlation within a specified tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If single-use disposable set connectors are reused to save time and cost, then productivity and cost efficiency are improved, but hygiene and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection during the priming phase before actual patient injection. Pressure sensors detect residual fluid in the administration line during priming, and the system generates an alert or prevents operation if reuse is detected, thereby preventing contamination before it can harm the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors pressure during priming and provides feedback about the fluid state in the administration line. If liquid (indicating prior use) is detected instead of gas, the system generates an alert or error message, creating a feedback loop that prevents reuse and ensures hygiene compliance.
2Device complexity
If manual checking methods are used to detect reused lines, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual visual inspection with automated pressure sensing and electronic detection. Pressure sensors mounted in the fluid pathway automatically detect the presence of liquid versus gas during priming, providing precise objective measurement that eliminates the imprecision and subjectivity of manual checking methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-detection during the normal priming operation without requiring separate manual inspection steps. The pressure sensors automatically monitor the priming process and detect reused lines as part of the standard operation sequence, making the detection process efficient and integrated into the workflow.
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 system effectively distinguishes between unused and used administration lines, ensuring safe and hygienic practices by preventing the reuse of disposable components, thereby reducing the risk of contamination.
Implementation Method 1
determining a distinct pressure profile by measuring a pressure generated during the priming of the subject administration line
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid injector system configured to perform an injection protocol in connection with a diagnostic imaging procedure includes a memory for storing a predetermined pressure profile representative of pressure expected to be generated within an exemplary administration line by a priming fluid, and a control device operatively associated with a drive component to pressurize and inject at least one fluid through a subject administration line. The control device includes a processor configured to perform an operation including: actuating the drive component to prime the subject administration line; determining a distinct pressure profile indicative of a measurement of current pressure generated during the priming of the subject administration line; comparing the distinct pressure profile to the predetermined pressure profile; and determining, based on a result of the comparison, whether the subject administration line, prior to priming, contained at least one of a liquid or a gas as the extant fluid.