Inline Conduit Sensing for Accurate Fluid Passage Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inaccurate estimation of fluid passage, such as blood loss or gain during medical procedures, leads to unnecessary medical resource consumption, clinical risks, and increased costs due to overestimation or underestimation of fluid loss or gain, which can result in delayed resuscitation, infections, tissue death, and high operating costs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for inline fluid characterization using sensor arrangements with ultrasound, thermal, and optical sensors to quantify flow and concentration of fluid components, enabling accurate estimation of fluid passage through conduits under varying flow conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional estimation methods are used, then device complexity is low, but measurement precision is insufficient leading to inaccurate fluid passage estimation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (ultrasound flow sensors, optical sensors, thermal sensors) into a single integrated sensor arrangement that can be coupled to a conduit. This merging of sensing capabilities allows simultaneous measurement of flow rate, fluid composition, and temperature, thereby improving fluid passage estimation accuracy without requiring multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor arrangement is designed as a universal system that can measure multiple parameters (volumetric flow rate, mass flow rate, fluid composition, temperature) simultaneously. This multi-functionality enables accurate characterization of fluid passage under varying conditions while using a single integrated device rather than multiple specialized devices.
2Measurement precision
If accurate fluid characterization is performed, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing functions are merged into a single sensor arrangement that interfaces with the conduit. The ultrasound sensors measure flow rate, optical sensors detect fluid composition and concentration, and thermal sensors measure temperature. This integration achieves accurate multi-parameter measurement while reducing the complexity of having multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a signal processing system as an intermediary that receives data from multiple sensor types and integrates them to produce accurate fluid passage characterization. This intermediary layer manages the complexity of multiple sensor inputs and provides unified, accurate measurements of flow and concentration.
3Productivity
If real-time fluid characterization is implemented, then productivity improves, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor arrangement continuously monitors fluid passage in real-time during medical procedures, providing ongoing characterization of flow rate and composition. This continuous measurement enables immediate detection of fluid loss or gain, improving productivity by eliminating delays in monitoring while the system operates continuously at moderate energy levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the fluid flow itself to enable measurements - the ultrasound sensors detect flow based on the movement of fluid, and optical sensors analyze composition as fluid passes through the conduit. This self-service approach allows real-time monitoring without requiring additional energy input beyond the sensors' operational power, as the fluid's own properties and motion provide the measurement basis.
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 real-time, accurate characterization of fluid passage, reducing unnecessary medical interventions, improving patient outcomes, and optimizing resource management by providing precise data for fluid loss or gain during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
sensor arrangement with ultrasound, thermal, and optical sensors to quantify flow
Implementation Method 2
sensor arrangement with ultrasound, thermal, and optical sensors to quantify flow and concentration of fluid components
Implementation Method 3
sensor arrangement with ultrasound, thermal, and optical sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A system performs a method for characterizing passage of a patient fluid through a conduit. The method includes quantifying flow of fluidic content through a conduit, where the fluidic content includes a patient fluid, estimating a concentration of a fluid component of the patient fluid in the fluidic content, and characterizing passage of the patient fluid loss through the conduit based on the quantified flow and the concentration of the fluid component. At least one of the quantified flow or the concentration of the fluid component is based on sensor data from a sensor arrangement coupled to the conduit. Other apparatus and methods are also described.