Inline Flow Sensor Feedback for Infusion Pump Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infusion pump systems lack accurate measurement and control of flow rates, leading to potential patient harm due to increased pressure from blockages and tissue saturation, as they rely on indirect flow rate determination and constant pressure delivery, which can result in over-pressure and incorrect drug delivery.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flow rate sensor into the administration set tubing to directly measure the flow rate and adjust the system accordingly, using a gating system to control the flow rate by opening and closing gates or changing pulse width and frequency, allowing for real-time monitoring and feedback to maintain safe pressures and accurate delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If constant pressure delivery is used to overcome blockages and tissue resistance, then flow rate can be maintained, but system pressure increases excessively causing patient harm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously measuring actual flow rate with sensors in the tubing and comparing it to the target flow rate. The pump controller adjusts pump operation based on this feedback to maintain the desired flow rate without excessively increasing pressure, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining productivity and avoiding harmful high pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical constant pressure delivery system with an electronically controlled pump system that uses flow sensors and feedback control algorithms. This substitution allows precise control of flow rate independent of pressure, eliminating the need to increase pressure to maintain flow rate against blockages.
2Device complexity
If indirect flow rate determination is used in constant flow pump systems, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates leading to incorrect drug delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces indirect mechanical flow rate determination with direct electronic flow rate measurement using sensors placed in the tubing. This substitution provides accurate direct measurement of flow rate while the feedback control system manages the added complexity, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback control where flow rate sensors continuously measure actual flow and the controller adjusts pump operation to match target flow rate. This feedback mechanism ensures high measurement precision and accurate drug delivery while managing system complexity through automated control.
3Productivity
If immediate pressure increase is applied to compensate for resistance in the infusion circuit, then flow rate is maintained, but patient safety deteriorates due to high fluid pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring actual flow rate and adjusting pump operation to maintain target flow rate without excessive pressure increase. This resolves the contradiction by decoupling flow rate maintenance from pressure increase, thereby maintaining productivity while improving patient safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical response of immediate pressure increase with an electronically controlled pump system that uses feedback control. This allows the system to maintain flow rate through controlled pump operation rather than uncontrolled pressure increase, improving safety while maintaining productivity.
4Measurement precision
If flow rate sensors are incorporated into administration set tubing, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback control where flow rate sensors provide continuous measurement and the controller automatically adjusts pump operation. This automated feedback loop manages the complexity introduced by sensors, maintaining measurement precision while keeping the system manageable through intelligent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates flow rate sensors into the administration set tubing, making the tubing multi-functional by combining fluid delivery and flow measurement capabilities. This integration approach manages complexity by combining functions rather than adding separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An administration set, system, and method for administering an infusion fluid for delivering an infusion fluid into a patients anatomic space includes an infusion fluid path having a first portion to connect with a source of the infusion fluid and a second portion to deliver the infusion fluid into the patients anatomic space; and a flow rate sensor disposed in the infusion fluid path between the first and second portion to determine a flow rate measurement of the infusion fluid and to generate a signal indicative of the flow rate measurement to control the flow rate of the infusion fluid through the fluid path.