Irrigation Pump Pressure Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with spinal injuries, multiple sclerosis, or spina bifida, and those with stomal surgery face challenges with voluntary bowel control, leading to incontinence or constipation due to reduced sensory awareness of rectal contents, and existing irrigation systems lack effective control and user convenience in managing bowel emptying.
Innovation Solution
A system for anal and/or stomal irrigation featuring a reservoir, catheter with a pressure-sensitive tip, a pump, and a control system that adjusts pumping based on pressure measurements to ensure gradual liquid dispensing, preventing sudden flow interruptions and maintaining a consistent flow rate, using pressure sensors and power signal analysis to optimize liquid delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pump is used to dispense irrigating liquid, then the liquid can be delivered to the catheter tip, but the flow may be interrupted suddenly causing discomfort or harm
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs pressure sensors that continuously monitor the pressure in the tubing system and provide feedback to the control system. When the pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control system automatically adjusts the pump operation to reduce pressure, preventing sudden flow interruptions and ensuring smooth, controlled liquid delivery throughout the irrigation process.
2Ease of operation
If pressure control is implemented to prevent sudden flow, then user comfort is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically monitors pressure via sensors and adjusts pump operation without requiring user intervention. The system self-regulates by comparing pressure readings against predetermined thresholds and autonomously modifying pump speed or operation mode, thereby maintaining user comfort while minimizing the complexity of user interaction.
3Loss of time
If the pump operates at high speed for efficient irrigation, then treatment time is reduced, but the pressure may become too high causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The pump operation is dynamically adjusted based on real-time pressure feedback. The control system continuously modulates the pump speed according to the measured pressure, allowing the system to operate at high speeds when pressure is acceptable and automatically reduce speed when pressure approaches thresholds, thereby optimizing both treatment time and patient comfort throughout the irrigation process.
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 improves user experience by ensuring a smooth and controlled irrigation process, reducing the risk of incontinence and constipation by accurately managing bowel emptying, and minimizing the risk of contamination through controlled fluid flow and air expulsion.
Implementation Method 1
a pump operable to pump the irrigating liquid from the reservoir to the catheter tip
Implementation Method 2
said control system being configured to control operation of the pump in response to a measure of pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for anal and/or stomal irrigation comprises a reservoir (102) for an irrigating liquid, a catheter (100) comprising a catheter tip for insertion into the rectum or stoma of a user and for expelling of the irrigating liquid from the catheter tip, and a tubing system (119, 121) providing a conduit for the irrigating liquid between the reservoir and the catheter tip. A pump (101) is provided to pump the irrigating liquid from the reservoir to the catheter tip, and a control system controls a flow condition, such as the amount of liquid expelled at the catheter tip. A sensor (153) determines a measure of pressure in at least one first predetermined position in the tubing system and/or the catheter during operation of the pump, on the basis of which the flow condition is estimated. The control system (103) is configured to control the pumping operation of the pump in response to the measure of pressure.