Intravenous Device with Integrated Sensors for Patient Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intravenous therapy systems lack real-time, continuous monitoring of patient vitals, which can lead to delayed detection of adverse reactions or complications during infusion therapies, potentially requiring emergency room visits.
Innovation Solution
An intravenous device equipped with a printed circuit board (PCB) and integrated sensors such as pressure, temperature, and optical sensors, along with an accelerometer, that provide continuous and real-time measurements of patient vitals, allowing for wireless or wired communication with a computing device for clinician access and alerting potential adverse reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional intravenous therapy systems are used without integrated sensors, then the device complexity remains low, but real-time patient monitoring capability is lost leading to delayed detection of adverse reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing functions (pressure, temperature, optical, accelerometer) directly into the intravenous device structure. The pressure sensor, temperature sensor, optical sensor, and accelerometer are integrated onto a single circuit board that is incorporated into the IV device housing, creating a unified monitoring system that simultaneously measures multiple patient vitals without requiring separate monitoring devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The intravenous device is transformed into a multi-functional platform that not only delivers fluid therapy but also simultaneously performs comprehensive patient monitoring. The single device now serves dual purposes: infusion therapy delivery and real-time vital signs monitoring, eliminating the need for separate monitoring equipment and enabling prompt detection of adverse reactions.
2Loss of information
If multiple sensors are integrated into the intravenous device, then continuous patient monitoring is enabled, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into distinct functional modules, each responsible for a specific sensing function. The pressure sensor module detects pulse information, the temperature sensor module monitors body temperature, the optical sensor module measures oxygen levels, and the accelerometer module detects falls. This modular segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process by allowing each sensor type to be independently selected, tested, and integrated onto the circuit board.
3Loss of time
If real-time monitoring is implemented, then adverse reactions can be detected promptly, but the device requires more sophisticated components increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of patient vitals continuously throughout the infusion therapy. By constantly measuring pressure, temperature, oxygen levels, and movement before adverse reactions manifest, the system can detect early signs of complications such as embolism, infection, or allergic reactions, enabling clinicians to intervene before the condition deteriorates to a critical state requiring emergency room visits.
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 prompt care by continuously monitoring patient vitals, reducing the need for emergency medical interventions and providing timely alerts to clinicians, thus enhancing patient safety and reducing healthcare costs.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor fluidically coupled to a fluid path in the IV device to measure a pulse of the patient
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of blood within the patient's body
Implementation Method 3
an optical sensor to measure an oxygen level within blood of the patient's body
Implementation Method 4
an accelerometer to detect a rapid fall of the patient when the intravenous therapy system is inserted into the patient's body
Data Source
AI summary
An intravenous (IV) device, may include a needle; a catheter coaxially formed around the needle; a fluidic path fluidically coupled to a hollow formed through the needle and catheter; and a printed circuit board (PCB), including: a network interface device; a plurality of sensors operatively coupled to the fluidic path to measure a biological characteristic related to a plurality of patient vitals.