IV Hanger Weight Sensing for Infusion Flow Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Uncontrolled fluid flow during medical infusion processes can lead to inaccuracies in flow rate and volume delivery, posing risks to patient safety, and existing systems fail to detect and correct these issues promptly.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a sensor-equipped IV container hanger that measures fluid weight, calculates flow rate, and communicates wirelessly with infusion devices to detect deviations, alert caregivers, and adjust pump operations to maintain accurate flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If weight-based flow rate monitoring is implemented, then flow rate accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration of sensors, wireless communication circuitry, and processing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring function into separate modules: a weight sensor in the hanger measures fluid weight, a microprocessor calculates flow rate, and wireless communication transmits data to the infusion pump. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger acts as an intermediary device between the infusion container and the infusion pump. It incorporates the weight sensor and processing circuitry to measure and calculate flow rate, then communicates this information wirelessly to the pump without requiring direct integration with the pump's internal systems.
2Reliability
If real-time flow rate monitoring and fault detection are implemented, then patient safety is improved, but response time delays occur due to signal processing and wireless communication
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors weight changes and calculates flow rate in real-time during the infusion process. The microprocessor compares the calculated flow rate against the programmed flow rate continuously, enabling early detection of discrepancies before they become critical safety issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback by comparing the calculated flow rate (from weight depletion) with the programmed flow rate. When a discrepancy exceeds a threshold, the system immediately triggers an alarm and can stop the infusion, creating a closed-loop control system that responds dynamically to flow rate variations.
3Measurement precision
If fault detection threshold is set to be highly sensitive, then detection accuracy is improved, but false alarms increase leading to alarm fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a threshold-based approach where the difference between calculated and programmed flow rates must exceed a predetermined threshold to trigger an alarm. This partial action approach balances sensitivity with specificity, ensuring that only significant deviations are flagged while normal variations are tolerated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors the flow rate parameter over time and compares it against the programmed value. By continuously tracking this parameter and using a threshold criterion, the system can distinguish between normal flow rate variations and actual fault conditions, reducing false alarms while maintaining detection accuracy.
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
Ensures rapid detection and correction of flow rate and volume deviations, enhancing patient safety by preventing excessive fluid administration and ensuring precise infusion control.
Implementation Method 1
determining, by a processor, at a first time, using a weight sensor communicably connected to the processor and the infusion device, a first weight of an infusion container associated with the fluid infusion provided by the infusion device
Data Source
AI summary
A method of detecting a fault condition in an infusion process, the method includes receiving a programmed flow rate pertaining to a fluid infusion provided by an infusion device; determining, a first weight of an infusion container associated with the fluid infusion provided by the infusion device at a first time; determining a second weight of the infusion container at a second time; determining based on the first weight and the second weight, a determined flow rate of the fluid infusion provided by the infusion device between the first time and the second time. The method includes determining a difference between the determined flow rate and the programmed flow rate. When a magnitude of the difference between the determined flow rate and the programmed flow rate satisfies a predetermined threshold, by the processor: causing an output of the infusion device or the weight sensor to indicate the fault condition.