IV Pump Air Removal via Hydrophobic Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infusion pumping systems face challenges in managing air bubbles, leading to interruptions in drug delivery, which can be critical in intensive care or operating room settings, and may result in bloodstream infections or instability due to the need to stop IV infusions for air removal.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an air removal device upstream of the IV pump, utilizing a hydrophobic filter and check valve to prevent air from entering the pump and a hydrophilic filter to ensure air is purged without interrupting the infusion, along with recirculation bypass lines to actively remove air from the system, allowing continuous drug delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air detection is implemented to stop infusion upon air bubble detection, then patient safety is improved, but therapy interruption occurs leading to drug delivery disruption and nursing workflow interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The air removal device extracts air bubbles from the infusion line upstream of the pump, separating the air removal function from the drug delivery function. This allows the pump to continue operating without interruption while air is actively removed through the hydrophobic filter and check valve mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
Air is removed preliminarily before it can reach the pump and cause therapy interruption. The air removal device is positioned upstream and actively purges air bubbles from the line before they interfere with continuous drug delivery, preventing the need to stop the infusion
2Object-generated harmful factors
If IV system is opened to remove air, then air is eliminated from the line, but risk of bloodstream infection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air removal device acts as an intermediary component that removes air bubbles from the closed IV system without requiring opening of the system. The hydrophobic filter and check valve mechanism provide a controlled pathway for air removal while maintaining system integrity and sterility
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical action of opening the system to remove air is replaced by a passive hydrophobic filter mechanism that automatically removes air through pressure differential and surface tension effects, eliminating the need to breach the closed sterile system
3Reliability
If infusion pump stops immediately upon air detection, then air entry into bloodstream is prevented, but critical therapy interruption occurs causing blood pressure variation and arrhythmia
Solution Approach 1:
Air bubbles are extracted from the infusion line upstream of the pump using the air removal device with hydrophobic filter. This prevents air from reaching the pump and bloodstream while allowing continuous drug delivery to maintain patient stability
Solution Approach 2:
Air removal occurs preliminarily before air can cause harmful effects or trigger pump shutdown. The system proactively removes air bubbles through the check valve and hydrophobic filter mechanism, preventing both air embolism and therapy interruption
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
This solution enables uninterrupted infusion of critical medications by preventing air from reaching the pump and actively purging air from the system, minimizing interruptions and reducing the risk of infections or stability issues during therapy.
Implementation Method 1
An air passing but liquid retaining (e.g., hydrophobic) filter is located or carried by the air removal device at the top of the device, near the liquid inlet
Implementation Method 2
A check valve is located in or carried by the air removal device in air flow communication with the hydrophobic filter. The check valve prevents the IV pump from drawing air through the hydrophobic filter into the air removal device when the IV pump is creating negative pressure
Implementation Method 3
A hydrophilic filter prevents any air in the air removal device from passing downstream into the pump tubing set
Implementation Method 4
The air removal device includes a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet and in an embodiment is disposed and arranged with respect to the pump tubing set so that in operation the liquid inlet resides elevationally above the liquid outlet
Data Source
AI summary
An intravenous (“IV”) liquid delivery system includes: an IV pump tubing set; a shuttle pump or membrane pump actuator operable with the IV pump tubing set; upstream and downstream valve actuators operable with the IV pump tubing set; the IV pump tubing set including an air removal device; an air detector configured to sense air in the IV pump tubing set; a control unit configured and arranged to (i) open the upstream valve actuator and close the downstream valve actuator to allow the pump actuator to draw liquid into a pump actuation portion of the IV pump tubing set, and (ii) close the upstream valve actuator and open the downstream valve actuator to allow the pump actuator to push liquid out of the pump actuation portion, the system configured to attempt to remove the air via the air removal device while operating the upstream and downstream valve actuators according to (i) and (ii).