Keyed Coupling Syringe Infusion Pump for Wrong-Route Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical syringe infusion pumps are unable to differentiate between intravenous, enteral, and neuraxial/neural applications, leading to potential wrong route administration errors due to cross-application connections, which are not adequately addressed by current best practices, and result in increased space and capital expenditure, as well as operational complexities.
Innovation Solution
A syringe infusion pump with a keyed coupler system that includes a keyhole and key piece, allowing only compatible syringe and tubing types to connect, ensuring correct application recognition through mechanical or wireless communication, and adjusting settings based on identifiable elements for safe administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated pumps are used for each bodily system (intravenous, enteral, neuraxial/neural), then patient safety is improved by reducing wrong route administration errors, but space requirements and capital expenditure increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal pump design that can safely deliver all three bodily systems (intravenous, enteral, and neuraxial/neural) through a single device. The pump incorporates interchangeable keyed couplers that mechanically ensure compatibility only with the correct syringe and tubing types for each application, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated pumps while maintaining patient safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system is segmented into modular components, specifically the keyed couplers that can be interchangeably attached to the pump. Each keyed coupler is specifically designed for one bodily system (intravenous, enteral, or neuraxial/neural), allowing the single pump to be safely configured for different applications by simply changing the coupler module.
2Reliability
If dedicated pumps are used for each bodily system, then wrong route administration errors are reduced, but the number of pumps required multiplies capital expenditure
Solution Approach 1:
The universal pump design allows a single device to replace multiple dedicated pumps, directly reducing the quantity of equipment needed. The pump can be configured for intravenous, enteral, or neuraxial/neural applications by attaching the appropriate keyed coupler, eliminating the need to purchase and maintain separate pumps for each bodily system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of purchasing multiple physical pumps, the system uses reusable keyed coupler modules that can be attached to a single pump. The keyed couplers are relatively inexpensive components that replicate the functionality of dedicated pumps for each application, significantly reducing capital expenditure while maintaining safety.
3Reliability
If multiple syringe pump types are used for different bodily systems, then each system can be optimized, but the learning curve and operational complexity increase for clinicians
Solution Approach 1:
The pump interface and control system are designed to be universal across all three bodily systems. Once a keyed coupler is attached, the pump automatically recognizes the application type and presents the appropriate interface, maintaining consistent operation for clinicians regardless of which bodily system is being treated.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system automatically detects the keyed coupler type and configures itself for the appropriate application (intravenous, enteral, or neuraxial/neural). This self-configuration eliminates the need for clinicians to manually adjust complex settings or learn multiple operational modes, reducing the learning curve while maintaining application-specific optimization.
4Reliability
If dedicated pumps are used for each bodily system, then wrong route errors are minimized, but data integration into electronic medical records becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The universal pump uses a standardized communication interface that works across all three bodily systems. The pump automatically identifies the keyed coupler type and uses the appropriate data protocol for each application, presenting unified data output that simplifies integration into electronic medical records compared to managing multiple different pump systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system maintains homogeneous data output formats and communication protocols regardless of which keyed coupler or bodily system is in use. This consistency in data structure and interface simplifies the integration process with electronic medical records, as the same integration methodology works for all applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A syringe pump system for delivering controlled delivery of fluids from a syringe. The syringe pump system includes a keyed coupling and a motorized syringe pump. The keyed coupling includes an identifiable key piece that identifies which application or area of therapy is desired. The syringe pump includes a pump housing, a sliding key bed for receiving and reading the identifiable key piece of the keyed coupling, and a plunger actuator for actuating a plunger of the syringe. An internal software may be used to determine the correct drug or nutritional libraries and syringe specifications preprogrammed into the pump.