Lumen Identification via Synchronized Visual Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for identifying lumens in medical settings, such as infusion pump systems, struggle to automatically associate identified lumens with connected fluid pumps or medication data, leading to confusion and potential medication delivery errors due to tangled and overlapping fluid lines.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising smart devices and medication source devices connected to lumens, equipped with visual indicators, communication circuitry, and user input components, which communicate to produce a synchronized visual output indicating lumen association, obtain medication data, and determine compatibility of medications for delivery through the same lumen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluid lines are used to deliver different medications to a patient, then medication delivery capability is improved, but line identification complexity increases making it difficult to trace and identify correct lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded visual indicators (LEDs) to fluid lines to differentiate between multiple lumens. Each lumen has an associated visual indicator that displays a specific color or pattern, allowing healthcare providers to quickly identify the correct line without physical tracing. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining multi-medication delivery capability while eliminating identification complexity through visual differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by establishing communication between medication source devices and smart devices at the patient interface. The visual indicators provide real-time feedback about which lumen is connected to which medication source, and the system can detect and display connection status, ensuring accurate line identification and reducing errors.
2Measurement precision
If manual tracing of fluid lines is performed to identify connections, then accurate identification can be achieved, but time consumption and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual tracing process with an automated optical and electronic system. Visual indicators provide immediate visual identification of lumen connections, and communication circuitry automatically tracks and displays connection information. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual tracing while maintaining or improving identification accuracy through automated tracking.
3Ease of operation
If visual indicators are added to smart devices and medication source devices, then lumen identification is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indicators and communication circuitry are integrated into existing smart devices and medication source devices, making these components multi-functional. The same devices that control medication delivery also provide visual identification and automated tracking, eliminating the need for separate identification systems and reducing overall device complexity despite adding identification capabilities.
4Measurement precision
If communication circuitry is implemented between devices to establish automated connections, then line association accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication circuitry acts as an intermediary system that automatically establishes and tracks associations between medication source devices and smart devices. By implementing standardized communication protocols at the device level, the system achieves accurate automated tracking without requiring complex centralized control systems, thus improving association accuracy while managing complexity through modular communication design.
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 effectively reduces lumen identification complexity and medication delivery errors by providing a visual indication of lumen association and medication compatibility, enhancing compliance with lumen maintenance procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the visual indicator of the smart device includes a light emitting diode, and wherein the same type of visual output is a same color of light
Data Source
AI summary
A visual indicator of a smart device and a visual indicator of a medication source device may be controlled to produce a same type of visual output based on a communication established between the medication source device and the smart device, The medication source device may be connected to a lumen, the smart device may be configured to be connected to the lumen, and the same type of visual output may be associated with the lumen. A compatibility of a first type of medication delivered or scheduled to be delivered via the lumen to a patient and a second type of medication delivered or scheduled to be delivered via the lumen to the patient may be determined to an indication of whether the second type of medication is compatible for delivery via the same lumen associated with the same type of visual output.