Magnetic Sensor Assembly for Dialysis Fluid Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dialysis systems lack effective methods to accurately detect and verify the presence and delivery of medications, such as ferromagnetic fluids like Venofer®, within the blood circuit, which is crucial for ensuring proper treatment and preventing leaks or stoppages in medical fluid tubes.
Innovation Solution
A dialysis system equipped with a magnetic sensor assembly using a Hall effect magnetometer to detect changes in the magnetic field caused by ferromagnetic fluids, allowing for real-time monitoring of drug delivery and verification of the presence and amount of medications in the medical fluid tube, independent of optical factors like tube color or thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical detection methods are used to detect medication presence in medical fluid tubes, then the detection system is simple and inexpensive, but the detection accuracy is affected by tube color and thickness variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical detection methods with magnetic field-based detection. Instead of using light to detect medication presence, the system uses a magnetometer to detect changes in magnetic field caused by ferromagnetic particles in the medication. This substitution eliminates the interference from tube color and thickness while providing reliable detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ferromagnetic particles as an intermediary substance within the medication. These particles serve as a magnetic signature that the magnetometer can detect, allowing indirect detection of medication presence and flow without direct optical contact with the fluid, thereby avoiding tube interference.
2Reliability
If magnetic sensor assemblies are integrated into dialysis systems to detect ferromagnetic fluids, then medication delivery verification is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetometer assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting medication presence, verifying medication delivery, monitoring fluid flow, and detecting air bubbles. By consolidating these detection capabilities into a single multi-functional device, the patent reduces the need for multiple separate detection systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the magnetic properties of the medication itself (through ferromagnetic particles) to generate the detection signal. The medication essentially detects itself by interacting with the magnetic field, eliminating the need for complex external detection mechanisms or additional tracers.
3Loss of information
If ferromagnetic particles are added to medications for detection purposes, then detection capability is enhanced, but medication composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the magnetic parameter of the medication by adding ferromagnetic particles, making the medication detectable by the magnetometer. This parameter change enables detection capability without fundamentally altering the medication's therapeutic function, as the particles are present in small quantities sufficient for detection but not enough to affect treatment.
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 ensures reliable detection and delivery of medications, preventing leaks and stoppages, and accurately verifying the dosage of drugs administered to patients, enhancing the reliability and safety of dialysis treatments.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic sensor assembly can include a housing configured to releasably hold a medical fluid tube and a sensor secured to the housing, the sensor configured to detect a change in a strength of a magnetic field when a medical fluid passes through the medical fluid tube
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates generally to magnetic sensors and related systems and methods. In some aspects of the invention, a magnetic sensor assembly includes a housing configured to releasably hold a medical fluid tube and a sensor secured to the housing, the sensor configured to detect a change in a strength of a magnetic field when a medical fluid passes through the medical fluid tube.