Medical Fluid ADC Verification Across Galvanic Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical fluid treatment systems, such as automated peritoneal dialysis machines, face challenges in accurately verifying voltage and analog-to-digital converter (ADC) measurements due to galvanic isolation between control and protective electrical systems, leading to inconsistent and inaccurate sensor measurements.
Innovation Solution
A system is introduced that includes a control circuit and a protective circuit with associated sensors and ADC devices, where a processor initiates a pretreatment phase to expose sensors to common conditions, compares ADC values, and registers errors to ensure accurate reference voltage and ADC value verification, using optoisolators for galvanic isolation and determining actual and expected reference voltage values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If galvanic isolation is implemented between control and protective electrical systems, then safety and electrical isolation are improved, but measurement accuracy and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator mechanism that transfers measurement data across the galvanic isolation barrier. Sensors in both control and protective systems measure the same physical quantity (e.g., fluid pressure), and their readings are compared to verify accuracy. This mediator approach allows galvanic isolation to be maintained while still enabling cross-system verification of measurements through intermediate data comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously comparing measurements from sensors in the control system with corresponding measurements from the protective system. When discrepancies are detected, the system generates alerts or corrective actions. This feedback loop ensures that measurement accuracy is maintained across the galvanic isolation boundary by using the protective system's measurements to verify the control system's measurements.
2Measurement precision
If redundant sensors and ADC devices are deployed in both control and protective circuits, then measurement verification capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement verification function into distinct control and protective circuits, each with their own sensors and ADC devices. This segmentation allows independent operation and verification of each system while maintaining galvanic isolation. The control circuit handles primary control functions, while the protective circuit independently verifies measurements, dividing the complex verification task into manageable, isolated segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing sensors and measurement devices in both control and protective circuits that measure the same physical quantities using the same principles. This multi-functionality allows either circuit to serve as a backup or verification mechanism for the other, reducing the need for entirely separate verification systems and thereby managing complexity while maintaining verification capability.
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 enhances the accuracy of fluid flow control and dialysis processes by ensuring reliable protective systems, improving patient care through precise measurement verification and error detection in medical fluid treatment systems.
Implementation Method 1
the control circuit and the protective circuit are galvanically isolated from one another
Implementation Method 2
using optoisolators for galvanic isolation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for verifying reference voltage and analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) values during medical fluid treatment. An example system comprises a control circuit including control ADC devices associated with respective control sensors to facilitate medical fluid treatment; and a protective circuit including protective ADC devices associated with protective sensors, wherein the control circuit and the protective circuit are galvanically isolated from one another; and a computing device having a memory and a processor. The computing device may be configured to initiate a pretreatment that exposes the control sensors and the protective sensors to common pretreatment conditions (e.g., temperature and pressure); receive, during the pretreatment, control ADC values and protective ADC values; and register an error for one or both of the control circuit or the protective circuit based on a comparison of a control ADC value with a protective ADC value.