Medical Fluid Transfer Control With Sensor-Based Flow Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical facilities face challenges in providing customized medical fluids with optimized dosages and concentrations to meet individual patient needs, requiring efficient and precise medical fluid transfer systems.

Innovation Solution

An electronic medical fluid transfer device with sensors, electromechanical drivers, and computer processors to control fluid flow and adjust operational parameters based on detected conditions, ensuring accurate and customizable fluid transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual fluid transfer methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and measurement precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid transfer precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical fluid transfer operations with an electronic control system that uses sensors, processors, and automated actuators to precisely control fluid transfer, thereby improving measurement and manufacturing precision while accepting increased device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control by using sensors to detect fluid transfer parameters (such as volume, flow rate, or pressure) and feeding this information back to the processor, which then adjusts the transfer process in real-time to maintain precise control, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity through intelligent automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If customized medical fluids with optimized dosages are provided, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic control capabilities where the system can adaptively adjust fluid transfer parameters (flow rate, volume, timing) in real-time based on patient-specific requirements and real-time monitoring data, enabling customized medical fluid delivery through dynamic rather than static control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter change principles by modifying key transfer parameters (such as flow rate, volume, concentration, or timing) to create customized medical fluid regimens tailored to individual patient needs, allowing the same hardware to serve multiple customization requirements through software and control algorithm variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If sensors and monitors are added to detect cavitation and monitor performance, then reliability is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid transfer reliabilityVSAvoidsensor and monitor complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates sensors and monitors that continuously detect cavitation conditions and other performance parameters, feeding this information back to the control system to enable real-time detection and response, thereby improving reliability through continuous monitoring and adaptive control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses sensors to detect cavitation and other problematic conditions before they cause harm, enabling the system to take preliminary corrective actions (such as adjusting flow parameters or alerting operators) to prevent failures and maintain reliable fluid transfer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260007574A1Systems, methods, and components for transferring medical fluids

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 ICU MEDICAL INC

AI summary

An example of an electronic medical fluid transfer device can comprise a fluid transfer module with a multidirectional flow control valve and an intermediate container or pumping region, a sensor configured to detect whether at least one of a vacuum or gas is present in the fluid transfer module, a first electromechanical driver configured to interface with and control the multidirectional flow control valve on the fluid transfer module, a second electromechanical driver configured to be mechanically linked to and control the intermediate container or pumping region according to an operational parameter, and one or more computer processors configured to communicate electronically with the sensor and the first and second electromechanical drivers to determine the operational parameter based on a flow characteristic of medical fluid to be transferred and adjust the operational parameter based on output of the sensor.