Medical Pump Segment Algorithm Adjustment for Dosing Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical fluid pumping systems are limited in dosing accuracy due to variations in individual pump segment dimensions, which affect the flow rate and overall performance, despite calibration efforts.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a pump segment with an information storage means for individual characteristics, such as geometrical dimensions, and a medical pump with a reading and processing means to adjust the pumping algorithm based on this information, ensuring accurate flow rates by adjusting engine speed or selecting suitable algorithms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If pump segments are manufactured with standard tolerances, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but dosing accuracy deteriorates due to individual dimension variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by storing individual characteristic data (such as inner diameter, length, or volume measurements) of each pump segment in an information storage means during the manufacturing process. This pre-captured information is then used by the control unit to adjust the pumping algorithm before operation, thereby compensating for dimensional variations and improving dosing accuracy without requiring complex real-time measurements during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by using the stored individual characteristics of the pump segment to dynamically adjust the pumping algorithm. The control unit retrieves the specific dimensional data of the installed pump segment and modifies the pumping parameters (such as roller speed, compression force, or timing) to compensate for deviations from nominal dimensions, ensuring accurate dosing despite manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If pump segments are manufactured to tight tolerances, then dosing accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional toleranceVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by shifting the control variable from physical dimensions to operational parameters. Instead of requiring tight dimensional tolerances on pump segment manufacturing, the system measures the actual dimensions and compensates by adjusting pumping parameters (such as rotational speed, compression timing, or roller position) through the control unit, thereby achieving accurate dosing with relaxed manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical approach of achieving precision through tight manufacturing tolerances with an informational and computational approach. Individual characteristics are captured as data, stored in an information storage means, and processed by a control unit that adjusts the pumping algorithm, substituting mechanical precision requirements with digital compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If individual pump segment characteristics are measured and stored, then dosing accuracy is improved, but device complexity and information storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing accuracyVSAvoidinformation storage requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting only the essential individual characteristics of the pump segment (such as inner diameter, length, or volume) that directly impact dosing accuracy. Rather than storing complete geometric models or excessive measurement data, the system identifies and stores only the critical parameters needed for algorithm adjustment, minimizing information storage requirements while maintaining dosing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Manufacturing precision

If the pumping algorithm is adjusted based on individual characteristics, then flow rate accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is pre-programmed with pumping algorithms that can be adjusted based on stored individual characteristics. The adjustment logic is prepared in advance, allowing the system to automatically retrieve pump segment data and apply the appropriate compensation factors without requiring complex real-time calculations or adaptive learning algorithms during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach reduces adverse influences on performance by accounting for individual pump segment dimensions, achieving reproducible and accurate flow rates, thereby enhancing the system's overall performance.

Implementation Method 1

a pump engine that is often connected to a rotor which typically carries at least one circumferential roller mounted on bearings, the roller is arranged to compress the pump segment and forcing the fluid to move through the pump segment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

The pump segment is fabricated from a resilient material and thus reassumes its normal shape after the compression by the roller ceases. A body of fluid (or bolus) trapped between two successive rollers is thus transported at ambient pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4180069A1System for pumping a medical fluid
Publication Date: 2023.05.17 FRESENIUS KABI DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP4180069A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4180069A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4180069A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system (1) for pumping a medical fluid through a line in a medical pump (3) comprising: a pump segment (5) comprising an information storage means (15) comprising information pertaining to at least one individual characteristic of the pump segment (5); and a medical pump (3) comprising a pumping chamber (11) for accommodating the pump segment (5), wherein the medical pump (3) further comprises a pump engine (13) and a reading means (17) for obtaining the information from the information storage means (15), and processing means (19) adapted to adjust the pumping algorithm of the pump engine (13) based on the information. The invention also relates to a method (1000) for pumping a medical fluid through a line in a medical pump (3).