Multi-Pump Infusion Relay Sequencing for Therapy Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing multiple infusion pumps is cumbersome and prone to interruptions due to the need for frequent user intervention, such as replacing empty fluid containers or syringes, leading to alarm fatigue and therapy disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for managing multiple infusion pumps in a relay sequence, where a computing device controls a relay sequence of infusion pumps to automatically transfer infusion status and operational parameters between pumps, allowing seamless transitions and minimizing user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple infusion pumps are managed manually with frequent user intervention for replacing empty fluid containers or syringes, then the infusion therapy can be maintained, but the user workload increases and therapy interruptions occur leading to alarm fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables pumps to automatically detect when another pump has completed its infusion and self-activate to continue the therapy. The second pump monitors the first pump's status and automatically starts infusing when triggered, eliminating the need for manual user intervention to maintain therapy continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the first pump communicates its completion status to the second pump, which then responds by activating. This closed-loop feedback ensures seamless transition between pumps while reducing alarm fatigue by automatically managing the infusion sequence.
2Productivity
If a user manually replaces empty fluid containers or syringes and reprograms pumps, then the infusion can continue, but therapy interruptions occur causing patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The second pump is pre-configured with the necessary infusion parameters and is ready to activate immediately when the first pump completes. This preliminary preparation eliminates the time required for manual reprogramming and container replacement, ensuring continuous therapy delivery without patient discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous infusion delivery by having the second pump automatically activate upon the first pump's completion. The useful action of drug delivery continues uninterrupted through the automatic transition between pumps, eliminating therapy gaps that would otherwise cause patient discomfort.
3Device complexity
If infusion pumps operate independently without automated relay sequencing, then each pump can be simply controlled, but managing multiple pumps becomes cumbersome and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the control functions of multiple pumps into a coordinated relay sequence. The pumps are combined into a unified system where the completion of one pump automatically triggers the next, transforming independent simple controls into an integrated automated management system that reduces operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an automated relay sequencing mechanism as an intermediary between pumps. This mediator automatically manages the transition and coordination between multiple pumps, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing the difficulty of managing multiple devices while maintaining simple individual pump operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A drug infusion system comprises a plurality of infusion pumps including a first infusion pump and a second infusion pump and a computing device. The computing device comprises a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The processor is configured to control a plurality of modules to establish a relay sequence of the plurality of infusion pumps to sequentially deliver drugs associated with each of the plurality of infusion pumps to a patient, in response to detecting that the first infusion pump completes an infusion, automatically transfer infusion status information of the first infusion pump to the second infusion pump in the relay sequence, activate the second infusion pump to start infusing in accordance with the relay sequence, remove the first infusion pump from the relay sequence, and retain operational parameters of the first infusion pump.